Wolf moon as seen over Mt. Rubidoux (Ken Crawford)
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Wednesday Gazette: January 15, 2025
Hello Riverside, and Happy Wednesday!
If your mental health needs a break from the reg flag warnings and fire engine sirens, consider this redirect: Today is National Bagel Day.
Last Summer, Seth turned us all on to Parzel’s Bagelry, "a great bagel bakery with big bagel ambitions." You can celebrate this holey-day by picking up some of Kali Hathaway’s bagels at Victoria Grove Market (12261 Blackburn Rd.) or wait till Saturday when Parzel’s will be joining Mikey G’s coffee pop-up residency at Harvest Church with bagels that “check all the boxes.”
RFD on High Alert as Riverside Prepares and Supports Los Angeles
Fire Chief McKinster emphasizes readiness for wildfires while Riverside helps with LA's recovery efforts.
Riverside Fire Department Engine 14 on the scene of a vegetation fire in the Sycamore Canyon in August 2017. (Courtesy Dave Toussaint)
As wildfires continue to devastate Los Angeles, Riverside is also facing increased fire risk due to dry conditions and Santa Ana winds. Riverside Fire Chief Steve McKinster urges residents to remain vigilant, as the ongoing dry winter has left vegetation highly susceptible to fires. "The fires in Los Angeles are a stark reminder of the risk we face in Riverside," McKinster says. "With no rain this winter and strong winds, the potential for wildfires is significant. We are ready to respond, but it’s crucial that everyone remains alert."
The Riverside Fire Department operates 14 fire stations, all equipped with specialized tools for wildland firefighting. The department is fully prepared to tackle potential blazes, with McKinster emphasizing the importance of proactive community awareness and emergency readiness.
City Council Approves 5% Pay Raise for Mayor and Members
Council cites full-time demands of job in approving first pay increase since 2023; monthly car stipend also increased to $500.
The Riverside City Council voted to increase the salaries of the mayor and council members by 5% on Tuesday, January 14. The decision raises the mayor's monthly salary to $7,604.10 and councilmembers' to $3,810.45. In a separate vote, the council also approved raising the car allowance for councilmembers from $350 to $500 per month.
The salary increase required five affirmative votes to pass, which it received despite opposition from two council members. The car allowance increase passed unanimously.
La Sierra Shines a Light on Childhood Hunger Through Art
An art installation and panel discussion highlight local food insecurity and inspire community action.
(Courtesy of La Sierra University)
La Sierra University is bringing attention to childhood food insecurity with a poignant art installation and discussion led by local artist Rebecca Waring-Crane. The event takes place tonight, January 14, but additional opportunities to engage with the project are coming later this year.
The exhibit, titled empty, is on display in the rotunda of the university's Zapara School of Business. An artist reception will be held tonight from 5–6 p.m., followed by a talk and panel discussion at 5:15 p.m. in the Troesh Conference Center. Both events are free and open to the public.
“Frontline” Tells Unheard Stories of Citrus Workers
The Commerce Street pop-up exhibit runs through February 14th.
Man looks at Frontline banners. (Ken Crawford)
Before the Freeway ran down the middle of the city, the divide was the train tracks, and Commerce Avenue was the industrial heart of the city on the edge of town. On the other side of the tracks was the Eastside. Part of the story of Riverside's citrus heritage can be told in the dozens of surviving mansions that belonged to the citrus barons of the 19th and 20th centuries. We can still learn from what little remains of the industry's infrastructure. Thousands of stories are held in the streets and structures of the Eastside neighborhood.
People's History Inland Empire and the Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California have installed, on Commerce between Mission Inn Avenue and Third Street, a series of banners and two plaques that demarc the location of the historical citrus industrial district and honor the workers in the groves and running the machines of that industry. This is part of a multi-city project, Live From the Frontline, that honors and brings dignity to the men and women who labored to keep the Industries that built Southern California running.
Riverside County marks a historic moment as Latinos hold the majority on the Board of Supervisors for the first time. Jose Medina’s swearing-in as District 1 Supervisor highlights this milestone.
Douglas McCulloh, a staple of Riverside's art community and the Interim Executive Director and Senior Curator of Exhibitions at UCR ARTS, died in his home on Sunday, January 5. We know Doug was known and loved by many of the Gazette's readers; if you have thoughts about Doug you would like to share, please email them to newsroom@raincrossgazette.com this week.
LAist’s Emily Guerin explained what’s known so far about what caused the LA fires and talked to two veteran wildfire investigators about the steps being taken to determine how the fires started.
Victoria Avenue Forever is looking for volunteers to help plant roses along the Avenue between Horace and Anna streets this Saturday, January 18; these efforts will be strengthened by City Manager Mike Futrell’s plans to restore Victoria Avenue "to its historic glory”.
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