In last Thursday's story about the new Garden Room at the Riverside Municipal Auditorium, we incorrectly stated that the Concert Lounge had closed. While the downtown location has closed, the Concert Lounge continues to operate in its new location inside Romano's in the Mission Grove Shopping Center.
We apologize for the misinformation and breach of your trust; please forgive us.
This is the 7th correction in Raincross Gazette's 210-week history and our first correction since February 10, 2025. We began tracking corrections in January 2025 and placed them at the top of our newsletter to maximize transparency with readers.
Riverside City Firefighters' Pipe and Drum Band took "the stage" Monday night during the first stop of their St. Paddy's Day Pub Crawl at ProAbition. (Courtesy Michael J. Elderman)
Hello Riverside, and Happy Wednesday!
March has been a great month āwith some warm weekends and rainy ones, lots of great local games, and holidays like St. Patrick's Day bringing all kinds of fun activities to town. We're starting to prepare our April Rundown with all "the best" things to do happening next month and would love to hear what you're excited about. Reply to this email and let us know!
Collins Aerospace Wins Chamber's Top Business Honor
Longtime Riverside aerospace firm recognized for economic impact and community partnerships while supporting local STEM education.
Aerial view of Collins Aerospace near Van Buren Blvd. and Arlington Ave. (Courtesy of the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce)
Collins Aerospace will receive the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce's 2024 Business of the Year award, recognizing the company's economic contributions and community involvement. The honor will be presented at the Chamber's 125th Inaugural Celebration on March 20, 2025.
Driving the news: The aerospace manufacturer, an RTX business, employs over 700 people at its Riverside facility and generates millions in economic benefit annually.
The facility, which opened in 1952 as Rohr, Inc., specializes in aerospace and defense products.
Why it matters: Collins Aerospace has strengthened its community presence through educational partnerships and STEM initiatives.
The company recently donated $25,000 to support STEM curriculum at the new Casa Blanca Elementary School.
By the numbers: Since 2023, Collins has hosted more than 25 events at local schools, reaching over 1,800 students.
What's next: Casa Blanca Elementary is set to open on August 11 with a school-wide STEM focus for transitional kindergarten through sixth-grade students.
The bottom line: The Chamber's Business of the Year award recognizes organizations that contribute to Riverside's economic vitality while demonstrating commitment to community improvement.
Local Youth Gather for Leadership Conference at Bourns Tech Center
Event featured career guidance, mentorship opportunities.
Sonny Von Cleveland speaks to conference attendees about emotional intelligence. (Ken Crawford)
Over 100 high school students from across the city attended the 2025 Young Men's Conference at UC Riverside's Bourns Technology Center. The event focused on personal development, career pathways, and networking opportunities.
Driving the meeting: The conference aimed to provide resources and guidance for young men's future success.
Five breakout groups emphasized networking, personal development, communication skills, action planning, and mentorship.
Why it matters: The event represents an investment in local youth development, offering immediate skill-building and long-term connections.
Students participated in both competitive and collaborative activities, including LEGO challenges and Mario Kart tournaments.
Key takeaways: Felix "Coach" Bobo delivered the keynote address, encouraging participants to challenge themselves.
Bobo emphasized that "greatness doesn't happen in the comfort zone" and distinguished between doing what you love and doing whatever you want.
What's next: Attendees had opportunities to connect with potential mentors and explore educational pathways.
These relationships are designed to support students' future educational and career endeavors.
Exploring Riverside History: A Visitor's Guide to Historical Markers
Online database catalogs more than 100 sites within 10 miles of Downtown.
This plaque identifies the Parent Navel Orange trees at Magnolia and Arlington that started the citrus boom in Riverside. (Ken Crawford)
The Historical Marker Database (HMDB) offers a comprehensive catalog of over 100 registered historical sites within 10 miles of Downtown Riverside, providing a free resource for history enthusiasts and curious locals alike.
Driving the news: Recent Neighbor of the Week, Claudia Rodriguez, shared her accomplishment of visiting all 149 of Riverside's Cultural Landmarks which has sparked interest in the city's historical markers.
The HMDB allows users to search, create custom tours, and explore detailed histories of each site.
Five must-see markers:
The Parent Washington Navel Orange Tree: Located at the intersection of Arlington and Magnolia, this marker commemorates the birth of Riverside's citrus industry.
The Booker T. Washington and Frank A. Miller Tablet: Found atop Mt. Rubidoux, this newest marker honors a historic walk by two influential figures.
Charles Montagu Dammers Marker: Situated at Victoria Avenue and Mary Street, it recognizes an expert in insect taxonomy who saved a failing citrus grove.
War Dog Memorial: Located near the March Field Air Museum, this marker and statue pay tribute to canine veterans of the US military.
De Anza Trail Marker: Found in Anza Narrows Park, it identifies one of the first European routes through the area.
Why it matters: These markers offer a tangible connection to Riverside's rich history, providing educational opportunities for residents and visitors alike.
The new sign officially marking the "Joseph Tavaglione Memorial Interchange" at the 60/91/215 junction is now up, honoring the longest-serving California Transportation Commissioner who passed away at 101 last August.
University Heights Middle School has been redesignated as a 2025 California School to Watch by five educational organizations, marking its second recognition since 2022 for outstanding practices in student mentoring, engagement, and equity-focused initiatives.
See something? Say something. Your tips and ideas are what fuel The Raincross Gazette. If you know of something newsworthy happening in our city, please share it with us.
