The October/November issue of The Riversider Magazine

Riverside Day of the Dead

Inland Exposures

The Riversider | October/November 2023

Blue Moon rising over downtown.

Photo by Julian Jolliffe

Luchadores flying through the air are only one of the many amazing things you'll experience at this year's Riverside Day of The Dead Festival.

Photo by Zach Cordner

Love Letter to Riverside

Fall is finally upon us and we are looking forward to cooler weather! October and November are our favorite months of the year. We’re always excited when Halloween and Dia de los Muertos come around and when all things spooky start to appear.

This issue we celebrate one of our favorite events, RIverside’s Day of the Dead. This festival has grown over the years to such a massive scale that all can come out and enjoy! In honor of the festival we decided to feature homegrown Riversider and make-up artist, Jessica Acosta, as our Catrina Calavera-faced cover model. This gorgeous and intricate look took her several hours to create and we absolutely love it! To see more of Jessica’s unique and beautiful make-up artistry check her out on Instagram or Tik Tok at @jeks951_

Going right along with our spooky theme, we conducted a paranormal investigation at the March Field Air Museum. What a fantastic experience we all had that night! The paranormal activity we caught on camera is the best we have gotten yet. Read all about it in this issue’s feature.

We are now well into our second year of The Riversider magazine and we appreciate all of the love and support given to us by the community. The collaborative spirit grows through partnerships and we look forward to seeing everyone at this year’s Day of the Dead festival, so be sure to stop by our booth. Wishing everyone a fun and safe Halloween and Dia de Los Muertos!

Follow Riverside's Jessica Acosta on Instagram and Tik Tok @jeks951_

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October/November 2023

Co-Publisher

Alondra Figueroa alondra@theriversider.com

Co-Publisher

Zach Cordner zach@theriversider.com

Design Director/Co-Founder

Dwayne Carter

Editor at Large

Ken Crawford ken@theriversider.com

Associate Editor Mano Mirandé mano@theriversider.com

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Staff Photographer

Julian Jolliffe

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Contributors

Raymond Alva, David Fouts, Eunice Hanh, Jordan Thomas, H. Vincent Moses PhD, Chris Napolitano, Philip Falcone

Special Thanks:

Kaitlin Bilhartz, Patricia Lock Dawson, Philip Falcone, Jeremy Leyva, Shane Clark, Evelyn Cordner, Jack Amarillas, The Standerfer Family, Amber Lussier, Leslee Gaul, Liz Gurrola, Lucia Winsor, Riverside Museum, and all of our advertisers.

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Dedicated to the memory of Aaron Schmidt 1972-2022

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On the Cover:

In honor of Riverside Day of The Dead, we asked fellow Riversider and extraordinary make-up artist, Jessica Acosta, to be our cover model. Thankfully she said yes!

Flower crown courtesy of Flowers by Azalea (@flowersbyazalea). Photo by Zach Cordner

Belen Ledezma, La Venada Azul

Mer Young, Indigenous 3000 Denise Silva, Innerspaces

Riverside's Finest Michael J. Elderman The Eyes of Riverside

WORDS: PHILIP FALCONE PHOTO: ZACH CORDNER

In the summer of 1966, a young UC Riverside doctoral student named Michael J. Elderman walks into a Ramada hotel in smoggy Riverside and says to the clerk at the desk, “What’s in the sky?”

The clerk responded, “There are mountains out there, you just can’t tell.” This was Elderman’s first time in Riverside after leaving freezing cold Syracuse, New York for the more temperate climate of Southern California. He had just finished his M.A. in English and was headed to UC Riverside to study for a PhD in American Literature.

Elderman was a studious doctoral candidate and one of only 3,100 UC Riverside students at the time. Students enjoyed the small class sizes and quaint surroundings paired with more exciting happenings such as on-campus concerts by the likes of Linda Ronstadt and The Beach Boys.

After completing his coursework, he decided to take a year off, and then was offered a position at the university as a scientific and technical editor for the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences. He began editing scientific papers and textbooks for students and professors at the university—particularly the now-venerable citrus research papers, which have become synonymous with UC Riverside’s research identity.

Elderman’s supervisor taught creative writing and that brought a promising young writer into the office—Kathryn. Michael and Kathryn struck up a flirtation and started to date. They have been together now for fifty years and Kathyrn has penned nine novels.

Elderman soon began teaching English classes. He enjoyed the students but later realized teaching was too monotonous. Kathyrn encouraged him to branch out and do something he really loved. In 1978, he and a business partner began their own photography business without previous formal training other than some courses at RCC—Michael had a natural eye for photography. In 1979, he had his first show near UC Riverside displaying portraits of friends entitled, “Wedding Nights and Other Fantasies.”

Former Mayor Ab Brown was Elderman’s first City of Riverside client. The two would go on to work together on numerous projects including

the 1983 Riverside Centennial Celebration, which utilized multiple local photographers to capture images of historic locations across town. Elderman’s volunteer work on the centennial opened doors to other work in town.

In 1985, Elderman branched out on his own as a solo photographer and began capturing gallery images for local magazines—a job he continues to do to this day. In those days, Riverside had only a few photographers and work began to come his way, particularly documenting the growth and change of downtown Riverside.

Elderman can recall the construction of “new” City Hall (1975) and the still-fresh emotions of the demolition of the Carnegie Library, following the construction of the “new” Main Library (1965). These actions led to a robust historic preservation movement in Riverside, and Michael captured it all. He had never lived in a city where there was such a strong sense of community and identity.

When the doors of the Mission Inn closed in 1985 and a chain-link fence was erected around the property, Elderman was the photographer there to document the condition of the interior of the hotel, seemingly at the Inn 24/7. During this time, he racked up over 50,000 images of the Mission Inn. While walking on Main Street one day, a local radio announcer spotted Elderman and shouted out from across the pedestrian mall, “Now there is a man with a lot of pictures of the Mission Inn!” From the mid-1980s until 2000, Elderman was a leading photographer for the Inn through self-assignments and hired jobs.

In addition to his Mission Inn work, Elderman was snapping away at City Hall documenting mayoral presentations for Mayors Brown, Frizzel, and Loveridge and City Council meetings until 2005. By then, he had also exhibited his work in galleries in Riverside, Santa Barbara, Philadelphia, Washington, New Jersey, and beyond.

In March 2005—unknown to him at the time—Elderman began a four-year project which became what he is most proud of in his illustrious Riverside career. Michael was contacted to document the current state of disrepair of

the Fox Theater as the City began seeking construction estimates for its upcoming multimillion-dollar restoration.

The documentation continued through the construction phase and, in 2007, Elderman realized his photos told enough of a story to be formalized in a book publication, for which historian and author, Joan Hall, and former California Historic Preservation Officer, Knox Mellon, provided essay work. The book, Riverside’s Fox Theater: An Intimate Portrait, included over one hundred images of the theater’s before, during, and after restoration transformation; reopening in 2010.

Elderman notes, “The picture isn’t the picture. The picture is what is in your head.” What is in one’s head is brought to the viewer via “The Eyes of Riverside,” a moniker Elderman was given by Honorable Judge Victor Micelli and one that has become Elderman’s trademark.

The last five to ten years have seen the most explosive growth in downtown Riverside, and Elderman has been there every step of the way. His latest subject has been the mural movement happening across town where he has documented most of Riverside’s murals—of which there are many. Currently, Elderman is showcasing his ninth annual “Riverside Landmark Calendar,” with his favorite images of the last year. The calendar comes out this month.

There is no resting on his laurels for Elderman. With no signs of slowing down, he shares that his unending energy following six decades of photographing Riverside is, “just who I am—and I’m having a good time.” Next, Michael Elderman would like to have his tens of thousands of images prior to 2003 digitized and made into an accessible database for future generations to enjoy.

Michael J. Elderman has made his mark as one of Riverside’s finest, having documented generations of life in this big, little city—and more moments remain to be captured by The Eyes of Riverside.

For more info about Michael's "Eyes of Riverside" calendar, please follow him on Instagram @eyesofriverside

Hidden Gems

DragonMarsh Apothecary & Teas

From their 6th Street location to the Main Street Mall, then to its current spot in the heart of downtown on University Avenue, the DragonMarsh has always offered a welcoming space for over 30 years.

This mysterious gift shop offers a place where one can explore all types of spiritual and handcrafted quality products, which is why we chose to highlight this special hidden gem now known as DragonMarsh Apothecary and Teas. It has been in downtown Riverside since I was a young girl, and I have always enjoyed it!

In fact, I took my very first tarot card class there with my mom when I was thirteen and loved the lessons learned, as well as the intriguing spiritual community that I was introduced to. As a voracious reader, I was immediately drawn to their book section that covered a variety of topics from Christianity and self-help to books on magic and Wiccan practices.

All of it was so interesting, I could spend hours there perusing all the cool trinkets or learning about crystals and how they can influence your energy in positive ways. At the time, they were also well known for their Renaissance fair custom costumes that they used to sell in the store. They are still very active in the Ren Fair world and can create unique and beautiful garments should that suit your fancy.

I was able to talk with manager Misty, the daughter of the original owner, who is now proudly leading the second generation offering Riversiders an alternative approach to healing and living. They feature a wall of organic loose teas and can make phenomenal custom blends for you that help cure what ails you. Surprisingly, loose tea is a big deal at the anime and

steampunk conventions, and they often sell out!

As this is our Halloween issue, I asked Misty about the historic building they reside in and if there were any spirits that haunt their location. She mentioned that the entire downtown area is very active and around the turn of the 20th century, the building was a boarding house and also housed the Washington Restaurant. It was owned by the Harada family who were among the first pan-Asian immigrants that settled in Riverside in 1905. Misty shared that one of the Harada family sons, Tadao, had fallen ill and passed away. The folklore is that he visits the site of the restaurant as he did as a child. Tadao will often move things around and play with the store cat, Pepper.

You don’t have to be spooked by the mystical side of the DragonMarsh because they are not extremists and do not carry any negative things. They also make their own high quality hand crafted items, such as cooking spices and essential oils. If you venture in, you will find a lovely shop filled with beautiful crystals, epic tarot and oracle cards, and procured specialty teas, so there is always something for everyone in this downtown mainstay.

WORDS: ALONDRA FIGUEROA

PHOTOS: ZACH CORDNER Pepper, the friendly shop cat.

Mud Hut Pottery Studio

WORDS: KEN CRAWFORD

PHOTOS: DAVID FOUTS

Tricia Fox and Chase Sponseller are the mom and son duo running Mud Hut Pottery Studio, a full service ceramic arts school and studio on Indiana Avenue near Harrison Street. Mud Hut offers group lessons on the pottery wheel as well as paint sessions and memberships for experienced potters looking to use the wheels and kilns. Chase does the group wheel sessions and has become accomplished in his craft. His designs are sharp and precise and show meticulous technique.

Tricia had taken pottery classes at RCC Right before the COVID pandemic and developed a quick passion for the artform. She acquired her first pottery wheel as a raffle prize and soon after built a studio in her backyard home office. It didn’t take long for Tricia to see the possibility of turning her passion into a viable business. She recruited her son, Chase, to run the business and started to look for a more formal space to facilitate a demand that was expanding beyond what could be done well in Tricia’s “She-Shed.”

It was an especially bold move on a passion that bloomed in the COVID era, but Tricia didn’t

hesitate. “If something sounds like a good idea. What have we got to lose?” Trish said when asked about her risky endeavors in uncertain times. She looked into spaces in a lot of neighborhoods but found what suited her needs best in a light industrial and retail center outside what is generally considered the boundaries of the “Arts and Innovation” section of town.

Tiricia grew up and raised her family in the Arlanza and La Sierra neighborhood. She has most recently moved to Orangecrest but still feels very comfortable west of Van Buren. She is happy to be creating and doing business right where she is and is part of an emergent scene of artisans, along with her neighbor at Thompson’s Brewing and the brand New Carbon Nation Brewery doing business on “the other side of town.”

There is a buzz around the neighborhood. Mud Hut is a big part of what’s going on and Chase and Tricia are true Riversiders running a real family business that‘s generating a sincere interest. We hope it also creates a culture around the business that fosters long-term success for their family.

Owners Tricia Fox and Chase Sponseller

presented by EASTSIDE ARTHOUSE

written by JUAN CARLOS

photography by XONASUCHI styling and art by PERRY

shirt by GUCCI bag by LOUIS VUITTON jewlery by GUCCI, TIFFANY, & CARTIER

ART SHOULD BE LIVED IN

PerryPicasshoe, a Riverside native, is on a mission to challenge the notion that art should remain static and untouched. Drawing inspiration from the Chicanx community, particularly his own family, he believes that art should be experienced, not merely observed.

The phrase, “Art should be lived in,” is a mantra instilled in Perry by his mother, who often reminds him, “Tráeme flores mientras aún estoy aquí, ya que ya no tiene sentido traerlas a una tumba” (“Bring me flowers while I am still here, since there is no longer a point in bringing them to a grave”). It may sound somber, but it carries a profound truth. Perry explains, “You should appreciate and love people while you still can before it is too late.”

Following in the footsteps of artistic luminaries like Basquiat, Felix Gonzalez-Torres, and Frida Kahlo, Perry traverses the borderland between the metaphysical and the physical through his mesmerizing

oil paintings, cutting-edge fashion, and evocative photography. Perry Picasshoe’s art proudly embodies queerness, extending a warm and experimental invitation to all who engage with it.

His talent has not gone unnoticed, as industry giants such as Adobe, Amazon, MOCA, Forbes, and Out Magazine have acknowledged his remarkable contributions to the art world. Perry’s aspiration is to inspire people to engage tangibly with the world he creates and to play with the thought-provoking ideas his art sparks.

Having recently earned his Bachelor of Arts from UCLA, Perry has found a creative haven in Riverside, where he currently works from the Eastside Arthouse. Here, he benefits from access to a studio space and a community of fellow artists who continuously encourage him to push the boundaries of his art and career.

Perry’s latest endeavor is the

completion of a body of work for his upcoming debut solo show, “RED THOUGHTS,” from November 2nd to the 5th at the BLVE ROSE in Downtown Riverside. This exhibition will feature a diverse collection of his most recent creations, spanning from large-scale paintings to intricately designed garments, and even an interactive photo booth sculpture. Perry intends for this showcase to redefine the conventional art-viewing experience, emphasizing that art is meant to be lived in, not merely observed.

For a closer look at Perry Picasshoe’s captivating portfolio, visit his Instagram page @Art_P3rry or explore his work on Picasshoe.com

protectors of the garden oil on canvas, 2023

Perry Picasshoe is a rising star in the world of art and fashion.

WORDS: JORDAN THOMAS PHOTOS: ZACH CORDNER

Love Riverside’s Serve Day

Nothing says “Love Riverside” more than contributing to the city’s wellbeing, livelihood, and being a catalyst for betterment. This is a continual goal for one local organization in particular. Love Riverside, a movement here in our local city, has dedicated years of service, community development, and demonstrating appreciation for one’s place of residence in the form of action.

Founder Lynn Heatley, a retired RN, created the movement in 2016 after witnessing cities in California host serve days, embodying kindness through volunteering and collaboration. Lynn works alongside her assistant, Grace Manzo.

Their current initiatives include food insecurity, community service, neighboring, and co-lab networks. They additionally focus on fostering collaboration and engagement within city neighborhoods, often working with the Riverside Neighborhood Engagement Team, Neighborhood Partnership, and the Police Department’s National Night Out. Love Riverside is part of a city movement titled “Love Our Cities,” founded in 2016 in Modesto, California.

Lynn hosted the organization’s first Citywide Serve Day on October 22, 2016, with the initial goal of featuring fifteen projects and 200 volunteers

to contribute to their community. However, the endeavor garnered an array of 30 projects, consisting of approximately 500 volunteers and additional support from leaders within the city.

For Lynn and the organization, exceeding the prior expectations served as a confirmation of Riverside’s willingness and desire to impact its city, one small yet consistent act at a time. Since then, they have hosted their annual Citywide Serve Day during the second weekend of October with the goal of collaborating and working with city leaders and ambassadors to continue engaging the community.

Love Riverside's founder Lynn Heatley with Overflow Farm's Fred Stover at last year's Serve Day event.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Love Riverside has assisted with providing goods through distributions from local pantries for families and seniors who are impacted by food insecurity. Last fall in 2022, they embarked on a partnership with the city of Riverside to bring additional foods and produce to senior citizens residing in senior apartments, a sector known as Senior Marketplace Food Distributions funded by the City, American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), and Community Development Block Grants (CDBG).

Currently, Love Riverside is providing these goods for nineteen different apartment complexes

on a monthly basis, distributing food from Tuesday to Thursday and spanning over 3,000 households. The trajectory of the movement’s impact is contingent upon the city and community of Riverside, and willingness to not just further contribute but encourage others to do so as well.

Individuals are encouraged to participate in this year’s upcoming Citywide Serve Day on October 14 at Hunter Park, or additional projects like providing gifts, becoming a sponsor or host, and inspiring others from school, church, or any local business to volunteer. The serve day will commence with a rally and include health screenings, garden and

park cleanups, and beautification projects.

To stay up to date on the Citywide Serve Day and forthcoming future events and updates, follow Love Riverside on social media and check out their website. Love Riverside encourages those following them to share new ideas on future projects and continuous city and neighborhood development in order to better serve and love Riverside.

This year's Serve Day will take place all over Riverside on Saturday, October 14th. For more info on how to vollunteer, go to loveriverside.org or on Facebook and Instagram @loveriverside.

ZACH CORDNER

SAFE Family Justice Centers is an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to providing support services to individuals both within and outside the criminal justice system who have experienced domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, child/elder abuse, or are at-risk youth. Centers are located in Temecula, Riverside, and Indio with a team of 26 employees.

SAFE FJC was established in 1998, originally as Safe Alternatives for Everyone (SAFE) in Temecula, California, as a domestic violence service provider supporting the Temecula Valley and surrounding areas as a stand-alone domestic violence nonprofit organization.

In 2005, SAFE expanded services with a partnership with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office’s Family and many communitybased organizations to create a local multidisciplinary “Family Justice Center” framework to serve victims of abuse, as well as youth who have experienced adverse childhood experiences. In 2017, SAFE and the nonprofit Friends of the Family Justice Centers merged into what is now the SAFE Family Justice Centers.

SAFE Family Justice Centers are committed to providing comprehensive co-located services that help protect families, seek justice, and

SAFE Family Justice Centers

promote SAFE futures for children, youth, and families who have been affected by violence.

SAFE Family Justice Centers provides a safe place for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, elder abuse, child abuse and youth who are at risk from different regional locations located in the cities of Riverside, Temecula, and Indio within the County of Riverside, California.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and serves as a time to acknowledge domestic violence survivors and be a voice for victims of family violence. In 2023, SAFE Family Justice Centers has provided services to nearly 3,000 clients including 1,333 individuals out of our Riverside location alone. SAFE Family Justice Centers coordinate service delivery to victims with in-house partners like Riverside Police Department, Riverside Area Rape Crisis Center, and Adult Protective Services so that survivors can access the needed support in one center at one time.

We invite you to join us on our mission to help protect families, seek justice, and promote SAFE futures for children, youth, and families who have been affected by violence by wearing purple on October 19 for Purple Thursday and tagging us on social media.

Earlier this year, the SAFE FJC Board of Directors announced that Adriana Moreno, BA, MPH, will serve as the new Chief Executive Officer, leading the organization as it continues to serve children and families impacted by violence.

Mrs. Moreno has devoted her career to improving life outcomes for children and families in some of the most under resourced communities in Southern California. She is a longtime advocate for increasing access to preventive and other public health resources, and making a sustainable impact. Her strong, independent, and collaborative spirit over her twenety-three year track record in leadership roles in the non-profit sector has led to many successes focusing on improving community health.

As the new CEO of SAFE FJC, she will champion its mission to provide direct victim assistance, empowerment, and prevention resources to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and child/elder abuse.

SAFE Family Justice Centers

https://safefjc.org

SAFE Family Justice Centers (Riverside) 3900 Orange Street Riverside, CA 92501 (951) 955-6100

SAFE Family Justice Centers (Temecula) 28910 Pujol Street Temecula, CA 92590 (951) 587-3900

SAFE Family Justice Centers (Indio) 82995 Highway 111, Suite 103 Indio, CA 92201 (760) 863-8363

facebook.com/SAFEFamilyJusticeCenters/ instagram.com/SAFEFJC_Rivco/

SAFE FJC CEO, Adriana Moreno

Blumenthal & Moore is devoted exclusively to the defense of the accused. The award-winning firm, based in Riverside and serving Inland Southern California, is distinguished by a team approach to criminal justice: Each client is served by a team of top litigators with more than 100 years of criminal defense experience.

The firm is led by Virginia Blumenthal, who in 1975 established the first woman-owned law firm in the Inland region, and Jeff Moore, a former Riverside County prosecutor.

In 2023, Ms. Blumenthal received the Civil Rights Law Giant Award from the Riverside County NAACP Youth Council, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Corona Chamber of Commerce. In 2022, Ms. Blumenthal received the Roy Hord Volunteer of the Year Award from the Riverside Downtown Partnership and the Poly High School Bear of Distinction honor for outstanding alumni

In 2019, she argued before the California Supreme Court — a rare distinction for a trial attorney. Three months after oral argument, the state high court issued a 6-1 decision in Ms. Blumenthal’s favor.

Ms. Blumenthal also has been selected the Riverside Community College District Alumnus of the Year, received the James H. Krieger Meritorious Service Award for outstanding community service — the highest honor of the Riverside County Bar Association — and was named Citizen of the Year by the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce.

She has been named one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in the United States by the National Trial Lawyers.

Mr. Moore grew up in Northern California, the son of an attorney who served as Public Defender and, later, as the elected prosecutor of their small county. In law school, Mr. Moore interned in that office, helping prepare and litigate a capital murder trial. After graduating from the Hastings School of Law in San Francisco, Mr. Moore was hired as a Deputy District Attorney for Riverside County.

Serving nearly a decade as a Deputy District Attorney, Mr. Moore spent time on various specialized prosecution assignments, including major narcotics, arson, and white-collar crimes. After the successful prosecution of thousands of cases — including dozens of jury trials — Mr. Moore put his experience to work defending the accused in Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

In 2006, he joined Blumenthal Law Offices, and for the past 17 years, Mr. Moore has defended cases at every level and in nearly every courthouse in the Inland Empire.

In 2020, he joined Ms. Blumenthal as a partner at Blumenthal & Moore, which also features attorneys Brent Romney and Heather Green. The team’s care for craft and community has earned many accolades for the firm, including the 2023 the Small Business Eagle Award from the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce.

Paranormal Investigation: March Field Air Museum

WORDS: ALONDRA FIGUEROA PHOTOS: ZACH CORDNER

A K2 EMF meter is used to measure strong electromagnetic field spikes which is commonly associated with paranormal activity.

Amber and Jeff get strong hits on their EMF meters along the left side of a Mig fighter jet.

To set off the start of this year’s spooky season, we decided to revisit the March Field Air Museum and follow up on the overwhelming reports of paranormal activity in and around the vintage aircraft. We enlisted a well-rounded team of investigators consisting of Zach Cordner, photographer, Pascal Van den Berk, paranormal investigator, Amber Lussier, paranormal investigator, Abijah Hensley, production assistant, and your girl, Alondra, serving as the team’s intuitive investigator.

We were thrilled to meet up with the museum's own team of employees and investigators who have captured a fountain of paranormal evidence over the years at the airfield. The team consists of Sherry Zigler, Collections Manager, Jeff Houlihan, Director of Collections, Curation and Restoration, and Alex LaBonte, Restoration Manager.

This small but mighty team has seen, heard, and captured all kinds of compelling evidence over the last decade with their Dead Horse Creek Paranormal research team. They graciously agreed to take us on a tour of the main hotspots at the Air Museum and its sprawling property that exhibits over 80 military aircraft.

When we arrived at the museum we were welcomed by Sherri into the large main hangar. We were then escorted to the back of the building into their behind the scenes control room and hub of operations. This area was epic and gave great insight into how large of production running the Airfield museum truly is.

There is a giant wall of security monitors featuring infrared cameras throughout the entire property to keep a watchful eye on everything and not just the specialty aircraft. This is how

some of their paranormal footage is acquired, but the bulk of it is found during the monthly paranormal investigation tours that they proudly run. I recommend that you get a group of your close friends and book a tour immediately especially during October for that extra eerie vibe!

We launched the investigation in the late evening around 9pm by heading outside to check out the Mig fighter jets on display in the grounds behind the hangar. Jeff, Sherry, and Alex led the way with Alex in the lead as he was carrying the Structured Light Sensor (SLS) camera that captures any moving figure, even those that the eye cannot see.

This particular camera uses a kinetic motion detector built from a Xbox game console. It is attached to a tablet that displays any human-like shapes by depicting them as almost skeleton-like

Above: Inside the Dead Horse Creek Paranormal command center.

Alex uses the SLS camera to monitor a figure of a person working on the "Starduster" engines.

Alondra senses a portal of energy between the engines of the B-29. In this image you can see an orb and mist in the same area, taken with an infrared camera.

stick figures. The result is you are able to view spirits in real time on a video monitor. It’s a ground breaking technology that helps capture some of the most intriguing evidence to date!

As we investigated the Migs and the area around them, we found that our K2 meters, which measure electromagnetic energy, were going off all over the place! As we walked the pathway the lights on the meters started going off and on, but only in certain areas.

Once we reached the Migs, Jeff explained that they can often get heavy K2 meter readings on the left side of the jets and very little on the right side. When asked why, Jeff and Sherry explained that this could be due to the fact that when entering and exiting the jets, pilots always used the left side.

As an energy worker, I can feel different types of energies, including those that are residual, meaning energy that has been imprinted on objects and can often linger for many years. I can also feel energy that is considered intelligent such as spirits that come and go on their own, often returning to things or areas that were important to them in life.

As I approached the Migs, I felt exactly that, a presence of energy exuding a strange warmth from the left pilot side of the airplane. This was confirmed by two K2 meters held by different investigators, all which lit up like crazy. On a cold

We watched for several minutes on the SLS camera as this figure worked frantically on the engine of the B-17 "Starduster."

We caught two figures, as if standing guard, just inside the back doorway of the Museum's main hangar.

night with no electrical source around this shouldn't have happened, but it did! This was the case with all of the Migs, each having some residual energy on the left side where one can imagine the incredible pilots filled with adrenaline, fear, anger, and the will to fight for their country getting into the aircraft ready to face the enemy!

Next was the large B-29 Superfortress bomber, which Sherri suggested I look in and around the massive plane. I first went into the large open hatch underneath where the bombs were stored and I immediately felt a wave of powerful energy pass through me. It affected my balance and made me almost dizzy. There was an indescribable heaviness in that hatch and I couldn't wait to get out of there, yikes!

As I walked around the plane, Sherri asked if I felt anything else and I was immediately drawn to an area in between the two left engines. As I raised my hands to the area I felt an immense energy moving back and forth, almost drawing me further in. I held steady and felt the energy grow and almost pulse between the engines.

As I looked back at Sherri and told her what I felt, she laughed out loud, “Oh wow, I love it when things get confirmed! That’s exactly where other sensitives have felt what they considered a portal of energy.” We were all taken aback. I had no idea that this had been happening and simply walked right up to it, sensing immediately what a mysterious place this airfield is!

Knowing I’m not going to hang out at a strange portal for too long, our team moved on to the B-17 Flying Fortress bomber called the “Starduster.” It was Air Force General Ira Eaker’s personal transport during World War II. Man, is this a beautiful plane and the energy coming off it was absolute greatness. No wonder General Eaker used it as his own.

That said, this is where we experienced one of the most amazing events of the night. Using the SLS camera, Alex pointed it towards one of the left engines and suddenly to our surprise, a green stick figure appeared in front of the engine moving around like it was frantically trying to fix it. It seemed like it was a mechanic using a wrench to fix the engine and when asked to wave, it responded by raising its arm and then moments later disappeared from the screen.

Unfortunately, we didn’t get much evidence inside the museum, but as Zach and Alex were exiting the back door looking back into the museum they spotted two figures on the SLS standing in front of them near the exit. They were totally shocked as the figures appeared to be staring right at them with their heads cocked to the right as if they were eyeing them up and down. These figures were large and the figure on the right was looming and had even broader shoulders and much longer arms. It was quite the sight!

Again, the SLS camera came through with more compelling evidence when our team inspected the C-141 Cargo plane. They scanned the entire plane with the SLS camera and K2 meters and didn’t find anything out of the ordinary. That is, until Alex opened the latrine door and another stick figure was standing inside the tiny bathroom, as if it was using the

facilities or hiding from us! The skeletal figure moved around a bit within the small restroom and at times looked like he was waving at us. Then after about a minute, it disappeared as if it was done using the latrine.

Our evening with the Dead Horse Creek Paranormal team offered a tremendous experience that surprised us all. We strongly recommend booking a paranormal tour. They happen once a month and they sell out fast! We know you

won’t be disappointed as long as you’re open minded and respectful to the servicemen and women who gave their lives and, some, even their afterlife to our country.

To see their vast library of evidence captured or to purchase tickets for an upcoming paranormal investigation, go to deadhorsecreekparanormal.com

A figure looks as if he's waving at us from within the crew latrine on the C-141 cargo plane.

Riverside Day of the Dead

20 Years of Celebration and Culture

WORDS: MANO MIRANDÉ

PHOTOS: ZACH CORDNER

Día de los Muertos, or “Day of the Dead,” is a Mexican holiday traditionally observed on November 1-2 of every year. Its purpose is to gather family and friends to celebrate the memories and lives of ancestors and loved ones who have passed away.

A few traditions symbolic of the holiday include calaveras, or skulls, depicted through face painting, costumes, and decorations, marigold flowers, and the building of altars to commemorate the departed.

While Día de los Muertos is widely celebrated throughout Mexico, it is far less common in the United States, which is why Riverside is fortunate to not only have their own celebration, but one

of the largest in Southern California.

Riverside’s annual “Day of the Dead” festival proudly celebrates its twentieth anniversary on Saturday, November 4, 2023. The celebration has grown significantly since it began with over 40,000 people in attendance at last year’s event. Located in downtown Riverside on Market Street between University Avenue and 14th, the family-friendly event offers over 100 art and food vendors, twelve live music acts, Ballet Folkórico, Aztec Dancers, Luchadores, and over 80 altars on display at White Park.

While the event provides an array of festivities and entertainment with free admission to its guests, it is the meaning and significance behind the holiday that creator, Cosme Cordova, strives

to keep at the forefront of the celebration.

The Riverside Day of the Dead festival’s origins can be surprisingly traced back to a t-shirt. In the early 2000’s, Cordova worked at I.D. Imagery, a print shop owned by his cousin. It was at the shop that Cordova started his own apparel brand, which featured images of his original art printed on various items of clothing.

In 2001, Cordova’s longtime friend and director of Ballet Folkórico de Riverside, Ana de la Tejera, was invited to provide Aztec dancers for a Día de los Muertos themed event and art exhibit at the Denise Roberge Art Gallery in Palm Desert. One of those dancers was Cordova’s cousin who happened to be wearing one of his t-shirts at the event which caught the gallery owner’s attention. The owner asked who the

artist responsible for the design was, and from there, Cordova was invited to display his work at the same event the following year.

Cordova was impressed by the event’s impact and cultural significance, but disappointed to learn that it would no longer continue as the gallery owner had accepted a job and moved to New York City. The news gave Cordova the inspiration to bring the Mexican tradition back to his own community and create a Día de los Muertos event in his hometown of Riverside.

Riverside Day of the Dead

Cordova had recently opened his own gallery in the basement of the Life Arts Building in downtown Riverside called Division 9. He saw the opportunity to host a Día de los Muertos event in the parking lot across the street from the gallery at the corner of University Avenue and Lemon Street. With the help of Tejera and a few friends and family, the first Riverside Day of the Dead fest was held on November 2, 2003.

Cordova describes the celebration’s humble beginnings. “Ana brought her dancers down, and

I invited about 18 local artists. We only had like two altars, two vendors, and three musicians, and ‘Padres Unidos’ from Norte Vista High School made the food.”

With little experience in public event planning, the unsanctioned event came with a few unexpected challenges. “It was really dark,” Cordova explains, “There was only one light in the corner of the parking lot and some candles on the floor so we had everyone park their cars and turn their lights on to shine on the Aztec dancers,” he recalls with a grin.

Despite any setbacks, the celebration was a huge success and attracted nearly 200 attendees. Cordova was touched by the overwhelming response that he received from some of its guests.

“One of the greatest compliments that made me understand its importance was that people would come up to me and say, ‘Thank you for doing this, because I can’t go back to Mexico’, or ‘I’m just here working and I haven’t seen my family in 5 or 7 years’. It’s a huge tradition in Mexico to honor those who passed away, and that’s one thing I tell everybody, ‘Yeah it is a party and it’s a fiesta but don’t forget why you’re here and why you’re doing it. It’s to really put some thought into people who have existed in your life and made a difference in your life.’”

Cordova has had his own share of friends and relatives who have passed over the years and recognizes the importance of keeping their memories alive. “At one point in my life I heard that you die

three times. You die when people stop talking about you, when people stop thinking about you, and when people stop visiting your tombstone. That’s when you actually pass away.”

The Mexican tradition of making altars during Día de los Muertos adorned with photographs, flowers, and cherished items of their loved ones is a powerful way to celebrate those who have passed and keep their memories alive long after death. Consumed with preparations for the event, Cordova admits, “I don’t have time myself to make an altar because I’m so busy, but mentally I think of all my relatives.” He continued, “You know, like jokes and stuff, or things they said, their character, the way they walked. And it’s really cool because if you keep thinking about those who passed, you see it in other people, like little bits and pieces that remind you of them.”

Eight years ago, Cordova’s brother tragically lost his life when a teenage drunk driver crashed into his vehicle. With time, Cordova has gathered the strength to talk about the incident and even smiles as he recalls their relationship, “He was funny. He was the last person that we could totally joke with each other. We’d make fun of each other’s weight, the way you walked, the way you talked, the way you ate. Everything was free game, and I don’t have that relationship anymore. I can’t joke around with other people like that, I feel like I’m limited with my jokes. That’s why Day of the Day Dead, to me, is so important, to remember those things that people brought to your life or taught

you, and you pass those things on generationally.”

By its second year, the Riverside Day of the Dead festival tripled in size, both in attendance and participation from vendors, artists, and performers. As it continued to grow, Cordova found it necessary to educate its guests on the history and purpose of the celebration and its traditions by passing out hundreds of informative pamphlets in both English and Spanish.

Cordova describes the impact of the festival’s growth on the community, “The first one was so emotionally driven. It was something that had not happened in Riverside, something that welcomed our culture to celebrate life and remember those who’ve passed away. It was like another layer of cake that we never had before in downtown Riverside and from that point on it was like, hey, let’s share this cake with everybody.”

In its third year, the festival received an abundance of support from the community and local institutions like the Riverside Metropolitan Museum. With the help of the museum director, Dr. Vincent Moses, and Cordova’s friend and museum employee, Lila Higgins, he was able to obtain the necessary permits that allowed for street closure and moved the event to Orange Street between University and Mission Inn Avenue in 2006. This was Cordova’s first introduction to planning public events on a professional level.

“At the time, I didn’t know anything about that kind of stuff. I had a truck and I would go get the barricades and set them up myself. I did that for a good six to seven years until the event was getting so big that the city was telling me, ‘Oh, no, you need to get an engineer to bust out some plans for safety reasons and direct traffic and stuff like that,’” Cordova said.

With time Cordova became more familiar with the application process and necessary criteria to receive approval from the city for his events. He takes pride in providing a safe environment for both his guests and participants while being mindful and respectful of the surrounding residents and businesses.

Along with keeping the celebration’s meaning and purpose as its core, Cordova also felt it necessary to hold the event on the date of its actual observance, a decision that presented several challenges.

“Traditionally I would do my Day of the Dead event on November 2, regardless of what day it

Riverside Day of the Dead

landed on, and that’s the issue that I had. When it would fall during the week, the city only allowed me to set up barricades by 3pm and break them down by 10pm, so I was kind of limited to what I was able to do, so I had to re-think it,” he said. “But it took me a while, like a good three years to be like, you know what, it’s getting bigger and it’s not functioning during the week.”

In 2015, only three months before his announcement of the event, Cordova made the decision to not only change the date to the first Saturday of November annually, but move the entire festival to its current home on Market Street between University Avenue and 14th. The new location created a significant increase in both capacity and space for additional vendors and performers. City officials were vocal about their skepticism, despite their approval of the move.

“They were like, ‘Oh you’re not gonna have that many people out there, that’s a lot of space,” Cordova recalls, admitting his own apprehension.

“So then I was nervous, I was like, ‘oh shoot what am I doing, what if no one shows up?’ It’s a fear that I have with all my events, but by like 1:30pm it was packed.”

The event’s success was the impressive result of only one Facebook post by Cordova, a testament to his faith in the community’s support of the celebration.

“I really believe in word of mouth, and if you know a good thing, people will tell you. It’s just human nature. If you eat a good taco somewhere,

you’re gonna tell your relative, ‘Go to this taco place.’ If you have a good time at an event, you’re gonna tell them, ‘Dude, you gotta go to this event.’”

He also recognizes the importance of keeping its promotion within the local community. “There’s been other big events in Riverside and what I’ve noticed is that they’ll try to market them outside of Riverside. So, then you get people that are coming from outside of Riverside and not respecting downtown or being mindful of it. It’s like you invite people to your house and they make a mess, but you invite your family or your neighbor, and they’re going to be respectful.” As Cordova simply concludes, “If it’s a good thing, people will share it.”

While death is a subject not commonly discussed and often avoided in American culture, the Mexican tradition of Día de los Muertos portrays death in a more positive light. It is a way to not only honor the memories of those who have passed, but to bring together those who are still with us. At its core, Día de los Muertos is truly a celebration of life. And as the memories of our loved ones continue to be passed down to future generations, their spirits will remain eternal.

This year’s Riverside Day of the Dead festival will be held on Saturday, November 4 from 1pm10pm and will be located downtown on Market Street between 14th Street and University Avenue.

For more info follow on Instagram at @riversidedayofthedead

Locally Grown Eric Focht & The Luna UCR Avocado

Riverside is known for its legacy and foundation in the citrus industry thanks to our ideal climate that allows the fruit and others, like avocado, to thrive.

Anyone raised in Riverside has likely driven past the acres of agricultural fields surrounding the campus of UC Riverside and may have wondered what purpose they serve. This location is only one of several field sites across Southern California where UC researchers have experimented with various crops including avocados for over a century in attempts to better understand and improve

their quality, cultivation, production, and taste.

The UCR Botany and Plant Sciences Department’s avocado breeding program made national headlines in July 2023 when they announced their latest variety, the Luna UCR avocado. The Luna’s creation is the result of collaborative efforts by UCR researchers over several decades. One researcher in particular who is credited for its co-creation is Riverside native, Eric Focht.

With dreadlocks down to his waist, a burly beard, and casual attire, Focht’s appearance is anything but the stereotypical image of a scientist

in a white lab coat with thick-rimmed glasses one might expect, and his path to become an avocado researcher at UCR was just as unexpected.

Born at Riverside Community Hospital in 1974, Focht’s parents moved to Riverside in 1970 where his father accepted a position at UCR as a Soil Microbiologist and his mother pursued a PHD in Cultural Anthropology. As a teen, Eric developed a passion for music and began record collecting and DJ’ing, both of which he continues to do whenever possible.

But, like many young people raised in Riverside, Focht was eager to move away. After graduating from North High School in 1992, he moved to Northern California to attend UC Santa Cruz as a linguistics major. After college, he worked briefly as an assistant teacher to first graders in New Jersey and spent two years teaching English in Taiwan before moving back to his Riverside home in the late 90’s.

In 1998, Focht applied for a part-time position at a UCR Ecology Lab where his younger sister, Elise, had previously worked. Although Eric had some interest in science and biology in high school, he had little knowledge of the field professionally, as he explains, “I just needed some work. I needed something to get my feet under me, stay at home with my parents for a bit, and then I thought I’ll move up to Seattle or Canada or something where it’s better.” He concludes with a chuckle, “That never happened.”

Focht was hired at the Ecology Lab for only ten hours a week, but soon after heard about another position at the UCR Avocado Lab offering 30 hours a week—a position that unknowingly marked the inception of his now 25-year career in avocado research.

As a “swingman” in the lab, Eric fulfilled basic tasks and spent time in the field harvesting crops

WORDS: MANO MIRANDÉ PHOTOS: ZACH CORDNER

UCR Researcher Eric Focht

where his knowledge of botany and horticulture steadily grew. Seven years later, he was offered the lab’s plant breeder position in 2005, when his well-respected predecessor and mentor, David Stottlemyer, retired after a twenty-year career as an avocado researcher. Unsure of his ability to fulfill expectations, Eric hesitantly accepted the position, but with the guidance and support of his colleagues and supervisor Dr. Mary Lu Arpaia, he thrived in his new role.

Arpaia is also credited as co-creator of the Luna UCR avocado and the department’s current “Primary Investigator,” or head of research, but her involvement in avocado research at UCR dates back to the 1980’s. Prior to Arpaia, Berthold “Bob”

Orphie Bergh worked at UCR since the 1950’s. His research primarily focused on the creation of an alternative variety to the Hass avocado.

The Hass now accounts for 95% of the global market but was unpopular at the time because its skin turns black when ripe. In 1983, Bergh created the Gwen avocado, which stays green when ripe, but it never gained the market popularity of the Hass. In the mid-80’s, Bergh planted 70,000 Gwen seeds which produced several new varieties, the last of which would become known as the Luna.

Named after Mary Lu Arpaia’s dog, the Luna UCR avocado has gained national media attention for several reasons. Focht explains, “It’s very

Hass-like, maybe a slightly lighter, smoother taste, and it also ripens really well. I always look for a nice peel and it peels well. If something doesn’t peel well, I don’t have time for it,” Eric says with a laugh.

Aside from its similarities to the Hass, it’s the Luna’s differences that make the fruit’s creation so significant. The tree shape is more upright and compact than the Hass, but most importantly, it is the Luna’s flower type that makes it revolutionary.

The Hass has an “A-type” flower which requires a percentage of “B-type” flower trees, like the Luna, to be planted in the same field in order to cross-pollinate. This would traditionally result in the loss of that percentage of “B-type” flowers due to their low market value, whereas the Luna is able to cross-pollinate, and produce a wellmarketable fruit, maximizing yield for growers.

The Luna UCR’s creation was successful despite numerous challenges such as lack of funding, low seed to plant success rates, and, most predominantly, time. Focht explains the process, “For every 1,000-1,500 seeds planted from cups to field, of those, really only 1-2% are successful. And that 1-2% takes 5 years to get there because you plant the seed, then it becomes a tree, and finally, flowers and bears fruit.”

Although “the Luna represents 70 years of UC research,” as Focht states, it may still be several years before it becomes widely available at local markets. When that day comes, keep in mind that it is because of the tireless efforts and years of dedication by researchers like local native Eric Focht and his colleagues and predecessors at UC Riverside that made it all possible.

"The Luna represents 70 years of UC Research."

Sherman Institute— Sherman Indian High School

The Controversial and Storied History of Riverside’s Indian Boarding School, 1903-2023

WORDS: H VINCENT MOSES, PHD

"Americanization on Parade," May 20, 1910. Sherman Institute students at attention, waiting to conduct a well honed regimented drill. These events proudly promoted Sherman's "Americaniztion" program to the public, Museum of Riverside Collection, A849-2.

Introduction: Frank Miller and Riverside’s “Real” Indians

Frank A. Miller, Master of the brand-new Glenwood Hotel, California’s Mission Inn, wanted his guests to see “real” Indians. He got his wish in 1903. This is how the “real” Indians came to Riverside. Of course, indigenous peoples populated the Inland Empire for thousands of years before the arrival of Euro-American settlers. Still, their scattered presence didn’t suffice for Miller, who needed another tourist attraction to augment activities for his hotel guests. He carefully facilitated the Perris Indian School’s transfer to Riverside from Perris, California, in 1902. Miller’s “real” Indians, therefore, arrived with a Bureau of Indian Affairs boarding school known as Sherman Institute, now Sherman Indian High School (SIHS).

Lorene “Lori” Sisquouc, Mountain CahuillaFort Sill Apache, and long-time Director of the Sherman Indian Museum at Sherman Indian High School loves her museum and the school but acknowledges they are remnants of a storied and controversial past. Located south of Chemawa Middle School on Magnolia Avenue, Sherman Indian High School is a testament to the complex history of Native American education in the United States. Established in the late 19th century, this institution has witnessed significant changes in its mission and approach, reflecting broader shifts in American society.

When the United States government opened Sherman’s predecessor, Perris, California Indian

School, in 1892, it became the first off-reservation boarding school for indigenous (Native American) children in California. Over the decades, hundreds of thousands of Native American children were brought to the twenty-five schools as part of a federal effort to Americanize them through inculcating “Judeo-Christian” values, forcing their assimilation into mainstream America.

The Bureau chose the new Mission Revival Style for the original buildings at Sherman Institute, considering the style “appropriate” for a California Indian school. They had used the same technique for the Perris Indian School prior, and it suited Frank Miller just fine. His new hotel deployed the same architectural style, and he hoped it would become the principal architectural motif in Southern California.

Once the school opened, Miller, who managed the Riverside-Arlington Electric Railway for Henry Huntington, made a point of taking his hotel guests down Magnolia Avenue on his Riverside-Arlington Electric Railway coach, The Glenwood, to visit the petting zoo at Chemawa Park and Sherman Institute to see Indian children at work in their various trades’ classes. In 1904, Miller took the noted Arts and Crafts furniture maker Gustav Stickley to Sherman to see what the boys made in their carpentry classes. Architectural historian Karen

Weitze said what Stickley saw there inspired his Craftsman Style “Mission” furniture.

Miller touted Sherman as the home of champion marathon runners such as Albert Ray Pima from Arizona, who set records in Southern California from 1911 until the First World War ended his dominance. He bragged that the Sherman football team beat the vaunted USC Trojans team 28-0 in a match to see who the champions of Southern California were. The Sherman Braves left no doubt.

Americanization Period, 1890s-1920s

Lori’s one-hundred-twenty-year-old school exists today as one of only a few extant indigenous boarding schools in the United States. While its focus and mission have changed, it holds the legacy of those 19th-century Indian boarding schools that removed Indigenous children as young as six from their parents on the reservations to schools far away to strip them of their culture, dignity, and Indigenous identity to be replaced by Anglo-American values and culture.

To accomplish its mission, the early focus of the school was hard, unpaid labor, and vocational training. Students traveled from reservations around the country to study basic subjects such as carpentry, blacksmithing, home economics, and nursing. They were “apprenticed,” i.e., outsourced to outside employers who got the benefit of their child labor for free. A rigid assimilationist agenda characterized the early years of the Sherman Institute. Native American students were forced to abandon their languages, traditions, and indigenous clothing in favor of Euro-American customs.

“It’s a hidden part of American history,” says Dr. Cliff Trafzer, Distinguished Professor of History and the Rupert Costo Chair of American Indian

Affairs at the University of California, Riverside. “Few people know about the boarding school system and the United States taking children and bringing them to these schools, separating them from their families and communities on purpose… It was part of the assimilation program of the United States to change them totally…An attempt to destroy that which was Indian and re-create people in the image of White America.” (L. A. Public Library Blog, Sherman in Photos).

In 1915, The Bureau of Indian Affairs made a silent film about the Sherman Institute to demonstrate and celebrate the purpose of the boarding school program of assimilation (statesofincarceration.org/ story/sherman-institute-riverside-ca). From our 21st-century standpoint, this period marked a dark chapter in the school’s history, as it aimed to erase Indigenous cultures rather than celebrate them.

In 1909, 43 tribes were represented on the school roll, with Indians from California, the Pacific Northwest, the Southwest, and the Plains. By 1926, the school offered a complete elementary and high school curriculum. Under the leadership of Harwood Hall and later Principal C. H. Burke, the school emphasized gender-based vocational training alongside academics and abuse.

The Navajo Era at Sherman Institute, 1946-1963

In 1946, the desperate need for education among the Navajos guaranteed the continuance of Sherman as an educational institution. October 1946 marked the opening of the Special Program to 350 Navajo young people aged 12 to 20 who had never experienced a formal education. By 1948, the regular elementary and high school programs were discontinued. The Special Program has been in operation for more than 15 years. Each year, the school made gradual changes to meet the needs of the students. During this time, no California Indians were permitted at the school.

In the fall of 1963, the ninth and tenth grades were revived. Sherman re-opened enrollment to other tribes, including California Indian tribes. The school again moved in the direction of a high school program, adding a grade each year until the school began graduating classes in 1966.

In 1967, eight of the original Mission Revival Style buildings were determined unable to withstand a significant earthquake and demolished.

Sherman Indian High School

In 1971, Sherman was re-accredited as a high school and became known as Sherman Indian

Young female students waiting their turn to join a drill performance, c1910. Museum of Riverside Collection, A1601-2

Sherman Institute Class of 1909. Sherman Indian High School Collection on Calisphere.

The re-education of indigenous boarding school students, beginning at the Perris Indian School in 1892, continued at Sherman Institute in Riverside. This early depiction of a drill at Sherman might depict the 1903 opening of the school in Riverside. Chris Napolitano Collection (2)

Sherman barber class c1950s, one of the school's vocational training options for boys. Sherman Indian High School Collection.

Unloading luggage of students from Southwest reservations, start of the Sherman Institute school year, c1960s. Sherman Indian High School Collection.

Boy's Baking class students preparing biscuits for school breakfast, c1950s. Sherman Indian High School Collection.

Historical Riverside

High School. The curriculum shifted towards college prep after the Western Association of Schools and Colleges accredited the school in 1971. At that time, it began serving grades 9-12. As of 2023, students living on Indian reservations comprise about 68% of the student body.

Sherman Indian High School currently hosts 290 students from reservations spanning the United States. Any student who is a tribal member of a federally recognized tribe with at least onefourth blood quantum may apply to attend. The school is funded entirely by the United States Department of the Interior, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Bureau of Indian Education. Attendance is free of charge.

Scores of alums from the latter half of the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries hold fond memories of their experience at Sherman. They understand the vicious history of the Sherman Institute, but their experiences at Sherman Indian High School mirrored none of that. For them, the

school proved a refuge and a place of learning where they gained life-changing knowledge and grew as people.

The reasoning behind leaving home to come to Sherman varies from student to student. Some students attend SIHS because they live too far away from school, back at home, to attend daily. Others follow SIHS because they had negative experiences attending non-Native schools, and more than a few attend SIHS simply because it is truly dedicated to preserving Indian culture and tradition.

Sherman Indian Museum

Sherman Indian Museum occupies the original administration building and is one of the only Mission Revival structures remaining from the 1903 campus. The museum houses documents from 1902 to the present. Over 2,000 cataloged items or artifacts of American Indian origin are housed there. These items were acquired from

friends of the school and museum. In 1974, the Sherman Indian Museum was designated as a Riverside Cultural Heritage Landmark. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

Embracing Native American Culture

Today, Sherman Indian High School proudly embraces its mission to provide a comprehensive education that honors and preserves Native American cultures. The school offers courses in tribal languages, arts, and history alongside a rigorous academic program. Its alums have gone on to contribute to their communities, not as assimilated individuals but as empowered bearers of their Indigenous heritage. Sherman Indian High School’s history is a testament to the evolving relationship between Native American education and cultural preservation in the United States. The school is an authentic historic landmark of Riverside.

Sherman girls with Santa, c1955. Sherman Indian High School Collection.

For the past three decades, Sherman Indian High School has emphasized preservation of Native cultures, and featured traditional indigenous attire at the annual Sherman POW WOW. Sherman Indian High School Collection.

Girls' vocational training included traditional "female" skills such as quilting, shown here, c1970. Sherman Indian High School Collection.

Ceremonial dance contestant in full Native regalia, c2021.

Known as the first gastropub to open in Riverside back in 2011, The Salted Pig is both industry veteran and hip new kid on the block. If you’ve lately strolled down Main Street, chances are you at some point passed by the restaurant’s heavyweight wooden door, unassuming enough to miss if not for the occasional crack open that allows for lively sounds of music and chattering guests to coax you inside.

Family-owned by the mother-son duo Mary Ann and Ronaldo Fierro, The Salted Pig describes itself as a homegrown eatery and bar serving New American cuisine by and for Riverside. Now, if you’re like I was when visiting The Pig — using two hands to yank open the door and step into their instagrammable art-deco-meets-desertflora interior — you might be perplexed as to what New American cuisine exactly is. To put it simply, it’s traditional American food infused with the diverse culinary influences you can find in our country today—Asian, Latin American, Mediterranean and more. To put it even more simply, it’s when a restaurant can serve both hamburger and Hamachi crudo without anyone batting an eye.

It’s that freedom to push boundaries and explore with the menu that compels the staff to always provide its patrons the most innovative of dishes. They revamp the menu two to four times a year based on the seasonality of ingredients and chefs’ interest, allowing them to adapt to their customers’ preferences while also introducing locals to buzzy foods typically only found in big

The Salted Pig

cities. So whether you’re a new or repeat customer, you’ll always find something fresh and exciting at The Pig.

The iteration of the menu we experienced on our visit certainly didn’t disappoint. The kitchen started us off with what I consider a triumph in fusion cooking: the Confit Duck. Falloff-the-bone-tender duck leg was coated in a tangy, spicy glaze that tasted electric, accompanied by savory rice and garlicky greens that rounded out its punchier flavors.

We then moved on to the Crying Tiger, another nod to Asia. Thin slices of medium-rare striploin were served with “nam jim jaew,” a salty Thai dipping sauce that perfectly accentuated the beefy flavor of the steak. The cucumber cabbage side salad also made for a refreshing palate cleanser between bites. Absolute heaven.

But just in case all this food talk has distracted you from the “pub” in gastropub, allow me to take a second and advocate for The Pig’s drinks as well. They take just as much pride in their drinks as their food, sourcing craft beer from local and world renown breweries. As someone not really a fan of beer, I happily sipped on a tropical, effervescent Hurricane that I snapped many pictures of while savoring my meal.

With its combination of both traditional and modern cuisine, the Salted Pig truly has something for everyone. Next time you’re feeling adventurous, or just craving an elevated comfort classic, give The Pig a try. And bring a friend if you need help with the door.

WORDS: EUNICE HANH PHOTOS: RAYMOND ALVA

Confit Duck

Crying Tiger

Smutty Fries

Route 30 Brewing Company 9860 Indiana Ave Ste 19 (951) 776-7083

Route 30 Tap Room 3740 Mission Inn Ave

Stone Church Brewing & Bistro

3737 Main Street (951) 233-0323

Thompson Brewing 9900 Indiana Ave (951) 289-7533

BURGERS

Baker’s Drive Thru

2221 Main St (909) 884-5233

Baker’s Drive Thru 6686 Indiana Ave (909) 884-5233

Baker’s Drive Thru 1300 Blaine St (909) 884-5233

Baker’s Drive Thru 10225 Magnolia Ave (909) 884-5233

Baker’s Drive Thru 5396 Mission Blvd (909) 884-5233

Boys Burgers 10737 Magnolia Ave (951) 689-1294

Burger Boss

2585 Canyon Springs Pkwy (951) 656-6500

BurgerIM 10920 Magnolia Ave Unit 105 (951) 441-8868

BurgerIM

1201 University Ave #110 (951) 783-9555

Chris’ Burgers 407 Iowa Ave (951) 781-8542

Cowboy Burgers & BBQ 5573 Arlington Ave (951) 977-9454

Dairy Queen 8610 California Ave, Suite 101 (951) 343-4075

Farmer Boys 3400 University Ave (951) 680-0900

Farmer Boys 2901 Iowa Ave (951) 782-9003

Farmer Boys

3303 Madison St (951) 351-9700

Fatburger & Buffalo’s Express

3457 Arlington Ave Suite 106 (951) 369-4950

George’s Drive-In 9910 Magnolia Ave

(951) 688-2471

Johnny’s Burgers

4825 La Sierra Ave

(951) 688-1000

Johnny’s Burgers 3394 Madison St (951) 687-3599

Mission Burgers

4606 Pine St (951) 682-7272

MGM Burgers 1691 Main St

(951) 276-1744

Monty’s Good Burger

3605 Market Street

(213) 915-0257

Nikko’s Burgers 9295 Magnolia Ave STE 112 (951) 352-7290

Original Tommy’s 7504 Mission Grove Pkwy S

(951) 780-4201

R Burgers 5980 Van Buren Blvd

(951) 358-9203

R Burgers 1666 University Ave (951) 784-4350

Riverwalk Burgers & Grill 3812 Pierce St (951) 353-0919

Slaters 50/50 3750 University Ave Ste 125 (951) 742-5585

Star Burgers 7207 Arlington Ave

(951) 689-5050

Zorba’s Restaurant 450 Iowa Ave

(951) 686-5830

Zorba’s Express 770 University Ave (951) 787-0094

CHINESE Big Sky Bistro 1575 University Ave Ste A (951) 328-1688

Canton Chinese Food 1756 University Ave

(951) 684-6126

China Wok Inn 5771 Mission Boulevard (951) 680-9810

Chen Ling Palace 9856 Magnolia Ave

(951) 351-8511

Chinatown 10935 Magnolia Ave

(951) 785-6197

Frice Szechuan Restaurant

1299 University Ave #104-E (951) 686-2182

Greedy Cat

1400 University Ave Ste 108 (909) 655-7235

HK BBQ House 3740 Iowa Ave #102 (951) 777-1368

Ho Choy’s 10352 Arlington Ave (951) 785-1188

Ho Ho 3511 Madison St (951) 637-2411

Hong Kong Fastfood 1490 University Ave (951) 686-2223

Jade China 2712 Canyon Springs Pkwy (951) 653-9200

Little Beijing Chinese Fast Food

5800 Van Buren Blvd (951) 509-1188

Lucky Wok 2995 Van Buren Blvd (951) 688-2888

Monark Asian Bistro

5225 Canyon Crest Dr #64 (951) 683-1073

Mr. China Express 8451 Colorado Ave #8301 (951) 687-8967

Mr. You 19530 Van Buren Blvd G7 (951) 653-1740

Peking Restaurant

11170 Magnolia Ave (951) 687-4822

Wok In Kitchen 5050 Arlington Ave #101 (951) 343-7888

ZiZi BBQ House 3740 Iowa Ave (951) 534-0960

COFFEE/TEA/JUICE

7 Leaves Cafe

1201 University Ave Ste 101 (951) 530-8666

Arcade Downtown

3870 Main Street

(951) 266-6839

Arcade Coffee Roasters

3672 Chicago Ave Ste A (951) 266-6839

Arcade Coffee Roasters

5225 Canyon Crest Dr. Ste 17A (951) 266-6839

Back to the Grind 3575 University Ave (951) 784-0800

Boba Fiend Tea House

3375 Iowa Ave (951) 823-0700

Bobaloca 19009 Van Buren Blvd (951) 789-8646

Bolcupop 3605 Market Street (951) 595-4513

The California Lounge 3649 Mission Inn Ave (951) 784-0300

Coffee Court Bistro

3607 10th St (951) 328-0866

Condron Coffee 3696 Sunnyside Dr (951) 880-3354

Crave Coffee & Tea 3590 Central Ave (951) 289-9436

Daily Brew Coffee House 2955 Van Buren Blvd (951) 352-7477

Ding Tea

1575 University Ave Ste E (951) 429-9706

Flavor Theory

11090 Magnolia Ave (951) 977-9698

Goodwin’s Organics Cafe 191 W Big Springs Rd (951) 682-2667

JUJUBAR 19040 Van Buren Blvd (951) 780-0224

Kung Fu Tea 3678 Central Ave Ste 102 (951) 254-9609

Kraemer’s Coffee Bistro 6734 Brockton Ave (951) 686-4400

Lift Coffee Roasters 2060 Chicago Ave Ste A10 (951) 742-7413

Mi Cafecito Coffee 3605 Market St Ste 2

Molinos Coffee 3660 Mission Inn Ave (951) 276-7147

Nekter Juice Bar 5225 Canyon Crest Dr Ste 7B (951) 224-9842

R&B Tea 1889 University Ave Unit 105 (951) 462-4142

Sharetea 10920 Magnolia Ave Ste 103 (951) 406-5165

Sharetea 3740 Iowa Ave Ste 103 (951) 530-8536

Tastea 11130 Magnolia Ave Unit C (951) 588-8138

Tim Boba 1450 University Ave Ste N (951) 462-1929

Toasted 6160 Arlington Ave Ste C9 (951) 977-9847

Twee Coffee 9344 Magnolia Ave (951) 335-0599

Krak Boba 3907 Chicago Ave Ste B (951) 742-5341

DELI/SANDWICHES

Backstreet Restaurant 3735 Nelson St (951) 683-6650

Butch’s Grinders 4602 Pine St (951) 781-8511

Cheba Hut 3505 Market Street Ste 101 (951) 777-1117

Diane’s Deli 2900 Adams St #B1 (951) 689-2900

D’Elia’s Grinders 2093 University Ave (951) 683-7380

D’Elia’s Grinders 9009 Van Buren Blvd (951) 780-3354

European Intl Market &Deli 7120 Indiana Ave G (951) 274-9100

Firehouse Subs 10080 Magnolia Ave (951) 588-8785

Jimmy John’s 3747 Central Ave Ste 102 (951) 779-0010

Jimmy John’s 4270 Riverwalk Pkwy Ste 122 (951) 977-9672

Jimmy John’s 10277 Magnolia Ave (951) 354-2149

Marisa’s Italian Deli 5225 Canyon Crest Dr #20 (951) 788-3899

M & M Deli 1960 Chicago Ave #D1 (951) 684-6861

My Hero Subs 355 Iowa Ave A (951) 784-7370

RiverCrust Deli 6235 River Crest Dr Ste F (951) 656-8145

Bar & Restaurant Guide

The Riversider | October/November 2023

Subs & Spuds

5225 Canyon Crest Dr Ste #83a

(951) 369-1491

The Sub Station

3663 Canyon Crest Dr

(951) 683-4523

Tummy Stuffer

1159 Iowa Ave O (951) 369-1266

The Upper Crust Sandwich Shoppe

3573 Main St (951) 784-3149

FILIPINO

Nanay Gloria

10959 Magnolia Ave (951) 977-8831

FRENCH

Le Chat Noir

3790 9th St

(951) 786-9266

GERMAN

European International Market & Deli

7120 Indiana Ave G

(951) 274-9100

HAWAIIAN

Ohana Cravings

3740 Iowa Ave, Ste 104

(951) 742-5555

Ono Hawaiian BBQ 3531 Madison St

(951) 351-0888

Ono Hawaiian BBQ

3540 Riverside Plaza Dr #324

(951) 328-1988

Ono Hawaiian BBQ

2721 Canyon Springs Pkwy #101

(951) 656-6188

Park Ave Polynesian Restaurant

4038 Park Ave

(951) 344-1090

ICE CREAM/FROZEN

YOGURT

Afters Ice Cream 1201 University Ave

Baskin-Robbins

7024 Magnolia Ave

(951) 682-3131

Canyon Crest Ice Cream & Water

5225 Canyon Crest Dr #27

(951) 675-7385

Cherry On Top

3560 Riverside Plaza Dr

(951) 213-6018

Cherry On Top

19009 Van Buren Blvd Ste 125

(951) 780-0800

Cold Stone Creamery 9867 Magnolia Ave Ste C

(951) 637-0920

Dairy Queen 8610 California Ave, Ste 101

(951) 343-4075

Dairy Queen 6665 Magnolia Ave

(951) 684-6280

Frostbites Crepes & Frozen Delights

10347 Magnolia Ave

(951) 352-4903

La Michoacana 3961 Chicago Ave

951) 248-9142

Mixies Ice Cream & Cookies 3605 Market St

(951) 595-4520

Spoonful Yogurt Café

4270 Riverwalk Pkwy #120

(951) 729-5882

Toi Moi Italian Ice & Juice Shop 10181 Hole Ave

(951) 343-4146

Yogurtland 1242 University Ave Ste A

(951) 683-1950

Yogurtland 3510 Tyler St #104

(951) 772-0229

INDIAN

Bombay Stores

1385 W Blaine St

(951) 788-3042

Gandhi Indian Cuisine

1355 E Alessandro Blvd #205

(951) 653-4147

India Sweets & Groceries

779 W Blaine St

(951) 784-7400

Masala Mischief 223 University Ave Ste 150

(951) 224-9692

Namaste Indian Kitchen 6061 Magnolia Ave

(951) 275-5316

Punjab Palace Cuisine of India

1766 University Ave (951) 686-9968

ITALIAN/PIZZA

Aloha Pizza & Pasta 755 W Blaine St (951) 788-8830

Antone’s Italian Food

4125 Sunnyside Dr (951) 682-5900

Antonio Pizza 195 E Alessandro Blvd (951) 776-1888

Antonious Pizza Cafe

3737 Main St (951) 682-9100

Bella’s Pizza

5196 Arlington Ave (951) 351-3131

Blaze Pizza

3540 Riverside Plaza Dr (951) 789-3212

Blaze Pizza

10920 Magnolia Ave Suite 107 (951) 474-5855

Bricks & Birch

3605 Market Street #5 (951) 500-7776

Capone’s Pizza 7207 Arlington Ave F (951) 689-3520

Dave’s New York Style Pizza 1490 University Ave #102 (951) 787-9900

DeMatteo’s Pizza 7030 Magnolia Ave (951) 682-6198

Dematteo’s Woodcrest

18590 Van Buren Boulevard (951) 429-7317

D’Caesaro Pizza & Italian

6160 Arlington Avenue C4 (951) 687-0777

Enzo’s Pizza 10170 Indiana Ave (951) 351-2375

Farfalla’s Cucina Italiana 5250 Arlington Ave (951) 354-5100

Fast 5 Pizza

5300 Arlington Ave (951) 977-9090

Fast 5 Pizza 1889 University Ave #108 (951) 781-3838

Fiesta Pizza

6110 Van Buren Blvd (951) 353-8007

First Class Pizza & Pub 4290 Riverwalk Pkwy (951) 354-7900

Lava Coal-Fired Pizza 1725 Spruce St Suite #101 (951) 823-0238

Mamma Mia Restaurant and Bar

10971 Magnolia Ave (951) 729-5555

Marcello’s Pizza & Pasta 783 W Blaine St (951) 781-9996

Marcello’s Pizza & Pasta 6519 Clay St A (951) 681-9797

Mario’s Place

3646 Mission Inn Avenue (951) 684-7755

MOD Pizza

3444 Arlington Ave (951) 374-5255

New York Pizza Co

3570 Van Buren Blvd (951) 688-4000

The Old Spaghetti Factory 3191 Mission Inn Avenue (951) 784-4417

Papa Joe’s Pizza 5115 Jurupa Ave B3 (951) 680-9090

Papa Joe’s Pizza 10555 Indiana Ave (951) 688-1188

Pietro’s Italian Cuisine 6788 Brockton Ave (951) 784-1310

The Pizza Place... 18955 Van Buren Blvd (951) 780-5588

Romano’s Chicago Pizzeria 285 Alessandro Blvd (951) 780-7399

Scratch Pizza 4950 La Sierra Ave #8 (951) 359-2023

Shakey’s Pizza Parlor 5941 Van Buren Blvd (951) 689-7700

Tower Pizza 3375 Iowa Ave (951) 518-4300

University Pizza Company 1201 University Ave #116 (951) 823-0630

Viano’s Restaurant 16810 Van Buren Blvd (951) 780-3000

JAPANESE/POKE RAMEN/SUSHI

AhiPoki 3540 Riverside Plaza Dr STE 310 (951) 530-8255

Amagi Sushi 19510 Van Buren Blvd Unit F6 (951) 656-8144

Big Tuna 4270 Riverwalk Pkwy (951) 343-0201

Fuego Hibachi 3750 Main St (951) 742-5039

Joe’s Sushi Japanese Restaurant 9555 Magnolia Ave (951) 353-1929

Kotsu Ramen & Gyoza 3522 Madison St Ste 101 (951) 299-8889

The Lowkey Poke Joint 11860 Magnolia Ave (951) 299-7699

Mokkoji Shabu Shabu 1575 University Ave Ste B (951) 905-4007

Momo Sushi 9844 Magnolia Ave (951) 999-9123

Ohana Sushi 195 Alessandro Blvd Ste 8A (951) 789-0443

Oishii Sushi 6133 Magnolia Ave (951) 784-2550

Ooka Sushi & Hibachi Steak House 3525 Riverside Plaza Dr #200 (951) 779-0099

Otsuka Ramen & Bar 10949 Magnolia Ave (951) 353-9888

Pacific Cabin Sushi 3770 9th St (951) 782-0888

Poke Bar 3740 Iowa Ave (951) 405-8233

Poke Bistro 3375 Iowa Ave Ste K (951) 394-8580

Pokilicious Riverwalk 4290 Riverwalk Pkwy #306 (951) 376-1377

Ramen Okawari 3740 Iowa Ave #104 (951) 680-9411

Rohey’s Wok & Grill 4294 Riverwalk Pkwy (951) 359-5272

Saku Ramen 3643 Main St (951) 742-5849

Silverlake Ramen 3775 Tyler St (951) 934-9160

Soho Ramen Riverside 3605 Market St (951) 595-4528

Sumabi 3530 9th St

(951) 823-0278

Sushi Asahi

2955 Van Buren Blvd Suite #D2 (951) 637-1313

Sushi Ok

5228 Arlington Ave (951) 689-8054

Sushi Okoku

10380 Magnolia Ave (951) 343-2225

Sushi R91 1630 Spruce St (951) 682-1323

Sushi Station 19029 Van Buren Blvd #115 (951) 789-0068

Sushi Times 1400 University Ave Ste A101 (951) 777-1037

Sushingon 6060 Magnolia Ave (951) 224-9590

Taiyos Sushi & Poki 11120 Magnolia Ave (951) 343-1112

Teriyaki Plus 7120 Indiana Ave (951) 788-8337

Tomo 7 Sushi 5519 Van Buren Blvd (951) 343-5991

Top Grill

5225 Canyon Crest Dr Ste 94 (951) 530-8668

Vanilla Fish

5225 Canyon Crest Dr Ste 55 (951) 777-1950

Zen Street 3600 Central Ave #1 (951) 683-3648

KOREAN

Chimak House 11120 Magnolia Ave, Unit A (951) 343-1120

88 Korean Corn Dog 3740 Iowa Ave

Manna Grill 1201 University Ave #110B (951) 530-8033

Kimchichanga 1995 University Ave (951) 684-9800

Koreana Grill 10051 Magnolia Ave Ste A1 (951) 688-9000

Saet Byul Asian Market 9555 Magnolia Ave

(951) 637-5652

Wang Cho Korean BBQ 3639 Riverside Plaza Dr

(951) 788-8889

MEDITERRANEAN

Elias Pita 1490 University Ave Ste 103

(951) 686-6800

Fufu’s Mideast Grill

3605 Market Street

(951) 595-4527

Georgie's Mediterranean 5225 Canyon Crest Dr Ste 57

(951) 823-0440

Greek Street Grill

3312 La Sierra Ave Ste 103

(951) 352-0801

The Halal Guys 1201 University Ave, Ste 102

(951) 742-7656

Kabab EL Basha

365 Iowa Ave

(951) 289-9511

Kabob House 10901 Magnolia Ave (951) 353-9711

Lucky Greek 3887 Merrill Ave

(951) 686-2621

Panini Kabob Grill 1298 Galleria at Tyler

(951) 352-6318

Sam’s Pita & Kabab

9799 Magnolia Ave (951) 376-1269

MEXICAN

Acapulco Pollo

8151 Arlington Ave Ste O (951) 406-1215

Ahumadas Mexican Grill

7614 Evans St

(951) 368-4583

Anchos Southwest Grill & Bar 10773 Hole Ave

(951) 352-0240

Antojitos Mexicanos La Ribera

4773 Tyler St Ste 2d

(951) 353-1852

Armando’s Mexican Food

4294 Riverwalk Pkwy Ste 200

(951) 343-5896

Ay Mi Pa 3775 Tyler St #1B

(951) 729-6174

Azteca Market

5125 Jurupa Ave A2

(951) 530-8791

Bajio Mexican Grill

3760 9th St

(951) 786-9573

Birrieria Little Tijuana

12702 Magnolia Ave Unit 25 (951) 268-6895

Birrieria Xolos

9696 Magnolia Ave (951) 376-1226

Brandon’s Diner Jr Of City Hall 3900 Main St

(951) 778-2588

Cactus Cantina 151 E Alessandro Blvd (951) 789-0211

Cañada's Grill

10436 Magnolia Ave (951) 588-6758

Casa Mota

8151 Arlington Ave (951) 352-7383

Carlos's Tijuana Tacos 3980 University Ave

Castaneda’s Mexican Food 6751 Indiana Ave (951) 786-0996

Castañeda’s Mexican Food

1450 P University Ave

(951) 786-0996

Chilitos Mexican Grill

3847 S Pierce St Ste F (951) 509-1002

Cielito Lindo

10277 Arlington Ave (951) 352-3214

Costa Delmar

4561 La Sierra Ave (951) 588-8798

El Chapala Seafood Restaurant

8201 Arlington Ave (951) 359-7560

El Fogon Mexican Grill

765 Blaine St (951) 782-8959

El Habanero

6160 Arlington Ave

(951) 343-5868

El Ojo De Agua

2115 University Ave

(951) 779-6293

El Patron

3204 Mission Inn Ave

(951) 777-1131

El Silencito 1091 Center St (951) 312-6542

El Torito

3639 Riverside Plaza Dr Ste 526 (951) 684-6816

El Trigo

4155 Park Ave

(951) 787-6937

Estrella Taqueria Lounge

3635 University Ave

(951) 999-4323

Fire Up Bar & Grill

3750 University Ave

(951) 289-9071

Fish Taco Xtreme 16960 Van Buren Blvd Ste D (951) 800-9061

Fuego 360 Rotisserie Chicken 3866 La Sierra Ave (951) 456-3705

Green Taco 3812 Pierce St (951) 353-2272

Habanero Mexican Grill 2472 University Ave (951) 224-9145

Ixtapa 4093 University Ave (951) 777-1132

Joe Aguilar’s Templo Del Sol 1365 University Ave (951) 682-6562

Juan Pollo 6055 Magnolia Ave (951) 683-3513

Kalaveras 1690 Spruce St (951) 742-5761

Kimchichanga 1995 University Ave (951) 684-9800

La Bufadora Baja Grill 497 E Alessandro Blvd Ste B (951) 776-2881

La Bufadora Baja Grill 5650-52 Van Buren Blvd (951) 687-7237

La Cruda Mariscos 6733 Indiana Ave (951) 777-0862

Las Campanas 3649 Mission Inn Ave (888) 326-4448

Las Nuevas Islas 4920 Jackson St (951) 772-0020

Little Green Onions 6723 Brockton Ave (951) 328-1273

Los Cabos Tacos 11840 Magnolia Ave (951) 352-2653

Los Fredo’s Mexican Food 9111 Magnolia Ave (951) 525-3411

Los Novillos Market 2650 Main St (951) 530-8893

Lucies Locadas 1601 University Ave (951) 423-4828

M Taco 4111 Main St (951) 784-7135

Maria’s Mexican Kitchen 17028 Van Buren Blvd (951) 780-2034

Mariscos El Camaron Loco 3340 Mary St (951) 682-3882

Mercado Don Juan #3 3375 Iowa Ave (951) 787-9292

Mezcal Cantina Y Cocina 3737 Main St Ste 100 (951) 888-2240

Miches De La Baja 1242 University Ave Ste 5 (951) 742-5633

Mi Lindo Apatzingan 9948 Magnolia Ave (951) 688-0908

Mr. Taco 2435 Main St (951) 682-4020

Mr. Taco 18590 Van Buren Blvd (951) 776-9900

Olivia’s Mexican Restaurant 9447 Magnolia Ave (951) 689-2131

Palenque 3737 Main St (951) 888-2240

Pepitos Mexican Restaurant 5225 Canyon Crest Dr Ste 42 (951) 783-9444

Pepito's Mexican Restaurant 8845 Trautwein Rd (951) 776-8262

Placita 1805 University Ave (951) 405-8730

Quesadilla Dave's & Cantina 3678 Central Ave, Ste 107 (951) 742-5579

Ramiro’s Cocina 9418 Magnolia Ave (951) 354-6146

Ranchito Tacos Al Carbon 2995 Van Buren Blvd Ste A1 (951) 359-8646

Rancho La Perla 3700 Van Buren Blvd Ste 109 (951) 688-8682

Retro Taco 3744 Main St (951) 742-5606

Rico’s Tacos El Primo 1788 University Ave Ste 102 (951) 782-9610

Rodrigo’s Mexican Grill 3848 La Sierra Ave (951) 687-2280

Bar & Restaurant Guide

Rolando’s Taco Shop 19530 Van Buren Blvd Ste G6 (951) 656-0304

Señor Baja 6033 Magnolia Ave (951) 369-5720

Sushingon 6060 Magnolia Ave (951) 224-9590

Taco Station 4088 Mission Inn Ave (951) 782-8226

Tacos Y Más 10203 Hole Ave (951) 687-1344

Taqueria Azteca 5959 Arlington Ave Ste E (951) 509-3670

Taqueria 2 Potrillos 10088 Magnolia Ave (951) 588-8772

Taqueria Mi Ranchito 4724 La Sierra Ave (951) 352-0528

Taqueria Tomateros 9164 Magnolia Ave (909) 257-1545

The Tamale Factory 3663 Main St (951) 342-3023

Tijuana’s Tacos 8151 Arlington Ave (951) 343-7777

Tina’s Mexican Food 2421 University Ave (951) 686-1524

Tio’s Mexican Food 19009 Van Buren Blvd Ste 124 (951) 780-7776

Tio’s Tacos 3948 Mission Inn Ave (951) 788-0230

Tony’s Mexican Food 3870 Chicago Ave (951) 788-4410

Tony’s Mexican Grill 9670 Magnolia Ave (951) 729-6141

Tuxies Juices 6030 Magnolia Ave Ste 3 (951) 781-1048

Yoli’s Mexican Grill 3225 Market St (951) 801-7104

Zacatecas Cafe 3767 Iowa Ave (951) 683-3939

PAKISTANI

Al-Karam Pakistani Cuisine 3457 Arlington Ave Ste 101 (951) 742-5610

Mirchi Restaurant 1385 W Blaine St (951) 400-2825

Punjab Palace 10359 Magnolia Ave (951) 351-8968

SEAFOOD

California Fish Grill 10920 Magnolia Ave Suite 101 (951) 405-6880

Market Broiler 3525 Merrill Ave (951) 276-9007

Pacific Grill 1299 Tyler St (951) 643-8168

Pier 76 Fish Grill

3555 Riverside Plaza Dr Ste 108 (951) 341-9297

Rockstar Shrimp 767 W Blaine St (951) 530-8620

Shrimp Shack Cajun Fusion 3605 Market St, Ste 9 (951) 742-5558

Seafood & Crawfish 10173 Magnolia Ave (951) 359-5999

Star Crab 10051 Magnolia Ave (951) 977-9440

STEAKHOUSES

Duane’s Prime Steak & Seafood

3649 Mission Inn Ave (888) 326-4448

Flat Top Bar & Grill 17960 Van Buren Blvd (951) 780-0114

THAI

Angel Thai Cuisine 6736 Brockton Ave (951) 788-1995

Sam's Bann Thai 3203 Mission Inn Ave (951) 742-7694

Best Thai Cuisine 1735 Spruce St F (951) 682-4251

Gra Pow 497 E Alessandro Blvd #D (951) 780-1132

Monark Asian Bistro 5225 Canyon Crest Dr #64 (951) 683-1073

Morefire Thai

2955 Van Buren Blvd #F1 (951) 359-1331

Riverside Thai Kitchen 7755 California Ave (951) 729-6675

Royal Orchid Restaurant 9791 Magnolia Ave (951) 354-6100

TK Thai Cuisine 11860 Magnolia Ave Ste T (951) 509-3701

VEGETARIAN/VEGAN

Craveabowl 3434 Arlington Ave Ste 20 (951) 742-5878

Goodwin’s Organic 91 W Big Springs Rd (951) 682-2667

La Sierra Natural Foods 11550 Pierce St (951) 785-2563

Monty’s Good Burger 3605 Market Street (213) 915-0257

Oasis Vegetarian Café 11550 Pierce St (951) 688-5423

Plant Power Fast Food 3940 University Ave (951) 905-5222

Roots Restaurant & Bar 3700 12th St (951) 405-8324

Veg & Go 1201 University Ave Ste #115 (951) 213-6233

VIETNAMESE/PHO

5 Stars Pho Restaurant 4950 La Sierra Ave (951) 772-0700

Cha2o 1400 University Ave Ste A104 (714) 406-3090

Ocean Pho 4069 Chicago Ave Ste 100 (951) 742-5272

Pho 81 2995 Van Buren Blvd Ste A13 (951) 977-8869

Phở 99 4557 La Sierra Ave (951) 688-2671

Pho Anh 5646 Van Buren Blvd (951) 977-9889

Pho Anh Hot Pot & Crayfish 10271 Magnolia Ave (951) 729-6668

Pho Anh Hot Pot & Crayfish 231 E Alessandro Blvd (951) 215-0585

Pho DJ 5180 Arlington Ave (951) 354-2799

Pho Ha 10185 Magnolia Ave (951) 354-8918

Pho Ha #7 1820 University Ave #101 (951) 680-0790

Pho Star Bowl 10051 Magnolia Ave (951) 299-8130

Phở Vinam Restaurant 1201 University Ave #107 (951) 784-4290

WINE BARS/WINERIES

The Brickwood 3653 Main St (951) 352-2739

Canyon Crest Winery 5225 Canyon Crest Dr Ste 7A (951) 369-9463

Mario’s Place 3646 Mission Inn Ave (951) 684-7755

We understand that hard times can affect anyone. That’s why we’re committed to supporting our community with various assistance programs designed to lighten the load.

During challenging times, we encourage you to take advantage of the utility payment assistance programs to get the support needed. All day every day, we’re here to help!

Aquí en RPU, entendemos que los tiempos difíciles pueden afectar a cualquiera. Por eso nos comprometemos a apoyar a nuestra comunidad con diversos programas de asistencia diseñados para aligerar la carga.

Durante los tiempos difíciles, le animamos a aprovechar los programas de asistencia de pago de servicios públicos para obtener el apoyo necesario. Todo el día, todos los días, ¡estamos aquí para ayudarle!

Mt. Rubidoux Peace Tower

2023

Spend WHERE YOU LIVE DONDE VIVE ompreC

The holiday season is quickly approaching! Whether you’re shopping for a gift, booking a holiday party venue, or simply celebrating with friends at a nearby restaurant, remember to think local. A portion of every dollar you spend within city limits goes right back into helping fund community services.

Shop Riverside, Riverside!

RiversideFestivalofLights.com

¡La temporada navideña se acerca rápidamente! Ya sea que esté comprando un regalo, reservando un lugar para fiestas navideñas o simplemente celebrando con amigos en un restaurante cercano, recuerde pensar en lo local. Una porción de cada dólar que gasta dentro de los límites de la ciudad vuelve y ayuda a financiar los servicios comunitarios. ¡Compre en Riverside, Riverside!

ShopRiversideNow.com

VISIT | VISITE

Switch-On Ceremony: Saturday, November 18, 2023

RUNS FROM

Saturday, November 18, 2023 –Sunday, December 31, 2023

Lights stay on until Sunday, January 7, 2024

Ceremonia de Encendido: Sábado, 18 de noviembre de 2023

SE EXTIENDE DESDE

Sábado, 18 de noviembre de 2023 –Domingo, 31 de diciembre de 2023

Las luces permanecen encendidas hasta el domingo, 7 de enero de 2024

The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa Festival of Lights