COMMUNITY
Local Farmers’ Markets
The Riverside Downtown Farmers’ Market is a place for area farmers to sell their seasonal crops directly to customers. When Tara and I first heard about this, we had just started taking our healthy eating to the next level, so this was perfect timing. Instead of driving a car to the market and contributing to polluting the environment, we ride our bicycles. Exercise… pollution reduction… healthy food… what a great way to start almost each and every weekend.
Located on the Main Street Pedestrian Mall between 5th and 6th Streets (adjacent to the Mission Inn) in the arts and culture district of downtown Riverside, it provides a unique opportunity to shop for fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, hummus, aged gouda cheese by Winchester Cheese Co., fresh baked bread from Old Towne Baking Co. and other specialty food items.
Open every SATURDAY from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
A photo of my beach cruiser’s handlebar basket overflowing with my farmers’ market haul a couple of weekends ago. Nectarines, plums, cherries, strawberries, blueberries, cabbage, broccoli, corn, eggplant, etc. all for under $30!
Every FRIDAY from 8 a.m. to noon at the Sears parking lot (corner of Streeter and Arlington) is the original Riverside Certified Farmers’ Market open rain or shine at the same location for over 25 years! This farmers’ market specializes in local ‘mom & pop’ farms and organic backyard gardeners that offer everything from heirloom tomatoes to ancient varieties of corn. Because growing your own food is the healthiest, these farmers give friendly farming advice.
In addition to the organic farmers, there are local bakeries, fresh cut flowers, hot roasted peanuts, local honey, potted orchids, and a colorful assortment of local artisans including hand-mined stone jewelry and natural soy candles. Some vendors accept Visa and MasterCard, and there’s an ATM machine on the premises.
No matter which Farmers’ Market you attend, maybe even both, please be sure to wear comfortable shoes, a hat (or umbrella) and bring your canvas shopping bags. We’ll see you there!
Green Home Conversions & Rebates
Want to save $$$ on energy costs? Tired of that hot/stuffy room? Are you afraid to run your air conditioner? Confused by all the advertisements? Don’t know where to begin? The “Wood Streets Green Team” can help!
The Wood Streets Green Team’s mission is to provide resources to assist Wood Streets residents in increasing the sustainability of their lifestyle. Their website is a resource where all Riverside residents can share insights, ask questions, and request information about living more sustainably.
Join us on Sunday July 25, 2010 for a workshop entitled ”Green Home Conversions with Riverside Public Utilities Rebates” from 3 pm to 5 pm at RCC‘s Hall of Fame in the Student Union Center (click here for campus map).
This workshop will feature Ryan Bullard from Riverside Public Utilities (RPU) who will explain the new Whole House Rebate Program, a tiered rebate that gets bigger the more environmentally friendly projects you perform. Steven Rawls from REEIS (Residential Energy Efficiency Improvement Specialists) will teach you how to determine the most important and cost effective improvements for your home.
The green shape under the words “Wood Streets Green Team” is the map outline of the Wood Streets neighborhood here in wonderful and historical Riverside, California! 
This workshop will provide valuable information for everyone concerned about the environment, their community, and their future.
Though the Team is geographically located in the Wood Streets neighborhood, all Riverside residents are invited to join the Team and attend the workshops! We look forward to seeing you there.
Park ‘N Bark Classic Car Show
Come on down and support the animals of Riverside County at the Park ‘N Bark Classic Car Show on Saturday, July 17, 2010 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the new Western Riverside Animal Shelter (6851 Van Buren Boulevard). Special pet adoption rates for everyone!
Sign-up your pre-1974 cars to win cash awards. The first 50 cars to register will receive dash plaques for their vehicles. Pre-registration is $10, and registration on July 17th from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. is $15. No motorcycles.
There will be food, entertainment, raffles, special pet adoption rates, activities for kids, and a silent auction. Sponsored in part by Inland Empire Classic Mustang Club, Firestone, ASK Foundation, and Lucas Oil Products, Inc.
What better way to support the animals of Riverside County! Adopt a pet — they will love you forever!!!
Riverside Summer Concert Series
FREE Entertainment at Fairmount Park every Wednesday evening (6:00 to 9:00 p.m.) until August 11, 2010!
Entertainment line-up:
July 14 Southbound (Rock ‘n Roll)
July 21 Red Carpet Riot (90s)
July 28 Stone Soul (Motown)
August 4 Suave (Top 40)
August 11 Latin Society (Latin/Salsa)
At each concert, four participants (two youths and two adults) from the third annual “Riverside Sings! Competition” will perform, and you, the audience, will decide who moves onto the final concert where the next “Riverside Sings!” champions will be crowned. Participants perform at 6 p.m. and intermission. For the finale on August 11th, youth will perform at 6 p.m. and adults at intermission.
Our Independence Day was a BLAST!
On our Nation’s 234th birthday, Tara and I gathered a wonderful group of friends (for the 13th year in a row) and set out at 6:00 a.m. from my “Wood Streets” home to deliver approximately 2,000 American flags! Each of us grabbed a few bundles of flags, set out to different sections of the neighborhood, and carefully placed one flag in each neighbor’s yard. Some neighbors even display all of the flags they’ve gathered from us over the years!
Depending on how many friends help each year, this patriotic task can take us anywhere from 1½ to 2½ hours to complete. This year, we finished in record time — little over an hour! Afterwards, Tara and I treated everyone to breakfast at our local Coco’s Bakery & Restaurant.
Once our bellies were full, everyone went their separate ways to either meet up with their families, take a nap, or prepare for the annual BBQ at Tara’s house. Hot dogs, hamburgers, veggie dogs, veggie burgers, baked beans, corn on the cob, potato salad, macaroni salad, fruit salad, green salad, and plenty of homemade desserts were enjoyed by all. Along with the bountiful food and great company, there was swimming, badminton, bike riding, and even a cupcake food fight.
And to round out the fun-filled and patriotic day, a large group of us walked down to the end of Highland Place and watched an unobstructed view of the Mt. Rubidoux fireworks show from a large open field.
Every day, Tara and I we realize how fortunate we are to be living in such a wonderful family-oriented neighborhood, and a free country thanks to our service men and women who have sacrificed for America over the years!
“America the Beautiful” song lyrics:
O beautiful for spacious skies
For amber waves of grain
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!