With the weather warming up and the region working its way through the summer and fall, many traditional events were able to resume in 2021 after the COVID-forced hiatus of the year before. Riverbank once again welcomed visitors for the signature Cheese and Wine Exposition, as well as working on preliminary plans for a 100-year celebration and hosting Halloween and Christmas festivities.
JULY
Riverbank resident Marissa Foster won a Disneyland getaway after having to cancel a highly anticipated trip last year. The single mom of two submitted her story to Visit California during their “Dreaming On In California” campaign and won. In May, Visit California launched the “Dreaming On” program to offer people that may have missed milestones, celebrations, and moments last year due to the pandemic an opportunity to share their story and make those dreams come true this year. The Dreaming On experiences included a sunset dinner prepared by Curtis Stone for 10 to 15 couples, a San Diego Padres game, luxury road trips, 10 micro-weddings in Napa, and the ultimate theme park experience at Disneyland. They received thousands of stories of missed moments and canceled events and in June a few lucky California residents received an epic experience. Foster, along with her two kids and her mother, received the ultimate theme park experience with a two night stay at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa, three-day Park Hopper tickets to Disneyland and California Adventure, and a one-day Disneyland Resort VIP tour.
The City of Riverbank’s Parks and Recreation Department has seen record numbers in participation for their programs since opening back up to the public. They offer a variety of programs, camps, and entertainment in the City of Action. “Overall our numbers are higher than ever and we are extremely busy trying to meet the demand for programs,” noted Director of Parks and Recreation Sue Fitzpatrick. “It is very clear that people are happy to be outdoors and participating in activities again.” During these hot days there are many people hitting the Community Pool for recreational swim, lap swim, aquatic fitness, and swim lessons. There are 11 lifeguards this summer at the pool and Fitzpatrick expressed that they are working really hard.
The annual Bike Rodeo and Kids’ Health and Safety Fair returned to downtown Riverbank, after taking a year off to fight the COVID pandemic. “The bike rodeo was a success,” stated Riverbank Police Services Chief Ed Ridenour. “We had numerous children under the age of 12 participate in the mock city course that teaches them bicycle safety and the rules of the road. They were able to ride a bicycle through the mock city with mock buildings, cars, stop signs, and other traffic control devices with guidance of our traffic deputies.” Years ago, the event started out as an augmentation to the Farmers Market when it was run by the Chamber of Commerce, then becoming part of the Concerts in the Park.
Jeff Jennings’ retirement as coach of the boys varsity basketball teams at Riverbank High School was celebrated by family, friends, colleagues and lots of former players at the Riverbank Community Center on Saturday, July 17. Following the meal, guests were invited to share a few words and describe their relationship with the coach, and share some of the lessons they learned. There was only the occasional hint of “roast” in the comments, and Jennings had the opportunity to defend himself following the other speakers.
For more than five years the City of Riverbank has been petitioning Caltrans for a Crosswalk/Pedestrian improvement on Callander Avenue adjacent to St. Frances of Rome Catholic Church, where there have been many safety concerns from the community, the church, city staff and the city council. The City Council unanimously approved the maintenance agreement for the Complete Street Project with Caltrans and work is slated to begin late summer or early fall.
The Riverbank High School football team took advantage of their ‘dead’ weeks prior to the start of practices for the 2021 fall season by holding a car wash fundraiser on the RHS campus. A squad of about 18 players, led by a couple of coaches, took over the bus circle on the school grounds, with one group hosing down vehicles and washing them, then rinsing off, while a second crew wiped off left over moisture.
AUGUST
Riverbank City Council chambers were abuzz last Tuesday like they haven’t been since the COVID pandemic made its impact felt on the city and the world last year. Mayor Richard O’Brien and most of the council members were on hand for the monthly meeting, held in city hall on July 27. Even Rachel Hernandez, representing District Two residents, was able to attend her first in-person council meeting since being sworn in, via Zoom, after the November 2020 election.
With all of California feeling the heat with rising temperatures and very little water to work with, it comes as no surprise that 100 percent of San Joaquin County and 95 percent of Stanislaus County are listed as experiencing “Exceptional Drought” conditions according to the US Drought Monitor, based out of UC Merced.
School campuses in Riverbank are open once again, with students returning to their classrooms on Thursday, Aug. 5, welcomed back by instructors and administrators alike. The students returned at all levels, elementary, middle and high school, all for in-person instruction to start the year. The returnees at Riverbank High School discovered several things the same, but also found few COVID-related changes in effect. Like the end of the 2020-21 school year, students and staff alike are being required to wear masks, at least while indoors. While outside, on break or at lunchtime, they are free to take them off.
National Night Out (NNO) was held on Tuesday, Aug. 3 where a caravan of vehicles including Riverbank Police Services and city officials made stops in neighborhoods hosting events to mingle and build community partnerships. There were two stops in Riverbank, one on California Avenue and another on Heritage Manor Drive.
Without fanfare, no ceremony, nor hoopla of any kind, residents of the City of Riverbank saw the change of road signs indicating a change in nomenclature for a much traveled byway in the Crossroads area. Eagle-eyed travelers on the main artery that bisects Crossroads, from east to west, may have noticed new signage on what used to be Crawford Road. Approved by the Riverbank City Council back in March, the work was recently completed on the stretch between Roselle Road on the east, to Oakdale Road to the west. Further west, where construction on Crossroads West, and the new stretch of Westgate Drive, is continuing, presumably the new name will be installed as the roadway is completed.
The City of Riverbank’s Parks and Recreation Department hosted a movie at Jacob Myers Park this past Saturday, Aug. 14. They have a variety of programs and events coming up like Scuba Diving, Parent’s Night Out, and fall festivities.
Riverbank High School (RHS) gathered for the first rally of the new school year this past Friday, Aug. 20, outdoors on the football field. After missing an entire school year to remote learning due to the pandemic most students are back to in-person learning on school campuses throughout the area. “It was really heart-warming to see that the high school students were able to have a rally to celebrate the start of school and provide the football team encouragement on their first game of the season,” stated RUSD Superintendent Christine Facella.
Riverbank Police Services Chief Ed Ridenour and Riverbank City Councilmember Luis Uribe, who represents District 1, hosted a Community BBQ at Castleberg Park this past Saturday. There were several residents in attendance that were informed of upcoming upgrades to the park and an addition of cameras. “The public was happy to hear about the upgrades and safety measures,” said Ridenour. “I believe the upgrades will increase the use of the park and the safety for our residents.” The BBQ began at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 21 and ended at 1 p.m. There were over 150 meals distributed that included chips and a hot dog. Central Valley Community Resources had a table set up where they served up shaved ice. There was no cost to the public.
SEPTEMBER
The City of Riverbank has approved a Development Agreement with Aemetis Inc. for specific parcels of the Riverbank Industrial Complex (RIC) also known as the Riverbank Army Ammunition Plant (RAAP) on Claus Road. The Riverbank City Council unanimously approved the agreement at the council meeting held last week. “I just wanted to thank staff not only our present staff but past staff who have worked on this for their tireless efforts in moving this project forward,” said City Manager Sean Scully at the council meeting. “We wouldn’t be here today without the excellent relationships we established with those folks as well as our partners at the US Army and US Army Corp of Engineers but most of all I would like to thank the City Council for their leadership and consistency in pushing this major project forward even after we hit brick walls here and there. You never wavered and continued to push us forward.”
Every decade, counties redraw district maps for their communities. Stanislaus County is working with the community to make sure the current redistricting process is guided by transparency, bipartisanship, and public input to ensure the new map reflects the will of voters, allows for competitive county elections, and fairly represents all communities. Stanislaus County is seeking participation in upcoming community workshops and public hearings.
Facility Solutions Specialist Jessica Ritter with SitelogIQ recently presented the Riverbank City Council with an energy efficiency project proposal. The company proposed a number of solar locations, lighting replacement and HVAC upgrades. The Council directed staff to continue forward with SitelogIQ and develop a Letter of Agreement (LOA).
This will be the final week for Martha Perez at Riverbank Police Services after 34 years of service to law enforcement and the community. Retirement is bittersweet for Perez, as she has built many relationships within the community but is ready to turn the page into a new chapter filled with family. “I will miss them (co-workers and community),” said Perez. “I have been blessed with everybody that I have had the chance to work with. I am sad but at the same time it is a new chapter in my life and it is my family; that is a blessing in itself. We are excited.”
American Veterans First hosted a remembrance on Saturday, Sept. 11 called “We the People” for the lives lost on 9/11/2001 and the 13 American military personnel that were killed recently at the Kabul airport in Afghanistan. Members of the AVF board including CEO Duke Cooper, Paige McLaughlin, Jonathon Benjamin, Steve Lawson, Steve Rogers and newly appointed President Joshua Whitfield participated in making the event a success. The flags were flying outside in the front of the building on Oakdale Road on Saturday. The doors were open, tables set, as people gathered to remember the tragic events that unfolded on 9/11 and those that were killed recently in Afghanistan. The food was donated by Wildfire Public House. There were pictures of the 13 fallen soldiers displayed and a table with the uniforms from the branch they served, along with 13 unopened beers.
Stanislaus County District Attorney Birgit Fladager announced Tuesday, Sept. 14 that she will not seek a fifth term as District Attorney in the 2022 election and plans to retire in January 2023.
Riverbank Mayor Richard D. O’Brien recently gathered members of the City Council, city staff and representatives of local community service and religious groups for his yearly summit on the homeless, at the Scout Hall on High Street. The mayor offered news of major strides for Riverbank’s work to make things better. He said that, in the past, in state and county plans for addressing homeless issues, the city seemed to have been left out. O’Brien said that has now changed, with Riverbank being scheduled to participate in the latest round of funding, which is helping the city pursue more concrete solutions.
Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department detectives made an arrest in the homicide which took place just outside of Riverbank on Highway 108 early afternoon on Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021. The suspect taken into custody was identified as 42-year-old Riverbank resident Jose Valencia. He was booked into the Stanislaus County Jail on murder charges and his bail was set in excess of $3 million.
Riverbank High School will be “Roaring through the Decades” for Fall Homecoming Week 2021-22. This week students can celebrate homecoming and show their school spirit with dress days, lunch time activities, a rally and parade.
Residents of Riverbank celebrated a centennial of library service to the residents at what was built as the Carnegie Library, at 3237 Santa Fe Street. When it was first constructed, there wasn’t anything else on the block, but now it sits across an alley from City Hall North and across Santa Fe Street from City Hall South. Back in 1921, Scottish steel magnate Andrew Carnegie made a fortune selling his metal as the Industrial Age took hold, and decided to donate some of his money to cities across the country so they could build libraries.
Earlier this month Tamra Spade with Simply Divine Events, LLC delivered the City Council and public an update on the upcoming 2021 Cheese and Wine Festival that will be held on Saturday, Oct. 9 and Sunday, Oct. 10. The new organization was contracted by the city in 2020; however, due to the pandemic they were unable to host the event last year. This will be the first year that they are coordinating the event.
OCTOBER
It’s never too early to start planning a big celebration. To that end, the City of Riverbank will be turning 100 on Aug. 23, 2022 and City Manager Sean Scully presented plans for a Centennial Celebration to the City Council last week. With excitement and a few ideas, council members gave positive feedback and encouraged City staff to continue with the plans.
After a long, sometimes 100-degree run, the Riverbank Farmers Market folded its tents, packed up its bins of fresh fruits and vegetables, and closed its 20-week run last week. Drawing a sizeable crowd for the finale, Tuesday, Sept. 28 was the last day of taco trucks and other food vendors, arts and crafts booths, and, of course, local farmers. The weekly events began on May 18.
Back to a 24-hour event, the Relay For Life of Greater Stanislaus County saw participants from Oakdale and Riverbank in addition to Modesto, Turlock, Escalon and more. After not having an in person event in 2020 due to the pandemic, reductions in staffing levels at the American Cancer Society prompted the regionalization of the signature Relay For Life program. Here, the three host cities of Modesto, Oakdale and Turlock – which previously had individual relays – were joined together for one large event. Riverbank and Escalon were included in the Oakdale Relay For Life over the past few years and so continued on to the ‘Greater Stanislaus County’ regional event.
The Riverbank Cheese and Wine Exposition returned to downtown Riverbank this past weekend after taking a hiatus last year due to the pandemic. Although the festival was held in the same area there were some new elements to the event like a new coordinator, a car show and a kickoff dinner. “Overall the event went well,” stated Parks and Recreation Director Sue Fitzpatrick. “It was well attended, safe and the community seemed to enjoy it. If I had to guess, I would say that attendance was greater on Saturday than Sunday but well attended both days.”
Riverbank Unified School District (RUSD) has a new Assistant Superintendent. Laura Granger began with the district in late summer, brought in to focus on Learning Recovery and student success. With a wealth of knowledge from a variety of roles within the education realm, Granger brings her expertise and passion to make a positive impact on the district. Granger began her teaching career as a third grade teacher in Ridgecrest where she taught for several years.
Riverbank High School united to raise funds for victims of the Caldor fire through a friendly competition of Penny Wars. The Leadership Class organized the two week war that raised $1600 for the families affected by the fire. Riverbank Unified School District (RUSD) Superintendent Christine Facella brought the challenge to the leadership students at RHS as she was informed by friend and colleague Superintendent of Pioneer Union School District (PUSD) Annette Lane that there were several families in need.
The popular Haunted Halloween Hayride resumed once again this past weekend after being dormant last year due to the pandemic. The crisp air and dark trail through Jacob Myers Park was the perfect setting once again for the event that was held Oct. 22 and 23. With both nights sold out, the ‘Haunted Hayride’ was well received. Luckily, organizers avoided the stormy parts of the weekend, nestled neatly between Friday morning’s showers and the heavy, nearly overwhelming rain of late Saturday night and Sunday. “It was great being able to do the hayride again,” said Parks and Recreation Director Sue Fitzpatrick. “It is a lot of work but the community really seems to enjoy it.”
American Veterans First has joined forces with a new organization called Against My Will that helps victims of sexual assault and human trafficking. The new organization held a Vendor Fair and Fundraiser in the parking lot at the AVF headquarters this past Saturday, Oct. 23, bringing awareness to a serious issue. “We are here to help veterans and first responders but it is really also to be a positive contribution to these communities all around us,” stated AVF President Josh Whitfield. “What these folks are doing, a lot of these folks on the board of Against My Will are first responders and veterans themselves, so it was an easy marriage, an easy handshake.”
NOVEMBER
Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, kicked off the seasonal fall weekend celebration last Friday, with the large gathering returning to Plaza del Rio Park in downtown Riverbank. The celebration was first held here in 2019, but was absent in 2020, because of COVID concerns at the time. The crowd seemed substantial for the Oct. 29 event, but City Council Member Cal Campbell and Mayor Richard O’Brien both said they thought it was a bit smaller than before. O’Brien said he hoped to be able to expand the number of participants, especially vendors, at next year’s celebration.
Members of the Riverbank City Council had an emergency situation arise that needed immediate action at a special meeting last week. With new developments from the work being done on Topeka Street, it caused concern for the Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Protection District’s access to the roadway from the fire station. Council members voted unanimously for the appropriation of additional funds to the Topeka Street Improvement Project between Third and Fifth streets.
The Royal Neighbors Riverbank Chapter once again hosted its annual veteran’s luncheon this past Saturday, Nov. 6 at the Veterans Foundation of Stanislaus County in Modesto. The luncheon was well attended with 185 guests from all branches of the military. “We had a pretty good showing,” stated Diane Talbert, Royal Neighbors Treasurer. “It was great to see all of their faces. We missed getting to see them in 2020.” This would have been their 14th year but due to COVID the luncheon was canceled in 2020. They were able to resume this year making it the 13th year that the free lunch has been provided to veterans as a thank you for their service and sacrifice.
The Riverbank High School (RHS) drama class staged several performances this past weekend of the Lion King Jr. at the Black Box Theatre on campus. This was the first live performance held at RHS with a full audience since before COVID and all four shows over the weekend were sold out. There was a cast of 17 and a crew of eight that made the performances successful and, according to Drama Instructor John Thiel, the show was high-energy and heartfelt.
The guests at the Senior Brunch put on in Riverbank this past Friday enjoyed a pre-Thanksgiving meal with all the fixings provided by Central Valley Community Resources (CVCR). Guests were treated to a special guest speaker, Riverbank Police Services Chief Ed Ridenour, who shared some holiday safety tips as well.
This past Saturday, Nov. 20 people may have seen Santa Claus at Save Mart Supermarket in Riverbank, preparing for the upcoming Christmas holiday along with the US Marine Corp Reserve Toys for Tots, CASA del Rio, and CVCR (Central Valley Community Resources) collecting toys for those in need.
DECEMBER
The sun was out and the temperatures were comfortable for a day of fun in downtown Riverbank. After a two year hiatus with stormy weather in 2019 and COVID in 2020 the 52nd Annual Christmas Parade and Craft Fair made a return this past Saturday. “The parade was a much-needed lift for our community,” remarked Mayor Richard O’Brien. “Our 2019 parade was canceled at the last minute due to storms and heavy winds. Last year COVID made our parade a casualty. So the parade was a firsttime out event for many. Our entries to this year’s parade were low but our attendance by our residents was very large. The children were all excited about lighting the tree and meeting Santa.” The craft fair kicked off the Nov. 27 festivities with 21 vendors lining Third Street that offered a variety of crafts from signs, bird houses, home décor, to tumblers, succulents, jewelry, hats and scarves just in time for Christmas.
The gray, cold, foggy day did not stop doting pet parents from taking their beloved pets to Jacob Myers Park for a photo session with Santa and Mrs. Claus this past Saturday, Dec. 4. This was the first of its kind event brought to pet parents everywhere from the City of Riverbank’s Parks and Recreation Department. There was no cost to get pooches pictures with Santa.
For the second year in a row, American Veterans First (AVF) has delivered a large assortment of toys to Central Valley Foster Care, Inc. in Riverbank, making that delivery last week. The month long collection of toys for foster kids was a huge success as friends of AVF answered a call for the kids.
The sounds of seasonal music filled the evening air on the Riverbank High School campus this past week. The RHS Music Department presented its Ninth Annual Winter Concert on Thursday, Dec. 9, performed in the Bruin Gym.
With case rates increasing 47 percent since Thanksgiving, the California Department of Public Health will require universal masking to increase protection against COVID-19 to individuals, families, and communities during the holidays. In an announcement made Monday, Dec. 13, officials with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) said they continue to monitor COVID-19 data in order to protect the health and well-being of all Californians.
The Sheriff’s Department vehicles, K9 units, and S.W.A.T. (Special Weapons and Tactics) truck lined the sidewalk in front of Kohl’s in the Crossroads Shopping Center, causing some excitement once again as the annual Shop with a Cop program returned. The public stared in curiosity as the vehicles lined the entrance with lights flashing that had many people asking ‘what was going on.’ The program has assisted families in need during the holiday season for over 10 years.
Families picked up their goods at Cardozo Middle School Auditorium just in time for the Christmas holiday. The Marine Corps Toys for Tots in collaboration with Central Valley Community Resources (CVCR) and Casa del Rio held their toy distribution this past Saturday. The toys and bikes were collected through their campaign that started at the end of November.
Riverbank City Manager Sean Scully has submitted a notice of resignation to the Riverbank City Council, formally resigning his position as City Manager effective Jan. 14, 2022. Scully was selected and appointed as the new City Manager for the City of Lincoln in Placer County and will assume that role in late January.
The senior brunch crew celebrated the holiday season with a special brunch and holiday tunes brought once again by New Life Community Church and Central Valley Community Resources (CVCR) recently at the Community Center in Riverbank. The Christmas Party may have had low attendance this year but the spirits of the guests that were there were high. The seniors received a hot meal, dessert, and a few gifts. There were about 17 people in attendance this year.
