The exhibition will take place from Friday through June 7 at the Melissa Morgan Fine Art gallery, at 73660 El Paseo Drive, with an opening reception to take place from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Friday. The hours of operation are from 10 a.m. through 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

The artwork will feature different mediums, including paintings, drawings, sculptures, installation, video and photography, and explore the relationship between art, landscape and community.

This year’s Desert X Art Club are comprised of students enrolled in the organization’s free after-school education program called the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program, in partnership with Desert Sands Unified School District. Participating school from DSUSD include Indio Middle School, Desert Ridge Academy, John Glenn Middle School, Carrillo Ranch Elementary and Gerald Ford Elementary School.

Besides the event, students participate in after-school workshops and field trips with Desert X’s educators and artists that encourage young people the relationship with the desert environment and their surroundings.

The post Desert X’s Student Art Exhibition Set For May 22 In Palm Desert appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

    On Wednesday, May 20, workers were seen removing the paintings “California Alps” and “Charge Up San Juan Hill” from inside the historic Mission Inn Hotel & Spa. Both pieces had been displayed at the hotel for generations and were originally purchased by Miller more than 100 years ago.

    Witnesses watched as crews carefully lifted the paintings from the walls, wrapped them in protective plastic and carried them through the hotel lobby. “California Alps” had been displayed prominently near the reception desk and elevators, while “Charge Up San Juan Hill” hung inside the hotel steakhouse overlooking the lobby area.

    The removals happened openly in front of guests, visitors and staff members, some of whom stopped to photograph the unusual scene.

    The artwork reportedly has been taken into the possession of hotel owner Kelly Roberts just days before escrow is expected to close on the sale of the Mission Inn to the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation tribe. Roberts’ attorney declined to comment regarding the situation.

    The move quickly sparked criticism from local preservation advocates who say the paintings are deeply tied to Riverside’s history and the legacy of the Mission Inn itself.

    “It feels vindictive,” Riverside City Councilmember Philip Falcone said. Falcone, who previously worked as a docent at the Mission Inn, criticized the timing of the removals. “The sale closes in a week. They have one foot out the door and at the 11th hour, they do a smash-and-grab. I just can’t fathom it.”

    The Mission Inn occupies an entire downtown city block bordered by Mission Inn Avenue, Orange Street, Main Street and Sixth Street. Known for blending mission-style architecture with European-inspired design, the property has become one of Riverside’s most iconic landmarks and tourist attractions.

    According to Falcone, Roberts contacted him earlier this month to discuss the hotel sale. During that conversation, he said she voiced frustration with both the city and California’s business climate, claiming the city had not adequately supported the hotel over the years.

    Falcone believes the paintings’ removal feels personal and unnecessary, adding that he suspects the artwork could eventually be sold privately.

    The paintings themselves carry significant historical value.

    “California Alps,” painted in 1874 by artist William Keith, depicts the Sierra Nevada mountain range and measures approximately 6 feet by 10 feet. Frank Miller purchased the painting during the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco, and historians believe it had remained inside the Mission Inn ever since.

    The second painting, “Charge Up San Juan Hill,” was painted around 1900 by Russian artist Vasily Vereshchagin. The artwork portrays Theodore Roosevelt and the Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War as they charge up San Juan Hill in Cuba.

    Miller acquired that painting at a San Francisco auction in 1917. Historians note the piece likely carried special meaning for him because President Roosevelt visited and stayed at the Mission Inn in 1903.

    Both works are referenced in the book “Historic Mission Inn,” published by Friends of the Mission Inn. The publication describes “California Alps” as one of the hotel’s most treasured possessions. Naturalist John Muir reportedly once called the painting “the bible of the Sierras.”

    The book also notes that “Charge Up San Juan Hill” had been intentionally placed inside one of the hotel’s premier dining areas to enhance the atmosphere of the room.

    By Wednesday afternoon, the spaces where the paintings once hung had been reduced to empty walls marked by faded paint outlines and discoloration.

    James Ranger, who has served as a Mission Inn docent for the past eight years, said he was stunned watching the paintings leave the building.

    “I couldn’t believe it was happening, but it was,” Ranger said.

    Ranger and others noted that several historically significant items have disappeared from the Mission Inn over the decades, particularly after ownership changes beginning in the 1950s. Former hotel owner Ben Swig reportedly auctioned off various pieces during the 1950s and 1960s, while other artifacts vanished over time.

    Duane Roberts purchased the long-shuttered Mission Inn in 1992 and restored the property alongside his wife Kelly. Roberts died in November at age 88, and escrow on the sale of the hotel is expected to close May 28.

    Questions also remain about the whereabouts of other well-known pieces that once decorated the property, including a small painting titled “Arch Beach,” a statue of the goddess Pomona and a Steinway piano.

    Perhaps the most famous missing item is the oversized Taft chair that once sat in the hotel lobby. Built for President William Howard Taft’s visit in 1909, the chair became a popular attraction where visitors often posed for humorous photos because of its unusually large size.

    Some visitors say the chair has been missing since as early as 2023, although others only recently noticed its disappearance.

    During a Wednesday meeting of Riverside’s Cultural Heritage Board, Old Riverside Foundation President Dave Stolte warned that the removal of historically important pieces threatens the integrity of the landmark property.

    “The absence of the chair, the paintings and other priceless cultural resources diminishes the integrity of the landmark and the public’s ability to understand Frank Miller’s vision,” Stolte said.

    He added that once historically significant items are removed from the property and placed into private hands, recovering them becomes increasingly difficult.

    Although Falcone acknowledged Roberts likely has the legal right to remove the artwork, he said many residents view the move as disrespectful to both Frank Miller’s vision and Riverside’s cultural history.

    “It feels like her flipping us off on her way out the door,” Falcone said.

The post Historic Paintings Removed From Riverside’s Mission Inn Days Before Hotel Sale appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

“Directing Change gives young people the opportunity to speak openly, support one another and help shape school communities where every student feels valued, understood and encouraged to reach out for help,” Riverside County Superintendent of Schools Edwin Gomez said. “Recognizing our students for expanding mental health awareness is a meaningful opportunity to show how much we value their powerful insights and inspiring creativity.”

Selected entries from the 2026 contest will be shown after a Red Carpet arrival, beginning shortly before 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Fox Performing Arts Center in downtown Riverside.

The competition is held annually as part of the “Youth Creating Change” program. Students are invited to produce vignettes, comparable to public service announcements, that are 30 to 60 seconds long.

A total 213 entries from two dozen schools and nonprofit organizations countywide were submitted this year, according to the Riverside University Health System, which sponsors the contests.

“Supporting the well-being of Riverside County’s young people is one of the most meaningful investments we can make in our future,” Board of Supervisors Chair Karen Spiegel said. “Directing Change gives students a powerful platform to share their voices, uplift one another and inspire change through creativity and compassion. These films reflect the insight, courage and heart of our youth, reminding us that honest conversations build stronger schools, healthier communities and a hopeful future.”

Along with the regular categories focused on suicide prevention and mental health awareness, this year’s event established two additional categories — substance abuse and Boys & Young Men Media Challenge — according to RUHS.

“By encouraging honest storytelling and peer connection, the program helps foster empathy, awareness and a culture of care among youth,” the agency stated.

The event is slated to conclude about 8 p.m. Wednesday.

More information is available at hopeandjustice.art/riversidecounty.

The post ‘Directing Change Film Contest’ Fosters Empathy, Awareness, In Riverside County Students appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

    According to the Menifee Union School District, the eighth grader competed against dancers from 21 countries during the global competition, earning recognition alongside some of the top youth tap dancers in the world.

    Harlie competed in two major divisions during the championship event. Her team’s “Magic” performance in the Junior Formation category placed fifth overall, while the “Grease” production routine secured a silver medal finish, ranking second in the world.

    “This achievement represents the pinnacle of my dance journey so far,” Harlie said. “After competing for 10 years, nothing compares to the pride and joy of this moment. Being ranked second in the world is a dream come true.”

    Harlie’s path to the world championships began long before the trip to Prague. She started dancing at just 18 months old and has spent years training in competitive tap dance. She currently trains with the Southern California Tap Company and Norris Performing Arts Center under instructors Michelle Miner and Sarah Cleveland.

    To earn a spot on Team USA, Harlie went through an intensive audition process coordinated through the United States Dance & Sport Competition Federation. Once selected, the preparation became even more demanding.

    From July through October, she balanced long rehearsal weekends and elite-level training sessions while continuing to maintain straight A’s at Hans Christensen Middle School. Family vacations and free weekends were often replaced with practices and travel tied to competition preparation.

    Her mother, Sasha, described the experience as emotional and unforgettable for the entire family.

    “As a parent, it was both mind-blowing and surreal,” Sasha said. “Seeing her stand with her teammates wearing the United States jacket was something I’ll never forget. Watching her do what she loves alongside some of her closest friends made the entire experience incredibly special.”

    Beyond the competition itself, Harlie also had the opportunity to connect with dancers from around the world. Participants took part in a “presentation of nations,” where performers exchanged pins, gifts and stories with competitors from different countries, including Ukraine.

    Sasha described the atmosphere in Prague as feeling similar to a miniature Olympic event, with dancers from around the globe gathering through their shared passion for performing arts.

    Menifee Union School District Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Root praised Harlie for balancing academics, leadership and high-level competition.

    “Harlie’s achievement reflects what students can accomplish when they combine passion with perseverance,” Root said. “She has represented both her school district and the United States with excellence while continuing to succeed academically.”

    Board President Kyle Root also congratulated the student on her international success, calling her accomplishment a source of pride for the district and local community.

    Outside of dance, Harlie remains heavily involved on campus. She participates in Associated Student Body, serves on the school’s cheerleading squad and takes part in the district’s Community Engagement Initiative. District officials said she recently spoke before a crowd of more than 1,000 participants, sharing her experiences and helping represent the district’s student leadership efforts.

    School officials said Harlie’s journey reflects years of discipline, teamwork and determination, with her recent international success serving as another milestone in both her academic and athletic career.

The post Menifee Student Wins Silver Medal at World Tap Dance Championships appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

Originally established as a mineral hot springs destination in the early 1900s, the resort—also known as Massacre Canyon Inn (MCI)—was part of what was once referred to as Southern California’s “health belt,” drawing visitors from across the region to experience the reputed healing properties of the springs. In the 1920s, the Gilman family expanded the property into a prominent resort featuring a 27-hole golf course, horse stables, tennis courts and a range of recreational amenities.

By the late 1960s, the resort started a boxing training camp that attracted both rising talent and some of the most recognized names in the sport.

This past week, Golden Era Productions welcomed back former boxer Lester Smith, who trained at the Gilman Resort from 1968 to 1970 during the early years of his middleweight career. Introduced to boxing by his stepfather, Stan Russell, Smith began his journey at the Gilman training camp, which featured extensive facilities including a boxing ring, steam baths, exercise equipment, running trails through the foothills, guest cottages and a full-service dining room complete with a bar and coffee shop.

Smith recalled the demanding daily routine of the fighters: rising at daybreak for a six-mile run, followed by intensive training in the ring throughout the day. He also remembered the presence of notable figures in the sport, including Ken Norton, George Foreman, Sonny Liston, and brothers Mike Quarry and Jerry Quarry. Smith noted that he narrowly missed meeting Muhammad Ali, who visited the camp while Smith was away in Las Vegas.

Weekend visitors included renowned sports broadcaster Howard Cosell, who interviewed fighters ahead of major bouts. Smith also recalled that the masseuse for boxing legend Joe Louis was available at the steam baths following rigorous training sessions.

Motivated by a desire to revisit the place where his boxing career began, Smith returned to the property—now extensively renovated and transformed into a modern, international production facility where audiovisual content is created for the Churches of Scientology. His visit highlights the continuity of the site, which has evolved from a destination for health and athletic training into a center for creative production.

During his tour, Smith was shown the location of the original boxing ring, now repurposed as a Foreign Recording Studio in the Audio Building. He immediately recognized the area, recalling its proximity to the foothills. He also revisited the former MCI dining room, expressing admiration for its updated design and décor.

The visit concluded with lunch at the property’s historic Tavern, which retains its original name. Reflecting on the experience, Smith remarked, “How fortunate the staff are to live and work at Golden Era.”

A representative of Golden Era Productions said visits such as Smith’s serve as a meaningful reminder of the property’s legacy. “It is always special to welcome back individuals who were part of this location’s history and to share how the site has been preserved and repurposed for a new era,” the representative said.

Both Smith and his guest expressed appreciation not only for the beauty of the facilities, but also for the warmth and hospitality extended by the staff.

The post Former Boxer Returns to Historic Gilman Hot Springs Resort, Once a Hub for 1960-70s Boxing Training Camps appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

Those are some of the stories that California lawmakers are citing as they advance two plans to change the ticketing landscape. One caps the extent to which resellers can mark up the original ticket price while the other prohibits resellers from selling tickets they don’t yet own. 

Democratic Assemblymembers Issac Bryan of Culver City and Matt Haney of San Francisco are each carrying bills that they say would protect consumers from fraudulent and deceptive ticket sales. 

Both measures are backed by the ticket market’s dominant seller, Live Nation, which owns Ticketmaster. Its support has some worried that the bills will help the company crush its competitors and jack up prices. A federal jury in New York this week found that the company illegally acted as a monopoly in a victory for, among others, California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who with colleagues in other states sued the company two years ago and kept going after federal prosecutors settled. Live Nation is now awaiting penalties.

Despite these headwinds, the ticket bills are sailing through the Legislature.

Supporters say the legislation has nothing to do with the antitrust case against Live Nation and helps consumers. Opponents disagree.

“The state Legislature should really be standing up for consumers instead of advancing bills that are there to help a monopoly that has been caught on record calling its fans stupid and has bragged about robbing them blind,” said Jose Barrera, national vice president for the far west region at the League of United Latin American Citizens, a civil rights advocacy group. 

Ticketmaster’s competitors in the online resale market are lobbying against the measures, a sign that they view the proposals as a threat to their business. 

Jack Sterne, StubHub’s head of policy communications, wrote to CalMatters, stating, “Passing laws that hand the Ticketmaster monopoly more power and don’t actually make tickets more affordable is the last thing California’s leaders should do.”

But Stephen Parker, executive director of the National Independent Venue Association, which is co-sponsoring the bills, argues that they will regulate the marketplace to better protect fans by limiting price gouging and encouraging the face value — or below face value — exchange of tickets. 

“Ultimately, that is what these bills will do, in addition to making sure that the tickets are actually real,” he said. “That is a good thing for California consumers. It’s a good thing for artists and it’s a good thing for these small businesses and nonprofits that make up the independent stages across the state.”

A Live Nation spokesperson said in a statement to CalMatters, “The resale lobby constantly tries to change the subject by pointing fingers at Ticketmaster, even though it has less than 25% of the resale market. This has nothing to do with anyone’s monopoly, but rather is about protecting fans from scalpers and the resale sites that cater to them.”

The company has spent roughly $165,000 on lobbying efforts this legislative session, including to support Bryan’s bill. 

‘Unlikely allies’

Bryan’s Assembly Bill 1349 would ban the sale of speculative tickets — or tickets that are not in the possession or ownership of the people who list them online. In an April hearing, Bryan said the bill protects consumers from predatory mark ups.

“This bill is so important that, after our introduction, it brought unlikely allies together,” Bryan said, according to the CalMatters Digital Democracy database. “In fact, this bill brought the Giants and the Dodgers together, brought the National Independent Venue Association and Live Nation together. ​​It brought Kendrick Lamar and Kid Rock together. It brought Isaac Bryan and Donald Trump together.”

Several secondary ticket sellers are fighting the measure, including StubHub, SeatGeek and Vivid Seats. The three companies have spent roughly $1.1 million dollars on lobbying efforts this legislative session, which included opposition to Bryan’s bill. 

Opponents including Robert Herrell, executive director for the Consumer Federation of California, argue that the bill strengthens Live Nation Ticketmaster’s grip on the ticketing and live entertainment industry. According to them, the measure would give Live Nation complete control over the ticket even after it has been purchased — meaning, for example, that consumers could lose the ability to sell it or give it away.

“There’s no consumer choice in the matter,” said Herrell. “They can keep people out of shows if they want to. There have been situations where, if you bought a ticket on the secondary market, you’ve been denied entry into a show.” 

Proponents say Herrell and other opponents are mistaken. They say they are not trying to prevent transferability but rather, they want to protect fans from speculative costs.

“We want those rooms full,” said Ron Gubitz, executive director of Music Artists Coalition, which is co-sponsoring both bills. “So you have to be able to transfer a ticket. We just want it to be in a way that’s safe, trustworthy and not creating this run on the market that exists now.”

Gubitz pointed to a recent Bruno Mars concert, where tickets were on StubHub for $400 to $2,000 before they were on sale through Ticketmaster.

“That’s crazy,” he said. “That’s a speculative ticket that Bryan’s bill is trying to stop. That shouldn’t happen. It’s not fair to anybody, except for the secondary (market). It seems great for them.”

Price caps in a free market

Haney’s Assembly Bill 1720, also known as the California Fans First Act, would put a 10% cap on resale event ticket markups, inclusive of the ticket fees. In other words, a reseller could not charge more than 10% higher than the original ticket price.

In an interview with CalMatters, Haney said artists, independent venues and downtowns are currently being “screwed over and exploited” by scalpers and brokers.

“We can’t allow the status quo to continue if we want to ensure Californians have access to affordable tickets to see their favorite artists or if we want independent venues or the broader landscape of musicians and artists to thrive in our state,” he said.

The post Live Nation is supporting two California bills to lower prices. Can fans trust it? appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

“The existing Mission Boulevard Bridge was identified as seismically deficient, no longer meeting current safety standards,” according to a Riverside County Transportation & Land Management Agency statement. “The structure will be fully replaced with a modern 1,100-foot bridge, featuring two traffic lanes in each direction, added shoulders and a raised center median to improve overall safety for drivers.”

The current span, which crosses the Santa Ana River, has been in place since 1958, though the original bridgework foundation was established in the early 1920s, undergoing major modifications between then and the late 1950s due to storm-related impacts.

TLMA is supervising the project, but both the cities of Riverside and Jurupa Valley are invested in it.

Officials said demolition and reconstruction will occur in stages, impacting travel between Crestmore Road on the Jurupa Valley side and Mt. Rudidoux Drive at the Riverside city limits. The first stage will start Monday, when contractors initiate the process of removing the center median, requiring two of four lanes to be shut down all next week.

The following week, a long-term traffic shift will be implemented, with one lane available going into Jurupa Valley and both eastbound lanes open going into Riverside, according to TLMA. Those lane closures will result in slower traffic along the span daily.

The bridge is already a traffic chokepoint during various parts of the day, particularly early weekday mornings and late afternoons.

“Motorists are encouraged to allow extra travel time and follow posted signage in the work zone,” TLMA stated, adding that no “long-term full closures of Mission Boulevard are planned.”

The next stage of the project is anticipated in the spring of 2028, when a second significant traffic shift is planned, though specific details have not been announced.

Completion of the new span is expected in the latter half of 2029.

Funding for the project budget includes direct allocations from Jurupa Valley and Riverside, as well as California Proposition 1B grants and Federal Highway Bridge Program infusions, according to TLMA.

Additional information about the overall project, lane closures, planned detours and timelines can be found at missionblvdbridge.com/.

The post RivCo $91M Bridge Replacement Begins Monday appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

U.S. border czar Tom Homan told CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday the effort was about “helping TSA do their mission and get the American public through that airport as quick as they can while adhering to all the security guidelines and the protocols.”

“We’re simply there to help TSA do their job in areas that don’t need their specialized expertise, such as screening through the X-ray machine,” he said. “Not trained in that? We won’t do that. But there are roles we can play to release TSA officers from the non-significant roles, such as guarding an exit so they can get back to the scanning machines and move people quicker.”

Various media outlets reported Monday morning that ICE agents were being deployed to 14 airports across the nation — none of them in California.

Officials at Palm Springs International Airport did not immediately reply to a request for comment on Sunday.

On Saturday, President Donald Trump said he would order ICE agents to assist with airport security if Congress did not immediately reach an agreement to fund TSA officers.

In a social media post, Trump said ICE agents could also be tasked with making immigration arrests at airports.

“If the radical left Democrats don’t immediately sign an agreement to let our country, in particular, our airports, be FREE and SAFE again, I will move our brilliant and patriotic ICE agents to the airports where they will do security like no one has ever seen before,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

The proposal comes as a partial government shutdown has left roughly 50,000 TSA employees working without pay, contributing to increased absenteeism and staffing shortages at airports nationwide.

Administration officials said about 10% of TSA workers failed to report for duty on some recent days, compared to typical rates of under 2%.

The post IE Airports Will Not Be Affected By ICE Agents In The Immediate Future appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

Fieri, widely known for hosting the television series Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, will once again host his popular smokehouse experience during the three-day festival scheduled for April 24–26 at the Empire Polo Fields in Indio.

The cooking showcase has become a signature feature of Stagecoach, blending barbecue demonstrations with appearances from artists performing at the festival. Throughout the weekend, Fieri will team up with well-known pitmasters and musical guests while preparing barbecue for festivalgoers.

The smokehouse area typically includes seating, food service and a bar where visitors can watch the cooking demonstrations while interacting with performers from the lineup.

Several musicians have already been announced as participants in the culinary sessions alongside Fieri. On Friday, performers Nate Smith, Chase Rice and BigXthaPlug are expected to join the chef.

Saturday’s lineup includes Gavin Rossdale of the band Bush, country artist Gavin Adcock, actor and musician Billy Bob Thornton, and country music legend Wynonna Judd.

The final day of the event will feature appearances by Wyatt Flores and Brett Young as they join the chef during the cooking demonstrations.

Fieri said the smokehouse event will again highlight top barbecue talent while offering fans a unique way to connect with artists outside of the main stage performances.

Festival organizers have not yet released the exact schedule for the cooking sessions or guest appearance times, but more details are expected closer to the event date.

Stagecoach is one of the largest country music festivals in the United States and draws thousands of fans each year to the Coachella Valley for a weekend of live music, food and entertainment.

The Stagecoach lineup for 2o26 includes:

The post Guy Fieri Bringing Smokehouse Cooking and Celebrity Guests to Stagecoach Festival appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

A month after her unexpected death, Catherine O’Hara won a posthumous award at the 32nd Actor Awards for her performance on “The Studio.”

O’Hara won best female actor in a comedy series Sunday at the Actor Awards, formerly known as the Screen Actors Guild Awards. O’Hara died at the age of 71 on Jan. 30 from a blood clot in the lungs. At the Shine Auditorium in Los Angeles, the crowd stood in a standing ovation for O’Hara after she was announced as the winner.

Seth Rogen, co-creator of “The Studio,” accepted the award on her behalf. He recalled a passionate collaborator who would, the night before a scene, invariably send a polite email with suggested rewrites. Rogen said O’Hara “showed that you could be a genius and you could be kind.”

“If you have people in your lives who don’t know her work,” Rogen said, “show them O’Hara dancing to Harry Belafonte in ‘Beetlejuice,’ show them O’Hara hurting her knee in ‘Best in Show’ and doing that amazing thing where she hobbles around, and tell the people as they are laughing that that’s Catherine O’Hara and we were lucky that we got to live in a world where she so generously shared her talents with us.”

“The Studio” also won best comedy series and best actor in a comedy series for Rogen. In the show, O’Hara, played the movie executive Patty Leigh.

The post Catherine O’Hara wins posthumous award for ‘The Studio’ at Actor Awards appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.