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<br />performing and visual arts. They include art galleries, museums, dance studios, our
<br />Philharmonic, Performance Riverside, Riverside Ballet, Children's Theater, Civic Ught
<br />Opera, Community Players, Ballet Folklorico, Concert Band, Master Chorale, and Summer
<br />Concert Series. The second annual Riverside International Film Festival is underway,
<br />bringing films from all over the world to Riverside. The three universities and RCC each
<br />present many exceptional events, programs, and exhibits. RCC and UCR will make
<br />large arts investments in the downtown for buildings and programs. And a major Arts and
<br />Culture District will soon emerge.
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<br />6th) We are building an Inclusive community. The Council approved a landmark
<br />statement on "Building An Inclusive Community." It was sent to businesses and groups
<br />across the City for their endorsement. Events such as the Family Village Festival, Black
<br />History Parade, and Fiesta de la Familia have the full support of the City. In 2002, a new
<br />Youth Action Coordinator, Teresa McAllister, was hired and assigned significant community
<br />wide responsibilities. The Goeske Center is being expanded--it is a national best practice
<br />for senior activities and services. Finally, the Council approved a makeover of the 7th floor
<br />patio at City Hall; it will be renamed the Grier Pavilion, representing, publicly and visibly,
<br />this City's commitment to being an inclusive community.
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<br />7th) Riverside: Rich in History, Rich in Future. Too often we fail to recognize the
<br />resources or to value the strengths of this City. The Chamber contracted with Riverbend
<br />Books to publish a pictorial journey into Riverside. Take time to view the pictures, and
<br />even more importantly, read the text. This is an outsider view of who we are in 2002. Let
<br />me read from the description on the book jacket:
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<br />For the team of photographers commissioned... to capture the spirit and vitality of Riverside,
<br />it was a challenge from the beginning. Not enough to photograph? Hardly. It was a sense
<br />of being overwhelmed by the variety of subjects to be captured on fi/m....every
<br />comer. ..had a special visual treat to offer.
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<br />Beyond visual beauty, Riverside is also rich in social capital--residents who care about
<br />place, each other, and the public interest. One iIIustration--on Saturday, November 23rd I
<br />attended three events happening around Noon. The first was the homecoming of Dusty
<br />Baker, Bobby Bonds, and his son, Barry; it was an historic day, organized by the Rotary
<br />Clubs of Riverside, and held first at Patterson Park and then at the Convention Center. The
<br />second was a conversation with Ray Bradbury held at the First Congregational Church.
<br />Organized by the Friends of the Ubrary, the Church was filled with over 500 people. And
<br />the third was a Thanksgiving dinner at Bryant Park, organized by Arlanza Initiative, hosted
<br />by the staff of Bryant Park, with funding from Supervisor Bob Buster. Again, over 500
<br />people came for food, fun, and fellowship.
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<br />If these best of times are to continue, there are challenges for all of us in 2003. As Mayor, I
<br />challenge you to continue the City's unprecedented economic growth, to support and take
<br />advantage of our university community, to sustain the renaissance of downtown, to continue
<br />to enhance and improve our quality of life, to celebrate and be a patron of our arts and
<br />culture, to accelerate the building of an inclusive community, and to tell the story of Riverside
<br />as "Rich in History, Rich in Futurel"
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<br />MAYOR'S THREE DIRECTIONS
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<br />Last year, I pledged to focus my final term as Mayor on three overriding policy objectives:
<br />1 st--Economic DevelopmentlHigher Paying Jobs; 2nd-Quality of Ufe/Community of
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