Check out the COURIER's latest special edition

Drop by the newsstands and grab a copy of today's special Rites of Spring edition, found within today's regular paper. Pick a copy up to read about an 83-year-old marathon runner who just completed his 91st race, catch up with Rick Cota of the Claremont Unified School District, read the inspirational story of a women who found her feet again and support other fans of your favorite local baseball team. The COURIER is $1 a copy and can be picked up at our office, 1420 N. Claremont Blvd., Suite 205B, or at a Claremont store near you. Here's a list of "COURIER-carrying" locations within the city:

-Claremont Post Office
-Back Abbey

-Iron Works Gym

-Marie Callenders

-Metrolink

-Sprouts

-CVS

-Stater Bros. 

-Village Grille

-Vons

-Wolfe's

-Am/PM

-Second Street Village Market
-Starbucks

-Wine & Liquor

-The Colony @ Loft 204 (second floor of the Packing House)

Celebrate the season this weekend

The Claremont community is invited to take part in the city’s annual Spring Celebration to be held at Memorial Park on Saturday, March 30 from 9 to 11:00 a.m.

Co-sponsored by the Claremont Community and Human Services Department and the Rotary Club of Claremont, the event includes a pancake breakfast sponsored by the Kiwanis, face painting, a magician, games, a petting zoo and the staple children’s candy egg hunt at 10:30 a.m. Families are encouraged to bring cameras to capture a photo with the Spring Bunny, who will also be on hand throughout the event. 

Memorial Park is located at 840 Indian Hill Blvd. For more information, call the Community and Human Services Department at 399-5490 or visit the city’s website at www.ci.claremont.ca.us. 

Metered parking postponed at Claremont Hills Wilderness Park

Claremont officials have postponed enforcement of paid parking at the Claremont Hills Wilderness Park. Hikers will not be required to pay for parking in the designated lots until Monday, April 15. 

The city deferred the original enforcement date, April 1, because of a glitch with the parking meters, according to a news release. Parking will be free until the needed repairs are made. 

Once enforcement begins, hikers may purchase a daily parking pass from the meters for $3. Annual passes can also be purchased at City Hall or the Hughes Center for $75. Claremont residents may claim up to 2 free passes, only for use in the south lot at Mills Avenue and Mt. Baldy Road, by presenting identification and proof of residency, 

Though paid parking has been delayed, par rangers will still be enforcing park hours and restricted parking zones. Violators may be subject to a $50 fine. 

For more information or to purchase a permit, call 399-5490. 

A reminder for Wilderness Park users

Hikers at the Claremont Hills Wilderness Park may have some leeway to buy parking passes—metered parking will not be enforced until April 1—but City Manager Tony Ramos emphasized park rangers will enforce park hours starting immediately. 

Approved by the council in December, park hours will now rotate every month to coincide with the year’s fluctuating dawn and dusk times. This month the park will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 

Here's how the new park hours will look for the rest of the year:

-January: 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

-February:6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 

-March: 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

-April: 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

-May: 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

-June: 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

-July: 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

-August: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

-September: 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

-October: 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

-November: 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.

-December: 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Claremont police offers will give citations to those hikers found in the park after the listed times. Violators are subject to a $50 fine. 

Claremont Council to decide fate of 'Club' pines

A notable item was conspicuously absent from the agenda for Tuesday, March 26’s meeting of the Claremont City Council: gun control.

On March 15 the council listened to nearly 2 hours of back-and-forth debate on whether or not the city should adopt a stance on Dianne Feinstein’s proposed Assault Weapons Ban of 2013. The council opted to hold off on a decision because Councilmember Sam Pedroza was absent. The vote was expected to take place on March 26.

But the council’s decision was made for them when Ms. Feinstein’s ban died in the Senate on March 18. As Ms. Feinstein’s legislation fizzled, so did that of the Claremont City Council.

The council will instead be tasked with a long list of other decisions, including awarding a bid for banking services. Staff is recommending the council approve a 5-year contract with Bank of the West.

City officials initiated their request for a new banking institution in December after given direction from the council in April. A long list of banking institution requirements were drawn up including input from members of Occupy Claremont. Among requirements was at least a satisfactory ranking as determined by the California Reinvestment Act, which encourages banks to help meet the needs of low income borrowers and to reduce discriminatory lending practices.

Of the 11 banks that responded to the city’s request for bids, Bank of the West “most completely meets the requirements,” according to the staff report. 

The council will also be tasked with determining the fate of 59 trees in and around the Claremont Club neighborhood. Staff is proposing the council allow the city’s arborist replace the trees should it prove the roots are causing damage to infrastructure. In addition, the council will review a proposed Hardscape Repair and Tree Replacement program, to approve the removal of trees proving to causing damage as determined by an arborist.

The meeting takes place at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chamber, 225 W. Second St. View the night’s full agenda atwww.ci.claremont.ca.us. 

South Claremont dentist hit in early morning break-in

Western Dental is yet another Claremont business targeted in a recent chain of commercial break-ins. An unknown burglar entered the business, located at 750 S. Indian Hill Blvd., shortly after 2 a.m. by shattering the front glass window, according to police. Several drawers and cabinets had been opened, but property loss is unknown at this time. Any information on this crime should be reported to the Claremont police at 399-5411

Interfaith Seder at Islamic Center of Claremont this weekend

Locals of all faiths are invited to gather at the Passover table for an "Interfaith Seder Experience" this Sunday, March 24 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Islamic Center of Claremont, 3642 N. Garey Ave.

The Claremont Interfaith Working Group, along with students at the Claremont Lincoln University and the Claremont School of Theology, will host the event, now in its third year. Though modeled on the traditional Jewish ritual, all faith groups are invited to participate and share their own "freedom stories" as those of the Jewish faith remember their freedom from the Egyptians' enslavement.

"We hope to continue to bridge that which divides us and create common ground through sharing our experiences with our neighbors," said Cantor Paul Buch of Temple Beth Israel, one of the event's organizers.

Those interested in participating in the Interfaith gathering can make a reservation by visiting www.facebook.com/claremontinterfaithwg, emailing claremontinterfaithwg@gmail.com or calling the event's hotline at 542-8150.

Get your sweet kick tonight with I Like Pie party

Photo Courtesy//Steven Felschundneff

Indulge your sweet tooth tonight with the clan of Claremont's I Like Pie Bakeshop as they celebrate their ribbon-cutting ceremony tonight at 5:30 p.m. 

Join the Claremont Village startup for free pie slices and general fanfare. And stop by again this Saturday for a special grand opening celebration, equipped with more decadent surprises. 

The sweet shop opened its doors in Village West in November under the leadership of Claremont resident Annika Corbin.

“When I have my hands in the dough, I feel like I have control over everything in front of me,” she said in an interview with the COURIER days prior to her opening. “It’s the one thing that calms me.”

Ms. Corbin adds a twist to the traditional the American dessert icon by baking each pie in easy to handle, grab-and-go sizes. I Like Pie’s one-of-a-kind pie tins were fashioned from jelly jars found in Ms. Corbin’s kitchen. She says the pie tin manufacturers teased her for sending “little, dinky jars,” but the end result was just right. The small 4, 8 and 10-ounce tins allow those partaking in the delicious delicacies to leave satisfied and not overly indulged.

Ms. Corbin’s pies range from sweet selections like blueberry sage, apple cranberry and pumpkin praline cream cheese to savory options like tomato basil, chicken and herb and pulled pork. Flavors rotate in and out depending on the fruits in season and the fancy of the day’s chefs. Improvisation is encouraged. While the flavors may change, the crust is always crafted from scratch.

The culinary confections are offered in 4 ounce and 8 ounce options with the 10 ounce tin reserved for the savory flavors. Pie lollipops, “toaster pastries” and bastilles are also among the handheld varieties. Whole pies will be for sale, but not by the slice. Items range from $2.25 to $10. 

I Like Pie is located at 175 N. Indian Hill Blvd., Suite 102B in the Claremont Plaza next to the Loving Hut and Jamba Juice. The pie shop is open Monday-Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, visit them at www.ilikepiebakeshop.com, email acorbin@ilikepiebakeshop.com or call 621-5152. 

Claremont City Council selects Mayor Opanyi Nasiali

Councilmember Opanyi Nasiali has received a name change. It’s Mayor Nasiali for 2013-2014.

Photo Courtesy//Steven Felschundneff

Mr. Nasiali was unanimously selected to serve as Claremont’s mayor by his fellow council members at a special meeting Tuesday night. He takes up his new title after serving the city over the past year as mayor pro tem. He is still getting used to the name change.

“I keep pinching myself,” he joked. 

But he has no false notions over what the title of mayor might mean for him. It hasn’t changed his mindset as a council member whatsoever, he assured.

“I am one among equals,” Mr. Nasiali said. “We all have one duty, one responsibility, and that is to do what the people elected us to do, and that’s it. The main thing that is foremost above anything else is that we are here to do the people’s job.”

His first act as mayor was to lead the council in selecting Joe Lyons as the new mayor pro tem, also unanimously affirmed. The duo will now lead the city after joining the council together in March of 2011.

Read the full story in this Friday's edition of the COURIER.  

Pilgrim Place sponsors Dr. King performance

Actor Gerald Rivers will bring to life the voice of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. tonight, Tuesday, March 19 at 5:30 p.m. in the Napier Common Room at Pilgrim Place, 625 Mayflower Rd.

Mr. Rivers, a theater graduate from Los Angeles City College and Morehouse College in Atlanta, has been presenting the words and works of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for over 30 years.  Gerald has dedicated his life’s work to keeping alive the spirit and inspiration of Dr. King through his renditions and has been invited to perform across the country and in Bermuda as a guest of the minister of cultural affairs. He also had the privilege of meeting and performing for Dr. King’s Family and the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change.

All are invited to hear Mr. Rivers perform at the event, made possible by the United Nations Association of Pomona Valley, Pilgrim Place and the city of Claremont. Admission is free.