Claremont's holiday closures, exemptions

Claremont city offices will be closed starting Wednesday, November 27 at 3 p.m. and will remain closed on Thursday, November 28 for the Thanksgiving holiday. There will be no trash collection on that day and refuse collection will be delayed one day for the remainder of the week. 

In recognition of holiday guests, the Claremont Police Department will not be enforcing the overnight parking ordinance on November 29 following Thanksgiving Day. Overnight parking will also be excused on December 25 and 26 as well as January 1 and 2. Residents should note the exemption period is 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. on each of the given days. For more information, contact the Claremont Police Department at 399-5411. 

Claremont group raises record donation for local food pantry

The pantries of Inland Valley Hope Partners’ Claremont drop-off center are overflowing thanks to recent donations raised by the Committee on Aging’s Community Services and Participation Subcommittee.

For the second year in a row, the local subcommittee organized its Make A Difference Food Drive Project, collecting nonperishable goods for families in need. City staff and more than 8 Claremont businesses joined this year’s efforts, helping collect the group’s largest donation yet. An estimated 2,475 items were collected, equivalent to 37,125 pounds of food that will feed 9,281 families of four for one week, according to subcommittee member Sandy Hester. Group members thank the Claremont community for their continued support. 

'Rhythms of Rio' to fill Scripps College theater

Michael Ryan and Friends will perform an evening of music, song and dance on Saturday, November 23 at 8 p.m.. The benefit performance for the Claremont Community Foundation will be held at Garrison Theater on the Scripps College campus.

Mr. Ryan, accompanied by an array of guitars, flute, bass, percussion, singers and Brazilian dancers, will perform songs and dances of Rio de Janeiro, including the bossa nova and samba. Mr. Ryan is a well-known southern California musician who specializes in classical guitar, chamber music and songwriting. Ten years ago, when describing his first trip to Brazil with his brother, Mr. Ryan said, “It felt like I was floating. The music of Rio, of Brazil, is from the earth, the people.”

The Claremont Community Foundation (CCF) was established in 1989 to enrich the lives of citizens in Claremont and the surrounding communities through donor-advised funds, endowments and legacy gifts. CCF manages more than a dozen donor-advised funds, and has awarded more than $500,000 in support of more than 300 art and community impact projects, programs and initiatives.

Tickets for the benefit concert are $40. Admission includes a dessert reception following the performance.  Tickets are available at www.claremontfoundation.org or by calling 398-1060. All proceeds will benefit CCF.  Garrison Theater is located at 241 E. Tenth St. in Claremont. For additional information, contact Nickia Cleaves, CCF executive director, at 398-1060.

Prescription drug drop-off continues at Claremont Police Department

The Claremont Police Department recorded another great turnout for its yearly drug take back event, held on October 26. Over 300 pounds of expired medication was collected at this year’s event. Officers remind residents that they can still drop off expired medication inside the Claremont Police Department lobby. Hours are Monday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Needles and syringes will not be accepted. Questions may be directed to the Claremont Police Department lobby at 399-5411. 

Water company to offer turkeys to seniors in need

Photo Courtesy//Steven Felschundneff

The Claremont Senior Program is teaming up with the Golden State Water Company once again to provide Thanksgiving turkeys to seniors in need. The distribution takes place on Thursday, November 21. Interested recipients must be 55 years or older and meet specific income qualifications. For more information or to sign up, visit the Joslyn Senior Center at 660 N. Mountain Ave. or call 399-5488. Supplies are limited and pre-registration is required. 

City facilities dark today

Photo Courtesy//Steven Felschundneff

Claremont City Hall and other city facilities will be closed today, Monday, November 11 in recognition of the Veterans Day holiday. However, trash collection will remain on schedule. 

A special Veterans Day ceremony will be held in Memorial Park, sponsored by the American Legion Post 78, at 11 a.m. 

Claremont to hold Veteran's Day ceremony

The American Legion Post 78 will host its annual Veteran's Day ceremony on Monday, November 11 at 11 a.m. in Memorial Park, 840 N. Indian Hill Blvd.

The tribute ceremony will honor veterans of all wars including those living, deceased, killed in combat, prisoners of war and missing in action. As part of the event, Siarah Barnum, a 16-year-old junior at Claremont High School, will sing her tribute song, “The Wind is You,” written by her father Robert Barnum. 

Claremont police put away package thieves

Claremont police stopped two crooks making off with stolen packages Wednesday morning.

Mario Fonseca, a 32-year-old Pomona resident, and Serena Vasquez, a 32-year-old Chino resident were arrested after allegedly trying to take parcels of a doorstep in the 100 block of Limestone Road, according to reports. Police located the pair driving around the area in a black Honda Fit. Inside the care, officers found multiple packages stolen from five different Claremont residences as well as drug paraphernalia and methamphetamine. They were arrested and later released after posting $20,000 bail each. Their arraignment will take place in Pomona Superior Court on December 10.

Claremont school board election today

Photo Courtesy//Steven Felschundneff

It's that time again. The polling places are open and already bustling with Claremont residents ready to vote for their favorite school board candidates. This year's race is a tough one, with five qualified candidates vying for three spots on the Claremont Unified School District's Board of Education.

Incumbent Steven Llanusa hopes for another run on the board, while Mary Caenepeel and Jeff Stark step down for a new crop of school board members. Candidates include David Nemer, a retired school teacher, Nancy Treser Osgood, a college administrator, Joe Salas, teacher, and Paul Steffen, local real estate broker and businessman. For the Claremont COURIER's endorsements, check out this week's edition of the paper in print or online at www.claremont-courier.com.

The polls will remain open until 8 p.m. Claremont polling places include Sunrise Senior Living (2053 N. Towne Ave.), a residence (2091 Silvertree Road), the Hughes Center (1700 Danbury Road), Claremont Fire Station #62 (3701 Mills Ave.), Chaparral Elementary School (451 Chaparral Drive), Pomona College’s Edmunds Ballroom (170 Sixth St.), the Joslyn Center’s activity room (660 N. Mountain Ave.), Vista Elementary School (550 Vista Drive) and the Claremont Center for Spiritual Living’s Holmes Hall (509 S. College Ave.) Check your voter’s guide or visit www.lavote.net to search for your polling place by address.