Visionary artist topic of Wednesday tea

Join the Scripps College Fine Arts Foundation for a lecture and afternoon tea on Wednesday, October 10, at the Scripps College Vita Nova Hall, 385 E. Ninth St.

Mary MacNaughton, director of the Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery will speak about the exhibition “African-American Visions: Selections from the Samella Lewis Collection.” A Scripps professor of art history from 1969-84, Ms. Lewis assembled a unique collection of African American art and developed her own forms of artistic expression.

The program begins at 2 p.m. followed by tea in the Vita Nova courtyard. Be sure to visit the exhibition now on view at Williamson Gallery through October 14 or stop by before or after the lecture.

Council to set city speed limits more aligned with state standards

The Claremont City Council this Tuesday, October 9, will vote on proposed speed increases to 10 city streets at 6:30 p.m. at the City Council Chamber.

Speed limit changes are needed in order to comply with state standards, according to Loretta Mustafa, senior engineer with the city of Claremont, in a recent report. The state of California requires the speed limit on a street be as close as possible to the 85th percentile, or the speed that 85 percent of the traffic is actually driving either at or slightly below, regardless of the set speed limit. The Radar Speed Survey suggested that many of the city’s streets are not in compliance with current standards. As a result, speed citations have not been upheld in traffic court, according to Ms. Mustafa, who told commissioners that changes are need in order to enforce the law.  The update is needed to allow radar enforcement on these streets.

The increases received unanimous support from the Claremont Traffic and Transportation Commission in June.

“I don’t like increasing the speed limit in many of the areas being discussed. However, if the current limits are not enforceable in the courts then it is reasonable to me that we should align our speed limits to the standards set in order to make those limits enforceable,” said Commissioner Chuck Freitas at the June meeting.

Several residents have voiced concerns about the proposed increases, particularly those to streets like College Avenue between Arrow Highway and First Street—an area notoriously busy with school traffic and activity. While recognizing these concerns, Ms. Mustafa assured that laws regarding speed limits in school zones when children are present would still remain. Regardless of a designated speed limit, drivers will be required to drive 25 mph when children are going to or from school and during the noon recess, as mandated in the state law.

In addition to the proposed speed changes, the council will review an agreement for services from the Chamber of Commerce through 2014 and an amendment to its criteria and procedures regarding historical property contracts.

The Claremont City Council meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Claremont City Council Chamber, 225 W. Second St. View the meeting’s complete agenda at www.ci.claremont.ca.us.

Joslyn promotes patient advocacy at weekend public workshop

Most patients leave the doctor's office retaining only about 20 percent of what is discussed. Join others in the community on Saturday, October 6, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., to learn how to get the most out of a medical visit for you, a friend, or loved one. The workshop takes place at Pilgrim Place, 660, Avery Road.

Attorney Donna Ambrogi, nurse Linda Vogel and social worker Janet Evans will present tips and tools for communicating with your health professional. This workshop is for patients, family members, and caregivers. Fee of $10 includes refreshments, lunch, and take home materials. For more information or to register, please call Pilgrim Place at 447-0200.

Fairplex switches gears from entertainment to education

Following the frenzy of the fair, the Pomona Fairplex prepares to host the So Cal College Fair, taking place this Friday and Saturday, October 5 at 6. The event takes place at the Sheraton Fairplex Conference Center, 601 W. McKinley Ave.

Hosted by The Learning Centers at Fairplex, the So Cal College Fair will feature more than 120 colleges and tech schools, seminars and workshops geared toward helping students and parents find the road to success. Admission is free for the entire family.

The So Cal College Fair, presented by Toyota, Wells Fargo and OneWest Bank, is open to all students throughout Southern California. Participating schools include liberal arts colleges, UCs, cosmetology, professional, technical and culinary schools.

Presentations include how to choose the right college, understanding financial aid and athletic recruitment simplified from esteemed speakers including best-selling author and journalist Lynn O’Shaughnessy and former Stanford University and NFL player Julian Jenkins. Visit the on-site counselor center to ask questions about college requirements.

The college fair runs Friday from 3 to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Parking at the conference center is $5. Students may pre-register at socalcollegefair.com for a chance to win one of 3 scholarships in the amounts of $300, $500 and $1,000.

For more information, visit socalcollegefair.com.

Heritage talks Claremont evolution

Ginger Elliot, of Claremont Heritage, will deliver a presentation on the evolution of Claremont's neighborhoods tomorrow, Tuesday, October 9 at 5:30 p.m. Included in her presentation will be aerial photos and original maps that will be on display as part of the Claremont Heritage Home Tour. This presentation will be held at the historic Garner House at 840 N. Indian Hill Blvd. The After Work program is hosted by the Committee on Aging for those approaching retirement, newly retired, or still in the work force. This program is free and includes light refreshments. To register for this presentation, call 399-5488.

Photographers sought for Claremont contest

The Claremont Community and Human Services Department is looking for original photos from parks and recreation program users demonstrating the theme, “Parks Make Life Better.” Selected photos may be included as a supplement to the Winter Claremont Recreation & Activities Guide.

The California Parks and Recreation Society created the “Parks Make Life Better” branding campaign to be used by local park and recreation agencies across the state. The program hopes to bring awareness to the benefits of parks and recreation throughout California. Contest categories include Play, Nature, Exercise, Positive Spaces (socializing and learning) as well as Forever (valued today and always). Participants in the Claremont contest are asked to keep submissions to one per category.

To submit your photo(s), email parks@ci.claremont.ca.us by Sunday, September 30, 2012 with “PMLB Photo Submission” in the subject line. Participants are asked to include the location of the photo along with the photographer’s first and last name for photo credit. Photos must be 150 DPI or greater in JPEG format and emails must be less than 3MB. Participants submitting photography in several categories should use separate emails for each.

The city reminds the public that by submitting your photo, you agree that all photographed subjects have given their consent and that you authorize the city of Claremont to use your photo to publicize its programs and services without compensation and without further permission.

For more information, please contact Jason Lass, community and human services supervisor, at 399-5488.