Claremont 'hero' seeks community's help in national campaign

Hal Hargrave, Jr.—Claremont resident and Be Perfect Foundation founder—is asking for the community’s help to win $10,000 for his foundation as a part of the  “Vote for your favorite Safeco Insurance^® Community Hero” event.

Mr. Hargrave is one of 16 Community Hero Award winners selected from across the country by Safeco Insurance to be in the contest. Through an online voting event, currently open to the public, the top three heroes will be chosen to receive up to $10,000 for their charities.

The Vote for your favorite Safeco Insurance Community Hero event ends on Monday, November 4 at 10 a.m. PST. To participate, click on the Safeco Community Hero ad on the home page of www.Safeco.com or click on the Community Hero tab on the Safeco Insurance Facebook.

Safeco Insurance Community Hero Awards honor hometown heroes and nonprofit organizations that have a positive impact in education, health and safety or civic engagement, and the award program supports the community involvement of independent insurance agents across the country. Safeco Insurance already has donated $5,000 to Be Perfect Foundation on behalf of Mr. Hargrave and Brad Kessler, president at Kessler Alair Insurance Services, Inc. in Upland, who nominated Mr. Hargrave for the award.

Village Venture takes over Claremont Village this weekend

Photo Courtesy//Steven Felschundneff

The crowds are coming to Claremont tomorrow, Saturday, October 26 for the 32nd annual Village Venture Arts and Crafts Faire.

From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine, 500 vendors will take to the Claremont Village with their crafts, jewelry, clothing and other assortments for the yearly fall staple. For a map of this year's offerings, visit the Claremont COURIER booth at Second Street and Yale Avenue, in front of Pizza 'N Such.

While parents shop, the kids can play. This year's faire includes a pumpkin carving contest at Shelton Park, located at the northeast corner of Bonita and Harvard avenues. Bring a pre-carved pumpkin to the park between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m. Make sure to fill out a registration form. Winners will be announced at 2 p.m. Pumpkins must be picked up between 2 and 4:30 p.m.

The kids can also participate in the always-anticipated kids costume parade, which kicks off at Bonita Avenue and Harvard at 9:30 a.m. The El Roble Marching Band will lead the procession.

Claremont freshman to host sale for the needy

Claremont High School freshman Cara Clonts is asking for the community’s help as she strives to give back to others.

In addition to balancing her high school studies, Cara is working toward the Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints’ Young Womanhood Award, an endeavor that takes an estimated 4 to 6 years to complete as young women better understand the churches 8 virtues/values.

Cara is currently working toward the value of integrity, which involves making a difference in other people’s lives. As part of her work on better understanding integrity, she will be hosting a yard sale and bake sale this Saturday, October 19, from 8 a.m. to noon. All proceeds will help bring clean water to third world countries. The sale takes place at 2332 Bonnie Brae Ave. in Claremont. 

City postpones discussion of 60 foot sign

City officials have indefinitely delayed discussion of a proposed 60-foot retail sign to be erected on the corner of Base Line Road and Towne Avenue.

The review was originally set to take place at the Planning Commission meeting on Tuesday, October 15. However, City Manager Tony Ramos has asked for the discussion to be postponed in order for city staff to conduct further analysis, according to Brian Desatnik, director of community development.

“It was really just a request for some additional research on the sign issue, the type of sign, the requirements of commercial users and various other things,” Mr. Desatnik said.

It is unknown when the review will take place.

The sign being proposed would support a potential small retail development at the southeast corner of Base Line and Towne. The development is located within the city’s mixed-use zoning district, which calls for “commercial uses to be located on the corner.” The zone does not, however, allow tall signs for those developments.

To support the potential retail center, staff believes a 60-foot sign would be necessary in order to be seen over the freeway grade and other site constraints such as tall power lines.

Community members are invited to comment on the decision. Comments may be sent to PO Box 880, Claremont, CA 91711. For more information, contact Associate Planner Luke Seibert at 399-5483.

Claremont Library book sale nears, children's section closes

Photo Courtesy//Claremont COURIER

With construction underway in the children’s section of the Claremont Public Library, books for Claremont’s youngest readers have been temporarily moved to the library’s meeting room. However, with the upcoming fall book sale—taking place on October 25 and 26—library employees have announced that services for its little bookworms will be temporarily shutdown from October 18 through October 29. Any questions or requests for help will be handled at the regular adult reference desk during that nine-day period. The Claremont Public Library is located at 208 N. Harvard Ave. Give them a call at 621-4902. 

Claremont Village studio targeted in Friday morning burglary

Police are investigating a break-in at Sonja Stump Photography, located at 135 W. First Street in the Claremont Village.

The owners arrived at the store Friday morning to find the front window had been shattered. Property loss is still being determined. Any information on this crime should be reported to the Claremont Police Department at 399-5411.  

Garden Club hosts drip-irrigation workshop

Photo Courtesy//Steven Felschundneff

Sustainable Claremont’s Garden Club will host a workshop on drip-irrigation this Wednesday, October 9 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Pilgrim Place Napier Center, 660 Avery Road.

Dave Palumbo, a 37-year veteran of the irrigation industry, will lead the free workshop. Mr. Palumbo, a former employee of the Rain Bird Corporation, worked as an irrigation contractor and has taught irrigation design classes. Wednesday’s class will include information about the components and maintenance of a drip irrigation system, along with its benefits. For more information, call 621-6381.