Public comment sought for Gold Line impact report

Photo Courtesy//Steven Felschundneff

The public is invited to provide comment on the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Metro Gold Line’s Azusa to Montclair track at a public meeting being held tonight at 5:30 p.m. in La Verne.

The Metro Gold Line’s Foothill Extension Authority Board released the completion of the EIR late last month for the estimated $800 million dollar transportation project. Tonight's meeting will take place at La Verne’s Hillcrest Meeting House, 2705 Mountain View Drive. Those unable to attend may submit comments by mail to Lisa Levy Buch at 406 E. Huntington Drive, Suite 202, Monrovia, CA 91016 or by email to llevybuch@foothillextension.org. Comments will be accepted through Friday, October 5.

The full report can be viewed on the Foothill Extension’s website at www.foothillextension.org or at the Claremont Public Library, 207 Harvard Ave. For more information call 626-471-9050.

Fair Trade hosts sweet doc screening

Claremont Fair Trade will host a documentary screening of “The Dark Side of Chocolate,” this Wednesday, September 19, at 7 p.m. The event takes place in the Claremont Forum, located at 586 W. First St. within the Old Packing House.

The 45-minute documentary follows award-wining Danish journalist Miki Mistrati’s investigation into child labor in the chocolate industry. Footage within the film reveals illegal trafficking of small children in the cocoa fields of Ivory Coast.

Discussion and a fair trade chocolate tasting provided by local Claremont retailers will follow the screening.  

Claremont garden backdrop for open social gathering

Sierra Club members and friends are invited to take part in an appetizer and wine event at the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden on Tuesday, September 18, at 5:30 p.m.

The Los Serranos Group of the Sierra Club will host the social gathering, which will continue at 7 p.m. in the Garden room with a story shared by Sierra Club member Brian Elliott. Mr. Elliott completed a month long canoe trip this past summer along the Colville River on Alaska’s north slope. Mr. Elliott will share his experience witnessing thousands of caribou migrating across the area as well as wolverine, grizzly bears, Arctic Fox, wolves and many nesting Rough-legged Hawks and Peregrine Falcons.

For more information visit the Los Serranos Group website at www.sangorgonio.sierraclub.org/losserranos/ or contact Mary Ann Ruiz at 815-9379 or ruizmaryann@gmail.com  

Wilderness Park, water on tonight's agenda

Discussion of the Claremont Hills Wilderness Park resumes tonight as the Claremont City Council meets for the first time following the August recess. Councilmembers will review options for a new pathway to be constructed into the park.

In late June, the council directed staff to explore moving the existing pathway from the east side of Mills Avenue to just inside the existing row of oleanders on the west. The approval of the hidden, 5-foot wide walkway was an attempt to help give neighboring communities additional peace and quiet while also managing the dangers of the high level of pedestrian traffic.

The council approved the project 4-1, eager to explore options that gave a solution to residents’ concerns.

“I feel for the neighbors, and with that type of foot traffic I can’t imagine what it’s like to live up there,” said Mayor Larry Schroeder at the June meeting. “These things do take time and I appreciate the neighbors being as patient as they’ve been.”

Staff now brings back the proposed design for final council approval. Pathway construction is estimated to cost about $79,400. The total cost for changes to the Wilderness Park now stands close to $354,400.

The city’s newest commissioners and Director of Community and Human Services Kathleen Trepa will be introduced prior to review of the Wilderness Park. A profile on Ms. Trepa will be presented in the Wednesday edition of the COURIER.

The city council resumes water discussions in closed session, beginning at 4:30 p.m. Public comment is welcome before the council adjourns into its private meeting. All items up for council discussion can be viewed in advance by visiting www.ci.claremont.ca.us.

Weekend workshop advises on water-wise landscaping

Those interested in learning about water-efficient landscaping are invited to a free workshop this Saturday, September 8, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Frontier Project, located at 1045 Ashford Street in Rancho Cucamonga. 

Hosted by the Chino Basin Water Conservation District, the weekend workshop will educate participants on what will be required to install a drought-tolerant landscape. A secondary free workshop on drought-tolerant plants will be hosted the following week at the Maloof Discovery Garden, 5131 Carnelian Street, Alta Loma. 

Hand outs, tours and snacks will be provided. To sign up or for more information, visit www.cbwcd.org or call 626-2711. 

Police seeking Claremont prowler

Police are searching for a peeping tom spotted last week in the 2200 block of La Sierra Way. The prowler was last seen peering into an open window of a home with her hands cupped to her eyes. When police arrived, they were unable to find the subject in question. She is described as standing about 5 feet 7 inches tall with broad shoulders, weighing about 160 pounds. Information should be reported to the Claremont Police at 399-5411. 

Claremont Fair Traders seek wider representation

Fair Trade Claremont is looking to build a team to represent the organization at the Fair Trade Campaigns Conference from October 26-28 in Chicago. 

The conference will bring together leaders and organizers from Fair Trade Towns and Fair Trade Colleges and Universities as well as newcomers to the Fair Trade movement. The goal of the conference is to deepen the local grassroots commitment to Fair Trade around the United States and build partnerships locally that help facilitate life-changing benefits for farmers, workers and artisans around the world.

To register, book a hotel room or apply for travel stipends, visit www.fairtradeconference.eventbrite.com. Those who plan to attend are asked to contact Joe or Linda Michon at 625-3083.