Around Town

NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING

The city of Claremont is holding a neighborhood meeting tonight from 6:30 to 8:30 in the Blaisdell Center. Two members of the city council will be there to talk to the community. The City's website has the information on the forum:

City Council Neighborhood Forum - Blaisdell Community Center

6:30 - 8:30 PM
440 S. College Ave.
Claremont
(909) 399-5460

Council Members are also hosting a series of Neighborhood Forums. Neighborhood Forums give residents from different neighborhoods the opportunity to talk with City Council Members in a relaxed and informal setting. Neighborhoods can discuss issues that are important to them, air concerns, share ideas, ask questions and get the latest information about topics and projects that are specific to each neighborhood. Although forums are scheduled for specific neighborhoods, you do not have to live in that immediate area to attend.

TRICKS OR TREATS

Also, don't forget Claremont's annual Halloween Spooktacular.  Bring the kids on down to the Claremont Village on Halloween for a safe, fun trick-or-treating environment:

Halloween Spooktacular October 31 (Oct 13, 2011) 

Everyone is invited to Claremont's Annual Halloween Spooktacular in the Claremont Village on Monday, October 31. The annual event is co-sponsored by the City of Claremont, Claremont Chamber Village Marketing Group,& local businesses. Children will enjoy trick-or-treating as well as free games and entertainment in a safe environment.

Over 40 Village businesses, marked with balloons and a special poster, will be handing out free goodies to trick-or-treaters from 3-5 p.m. Maps listing all participating locations will be available at the Claremont Depot (200 W First St) and City Hall (207 Harvard Ave).

The Claremont Depot will have free games and entertainment from 4-7 p.m. Festivities at the Depot include a dog costume contest sponsored by the Zoom Room at 5pm, a wildlife presentation at 5:30 p.m. and a children's costume contest at 6:30 p.m

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Lastly, if you're interested in moving into one of the Courier Place affordable housing units, the builder, Jamboree Housing, is taking applications. We don't know how many of the 74 units are still available.  If you're interested, there is this from City Hall:

Courier Place Affordable Housing Now Leasing (Sep 7, 2011)

Construction is moving rapidly on the Courier Place Affordable Housing Project on College Avenue. Completion is scheduled for November, 2011 with residents moving in shortly thereafter. Jamboree Housing and The John Stewart Company have begun sending out applications to interested renters and will continue to accept applications until all the units are occupied. Courier Place is open to low income households that earn $17,940 to $52,950. Rents will range from $480 to $1,110 depending on income, household size, and the size of the apartment selected.

Courier Place, located at 111 South College Avenue, is conveniently located in downtown Claremont with easy access to the Metrolink. Courier Place is an intergenerational community with one senior building housing 38 one bedroom apartments and two family buildings, with 36 two and three bedroom units. Seniors must be 62 years of age or older. Children in the family units will attend Oakmont Elementary School. The site will feature a community swimming pool, covered parking, laundry facilities, tot-lot, barbeque area, community building with computer lab, as well as on-site resident services.

Jamboree Housing has set up a leasing office at:

Temporary Leasing Office
219 N Indian Hill Suite 100
Claremont, CA 91711
(909) 624-8589 

To receive an application please contact the Temporary Leasing Office or call (909)624-8589

• Courier Place Leasing Information (Adobe Acrobat, 74KB)
• Application (Adobe Acrobat, 44KB)

Around Town (and Pomona, too)

COUNCIL MEET-AND-GREET


The Claremont City Council will hold another neighborhood forum Tuesday night in the Claremont Public Library. We're not quite sure which two members will represent the council. Since it's the Village, we'll go out on a limb and guess Linda Elderkin and Sam Pedroza.

Here's the info listed on the City's website:

City Council Neighborhood Forum - Claremont Public Library

6:30 - 8:00 PM
208 Harvard Avenue
Claremont
(909) 399-5460

Council Members are also hosting a series of Neighborhood Forums. Neighborhood Forums give residents from different neighborhoods the opportunity to talk with City Council Members in a relaxed and informal setting. Neighborhoods can discuss issues that are important to them, air concerns, share ideas, ask questions and get the latest information about topics and projects that are specific to each neighborhood. Although forums are scheduled for specific neighborhoods, you do not have to live in that immediate area to attend.

PARKS RULES CHANGES

The Parks and Facilities Committee of the City's Community Services Commission will meet 6:00pm Wednesday, February 15, for a special meeting at the Community Services Department at 1616 N. Monte Vista Ave.

According to the agenda The committee will discuss a recommendation to the Community Services Commission to amend the City's Municipal Code to allow police to enforce park closures and to allow on-lease dog walking on the Padua Park trail.

Let's hope this doesn't lead to the sort of brouhaha at Padua Park that has happened in the past at the Pooch Park off College Ave.


AFTERNOON AT THE OPERA

If you're an opera buff, you can catch Pomona's Repertory Opera Company this afternoon at the First Christian Church at 1751 N. Park Ave., where they are staging a production of Gounod's Roméo et Juliette. Admission is $30.

Click here for more information.




POMONA ART WALK TONIGHT

Also, don't forget that it's the second Saturday of the month, which means it's time for the Pomona Art Walk from 6:00pm to 9:00pm in the Pomona Arts Colony.

Monday News Briefs

COPPER THIEVES NABBED

The Claremont Courier and Daily Bulletin both reported on the arrests of two suspected copper thieves last week. The Claremont Police Department, with help of three other nearby city police agencies, had the thieves under surveillance as they tried to steal copper wire from La Puerta Sports Park. There's been no word on whether or not the two suspects were responsible for the September 22 theft of wire from Padua Park.

Here's what the CPD website says:

On October 14 2010, two suspects were arrested for copper theft at La Puerta Sports Park during a surveillance by officers at the park. Following recent copper thefts at the park, officers were assigned to conduct surveillance operations. At about 12:30 a.m., two suspects were observed entering the park and going from light pole to light pole removing the copper wire.

Additional officers from the Pomona and La Verne Police Departments responded to the park, along with a helicopter from the Ontario Police Department to assist the Claremont officers in taking the suspects into custody. Upon hearing the helicopter approaching, both suspects fled the park. After a short foot pursuit and fight with officers, one suspect was taken into custody. The second suspect fled into the rear yard of a home in the 2400 block of San Jacinto Ct. where he was taken into custody with the assistance of a Pomona Police K-9.

Arrested: Brian Arnold, 24 yrs old, Ontario resident
Arrested: Ryan Lawrence, 23 yrs old, Transient

NEIGHBORHOOD FORUM TOMORROW

The City of Claremont is hosting another of its neighborhood forums tomorrow. Two council members and city staff will be on hand at the Padua Theatre to talk with North Claremont residents about anything that's on their minds (you don't have to be from the area to attend):

City Council Neighborhood Forum -Padua Hills Theatre

7:00 PM
4467 Via Padova
Claremont
(909) 399-5460

Council Members are also hosting a series of Neighborhood Forums. Neighborhood Forums give residents from different neighborhoods the opportunity to talk with City Council Members in a relaxed and informal setting. Neighborhoods can discuss issues that are important to them, air concerns, share ideas, ask questions and get the latest information about topics and projects that are specific to each neighborhood. Although forums are scheduled for specific neighborhoods, you do not have to live in that immediate area to attend.

VILLAGE VENTURE THIS SATURDAY

Claremont's annual Village Venture happens this Saturday in the Claremont Village:

Village Venture Returns To The Village On October 23

The annual Village Venture craft faire will return to the Claremont Village on Saturday, October 23 from 9:00am to 5:00pm. The event attracts hundreds of craft vendors and thousands of attendees each year. The Claremont Chamber of Commerce hosts the event, which features entertainment, food, and a children's costume parade. For more information on Village Venture, please call the Claremont Chamber of Commerce at (909) 624-1681.

City Calendar

COUNCIL MEETING TONIGHT

It's the second Tuesday of the May, which means another meeting of the Claremont City Council. Or, if you're the half-full-glass type, only five more meetings until the City's annual August recess for the council and city commissions.

The council convenes at 5:15pm for a special closed session to discuss negotiations involving the Peppertree Square property at 390 W. Arrow Hwy. and with Jerry Tessier and Arteco Partners on price and terms of the lease agreement for the Padua Hills Theatre. That second bit is an odd one - isn't that all settled?

Here's the closed session agenda.

The council's regular session begins at 6:30pm. You can watch it here.

It looks to be a fairly quiet meeting, though agenda item 9 piqued our curiosity. That item concerns a proposal by Claremont Heritage and the Kiwanis Club of Claremont to move from the Garner House in Memorial Park to the adjacent carriage house.

The carriage house used to house a child care program, the Kids Club program, but that ended in 2008, so Claremont Heritage wants to incorporate the carriage house's north half into its lease agreement with the City. The Kiwanis Club wants to renovate the south half and create a formal meeting and exhibit space.

Since 2002, Claremont Heritage has managed the Garner House for the City in exchange for rent-free office space and an agreement to renovate and restore the living room, dining room and kitchen.

City staff is recommending that the council review the proposal, provide some input, and return it to staff for study. Here's the staff report.

One other item of interest is the renewal of the City's agreement with the Claremont Chamber of Commerce. The city staff report recommends renewing the $40,000-per-fiscal year agreement with the chamber of commerce to run the local visitors center. The agreement also calls for the chamber to promote the city and its businesses.


NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING TOMORROW NIGHT

The city of Claremont holds another of its semi-regular neighborhood meetings 7pm tomorrow night at the Joslyn Senior Center. The Joslyn Center is located at 660 N. Mountain Ave. in Larkin Park at the northeast corner of Harrison Ave. and Mountain.

Two councilmembers will be on hand to accept your rotten tomatoes. Hurl them with kindness.

Here's the info:

Neighborhood Forum Set For May 12

The public is invited to a Neighborhood Forum on Wednesday, May 12 from 7 - 9pm at the Joslyn Senior Center. Neighborhood Forums are an opportunity for the community to speak with members of the City Council in an informal setting. The forums are targeted to specific neighborhoods but any residents may attend. For more information, please contact Public Information Officer Bevin Handel at (909) 399-5497.

FRIDAY NIGHTS LIVE RETURNS

Weekly live music returned to the Claremont Village last Friday. The Friday Nights Live! program started May 7 and runs through June 25. Here's the City blurb:

Friday Nights Live is Back in the Village! (May 6, 2010)

The City of Claremont, in conjunction with the Claremont Chamber of Commerce, Village Marketing Group, and the Tolkin Group's Village Square, is pleased to announce that Friday Nights Live is coming back to the Claremont Village! Starting May 7 and running every Friday from 6-9 p.m. through June 25, 2010, two bands will be providing musical entertainment to patrons of Village shops and restaurants. The bands will be located at Second and Yale Avenue, as well as at the Public Plaza. Don't miss this opportunity to enjoy some great entertainment while shopping Claremont's restaurants and stores. Also, every dollar spent shopping in Claremont helps pay for the City's programs and services that makes Claremont the wonderful community it is. For more information on Friday Nights Live, contact the Chamber at (909)624-1681.

City Meetings on Tap

The Claremont City Council is hosting one of its semi-regular neighborhood meet-and-greets tonight at 7pm at the Blaisdell Community Center. Come on down and get your flesh pressed by a couple of your council representatives:

City Council Neighborhood Forum - Blaisdell Community Center

7:00 - 9:00 PM
440 S. College Ave.
Claremont
(909) 399-5460

* * * * *

The City's finances move to the front burner with Claremont scheduling a series of public budget meetings beginning in February. You are cordially invited to vent:

(Click to Enlarge)

Council Hosts Neighborhood Forum Tuesday

Claremont's City Council will hold one of its neighborhood meetings this coming Tuesday evening. Come on out and meet your neighbors and talk to a couple of your council representatives.

The city's online calendar has all the particulars:

City Council Neighborhood Forum - City Yard

Tuesday, June 16, 7:00 PM
1616 Monte Vista Avenue
Downstairs Conference Room
Claremont
(909) 399-5460

Council Members are also hosting a series of Neighborhood Forums. Neighborhood Forums give residents from different neighborhoods the opportunity to talk with City Council Members in a relaxed and informal setting. Neighborhoods can discuss issues that are important to them, air concerns, share ideas, ask questions and get the latest information about topics and projects that are specific to each neighborhood. Although forums are scheduled for specific neighborhoods, you do not have to live in that immediate area to attend.

CPD to Residents: Let's Talk

The Claremont Police Department will be hold a series of 12 neighborhood meetings throughout the city beginning June 11 and running through June 30. The meetings will provide residents with an opportunity to speak with CPD representatives and discuss public safety issues affecting the city's various neighborhoods.

The CPD website gave some information and had links to the meeting schedule and a map of the CPD's reporting districts (the meetings are organized by district):

Claremont Police Neighborhood Meetings

The Claremont Police Department will be hosting several Neighborhood Meetings throughout the City during the month of June to provide an opportunity for residents to discuss crime, neighborhood safety, and other public safety issues.

Our goals are to provide data to residents regarding crime in your area, provide information on Neighborhood Watch, E-Watch, and Code Red programs, and most importantly to strengthen our relationships and partnerships with residents.

Working together, we believe is the foundation for success to ensure that Claremont remains a safe place to live, work, and visit. Thank you for your time and we hope to see you at one of the meetings.
For all E-Watch subscribers, you will receive the date, time, and location of the meeting in your area.

All meetings will start at 6:30 pm. Please refer to the attached links for more information.

• Click here for Neighborhood Meeting Schedule (Adobe Acrobat, 64KB)
• Click here to find your Reporting District (Adobe Acrobat, 2177KB)
  

For those of you too lazy to click on the links, here is a list of meetings, followed by a map of the CPD reporting districts:

All meetings begin at 6:30pm:

• Thursday, June 11, 2009
  Hahn Building: 420 N. Harvard Ave.
  Reporting Districts: 27, 28, 29, 31, 32
  
  
• Monday, June 15, 2009
  CUSD: 170 W. San Jose Ave.
  Reporting Districts: 21,22,23,24,25,26
  
  
• Tuesday, June 16, 2009
  CUSD: 170 W. San Jose Ave.
  Reporting Districts: 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14
  
  
• Wednesday, June 17, 2009
  Blaisdell Comm. Center: 440 S. College Ave.
  Reporting Districts: 2, 3, 4, 5
  
  
• Wednesday, June 17, 2009
  Claremont Pres. Church, 1111 N. Mountain Ave.
  Reporting Districts: 45, 46, 47
  
  
• Thursday, June 18, 2009
  CHS-Theater: 1601 N. Indian Hill Blvd.
  Reporting Districts: 42, 44, 62
  
  
• Monday, June 22, 2009
  CHS-Theater: 1601 N. Indian Hill Blvd.
  Reporting Districts: 62, 63, 64, 65
  
  
• Tuesday, June 23, 2009
  Western Christian: 3105 Padua Ave.
  Reporting Districts: 48, 49, 50
  
  
• Wednesday, June 24, 2009
  Western Christian: 3105 Padua Ave.
  Reporting Districts: 68, 69
  
  
• Thursday, June 25, 2009
  Western Christian: 3105 Padua Ave.
  Reporting Districts: 67
  
  
• Monday, June 29, 2009
  Hughes Center-Padua Room: 1700 Danbury Rd.
  Reporting Districts: 70
  
  
• Tuesday, June 30, 2009
  Hughes Center-Padua Room: 1700 Danbury Rd.
  Reporting Districts: 70

Click to Enlarge

Around Town

NEIGHBORHOOD FORUM TONIGHT

The Claremont City Council will hold another in its series of neighborhood forums tonight. Councilmembers Linda Elderkin and Larry Schroeder will be on hand at the city's Joslyn Center from 7pm to 9pm to meet and greet residents and to hear their concerns. The City's website gives the lowdown on the forums:

City Council Neighborhood Forum - Joslyn Center
7:00 PM
660 N. Mountain Avenue
Claremont
(909) 399-5460

Council Members are also hosting a series of Neighborhood Forums. Neighborhood Forums give residents from different neighborhoods the opportunity to talk with City Council Members in a relaxed and informal setting. Neighborhoods can discuss issues that are important to them, air concerns, share ideas, ask questions and get the latest information about topics and projects that are specific to each neighborhood. Although forums are scheduled for specific neighborhoods, you do not have to live in that immediate area to attend.

TROLLEY FOR LEASE

Claremont's soon-to-be ex-Village Trolley seeks a new home. We wrote last week week about some of the possibilities for repurposing the poor mini-bus. Troop transport wasn't one of them, but we could see that happening. A reader sent in this photo of some potential buyers from far, far away checking out the trolley not too long ago (as far as we can tell, no photoshopping here):

Imperial stormtrooper holds up line.
Driver, does this stop at Tatooine?

This Week in Claremont

CITY OFFICES CLOSED MONDAY

Don't forget that Claremont city offices will all be closed tomorrow in observance of Presidents Day. Trash collection will be moved back one day with Friday's pick-ups being done on Saturday.


VILLAGE NEIGHBORHOOD FORUM TUESDAY

The City of Claremont is holding another of its neighborhood forums this Tuesday night, February 17, from 6pm to 8pm. According to the City's information:

Neighborhood Forums give residents from different neighborhoods the opportunity to talk with City Council Members in a relaxed and informal setting. Neighborhoods can discuss issues that are important to them, air concerns, share ideas, ask questions and get the latest information about topics and projects that are specific to each neighborhood. Although forums are scheduled for specific neighborhoods, you do not have to live in that immediate area to attend.

The neighborhood forums are attended by two of the five councilmembers. We don't know which of the councilmembers will be there, but we're going to guess that Ellen Taylor is one of those since she does live in the Claremont Village, and that area forms the heart of Taylor's political support.

Claremont Public Library
208 Harvard Avenue
Claremont
(909) 399-5460


90+ BIRTHDAY PARTY

The City's website also has an announcement for its annual birthday party for residents over 90 years old:

The City of Claremont Senior Citizens Program is pleased to announce the return of their annual celebration honoring those that have reached the milestone of 90 years of age. Our 90+ Birthday Party will be held on Thursday, February 19, 2009 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. at the Alexander Hughes Community Center located at 1700 Danbury Road. Claremont community members age 90 and over as well as their guests are welcome to attend this delightful party complete with special entertainment, tributes, hors d'oeuvres, and of course, cake! This charming event is hosted by the Blaisdell Boosters and sponsored by Gentle Transitions and Visiting Angels. Individuals aged 90 and over are special guests with no fee; the cost for all other attendees is $2. Reservations and prepayment is required.

For more information, RSVPs, or to recommend someone you feel should receive an invitation, please call (909) 399-5488.

APPLICANTS NEEDED FOR HILLSIDE OVERSIGHT

Claremont City Hall is also seeking applicants for a vacancy on the Claremont Hills Conservation Corporation, the non-profit corp. that oversees the Claremont Hills Wilderness Park. Here's more from the City on the applications:

Claremont Hills Conservation Corporation Seeks Applicants

Applications are currently being sought to fill a vacancy on the Claremont Hills Conservation Corporation. Persons interested in being considered for appointment are encouraged to file an application with the City Clerk's office by Monday, February 23, 2009. Click on the link below to download an application. For more information call (909) 399-5460.

CHCC members are appointed by the City Council based on the results of application reviews and personal interviews. It is the Council's goal to appoint members who reflect the diversity of the community [Emphasis added -ed.].

Claremont City News

The January/February 2009 issue of the Claremont City Letter came in the mail last week, chock-full of useful information.


OUR FRIEND THE COYOTE

The front page of the CCL has an article about living with coyotes that offered some tips for dealing with some of our four-legged friends, who have at one time or another been seen in every part of town.

The CCL piece reminded us of the 16mm Disney True-Life Adventure films they used to show to elementary school kids on those heavy guage steel Bell & Howell projectors. You can almost imagine Disney's narrator Winston Hibler reading the CCL writer's text:

Hardly any animal in America is more adaptable to changing conditions than the coyote. Coyotes can live just about anywhere. They are found in deserts, swamps, tundra, grasslands, brush, and dense forests, from below sea level to high mountains. They have also learned to live in suburbs and cities such as Los Angeles, New York, Phoenix, Denver and Claremont. [Like the baby boomer, the coyote apparently favors the coasts, mountain states, and retirement communities. - ed.]

One of the keys to the coyote's success is its diet. A true scavenger, the coyote will eat just about anything. Identified as a killer of sheep, poultry and deer, the coyote will also eat snakes and foxes, doughnuts and sandwiches, rodents and rabbits, fruits and vegetables, birds, frogs, grass and grasshoppers, pet cats and cat food [sometimes in the same sitting, if the cat in question has recently dined], pet dogs and dog food [ibid.], carrion, and just plain garbage.

In short, the coyote is nearly as resourceful and adaptable as your average non-5C college freshman. Remember instant mac-and-cheese, anyone?


ELECTION NEWS

The CCL also has a list of important dates to keep in mind for the March 3rd General Municipal Election:

January 22 - February 10
Sample Ballots mailed to registered voters

February 2 - February 24
Voters may request absentee/vote by mail ballots

February 16 - Last date to register to vote*

MARCH 3 - ELECTION DAY
Polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

*Registration forms are available in English and in Spanish at City Hall, the Claremont Public Library, and the Claremont Post Office. For more information about elections and voter registration, contact the City Clerk's office at 909-399-5460 or visit the website of the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk at www.lavote.net

NEIGHBORHOOD FORUMS

CCL also reminds us there are two neighborhood forums coming up. At each there will be two City Councilmembers present along with a staff member or two. They will talk to you and hear whatever concerns you may have about your neighborhood or the city in general:

Tuesday, January 20th
South Claremont neighborhood forum at 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Blaisdell Center
440 S. College Ave.

Tuesday, February 17th
Claremont Village neighborhood forum at 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Claremont Public Library
208 Harvard Ave.

[From the city website]:

Neighborhood Forums give residents from different neighborhoods the opportunity to talk with City Council Members in a relaxed and informal setting. Neighborhoods can discuss issues that are important to them, air concerns, share ideas, ask questions and get the latest information about topics and projects that are specific to each neighborhood. Although forums are scheduled for specific neighborhoods, you do not have to live in that immediate area to attend.

Call (909) 399-5460 for information.