Volunteers needed for Village Venture

The 31st annual Village Venture Arts & Crafts Faire is scheduled for Saturday, October 27 and organizers are looking for volunteers to help in a variety of capacities.

The Claremont Chamber is looking for volunteers who can perform duties to ensure the safety of vendors and the public. Volunteers must be over the age of 18. Some standing is necessary during the 3-hour shift, however, volunteers may bring a fold-up chair for periodic rests.

Attendance at one of 2 mandatory trainings is required on either Wednesday, October 17 at 6 p.m. or Friday, October 19 at 8 a.m. Shifts for volunteers on Village Venture day are available from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Call Marlene at 624-1681 or email Marlene@claremontchamber.org with “Village Venture Volunteer” in the subject line. The chamber is located at 205 Yale Ave.

VNA expands service to Lake Arrowhead

The Visiting Nurses Association Hospice & Palliative Care of Southern California, based in Claremont, recently announced the purchase of Rim of the World Home Health agency in Lake Arrowhead, making it the only home health agency located in the mountain community.

With the acquisition, effective October 1, Rim of the World will join the VNA’s status as a nonprofit agency and provide the VNA with the ability to offer hospice services, serving both Lake Arrowhead as well as Big Bear and the high desert.

“We are thrilled to be able to expand our services to the beautiful mountain communities of Lake Arrowhead and the surrounding areas,” said Marsha Fox, president and chief executive officer of the VNA. “This represents a tremendous opportunity to expand our level of exceptional and compassionate care to the people of this underserved region.”

The Lake Arrowhead acquisition is the latest in a series of new moves for the local nonprofit. In 2009, the VNA acquired Community Hospice of Victor Valley, a hospice agency located in Apple Valley. For more information about the VNA, call (800) 969-4862 or visit www.vnasocal.org.

Construction at Auto Center Drive continues

Night construction on the Indian Hill Boulevard and Auto Center Entrance Project began last week and is expected to last for the next 6 to 8 weeks, according to Claremont City Manager Tony Ramos.

The construction project, overseen by the Sully-Miller Contracting Company of Brea, includes saw cutting, tree removal and demolition on Indian Hill between San Jose and American Avenues.

The contractor is working during the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. to minimize impact to businesses and for traffic safety. Questions or comments regarding this project may be directed to the city’s Engineering Division at 399-5465.

Skate demo hosted by YAC at Guthrie Park

Claremont teens are invited to partake in a skate demo at the Dick Guthrie Skate Park (1717 N. Indian Hill Blvd.) this Friday, September 28 from 3 to 6 p.m.

Hosted by the Youth Activity Center (YAC), teens will have the opportunity to enjoy live music and participate in a variety of contests. Safety gear, including helmets, is required for all contestants. For information, contact the YAC at 399-5360.

Film screening, discussion to explore child trafficking

The investigative documentary The Dark Side of Chocolate, which explores illegal child trafficking and child labor in the chocolate industry, will be screened on Thursday, September 27 at 7 p.m. at Pomona College’s Rose Hills Theatre, 170 E. Sixth St.

A discussion will follow led by Char Miller, Pomona College professor of environmental analysis, and Samantha Meyer, sustainability and purchasing coordinator for the college’s dining services. Ethically-produced snacks will be served.

Written and directed by award-winning Danish journalist Miki Mistrati and U. Roberto Romano, the film is set in the bush of Africa and reveals hidden footage of the trafficking of children as young as 7 years old to the cocoa fields in the Ivory Coast.

Through interviews with freed and rescued children, traffickers, government and policy officials and local activists, Mistrati exposes a darker side of chocolate than one promised by international chocolate companies like Nestlé, Berry Callebaut and Mars, that signed the 2001 Cocoa Protocol pledging to eradicate child labor in cocoa production by 2008. 

This screening is part of the Food Justice Film Series, sponsored by Pomona College’s Environmental Analysis Program, Dining Services and the Mellon Foundation Elemental Arts Initiative.

For more information, contact Char Miller at 607-8343 or char.miller@ pomona.edu.

Meet the local press

The Claremont Coordinating Council will host Wes Woods, reporter for the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, and Kathryn Dunn, managing editor of the Claremont COURIER, at its meeting Thursday, October 3 at noon.

Mr. Woods and Ms. Dunn will share tips for successfully publicizing organizations and events.

The meeting will take place in the Padua Room at the Alexander Hughes Center. RSVPs are required by Friday, September 28 by email to anita.hughes2@verizon.net. Cost is $8 for the lunch and talk with a reservation or $10 at door.

Former community college chancellor to discuss state of higher education

Jack Scott, scholar in residence in Claremont Graduate University’s School of Educational Studies and chancellor of the California Community Colleges from 2009-2012, will deliver this year’s 29th annual Howard R. Bowen Lecture on Tuesday, October 2.

Mr. Scott’s talk will focus on how California’s higher education system has gone from being a world leader to being one of the country’s most challenged over the span of 40 years. This will not be another lamentation; Mr. Scott promises to provide thoughts on how the state can reclaim its once globally envied system.

For the past 3 years, Mr. Scott led the state’s 112 community colleges through sweeping reforms. Prior to assuming the chancellor’s position, he served in the California State Senate (2000-2008) and as president of Pasadena City College (1987-95) and Cypress College (1978-87).

Mr. Scott holds a PhD in history from Claremont Graduate University and a master’s of divinity from Yale University. The Bowen Lecture is an annual fall lectureship on higher education delivered by leading scholars and practitioners in the field.

The talk will begin at 7 p.m. in Albrecht Auditorium, 925 N. Dartmouth Ave. in Claremont. It is free and open to the public. Seating is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis.

Citrus to receive green colleges leadership award

Citrus College will receive a 2012 Leadership Award at the Green Community Colleges Summit on Thursday, September 27 at the Pasadena Convention Center.

The summit is the nation’s most significant community college event focused on building, managing and teaching in high-performance, environmentally safe classrooms and campuses, according to event organizers.

Every year, 5 leadership awards are presented to California community colleges as a way to recognize outstanding accomplishments in sustainability. Categories include teacher, school district, green campus, energy and curriculum

Citrus College will be receiving the 2012 Leadership Award for Energy during the summit. The school was nominated for the honor by the California Community College Chancellor’s office in recognition of its work developing a new sustainability template.

Made possible by a $285,000 grant from the Public Utilities Commission, the purpose of the template is to provide a roadmap allowing the colleges to move toward sustainability, while also addressing the greenhouse mandates under the California Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32). The template is now available to the state’s 112 community colleges through the State Chancellor’s Office.

“We are extremely proud to be the recipient of the energy award,” said Dr. Geraldine M. Perri, superintendent/president of Citrus College. “We have a commitment to sustainability and have made great strides toward becoming a greener institution. Receiving recognition for these efforts is always gratifying.”

This will be the second time in 3 years that the Green Community Colleges Summit has recognized Citrus College. In 2010, they presented the college with the Green Campus Leadership Award.

C-M-S womens basketball team to offer free youth clinic

Next month, the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Athenas womens basketball program will host a free youth basketball clinic for kids 8th grade and younger.

The clinic will be held at the CMS Ducey Gym on Saturday, October 27 from 2 to 3:30 pm. Participants are encouraged to pre-register at www.frontrush.com, and call 607-2251 with any questions. Ducey Gym is located at 690 N Mills Ave.

Car wash this Saturday to benefit CHS girls golf

The Claremont girls golf team is having a car wash fundraiser this Saturday, September 29 at Prudential Wheeler Steffen Real Estate office from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wheeler Steffen is located on the corner of Foothill Boulevard and Berkeley Avenue.

CHS gets the latest gear courtesy of Claremont Sunrise Rotary

This fall season, the Claremont Sunrise Rotary awarded the 2012 to the Claremont High School football team boosters. The money went toward purchasing new helmets for the players. In the wake of so many high profile head injuries involving football players in professional and youth leagues, CHS decided the safety of its young men was paramount and fitted each player with the new Riddell Revolution Speed helmets.

Boosters President Michael Tyus said, “This helps relieve the anxiety of parents and family members who watch from the sidelines.”

Even if football coaches teach their players proper tackling technique, freak accidents can still happen. However, improved technology helps to keep up with the game’s unpredictable nature. As players grow physically, improve their quickness, and muscular strength, their collisions on the field become more forceful. Leagues are helping by cracking down on “spearing” by players looking to launch themselves at other players to make a play.

The helmets are the result of “concussion reduction technology” research, and Claremont Sunrise Rotary is proud to say they have contributed to the overall health of high school athletes.

Pilates philosophy the inspiration for Bourne Pilates Studio

What would inspire an accomplished dancer to take up Pilates? For Julia Bourne, owner of the newly opened Bourne Pilates Studio in Upland, the answer is spending over 10 years cruising the Caribbean as a professional dancer on a cruise ship.

“Pilates encompasses body, mind and spirit and can truly get your whole life in sync,” Ms. Bourne explained. “It’s more than simply exercise. People who do Pilates regularly feel they have better posture, are less prone to injury, and experience better overall health.”

Ms. Bourne, a STOTT Pilates instructor trainer, spent several years in New York, plying her craft before moving to southern California where she helped build a successful program at a nearby health club.

Ms. Bourne recently opened her own studio on Monte Vista Avenue, which is equipped with state-of-the-art STOTT Pilates equipment.

The goal of Pilates is to improve mental and physical wellbeing, increasing flexibility and strengthening muscles through controlled movements either done as mat exercises or with equipment.

Ms. Bourne’s studio, 1164 Monte Vista Ave., Suite 2, is offering a free introductory mat Pilates class on Sunday, October 13 at 10 a.m. Reservations are required. Call 440-9227 to reserve a spot.

An open house is scheduled Friday, November 9 from 5 to 7 p.m. For more information visit bournepilates.com.

Get a jump on the election, register early to vote in November

The final deadline to register for the November 6 election is Monday, October 22 but residents are encouraged to register early.

Those eligible to vote must be citizens of the United States and must be 18 years of age (or will be at the time of the election). Re-registration is required if you have moved, had a name change, or wish to make a change to political party. Registration forms are available at Claremont City Hall, the public library and the post office.

Questions about voter registration should be directed to the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s office at (562) 466-1310 or by visiting www.lavote.net. Locally, residents may contact the city clerk’s office at 399-5461 for information.

Educating religious leaders for a multi-religious world

All are invited to a public panel of national experts on educating religious leaders for a multi-religious world on Monday, October 8 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Mudd Theater.

Claremont Lincoln University Provost Philip Clayton will moderate the panel, which includes: Rabbi Nancy Fuchs-Kreimer, Dr. Azizah El-Hibri, Dr. Paul F. Knitter, Dr. Henrietta Mann and Dr. Anantanand Rambachan.

The leaders are in town for a Parliament conference that brings 17 religious educators from a variety of faith traditions to discuss how interreligious training can be enhanced for preparing leaders in their own religious tradition and stimulated in religious communities around the world.

The project builds on a program established at the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Australia in 2009.

Info: www.claremontlincoln.org.