From the city manager’s office

Western Christian Schools renovation review

The architectural commission will conduct a preliminary review meeting tonight, July 25, at 7 p.m.  for various improvements being considered at the Western Christian Schools (WCS) campus, located at 3105 Padua Ave.

The improvements would affect roughly half of the site and are mainly intended to reorganize athletic  facilities, improve parking and circulation, and construct a new outdoor plaza/dining area and multipurpose building for a gymnasium and auditorium space. The proposed improvements would not  change the current student and staff numbers which would remain the same.

No formal action will be taken by the commission for the project at this time. There will be future public hearings when the matter is submitted for formal review before the commission.

City-wide sports field renovations

This summer, sports fields throughout the  city will be temporarily closed for renovation. Locations scheduled for renovation include the soccer fields at Griffith, Lewis, Larkin, La Puerta, Jaeger and Padua Parks.

The renovation will include aeration, fertilization, and reseeding thinning turf areas. In order to ensure that the newly seeded areas germinate, the watering schedule for field areas will be adjusted to water 3 times per day. This watering practice will be implemented through mid-August when the fields will reopen for the fall youth sports season.

The city will continually monitor the watering schedule to ensure that the renovation is completed in the most sustainable manner possible. 

For questions regarding the field renovations, contact Kristin Turner, community and human services manager, at 399-5433 or kturner@ci.claremont.ca.us.

Turf removal program

Turf grass is one of the most water-intensive plants. Its high water and frequent maintenance needs make it a time-consuming and expensive option. Golden State Water and its partner Metropolitan Water District offer a turf removal program that assists homeowners in replacing their existing turf with drought tolerant plants and ground cover. Homeowners who elect to remove some of their irrigated turf grass to reduce outdoor water use can receive $1 or more per square foot of removed turf. 

For more detailed information on this program and other rebate programs, visit www.gswater.com.

Claremont boy earns Eagle Scout award

Benjamin Charles Goss has earned the Eagle Scout rank, the highest advancement award in the Boy Scouts of America. A senior at Claremont High School,  Ben was recognized at an Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony on Sunday, June 10 at the Claremont Presbyterian Church.

A member of Boy Scout Troop 403 sponsored by Claremont Presbyterian Church and Our Lady of Assumption Church, Ben is one of approximately 4 percent of all boy scouts who earn the Eagle Scout rank.

Each candidate must earn a minimum of 21 merit badges and complete a service project to benefit the community. 

Ben decided he wanted to do a project to benefit the many brave men and women serving our country.  His project consisted of the fabrication and installation of backpack hooks for the USO in Ontario. Until these hooks were installed, the troops’ gear was stacked in piles on the floor. These backpack hooks are being used by many veterans who utilize the USO.

In addition to Boy Scouts, Ben is active in a variety of school and community activities. He is an honor student, a member of the Claremont High School football team and the Claremont High School German Club.

Ben is supported in his efforts by his brother, Walker, a freshman at Claremont High School, and by his proud parents, John and Kathleen Goss of Claremont.

Pooch Park closed Thursday morning for renovations

Though summer heat may not be a deterrent for some Pooch Park frequenters, a locked gate might be.  

Claremont’s popular Pooch Park, located within College Park at 440 S. College Ave, will be closed for a short period tomorrow, Thursday, July 26, for turf renovation. The closure will begin at 6 a.m. and the park is scheduled to reopen around noon.

The park will be closed while maintenance staff works on aerating the soil. The turf areas of the popular park will receive a “drill and fill” aerification to relieve soil compaction and promote healthy growth, according to a city news release. For more information related to this project, contact Kristin Turner, community and human services manager, at 399-5433 or kturner@ci.claremont.ca.us.

San Antonio Hospital physicians make ‘Top Doctor Listing’

Twenty-one physicians affiliated with San Antonio Community Hospital have been selected as “Top Doctors” in the nation by U.S. News & World Report’s 2012 Top Doctors report. These physicians span 15 specialty areas and were selected based on a peer nomination process. See our complete list of doctors by clicking our ENTIRE STORY link.

Dr. Peter Ambrose, pediatrics; Dr. Freddie Balguma, pediatrics; Dr. Jeannette Benjamin, internal medicine; Dr. Richard Bruck, cardiology; Dr. Victor Ching, urology; Dr. Harvey Cohen, geriatric medicine; Dr. Thomas Easter, obstetrics-gynecology; Dr. Robert Fabricant, ophthalmology; Dr. Geffrey Graham, radiation oncology; Dr. Naveem Gupta, medical oncology; Dr. Jong Suk Hahn, neuroradiology; Dr. Andrew Hsu, neonatalogy; Dr. Chuang-Ti Hung, gastroenterology; Dr. Stuart McCarthy, ear nose & throat/otolaryngology; Dr. Shahriar Minokadeh, pain management; Dr. Lance Siegel, ophthalmology; Dr. Tejinder Singh, internal medicine; Dr. Carl Smith, orthopedic surgery; Dr. Shanta Srivastava, obstetrics-gynecology; Dr. Elliot Steven Weinstein, pediatrics.

In addition, 8 other physicians on staff at San Antonio Community Hospital made the list, including: Dr. Vandana Agarwal; Dr. Sam Arasoghli; Dr. Labib Hashimi; Dr. Scott Lederhaus; Dr. Jeereddi Prasad; Dr. Jason Haeshik Shin; Dr. Gloria Stevens; and Dr. Linda Bosserman, medical director of the Women’s Breast & Imaging Center at SACH.

The U.S. News & World Report Top Doctors issue was developed in collaboration with Castle Connelly, a New York City-based company that has worked for nearly 2 decades to identify the nation’s top doctors. Castle Connolly bases its Top Doctors selections on nominations submitted by other doctors and then reviewed by its physician-led research panel.

Foothill Country Day School awarded 6-year accreditation   

Foothill Country Day School has completed a yearlong process and has been awarded a 6-year accreditation, the longest term possible.

Two organizations reviewed the school jointly,  the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS).  

WASC/CAIS hold the expectation that schools must be worthy of the trust placed in them to provide high quality learning opportunities.  Accreditation also validates the integrity of a school’s program and student transcripts and allows for the transfers of credits to other quality institutions.

In order to be accredited by the WASC/CAIS schools must complete an ongoing process of self-study, goal-setting and evaluation. During the self-study phase of the accrediting process, the school compiles data about its programs from all members of its community, including students, parents and teachers. The information from school stakeholders is compiled in a self-study report.  

The school is then visited for several days by a committee composed of 5 administrations from schools around the state. They evaluate all aspects of the program, and prepare a detailed report and recommendations which are then presented to the WASC/CAIS who grants the appropriate level of accreditation.   

Foothill Country Day School in Claremont offers kindergarten through eighth grade students a distinctive education that features a challenging academic curriculum and an emphasis on character development through small classes and small group instruction.

For information about Foothill Country Day School, visit their website at www.foothillcds.org or call 626-5861.

Claremont Place goes Calypso at Alzheimer’s fundraiser

Claremont Place Senior Living is bringing some island flavor to town with its Calypso Benefit taking place tomorrow, July 26, from 4 to 6 p.m.

The tropical charity tomorrow afternoon will raise money for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s event, which takes place on Saturday, October 13. Thursday’s fundraiser will feature steel drums, Caribbean food creations and delicious island libations. Raffle prizes will also be offered. A $10 donation is suggested with all proceeds to benefit the Alzheimer’s foundation.

For more information or to RSVP, call Claremont Place at 447-5259.