Claremonters make films, star in films, win awards

Claremont father and son Don and Micky Pollock won first place awards in separate categories in the Alliance for Community Media (ACM) Hometown Media Awards Contest.

Mr. Pollock, a professor of communications at the University of La Verne (ULV), teamed up with Claremont resident Shane Rodrigues and a fellow ULV professor to win best educational profile, professional, for their film, Commencement 2011: Only the Beginning, which reveals the challenges numerous individuals overcame to reach their educational goals.

Micky, a ULV junior, along with fellow Claremont High School (CHS) graduate Anthony Troli and a ULV classmate, won best original teleplay, nonprofessional, for their comedic video Party Foul. The film features CHS graduates David Baracskai and Alex Cardenas-Clague, and Claremont resident Tom Troli also plays a role.  

Micky and Anthony, who both studied video production under CHS teacher Deborah Conow, along with several ULV students on their filmmaking team, also won a 2012 best of festival award from the Broadcast Education Association for their short documentary on the Claremont Folk Music Center. 

Local teacher’s manuscript awarded ‘Most Promising’

Local author and teacher , Kim Jocelyn Dickson was recently awarded First Place Work-in-Progress Picture Book for her manuscript, From Sky to Sea: The Story of Anne Morrow Lindbergh.    

The honor was given at the 12th Annual Spring Writers’ Retreat in Temecula’s wine country, sponsored by the Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI, www.scbwi.org).     

SCBWI is the largest and most prestigious organization for children’s literature in the world.  

In addition to the first-place honor, Ms.Dickson’s manuscript was deemed “Most Promising Work in Progress” by one of the editors from a major publishing house who was a presenter at the retreat, affording her the opportunity for a personal meeting with the editor.

Ms. Dickson is a fifth grade writing and literature teacher at Foothill Country Day School.

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

Family fare to hit local parks during summer movie series

In the coming weeks, local families are invited to enjoy free movie nights at various Claremont Parks. The films, which are free and open to the community begin at dusk.

Guests are encouraged to bring blankets and low chairs for the screenings, and are asked not to bring dogs and alcoholic beverages.

The 2012 summer movie schedule is as follows: Puss in Boots on Tuesday, July 10 at Blaisdell Park (440 S. College Ave.); Kung Fu Panda 2  on Thursday, July 12 at June Vail Park (Grand Ave. and Bluefield Dr.); Super 8 on Wednesday, July 18 at Wheeler Park (626 Vista Dr.); Cars 2  on Tuesday, July 24 at Lewis Park (881 Syracuse Dr.); and Happy Feet 2 on Tuesday, August 7 at Memorial Park (840 N. Indian Hill Blvd. )

Longtime OLA staff member announces retirement

Joyce Raef was honored by members of Our Lady of the Assumption last month, retiring after 23 years of service on the Faith Formation staff.

Ms. Raef received her catechist certification at 16 years old. She began her ministry at OLA as a young adult volunteer from 1974-78, after a brief time with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange from 1961-64. She continued as a third grade religious education teacher, followed by a short stint in the seventh grade in the wake of several teachers who had quit in exasperation. Ms. Raef survived that year, but felt called to instruct a younger group, settling on the first grade where she served for 10 years.

“I fell in love,” she said of teaching the younder students.

Ms. Raef joined the OLA staff as the elementary education coordinator in 1989, but continued to volunteer in the first grade. Such intimate involvement with the religious education and spiritual formation of others has proven to be a life-long lesson in faith for Ms. Raef. She especially values the opportunity to listen to the stories of faith from parents and to become an instrument of growth for them. The First Communion season is the highlight of her year when all the hard work of preparation blossoms into joyous celebration. She has cherished those opportunities to go back into the classroom as a substitute teacher when needed.

Ms. Raef is looking forward in retirement to spending more time with her family: Pat her husband of 40 years, oldest daughter Corrine who has 3 children, and a younger married daughter, Naomi.

REAL Connections summer celebration

Community Senior Services is hosting a beach-themed bash next Thursday, July 12, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. to celebrate REAL Connections. Refreshments will be provided.

REAL Connections (Resources for Ageless Living) seek to provide residents age 50 and over support necessary to remain in their homes and communities as they grow older. The belief is that living and aging well can be greatly enhanced by being able to connect with neighbors and to conveniently access desired services with one phone call: a ‘go-to’ resource for ageless living at home.

Community Senior Services is located at 141 Spring St., Claremont. To RSVP for the event, call 621-9000 or email borton@realconnections.org. Please indicate in your RSVP if you need a ride to and from the event. Transportation is provided.