Claremont’s First Street Gallery presents post-aPOPalyptic, the center’s latest art exhibition, opening Friday, July 6 at 6 p.m. The exhibit will run through August 24.

Post-aPOPalyptic is a group show featuring a mash-up of pop culture-inspired imagery and post-apocalyptic themes. It will include the work of several First Street Gallery artists and the First Street debut of Tierra de Sol artist Gustavo Cruz.  Mr. Cruz’s highly detailed and surreal imagery will round out the dark side of this diverse show, which ranges from fun to creepy and from topical to tragic.

Opening night, which runs from 6 to 8 p.m. will feature a live musical performance by the power energy trio Kil the Engineer. Works of art will be on display as well as for sale. Catering will be provided by Spaggi’s Restaurant. For more information, call 626-5455.

Botanic garden admission nets summer pass for visitors

Visitors to the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden who purchase an adult admission ticket before Saturday, June 30 will get a little something extra.

Those who pay the usual $8 one-day admission fee will be eligible for a Garden Summer Pass, which offers benefits through Sept. 30, 2012.

The Garden Summer Pass includes unlimited admission to the Garden for the cardholder. It also offers discounts on RSABG community education classes, at the Grow Native Nursery and California Garden Gift Shop, and for tickets to special events such as Garden Groove.

The Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden is located at 1500 N. College Ave. in Claremont. For information, call 625-8767 or email info@rsabg.org.

Claremont CPA named chair of state CPA society

Claremont certified public accountant Johanna Sweaney Salt was recently inducted as the 2012-13 Chair of the California Society of CPAs.

Headquartered in San Mateo, the California Society of Certified Public Accountants (CalCPA) is the nation’s largest state accounting organization and the largest CPA association in California. It serves more than 40,000 members in public practice, private industry, education and government.

Ms. Sweaney Salt is a partner in the firm of Gray, Salt & Associates in Claremont, and previosly served as president of CalCPA’s Inland Empire Chapter in 2010–11.

Four Claremont youth earn Eagle Scout rank

Hunter Sandhagen, Nicholas Serabyn, Spencer Little and Nick Pankratz from Boy Scout Troop 402 in Claremont will be celebrated in a Court of Honor for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout, Boy Scout’S highest honor, on Saturday, July 7 at 2 p.m. at the Good Shepherd Church, Claremont. All 4 boys bridged to Troop 402 together after being members Cub Scout Pack 402 and 408. In total, 6 boys bridged to Troop 402 together and 5 are still active in the troop.

To become an Eagle Scout, the young men earned a minimum of 21 required merit badges and served their troop in a variety of leadership roles. They also each completed a major community service project.

Hunter Sandhagen organized a Flag Day Ceremony to benefit the city of Claremont and the American Legion Post 78, in addition to soliciting donations for and building a brazier to help retire flags in a safe and efficient manner. Hunter just finished his junior year at Claremont High School where he played water polo.

Nicholas Serabyn raised funds for and built a fire danger sign for the Wilderness Park.  The sign allows the rangers to post the fire danger in the park so hikers, runners and bikers are informed on the fire hazard when going into the area.  Nicholas also finished his junior year at CHS, is said to be an “excellent student,” and is on both the JV track and soccer teams.   

Spencer Little’s Eagle Project involved building 2 sidewalks 100 feet in length (one of which connects to disabled parking) at the Claremont United Methodist Church.  He is active in the church’s youth and acolyte programs. He has been elected to serve as a Youth Delegate for the Riverside District at the UM Cal-Pac Annual Conference. Spencer just finished his junior year at CHS and is a member of the school’s internationally-ranked Chamber Singers. He also enjoys camping and backpacking, and has cycled over 1000 miles since November.

Nick Pankratz coordinated the construction of a raised garden bed in the kindergarten area at Sycamore Elementary School. Nick designed and selected materials, and organized recycling and cash donations to fund the project. He then led a crew of adults and Boy Scouts to construct the raised garden bed. Nick has just completed his junior year at The Webb Schools, and is active in several sports, recently placing third in CIF finals in the high jump.

In its 47 years in Claremont, Troop 402 has had a total of 99 Eagle Scouts.