Readers comments: January 7, 2022

See’s thank you letter
Dear editor:
The Kiwanis Club of Claremont wishes to extend our sincere appreciation to the many residents of our community who once again have contributed to the great success of our annual holiday fundraising event, the Pop-Up See’s Candies Store.
This loyal support has now provided the vital funds for our annual High School Scholarships, continuing sponsorships of the Key Clubs youth leadership programs, Shoes That Fit, Meals on Wheels, Hope Partners, books for our pre-school “READ Me” program, Concerts in the Park, and many more community projects.
This valuable partnership between the Claremont Kiwanis and our community maintains a vital bond for meeting a wide range of community needs in the coming year and beyond.
Please accept our deepest thanks.
Linda C. Clinton
President

Response to Village South Specific Plan
Dear editor:
The VSSP will change Claremont for the better. Yes, it will “alter the look” but not the livability of Claremont. It will provide jobs, housing, and new spirit in Claremont. Let’s not forget that “everything changes all the time” and our city is not a walk in the country but a vibrant part of Southern California.
Rita Gonzales Levine
Claremont

Not only Christmas Tree farm in L.A. County
Dear editor:
I owe Brock Christmas Tree Farm an apology!
I’ve been telling my customers at my Christmas Tree farm that I was the last choose and cut Christmas tree farm in L.A. County. Turns out there are still two farms—both in Claremont!
In Mick Rhodes’ “profile” I appreciate the term “deep roots” being used as a metaphor of long standing traditions that we love in our society. It is delightful to see so many families at our farm come out with their small children to cut a live tree. Many told stories of their childhood when “my dad would take us out and cut our tree down for Christmas,” and we wanted to do the same for our kids. As a baby boomer my memories were always about hiking, catching or collecting things or just cutting down a tree without being told where I couldn’t go or what I couldn’t do. Our farm gave me the opportunity to teach both my boys how to drive a “stick shift” old truck around the property way before they were 16. They also learned the essence of a small business and to responsibly help their parents make the farm happen.
Thank you also Mr. Rhodes for acknowledging the dilemma of letting our kids become “screen obsessed” rather than “nature observant” in our over developed cities. Maybe if they were not always supervised and told what is “not safe” they might enjoy their own individual reality. I wonder what will Claremont look like 10 years from now when the new state mandates on building are evident and our remaining open spaces are urbanized? By the way, is there really 40 acres left of native chaparral in northeast Claremont that could be built on?
The December 17 edition of the COURIER also profiles Naomi Fraga, a conservation botanist working to stop the plant extinction crisis [your words]. Habitat destruction (urban sprawl) is, to me, an enormous threat to our society, especially youth. Where will they go to enjoy nature? It’s been years since we have seen roadrunners and horned lizards on our farm or in the open spaces around Claremont. Conversely, where will the bears, bobcats, and coyotes go except into town to have our pets for lunch?
Oh well, at least Lowe’s will still bring cut down trees from Oregon then.
Eric Chamberlain
Chamberlain Choose and Cut Christmas Tree Farm