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Though Tuesday’s jarring windstorm left its mark on Claremont in the form of downed trees, limbs, and some property damage, the city and the surrounding communities were clearly spared the worst. Violent wind gusts up to 90 mph drove fast-moving firestorms through several other Southern California communities, resulting in at least 11 deaths and more than 12,000 homes, businesses, and structures destroyed. Among those structures lost are national landmarks and regional treasures. Courier photo/Mick Rhodes
When the clock struck midnight last Wednesday, hundreds of new state laws went into effect, including Assembly Bill 2347, which grants tenants 10 days to respond to a notice, an increase of five days. Assembly Bill 1955 mandates officials within school districts, county-run educational offices, charter schools, and state special schools may not disclose the sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression of a student. Photo/courtesy of Pexels
Claremont Unified School District’s seven elementary schools will hold open houses this month for parents and caregivers interested in enrolling their children in transitional kindergarten or kindergarten.
The City of Trees continued a local Hanukkah tradition Monday, December 30 with the lighting of a nearly 10-foot menorah outside council chambers. In recognition of the Jewish holiday’s sixth day, Jacob Haiavy, a Rancho Cucamonga-based cosmetic surgeon, ignited six wicks at the event organized by Chabad of the Inland Empire. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo
“The point here is we are not necessarily obligated to jump aboard the seasonally trendy self-improvement bandwagon. Do you feel okay? Do your kids mostly like you? Are you north of bankrupt? If you answered yes to some or all of these, well then, you deserve a pat on the back and cocktail. It ain’t easy staying afloat, especially in Southern California. No need to get all nervous about your station or waistline. Take a gap year.”
As the Claremont Courier staff presents every year, 2024 provided many magical moments for photography. It’s also a very difficult edit that started with 112 of our best images, paired down to 10. At the very least, it gives us a chance to review what happened in Claremont during a news filled year. Here’s wishing all our readers a Happy New Year! Courier photo/Peter Weinberger
Pomona Inland Valley Martin Luther King Jr. Project invites all to its 43rd annual free MLK Celebration at 6 p.m. Sunday, January 19, at Pilgrim Congregational Church, 600 N. Garey Ave., Pomona.
Keck Graduate University’s third President Mohamed Abousalem hit the ground running after assuming office on July 1, 2024, and is looking to carry that momentum into 2025 and beyond. The Courier met with the 56-year-old Claremont resident in October. He spoke about his first 14 weeks in office — much of it spent getting to know his new colleagues, students, and the school’s programs — and his vision for the future of KGI. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo
“Retribution” by Robert Melendrez will be viewable at Ahmad Shariff Art Gallery, 107 Harvard Ave., during tonight’s 6 to 9 p.m. Claremont Art Walk. Photo/courtesy of Claremont Art Walk
Sponsored by Claremont Heritage and led by Auralynn Nguyen, the Garner House recently hosted an ikebana class. Ikebana is the art of arranging cut stems, leaves and flowers into containers. The form has evolved in Japan for more than seven centuries. Focused on ikebana principles with Claremont’s connection to ceramic art, students at the Garner House used fresh and dried materials to learn about line, color and mass with seasonal flowers. Courier photo/Peter Weinberger
For the 24th year, the Rotary Club of Claremont delivered new bicycles to local children in need at a December 21 event at Claremont Presbyterian Church. Pictured here is Max Tamayo having final adjustments made to his helmet before riding off on his new bike. Courier photo/Peter Weinberger
“As has been previously noted, the holidays have been a bit of a whirlwind around here. Lucky for me my wife Lisa is a perennial holiday superstar, and has once again made our home beautiful and festive. So, as I contemplate my annual year-end gratitude list, I must again start with my blind luck in marrying up. Way up. How Lisa maintains her joyful outlook and saintlike kindness with me around all the time is a profound mystery. She’s the engine that makes our life happen. I’m so grateful she kept me around another year.”
“By permitting the public to use the ski lifts and access the restaurant and go skiing, but forbidding anyone to hike up to an untouched Mt. Baldy (and neighboring mountains) it seems like the Forest Service just hasn’t thought this through. We need a more pragmatic approach how to protect the burned soil and enforce the closures while minimizing damage to local businesses and the livelihood of Mt. Baldy residents.”
Congratulations to Alfred Cramer, who was chosen at random among the 30 readers who correctly identified last week’s “Where am I?” as the gigantic Santa near Iron and Kin Coffee in the Claremont Packing House. Alfred is now entered into the year-end drawing to receive a copy of the Courier’s new coffee table book of photography, “Timeless Claremont.” Here is the final “Where am I?” of the year. We’re going to take a two week hiatus before starting 2025 by announcing 2024’s winner, and kicking off a new contest with a one-year subscription to the Courier as the prize. So, “Where am I?” in this final entry of 2024? Email your answer, full name, and city of residence — and suggestions for future mystery photos — to contest@claremont-courier.com for your chance to win. Courier photo/Tom Smith
As the rest of the country deals with snow, ice, and bare trees, Southern California is basking in sunshine and enjoying the best of fall color, even in early winter, where it’s peak time to check out Mother Nature’s annual show in the City of Trees. Hot spots include tree-lined Indian Hill Boulevard, College Avenue, and the Claremont Colleges. Other gems include June Vail Park, Sebastopol Street and East Miramar Avenue from Mills Avenue, heading west. Courier photos/Betsy Weinberger
The Claremont City Council voted on 140 consent calendar items, four ordinances, addressed nine council items and 20 administrative items, and held seven public hearings in 2024. Concerns ranged from a Lewis Park playground update, e-bike program funding, housing, where the council stood on the Israel-Hamas War, and commemorating Claremont resident Samantha Bosco, picture here, who won a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo
by Andrew Alonzo | aalonzo@claremont-courier.com Over the years, Mount San Antonio Gardens resident Lee Goldstein has participated in the Rose Parade as a float decorator and a spectator. Come January 1 he will join the big show as part of a group of Rotary Club members from around the world who will be walking the […]