by Andrew Alonzo | calendar@claremont-courier.com

What’s Happening Claremont? 

Friday, December 16

• “Side by Side,” an exhibit of mixed media by Toti O’Brien and paintings by Anne Seltzer, is on display at the Ginger Elliott Gallery, 840 N. Indian Hill Blvd., Claremont through Sunday, December 18. The gallery is open Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call (909) 621-0840 for information.

• California Botanic Garden’s Luminaria Nights, at 1500 N. College Ave., Claremont, runs from 6 to 9 p.m. this evening. Lighting displays will be accompanied by music as visitors peruse CalBG’s native plant gardens. Tickets, available online and at the gate, are $16 for non-member adults; $12 for students with I.D., seniors, children 3 to 12, and CalBG adult members; and $8 for CalBG member students, seniors, and children. For details call (909) 625-8767 or visit calbg.org/events-programs/events. The final Luminaria Nights of the season takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, December 16.

• Claremont Forum’s quarterly $1 book sale is open today through Sunday, December 18 with all books (expect those specialty priced) just one dollar from noon to 9 p.m. all three days. Purchases support the Forum’s Prison Library project. For more details visit claremontforum.org.

• Donations for the Kiwanis Club of Claremont’s annual adopt a family event will be accepted through the end of the day today at the club’s See’s Candies store, 191 S. Indian Hill Blvd., Claremont, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., or online at claremontkiwanis.org.

Saturday, December 17

• The Claremont Police Department and Keeping the Good in our Neighborhood host a toy drive from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at CPD headquarters, 570 W. Bonita Ave., Claremont. Donations of new, unwrapped toys for local children can be dropped off from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. For details call (909) 399-5411.

• A free household hazardous and electronic waste drive-thru collection event will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at Brackett Field Airport, 1615 McKinley Ave., La Verne. Allowed items include common paints, pesticides, lubricants, drain cleaners, fluorescent light bulbs, prescription medication, batteries, and electronic waste. For information visit ci.claremont.ca.us.

• The Claremont Chamber of Commerce presents holiday music in the Village from 1 to 4 p.m. Performers include Nick Casillas and Friends at Village Plaza until 3:30 p.m.; Mark Dzula outside the chamber office, 205 N. Yale Ave., Claremont; and strolling carols from the Inland Valley Repertory Theatre. For details call (909) 624-1681.

Sunday, December 18

• Today marks the first day of Hanukkah 2022.

• Locals looking to rid themselves of unneeded electronics can drop them off at an electronics recycling event in the parking lot of Get Air Trampoline Park, 2735 S. Towne Ave., Pomona, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today and Saturday, December 17. There will be a service charge for major appliances. For info call (909) 591-8408.

• Polyhedra will round out 2022’s Jazz at College Center series. The free three-hour concert begins at 2 p.m. at College Center, 665 E. Foothill Blvd., Claremont. To view the monthly lineup and information, visit jazzatcollegecenter.com.

• Free and open to the public performances of “The Light of Hope Returning,” an American folk oratorio by composer Shawn Kirchner, will be held today at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 21 at the La Verne Church of the Brethren, 2425 E. St. Following the concerts, attendees can meet the singers around a campfire. For details visit shawnkirchner.com.

• Ophelia’s Jump Production’s final holiday cabaret performance will feature special guests Angeline Carr and Bill Wolfe today at 5 p.m. at OJP’s Music Lounge, 2009 Porterfield Way, Suite H, Upland. Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for children 12 and under. For details visit opheliasjump.org.

• Granite Creek Community Church, 1580 N. Claremont Blvd., Claremont, will conclude its free 21st annual living nativity scene from 5 to 8 p.m. today. To register for tickets, visit granitecreek.org/living-nativity.

Monday, December 19

• This will be the final week of the year for lunch at Blaisdell Senior Center, 440 S. College Ave., Claremont. Seniors can enjoy a hot meal, social activities, music, and recreational happenings at noon Monday through Friday. A donation of $2 for seniors 60 and older is suggested. Reservations are required. For details call Blaisdell at (909) 399-5367.

• The Claremont High School Choir Department will perform its winter concert, “On with the Snow,” today and December 20 at 7 p.m. at Claremont United Church of Christ, 233 W. Harrison Ave., Claremont. Admission for the concerts begins at $10 and proceeds help support the department. For show details or to purchase tickets visit chschoir.org/shop-donate-payments.

Tuesday, December 20

• The public is invited to the council chamber, 225 W. Second St., at 7 p.m. to attend the second Claremont Planning Commission meeting of the month. Agendas are posted online and at city hall the Thursday before the meeting. Visit ci.claremont.ca.us for meeting details or Zoom info.

Wednesday, December 21

• The monthly senior food bank, hosted by the Claremont Senior Program and Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, resumes distribution today from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Larkin Park, 660 N. Mountain Ave., Claremont. The program provides a free monthly food kit to L.A. County seniors 60 and older who meet income guidelines. Identification with date of birth is required for food pickup. For details, call (323) 234-3030.

• A free and open to the public Chanukah festival will be held at Claremont City Hall, 207 N. Harvard Ave., beginning at 6:30 p.m. The evening will include the lighting of a 9.5-foot-long Menorah, greetings from City Council members, music, latkes, donuts, holiday crafts, dreidels, and Chanukah gifts. For information contact Rabbi Sholom Harlig at (909) 949-4553 or visit chabadinlandempire.com.

Thursday, December 22

• Community Heart, 10871 Central Ave., Ontario, hosts a drive-thru food pantry every Thursday between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. For more information, visit communityheartfeedtheneed.org.

Friday, December 23

• Today is the last day to donate to Children’s Foundation of America’s holiday heroes gift drive. Donors can shop from CFA’s gift list at childrensfoundationofamerica.org and drop them off at collection sites in Claremont, Rancho Cucamonga, or Ontario. Visit childrensfoundationofamerica.org for locations.

Saturday, December 24

• The Kiwanis Club of Claremont’s holiday See’s Candy store, at 191 S. Indian Hill Blvd., will close up shop for the season after being open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today. For details visit claremontkiwanis.org.

• A sing-along screening of “Fiddler on the Roof” (1971) with Temple Beth Israel cantor Paul Buch will be held at 7 p.m. tonight, the seventh night of Chanukah, at the Laemmle Claremont 5 Theater, 450 W. Second St. Special TBI pricing begins at $12. To receive the discounted price, visit eventbrite.comand search “Laemmle Claremont w/TBI.”