by Andrew Alonzo | calendar@claremont-courier.com

Friday, May 19

• University Toastmasters 2250, the Claremont branch of Toastmasters International, hosts free and open to the public 7 a.m. speaking and leadership skills hybrid classes in room 22 of Claremont Graduate University’s Peter F. Drucker School of Management, 1021 N. Dartmouth Ave. Attendees should complete an online membership form at 2250.toastmastersclubs.org. Email university.toastmasters.2250@gmail.com for a Zoom link.

• The Claremont Senior Computer Club holds a free technology assistance lab at the Joslyn Center, 660 N. Mountain Ave., from 1 to 4:30 p.m. The lab is open to seniors wanting help with their laptops, tablets, phones, or other devices. Computers are also available. For details visit ci.claremont.ca.us.

• Nicole and Mark Ouellette host Alex McDonald, a special election candidate for Claremont Unified School District Board of Education, Trustee Area 4, at their home from 4 to 5 p.m. Email info@mcdonald4cusd.com to RSVP.

• The City of Claremont’s free live music showcase, Friday Nights Live, continues from 6 to 9 p.m. tonight with Blue Highway at Shelton Park, Soulshine at Village Plaza, and Randy Miller at the chamber of commerce. Info is at claremontchamber.org.

• Stage veteran Robin Steege performs “The Silence Within Her,” a cabaret featuring melodies from her 32-year musical theater career, at 8 p.m. tonight and 4 p.m. May 20 and 21 at Ophelia’s Jump Productions Music Lounge, 2009 Porterfield Way, Suite H, Upland. Admission is $32. Tickets are at opheliasjump.org.

Saturday, May 20

• The Cooperative Economic Empowerment Movement returns to the Los Angeles County Fair for its fourth annual Black excellence weekend May 20 and 21. The event celebrates Southern California’s top Black-owned brands and organizations such as the National Black Grads, and features local Black-owned food vendors, live performances, CEEM’s second annual pitch competitions, and panel discussions. Numerous music artists, radio personalities, and other influential persons will be present throughout the weekend. For more details visit ceem.coop/lacf2023.

• The Mennonite Central Committee’s Southern California Festival and Sale opens at the Pacific Community Center, 800 W. Arrow Hwy., Upland, with an early bird breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Attendees can peruse antiques and bid on live and silent auctions. Children’s face painting and other activities are also included. Visit socalfestivalandsale.org for more info.

• Pomona residents can pick up free compost at the public works city yard, 636 W. Monterey Ave., Pomona, from 8 a.m. to noon. This is a self-serve event and guests must bring an I.D., a water or refuse utility bill, shovel, gloves, and a sturdy container. Compost is available while supplies last with a limit of four 32-gallon containers. Visit pomonaca.gov for details.

• The Inland Valley Repertory Theatre for Young Audiences performs an adaptation of E.B. White’s “Stuart Little” at 2 p.m. today and May 21 at the Lewis Family Playhouse, 12505 Cultural Center Dr., Rancho Cucamonga. Admission is $25. For more information, call (909) 477-2752 or go to cityofrc.us.

• The La Verne Symphony Orchestra’s annual free and open to the public spring concert takes place at 3 p.m. in the University of La Verne’s Morgan Auditorium, 1950 Third St. The concert features music by Georges Bizet, Franz Schubert, Ralph Vaughan Williams and others. Email lvsodirector@gmail.com for more details.
• Dritta, a vocal ensemble of sopranos Devon Guthrie and Lacey Jo Benter and mezzo-soprano Abi Levis, will perform with Los Angeles Opera pianist Lucas Nogara in a free and open to the public 4 p.m. concert at Claremont United Church of Christ, 233 Harrison Ave. Donations will benefit CUCC’s choral music program and the Brigid Alliance. Questions? Call (909) 626-1202 or email music@claremontucc.org.

Sunday, May 21

• The Claremont Farmers and Artisans Market takes place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Village, with locally made crafts, organic food, clothing, and jewelry. For more information visit claremontforum.org/farmers-artisans-market.

• The American Museum of Ceramic Art, at 399 N. Garey Ave., Pomona, is hosting May flowers, a family workshop that will explore flowers as a theme in clay from noon to 2 p.m., with supplies provided. The class is $15 and includes AMOCA admission for the day. RSVP or learn more at amoca.org/events.

• The Claremont Young Musicians Intermezzo Orchestra gives a free and open to the public 2 p.m. concert at Pomona College’s Bridges Hall of Music, 150 E. Fourth St., followed by a 7 p.m. Claremont Young Musicians Orchestra performance at the same venue. For more information visit cymo.org or call (909) 624-3614.

• The Foothill Philharmonic Committee hosts a musical fundraiser for the Los Angeles Philharmonic and local youth music programs at 4 p.m. at The Canyon, 5060 E. Montclair Plaza, Montclair, featuring the Marlonius Jazz Orchestra, dinner, and an auction. Tickets begin at $150. Visit foothillphilharmoniccommittee.org for details.

• Good Shepherd Lutheran Church continues its free and open to the public “adventures in music” concert series with Katharina Haberl’s 6 p.m. performance at 1700 N. Towne Ave., Claremont. Go to egoodshepherd.org or call (909) 626-2714 for further details.

Monday, May 22

• Play mahjong every Monday from 9 a.m. to noon at the Joslyn Center, 660 N. Mountain Ave., Claremont. For info call (909) 399-5488.

• The Claremont High School Choral Department’s annual spring concert, “War and Peace,” takes place at 7 p.m. tonight and May 23 at Bridges Hall of Music, 150 E. Fourth St. General admission is $10 at the door or at chschoir.org.

• Members of the survivors of suicide loss support group gather from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Alexander Hughes Community Center, 1700 Danbury Rd., Claremont, for a discussion session. Attendees must wear masks while indoors. Call (909) 399-5490 for details.

• Alex McDonald, a special election candidate for Claremont Unified School District Board of Education, Trustee Area 4, hosts a 7 p.m. online town hall event. Email info@mcdonald4cusd.com for a link.

• The Democratic Club of Claremont will vote on which candidate to endorse in the upcoming special election for Claremont Unified School District’s Trustee Area 4 seat on the Board of Education at its free and public 7 p.m. meeting at Pilgrim Place’s Napier Common Room, 660 Avery Rd., Claremont. The guest speaker is Buff Brown.

Tuesday, May 23

• Older adults can learn tips for finding and landing work at Los Angeles County Library’s virtual program led by author Kerry Hannon beginning at 11 a.m. RSVP at visit.lacountylibrary.org.

• Discuss your mental well-being in a safe space and get connected with available resources while enjoying a free cup of coffee at the Pomona Public Library, 625 S. Garey Ave., during cafecito hour from 2 to 3 p.m. Also a drug and alcohol support clinic for English speakers begins and runs from 2 to 6 p.m. Call (909) 620-2043 for information.

• Heather Stradley and Kara Leeper host Alex McDonald, a special election candidate for Claremont Unified School District Board of Education, Trustee Area 4, from 4 to 5 p.m. at 2940 N. Mountain Ave., Claremont. RSVP by calling (909) 694-8080.

• Today’s Claremont City Council meeting, at 225 W. Second St., begins with a 6 p.m. closed session before opening to the public about 30 minutes later. Agendas are posted at ci.claremont.ca.us and city hall on the Thursday prior to the meeting. To attend virtually, visit zoom.us/j/256208090. To listen in via phone, dial (213) 338-8477.

Wednesday, May 24

• The Benton Museum of Art, 120 W. Bonita Ave., Claremont, hosts a free and open to the public gallery talk, a discussion of art led by students, faculty, or staff, at 12:15 p.m. This week’s topic is its exhibit, “Gilded, Carved, and Embossed: Latin American Art, 1500–1800.” More information is at pomona.edu/museum.

• El Ranchero Restaurant, 984 W. Foothill Blvd., Claremont, will donate 25% of sales to Claremont Meals on Wheels from 4 to 10 p.m. Diners must present a flyer to a cashier for CMOW to receive funds. Look for a volunteer near the restaurant entrance between 4 and 6 p.m. Questions? Visit claremontmealsonwheels.org.

• Claremont’s architectural commission meets at 7 p.m. in the council chamber, 225 W. Second St. Information is at ci.claremont.ca.us.

Thursday, May 25

• Learn about California Connect, a state program that provides telephones and accessories for persons with disabilities, during Los Angeles County Library’s free and open to the public 11 a.m. Zoom course. RSVP at visit.lacountylibrary.org/event.

• Claremont Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Randy Lopez is calling chamber members to a free 2 p.m. roundtable at the chamber board room, 205 Yale Ave. to discuss business challenges and solutions. Visit business.claremontchamber.org/events for details or to RSVP.

• The Claremont Independence Day Committee will meet at 7 p.m. at the Alexander Hughes Community Center, 1700 Danbury Rd. Details are at ci.claremont.ca.us.

Friday, May 26

• This week’s 12:30 p.m. movie matinee at the Blaisdell Senior Center, 440 S. College Ave., Claremont, is “Going in Style,” featuring Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, and Alan Arkin. Free popcorn is available, and masks are encouraged. Call (909) 399-5488 for info.

• Tri-City Mental Health Services hosts a free and open to the public talent show from 3 to 5 p.m. at its wellness center,1403 N. Garey Ave., Pomona. For more details go to tricitymhs.org.

• The City of Claremont’s free live music showcase, Friday Nights Live, continues from 6 to 9 p.m. tonight with Slinker at Shelton Park, dzuls at Village Plaza, and Emerald at the chamber of commerce. More info is at claremontchamber.org.

• Musician and instructor Leo Kretzner will perform alongside Blind Melon Husk and The Tezlas at 7 p.m. at Ophelia’s Jump Productions Music Lounge, 2009 Porterfield Way, Suite H, Upland. Admission is $15 and doors open one hour prior to the performance. Tickets and info are at opheliasjump.org.

Saturday, May 27

• Sustainable Claremont hosts a 9 a.m. seedling growing workshop at a TBD location in Glendora. Admission is $50 and attendees must register at sustainableclaremont.org prior to the course. Questions? Go to sustainableclaremont.org or call (909) 625-8767, ext. 238, for info.

• Poetry lovers are invited to the Friends of the Claremont Library’s free 2 p.m. fourth Saturdays poetry reading with poet, psychology professor, and MacDowell Fellow Donna Spruijt-Metz, and author and 2007 T.S. Eliot Prize recipient Carol V. Davis, at 208 N. Harvard Ave. More info is at facebook.com/fourthsaturdayspoetry.