by Andrew Alonzo | calendar@claremont-courier.com

What’s Happening Claremont? 

Friday, October 28

• This week’s free movie matinee, which includes free popcorn, is “Clue” (1985) at the Blaisdell Senior Center, 440 S. College Ave., starting at 12:30 p.m. Masks are encouraged as this event will be held indoors. Call (909) 399-5367 for info.

• Free and open to the public student recitals will be held throughout the semester at Pomona College’s Thatcher Music Building, 340 N. College Ave., Claremont, from 4 to 6 p.m. Today’s student performers are violinists Aimee Co, Ethan Lee and Jonna Sobeloff-Gittes, cellist Elizabeth Sohn, and pianist Sarah Wang. For program information, visit pomona.edu/events.

• Friday Nights Live wraps up its 2022 season with performances by The Dogs at Shelton Park, Dynamite Dawson at Village Plaza, and Arrow Highway outside of the chamber of commerce. The free performances take place from 6 to 9 p.m. For more details visit claremontchamber.org.

Saturday, October 29

• The city’s polling center at Taylor Reception Hall, 1775 N. Indian Hill Blvd., Claremont, will officially open for voting today through Monday, November 7 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Hours on Election Day, Tuesday, November 8, are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more info, call (909) 399-5490. Los Angeles County residents are welcome to vote at any center in the county and can view others at locator.lavote.gov/locations.

• The city’s Halloween Spooktacular returns to Lewis Park, 881 Syracuse Dr., Claremont, between 2 and 5 p.m. The free event celebrates Halloween early with carnival style games, costume contests, spooky story narrators and more. A showing of Sony Pictures Animation’s “Hotel Transylvania” (2012) will begin at dusk. For event details, visit ci.claremont.ca.us/home/components/calendar/event/6353/20.

• The public is invited to a 7 p.m. reception honoring the debut of Scripps College Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery’s newest exhibition, “Gods & Guardians in Asian Arts.” Light refreshments will be served at this free event. The gallery, located at 251 E. 11th St., Claremont, is open Wednesday through Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. For exhibit details call (909) 607-3397.

Sunday, October 30

• A charity soccer game in support of Crossroads, Inc. will be held at Chaparral Park, 1899 N. Mills Ave., Claremont, starting at 9:30 a.m. A donation of $5 to support the nonprofit is asked from attendees and players. For more details call (909) 626-7847.

• Joel Paat Jazz Project will perform a free three-hour concert beginning at 2 p.m. at College Center, 665 E. Foothill Blvd. To view the monthly lineup and information, visit jazzatcollegecenter.com.

• Cal Poly Pomona’s annual pumpkin festival concludes today. Families can enjoy food, vendors, games and the popular pumpkin hill and kid’s patch areas to find the perfect pumpkin for carving. Tickets must be purchased online at etix.com (search “CPP”) prior to attending the festival. Admission and hours vary. For details, visit cpp.edu/~pumpkinfestival/attend.html.

Monday, October 31

• Every Monday at 9:35 a.m., an active adult chair exercise group meets at the Alexander Hughes Community Center, 1700 Danbury Rd., Claremont, for a free session that lasts about an hour. Attendees must wear masks while indoors. For more information, call (909) 399-5490.

• Drop by Claremont United Church of Christ from 6 to 7:30 p.m. for its free and open to the public “Halloween Spooktacular” at 233 W. Harrison Ave., Claremont. The event includes scary organ music by Scott Anderson and Tyler Zimmerman, interactive decorations, and wrapped treats.

Tuesday, November 1

• Claremont McKenna College’s Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum’s free and open to the public speaker series continues today with a 6:45 p.m. program from national affairs columnist John Fund and senior counsel at the Brennan Center, Gowri Ramachandran, with the program, “Race and Election Law.” The Athenaeum is at 385 E. Eighth St., Claremont. Details on this and other talks are available at cmc.edu/athenaeum or by calling (909) 621-8244.

• The public is invited to the council chamber, 225 W. Second St., at 7 p.m. to attend the first 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, November 2

• On the first Wednesday of the month, the Joslyn Center, 660 N. Mountain Ave., Claremont, hosts a 9:45 a.m. writing workshop. In this space, writers offer responses to each other’s writing on elements such as organization, plot, setting, character development, point of view, and overall effectiveness. To join the group call (909) 399-5488.

• Marine biologist, writer and podcaster Ayana Elizabeth Johnson will be the latest speaker in Harvey Mudd College’s free and open to the public 2022-23 Nelson series. The co-founder of Urban Ocean Lab will give a presentation about climate change and action at the Shanahan Center Auditorium, 320 E. Foothill Blvd., Claremont, from 5:45 to 7 p.m. This season’s Nelson series, “Climate Storytellers,” explores the power of storytelling to promote and inspire climate change. For details on this free talk or to RSVP, visit hmc.edu/calendar/events.

Thursday, November 3

• The public is invited to the first Claremont Unified School District Board of Education meeting of the month. Meetings at the district office, 170 W. San Jose Ave., Claremont, begin with a closed session at 6:30 p.m. and are followed by the public portion, usually about 7 p.m. unless otherwise indicated. Visit claremont-ca.schoolloop.com/board to view agenda and staff information, or call (909) 398-0609.

• The city’s police commission hosts a 7 p.m. meeting in the council chamber, 207 Harvard Ave., Claremont. Agendas are posted on the city’s website and at city hall the Thursday evening before the meeting. Information about the meeting and how to attend virtually can be found at ci.claremont.ca.us.

Friday, November 4

• The war and existentialism book club will meet from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Joslyn Center, 660 N. Mountain Ave., to discuss November’s book, “Wise Blood,” by Flannery O’Connor. Attendance is free but pre-registration is required by calling (909) 399-5488.

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

Saturday, November 5

• Registration opens today for Claremont Helen Renwick Library’s creative doodling workshop, to be held Saturday, November 12 at the library, 208 N. Harvard Ave., Claremont, at 1 p.m. Talented artists between the ages of five and 17 can let their minds run wild with pen and paper during this free course. Register at visit.lacountylibrary.org/event/7341406.

• Browse artwork around the city as various businesses and museums participate in the monthly Art Walk, held the first Saturday of every month between 6 and 9 p.m. More information will appear in next week’s COURIER. For more details, contact claremontartwalkinfo@gmail.com.

Sunday, November 6

• The Claremont Presbyterian Church, 1111 N. Mountain Ave., Claremont, is hosting its fall food drive from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. beginning after church in the south parking lot. Donations of nonperishable food items (canned goods, rice, beans, cereal, boxed drinks, etc.) will assist Inland Valley Hope Partners with addressing food insecurity. After the drive, donors can enjoy tacos and music. For more details, visit claremontpres.org/events.