Whether your tastes veer toward the exotic, modest, down-home or highfalutin’, the 21st annual Claremont Community Foundation Party Parade likely has you covered.

This year’s event, which takes place at various locations in town over the next few weeks, promises “a Claremont tradition that embodies the true meaning of ‘community’—people from all walks of life coming together, getting to know one another, and working cooperatively to keep our community strong and healthy,” according to CCF.

This year’s Parade kicks off Friday, February 24 with “Disco Fever at Padua,” with dinner, entertainment, a silent auction, no-host bar and of course, disco dancing. The event, at Padua Hills Theater, 4467 Padua Ave., runs from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Tickets are $50 and are available online at claremontfoundation.org or at the foundation’s offices at 205 Yale Ave., Claremont.

The Party Parade marches on the following evening, Saturday, February 25 at 7 p.m. with “Nature Obscura” at Pitzer College’s Broad Center, 1050 N. Mills Ave. The event features Pitzer professor of environmental analysis Paul Faulstich presenting his recent photography and video of lions, cats and bears from Claremont Hills Wilderness Park and the San Dimas Experimental Forest. Mr. Faulstich will also discuss how ecological research informs his artwork. Wine and cheese and coffee and dessert will be served. The event is $40 and tickets are available online and at CCF’s offices.

The Party Parade benefits the CCF, which was created by the Claremont City Council in 1989 to “create a focal point for philanthropy in the community, and fill perceived gaps in the areas of arts and community impact,” according to the charity’s website.

On Sunday, March 5 from 2 to 4 p.m., Mt. San Antonio Gardens will host, “For the Love of Books,”?a book talk with Nat Segaloff, a writer-producer-journalist, studio publicist and broadcaster.

As a notable authority on Hollywood, Mr. Segaloff has authored 13 books on the subject and as a TV writer-producer he worked on A & E’s Biography series.

A compendium of this year’s list of Recent Reads from more than 30 local book groups will be distributed. Light refreshments will be served. Register online at claremontfoundation.org or by phone at (909) 398-1060. Payment also can be made at the door.

The talk takes place at the Mt. San Antonio Gardens Assembly Hall, 900 E. Harrison Ave.

Also on tap for this year’s Party Parade is “Skip in the Garden,” a holistic spa day on March 5; “Fondue Feast Fête” on March 12; “The Best Bunco Party Ever” on March 17; “Seafood Boil” on March 18; “Nowruz: The Vernal Equinox,” a new year’s celebration of the cultures of Azerbaijan, Kurdistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Iran and Turkey on March 19; “Tacos, Tequila and All the Trimmings” party and game night on March 24; “Barbeque at the Rings’ Blaisdell Ranch” on March 25; “A Night at the Museum,” a glimpse behind the doors of the Pomona College Museum of Art, on March 26; “Behind Closed Doors” a private wines, spirits, oils and vinegars tasting at Vom Fass on March 26; and “Feeling Lucky,” a night of Texas Hold ‘Em poker on April 11.

More information is available at claremontfoundation.org or (909) 398-1060.

—Mick Rhodes

mickrhodes@claremont-courier.com