Helaine Goldwater honored by LA County Commission

Claremont resident Helaine Goldwater is being honored today, May 23, as one of the recipients of the Older American Awards, a prestigious honor handed out by the Los Angeles County Commission. Ms. Goldwater will be recognized at a special luncheon, part of the 47th annual Older Americans Recognition Day, held at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Downtown Los Angeles.

Ms. Goldwater is recognized for her longtime dedication and commitment to volunteer service in the local community. Her service over the last 3 decades includes serving the city of Claremont on the parks and recreation commission, police commission, the committee on aging, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and the Affordable Housing Task Force.

Military day at RSABG

Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden is offering free admission for active-duty military personnel and their families this summer. The complimentary admission begins Saturday, May 26, and will continue through Monday, September 3, 2012. RSABG will also extend free admission to veterans.

Free admission is sponsored by Blue Star Museums, a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and more than 1500 museums across America. The free admission program is available to active-duty military and their family members (military ID holder and up to 5 family members). Active duty military include Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and active duty National Guard and Reserve members. Some special or limited-time museum exhibits may not be included in this free admission program.

For a list of participating museums, visit www.arts.gov/bluestarmuseums. For more from RSABG, call 625-8767 or visit  www.rsabg.org.

Democratic Club meeting

Featured speaker Dr. William Cook, professor of English at University of La Verne and columnist for Veterans Today, will talk at the Democratic Club of Claremont’s meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, May 28. 

The meeting will be held at Porter Hall at Pilgrim Place, 601 Mayflower Rd. A short business meeting will be held following the presentation. Call Merrill Ring at 626-8467, or email m36ring@earthlink.net or visit www.claremontdems.org for more information.  The public is invited.

CHS student earns distinction in muscial arts competition

Eitan Hershkovitz, a freshman at Claremont High School, won honorable mention at the Annual Musical Arts Competition of Orange County. He is a piano student of Lisa Friedman.

Eitan performed in the piano division, competing against 106 other contestants at Cal State University, Long Beach.

The Musical Arts Club was established in 1932  to continue the rapport among performing and teaching colleagues and, in 1974, was incorporated as a nonprofit organization. Donations are only accepted to increase the annual awards.

The Muscial Arts Competition is open every year to pianists, vocalists, string players, woodwind musicians and guitar, with awards given in first through third place and honorable mention. The first place winners receive cash awards, and will be showcased in a recital at the Richard Nixon Library in Yorba Linda.

For more information regarding the Musical Arts Club and/or other festivals, contact Lisa Friedman at: Lisa@Largo-cd.com.

Botanic Garden will be buzzing all summer

Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden will be buzzing with events and activities this summer, and will welcome guests with new events and happenings. The Garden will continue displaying David Rogers’ Big Bug art exhibition, will maintain the Butterfly Pavilion, and invites adult guests to Bugs and Brews.

The new event, Bugs and Brews, invites all adult Garden guests on Thursday nights from 6 to 8:30 p.m. to stroll through the Garden, view Big Bugs, and mingle while enjoying microbrew beers provided by Curt and Andy Dale.

Bugs and Brews begins tomorrow, Thursday, May 24, and continues through June 21. Admission for RSABG members is $10 and general admission is $15. In addition to local microbrewed beer, bands will provide live music for the event. Tickets are available at the gate or can be purchased by phone at 625 8767.

The third annual Butterfly Pavilion drew approximately 500 visitors on its opening weekend of May 12 and 13. The seasonal exhibit features southern California’s native caterpillars and butterflies among the plants that form their natural habitat. The Butterfly Pavilion is open daily from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and will remain open through July 29. Tickets cost $2 in addition to standard Garden admission for guests 3 and older.

David Rogers’ Big Bugs is a travelling exhibition of gigantic sculptures of arthropods hewn from hardwoods and manipulated willow saplings. The exhibition is will remain open until July 15, and can be viewed by all Garden visitors at no additional cost. A free audio tour is available at the admission kiosk.

Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden is located at 1500 College Ave., and is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission costs $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and students, $4 for children 3-12, and free to RSABG members. RSABG will be closed on July 4. For information, call 625-8767 or visit www.rsabg.org

Catch the Spirit of Pilgrim Place

“Catch the Spirit” of Pilgrim Place, held each year to celebrate the countless number of people from the wider community who contribute time, talent and treasure on behalf of Pilgrim Place, will take place Monday, June 4 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Hors d’oeuvres and wine will be served at 5:30 p.m., with dessert and a program at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $25.

“This annual event is our opportunity to thank the many volunteers for all they do for this community, and at the same time to give special recognition to our Volunteers of the Year,” affirms President/CEO Bill Cunitz.

“It’s also our way of celebrating with our dedicated volunteers what makes this community special. This year, Pilgrim Place resident musicians will be highlighted,” Mr. Cunitz continues.

The public is invited to attend and can make reservations by calling 399-5513 or by visiting the Pilgrim Place website at www.pilgrimplace.org.