CHS all-class reunion

The Claremont High School Wolfpack Alumni Society will host a reunion event for all alumni on Saturday, September 15 from 6 to 11 p.m. at the Old School House Plaza in Claremont. The event includes entertainment, appetizers, a no-host bar, historical exhibits and raffle prizes. Tickets cost $30 if purchased before September 10 or $40 at the door.

On Friday, September 14, a happy hour gathering at Casa de Salsa is scheduled at 6 p.m. to be followed by attendance at the CHS vs. Bonita High football game at 7 p.m.

In addition, several Claremont High classes will hold separate reunions in Claremont on September 14. The class of 1957 will hold a reunion dinner at Walter’s Restaurant, with the class of 1977 gathering at the bar at Walter’s. The class of 1961 will hold a dinner party at Eureka Burger, while the class of 1967 will gather at the home of Pat Shaner.

A pancake breakfast hosted by the Claremont Kiwanis Club will be held at Memorial Park on Sunday, September 16 from 7 to 11 a.m. Tickets are $5 per person.

To make reservations or for information about any of the class events, visit the Alumni Society website at www.claremonthighalumnisociety.com.

Helping Hands week at IVHP

Fifty-two employees of Inter Valley Health Plan donated 205 hours of community service last month as part of the company’s fourth annual Helping Hands Week,  an initiative encouraging employee volunteerism.

The week-long program, which began July 20, benefitted local nonprofits across the region including Inland Valley Hope Partners, Inland Valley Care and Rehab Center, Inland Valley Humane Society, Inland Christian Home and Atria Senior Living Center. The organization’s employees also crafted hats, scarves, blankets and other helpful items for various charities that support children and seniors in need, as well as organizing a week-long shoe drive for Shoes that Fit.

Helping Hands Week started out as a fun way to give back to the community to recognize Inter Valley Health Plan’s 30th anniversary in 2009. The results externally and internally prompted the organization to extend the program into an annual event where employees are recognized for their volunteer efforts.  Since its inception, the program has donated more than 700 hours to several Inland Empire communities and organizations.

Inter Valley Health Plan, a nonprofit healthcare company for seniors, supports over 40 significant charities and nonprofit organizations each year through volunteering and contributions. For more information on the Inter Valley Health Plan, please visit www.IVHP.com or call 623-6333.

Learn about foods and cancer prevention from PVHMC

Claremont’s Pomona Valley Health Center will host “Cancer Prevention Foods,” a free presentation on the role certain foods play in cancer prevention, on Wednesday, August 8 at 6:30 p.m. The event takes place at 1601 N. Monte Vista Ave.

Pomona Valley’s Women’s and Children’s Services is sponsoring the free presentation as part of “Every Woman’s Journey,” an ongoing, educational series. Seating is limited and reservations are preferred. For more information or to make a reservation, call 865-9858 or email ferc@pvhmc.org.

Redevelopment oversight board meeting Monday night

A second meeting of the Claremont Oversight Board will be held Monday, August 6 at 6 p.m. in the Citrus Room of Claremont City Hall.

The Claremont Oversight Board took over the responsibilities of the city’s former Redevelopment Agency earlier this year after Governor Jerry Brown shut down RDAs across the state of California. The 7-member panel is comprised of City Manager Tony Ramos, Finance Director Adam Pirrie, Sue Keith of the Citrus Community College District Board and Claremont Unified School District Assistant Superintendent Lisa Shoemaker, as well as Suzanne Manriquez representing Los Angeles County, Carol Jacques representing the public and Gerry Hertzberg, the special district appointee. 

Among items on Monday’s agenda is the approval of a proposed successor agency administrative budget and authorization to enter into a loan agreement for reimbursement of costs and city successor agency operations.

The meeting is open to the public and can be accessed by entering through the doors leading into the City Council Chamber at 225 W. Second St. A door to the stairs can be found on the right. To view the full agenda, visit www.ci.claremont.ca.us.

‘Hot Tequila Nights’ to benefit Padua Hills Theatre

Hot Tequila Nights, a fundraiser to benefit the?Padua Hills Theater hosted by Claremont Heritage, will take place Wednesday,?August 8 from 6 to 9 p.m.

The evening will include Mariachis, traditional dance, cuisine and artisanal tequilas from Mexico at the historic Padua Theater.

All proceeds go to Claremont Heritage and its mission to preserve the Padua Hills Theater.

Tickets are $45 per person and may be purchased at the door or in advance at www.claremontheritage.org.

Original memorabilia from the Padua Theater will be on display and for sale.

Cahuilla Park tennis court resurfacing project

Claremont ciy staff will be resurfacing 8 tennis courts located in Cahuilla Park. The resurfacing project will include pressure washing, patching cracks and holes, applying an acrylic paint and sports court striping.

The courts will be re-opened for public use by Monday, August 20. For questions regarding this project, please contact Mike McCabe, maintenance supervisor, at 399-5431.

City seeks proposals for Public Art Master Plan development

The city of Claremont is seeking proposals from qualified consultants to work with staff to produce a Public Art Master Plan. The Master Plan will provide direction to staff, the community and human services commission, and the city council on the planning and processes necessary to administer public art within the city.

The Master Plan will identify a unified community vision, clarify key themes and values, and provide direction for the selection and placement of public art throughout the community.

Additionally, the Master Plan will serve as a tool to address funding sources, review criteria and define the staffing levels and decision-making processes necessary to achieve the community’s vision for public art.

Proposals are due by Thursday, August 30 at 2 p.m. Responses received after this date will not be considered.

Bear-sightings in the Wilderness Park reported

Several bear-sightings have been reported in the neighborhoods surrounding the Wilderness Park. The bears are not aggressive and are in the neighborhoods searching for food and water. Hikers and cyclists should avoid contact with them. City staff recommends that residents not approach bears or attempt to photograph them at close range.

The warm summer weather brings other animals out in search of food and water, especially in the early mornings and evenings. Hikers and cyclists may encounter snakes, coyotes, tarantulas, raccoons and opposums in the Wilderness Park. “Staying in groups and making noise will help minimize encounters,” according to the city’s website.

Claremont High School registration dates

All incoming Claremont High School seniors may register for classes begininng Monday, August 20 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Juniors register Tuesday, August 21 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Incoming sophmores register Wednesday, August 22 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Freshman may register for classes on Thursday, August 23 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. All registration occurs at Claremont High School.

A freshman orientation is scheduled Wednesday, August 22 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Taylor Hall.

For information, call the Claremont Unified School District student services office at 398-0609 ext. 75001 or visit www.cusd.claremont.edu.

Classes for the entire school district begin Wednesday, August 29. ‘Hot Tequila Nights’ to benefit Padua Hills Theatre

Hot Tequila Nights, a fundraiser to benefit the?Padua Hills Theater hosted by Claremont Heritage, will take place Wednesday,?August 8 from 6 to 9 p.m.

The evening will include Mariachis, traditional dance, cuisine  and artisanal tequilas from Mexico at the historic Padua Theater.

All proceeds go to Claremont Heritage and its mission to preserve the Padua Hills Theater.

Tickets are $45 per person and may be purchased at the door or in advance at www.claremontheritage.org.

Original memorabilia from the Padua Theater will be on display and for sale.

Cahuilla Park tennis court resurfacing project

Claremont ciy staff will be resurfacing 8 tennis courts located in Cahuilla Park. The resurfacing project will include pressure washing, patching cracks and holes, applying an acrylic paint and sports court striping.

The courts will be re-opened for public use by Monday, August 20. For questions regarding this project, please contact Mike McCabe, maintenance supervisor, at 399-5431.

City seeks proposals for Public Art Master Plan development

The city of Claremont is seeking proposals from qualified consultants to work with staff to produce a Public Art Master Plan. The Master Plan will provide direction to staff, the community and human services commission, and the city council on the planning and processes necessary to administer public art within the city.

The Master Plan will identify a unified community vision, clarify key themes and values, and provide direction for the selection and placement of public art throughout the community.

Additionally, the Master Plan will serve as a tool to address funding sources, review criteria  and define the staffing levels and decision-making processes necessary to achieve the community’s vision for public art.

Proposals are due by Thursday, August 30 at 2 p.m. Responses received after this date will not be considered.

Cemetery screenings treat guests to films, Hollywood history

A 45-minute drive down the freeway will take you to a movie-lover’s paradise: The Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

Not only is the storied graveyard one of the oldest in Los Angeles—the resting place of screen luminaries like Rudolph Valentino, Tyrone Power, Douglas Fairbanks, John Houston and Cecil B. DeMille.

It’s also the spot where Cinespia, an organization dedicated to the preservation of Hollywood’s film legacy, screens films from cult to classic throughout the summer. The movies, which draw a crowd of thousands, are projected on a large mausoleum wall, and preceded by live music spun by DJs.

Attendees are encouraged to bring picnics, blankets and low chairs to the screenings, which cost $10. Parking is available at $8 to $10 a spot. Or, if you arrive early enough, you may be able to find parking relatively nearby. In this case, be prepared for a bit of a schlep.

There’s something uniquely satisfying about drinking wine and eating bread and cheese under the stars while joining a crowd of fellow cinephiles at a screening of a campy cult film or a gem of a classic.

It might seem that a cemetery is a creepy venue for an al fresco affair. Is isn’t really, though the atmosphere does provide an appropriate ambience for the occasional screening of a classic horror film like “Carrie.”

The atmosphere is playful but reverent. Guests file respectfully along the grave-flanked paved road leading to the screening area and can be heard joining in with memorable lines ranging from Bogart’s “Here’s looking at you, kid” to Jack Nicholson’s “Here’s Johnny!”

The gates open at 7:30 p.m. Guests should arrive early, even as soon as 6 or 6:30 p.m., because these showings have become legendary in the Los Angeles area. Long lines form well before the movies begin. There is a certain camaraderie, though, among those who brave the crowds, and you can always get your picnic started early.

There are a number of screenings planned to conclude Cinespia’s summer season. On Saturday, August 4, Sunset Boulevard is the featured film. Other upcoming showings include The Terminator on Saturday, August 11, The Birds on Saturday, August 25, Dirty Dancing on Saturday, September 1 and Scarface on Sunday, September 2.

And on Saturday, August 18, Cinespia is holding a special Dusk-to-Dawn event in which summer camp-themed movies, from classic to camp to comedy, will be screened. Featured films include Wet Hot American Summer, the ‘80s horror film Sleepaway Camp and Little Darlings starring Tatum O’Neal and Kristy McNichols.

The event, which costs $12, will also feature DJs, photobooths and camp-themed activities. Proceeds from this and all Cinespia events help to maintain the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, which is located at 6000 Santa Monica Blvd. in Los Angeles.

For information, visit cinespia.org.

Mt. Baldy Run-to-the-Top set for Labor Day weekend

The 47th annual Mt. Baldy Run to the Top will be held on Labor Day, September 3. One of the oldest runs in the west, the race ends at the summit of Mt. Baldy, an elevation of 10,064 feet.

The course starts at the top of Mt. Baldy Road, offering a 4000-foot elevation gain along the approximately 7-mile course to the top of the mountain. Those who make the entire distance will enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of southern California from the highest spot in the San Gabriel Mountains.

The first 75 percent of the run is on dirt roads, as runners make their way across the Devil’s Backbone, and up the winding trail to the top of the mountain.

The top 3 overall finishers, men’s and women’s, will receive awards of a polished stone laced with Lapis Lazuli on a wooden base. The deep blue Lapis stone comes from remnants of an old mine in the Baldy area, the only “verified” occurrence of Lapis Lazuli in North America.  This stone is primarily mined in Afghanistan and Chile.

For those familiar with the AMGEN Tour of California cycling event, it is of interest that the finish line of this event is very close to the starting line of the Mt. Baldy Run-to-the-Top. Where the cyclists end, the runners begin.

The event is hosted and organized by San Antonio Canyon Town Hall and executed each year by an all-volunteer crew. Proceeds from the race benefit the Mt. Baldy Volunteer Fire Department, West Valley Search and Rescue, Mt. Baldy School and many community projects.

New this year to the Mt. Baldy Run-to-the-Top is an optional 3-race series organized by RaceReady, an LA-based manufacturer of running apparel. This is the inaugural year for the RaceReady Trail Series. More information is available by visiting racereadytrailseries.com. Runners competing for placement must enter at least 2 of the 3 events and will be awarded points based on finish times.

Pre-registration is $55; race day registration is $70. Additional information about Run-to-the-Top can be found at run2top.com.