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Claremont Courier event calendar: January 30 – February 7, 2026
Citrus ranchers and local developers were successful in lobbying the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad to select the northern route and complete it in 1887, creating the opportunity to establish the townsite of Claremont.
“The Nation Fund for Independent Journalism held its annual conference for student journalists May 30 in New York City. As one of Claremont’s many aspiring student journalists — and, luckily, a lifelong Brooklynite — I had the pleasure of attending.
The Nation Magazine, first published in 1865 in the United States and founded by abolitionists, promotes independent journalism as an essential tool in cultivating equity and democracy. Over the last half century, the magazine has also empowered the youngest generations of journalists to enter the industry confidently with the establishment of The Nation Fund. The conference featured speakers from a wide range of independent publications, including The Guardian, Jacobin, THE CITY and Teen Vogue. Illustration/courtesy of Liberties EU
The Claremont Interfaith Council continues a decades-long tradition at 7 p.m. Sunday, June 8, when it hosts local high school graduates for its annual free and open to the public baccalaureate service at Claremont United Church of Christ, 233 W. Harrison Ave.
Inland Valley Repertory Theatre celebrated its 35th anniversary at Padua Hills Theater May 21 with a fundraising gala that netted just over $60,000 for theater programming including the upcoming Camp IVRT and the nonprofit’s Panther Performing Arts Workshop at El Roble Intermediate School.
Claremont and San Antonio high schools, and Claremont Adult Schools’ 2025 graduation ceremonies will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 12, at the CHS athletic field, 1601 N. Indian Hill Blvd.
University of La Verne’s May 31 commencement at Ortmayer Athletics Complex included 1,555 graduates.
A public meeting to discuss the recent increase in coyote encounters in Claremont is scheduled for Tuesday, June 17 at the Joslyn Center, 660 N. Mountain Ave.
“‘Good morning, Irene. This is an awesome kid here: super friendly, super sweet, wonderful artist,’ Sonja Lakin says to a tall, kindly faced sixth grader named Irene Zhu. Irene has known Lakin since she was in kindergarten. When told of her looming retirement, her mouth dropped open, and her eyes grew large. ‘Oh my gosh! No! Wait, no. I had no idea,’ Irene said. ‘She’s very nice. And whenever you need help from her she always helps you. She’s very sweet. And every time she smiles, you want to smile too.’ I can back Irene up on that.”
On a recent weekday afternoon, the First Baptist Church of Claremont was still and silent — pews empty, sunlight streaming through its colored glass block windows. But on Friday, June 13, at 7 p.m., this sanctuary will be filled with the singing and piano playing of the Spectrum Dreams Music & Art Ensemble, a group of autistic and neurotypical kids who are finding joy and connection through music. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo
Fourteen Pomona Valley athletes and their coaches will be among hundreds competing at the 2025 Special Olympics Southern California Summer Games June 7-8 at California State University Long Beach, including (L-R) coach Tony Ferguson and athletes Amadeo Pina and Erick Santacruz, pictured at a recent training session at Claremont High. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo
Claremont High School running prodigy Grace Smith capped a phenomenal freshman track season last weekend, placing second in the 800-meters with a personal best of 2:07 at the CIF State Championships. It was the fastest time recorded in the nation this year for a freshman in the 800-meter event. “I was super excited to get second at state because at the beginning of the season, my goal was top three,” Smith said. Photo/by Joy Cheng
Gary Geiman’s Pride flag is one of many on view at Pilgrim Place. The motivation, he said, was wanting to live in a “community that was inclusive, affirming, and open to everybody. I display an American flag, too, not because everything is perfect as it is, but because of what I hope it can be.” Photo/by Cecilie Bomstad
Congratulations to Marlene Morgan, one of seven readers who correctly identified last week’s “Where am I?” as “The Wind Mobile” by California artist Phill Evans in Fay’s Wildflower Meadow at California Botanic Garden in Claremont. Marlene is now entered into the year-end drawing for a one-year subscription to everyone’s favorite award-winning local newspaper, the Claremont Courier. So, “Where am I” this week? Email your answer, full name, and city of residence — and suggestions for future mystery photos — to contest@claremont-courier.com for your chance to win. Courier photo/Tom Smith
This year, as in every year since 1865, people of African descent living in Texas and all over the U.S. will commemorate “Juneteenth,” the day, June 19, when the U.S. Army announced the “news” of the Emancipation Proclamation in Galveston, Texas — 2 1/2 years after Lincoln’s declaration on January 1, 1863.
With Sunday, June 1 marking the start of Pride Month, the Rev. Jessie Turnier, rector of Claremont’s St. Ambrose Episcopal Church, called on an old friend, John Brett, to help deliver a unique 9 a.m. service dubbed “drag Eucharist.”