Opinion
by Mick Rhodes | editor@claremont-courier.com On Saturday, Karie Krouse will host a gathering for her daughter Chloe Kreutzer’s family and friends on the occasion of the third anniversary of her death, at age 14, from an accidental fentanyl overdose. It’s a terribly sad story, one which I attempted to do justice to in my three-part 2021 series, […]
Four years ago I moved to the beautiful City of Claremont, with its population of 36,000 and breathtaking views of the mountains, known as “The City of Trees and Ph.D.s.” I love living in Claremont except for one thing — it’s a scary and dangerous place for me as a pedestrian, and my main mode of transportation is walking.
Harlem Turrentine cleared the fence a record 45 times at the recent Claremont Little League Home Run Derby. The 12-year-old’s remarkable performance smashed the previous record of 37, set last year by Mattias Arredondo. Courier photo/Peter Weinberger
Hi, everyone! This month, as promised, we will delve into the concept of space and how we can creatively use it within our Village. This is a big subject, but it requires all of us to look at what we have and how we can better utilize it creatively. Let’s brainstorm and come up with some fresh ideas.
by Mick Rhodes | editor@claremont-courier.com My first thought when hearing the news last week that the median home price in California had topped $900,000 was, “I guess our kids live with us forever now.” The record number, released May 17 by the California Association of Realtors, is actually $904,210. You read that right. That’s up 5.8% from […]
I was sold on Claremont as a place where things were happening when I was 16 and discovered Rhino Records (which has since decamped to Montclair). It wasn’t a difficult sale.
There’s no question Glen Gregston and his racing porkers are living high on the hog. Imagine traveling the country coast-to-coast towing a big trailer filled with your highly trained farm animal team, the main attraction at more than 25 events a year. The Winnsboro, Texas resident loves working with racing pigs and has a great attitude and approach. His playful sense of humor is a perfect fit as emcee for Barnyard Racing Pig Races at the Los Angeles County Fair, which is open through Monday, May 27.
by John P. Morgan | Special to the Courier I went to an estate sale recently in my hometown of West Covina. The sale was on Lark Ellen — a street I am very familiar with. I got in line (I was number four) and I realized that I had forgotten something in my car, so […]
Substance use, addiction, and overdose deaths are a growing problem within the veteran community. And unfortunately, the stigma surrounding addiction prevents countless veterans from seeking help. We must continue to destigmatize the discussion about addiction, focus on helping veterans, and highlight how drug education and early intervention play a significant role in reducing substance use, especially with alcohol. Photo/courtesy of Sydney Rae, Unsplash
“I tell my kids to stand up to bullies, that doing what’s right is often not the easy thing, and that speaking up when something is wrong is not only okay, it’s a requirement. I’ve also told them that when things do go wrong to be sure to look in the mirror before lashing out, that we have to own up to our own shortcomings before we look outward. I haven’t always followed my advice. I’ve a list of parenting regrets a mile long. This disconnect — otherwise known as ‘Do as I say, not as I do’ — was something I heard a lot growing up. I always despised it. But I get it now; it’s complicated, this adulting.”
I suspect though that probably more significantly and importantly, more than Claremont has changed. There are no doubt plenty of teenagers and young adults who think that Claremont is dullsville, who think that nothing goes on here, especially during the summer, who put up with the freeway traffic to escape to LA and the beach and plot how to bust out of here someday. As I heard a student speaker say at the Pomona College commencement years ago, Claremont is “a nice place to live when you retire.”
A Kiwanis Fourth of July breakfast. So simple, yet so good!
by Mick Rhodes | editor@claremont-courier.com At press time, scores of protesters remain camped out at Pomona College’s commencement plaza, with the school’s graduation ceremony still scheduled for this Sunday. The encampment is only growing, and the kids say they aren’t moving. Something has to give, and I fear it will be ugly. Regardless, the Courier is committed […]
by Mick Rhodes | editor@claremont-courier.com “Please mind the gap when alighting from this train.” This was by far the most oft-heard phrase throughout our recent 10 day Scotland Wander. I appreciated the encouragement. After all, “alighting” sounds so much more optimistic, poetic even, than the uninspired alternative, “disembarking.” It was a good way to start the day, […]
I have moments of overwhelming dread. Usually, I can keep it in check, but this morning it got the best of me. As we were out for our morning walk, my husband John and I came across a pro-Trump flag flying alongside the Stars and Stripes proclaiming “F**k Biden” for all who might pass by.
On Wednesday, February 21, at 8:20am, I was the victim of a distracted driver. My friend and I were on our way to Pasadena. She was driving, I was the passenger. It had rained the night before, and the roads were still slick. We were stopped at a red light meter on the on-ramp to the 210 freeway at Towne Avenue when we were struck from behind by a vehicle traveling at least forty miles per hour. Photo/courtesy of Zoe Brin