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Los Angeles is famously teeming with great guitarists of every stripe, but when you separate out those who are also master songwriters and compelling performers, the pool gets much less congested. Among these rare few are Rick Shea and Tony Gilkyson, veteran singer-songwriters and guitarists who have teamed up for what amounts to an artistry rich “two-fer” show at the Folk Music Center, 220 Yale Ave., Claremont, on Saturday, March 23. Photo/courtesy of Rick Shea

Claremont Graduate University president Len Jessup announced this week that he will retire on or about June 30. In an email to the Claremont Graduate University community Jessup sung the praises of current and past students, faculty, staff, trustees, donors, and partners. Jessup took over as CGU’s 12th president in summer 2018. More info is at cgu.edu/news. The Courier will follow up on Jessup’s retirement, and CGU’s plans for his replacement, in a future edition. Courier photo/Steven Felschundneff

Bamboo Dart Press, a Claremont-based publishing collaboration between Pelekinesis and Shrimper Records, is being honored Sunday, March 17 at Mt. San Antonio Gardens, 900 Harrison Ave., Pomona. The event, in conjunction with the Gardens’ “For the Love of Books” program, is sold out. Authors Margot Hover, Brown Lethem, and Allen Callaci will be reading, and Bamboo Dart Press impresarios Dennis Callaci and Mark Givens will speak about local literature.

Claremont Courier event calendar: March 15-23, 2024

Tomato varieties such as better boy, early girl, green zebra, Cherokee purple, and many more will go on sale Saturday, March 16, at Cal Poly Pomona Farm Store, 4102 S. University Dr., as part of the school’s annual “tomatozania” sale.

St. Patrick’s Day isn’t celebrated for the same reasons it once was. Times change, and holidays take on different meanings.

Some 40 Claremont Colleges students, local residents, and religious leaders took part in a demonstration in support of a cease-fire in Gaza at Shelton Park on Sunday. The action, organized by Claremont Community for Palestine, included a vigil honoring the more than 30,000 Palestinians killed in the conflict, and U.S. Air Force service member Aaron Bushnell, who died February 25 after proclaiming he could “no longer be complicit in genocide” and setting himself on fire outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo

With partly sunny skies and high temperatures in the 60s Sunday, Claremonters were not the only ones enjoying the day at Shelton Park. Squirrels roamed around the grass making their […]

This was a time when the older, historic homes of the Village were not as desirable and much more affordable. Many had not been maintained and people had moved to newer neighborhoods for homes with more modern conveniences. This was prior to the historic preservation movement in Claremont and before the creation and placement of properties on the local historic register. Things have changed. The historic homes of Claremont are some of the most desirable in the city. Today, historic homes appreciate at higher rates than properties elsewhere. Photo/courtesy of John Neiuber

Before last week, the last time I covered a city council meeting was in 1993, when I was a young reporter in my first full-time job in journalism at the long gone North Lake Tahoe Bonanza, in Incline Village, Nevada.

At age 17, Constance Cassinelli came across letters dated as far back as 1899 addressed to her great-grandfather, Nicola Cassinelli, from his siblings. When she held them, she said it was as if the letter’s authors were giving her instructions: “Remember us. Remember us.” The Claremont resident describes her decades of discovery in her book, “Caro Nicola: Promise Kept.” Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo

We worked with women who had never attended school, including some who had not been allowed to leave their homes. They were unaware of their rights and lacked skills beyond household chores. Our goal was to educate them to the best of our ability. Many eventually joined schools and later, universities. But sadly, history repeated itself: on August 14, 2021 I was on my way to work when a man dressed in the garb of a Taliban member stood in front of me and shouted, “If you don’t want to die, go back home; a woman’s place is at home.” Photo/by Hamed Painda

Claremont Courier event calendar: March 8-16, 2024

Incumbent California Democrat Judy Chu made a strong showing in yesterday’s 28th Congressional District primary race, which includes Claremont, with 60.2% of the vote with 67% of the ballots counted. Republican challenger April Verlato was second with 35.6%. Chu was particularly strong in Los Angeles County, with Verlato taking San Bernardino County. Chu and Verlato will face off in the November 5 general election. Courier photo/Matthew Weinberger

I don’t count sheep, but I count lots of other things. While out for my walk, when it isn’t too hot, too cold, or too wet, I find myself counting my steps. I count calories, but more often count the number of cookies I have in a day’s time. Suffice it to say, too many. 

A March 1 investiture ceremony to officially recognize Harriet B. Nembhard as Harvey Mudd College’s sixth president was delayed by a “die-in” protest by Claremont Colleges students calling for a cease-fire in Gaza. As HMC’s Board of Trustees Chair James Bean conferred the presidency to Nembhard, her daughter Naomi tied a ceremonial pendant around her neck. Video of the ceremony is at hmc.edu/inauguration. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo

What keeps people from getting the help they need? Too often it’s the stigma around mental illness. When people are afraid, ashamed, or just don’t understand mental illness, it makes it hard to talk honestly about this incredibly important health issue. When they can’t talk about their struggles with those closest to them, it makes it hard for them to seek help. These challenges can increase when dealing with more severe mental health issues. There are programs and services available to help those with severe mental illness heal with compassion and dignity. And the first step toward healing is to reach out for help. Photo/courtesy of Priscilla Du Preez