Forbes Avenue residents made their voice loud and clear at a preliminary review of a proposed single-family home development last week: high density projects are not a viable option for the North Claremont Street. It was standing room only at the preliminary hearing, held only to solicit initial comments on the housing company’s concepts. The Planning Commission conducts early reviews in order to give developers community feedback prior to making concrete plans for the site, which is often times a costly venture, pointed out Planning Commissioner KM Williamson.
UPDATED: After more than two decades inspiring Claremont’s crafty inclinations, Stamp Your Heart Out is wrapping up its projects for good.
The beloved boutique on Harvard Boulevard will close its doors for the last time on February 25, as founder and owner Joan Bunte, a Village treasure in her own right, sets to retire after more than three decades of business in Claremont.
The decision to close wasn’t a hard fought one, Ms. Bunte insists. And it wasn’t influenced by lack of sales. As any customer can attest, the downtown staple has never ceased to bustle with patrons ready to try out an influx of new classes and craft projects. It was simply a matter of timing.
Monsters have taken over the Don Fruechte Theatre, courtesy of Tony award winner Robert Lopez. The co-creator of Avenue Q came to watch his fuzzy puppet friends perform Monday night at Claremont High School.
His visit was organized after Andrew Page’s daughter, Isabel, mentioned she would be portraying Kate Monster in the production. Excited, he shared the news with Mr. Lopez whom he worked with on various projects. Mr. Lopez was attending an Academy Awards nominee luncheon in Los Angeles the day of his visit. COURIER photo/Steven Felschundneff
The empty lot left by the former city Strawberry Patch, located on the southeast corner of Base Line Road and Towne Avenue, is going the way of many other vacant spaces along the Base Line corridor.
The Claremont City Council on Tuesday cast a divided 3-2 vote to change the zoning designation of a portion of the 6-acre lot to allow the construction of a 95-unit townhome complex across the entire property despite early discussions of adding a commercial component in the corner of the empty space.
UPDATED: Claremont resident Jack Xiao has mastered some of the world’s most difficult piano pieces, performed at the prestigious Carnegie Hall of Music in New York twice, and was recently named the first place finisher at the distinguished Music Teacher’s Association of California Contemporary Festival. He also just celebrated his 12th birthday.
The El Roble student and prodigy pianist may have had a taste of the big time, but prefers to remain at home within the halls of the Claremont Community School of Music, where he perfected his piano skills for the past seven yearsCOURIER photo/Steven Felschundneff
Darren Yeomans, a 50-year-old transient, was arrested and booked at the Claremont Police Department jail for commercial burglary, resisting arrest and injury on a police officer on Wednesday, February 12. Mr. Yeomans is being held on $30,000 bail pending arraignment at the Pomona Superior Court this Friday.
While the weather might be overcast and gray, CUSD has entered into a period of sunshine. As part of an annual review of the collective bargaining agreement, CUSD and Claremont faculty are sunshining negotiations of the California Faculty Association contracts for next year. Sunshining is meant to keep transparency during negotiations.
Class sizes continue to be an issue due to the increased number of students in the district. According to David Chamberlin, president of the Claremont Faculty Association, there's concern students will begin to suffer if class sizes continue to increase. In the past, the state provided funding to allow for smaller class sizes, but when budgeting was cut, class sizes increased.
The canopy of trees, historical architecture and quaint mom-and-pop shops are all ingredients locals love about old-town Claremont. Among the beloved independent boutiques, A-Kline Chocolatier is a lasting flavor.
For the past 40 years, the family-owned chocolate shop has been in the business of satiating the city’s sweet tooth. With plenty of decadent, hand-dipped treats on hand and more made fresh daily, they’ve done a pretty good job meeting the demand.
With unanimous approval from the local council, the city of Claremont will continue in its tradition of providing Community Based Organization (CBO) funding to local programming for the homeless.
Every year the city provides financial assistance to local nonprofit organizations providing aid to those in need throughout the local community. Organizations must apply and go through an extensive review conducted by the Community and Human Services Commission.
Claremont residents with an unsuitable sweet tooth, rejoice! After a successful launch last summer, the Claremont Pie Festival is back for round two. The crust-laden goodies take over the Claremont Village on Saturday, March 15.
The public is invited to prepare for the sweet celebration by submitting their very own pie recipes to be featured in the second annual recipe card hunt. Here are the rules: All the delicious info must fit onto one side of a 4 1/4’’ by 5 ½’’ card.
The winds that have been blowing through Claremont this week have made for clear skies and spectacular sunsets. Such was the case here when looking west at downtown Los Angeles from Base Line Road in Claremont. Thursday will have the best probably for rain with a 70 percent chance, as the high temperature nears 60 degrees. The system will move through the area quickly with drier and warmer temperatures near 70 degrees over the weekend. COURIER photo/Peter Weinberger
Recent talk over looming big-budget expenditures in the city of Claremont was not enough to draw large numbers to the first of two city budget workshops on Monday night. About 13 community members showed up to the Hughes Center, only about 3 of which were below the age of 55. Regardless of the sparse crowd, the nearly two hour meeting was filled with locals’ opinions on the city’s future spending. Much of the discussion, as expected, centered around residents’ thoughts on using bond measures to pay for big-budget items like the water system, a new police center and Larkin Park expansion.
Brandywine Homes will have its first review of plans for their Forbes Avenue housing development. On Tuesday, February 4 at 7 p.m., the Claremont Planning Commission will begin a preliminary review of the residential development to be located at the former La Puerta School site, 2475 Forbes Ave. The commission will review the plans, take public comment and provide direction to the developer. No formal action will be taken at the meeting.
The meeting takes place in the council chamber, 225 W. Second St.
For those who missed the annual Pilgrim Place Festival Show in November, you’re in luck. The cast and crew are back for a special encore performance on Sunday, February 9.
For the first time ever, the show is traveling outside the realm of the annual Pilgrim Place festival to bring to life the story of the Emancipation Proclamation for Black History Month. Hear the story while tapping your toes to the Pilgrim Pickers band at 4 p.m. in the sanctuary at Claremont United Church of Christ, 233 Harrison Ave. For information, call the church at (909) 626-1201.
