The verdant canopy of pines, oaks and elms, a source of pride for Claremont homeowners, sets the city apart from its neighbors. The drought and escalating water prices, however, have locals questioning our once steadfast nickname—the City of Trees.
The area’s urban forest has been at the forefront of local discussion of late, as residents band together to protect Claremont’s lush landscape. Advocates like the recently-formed Tree Action Group have played a key role in ensuring a more defined plan is put in place for the city’s leaf-scape
Motorists on Bonita Avenue dodge large palm fronds that were blown from nearby trees by Friday morning’s storm. Local reports put the 24-hour rainfall at just over an inch but rain is predicted for the rest of the weekend. COURIER photo/Steven Felschundenff
The Claremont City Council unanimously approved the use of $150,000 of the city’s unassigned General Fund money for its defense against Golden State Water.
The water company filed a lawsuit against the city of Claremont in December, alleging the city has not complied with the California Public Records act, which declares all public records in the state of California to be open and available to anyone. Golden State executives claim the city has not been compliant or transparent as claimed.
Stamp Your Heart Out owner Joan Bunte embraces longtime customer Susan Sasaki moments after Ms. Bunte locked the shop’s door officially closing her 25-year-old business. Ms. Sasaki has been shopping at the Village craft store since it opened and wanted to be the last customer. Ms. Bunte will retire from the retail trade but will continue her involvement in the Village Marketing Group. COURIER photo/Steven Felschundneff
The Claremont City Council took another step toward water system acquisition on Tuesday night, approving a Memorandum of Understanding between the cities of Claremont and La Verne as the City of Trees looks to its neighbor as a potential water system operator. The council voted 4-0, Councilmember Corey Calaycay recusing himself from the discussion because he is a customer of the La Verne Water Department.
Claremont’s Granite Creek Community Church celebrates the promotion of Joshua Kapchinksy to head pastor of the congregation this weekend and the community is invited to add to join in the congratulations. A celebration takes place on Sunday, March 2 at 10:30 a.m.
On Sunday, February 23 police are working on a follow-up investigation after a driver decided it was a good idea to go off-roading in the local cemetery over the weekend. On Sunday night, the driver of a white Honda Accord was spotted driving through Oak Park Cemetery, located at 410 Sycamore Ave. They left behind quite a bit of damage: three smashed gravestones, a broken water pipe that was shooting water into the air and tire marks across the grassy area.
Even with tree trimming in the news of late, it didn't stop Claremont from tending to the many city trees Tuesday in need of a seasonal trim along Monte Vista Avenue and Claremont Boulevard. Even with one lane closed much of the day, traffic remained light. Claremont and most of Southern California is preparing for what could be one of the largest rain events in the past two years. At this point, there's almost a 100 percent chance of rain Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. With highs staying in the upper 50s, snow may fall significantly only at higher elevations. COURIER photo/Peter Weinberger
Claremont officials took a break from the frenzy of municipal duties on Saturday to refocus on city goals at the council’s annual priorities workshop.
Taking a timeout didn’t mean taking a step away from city business. The yearly meeting provides an opportunity for council members and residents alike to revisit the city’s hot button issues and come up with a list of high-ranking agenda items for the coming year.
“By setting these priorities, we are saying for the next several months these are the things that we want to spend most of our energy and focus on very intently,” said Mayor Opanyi Nasiali.
The city recently installed two dual-mount electric vehicle charging stations for public use, states City Manager Tony Ramos in his weekly report. One station is located in the Village parking structure, on the first floor of the south side, and the other station is on the west side of Claremont City Hall. There are two chargers per station, and both are operable 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The sun sets over high voltage transmission wires as seen from Johnson’s Pasture in the Claremont Hills Wilderness Park on Sunday evening. Temperatures in the area were very warm over the weekend however a series of winter storms are predicted for later this week that could generate over an inch of much needed rain. COURIER photo/Steven Felschundneff
City of Trees is more than just a nickname in Claremont. It’s a way of life.
The area’s lush urban forest is a huge draw for many of the city’s inhabitants, a notable part of the local landscape since the late 1800s. The ongoing drought and recent debate over the city’s tree trimming policies, however, have called that title into question. One example is this tree on the 2200 block of Indian Hill Boulevard, above. “It goes beyond simply calling ourselves the City of Trees. The value of trees here in Claremont is much more than the altruistic aspect of protecting the environment, but defines our community’s culture and livability,” said Claremont resident Barnabas Path.
COURIER photo/Steven Felschundneff
After years of decay and construction delays, the halls of the Old School House complex are bustling with business once more, and the center’s storekeepers are ready to celebrate.
Business owners will honor the plaza’s newest chapter with a fitting tribute to its past. Next weekend the Griswold’s art fairs, once a weekly gem of the Foothill Boulevard landmark, will make a long-awaited return.
UPDATED: Claremont resident Karen McMillen, right, works with collaborator Kelly Trabis on Tuesday while making a video at the Getty Leadership Institute in Claremont. Ms. McMillen recently received a Telly Award for her short documentary, “Peter Drucker: An Enduring Legacy,” about the renowned leadership expert who taught at Claremont Graduate University. The Peter F. Drucker & Masatoshi Ito Graduate School of Management commissioned the film as an orientation piece for incoming freshmen. COURIER photo/Steven Felschundneff
