PULITZER WINNER IN CONVERSATION: The Claremont On the Same Page community book this year is The Refugees by Viet Tranh Nguyen. The collection, set in America and Vietnam, consists of eight powerful short stories written over a period of 20 years. Pitzer College welcomes Mr. Nguyen, who won the Pulitzer Prize for the book, in a free and open to the public conversation with historian Mai Elliott at 2 p.m on March 2, at Benson Auditorium, 1050 N. Mills Ave., Claremont.
STOPLIGHT ROSES: On the outs with your baby? Need a bouquet to go with that apology? There’s no finer place to try to make some headway in soothing that bruised heart than at Claremont Farmer’s and Artisan’s Market, which runs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Harvard Ave. between First and Bonita. It’s a chance to purchase some unique gifts, from farm fresh fruits, vegetables, plants, to artisan soaps, jewelry, clothing, juices, honey, nuts, cheeses, and yes, flowers.
IF DARWIN HAD A COMPUTER The University Club of Claremont hosts an open to the public luncheon and discussion, “If Darwin Had a Computer,” with guest speaker Ran Libeskind-Hadas, the R. Michael Shanahan professor of computer science at Harvey Mudd College. The event starts at 11:30 a.m. at Hughes Community Center, 1700 Danbury Rd., Claremont. A $20 meeting fee includes a buffet lunch. “Charles Darwin wrote in his famous Origins of Species that he could imagine that pairs of species, such as bees and flowers, might evolve in tandem.
MINGLE, MUNCH: Claremont senior social group Mingle and Munch will celebrate Chinese New Year with live entertainment and a Chinese dinner from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Alexander Hughes Community Center, 1700 Danbury Rd. Admission is $15 (payable at the time of reservation) and includes beverages, food and entertainment. The event is open to persons age 50 and over. To make a reservation call (909) 399-5488 or visit claremontrec.com.
SYMPHONY AND STRINGS Doors open at 3 p.m. for a free and open to the public concert by Claremont Youth Symphony Orchestra and Prelude String Ensemble at Pomona College’s Bridges Hall of Music, 150 E. Fourth St., Claremont. The show features symphonic, opera, Broadway and movie music, including Disney’s The Lion King, selections from West Side Story, Carmen and more. For more information click on claremontyouthsymphony.org or email claremontyouthso@gmail.com.
BEATLES, BLUES AND BOSSA Tickets are $35 and are available at greenmusic.yapsody.com for a concert by the guitar and bass duo of Seth Greenberg and Baba Elefante, who are performing at 3:30 p.m. at Sonja Stump Studio, 135 W. First St., Claremont. The duo play tunes by The Beatles, Prince, Jimi Hendrix, Frank Zappa, Antonio Carlos Jobim and others. Seating is limited, and advance tickets are recommended. Mr. Greenberg performs as a solo guitarist across the US and internationally. More information is at sonjastumpphotography.com or (909) 626-1147.
DEMS TALK LABOR COLLABORATION: The Democratic Club of Claremont’s January luncheon will feature a discussion with Laura Shultz on Friday, January 11, PAC Chair for Teamsters 1932. “Ms. Shultz will explain in her talk, ‘Labor Partnering with the Community: For a Better Future,’ how local organizations are expanding their efforts of collaboration,” read a DCC press release. The talk, at Eddies Italian Eatery, 1065 W. Foothill Blvd., Claremont.
CLAREMONT CURIOUS? Claremont curious? Take a 10 a.m. Saturday, January 5 guided walking tour of the Village, led by a docent from Claremont Heritage. Participants should meet up prior to 10 a.m. at the Claremont Depot, 200 W. First St. The cost is $5, and reservations are requested via email at info@claremontheritage.org, or by phone at (909) 621-0848. More info is at claremontheritage.org.
Arts and culture were once again in abundance around Claremont this year.
In January, acclaimed local singer/songwriter Rick Shea returned to the Folk Music Center for an intimate acoustic showcase of his distinct California influences of norteños, country, blues and Irish tunes.
FESTIVE SOUNDS IN THE VILLAGE Saturday is the final day of Claremont’s free afternoon holiday music in the Village. Nick Cassillas and Friends will perform from noon to 2 p.m. and Mark Dzula from 2 to 4 p.m. in Laemmle Plaza; Cool Yule from 11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. and Jackson Family Small Town Magic from 2 to 4 p.m. at the chamber of commerce; and the Inland Valley Repertory Theater carolers strolling throughout the Village.
MINGLE, MUNCH: Claremont senior social group Mingle and Munch holds its December 14 event from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Hughes Center, 1700 Danbury Rd. “An Olde Fashioned Christmas” will feature the Sweet Adelines and includes a white elephant gift exchange. Admission is $15 (payable at the time of reservation) and includes beverages, food and entertainment. The event is open to persons ages 50 and over. Reservations can be made by calling (909) 399-5488 or visiting claremontrec.com.
GARDEN ALIGHT WITH LUMINARIAS, MUSIC From 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday December 7, 8, 14 and 15, Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden will glow with more than 1,000 luminarias in a cherished holiday event, Luminaria Nights. Special for this year, the Garden will transform venues with Japanese lantern installations and traditional Japanese music to celebrate the ongoing Origami in the Garden 2 exhibition, which features large-scale metal origami sculptures.
SIP AND SHOP FOR CHS’ CLASS OF 2019: In a benefit for Claremont High School’s class of 2019, boosters are hosting Sip and Shop, a local vendor holiday marketplace with complimentary mimosas, wine and hors d’oeuvres from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Claremont Women’s Club, 345 W. 12th St. The event will be 21 and over from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and open to all ages from 2 to 4 p.m. For more information call (909) 908-4059 or email uplandcoldstone@yahoo.com.
BLACK FRIDAY Shoppers across the nation will fan out to big box stores today and jockey for position, sometimes with a little extra hip check or forearm shiv, in the contact sport that is Black Friday. For a chance at a discount flat screen TV or video game console, folks wake in the pre-dawn hours and schlep across town to go to retail war. It’s a new tradition, and one that isn’t without its critics.
