When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which

have connected them with Claremont another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH claremont-courier.com and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature s God FOURTH OF JULY SPECIAL 2013 requires entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness; that, to secure these rights, governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. Such has been the patient sufferance of these colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former systems of government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these states. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid

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Claremont ROCKS the Fourth W

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The day begins at 10 a.m. at Memorial Park

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Grand Marshal:
Chuck Freitas makes a real difference as active Claremonter

es had a part in almost every area of Claremont schools for close to 4 decades, and has not lost his enthusiasm for the schools and city he calls home.
Charles Worthing Freitas, better known as Chuck is the Grand Marshal for Claremont Rocks the Fourth, presiding over Thursdays gala parade to mark the occasion. Mr. Freitas journey to Claremont began in Huntington Park, where he was born to Worthing and Jordis Freitas in 1942. His father was a US Marine during World War II who went on to a career in the oil refinery business. His mother was a registered nurse, and the family included his younger sister, Judy Baker. The family lived in Yorba Linda, and Mr. Freitas attended and graduated from, he explains with a chuckle, Valencia High School in Placentia. He was active in 3 sports in high school and, after attending Mt. San Antonio College for 2 years, continued that interest by playing football for the University of La Verne. After teaching in the Charter Oak School District, Mr. Freitas came to Claremont as a science teacher at El Roble Intermediate School while studying for a masters degree in school administration at California State University at Fullerton. At the

same time, he was an assistant football coach at Claremont High School (CHS) under the tutelage of the legendary Esper Keiser. After finishing his masters degree, Mr. Freitas was instrumental in starting the Claremont Adult School program, offering classes for adults at 20 locations throughout the city.

In the post-13 (Proposition 13) years, Mr. Freitas was principal at Sycamore Elementary School for 8 years, then served in the same position at Condit Elementary School for another 8 years. Along the way, he served in interim positions at Condit, at
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COURIER photo/ Steven Felschundneff The 2013 Grand Mmarshal of the Claremont Fourth of July parade will be Chuck Freitas. During the decades he has lived in Claremont, he has been the principal of Sycamore and Condit Elementary Schools, president of Sunrise Rotary and a 35-year Red Cross volunteer.

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GRAND MARSHAL continued from the previous page

ity in which he is quick to point out the contributions of Leo Bister.

Sutherland School in Glendora, and at Sycamore as well as spending 2 years as a mentor to principals at CHS. Mr. Freitas began his position for the school district as director of student services in 1994, a post he held until his retirement in 2005. Of his career in education, Mr. Freitas recalls one thing most vividly: The opportunity to work with some outstanding individuals in the Claremont Unified School District. It was particularly pleasing, he reported, as president of the Claremont Management Association, to be able to work with the Claremont Faculty Association in establishing Shared Decision Making. It was a program that led to a lot of traveling and educational television programs on making it happen. We did workshops statewide, he remembers. In the community, Mr. Freitas is active in the Claremont Sunrise Rotary program, currently serving his second term as president and very recently attending an international convention of the group in Lisbon, Portugal. Through his association with Rotary, Mr. Freitas has served as literacy chairman for a Rotary area including 60 clubs to promote reading among children. He has also been active in the establishment of the annual Claremont Turkey Trot community runan activ-

For 35 years, Mr. Freitas has been a board member and is a past president of the Association of California School Administrators. Mr. Freitas has also been a presenter of the California School Leadership Awards for new and aspiring administrators. He is currently continuing community service as a member of the citys traffic commission.
On the family front, Mr. Freitas and his wife, Devon, also a retired educator, are much involved in their combined family of 4 sons and 13 grandchildren. When he has a chance, Mr. Freitas enjoys mountain biking, woodworking, antiquing and even occasionally cleaning out the garagea standing joke in the family. Vacationing in Palm Desert and Lake Arrowhead are near the top of like to dos for the Freitas family. And both are looking forward to the holiday parade. This time Mr. Freitas says with a broad smile, we get to ride! Pat Yarborough

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Whats offered at the park?

# 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 Booth Info Info Info Info Info Selling Selling Info Info Info Info Info Info Info Info Info Info Info Info Info Info Info Selling Info Info Info Info Selling Info Info Info Info Organization 4th of July Committee City Council Committee on Aging (COA) Police Department Police Department/CERT CHS Alumni Society Class of 2015 American Legion Claremont Wildlands Conservancy Claremont United Methodist Church League of Women Voters Sustainable Claremont Sustainable Claremont Garden Club CHERP Democratic Club of Claremont Organizing for Action Sierra Club-Los Serranos Group Revive Church Inc. Peace with Justice Center Claremont Masonic Lodge #436 Claremont Bahai Community Amnesty International Mountain View Republican Club Pomona Lawn Bowling Club NAMI Pomona Valley St. Ambrose Episcopal Church Claremont Wellness Professionals Claremont High School Dance Team Claremont Museum of Art Tapestry Church Claremont Claremont Progressives Fair Trade Claremont @ OLA

Just check the list below for a run down of this years booths and vendors.

33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42

Info Info Info Info Info Info Info Selling Food Food

OLA School & Parish Friends of the Bernard Field Station Claremont Monthly Meeting Progressive Christians United Claremont Presbyterian Church LA County Fair Temple Beth Israel Claremont Heritage Jobs Daughters El Roble Hip Hop

43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52

Food Food Food Food Food Food Game Game Game Game

Italian Catholic Federation Italian Catholic Federation Knights of Columbus Ratanapanya Meditation Center Ratanapanya Meditation Center Girl Scouts of Greater LA-Colorguard Boy Scout Troop 403 Foothill Storm Soccer Club Claremont High School Theatre Claremont Rotary Club

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Freedom 5000 njoy the beautiful tree-lined streets of Claremont as you

cheer on your friends or grab your own sneakers during the Freedom 5000 run.
The course begins in Memorial Park and winds through the scenic streets of Claremonts Village, then on to the beautiful college campuses. Bib pick-up begins Wednesday, July 3 from 5 to 8 p.m. and continues on Thursday, July 4 from 6 to 7:15 a.m., with the first 1K Kids Run race starting at 7:30 a.m. The 5K Run/Walk starts at 8 a.m. Pre-registration before July 3 is $30 for adults, $15 for kids under 12 years old. On July 3 and the day of the race, registration is $35 for adults; kids ages 12 and under are $20. Groups of 10 or more will be given a $5 per person discount. Groups must submit all registration forms together and supply one form of payment for all group members. Groups must register today, Friday, June 28, by 5 p.m. at the Hughes Center, 1700 Danbury Rd. Medals will be given to the first 3 in each age division, and all children (ages 12 and under) who participate in the 1K will receive a medal. Pre-register at active.com or by calling 399-5490.

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Its a parade like no other! The list of this years marchers

he blankets and chairs will be placed on Indian Hill Boulevard for days in advance. This years parade will follow in the tradition of years past, with hundreds of kids on bikes, dogs in carts and folks on horseback as they all jockey for position in what has become one of the most popular events of the day. At 3 p.m., spectators head en masse to Indian Hill with children in tow and cam-

eras in hand to stake out the best place to sway with the tunes of the marching band and enjoy the sights of the decorative floats and familiar faces. Officially kicking off at 4 p.m., the parade will wind west on 10th Street to Indian Hill Boulevard, south on Indian Hill Boulevard to Harrison Avenue, and then west on Harrison Avenue to Mountain Avenue at Larkin Park, where the parade disbands.

2013 PARADE PARTICIPANTS: Fire Department Kids on Bikes Girl Scouts Colorguard Troop Girl Scouts Daisy Troop #15174 Boy Scouts of America Pack 408 Grand Marshal: Chuck Freitas US Congresswoman Judy Chu Honored Citizen: Hal Hargrave Jr. State Senator Carol Liu Honored Community Group: CERT Assemblymember Chris Holden Blue Ribbon Spirit Award: Claremont Museum of Art Claremont City Council City of Claremont Police Commission Theme Contest Winner: Elaine Ulmer All-American Claremont Idol: RJ Bivins House Decorating Contest: Michael & Rita Salvato Citrus College Trustee Sue Keith and Superintendent Dr. Geraldine M. Perri CUSD School Board & Superintendent CUSD Teacher of the Year: Terri Kegans CUSD Classified Employee of the Year: Roberta Mercer Claremont High School Marching Band Claremont High School Cheer Democratic Club of Claremont UCC Early Childhood Center Pitzer College International Program Pomona College The Rembrandt Club (Pomona College) City of Claremont Park Rangers Claremont High School Alumni Society American Legion, Keith Powell Post 78 Friends of the Bernard Biological Field Station Karousel Kids University Club of Claremont California Youth Spirit Corps. Schlick Family Float CA Faith for Equality Kevin Deal Claremont Little League-All Stars

The Claremont Irregulars Daughters of the American Revolution Claremont Manor Pilgrim Place: Mayflower Pilgrim Pickers & Peace Vigil Committee Occupy Claremont Mt. San Antonio Gardens Grable/Gesselman Family AAUW & League of Women Voters Habitat for Humanity-Pomona Valley Sustainable Claremont CHERP Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden Granite Creek Community Church

Claremont High School Boys Basketball Claremont School of Theatre Arts Claremont Fastpitch El Roble Cheerleading Team Claremont Presbyterian Church Claremont AYSO: Select Teams Marshall Sirkin Ahmadiyya Muslim Community The School of Arts & Enterprise Charter High School Middle Land Chan Monastery Jan Johnson Claremont Place Senior Living Kevin Rothfus

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T. Willard Hunter Speakers Corner

sing Londons Hyde Park Corner as his inspiration, Reverend T. Willard Hunter began the Claremont Independence Day Speakers Corner in 1977 to showcase the constitutional right of free speech.

COURIER archive photo T. Willard Hunter in 1986.

As a result, a variety of topics ranging from politics and religion to current events and history have graced the podium for the past 3 decades. In the 1970s, Rev. Hunter saw Claremont historian the late Judy Wright speak at a local event. Although the 2 had never met, he was so impressed by her public speaking he reportedly passed her a note after her address andin the direct, yet jovial, manner he was well known forasked simply, Id like you to speak at my funeral. Their friendship continued for decades and, in 2009, Ms. Wright delivered his eulogy. Claremont didnt just establish a speakers corner, we acquired an orator. And we inherited an orator in costume, Ms. Wright said. Mr. Hunter, unlike some of the rest of us, didnt just show up at Memorial Park in shorts and a shirt. Wherever he was speaking, he arrived in period dress. When I think of Mr. Hunter, I think of him as Lincolnesque.
12 noon Chuck Doskow: What Has the Court Done to Us Now? 12:10 p.m. Joe Lyons: The Implied Right and Responsibility of Local Municipalities to Petition on Behalf of Residents. 12:20 p.m. Carolyn Gonzalez: topic unknown. 12:30 p.m. Merrill Ring: When Corporations Rule. 12:40 p.m. Sam Pedroza: Model Governance. 12:50 p.m. Kris Meyer: Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death. Where is Patrick Henry When You Need Him? 1 p.m. Karl Hilgert: Peace & Justice. 1:10 p.m. Larry Schroeder: Fortunate to Live in Claremont. 1:20 p.m. Parker G. Emerson: Excerpts from the Bill of Rights.

Perhaps best known was Rev. Hunters 34-hour speech at Independence Hall in 1982a speech he again delivered in London in 1984. Ms. Wright noted, He often recited from memoryThe Gettysburg Address, [the childrens book] Casey at the Bat, Martin Luther Kings I Have a Dream speech, and The Declaration of Independence. Former mayor Karen Rosenthal continues the tradition by coordinating the Speakers Corner each year. Ms. Rosenthal paid tribute to Rev. Hunter at Claremonts 2009 Fourth of July celebration. Willard was our social conscience, our mentor and our friend, Ms. Rosenthal said. We were very proud to have had him with us for so many Independence Days. He was truly a Claremont treasure. After graduating from Harvard Law School, Rev. Hunter spent his early career involved with Moral ReArmament, a political movement that encouraged deference to honesty, unselfishness and love. He and his wife Mary Louise Hunter came to Claremont in 1959 after Rev. Hunter became the coordinator of development at the then Claremont Graduate School. Mr. Hunter, who lived his final years at Pilgrim Place, died on June 29, 2009. He was 93.
KathrynDunn editor@claremont-courier.com

2013 Speakers Corner line-up

10:50 a.m. Opening/Welcome: Karen M. Rosenthal 11 a.m. Mayor Opanyi Nasiali: It Takes a Village...Challenges of Realignment. 11:10 a.m. Miles Bennett: Teddy Roosevelt at Pomona College in 1903. 11:20 a.m. Colin Tudor: The Declaration of Independence. 11:30 a.m. Peter Weinberger: The Search for Accurate, Reliable News Reporting. 11:40 a.m. Butch Henderson: A Pilgrims Process. 11:50 a.m. Susan Allen: Save Your Money & You Save Your CountryFrom Ames Almanack for 1768.

1:30 p.m. [Open] 1:40 p.m. Michael Keenan: Defending the Fourth on the 4th of July. 1:50 p.m. Joe Molamphy: VolunteeringWho Has Time? 2 p.m. Terry Grill & Lissa Petersen: Safeguarding Our Wildlands. 2:10 p.m. David Nemer: Public School Teaching Who is Calling the Shots? 2:20 p.m. Charles Gale: A Kids View of the Fourth of July. 2:30 p.m. Michael Fay: Celebrating the American Century. 2:40 p.m. [Open] 2:50 p.m. Catherine Henley-Erickson: Fourth of July Poems. 3 p.m. Closing

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Start and end your Fourth in Claremont

he annual Claremont Fourth of July Celebration has been a timehonored tradition in the city for more than 60 years. The celebration consists of a morning 5K run, pancake breakfast, opening ceremonies, festival and parade, and ends with a bang at the Fireworks Spectacular. Memorial Park is transformed as performers rove the park, providing color and fun for people of all ages.

conjunction with the breakfast and may still be available at the information booth at 10:30 a.m.

Handicapped parking, convenient drop-off is available

Handicapped persons (with placards) may park on Eighth Street between Indian Hill Boulevard and Yale Avenue on the south side of Eighth Street. Additional parking will be available on parts of Yale Avenue (signage will direct you). Those with a handicapped placard may also drop off family members using the circle drive in front of Garner House and then park their vehicles on Eighth Street.

Stage entertainment will include a variety of bands and entertainment, and there will be demonstrations throughout the park, including clowns, strolling bands, jugglers and even a very tall Uncle Sam!

Booths, tables, safety

Saunter through the 52 booths gathered on the grass at Memorial Park. You will find information, fun things to buy, food and games to play that will add excitement to an already festive day. To locate a vendor, peruse the booth vendor list on page 6 and locate their number and location on the festival map. The Independence Day Committee information booth will be located just north of Garner House. Should the need arise for first aid, a station will be set up next to the Police Command Station, also located next to the Garner House.
COURIER photo/Steven Felschundneff
Michael Ahman as Uncle Sam on stilts chats with local kids before the start of Claremonts Fourth of July parade last year.

Kiwanis pancake breakfast mmmmm good!

Enjoy the tantalizing tastes of a good ol fashioned pancake breakfast sponsored by the Kiwanis Club from 7 to 10 a.m. The breakfast helps raise funds for a variety of organizations supported by Kiwanis. Ticketsgoing for $5may be purchased at the booth. The full breakfast includes pancakes, sausage, juice, milk and coffee. Proceeds from the breakfast help support many organizations including AbilityFirst, the ReadMe program, Shoes that Fit, Habitat for Humanity, the Monday Night Concerts in the Park, Best BET and other youth and community activities. If still available, fireworks tickets will be sold in

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Rockets red glare!

he citys fireworks extravaganza returns once again to the Strehle Track at Pomona College.

Head on over around 6:30 p.m. when the gates open up, and find a good spot to hunker down and listen to some great music performed by Claremonts own Ravelers. If you enjoyed the pancakes earlier in the morning, dont forget to visit the Kiwanis Club of Claremont as they serve up a variety of food and drinks for sale. As the evening sun sets upon the crowd, get ready to enjoy a spectacular fireworks show that will begin at around 9 p.m.

Each year, a new and exciting element is added to the fireworks show. Over the years, spectators have been thrilled with waterfalls, silver bees and happy faces. What will it be this year? Whatever it is, itll be sure to end with a bang. Tickets for the fireworks show are now available for sale at the following locations: Claremont Chamber of Commerce, Hughes Community Center, Vons, Rio de Ojas, The Claremont Club and Wolfes Market. Ticket prices are $8 presale and $10 at the gate (if available). Don't miss this annual celebrationget your tickets early! For information, visit www.claremont4th.org or call 399-5490.

COURIER photo/Steven Felschundneff The home of Don and Jennifer Nesslar is quite a sight for recent travelers on Towne Avenue in Claremont. For their entry in the 2013 Fourth of July house-decorating contest, the couple have adorned their yard with hundreds of American flags and related patriotic embellishments.

Get your kicks at Claremonts Monday night summer concerts

The city of Claremont is proud to announce the upcoming Summer Concert Series. Co-sponsored by the city and the Kiwanis Club of Claremont, the concerts take place every Monday night from July 8 through September 2 at Memorial Park (840 N. Indian Hill Boulevard). Starting this year, concerts will begin at 7 p.m. and end at 8:30 p.m. This years schedule is as follows: July 8: LCR (classic rock) July 15: Cold Duck (70s Top 40) July 22: Brian Lynn Jones & the Misfit Cowboys (Country) July 29: The Ravelers (classic rock) August 5: Pop Gun Rerun (80s) August 12: Give Up the Junk (pop/funk jazz) August 19: The Fab 8 (Beatles hits) August 26: Night Blooming Jazzmen (Dixieland) September 2: The Answer (classic rock) The Kiwanis Club will offer a variety of concessions including featured menu items each week, with proceeds benefiting the concert program. Everyone is encouraged to bring a low lawn chair and/or blanket to enjoy an evening out with friends and neighbors. For more information, visit the citys website at www.ci.claremont.ca.us or call 399-5490.

Honored Citizen:

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Hal Hargrave Jr. overcame obstacles so he could help countless others

laremonts 2013 Fourth of July Parade honoree needs little introduction. At the tender age of 23, Hal Hargrave Jr. is a young man who worked years to bring the first franchised Project Walk clinic to Claremont. The clinic helps people with spinal cord injuries in a push to live healthy, fulfilling lives.
Having inspired paraplegics, quadriplegics and many others with incapacitating physical injuries to persevere through the Be Perfect Foundation, Mr. Hargrave is a deserved recipient of this honor, although his modesty would have you believe otherwise. Working his first post-graduate job in his family logistics business after graduating from Claremont High School in 2007, Mr. Hargrave was driving toward Las Vegas in a semi-truck when he was forced to swerve to avoid debris in the road. The truck barrel-rolled 4 times and he broke his neck and scapula. Mr. Hargrave fractured his T1-2 Vertebrae, with the most damaging injury to his spinal cord at the C5/C6 level. It was after an 8-hour surgery at Arrowhead Regional Hospital, and acute outpatient therapy at Casa Colina, that he began the long-term
HONORED CITIZEN continues on the next page

COURIER photo/Steven Felschundneff This years honored citizen is Hal Hargrave Jr., who started the Be Perfect Foundation to help people rehabilitate after suffering spinal cord injuries. The group has partnered with The Claremont Club and recently opened the Project Walk Rehabilitation Center at The Club.

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HONORED CITIZEN continued from the previous page

process of rehabilitation. Mr. Hargrave spoke about how his life plans were drastically altered. I had aspirations to go take over the family business and pursue my career in baseball at Cal State Long Beach. I wanted to get my business degree. A month and a half after I graduated, I got into my car accident and everything changed. When Mr. Hargrave began going to Project Walk in Carlsbad, it was an eye-opening experience. Being introduced to lots of people, you start to see the shortcomings not just with insurance companies, but also in affording the financial means of this injury, he said. I came to the consensus with my dad that this was my calling, and that we needed to start the Be Perfect Foundation. Mr. Hargrave took it to the next level, and made a deal with Claremont Club CEO Mike Alpert. I realized how hard it was for people to drive 2 hours for therapy every day, so I knew we needed a spinal cord clinic closer. I didnt really need to be recognized for it. I just want to show I care. So I asked Mike, If I put X amount of money up, will you guys match it? The Hargrave family presented the money to The Club, and brought the
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COURIERphoto/Steven Felschundneff Mr. Hargrave works out with his trainer Jenna Hardy on Monday at the Project Walk Rehabilitation Center in Claremont. Mr. Hargrave was chosen as the honored citizen for his work operating the Be Perfect Foundation that, along with The Claremont Club, was instrumental in opening Project Walk.

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HONORED CITIZEN continued from the previous page

first-ever Project Walk franchise to Claremont in February of this year. We wanted to put a face and an image to this facility, Mr. Hargrave said. It started with 3 trainers who wanted to help me specifically. Then we got a base of 20 clients. Now we are at 35 clients with 8 on a waiting list. Spinal cord recovery is arduous, to say the least. He described the struggle in depth.

Hal Hargrave Jr. chats with longtime friend Brian Goodwin on Monday at The Claremont Club. Mr. Hargrave, 23, is the honored citizen in this years Fourth of July parade for his work with people who have spinal cord injuries. COURIER photo/ Steven Felschundneff

very day in therapy, I try to retrain my brain to connect the wires the way they were before. Its very specific and involved, but very simple, Mr. Hargrave said. We teach clients to learn to live outside of their chairs, unlike hospitals that teach patients to learn inside the chair. This is exercise-based therapy.
A lot of people see the name Project Walk and have a misconception that walking is our main goal. We dont give clients false hope, he continued. This program provides them with the basic necessities of health and wellness, and the mental health aspect too. They are not alone in this, and when they come to our clinic they know that. Mr. Hargrave is a success story in his own right. I have seen great results with my overall strength and health. I am reducing my chances of getting secondary health problems, he noted. Functional recovery is very slow. I am like a newborn baby trying to support 170 pounds of body weight. I have gotten back some leg movement and retained a lot of muscle tone. I am not walking yet, but my mental, emotional and physical health capacities are at an all-time high. His roots helped him get where he is today. Its been incredible, growing up in this great city. We have great support in this town, he said. I feel so humbled to be honored at the parade. I am a 23-year-old kid and have had so many of my dreams come true. I have been put into this type of spotlight, and its far beyond anything I could have asked for or even wanted. Mr. Hargrave tells people he doesnt see why he is honored just for doing the right thing. Its a testament to the people around me, the belief they have in me and what I can do. I am getting the chills thinking about being in the parade that day, he added. People ask me if I would change anything about my life, and it is things like this that make me want to say no. Ive met so many people along the way and so many great families. I am surrounded by incredible people, including my own amazing family. It is not the first time Mr. Hargrave has ridden down a gauntlet of people in the proverbial drop-top convertible on the Fourth. When I was a kid, I was always involved in the parade with All-Star baseball, and this takes me back to that. No one does the Fourth of July like Claremont, Mr. Hargrave marveled. I had dreams of becoming a baseball player at the D-I level. You never know what would have turned out. This takes me back to where it all started, he shared. It felt so good as a kid and now I am going to relive it as an adult for a completely different reason. Its crazy to think how in 5 1/2 years life has changed. But I feel that it has changed for the better, as I have such an important purpose and so much support.
Chris Oakley sports@claremont-courier.com

FIREWORKS
You dont have to wait for the Fourth of July for a skyshow. All it takes is a stroll outside to see nature at work.

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White agapanthus get the award for the flowers that most resemble the high flying fireworks that highlight the grand finale of the firework show. The blue agapanthus also make a fine example of a Fourth of July flower.

COURIER photos/ Steven Felschundneff The COURIER went on a quest to find common summer flowers, like agapanthus and lilies, that look like fireworks. Some of the results blooms in red, white and bluewere expected. Others were a surprise like a fire-colored lily.

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Area outings offer fabulous family fun this summer

L
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ike fireworks? An array of sites, both near and far, are exploding with opportunities for summer enjoyment, many of them inexpensive or even free and many suited to the entire family.

The COURIER has done some sleuthing to track down some of the seasons must-attend events. Peruse our list to find happenings that will make you want to save the date. ntrance to the Japanese American National Museum is free on Saturday, July 13 for a Target Free Family Saturday. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is held in conjunction with the exhibit Visible & Invisible: A Hapa Japanese American History. Throughout the day, workshops will allow participants to create a family memory book, make a family portrait

collage and visit Ruthies Origami Corner. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., participants in a Kidding Around the Kitchen workshop will learn to make a familyfriendly salad and salad dressing; at noon and at 2 p.m., instructor XochitlJulisa Bermejo will help you write your family stories; at 1 p.m., guests are invited tour the Visible & Invisible exhibit with curator Duncan Williams; at 1:30 p.m., there will be a mixed reading as Leslie Ryan and Heidi Cole read from their childrens books about their multi-cultural heritages, I Am Flippish and Am I a Color? The event continues with a 2 p.m. screening of the documentary Searchlight Serenade, exploring the Big Bands formed by Japanese Americans while incarcerated in internment camps during World War II. At 2:30 p.m., We Tell Stories will perform multicultural tales in Proud to be Me! And at 3 p.m., Allen Say will read from his new book, The Favorite Daughter. The Japanese American National

Museum is located at 100 N. Central Ave. in Los Angeles. For information, call (213) 625-0414 or visit www.janm.org.

uring the summer, The Autry Museum in Griffith Park, dedicated to Western heritage, offers its Gold Rush! experience every Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event, which is free with museum admission, lets young participants learn about the myths and realities of the California gold rush and try their hand at panning for gold at an outdoor recreation of a miners panning station. If you visit on a Wednesday, youll encounter another kid-friendly happening, West Days at the Autry. From 1 to 4 p.m., kids and their families can explore one of the Autrys galleries with a museum teacher and learn more about the history of the West through hands-on activities, crafts and games. On July 3, the theme is Whats Your Favorite Autry Object? Kids will be encouraged to draw a picture or write a story about a museum artifact that catches their fancy. On July 10, the theme is Toys and Games! Participants will step back in time to learn about the games children played in the 1800s, then make their own pioneer

toy to bring home. On July 17, youngsters will explore Art of the West! On July 24, they will learn about the Rush for Gold! And on July 31, the topic is Shimmering Silver in the West. Admission to the Autry, which is located at 4700 Western Heritage in Griffith Park in Los Angeles, is $10; $6 for students and seniors; $4 for children ages 3 to 12 and free for kids younger than 3. For information, call (323) 667-2000 or visit www.theautry.org.

idspace Childrens Museum is hosting a Free Family Night on Tuesday, July 2 and again on Tuesday, August 6 from 4 to 8 pm. On August 6, the Family Free Night will feature childrens artwork on display along with live music performed by children. Popular features at Kidspace include the Robert & Mary Galvin Physics Forest; the Digging Deeper Exhibit Gallery, which includes the Climbing Tower, the Ant Hole and the Erosion Table; the Nature Exchange; and an outdoor play area complete with water play, climbing fun, trike tracks, Kidspace Gardens and more. Guests should expect crowds inside
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FAMILYFUN continued from the previous page

the museum and lines at the entrance on Family Free Nights. Kidspace Childrens Museum is located at 480 N. Arroyo Blvd. in Pasadena. For information, call (626) 449-9144 or visit www.kidspacemuseum.org.

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onelli Park in San Dimas provides nearly 2000 acres of park facilities surrounding the lake with a variety of activities: family and group picnicking, sight-seeing, hiking, horseback riding, jogging, nature walks, recreational vehicle (RV) and group camping, calf-roping, bird watching, spa facilities, golfing and bicycling. Swim beach is open weekends from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Bonelli Park is located at 120 Via Verde in San Dimas. For information, call 599-8411 or visit www.bonellipark.org.

ocally, families can enjoy a day excursion to Mt. Baldy. For a $5 parking pass, kids and their parents can look forward to an inexpensive, enriching day in our local hills. The Mt. Baldy Trout Pond, 6945 Mount Baldy Rd., offers pay-percatch trout fishing. Prices range from $4.50 for a 10.5-inch fish to $18 for an 18-inch fish. Pole rental is $2, the fee is $1 to bring your own. Summer hours are Friday through Monday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For information, call 982-4246. he Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden has a full schedule of activities for families, including the Butterfly Garden on view 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. through July 28 and several weeklong camps. RSABG offers 86 acres to run, roam and get out in nature. RSABG is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entry

is free for RSABG members, $8 for adults, $6 for seniors (65 or older) and students, and $4 for children age 3 through 12 (under 3 free). For more information, call 625-8767 or visit www.rsabg.org. he Griffith Observatory is hosting a Public Star Party on Saturday, July 13 and again on August 17 from 2 to 9:45 p.m. Admission to the Observatory is always free, and there is no charge for Star Party attendance. Throughout Observatory sidewalks and terraces, guests can look at the sun, moon, visible planets and other objects and try out a variety of telescopes. Amateur astronomers from the Los Angeles Astronomical Society, Los Angeles Sidewalk Astronomers and the Planetary Society will be on hand to answer questions about the sky and their equipment. Located on the southern slope of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park, the Observatory offers a stunning view of the lights of Los Angeles as well as of celestial objects. Guests can take in shows such as the tour-of-the-night-sky Centered in the Universe, screened in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium. Tickets are $7; $5 for seniors 60 and older and for students with ID; $3 for children ages 5-12 and free for small children under 5. Kids under 5 are only welcome at the 12:45 p.m. screening on Tuesday through Friday and at the 10:45 a.m. screening on Saturday and Sunday. Families can also opt to take in the 25-minute Lets Make a Comet demonstration, which takes place at 2 and 4 p.m. on weekdays and at 2 and 3 pm. on weekends. Guests will see how common household ingredients can be mixed with dry ice to make a small comet thats just like the real thing. Other visitor spots include the Hall of the Eye, Hall of the Sky, Depths of Space and the Hall of the Sky, with its famous mythological ceiling and enormous pendulum. The Griffith Observatory is located at 2800 E. Observatory Road in Los Angeles. It is open from noon to 10 p.m. on Tuesdays through Fridays and from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends. While parking, like admission, is free, the observatory gets quite crowded during the warm nights of summer and during special events. If you arrive too late, you may have to park some distance from the facility and walk in. For information, call (213) 473-0800 or visit www.griffithobservatory.org.

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Honored Group:
CERT takes top honors at July Fourth celebration

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his Fourth of July, Claremonts Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) will take a small timeout from their work for others in order to receive a little recognition of their own.

Members of the nonprofit emergency response group will sit in a place of distinction at this years community celebration as the Honored Group of the 2013 Independence Day commemoration. CERT was founded by the Los Angeles County Fire Department in 1985 to promote the formation of a local response team in case of an emergency. The idea was that locals may initially be on their own should a widespread emergency take place, and

should be prepared to manage a crisis situation on their own. In the case of such an emergency, Claremont residents are well prepared. There are nearly 100 certified members of Claremonts CERT team and close to 500 who have received training through Claremonts CERT chapter over the past several years. Their tireless advocacy makes them a fitting choice for this years noted community group, according to Charlie Gale, chair of this years Independence Day committee. They have spent countless hours preparing our community for an emergency, Mr. Gale said. That behind-the-scenes leadership is worthy of acknowledgement. In 1993, the Federal Emergency Management Agency made the CERT program available nation-

COURIER photo/Steven Felschundneff Community Emergency Response Team, CERT, volunteers Mike Brunasso, Susan Brunasso and Glenn Trost evacuate Alex Monteith, who was playing the role of a victim, during emergency training held in April of this year. Claremonts chapter of CERT practiced their response to a major earthquake at the former La Puerta Intermediate School site.

wide and in 2003 the Los Angeles County Fire Department implemented the program countywide. The Claremont Police Department took the lead in creating a CERT team in Claremont in 2011providing sponsorship, training, equipment and tools through federal and state grants. Chief Paul Cooper gathered together a core group of interested residents to put that time and money to good use. This executive team was charged with creating bylaws and putting together their own comprehensive training program. That training is put into application on a regular basis through routine disaster preparedness courses and comprehensive basic training courses. Classes include search and rescue, medical triage and perimeter control. In addition to basic training, CERT hosts a major training session once a quarter to brush up on their emergency skillsets. At one such training, members were alerted to arrive at the former Griswolds building at night, where a mock emergency was conducted. Members were tasked with going into the building, assessing those with injuries and treating them accordingly. Training to take on a crisis is a time-consuming endeavor. Not to mention her initial 20-hour training, CERT Chairman Carole Anthony has logged countless hours with the CERT program, whether training others or volunteering at the police department. However, she insists its time well spent. I have developed my skills through our trainings to a point where I feel more confident in being able to help my family, my neighbors and my community during a disaster, Ms. Anthony shared. I am eager to continue to learn new skills and enlarge my abilities. CERT members have recently begun hosting neighborhood meetings to help others glean some of that acquired knowledge base. The meetings help inform residents on a range of topics, from how to shut off your water in the case of a major disaster or how to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. More importantly, though, the meetings help neighbors to interact with one another. Its important to get to know your neighbors and know what their capabilities are, explained CERT Training Director Dennis Smith. That way in the case of an emergency, you know what might be helpful to your neighborhood. CERT members also reach out to those who may HONORED GROUP continues on the next page

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HONOREDGROUP continued from the previous page

be homebound, providing them with an emergency contact and a homemade disaster preparedness kit, just in case. You can never be too ready, Mr. Smith notes. Ive always believed in the old scout motto, Be Prepared, Mr. Smith said. [At training sessions], I love to see peoples reactions, the moment when the light bulb goes on and they realize all of the things they could be doing to be more prepared. That preparedness has been put into action throughout the years, including during the windstorms in 2012 and local forest fires. They have also come to the aid of their sponsors, the Claremont Police Department, to help with search and rescue missions. While CERT members will take a moment to relax and lead the Fourth of July parade, most of the Independence Day celebration will be spent doing what they do best: helping out. As in years past, CERT members will be on hand to aid the Claremont police with the command post and other various activities. Before the hustle and bustle of the starspangled holiday, Ms. Anthony took a moment to bask in the groups latest distinction. It is an honor to be selected this year, Ms. Anthony shared. We feel it is an acknowledgment of the hard work and many hours our volunteers have put into their training in order to make a difference for our community during any disaster. Basic CERT training courses resume this fall. For more information on the Claremont CERT program, contact the Claremont Police Department at 3995420. Beth Hartnett
news@claremont-courier.com

COURIER photo/Steven Felschundneff Community Emergency Response Team Training Director Dennis Smith observes other CERT members as they inspect the interior of La Puerta during a simulated emergency response held last April. CERT was selected as this years honored group for the Fourth of July parade.

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Blue Spirit Award:

Claremont Museum of Art brings new spirit to the city

espite the bustle of activity surrounding Claremonts annual Independence Day bash, time is always taken to refocus on the individuals and groups that make the community worthy of the celebration.
A Grand Marshal, Honored Individual and Honored Group are traditionally recognized with special fanfare both before and during the Fourth of July festivities. This year, an additional group is being awarded for embodying the spirit of the Claremont community. Community members will join in honoring the Claremont Museum of Art, bestowed with this years resurrected Blue Ribbon Spirit Award. The nonprofit is recognized for its exhibitions and educational programming promoting local arts and culture. For years the Claremont Museum of Art has focused on exposing the Claremont community to the richness of art and culture, with family art activitiesoffered at the Fourth of July Celebration, Village Venture and Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Gardens Art in the Gardenand through special exhibitions at local galleries. The nonprofits latest display featured the work of longtime artist Paul Darrow, and in September they will honor another famed area artist, the late Phil Dike. CMA does not limit their art promotion to those
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COURIER photo/Peter Weinberger Paul Darrow turned on the charm while speaking with former students at the Paul Darrow Collages and Cartoons gallery opening. The event, which was curated and hosted by the Claremont Museum of Art, was held at the Claremont Heritage Ginger Elliott Exhibition Space in Memorial Park in May.

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works found inside a gallery, however. The nonprofit hosts day trips to local artists homes and artistic gardenscapes, and has begun a new program called Artful Evening, featuring the homes of local art collectors. CMA also sponsors the revived Padua Hills Arts Festival, an outdoor fair filled with art demonstrations, music and historic exhibitions. CMA has spent a great deal of time highlighting artistic treasures from the communitys past. However, with their latest venture, ARTstART, the museum is taking a look towards the future. ARTstART, kicked off in 2011, seeks to train college and high school students in art appreciation. Their newfound skill set is then used to educate elementary-aged students at Claremont schools, in a program currently at Sycamore and Oakmont but expanding to Vista in the fall. Students are given lesson plans and taken on field trips to the places they have learned about. Olivia Hengesbach, a recent graduate of Claremont High School, joined ARTstART in 2011, eager for a chance to be involved in the formation of a

Photo courtesy of Catherine McIntosh One community project led by the Claremont Museum of Art was its ARToon program held at El Roble Intemediate School this March.

new group on campus. The fact that the organization focused on the arts, one of her passions, was an added bonus. At age 14, Olivia began her own crafts business, Liv Wild. The young entrepreneur takes recycled sweaters, shrinks them down and

repurposes the felt to make stuffed animals and other crafty creations. As an ARTstART mentor, she hopes to inspire artistic inclinations in the next generation of Claremont students, whether through encouraging them to dabble in the visual arts or adding a lit-

tle bit of history and background to a routine field trip to the Maloof house. Its really fulfilling to see these kids enjoy and be able to talk about art, Olivia shared, noting the transformation she has witnessed in her mentees. With budget cuts stripping arts programming from school curriculums, ARTstART is a creative solution to provide the younger generation with the chance to enjoy the art that helps define Claremont, according to ARTstART director Rich Deely. We want to help break down any barriers, Mr. Deely said. These [students] are the future cultural consumers. They are the ones who will go on and share how their community had an important role to play in 20th century art, and continues to honor those who are still making art today. As the CMA mission affirms, when it comes to art there should be no boundaries. Its all around us, Mr. Deely said. For more on the CMA and its programs, visit www.claremontmuseum. org or visit their booth at this years Fourth of July Celebration.
Beth Hartnett news@claremont-courier.com

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COURIER photos/Steven Felschundneff Kiernan Nesslar enjoys the spectacle of the numerous flags that decorate his familys Towne Avenue home in Claremont.

The Nesslars home is decorated with 50 large flags, dozens of smaller ones and a number of other red, white and blue items. ATRIGHT: Even the mailbox gets a red, white and blue decoration for the Fourth at the Towne Avenue home in Claremont.

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COURIERphotos/Collette Weinberger

Michael and Rita Salvato took first place in the citys House Decorating Contest. The Salvatos transformed their Turning Bend Drive home into a whimsical tropical paradise with Hawaiian decorations, flags and a guitar-playing frog.

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Theme Winner:
Claremont kids rocking theme takes July 4th honors

ts not just the nations independence that will be showcased this year during Claremonts Fourth of July Celebration. Elaine Ulmer, who will be a third grade student at Chaparral Elementary School this fall, is being feted for having a great idea.
Elaine came up with the theme for the 2013 Independence Day festivities, the catchy slogan Claremont Rocks the Fourth. Her slogan was selected as the winner of the citys theme contest from among more than 40 entries submitted by K-6 grade students. Along with seeing her theme emblazoned on posters, T-shirts and other July 4 swag, the young dignitary will also get to ride in the parade and lead the Pledge of Allegiance earlier in the day at the opening ceremonies. Its not the first time that Elaine has participated in the parade. Last year, she and a friend pulled a wagon filled with some preciousand slightly sillycargo, 2 of her familys 3 miniature
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COURIER photo/Steven Felschundneff Chaparral Elementary School student Elaine Ulmer created the winning tagline for the 2013 Fourth of July Celebration, Claremont Rocks the Fourth.

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daschunds. The wiener dogs were representative of the first dish in the theme Hot Dogs and Apple Pie. The year before that, Elaine was seated in the wagon. Thanks to Elaines winning name, her family, which includes mom Stephanie and dad Christopher, has received free tickets for the Claremont Fireworks Spectacular, which will start with a bang at 9 p.m. at Pomona Colleges Strehle Track, preceded by a concert at 6:45 p.m. Elaine is used to raising her eyes to the sky, because she likes science and the solar system and is able to name the planets upon request. She even

wants to be a scientist when she grows up, although shes also seriously contemplating another profession, that of dog trainer. This summer, shes focusing more on fun and enrichment than academics. She just finished basketball camp at Pomona-Pitzers Rains Center and has moved onto Summer Day Camp through the Claremont Unified School District. Included in the camp are a number of outings she is looking forward to, including a jaunt to Universal Studios. Also on tap for Elaine this summer is a trip to Catalina Island and another to visit her grandparents in Arkansas. Closer to home, a perfect summer day would include a visit to Podges

Claremont Juice Co., where she likes to order a fruity smoothie called The Little Mermaid. She may still be young, but this summer Elaine is moving, shaking and, with the selection of her winning holiday theme, taking center stage. She used to be shy, but Elaine says now shes ready for the attention. Shes even entering some art work this year in the Los Angeles County Fair, including one of her latest creations, a Fanta bottle filled with colorful layers of beads that she has dubbed Fantasy. Her July 4 win, which was announced at her school, came as a true surprise, Elaine recalls. When asked about her reaction, she said, I was like this! and made a stunned face. Sarah Torribo storribio@claremont-courier.com

COURIER photo/Steven Felschundneff Elaine Ulmer shoots a basket recently during the Pomona-Pitzer basketball camp in Claremont.

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Tickets on sale for art-inspired Pageant of the Masters

ooking forward to a summer day trip? Tickets for Laguna Beachs famed Pageant of the Masters, which runs nightly at 8:30 p.m. from July 7 to August 31, are currently on sale.

The theme for the 80th annual eventwhich features stunning tableaux of performers and sets made up to look like famous artworks, set to live orchestra music and performed in an outdoor amphitheatre is The Big Picture. The 90-minute show will feature presentations of classic masterpieces that inspired legendary filmmakers.

These living pictures include Michelangelos Sistine Chapel, in a nod to the 1965 biopic The Agony and the Ectasy; recreated film stills from movies starring the great silent film comedians Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd; recreated film stills and movie posters from Alfred Hitchcocks Vertigo, Psycho and North by Northwest and the movie poster from Snow White. Also on tap are sculptures from the Hearst Castle pool; 2 pieces of art that Ferris Bueller and his friends took in during their Day Off visit to the Art Institute of ChicagoCaellebottes Paris Street, Rainy Day and George Seurats A Sunday

Grande Jatteplus much more. As is traditional, the show will conclude with a hyper-realistic interpretation of Leonardo da Vincis The Last Supper. You can head out early and take in the Festival of the Arts, featuring a vast marketplace of arts and crafts, hands-on demonstrations, art workshops and wine tasting. Simply display your Pageant ticket and get in free to the festival throughout its season run, which is June 30 to July 4 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and July 5 to August 31 from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. (The festival closes at 3:30 p.m. on August 24). Both the Pageant and the Festival of the Arts are held at 650 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach. Admission to the Pageant of the Masters ranges from $15 to $55, depending on seating. For tickets or information, call 1-800-487-3378 or visit www.foapom.com. Patrons of both the Pageant and the Festival are encouraged to arrive early and allow extra time for parking. There are 8 public parking lots in the city of Laguna Beach, priced from $10-$15 all day, with slight increases on weekends and holidays. There are also parking meters located throughout town, including Laguna Canyon Road, which charge $.025 per hour (quarters only), with a 3hour maximum. Most of these, which are enforced daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., accept credit cards. Laguna Beach Transit offers free shuttle service to the Festival, running continuously from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., from locations along Pacific Coast Hwy and Laguna Canyon Road. For information on handicapped parking, click Parking Information under the Visitor Info tab on the Festival of the Arts/Pageant of the Masters website.

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