July 2009 Archives

The story titled "Claremont project OK'd" that ran page A3 on July 30 contained an error.
A six-foot-high piece of plastic glass would not be at the ledge of 11 senior units with a patio or balcony facing College Avenue.
I apologize I accidently dropped the word "NOT" in the original story.

The affordable housing project at 111 S. College Avenue was approved by Claremont City Council in 5-0 vote July 28 after lengthy comments from the public.

In the consent calendar approved was:

*The sticky-leafed Monkeyflower was voted as official city flower
*The family stabilization program & food pantry location at Joslyn Annex
*A professional services agreement with Bikestation to implement a bike-transit center at Claremont Depot
*Cemetery Expansion project where city council appropriated $52,500 from Cemetery Fund Balance to award design firm RJM Design Group the contract for preparation of construction documents for the proposed Phase 1 of expansion contract
*Request from Claremont Graduate University for a street name change to add Drucker Way to Eleventh Street in the 100 East block of Eleventh Street between College and Dartmouth Avenues

Local nonprofit Shoes That Fit and Claremont Village merchants have teamed up to collect new athletic shoes and school supplies for children in need starting Aug. 1.
Those who want to donate can sign out a free backpack at any participating Claremont Village merchant and fill it with new athletic shoes, socks and school supplies. Backpacks are then returned to the same store by Aug. 15.
For more information call (909) 621-4363 or visit www.StampYourHeart.com or www.ShoesThatFit.org.
--jessica.chou@inlandnewspapers.com

Claremont's Human Services Department is hosting a weekend staycation Aug. 29 to Aug. 30. at the Alexander Hughes Community Center East Lawn.
The Claremont Family Campout begins at 4 p.m. and features camp songs, flashlight scavenger hunt and an old fashioned barbecue, among others.
Registration deadline is Aug. 21 for $25 a camper. Campers should bring a tent, sleeping bag, flashlight and overnight toiletries.
Meals will be provided.
Children must be accompanied by adults, and it is recommended that children be over the age of 3.
For more information and registration, call (909) 399-5490.
The Alexander Hughes Community Center is located at 1700 Danbury Rd.
--jessica.chou@inlandnewspapers.com

KidCare International, based in Claremont, is hosting a family night with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes at 7:35 p.m. Friday.
Tickets are $15.50 for adults and $13.50 for children 3 and older.
The Quakes play at The Epicenter, 8408 Rochester Ave., Rancho Cucamonga.
Tickets include reserved seating for the game and a meal. Tickets without the meal are $8.
Children 2 and under are free.
Proceeds go towards KidCare International.
According to the group's Web site at www.kidcare.org, the organization "supports humanitarian projects in Southern California, Russia, Tanzania, Sri Lanka and South Africa through championing volunteerism and cultivating both public and private partnerships."
For more information call (909) 624-6101.
--jessica.chou@inlandnewspapers.com

UK musician Tom Doughty will play at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Folk Music Center.
Tickets are $10 and doors open at 7 p.m.
Doughty plays acoustic lap guitar with a new technique developed after a traffic accident in 1974 which left him disabled.
The Folk Music Center is located at 220 Yale Ave.
Call (909) 624-2928 or visit www.folkmusiccenter.com
--jessica.chou@inlandnewspapers.com

The Fishtank Ensemble will play at the Folk Music Center Aug. 1 reminder
The Fishtank Ensemble will play at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 1 at the Folk Music Center for $12 per person.
Doors open at 7 p.m.
The ensemble plays mostly Romanian folk music, flamenco, Swedish folk music, and Gypsy jazz among others.
The group's instrumental composition includes violin, saw, accordion, shamisen, flamenco guitar, contrabass and percussion.
The Folk Music Center is located at 220 Yale Ave.
Call (909) 624-2928 or visit www.folkmusiccenter.com.
--jessica.chou@inlandnewspapers.com

The Claremont Police Department's fourth annual Movies in the Park features hot dogs, chips, and drinks prior to the movie.
Best of all, everything is free and city officials recommend residents bring a blanket.
The Human Services Department will be on site with games and crafts for kids to enjoy. while pre-movie activities start at 6:30 p.m. with the movies starting at dusk.
Here is the schedule:
Thursday June Vail Park "Open Season 2"
Tuesday August 4 Memorial Park "Night at the Museum 2"
The Aug. 4 event is a National Night Out event where nationwide citizens "can send a powerful message about neighborhood unity, awareness, safety and police-community partnerships," according to the city's news release. There will also be free In-N-Out hamburgers will be served to the first 750 guests on Aug. 4.
Note: Alcoholic beverages, smoking and dogs are not allowed in the park.

Cool Zones are now open for residents to escape the high temperatures. Below are the hours for the cooling centers.
In two or more consecutive days of over 100 degree temperatures, the city's Human Services Department could extend operational hours. Call the Alexander Hughes Community Center at (909) 399-5490 for more information.
* Hughes Community Center, 1700 Danbury Road
Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday - Thursday, 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Fridays, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Saturdays
* Joslyn Center, 660 North Mountain Ave.
Hours: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Friday
* Blaisdell Center, 440 South College Ave.
Hours: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Monday - Friday
* Claremont Library, 208 Harvard Ave.
Hours: 1 p.m. - 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Friday - Saturdays, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday
* Youth Activity Center (YAC), 1717 North Indian Hill Blvd.
Hours: noon to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday
* Tracks Activity Center (TAC), El Roble 665 North Mountain Ave.
Hours: noon - 5 p.m. Monday - Friday
* Wading Pools (Memorial Park, Wheeler Park, El Barrio Park)
Hours: 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

The final show in the children's concert series in Memorial Park takes place from 7 to 8 p.m. Wedneday.
The concert is sponsored by the City of Claremont and Kiwanis Club and held at Memorial Park, 840 N. Indian Hill Blvd.
The Happy Crowd performs Wednesday. The Kiwanis Club offers a light snack concession with money to benefit the concert program.
Everyone is encouraged to bring a low lawn chair and/or blanket.
Information: www.ci.claremont.ca.us or call (909) 399-5490.

The city council will host a council budget workshop from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the City Council Chamber.
The chamber is at 225 W. Second St.
Information: (909) 399-5460

This week's Scriblerus meeting is themed "Poetry 101--the Ode: Strophe, antisotophe, epode."
The meeting is at Pizza n' Such Thursday at 11:15 a.m. Discussion of odes, its history and modern use is followed by open mic time.
Pizza n' Such is located at 202 Yale Ave.
For more information and to RSVP call Helen Graziano at (909) 621-2876.
Next week's meeting features a workshop led by Mike Krull, a teacher at Riverside Community College.
--jessica.chou@inlandnewspapers.com

Local nonprofit Shoes That Fit and Claremont Village merchants have teamed up to collect new athletic shoes and school supplies for children in need starting Aug. 1.
Those who want to donate can sign out a free backpack at any participating Claremont Village merchant and fill it with new athletic shoes, socks and school supplies. Backpacks are then returned to the same store by Aug. 15.
For more information call (909) 621-4363 or visit www.StampYourHeart.com or www.ShoesThatFit.org.
--jessica.chou@inlandnewspapers.com

Claremont's Human Services Department is hosting a weekend staycation Aug. 29 to Aug. 30. at the Alexander Hughes Community Center East Lawn.
The Claremont Family Campout begins at 4 p.m. and features camp songs, flashlight scavenger hunt and an old fashioned barbecue, among others.
Registration deadline is Aug. 21 for $25 a camper. Campers should bring a tent, sleeping bag, flashlight and overnight toiletries.
Meals will be provided.
Children must be accompanied by adults, and it is recommended that children be over the age of 3.
For more information and registration, call (909) 399-5490.
The Alexander Hughes Community Center is located at 1700 Danbury Rd.
--jessica.chou@inlandnewspapers.com

KidCare International, based in Claremont, is hosting a family night with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes at 7:35 p.m. Aug. 7
Tickets are $15.50 for adults and $13.50 for children 3 and older.
The Quakes play at The Epicenter, 8408 Rochester Ave., Rancho Cucamonga.
Tickets include reserved seating for the game and a meal. Tickets without the meal are $8.
Children 2 and under are free.
Proceeds go towards KidCare International.
According to the group's Web site at www.kidcare.org, the organization "supports humanitarian projects in Southern California, Russia, Tanzania, Sri Lanka and South Africa through championing volunteerism and cultivating both public and private partnerships."
For more information call (909) 624-6101.
--jessica.chou@inlandnewspapers.com

The Folk Music Center's Beginning Harp class begins Tuesday July 28 for 5 weeks.
Classes are $150 for the series without rental costs.
The Folk Music Center is located at 220 Yale Ave.
For more information and registration contact teacher Cyndi Artish at (909) 861-6760 or email harp.diva@verizon.net.
--jessica.chou@inlandnewspapers.com

UK musician Tom Doughty will play at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 8 at the Folk Music Center.
Tickets are $10 and doors open at 7 p.m.
Doughty plays acoustic lap guitar with a new technique developed after a traffic accident in 1974 which left him disabled.
The Folk Music Center is located at 220 Yale Ave.
Call (909) 624-2928 or visit www.folkmusiccenter.com.
--jessica.chou@inlandnewspapers.com

The Fishtank Ensemble will play at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 1 at the Folk Music Center for $12 per person.
Doors open at 7 p.m.
The ensemble plays mostly Romanian folk music, flamenco, Swedish folk music, and Gypsy jazz among others.
The group's instrumental composition includes violin, saw, accordion, shamisen, flamenco guitar, contrabass and percussion.
The Folk Music Center is located at 220 Yale Ave.
Call (909) 624-2928 or visit www.folkmusiccenter.com.
--jessica.chou@inlandnewspapers.com

The Folk Music Center is hosting its monthly Open Mic Night at 6:30 p.m. Sunday.
Sign up begins when doors open at 6 p.m.
There is a $1 per person charge.
Open mic takes place at the Folk Music Center at 220 Yale Ave.
Call (909) 624-2928 or visit www.folkmusiccenter.com.
--jessica.chou@inlandnewspapers.com

The Claremont Police Department's fourth annual Movies in the Park features hot dogs, chips, and drinks prior to the movie.
Best of all, everything is free and city officials recommend residents bring a blanket.
The Human Services Department will be on site with games and crafts for kids to enjoy. while pre-movie activities start at 6:30 p.m. with the movies starting at dusk.

Here is the schedule:
Tuesday July 21st Lewis Park "Madagascar 2"
Thursday July 23rd Blaisdell Park "Firehouse Dog"
Tuesday July 28th Larkin Park "Sandlot"
Thursday July 30th June Vail Park "Open Season 2"
Tuesday August 4th Memorial Park "Night at the Museum 2"

The Aug. 4 event is a National Night Out event where nationwide citizens "can send a powerful message about neighborhood unity, awareness, safety and police-community partnerships," according to the city's news release. There will also be free In-N-Out hamburgers will be served to the first 750 guests on Aug. 4.

Note: Alcoholic beverages, smoking and dogs are not allowed in the park.

Cool Zones are now open for residents to escape the high temperatures. Below are the hours for the cooling centers.
In two or more consecutive days of over 100 degree temperatures, the city's Human Services Department could extend operational hours. Call the Alexander Hughes Community Center at (909) 399-5490 for more information.

• Hughes Community Center, 1700 Danbury Road
  Hours: Monday - Thursday 7:30 am - 9:00 pm, Fridays 7:30 am - 6:00 pm, Saturdays 8:00 am - 2:00 pm
• Joslyn Center, 660 North Mountain Avenue
  Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
• Blaisdell Center, 440 South College Avenue
  Hours: Monday - Friday 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
• Claremont Library, 208 Harvard Avenue
  Hours: Monday -Thursday 1:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Friday - Saturdays 10:00 am - 5:00 pm, Sunday 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
• Youth Activity Center (YAC), 1717 North Indian Hill Blvd.
  Hours: Monday - Friday 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
• Tracks Activity Center (TAC),  El Roble 665 North Mountain Avenue
  Hours: Monday - Friday 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
• Wading Pools (Memorial Park, Wheeler Park, El Barrio Park)
  Hours: 11:30 am - 1:30 pm

Inglewood thrash and hardcore band Final Draft will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday inside the Packing House to support the prison library project.
Set It On Fire will also perform.
Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and there is a $5 cover charge.
The Packing House is at 540 W. First St.
The non-profit Claremont Forum, founded in 1985, seeks to "promote individual and social well-being through education, the arts, and wellness programs" and "provides a foundation for the development of ideas, the arts, and community service," according to the organization's Web site.
The prison library project serves "prisoners seeking personal and spiritual growth by providing books and tapes at no cost to the prisoner, prison chaplain, or prison psychologist," according to the Claremont Forum's Web site.
The forum is at 586 West First Street.
Information: (909) 626-3066,
http://web.me.com/claremontforum/The_Claremont_Forum/Welcome.html or http://www.myspace.com/finaldraft

Seniors from all communities can begin enrolling in free courses at the Claremont colleges starting Thursday.
The Claremont Avenues for Lifelong Learning Program allows people age 60 and up to take one free class as an auditor at either Pomona, Harvey Mudd, Pitzer, Scripps or Claremont McKenna.
Some courses require prior knowledge while others don't and seniors are expected to regularly attend their scheduled class.
Course schedules are available at the Joslyn Center at 660 Mountain Ave. and the registration period is until August 6.
The program is open to seniors of all communities, but priority goes to Claremont residents.
For more information call (909) 399-5488.
christee.lemons@inlandnewspapers.com

The monthly Edge of LA Comic Convention will be held Saturday at the Packing House in Claremont from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m..
The comic book and pop culture convention will feature a role playing game, comic books, collectibles and art dealers, publishers, writers and artists.
The Claremont Packing House is located at 532 W. 1st St.
Admission and parking is free.
For more information visit www.losangelescomic-con.com.
-- jessica.chou@inlandnewspapers.com

The weekly Scriblerus meeting will detail Poetry 101 at 1:15 p.m. Thursday at Pizza n' Such.
The program is called "Poetry 101--How to Write a Poem and Poetry and Jazz."
Attendees are suggested to bring news clippings about any jazz artist and the discussion will focus on "imagery, free associations, sensuality of jazz and poetry, influence of Freud, Eckhart Tolle."
Pizza n' Such is located at 202 Yale Ave. There is no tuition for the seminar.
Newcomers are welcome.
For more information and to RSVP call Helen Graziano at (909) 621-2876.

A forum to discuss reforming the state Constitution will be held Thursday at Harvard Square Cafe.
The Mountain View Republican Club is hosting a forum about the initiative sponsored by the Bay Area Council and the Lincoln Club of Orange County.
The two groups hope to redesign the state by forming a constitutional convention and re-writing the Constitution.
There is a $22 fee for members and a $25 fee for nonmembers, which includes dinner, nonalcoholic drink, tax and tip.
The event starts at 6:30 p.m. An earlier article had the wrong time.
The cafe is at 206 W. Bonita Ave.
For more information, visit www.mountainviewgop.com.
christee.lemons@inlandnewspapers.com

A Driving Under the Influence and license checkpoint will take place from 6 p.m. Friday and end at 2 a.m. Saturday.
All drivers will be stopped to make sure they have valid driver licenses, are not under the influence of alcohol or drugs and are wearing their seatbelts, according to a Claremont Police Department news release.
A California Office of Traffic Safety grant through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration funds the program.

"Babel: The Chaos of Melancholy," a 25-foot site specific installation, will open from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday inside the Nichols Gallery at Pitzer College Art Galleries, 1050 N. Mills Ave.
The free exhibit, open to the public, will continue through Sept. 11.
Gallery hours are from noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Friday and through appointment.
Kyungmi Shin, a Los Angeles-based, Korean American artist, uses recycled building materials and objects to evoke a Biblical Tower of Babel that "represents a modern palimpsest of interconnected cultures transformed by the vagaries of time."
Information: www.pitzer.edu/galleries

The autograph signing scheduled to take place Sunday at Rhino Records with Pat Jankiewicz has been cancelled.

Rhino Records, at 235 Yale Ave., apologized for any inconvenience in a news release.

Rhino Records will host a listening party for The Dead Weather at noon Saturday followed by a special live performance DVD.
The Dead Weather, an alternative rock band, features The Kills' vocalist Alison Mosshart, The White Stripes and The Raconteurs vocalist and band drummer Jack White, guitarist Dean Fertita of Queens of the Stone Age and bassist of The Raconteurs and The Greenhornes Jack Lawrence.
There will also be a pre-sell at 10 a.m. of the group's debut album "Horehound" which includes a poster, lithograph, sticker and voucher to pick up a copy on or after July 14.
The CD is $13.99 or 2-LP is $19.99.
Rhino Records is at 235 Yale Avenue.

A driving under the influence/sobriety checkpoint will be held from 6 p.m. Saturday to 2 a.m. Sunday at an undisclosed location, Claremont Police Department officials said in a news release.
Police will stop drivers to make sure they're not under the influence of alcohol or drugs or not wearing a seatbelt or not having a valid driver license.
The Caliifornia Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety administration provided the grant for the program.

A lamp exchange will be held 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 17 and 18 at Montclair Plaza, 9290 Central Ave., Montclair.
Sponsored by the Southern California Edison, the lamp exchange allows residents to exchange up to 10 old lamps for a replacement.
A California drivers license or SCE bill must be presented.
For more information visit www.scelampexchange.com.
--jessica.chou@inlandnewspapers.com

Radomir Vojtech Luza will be the featured reader at the weekly Scriblerus meeting 1:15 p.m. Thursday at Pizza n' Such.
Luza is a poet, actor and stand up comedian. He is the editor in chief of Voice in the Library literary journal.
Pizza n' Such is located at 202 Yale Ave., Claremont. There is no tuition for the seminar.
Lunch and an open mic will take place after the meeting.
For more information and to RSVP call Helen Graziano at (909)
621-2876.
--jessica.chou@inlandnewspapers.com

 The monthly Edge of LA Comic Convention will be held on July 18 at the Packing House in Claremont from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m..
The comic book and pop culture convention will feature a role playing game, comic books, collectibles and art dealers, publishers, writers and artists.
The Claremont Packing House is located at 532 W. 1st St., Claremont.
Admission and parking is free.
For more information visit www.losangelescomic-con.com.
-- jessica.chou@inlandnewspapers.com

Quick update ... The planning commission passed the mixed use district development plan for affordable housing at 111 S. College Ave. Tuesday night with a 5-2 vote.
Planning commission members Martin McLeod and Rob Ragland voted against the project.

The worldly musical experience of Fishtank Ensemble performs at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 1 at the Folk Music Center.
Doors open at 7 p.m.
Admission is $12.
For more information on the band, visit www.fishtankensemble.com or www.myspace.com/fishtankensemble.
The folk music center is at 220 Yale Ave.
For more information, visit www.folkmusiccenter.com or call (909) 624-2928.

The blues, jazz, ragtime and folk group Ditty Bops will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Folk Music Center.
Doors open at 7 p.m.
Admission is $20.
For more information on the band, visit www.myspace.com/dittybops or amandabarrettandabbydewald.com
The folk music center is at 220 Yale Ave.
For more information, visit www.folkmusiccenter.com or call (909) 624-2928.

Rhino Records at 235 Yale Ave. will hold the following concerts:

8 p.m. Friday: The Warlocks (reggae influenced punk).

2 p.m. Sunday: Pat Jankiewicz (Upland artist signing ``Just When You Thought It Was Safe'').

8 p.m. July 17: Groove Session (rock-jam, funk to fusion and jazz).

2 p.m. July 19: Danny Holt (groove-oriented classical piano).

8 p.m. July 24: Action 45 (punk rock with melodic rhythm and sharp lyrics).

2 p.m. July 26: Damion Suomi (songs influenced by Irish culture, pubs and aged whiskey about hopeful despair).

8 p.m. July 31: Jahmbi (jazz rock with influences from Louis Armstrong to Chopin and Faith No More).

Information: (909) 626-7774 or www.rhinorecords.cc.

Claremont and the Kiwanis Club will hold Summer Concerts in the Park at Memorial Park, 840 N. Indian Hill Blvd.
The concerts will from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Mondays through Sept. 7
The schedule:

July 13: Claremont Winds (symphonic winds).

July 20: Calypso Pirates (reggae).

July 27: Suave (latin/R&B).

Aug. 3: The Ravelers (classic rock).

Aug. 10: Yolanda Creole Woman (New Orleans).

Aug. 17: All-American Wranglers (country).

Aug. 24: Reno Jones (blues rock).

Aug. 31: Night Blooming Jazzmen (Dixieland).

Sept. 7: The Answer (classic rock).

The Kiwanis Club offers concessions, and the proceeds will benefit the concert program. People are encouraged to bring a low lawn chair or a blanket.
Information: (909) 399-5490.

The Friends of Padua will hold free tours, entertainment and lemonade from 5 to 8 p.m. July 12 at the Padua Hills Theatre.
Tours will be given every 30 minutes to point out out the history and changes to the theater.
The theatre is at 4467 Via Padova, and grounds will be open for people to inspect the facility.
For more information, call (909) 621-0848.

International Game Day will be from 1 to 4 p.m. July 15 at the Petterson Museum at Pilgrim Place.
Adults and children can play games from throughout the world.
Pilgrim Place is at 660 Avery Road.
For more information, call (909) 621-9581.

The winners for the 2009 house decorating contest winners for the Fourth of July (and thanks to Jim and Phyllis Brost for sending these to me)

1st Sheila and Sharon Murphy, 1311 Cedarview Drive
2nd Yvonne McCloskey, 1828 Santa Rosa Ct.
3rd George and Alice Kerner, 1721 Towne Ave.

Special mention:
1. Pamela Palmer, 626 Yale Ave.
2. Sharron Neyer, 2213 Brescia Ave.
3. Tom and Juline McGarry, 678 Hendrix Ave.

There were 59 contestants.

I received these comments past deadline for my story about T. Willard Hunter that ran in Thursday's Daily Bulletin.

"I can say I met Mr. Hunter when I joined the committee 10 years ago. I worked with him every year since then. Not just on the Fourth of July but throughout the months proceeding each one. He was active earlier [in the speakers corner], but due to failing health, it was less and less. But whatever contributed, it was greatly appreciated by me. From a personal standpoint, I greatly admired him for his intellect and his humor and his deep appreciation for the First Amendment. That single element drew me to this job. which I've toiled at for 10 years."

 - Bill Seymour, Speakers' Corner Co-Chair

"Willard was a true original. He was a renaissance man of letters and ideas, who lived a life grounded in principal and action. He was a role model and a teacher for many of us. At a time I went to graduate school and I was in my 20s back in the 1970's. Willard was there too but he was in his 60's. And he decided was going to go into ministry and change his life and he didn't care how old he was. And he taught us all, when I look back on those years a lot about making the most out of your life. He was a great guy and I will miss him deeply."

- Bill Cunitz, President/CEO of Pilgrim Place and a classmate of Willard's at Andover Newton Theological Seminar.

Air Force recruiters driving miniature F-16 fighter jets. Marines creating a live tableau of the flag raising at Iwo Jima. Uncle Sam singing "God Bless America." Soap-box speeches. Dogs wearing red, white and blue bandannas.

Americana reigned strong on the Fourth of July in Ontario and Claremont.

Each city hosted a day of Fourth of July activities, and while each of the celebrations was distinctly American, they were distinctly different.

To beat the summer afternoon heat, Ontario's annual parade began early in the day. By 9 a.m. hundreds of people had staked out their spots along the expansive Euclid Avenue median.

Jennie Veenstra, a retired Arroyo Elementary teacher, sat in her lawn chair, with a small American flag in hand, and quietly cheered for the myriad of children, local dignitaries and veterans groups marching in the parade.

The Upland woman said the patriotism was stronger this year compared to the other 45 times she has watched the parade.

"I like to come watch the kids because it's a kids' parade," Veenstra said. "It always strikes a chord to see the kids in the parade."

Working her way through the crowd was Sharon Guengerich. She wasn't there to watch the parade, but she was celebrating the nation's day of independence.

The Ontario woman was working the crowd to get as many signatures possible to recall Gov. Gray Davis. The pro-lifer doesn't like that Davis is pro-choice and blames him for the state budget deficit.

"As patriotic and good citizens, we should be doing the right thing and this is the right thing," she said holding up the petitions.

Other than Guengerich, the Ontario crowd was not political, just patriotic.

At Memorial Park in Claremont, however, throughout the day members of the community signed up for 10 minutes to speak about whatever they wanted on a stage, microphone at hand behind a podium.

The idea was born 26 years ago, when Willard Hunter had an idea. Sick of the Fourth July being more about hot dogs and fireworks, rather than the values the Founding Fathers instilled into the country's psyche, the Claremont man started the Speakers Corner.

"Someone should stand in the corner of the park to say why we should celebrate the Fourth of July," Hunter said. "Someone should give context to this."

Twenty-two people signed up to speak. Pat Patterson, of Pilgrim Place and a major organizer of the Claremont peace vigils before and during the war in Iraq, gave a gripping speech titled, "How do you cure the 9/11 disease?"

While a bustling fair in the park was going on, Patterson gave a strong critique of the current White House administration and its abuse of power abroad and on the home front. Her voice was wavy, but her words were strong.

"How could we imagine where we would be now when we waltzed into the 21st century?" she said.

She said the American public's post-9/11 fears are allowing the Bush administration to stronghold civil and constitutional freedoms.

While people spoke at the Speakers Corner throughout the day, many humanitarian and social groups set up booths. Many sold food and, arts and crafts.

People of all ages filtered through the shady park, some with flags or other red, white and blue paraphernalia.

Like Ontario, Claremont also hosted a parade with many youth groups and organizations.

While people at the two celebrations focused on different agendas to celebrate the nation's Independence Day, there was one thing in common; everyone seemed to have had unyielding respect for the foundation of this country.

Republican or Democrat; pro-life or pro-choice; boxers or briefs, while these agendas (some more than others) can cause great divides, everyone seems to agree in the agenda set forth in the Declaration of Independence.

"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."

Nobody appeared to disagree with that.

Lisa C. Berghouse can be reached by e-mail atl_berghouse@dailybulletin.com .