That certain breed of Claremonter
Visitors to Claremont's downtown Village with its lively pedestrian and cafe scene can't help but notice the working-age people who can be spotted not working at hours when nearly everyone else is. Who are these under-employed people lounging over endless cups of coffee at late morning or mid-afternoon?
It's one of the mysteries of Claremont, up there with how some Village stores stay in business, year after year, despite having seemingly no customers, never-changing window displays and, in at least one case I can think of (Kalter's), virtually never being open.
This week, as noted previously, I'm taking a few days off -- while still blogging, obviously. Wednesday morning, after a dental appointment, I took my newspapers to the public square in Village West and sat at a table under an umbrella with a Jamba Juice drink from about 10:30 to 11:30. A very pleasant, sunny day.
At some point, of course, it occurred to me: For one morning, I was one of those Village suspects. So were the dozen or so other people around me.
OK, but all these Village characters can't be on a staycation, can they?
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A journalist for more than two decades, David Allen has been writing a column for the Daily Bulletin since 1997 and blogging since 2007.He lives in Claremont.
E-mail David here or read columns here.
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In old country only people sitting on sidewalks are bum. Maybe here too. Just with better disguise.
--Vlad
Who are they? My guess is many are evidence of the "flexibility" of schedule that goes along with attending, or teaching at, a college (multiplied by 9 in Claremont).
Slightly off topic: did you ever have a chance to check and see if there's still an El Camino Real bell on the edge of the Pomona College campus at 6th and College?
[I did, and there's no bell, alas. -- DA]
David, if you had been at the Square at 1:30 p.m. yesterday, you would have seen about 100 school children, with their teachers/supervisors, arriving to see the movie "Escape to Madagascar II." They were all acting very excited (a good point for the argument that the chain should show a variety).
I did not want anything heavy myself, and I was there to see that same little bit of animated fun. I decided I better make a quick change of plans. The "Changeling" was scheduled about the same time -- I had originally not intended to see it at all, because of its sad, true story. Well, as it turned out, I saw what may be the best movie of the year, and Angelina Jolie will get an Oscar nomination for sure.
Maybe they are all homeland security agents?? I had a dental appt yesterday also; maybe they all did also. Shirley Wofford is right!! "Changeling" is a great movie with great acting and cinematography!
[I'm an Eastwood fan but admit I've been reluctant to see "Changeling." Can you believe he has a second movie coming out in December? -- DA]
That's awesome, Dave....I've often wondered the same thing but I also figured like Mr. House that many of them are professors.
[I'm sure some are. But some must be independently wealthy, or at least independent. -- DA]
David,
Off topic-
Not that you don't deserve it, but...it seems quite often when I check into the blog, I'm hearing about you taking a "few days off." What gives? Is it me or does it feel like you are getting quite a bit of time off?
Another off topic-
You may need to do a restaurant review of what restaurants are still open and holding their own. In Rancho, we've had a number close up recently and unfortunately more will probably follow.
[Well, deserved or not, as an employee of 11 years the DB gives me four weeks' vacation a year. In the past year I've taken about four weeks off. Coincidence? You decide.
As for shuttered RC restaurants, I'm aware of Pei Wei, Noble House and Las Campanas. Others? -- DA]
Claremonters? More like Claremonsters!