General

Claremont Chamber hosts Women’s Leadership Conference

Join the Claremont Chamber of Commerce for a day of motivation, inspiration and fun at their Women’s Leadership Conference on Friday, March 6, 2015 from 9 a.m. Claremont-women – 3 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton Claremont, 555 W. Foothill Blvd. Claremont.

Presented by Claremont Lincoln University, this day-long conference will explore significant topics including the hidden rules of success, personal branding and the history of women. The attendees will also have the opportunity to have a panel discussion with current and former women elected officials.

Featured speakers will include: Lori Giovannoni, a nationally recognized speaker, author and businesswomen; JuliAnn Stitick, nationally-known personal brand and image consultant; and Dr. Peg Lamphier, author and IGE Professor at Cal Poly Pomona. All are welcome and encouraged to attend – as it will be an empowering day filled with practical information for everyone.

Cost per person is $100, which includes a continental breakfast and lunch. Registration is available online at www.claremontchamber.org by Friday, February 27th. For information on becoming a sponsor or exhibitor call (909) 624-1681.

About the Speakers:

Lori Giovannoni is an award-winning speaker, author and businesswoman. Her clients include small businesses, as well as Fortune 500 companies and departments within federal, state and city governments. Lori’s contributions as a volunteer in her community have earned her many awards, including the Athena Award. As the Dean of Executive Women International’s Academy of Leadership, Lori has designed and developed all the courses that comprise the Academy of Leadership.
JuliAnn Stitick, a nationally-known personal brand and image consultant, will speak on personal branding, encompassing communication skills, body language, presentation, wardrobe, client experience, organization and followup. JuliAnn is a trusted image advisor for top level entrepreneurs globally and organizations crossing every industry, including the Oscars, the Golden Globes, Disney, Nordstrom and Lexus.
Dr. Peg Lamphier is an author and Professor at Cal Poly Pomona. Peg attended Arizona State University and the Claremont Graduate School. Her first book was published in 2003 about politics and gender during the Civil War. Peg is currently under contract with Blackwell-Wiley as co-author for a Civil War and Reconstruction text book and is an editor of a four volume Encyclopedia of American Women with ABC-Clio.

Casting Call – Inviting Claremont Residents and Visitors to Participate in Tourism Video “Grand Finale” on July 18

WHAT: Claremont’s tourism board, Discover Claremont, is filming a promotional video in the streets of Claremont Village this Friday night. The video will promote many of Claremont’s amenities, including its hotels, restaurants and boutiques.

WHO: Claremont residents and visitors are encouraged to join with the Claremont High School Marching Band to participate as extras for the video’s “grand finale” scene in the Claremont Village. Please wear solid-colored tops (no patterns) without logos.

WHERE: Meet at the corner of Yale and Bonita Avenues.

WHEN: Friday, July 18, 2014. Call time is 4:30 PM, and the shoot will be completed by 7:00 PM.

QUESTIONS: Please email Discover Claremont at info@discoverclaremont.com

Claremont Ski & Surf Winter Escape Specials Available through March 31, 2014

Claremont, nestled in the San Gabriel Mountains between the area’s ski resorts and beaches, is offering a winter special for visitors who are looking to ski and surf the Southland. Claremont’s location on the Los Angeles County border makes it possible for visitors to ski in the local mountains at sunrise, grab a quick lunch, surf in the Pacific Ocean in the afternoon, and enjoy a fine meal and entertainment at night.

Claremont welcomes travelers to “stay and relax” at one of the city’s hotel and motel properties and enjoy the town’s many tourist amenities. This winter, through March 31, 2014, the Claremont tourism board is offering its popular “Discover Claremont” stay-and-relax package that includes a minimum one-night stay and $100 in gift cards redeemable at more than 130 locally owned eateries, boutiques, day spas and salons, and entertainment venues.

A limited number of “Discover Claremont” packages are available on a first-come, first-served basis to guests who book directly through participating Claremont hotels, including Hotel Casa 425 (909-624-2272), DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Claremont (909-626-2411), and Hotel Claremont and Tennis Club (909-621-4831).

Foodies can redeem Claremont gift cards all day long: Start your morning at Some Crust Bakery or The Last Drop Café, grab a to-go lunch from the Cheese Cave or Wolfe’s Market, sip a cold one at Claremont Craft Ales or the Lounge at Casa 425, enjoy a dinner at restaurants like Orchard, La Parolaccia, Aruffo’s, Espiau’s or the bistro at Packing House Wines, and grab a dessert at I Like Pie.

Shoppers will enjoy exploring Claremont’s boutiques like Rio de Ojas, Colors 91711, Nectar, Barbara Cheatly Antiques, Heirloom, and Aromatique.

Entertainment options using Discover Claremont gift cards include Dueling PianoPiano at the DoubleTree by Hilton, and the Candlelight Pavilion dinner theater.

Claremont’s attractions also include the 86-acre Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, the largest botanic garden dedicated exclusively to California’s native plants; and the world-renowned Folk Music Center museum and store, owned by musician Ben Harper’s family.

A complete list of Claremont merchants participating in the gift card promotion can be found at http://discoverclaremont.com/giftcards/.

Claremont Hosts Largest Annual Arts And Crafts Faire, October 26

With fall quickly approaching, the Claremont Chamber of Commerce is hard at work for the preparation of the Inland Valley’s largest Arts & Crafts Faire, Village Venture.

With an estimated 15,000 people in attendance the streets of the Claremont Village will be filled with 500+ booths at this annual event on Saturday, October 26, 2013 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Streets will be closed from First St. to Fourth St. and Indian Hill Blvd to College Ave. The streets will be lined with booths selling unique art, original crafts, apparel, business and organization information, international food and entertainment.

A children’s pre-carved pumpkin competition will be held in Shelton Park (corner of Harvard Ave. and Bonita Ave.) Judging will take place at 2pm. Sponsored by The Claremont Sunrise Rotary.

The traditional children’s Halloween costume parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. All participants will assemble at the corner of Harvard and Bonita Ave. at 9:15 a.m. (No motorized vehicles will be allowed in the parade.)

No need to worry about parking. A complementary off site shuttle service will be provided. Shuttle locations: Claremont University Facilities on First St. and Mills Ave. Cahuilla Park parking lot on Scripps Ave. and Indian Hill Blvd. and St. Ambrose Episcopal Church on Bonita Ave and Mountain Ave.

Don’t miss out on this fun-filled family event.

For more information contact the Claremont Chamber of Commerce at (909) 624-1681 or visit www.claremontchamber.org

Hotel Casa 425 and Claremont Yoga Present Vino + Vinyasa, Free Yoga Class Plus Happy Hour, June 23

It worked so well the first two times, Hotel Casa 425 and Claremont Yoga will team up once again to present Vino + Vinyasa, an afternoon of stress relief and relaxation. The event takes place Sunday, June 23 in the hotel’s outdoor courtyard.

Casa425 The complimentary, hour-long yoga session led by Nicole Schwander Riel, co-owner of Claremont Yoga and lululemon ambassador, will start at 3:30 p.m. Vinyasa, also called flow yoga, is a style that employs synchronized postures and breathing techniques at a faster pace, thus providing aerobic benefits in addition to the increased flexibility, better posture, and stress reduction commonly associated with traditional forms of yoga.

From 4 to 7 p.m., participants will enjoy Happy Relaxation Hour in the Hotel Casa 425 Lounge, with select glasses of wine starting at just $5.

The June 23 Vino + Vinyasa is the first of four such sessions to be held at Hotel Casa 425 this summer. “What started as a one-time event was such a hit, we decided to do it again. When the second Vino + Vinyasa was even more popular than the first, we knew it was time to make them a more regular thing,” said Tara Naughtin, Manager of Hotel Casa 425. The result: Vino + Vinyasa events featuring different instructors from both Claremont Yoga and Green Tara Yoga are also slated for July 14, August 11 and September 8, 2013.

Participants should bring yoga mats and arrive 15 minutes prior to class start time, as spots are on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, visit www.casa425.com.

Hotel Casa 425 is located in downtown Claremont at 425 W. First Street, in historic Claremont Village. The lounge offers a casually sophisticated venue for mingling with friends, along with signature drinks, an extensive wine and beer list and gourmet small plates. Indoor seating is available, or relax in the hotel’s central courtyard, which feels more like an outdoor living room with its canopy of trees, lounge furniture, fountains, and glass fire pits.

Hotel Casa 425 is part of the Four Sisters Inns collection, including 13 properties in California. The group includes the Blue Lantern Inn (Dana Point), Hotel Casa 425 (Claremont), Channel Road Inn (Santa Monica), Newport Beach Hotel (Newport Beach), Gosby House Inn and Green Gables Inn (Pacific Grove), West Cliff Inn (Santa Cruz), Blackbird Inn (downtown Napa), Maison Fleurie and Lavender (Napa Valley), Healdsburg Inn on the Plaza (Healdsburg), Inn at Sonoma (Sonoma) and the Gaige House (Glen Ellen).

Butterfly Pavilion at Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden Opens May 11

See the Miracle of Butterfly Metamorphosis!

butterfly6 butterfly5 The Butterfly Pavilion at Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden unites science education and hands-on fun for visitors of all ages. The pavilion is open daily May 11 through July 28, 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.

The Butterfly Pavilion focuses on the relationship between local butterflies and native plant California habitats. Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden is a privately-funded nonprofit organization dedicated to California native plants.

Pavilion admission is $2 per person (plus Garden admission or membership). Garden admission is free for RSABG members; $8 adults, $6 seniors and students and $4 children age 3 – 12 (under 3 free).

Butterfly Observation Tips

Wear light-colored clothing: Light-colored or white clothing may encourage a butterfly to land on you.
Come when it’s warm, or cool: Butterflies take flight as temperatures rise.
Slow down: These beautiful creatures are more likely to land on those who walk at a slower pace.
Remember your camera: Before you head over, grab your camera. No tripods, please.

The discerning palate of caterpillars helps explain why so many butterfly species are threatened. The major cause of species disappearance in a given area is almost always habitat destruction and the elimination of the plants that they need to survive. In spite of our extensive urban sprawl, Southern California has many species of butterflies that are fairly abundant and easily attracted to flowers or food plants in local gardens. Native plants are ideal for butterfly gardening because they provide food sources and in turn butterflies aid in flower pollination.

About RSABG

Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, founded in 1927 by Susanna Bixby Bryant, is the largest botanic garden dedicated exclusively to California native plants. The Garden is located on 86 acres in Claremont, approximately 35 miles east of Los Angeles. RSABG, a private, nonprofit organization, offers educational programs and special events throughout the year and is home of the Botany Department for Claremont Graduate University. The Garden offers a superb selection of California native plants for sale at Grow Native Nursery.

Visitor information

Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden is located at 1500 N. College Ave., Claremont, California. It is open daily from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., Jan. 1, July 4, Thanksgiving and Dec. 25. The California Garden Shop is open daily from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Admission: free for RSABG members; $8 adults; $6 seniors and students; $4 children 3-12; For more information please call (909) 625-8767 or visit www.rsabg.org.