2011

Village Venture

our C ier
Claremont
claremont-courier.com

GIVING

A of season

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A season of giving: 2011 Village Venture Special

Spirit of volunteering
by Beth Hartnett

Find out how Claremonters are making a difference

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Joy of teaching

by Beth Hartnett

One Claremont couple shares a life of giving, teaching and laughter.

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Desert succulents

by Kathryn Dunn

Learn how a hobby and a friendship has kept 2 Claremont women busy for years

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Village Venture Booth Listing

Apparel and Accessories
Space # 109 130 130 131 136 137 140 162 163 168/169 176 183 187 201 203 206 213 215 218 235 242 244 249 258 273 296 302 304 306 315 318 320 326 335 363 366 377 380 company Monas Uniique Boutique Enchiladamama Sew Joy Designs by Ursula Andre Fields Njeri Designs La Teeda Oilcloth Alley John A. Conroy Laurie Jo Designs Blue River Lynda Beckstrom Simply Roses Lucky Zelda Linda Stevens Me Shell Graphics Sun Hwa and Co. Head Over Heels Yoneys One Of A Kind jill dufau Cathys Collectibles Bellas Delightful Bows Change of A-dress Sweet Chic Bowtique Thai Dye An Original to Remember Ms Kays Girly Boutique Kiki Bowns Sweet Baby Threads Elle-Ments Ames Creations Art Couture Bungalow 360 3 Old Hens Heavenly Accents Enchanted Treasures Material Things Square West

Apparel and Accessories

Space # 385 387 393 396 402 405 411 422 428 431 434 450 470 474 484 487 505 509 511 514 535 537 553 558 562 582 602 608 609 611 615 807 815 818 822 825 827 838 840 841 846 company KBD Studio Karenina Mary Jane Holden D Lizzie Color Conscious Jezebels Cottage Marthas Special Ts Audrey Durnan Pineapple Princess T-Shirt Inchworms Clothing Rainbow Tie-Dyes HSK Creations Floradora Dandee Silk Pretty Fancy The Joan & Lucy Show Sensations By Sybil Purse Time 4U To Dye For Creations Community Senior Services Romantic Concepts TLG Clothing Live Laugh Love Laub Trimitive Enchanted Eras True Colors Ana Castro Susan Dubin Elaine Cobb Art2graf Creations Jans Creative Clothing GMH Designs Pure Intent Nias Ribbons, Bows & More Tiffany J Designs Recyclicious Leslie Thornton Arts Shelby Pope Sparkle Cookie Designs CharlaRae The Bag Lady

Business and Organizations

Space # 701 702 703 704 705 706 707 708 709 710 711 712 713 714 715 716 717 718 719 720 721 722 723 724 725 726 727 728 729 730 731 732 733 734 735 736 737 738 739 741 742 company Such-A-Deal Bikram Yoga Claremont Candlelight Pavilion Claremont Manor InterValley Health Plan Amor Femina State Farm Classic Elegance Video & Media hush serenity San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments Legal Shield Claremont Chiropractic 360 Remodeling Village Network Africa Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center Stella & Dot Norwex Claremont Bible Chapel Kiwanis Club of Claremont Kathleen/Neil Gray DoubleTree by Hilton Claremont Essentials Day Spa and Salon Claremont Heritage Alpine Aperture California Center for the Aging Friends of the Claremont Pooch Park League of Women Voters Atlas Spinal Care Rotary Club of Claremont Unleashed Fitness Worldwide Impact Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden Our Lady of the Assumption Foothill Country Day School The Clinebell Institute Damien High School Harvard Garden Day Spa Ekisa Paper Beads Democratic Club of Claremont Citibank Sustainable Claremont

Business and Organizations

Space # company 743 Chaffey Auto Body & Beauty/ Connie & Dicks Service Center 744 Claremont Community School of Music 745 Dot Will Do It! 746 Petterson Museum 747 Pilgrim Place 748 Chaparral Medical Group 749 Wei Tuo Academy 750 Bungalow 360 751 Beautiful Radiant Skin 752 Claremont HS Theatre 753 Extreme Boot Camp 754 Crossroads, Inc 755 Kitchen & Bath Werks 756 Inland Valley Hope Partners 757 Western Christian Schools 758 Abundant Life Chiropractic 759 Southern CA Golden Retriever Rescue 760 Unico Eyewear 761 Trucare Pet Sitting & Dog Training 762 The Catholic Depot Inc 771 Moultrie Academy of Music, Voice & Dance 772 VNA & Hospice/So Cal 773 Pomona Valley Audubon Society 774 Crimson Cottage 775 Golden State Water Co 776 Claremont Museum of Art 777 Renewal by Andersen 778 Daughters of the American Revolution 779 Kundalini Inspired Creations 780 Superior Circulation 781 Dianas Jewelry Design 782 Laser Island 783 Casa Colina 784 Claremont Faculty Association

Ceramics and Pottery

Space # 121 126 129 161 company Codina Ceramics Kens Garden Pottery Spinning Wheel Ceramics Irene Zdunczyk

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Ceramics and Pottery

Space # 182 240 276 284 292 297 308 324 329 339 367 370 386 395 406 412 425 426 443 455 471 483 493 501 501 502 502 507 613 810 823 835 852 company Tri-Community Adult School Fantastic Stones Shard Art Of The Earth Ceramics Mary Swann T & C Pottery, Inc. Sassafrass Pottery Terramonary Stoneware & Porcelain Pence Animal Sculpture Potter of La Quinta Judy Winard The Perfect Violet Pot Aghasi Rica Fired Up Tiles Rempalski Ceramics Beyond Blue Ceramics Cardoza Pottery Ellen Williams Ceramics Squires Ceramic Studio The American Museum of Ceramic Art Burnett Pottery Carla Funk Annies Garden Ceramics Colin Petrie Ceramics Celeste iida Mike Flower Pottery Ellen Hsu Louise Reding Porcelain Gary Brummett Jack Cactus Caselles Xavier Gonzalez Ceramics Flower Street Studio Carol Swanson

Floral and Garden

Space # 293 361 371 376 391 457 510 560 583 company Desert Succulent Natural Scents Autumn Enchantment Smallweeds Monalisas Natures Garland Hawaiian Stoneworks Orchids-In-Bloom Violet Perfection by Gini

Jewelry
Space # 234 243 252 263 272 275 283 291 294 305 309 319 322 325 337 340 362 369 372 378 384 388 394 404 407 409 414 432 444 446 449 452 456 458 463 465 467 473 482 485 492 494 508 534 536 552 557 561 564 587 606 614 806 809 813 819 826 837 843 company Symphony of Creative Expressions Laura Souder Pure Heart Gemstone Jewelry Suzzana Mountain Elegante Designs Cathys Earcuffs Seymour Enterprises Bob Johnson Studio Ramina Rechard Pearls Tiffanys House Inc Susan Beca Little Muse Designs Ohana Hawaiian Jewelry Karma Kulture Joys Stapleton-McErlane Designs The Lath Straw Hang in There Natures Expressions Harrold Olsen Collective Trudy James Unique Handcrafted Jewelry Cassanovas The Studio at Glenelm Karen Nan Designs Meisha Artemida Design Jay Simmons Designs PMW Studio Personal Touch Designs Gitas Crafts & Designs Plain & Fancy Designs Adornments J. Dubson - Design Odyssey Sparkles by Sarwat Ken Rogers Porcelain Designs Hasri Collection Slavic Gifts Blue Jean Beads Screaming Peacock Jewelry Linda Amato Collection Inner Earth Jewelry The Clover Man Jewelry by Naomi Earthy Jewelry Tyler Cody Designs Maji Designs Frances Kohler Kardon Trading Co. Dragonfly Jewelry Designs Queenbead On the Rocks Designs by Brenda Two Hearts Designs Lisa Toland Collection Inner Images Harmony Visions Petal Connection

Paintings and Photography

Space # 430 451 454 486 554 559 566 584 616 812 820 833 848 851 company Yu-neek debbiesartstudio.com Colors to Move Your Soul Carol Jean Watercolors Nostalgia Graphics Bristow Images Images of Imagination Remember When.. Pencil Portraits Dorothy Wallace Photography Art Affects by Deano Brellas n Fans Laura Barnes Teresa Downer Fine Art Art by Erin Leigh

Food Vendors
Space # 461 521 522 523 524 525 526 527 528 529 530 531 569 570 571 572 573 574 575/576 company Tutti Mangia Italian Grill Rosas Tacos Eddies NY Pizzeria Funnel Cakes etc. Charlas Tri-Tip Cjonte Hot Dogs-n-Tamales Inc. Korean BBQ Green Mango Thai Bistro Planet Cookies How Bout Them Apples? Robertsons Roasted Almonds Bert & Rockys Cream Co. Bistro Blends Italian Ice company JBs Famous BBQ Justin Popping Good Corn Bamboo Hut Fresh Squeezed Lemonade Now Youre Poppin

Village Business
Space # 112 141 177 178 202 205 221 222 231 251 256 259 260 261 271 277 331/332 364 373 398 424 447 462 489 515 538 539 581 585 586 801 802 803 804 805 811 814 834 company The Chama Unique Jewelry & Gifts Rain Boutique The Healthy Hair Bar Xerxes Tattle Tails Claremont Chamber of Commerce Claremont Community Foundation The Diamond Center California Bank & Trust Podges Claremont Juice Co. Fresh Produce Amelie Tibetan Artcrafts Claremont COURIER Folk Music Center City of Claremont A-Kline Chocolatier Himalayan Collections The Bath Workshop Claremont Photo and Video Hendricks Pharmacy Sonja Stump Photography Friends of the Claremont Library The Village Attic Curves for Women Aromatique First City Credit Union Mint Leaf Natural Products & Massage Escape Salon Claremont Lock & Key DP Door Co The Science Lab Phebies NeedleArt Claremont Village Treasures Wisteria Grove Cielo Mio Spa & Salon Loving Hut Claremont

Country Crafts
Space # 122 134 164 171 190 191 216 241 295 316 321 327 333 338 368 375 379 397 401 403 410 433 445 448 464 466 472 490 495 506 513 533 556 563 567 588 589 603 610 612 816 817 828 839 842 850 Space # 125 132 167 185 204 224 248 company Kathy Bell Quillos by Vi The Fairy Tale Doll Co. Dianes Country Corner Ann Made Embellishments by Tina Pelhams Paperie Smith Family Handmade Soap Judy Morrison Unearth Malee, LLC Chicken Lips Night Owl Fiamma Candles Kathleen Miller Cuddle Cups The Purrfect Present Pasadena Soaps Rainbow Studio Waycool Candles Body Scentsations Jkcrafts Larry & Connie Worsham Quilted Coverlets & Wall Hangs Essential Addictions Judy Day Summerfield Beeswax Candles Mama Gourds Paint by Threads Pippenhill Handicrafts Natural Body & Bath Diannas Gourds Community Senior Services Handmade by Karen Basket Craft Country Neighbor Crafts Kazgirl Kreations Pillow Picasso Baby Cadeaux Handmade for Kids Susie Sew n Sew Sarah Dills Anthology Lindas Simple Creations Daryle Wabnitz Inspiration for Your Heart & Home My Best Work O.C. Candle Company company Stone Art Designs Susy Giese Franks Bonsai Clay Do flowers Scents to High Heaven Mosaic Garden Bn L Unique Designs

Glass and Metal

Space # 113 115 124 128 135 186 214 236 247 257 262 285 323 328 365 389 392 408 415 423 427 442 468 476 481 491 503 532 555 565 568 601 605 808 824 836 845 849 company Vintage Bottles by the Sea Ed Broadfield Art Pacific Winds Michael Foster, Stained Glass In The Eye of The Beholder KS Creations Nancys Reflections Jason Mernick Fine Metal Art S.C. Ironworks Glass Action Studio Wisteria Painting Karen Kleinhuizen CJK Blown Glass Iron Rhapsody Talisman Art Glass Dibbits Designs Key Keeper, Etc. Mad Art Studios Paper and Stone David Tate Blown Glass Violet Marie Collection Laguna Lightcraft Judy Evans Collection Windancer Caruso & Foschi Designs Hand Blown Glass by Ivan Adaniya Lucasia Glass Art Old Mexico Arts & Crafts Creative Glassworks Jeff Price Art Glass Sun Lovers Place Art Metal Phantasia Art Glass M. Newmark-Fine File Line Warwick Glass Shigeko Dasilva Jennifer E Studios Bills Dichroic Art Glass company Oh, helloFriend Personal Touch Silver Spoon Jewelry Contron Jewelry Allan Mason KSM Designs Art My Way JPK Studio Donna Gunn Metal & Fabric Olive Jewelry Helen Crisp Detra Ancient Echoes Incendia Studio Kay Taylor Handcrafted Jewelry

Wood and Tole

Space # 111 116 117 139 166 174 175 188 207 225 232 253 282 286 310 311 330 381 390 429 453 469 475 488 504 512 551 604 821 847 company Happy Shacks DW Hays Ed Rizzardi Woodworker Rons Wood Magnum Enterprises Storied Woods Cindy Whitehead Eclectics 824 Eduardo Fernandez American Nutcrackers Janet Jobe Andrew Hughes Wood n Treasures Lost Wood Satterbergs Outdoor Furniture Lisas Crafty Things David Abernethy Cheep Housing Craft Just 4 U Kelli Chant E. Christensen Studios David W Unsworth Christine Watte The Om Martel Crafts The Great American Toy Co Laces Custom Lodges Family Affair D and D Woodworking Wood U Like

Music
Space # 173 336 496/497 607 company Livingston Music Fireheart Music Claremont Young Musicians Orchestra Earth Dance Music

Paintings and Photography

Space # 108 165 180 212 233 274 278 281 287 301 303 307 313 314 317 334 374 383 413 416 company Smilin From Ear to Ear Elizabeth Carr Rose Hoyd Paintings Whimsicle Bella Luna Fun Art Mike Woodward Photography Naturally Adorned Henna Co. Zunigas Art Micki Mc Aulay Photography Michael Hall Fine Arts Zoobeedoos Leta Sue Douglas Thomas Mayberry Thomas Mayberry Kays Creative Cards Robert Marble Jutta Mayrl Ferne Saltzman Photography NTKS Lisa Reinhardt Studio

Jewelry
Space # 110 114 123 127 133 138 170 172 179 181 184 189 211 217 223

Floral and Garden

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Program focuses on giving volunteers more choices for service

laremont residents are giving a local twist to a national volunteer campaign.

Claremonts Make a Difference Project, is leading the Claremont community in a series of collaborative volunteer projects. The program kicks off this weekend at Village Venture. Led by the Community Services and Participation Sub-Committee of the Committee on Aging, the Make a Difference Project provides a series of longterm volunteer opportunities for locals looking to give back. This is an opportunity for those in Claremont that want to volunteer, but havent found the right place, said Bobbie Hill, co-chair of the Make a Difference Project. We are looking to expand the ways soon-to-be-retired people can get involved in our community. Ms. Hill, along with co-chair Sandy Hester and Retired and Senior Volunteer Program Director Linda Chavez, have collaborated to provide retired, or recently retired, residents with an assortment of ways to volunteer after employment. More than 15 nonprofit organizations and other service groups from across the city have come together to head up the campaigns service projects. Featured organizations include Meals on Wheels, Community Emergency Response Teams, Claremont Public Library, and Rancho Santa Ana
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COURIER photo/Steven Felschundneff Longtime Claremont resident Bobbie Hill discusses her involvement with the Make a Difference Project during a recent meeting in Claremont.

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COURIER photos/Steven Felschundneff LEFT: Sandy Hester discusses the Community Services and Participation sub Committees new project called the Make a Difference Project recently in Claremont. BELOW: Linda Chavez listens to colleague Bobbie Hill talk during a recent meeting about the new Make a Difference Project.

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Botanic Garden., said Ms. Chavez. We arent looking to reinvent the wheel, Claremont already does a great job of giving back to the community, Ms. Hester said. We are just looking to give Claremont residents some new ideas on how to get involved and enhance the community at the same time. The Claremont cause was inspired by the national Make a Difference Day, the countrys largest one day community service event, which has taken place on the fourth Saturday in October for the past 20 years. Claremont will participate in the service day along with more than 20 million other American volunteers on Saturday, October 22.

Claremont participants, however, will be continuing on long after those 24 hours are up. We want to keep those efforts going, Ms. Hester said. Volunteers will work for 4 to 6 months on projects that range from painting benches in local parks to setting up a community service bulletin board for service opportunity pamphlets and other volunteer announcements and brochures, said Ms. Hill. Right now the ideas are really fragmented we're looking for anything that appeals to a resident. We are looking to expand on peoples different interests, she said. If someone loved model trains, they could get a group of people together and create a display. There are all sorts of ways to make a difference. A citywide celebration highlighting the success of their campaign will take place on Saturday, May 5. Volunteers will have the chance to present their finished projects to the Claremont community at that time. We are hoping that this project gets people inspired, and that from this project even more opportunities will emerge, Ms. Hill said. The campaign will kick off on Saturday at the citys Village Venture booth. A program orientation will be held Wednesday, November 16, at the Alexander Hughes Community Center. Claremont is a city known for its volunteerism, Ms. Hester said. This is a way we can continue to celebrate that tradition in a fun and unique way. For more information, visit www.claremontseniors.org or contact the Joslyn Center at 399-5488. Beth Hartnett

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Kiwanis reading program honored by county mayor

he effects of the Kiwanis Club of Claremont's Read Me program has reached far beyond Claremont.

The office of Los Angeles County Mayor Mike Antonovich commended the program at the Claremont Kiwanis Club's recent meeting on Thursday. Mr. Antonovichs representative, Brian Mejia, presented the award to Claremont Kiwanis Club President Marie Williamson. Weve gotten a letter of recognition from the White House but this is first thing we've gotten from the county, said Claremont Kiwanis Club member Jerry Feingold, who is involved with the Read Me program. I contacted Brian Mejia and told him about what we were doing and then he was nice enough to tell Mike Antonovich. The Read Me program was started 9 years ago by Woody Douglass. Since then, the program has impacted more than 60,000 preschoolers within CUSD and the community organization has spent $9000 to $10,000 a year in book donations. Once a volunteer reads a book to a group of students, the students are given a copy of the same book free of charge.

Club holds throughout the year. Since the program's inception, the organization has spent more than $90,000 on books for students. Mr. Feingold and other Kiwanis members hope to include kindergarten and first grade levels the program in the future. But the move would require more volunteers.

Brian Mejia, a representative from Los Angeles County Mayor Mike Antonovichs office presented an award to Kiwanis Club President Marie Williamson at a recent meeting in appreciation to the club for its Read Me Program. Also pictured are Al Robb, JerryFeingold and Woody Douglass, who are all involved in the program.

We do this primarily in preschools and other district sponsored sites with mostly kids who are considered to be 'at-risk,' said Jim Wylie, a Claremont Kiwanis Club member. We've been to schools such as Danbury [Elementary],

Vista del Valle [Elementary], Mountain View [Elementary] and others. The funding for the program is generated through raffles, pancake breakfasts, the Route 66 dinner and auction and other events Claremont Kiwanis

We recognize the need to get books into schools and schools don't have the funding to do it. So we buy books from from Scholastic and we have 23 readers that are spread throughout Claremont, with one person at times reading to a group of up to 10 kids, Mr. Feingold said. It's really a neat program. We have plenty of books but sometimes, we're just lacking the bodies.
For more information on the Read Me program or to volunteer, contact Mr. Feingold at 624-6395 or Tom Lamb at 624-6576. Landus Rigsby

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Joy of teaching continues well into retirement years

laremont residents, and former school teachers, Herb and Carlynn Christian have always lived the philosophy they tried to instill in their students: find humor and enjoyment in everything, and always try something new.
You have to be able to laugh at yourself. You cant take yourself too seriously, Ms. Christian said. More than 20 years after their retirement, the lesson they are teaching is still the same. The 2 active Claremonters continue to promote their enthusiasm to the community through volunteerism and a vow to teach. There is always something new to learn, and always a way to help give back, Ms. Christian said. We love being a part of that experience. A restful retirement was never in the cards for the Christians. Staying active and involved has been an important part of their lives here in Claremont. We are not sit around type of people, Mr. Christian said. We plan to keep on going until they carry us out of here. Despite their busy schedules, their involvement is what keeps them young and full of life, says close friend Lee Jackman. Everything is a joy and a delight for them. They are always laughing and having a good time. If more of us could live the way they do, wed live a lot longer and

COURIER photos/Jonathan Gibby Herb and Carlynn Christian look at some handmade mementos last week in their home in Mt. San Antonio Gardens in Claremont. The pair attributes their long and happy life together to sharing a passion for teaching and above all else, laughing.

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have a much richer existence. The Christians have always kept on their toes, dating back to their days as tennis players at Claremont High School where the couple met in 1949. Ms. Christian, a freshman at the time, had her eyes on the handsome senior in study hall. I could never get my studying done, Ms. Christian joked, adding that the teacher had to move them so they would stop talking. I knew I had him hooked. For their first date, she challenged Mr. Christian to a tennis match at Claremonts Mallows Park. My mother told me to let him win...I didnt, Ms. Christian said. That was the first and last time I beat Herb in a tennis match. The CHS couple continued to date (and later married in 1954) despite attending different colleges. Mr. Christian went to school at UC Santa Barbara, while Ms. Christian attended Occidental college, neither with the slightest inclination of becoming a teacher. I wanted to be a sociology major, but decided to go with something more practical, Ms. Christian. Teaching wasnt something I initially wanted to do. I was scared to death. I had done some babysitting before, and that was about it! I wanted to be an architect, but when I found out how much schooling I would have to do I thought, No, I dont think so, Mr. Christian retorted. However, the teaching lifestyle seemed to fit perfectly for both of them. We enjoy being a part in these kids lives, even if it is in a small way, Ms. Christian said. These kids are so hungry for your help. Though both took a break from teaching in the late 1950s to early 1960s (Mr. Christian to be a soldier in the Korean War, Ms. Christian to raise a family), nei-

COURIER photos/Jonathan Gibby Carylnn Christian reads with a child during the Claremont After School Program last week at the Good Sheppard Lutheran Church in Claremont. Ms. Christian has participated weekly in CLASP for over 4 years.

ther could keep away for too long. After returning from the war, Mr. Christian began teaching at Upland High School and Ms. Christian substitute taught at schools throughout the Claremont Unified School District. I just really love working with children, Ms. Christian said. I love their spontaneity, their openness and honesty. Its refreshing.

In addition to their workload, both Christians kept themselves busy teaching outside of the classroom as well. Mr. Christian loved his job as Upland High Schools baseball coach. Ms. Christian became heavily involved with multiple childrens organizations including the Childrens Home Society. She also
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Ms. Christian smiles in front of a wall filled with family photos in her home in Mt. San Antonio Gardens last week. Ms. Christian is a lifelong educator and resident of Claremont.

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taught human sexuality classes to students across the Inland Empire. They retired from their schoolhouse teaching posts in the 1980s, but they havent been able to keep themselves from staying involved in a classroom setting. Its a part of who we are, Ms. Christian said.

Though no longer teaching children in the classroom, Mr. Christian continues to give back as an instructor in Mt. San Antonio Gardens woodshop. Ms. Christian is as busy as ever, dedicating herself to Childrens Fund, promoting community awareness to support at-risk youth, and spending time tutoring students with CLASP.

COURIER photos/Jonathan Gibby Ms. Christian reads with a child during the Claremont After-School Programs last week at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Claremont.

Their commitment to teaching has been exemplified throughout their whole lives, Ms. Jackman said. They have always found opportunities, whether through Boy Scouts, their church, or out in the community. Its a commitment they dont plan on leaving

behind anytime soon. Its so important to share the things that you enjoy, Ms. Christian said. We are so fortunate to be able to share our lives with those in our community. Beth Hartnett

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like Frankenstein with chocolate sponge cake featuring chocolate ganache and raspberry preserves decorated with green buttercream frosting ($8.50); ghoul logs (half $35 or full $60); and much more. It is requested that all Halloween specialty orders be made by Thursday, October 27. Call 621-9772. Some Crust Bakery is located at Photo courtesy of The Back Abbey 119 Yale Ave., Claremont. The Back Abbeys Wicked Women stew served Mondays and Tuesdays. Newly opened Vanilla e all know the typical seasonal Sunshine Cupcakery has ghoulish themed frosted cupcakes this seasonperfect for parties. Fall flagoodies this time of year like Starbucks pumpkin spice latt vors include pumpkin and apple caramelmade with fresh granny smith apples. Cupcakes are $2.75 and IHOPs pumpkin pancakes, but each. Get your party platter at 1 N. Indian Hill Blvd. some treats are too special to be found Suite 103, Claremont. Open Sunday through just anywheresome things can only Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday and Saturday to 9 p.m. Special orders may be made at be found in Claremont. There are always plenty of specialty treats at Some least 48 hours in advance by calling 621-4400. The Back Abbeys Wicked Woman stew is styled Crust Bakery. This month the bakery is offering with a spider web design fitting for the Halloween hand iced spider web, skull, and pumpkin styled season. It is a slightly spicy, tomato-based ratatouille cookies designed by their own master decorators with Italian sausage. General Manager Erik Johnson, ($3.25); assorted Halloween cupcakes ($3.50); recommends pairing the dish with their Riesling or pumpkin and apple pie pops which are mini pies on Triple Karmeliet. Wicked Women stew is available a stick ($1.60); Franken sweetheart rolls decorated

Trick or treat?

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Mondays and Tuesdays this month. Order your spooky meal at 128 N. Oberlin Ave., Claremont in the historic mission style building. End your Village Venture day with a bang. Walters Restaurant is hosting a Halloween event on Saturday, October 22, complete with D.J., bottle service, and hors d'oeuvres. The party begins at 9 p.m. Ladies can attend for free, gentlemen have an admission fee of $5 after 10:30 p.m. The D.J. will be playing top 40 hits, electro, and hip-hop. Walters Restaurant is located at 310 N. Yale Ave., Claremont. This year The Press Restaurant is featuring some Halloween cocktailsPurple People Eater and Creepy Crawler Punch. According to Operations Manager Robin Young, both of these drinks are martini libations guaranteed to treat and that's no trick! The chefs special for October is shrimp enchiladas ($25). This dish features 2 fresh corn tortillas stuffed with shrimp, red and green bell peppers, ricotta and mozzarella cheesetopped with house-made ranchero sauce. It is served with black beans, Mexican rice, roasted tomato salsa, and avocado with pico de gallo. The side dishes include chips and salsa, iceberg salad and flan. Try out all these concoctions at The Press annual Halloween bash on October 29. Patrons are encouraged to dress in costume and enjoy The Zombie Band perform at 10 p.m. The Press Restaurant is located at 129 Harvard Ave., Claremont. Jenelle Rensch

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Petterson Museum celebrates Dia de los Muertos

Skullduggery
COURIER photos/ Steven Felschundneff FARLEFT: This selection of skulls made with sugar is part of a special Dia de los Muertos exhibit currently on display at the Petterson Museum at Pilgrim Place. The museum is open to the public Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. LEFT: The display titled Skullduggery features an arrangement of Mexican folk art.

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The Petterson Museum of Intercultural Art contains collections of international fine art, folk art and material culture from 10,000 B.C. to the present contributed by Pilgrim Place residents and community friends covering every continent. Through November 14, the museum is featuring a display called Skullduggery: Dia de los Muertos. This exhibit celebrates Catholicisms All Saints Day celebrated on November 1 and All Souls Day celebrated on November 2. This Mexican holiday pays tribute to friends and family who have died.
COURIER photo/Steven Felschundneff A whimsical Skeleton on a Surfboard made of paper-mache, Styrofoam and wood was created in Mexico City in 1992. The sculpture is one of several that are on display at the Petterson Museum at Pilgrim Place located at 730 Plymouth Road, Pilgrim Place.

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COURIERphoto/Steven Felschundneff Judy Casanova, left, and Judy Kohnen co-own Desert Succulent Creations which sells plants as well as wreaths and centerpieces made with a variety of succulents. The 2 women divide the business according to their areas of expertise with Ms. Kohnen handling the books and Ms. Casanova designing the arrangements.

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With friendship comes business and adventure

ound by geography nearly 20 years ago, 2 Claremont women have enjoyed decades of friendship and business unmoved by child rearing, divorce, travel and even a sunken ship. Life could have derailed Judy Casanova and Judy Kohnen, but their love of succulent gardening and an unwavering passion for beauty in nature has kept the Judys on a common path.

What Ms. Casanova calls a division of labor, the Judys strike a perfect balance in their joint-venture, Desert Succulent Creations. Ms. Casanova has a knack for making their uniquely designed wreaths and arrangements pop, and Ms. Kohnen brings strength to the administrative side of the business. In a business, you need to be good at everything, Ms. Casanova said. This balance has helped us go through transitions. In the early stages, Ms. Casanova would design arrangements for a restaurant in Palm Springs, with Ms. Kohnen and her daughter Nicole, now 18, driving the arrangements east to the desert restaurant. The succulent arrangements were a perfect fit for the hot, dry climate of Palm Springs; they require
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Judy Kohnen, co-owner of Desert Succulent Creations, displays some of the clippings that will be used to create the wreathes and centerpieces that the company is known for. Clippings will also be for sale this Saturday at Village Venture, space 293.

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very little water and flourish for a month. Their nearly 20 year partnership hasnt been all smooth sailing. With a thirst for adventure and intent on seeing the world, Ms. Casanova and her husband Jerry Rogers purchased a 44 foot, twin-hulled catamaran that included 3 state rooms, an office and a shower. It was a gorgeous boat, Ms. Casanova said. We put our house on the market and decided to just sail for a few years. During the sailing years Ms. Kohnen watched over the business with her daughter Nicole pitching in on arrangements. I realized when she was a senior that she really had a creative eye, Ms. Kohnen said. Ms. Casanova sailed the Atlantic until one fateful day in 2009 when she hit a shoal in torrent weather off the New Jersey coast. As 12 foot waves crashed overhead, Ms. Casanova remembers being truly scared for the first time in her life. My husband Jerry is not a swimmer, and I just couldnt get the boat of it, she said. We were stuck and had to call the Coast Guard. A helicopter rescue followed with the couple eventually making their way back to Claremont via
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Judy Casanova, left, and Judy Kohnen share years of friendship bound by their love of succulents and their business, Desert Succulent Creations, where the pair create and sell wreaths and arrangements for personal use and for events.

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a rental car. Bad luck brought good fortune upon their return as they learned their 12th Street home hadnt sold yet. And with Ms. Kohnen at the helm of Desert Succulent Creations, living just two doors down, all is back in place, and back in business. Ms. Kohnen and Ms. Casanova will set up shop this Saturday at the Village Venture in space 293 near Walters Restaurant. In addition to holiday wreaths and arrangements, the duo will offer clippings of a variety of succulents for local home gardeners. Additionally, a workshop will be held November 12 from 10 a.m. to noon at 717 W. 12th Street where residents can make their own arrangement for $35. To RSVP, call 624-9385.
Kathryn Dunn

ABOVE: Judy Kohnen inspects a gift arrangement prepared for Village Venture. ATLEFT: Finished wreaths, such as this one, will be available for purchase. If bought now, Ms. Casanova estimates the live wreath will survive beautifully through Christmas.

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Cal Poly Pumpkin Festival 2011

9-month-old, Emily Rojas, of Corona sits among the pumpkins.

COURIER photos/Jenelle Rensch

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The Pumpkin Festival at Cal Poly Pomona was held last weekend and featured live entertainment, games, food, pumpkin patch, corn maze, pancake breakfast, petting zoo, horse rides, and insect fair.