My Favorite Yardman

Butch loves to work in the yard. He likes to see the grass neatly mowed and the edges sharply trimmed. He spends a lot of times picking up "sticky balls," as our grandchildren call them, when they fall off the tree in the front yard. Yes, Claremont has "street trees," and our street has the (mis)fortune of having Liquid Amber trees as THE street tree. So each yard is blessed with one of the prolific "sticky ball" producers. They also have other problems - invasive root systems that can destroy plumbing, break-up sidewalks, lift walkways until they are hazardous to pedestrians, and totally eliminate going barefoot on the lawns or sidewalks anywhere around them. So, here is a photo of his nemesis and a recent "American Gothic"-like picture of him at work. He's thrilled that he has been able to find a good use for a "snow shovel" in Southern California.

Happy Birthday, Claire!

"Dancing Claire" is 5 years old today. While she's pictured here in one of her favorite princess dresses, last night we celebrated with her and her family, and we gave her a fancy dress in her favorite color - pink. She had picked it out on the internet and her mom and I were lucky to find it at a store nearby. She is absolutely enchanted with it. The look on her face made it all worthwhile. In addition, we got her a pink blouse and some leggings to go with it. She is now re-pinked for the end of winter/the beginning of spring. As we told her, we were there when you were born and we're so happy to be celebrating with you at the 5 year mark. She is a delightful, dramatic, happy little girl who so enjoys everything and everyone. Hooray for Claire!

I Hab a Cold In My Heab, Face, Nos, Eyes, Froat = My Hol Body!

My eyes are watering because they feel so itchy. My nose is either stopped up or running. My throat is scratchy. I feel SWELL! But, I know it will pass in a week or 7 days, as the saying goes. I'll try not to share it!

Valentine's Day 2011

Here's wishing everyone a "Happy Valentine's Day." Enjoy your time with your family and friends. Celebrate all of the people you love by telling them how important they are to you. For me, my family and friends are the sources of love and support and caring and all of the "feel good" aspects of my life. And, of course, there's chocolate. THIS truly sums it all up - good family, good friends both near & far, good experiences working with groups who care about people and about those things both seen and unseen that will make for a better life for others, and much love. I am richly blessed!

Party Parade 2011

The Claremont Community Foundation's Party Parade booklets are arriving in the mail throughout the city and to friends in surrounding communities. As so aptly put on the Foundation's website, "The Claremont Community Foundation invites you to become a part of a wonderful Claremont tradition that embodies the true meaning of 'community' -- people from all walks of life coming together, getting to know each other better, and working cooperatively to keep our community strong and healthy.

We are pleased to offer our 15th annual series of hosted special events. There is something for everyone here, from the youngest child to the seniors among us. Come with family, with companions, or by yourself -- you'll meet new and interesting folks, share food, fun, friendship -- and be a part of fund raising for a great cause!"

You can dine with friends at a variety of dinners, taste and learn about wines and cheeses, ride your bike to Puddingstone for a gourmet picnic, sample an array of delicious soups, discover the value of family treasures, yell "Bunco!" when you win, watch the Long Beach Gran Prix from a balcony high above the route, rock and roll with the Ravelers, meet with book lovers to share great reads, watch a magic show, tour local gardens to learn about Urban Farming, explore the concept of "play" at the Scripps Ceramic Annual, and find an art chair JUST for you.

I can't wait for the parties to begin!

Senior/Community Centers in Coastal Cities

What gives a Senior Center or a combined Community and Senior Center particular appeal to the people who live in the community where these facilities operate? Is it programming? Is it design? What makes it a "Can't wait to get there!" sort of place?

Today a group of us, both volunteers & city staff members, visited either senior centers or combined senior/community centers in Laguna Niguel, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, and Fountain Valley. It was a fun day with a neat group of people and we learned a lot. The group has been checking out various senior centers as part of a planning process aimed at gathering information that will be helpful as we begin the process of working with professionals in renovating and expanding our current center where a lot of senior programming takes place. The centers we saw today were all uniquely different and fascinating in their own individual ways. How nice! Cities should build facilities that are designed to meet the interests and needs of their local populations. The combination facilities, i.e., community/senior centers, are different in that they bring all age groups to the facilities for activities that are designed with each unique group in mind. We currently see this sort of thing happening at the Hughes Center. There was a hum in the busy centers that told the observer that here was an exciting place to be with appropriate programming and appeal for multiple generations.

A Day With Princess Claire

Today Claire and Luke were both sniffling and feverish. So, Maria brought them to our house because it is one of her teaching days. There were no subs available - it's Friday, there is a conference, and Monday is a holiday. Her principal, who is one of the most fantastic people that I have every known, told her to go home, that he would take her class. So, she comes and takes Luke home with her, and Princess Claire stays to "play with RoRo." We have colored, and she has eaten, danced, eaten some more, and watched 3 movies. As she and I were coloring, she asked me to write a letter to my parents telling them that she didn't "want them to be sick or dead." (I'll bet you that they are smiling about that.) I followed her directions and she signed the "letter." The Benedryl did not slow her down a bit! Now she is by my side in what Butch and I call "our office," and we are playing "office." She brought in some paper, some gloves, a stack of books, a glass heart that she has had beside her all day, and a fancy magnifying glass. I asked if she wanted me to read one of the books to her, and she told me, "No, they're part of my work." So, here we are, working side by side. She just told me that, "Office people work very fast. That's what they do." From this neat Fisher Price game thingy she got for Christmas, she has learned how to make many letters, but she doesn't know what some of them are. Oh, yes, she's learning the basic ones at her preschool and she'll know them all by the end of this school year, but right now there are still letters to which names need to be attached. Claire is an absolute delight! Hope this cold passes quickly. The world needs loving, upbeat, sunny people like Claire out there dancing and spreading joy.