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Rites of Spring, Wednesday 04-13-11

SPRING!

R ites of

Tai Chi is taking on steam at Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden


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Ready to go college bound

Urban chickens are making the rounds

RITES OF SPRING/2011

SPRING!
Calm and Serenity
by Brandon Villalovos and Tony Krickl

R ites of

The pursuit of peace at Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden

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An Eggscellent Discovery
Exploring the trend of urban chicken farmers

by Brenda Bolinger

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The Choice of a Lifetime


Photos by Steven Felschundneff

by Landus Rigsby

Delving into the stress and excitement of college selection

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RITES OF SPRING/2011

COURIER photo/Steven Felschundneff Participants in the weekly Tai Chi class utilize an open space in the volunteer garden for their exercise on Thursday at Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden. The class can choose any location throughout the garden giving them a variety of scenery.

Event promotes appreciation of states native plants

ardening using native plants is fast becoming a priority for people of all levels of expertise. Now the state of California is celebrating the need to go native.
Native plant expert and RSABG Director of Special Projects Bart OBrien will lead a presentation and book signing for his latest work, Reimagining the California Lawn: Waterconserving Plants, Practices, and Designs, on Sunday, April 17th at 1 p.m. at the Garden. Mr. OBriens presentation will be accompanied by his co-authors Carol Bornstein and David Fross. The book signing event is to kick off the first annual celebration of Native Plant Week from April 17 to April 23. The statewide event is intended to help promote the conservation, restoration, and appreciation of Californias native plants. The authors will discuss the various research and development involved in writing the book, as well as the importance of cultivating native plants in home gardening. The book is for gardeners and non-gardeners who are considering the advantages of removing or reducing their lawns. Additional information includes how to plan, install, and maintain an attractive landscape using these new methods. Native Plant Week will also include other events following the book signing. Monday, April 18 marks the start of the annual Sunset

Guided Tours, which are comprised of 90 minute-long peaceful and educational walks through the botanical garden that conclude when the sun sets from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tours will continue every evening from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. through April 22. In addition to these events, The Annual Wild Flower Show will come to life. Mr. OBrien will conclude Native Plant Week and propel a new themed week titled, Losing Your Lawn, where he will be the expert spokesperson. Losing Your Lawn lectures will include topics including using California native plants and water-wise methods when gardening. The event is a great way for local residents to learn about alternatives to the typical lawn. Attendees will learn about the various advantages of alternative methods that can benefit the community and surrounding areas as a whole. Topics of implementing water conservation and sustainability in landscapes will be informative and relevant to Californians during the approaching, hot summer season. This event will be free of charge and will include copies of the book for sale at the California Garden Shop at the RSABG. Each author will speak for about 15 minutes followed by a question and answer session. Brandon Villalovos

Photo by John Evarts, Cachuma Press Bart OBrien, Carol Bornstein and David Fross seen here at the Fross Meadow at Native Sons Nursery will give a presentation at RSABG on Sunday, April 17th.

RITES OF SPRING/2011

COURIER photo/Steven Felschundneff Katy Hyland carefully watches teacher Joesph Bojanek during a Tai Chi class on Thursday at Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden in Claremont. There are many events scheduled at the garden over the next couple of weeks as they gear up for the first ever statewide California Native Plant Week.

Tai Chi has lasting positive impact on entire body

new program is being offered at Rancho Santa Botanic Gardens that has quickly attracted a dedicated following. Tai Chi in the Garden has run for several weeks and its popularity has earned the class a regular spot in the gardens program calendar.

The program is currently in its third 6-week session. Due to its success thus far, instructor Joe Bojanek said the class will become a permanent fixture in the Garden. Tai Chi affect the whole system and not just the physical body, Mr. Bojanek said. People do it for a variety of reasons; to gain emotional balance, relieve mental stress, or just get a general feeling of well being. Research shows that Tai Chi can help with blood pressure, bone density and other common ailments associated with growing older, Mr. Bojanek said. As far as the physical benefits of Tai Chi, the list is endless, Mr. Bojanek said. Its a very holistic approach to maintaining health. Most students are middle age to elderly and enjoy the lighter motions of Tai Chi rather than the rigors of more physically demanding exercise such as jogging. The Tai Chi class is one of many special programs offered at the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Gardens. There is also a yoga in the garden class and a handful of events planned for the upcoming week. Tony Krickl

The shadow of instructor Joseph Bojanek mimics his moves as he leads a Tai Chi class on Thursday in Claremont.

RITES OF SPRING/2011

Local Mosque hosts Interfaith Passover Seder


An Interfaith Seder Experience will be held at the Islamic Center of Claremont on Sunday, April 17th, from 3 to 5 p.m. According to its organizers, the Claremont Interfaith Working Group for Mid-East Peace, this gathering, modeled on a traditional Jewish Passover Seder, is designed to be an inclusive event that will seek to bridge the cultural and spiritual barriers that stand in the way of peace and harmony locally and globally. The inspiration for the Seder came from filmmaker Ruth Broyde Sharone, whose 2005 film God and Allah Need to Talk, documented a similar gathering in the San Fernando Valley that brought Jews, Muslims and Christians together at Passover time to

symbolically reunite Isaac and Ishmael, the estranged sons of Abraham, following the events and aftermath of September 11, 2001. According to the organizers of the Seder, creating a similar experience in our local community is especially relevant this year as we witness the recent events in North Africa and the Middle East and consider their connection to the traditional Passover themes of freedom and liberation. Those interested in attending the Seder can contact the Claremont Interfaith Working Group through their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ ClaremontInterfaithWG, or by e-mail to claremont interfaithwg@gmail.com. RSVP by phone to 5428150.

Warbirds arrive at Cable Airport April 16


Opportunities to see vintage airplanes up close will abound on Saturday, April 16 as the 3rd Pursuit Squadron of the Commemorative Air Force, based at Cable Airport in Upland, holds a Fly-In from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The CAF is a non-profit organization dedicated to acquiring, restoring and preserving in flying condition aircraft flown by all military services of the United States and selected other nations for the education of present and future generations. The April 16 event is free and open to the public. Airplane rides, along with hot dogs and hamburgers will be available. Cable Airport is located on 13th Street, one block west of Benson Avenue in Upland.

RITES OF SPRING/2011

Urban chickens: An eggscellent idea for healthy eating habits


ome on in, Ive got chicken on the stove, said Claremonter Jennifer Stark to her visiting neighbor recently.
And indeed, on the chilly day, there perched Cinderella, full of life and breath and personality (and probably hen-world bragging rights for having the run of the house) on Ms. Starks stove, happy to have found a warm resting spot. A flock animal who lost all her cronies to a hungry bobcat, a playful Labrador named Happy who surely meant no harm (but oops) and a freak accident involving a heavy feed bowl, Cinderella now has house privileges. Shes a survivor! celebrated Ms. Stark. But now past her egg-laying prime, she cant even pay her rent in eggs. Shes just an ornamental chicken now, said Ms. Stark about the diminutive chicken, scooping her up and giving her an affectionate pat. All over Claremont, chickens are bringing owners a variety of benefits far beyond their eggs that are fresher, prettier and much more nutritious than the massmarket, store-bought variety (4 to 6 times the vitamin D and a third less cholesterol according to a Mother Earth News study.) Raising urban backyard chickens is a growing phenomenon in town and nationwide, understandable when you consider their multitudinous gifts: food as local as you can get, self-sufficiency, companionship, community building, rich manure, chemical-free weed removal, hilarity and even therapy. Claremont chicken URBANCHICKENS continues on the next page
COURIER photo/Steven Felschundneff The Ernst family chicken named Archie has a look around the front yard recently In Claremont. The family has a short fence around the property which is more than adequate to keep the hens in.

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owners praise their feathered friends for these reasons and more. I love everything about them, said Sarah Barnes. Theyve really changed the atmosphere of our house. Its like if youve never had a cat or a dog, and then you get one, it opens up your life in a new way. Its like you have new little friends to check on and hang out with. We dont have other pets, so its fun to have some animals around that are friendly and cute but not high maintenance. The 5 urban chicken owners interviewed by the COURIER unanimously agreed that chickens are well worth the relatively light labor of keeping them clean and happy. Give them chicken feed ($10-$20 a month on average for 3 birds, which is the limit per Claremont city code); provide water; let them in and out of the coop; collect their eggs; change their bedding (wood shavings) and gather their nitrogen-rich waste (a.k.a. high-quality fertilizer) once a month; and deep clean the coop twice a year. I figure, why not? There are many benefits, its easy, said Steve Ernst, talking about his choice to raise Archie, Rosita and Buckwheat in the front yard of his College Avenue home. They add to life. Its a pleasure watching them forage in the yard and nurturing and caring for something. Free-ranging in this high-visibility location, Mr. Ernsts feathered friends inspire passersby to ask questions and engage in friendly banter about the novel scene.

The various hens at the Ernst home lay eggs with distinctly different colored shells.

COURIER photos/Steven Felschundneff The coop at Scott Gorman and Sarah Barnes home has many refinements to make it more comfortable for the chickens including a heat lamp to offset the chilly spring temperatures. Its amazing how many conversations are struck on as a way to care for the environment and ones own up, he said. health. Most grocery store food, including eggs, has Residential chickens also foster community through traveled miles and miles before it reaches our kitchens, their prolific egg laying (in their prime, hens lay an egg which requires the use of precious resources, unnatuevery day), bonding neighbors through the exchange of ral additives and preservatives and, in the case of homegrown goods. chickens and other animals mass-raised for food, Tangerines or lemons arrive here, and I send my squalid conditions for the sake of more, more, more. daughter down the street with eggs. We yard-share, and Part of our motivation is the idea that so much is out the eggs are coveted, said Nori Murphy who spoke of our control, like what is put in some of the food we fondly of the beautiful, long, blue eggs laid by one of eat, said Ms. Barnes. This is one way we can control her chickens. what we consume: having our own egg source. Theyre just so pretty, she said. Its definitely a gesture of self-sufficiency, said Mr. And then theres unique Cinderella, who roams her Ernst. We want our kids to know where their food rural Claremont Alamosa Drive neighborhood, seek- comes from, teach them about animal welfare and ing human company in the tragic absence of her fellow avoid the factory, industrial-sized production of eggs. fowl. Another green-living angle on keeping chickens is When were not here, she visits the neighbors, said the creation of a slower-paced, more rural, pastoral Ms. Stark. feeling at home, right in the middle of urbanism. In this High on the list of rewarding reasons to raise back- high-tech, fast-paced culture, the presence of chickens yard chickens is the green living element. In recent URBANCHICKENS years, eating organic, locally grown food has caught continues on the next page

RITES OF SPRING/2011

COURIER photos/Steven Felschundneff Scott Gorman holds one of his familys five-week-old chickens recently at his south Claremont home. Mr. Gorman created a sturdy homemade coop for their flock that his wife Sarah Barnes calls East Egg.

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allows one to escape city life and relax, perhaps pass a lazy, idyllic afternoon just watching the chickens do their thing. Theyre kind of therapeutic, said Debbie Carini, who suggested to her husband they get chickens shortly after she suffered a near-fatal brain aneurysm. He looked at me like I was crazy, like Is this another frightening side-effect of the aneurysm? she said. A begrudging pet owner, Ms. Carini has surprised herself with the affection shes developed for her two chickens, Agnes and Mabel. Im generally not fond of animals, she said, but Im the one in the family whos always worried about them. When were traveling, Ill call my mom to check on them like a worried parent. The line between chicken-as-pet and chicken-as-food-source is blurry, and most owners have considered the conundrum that, on average, chickens have 3 to 4 egg-laying years but can live for as many as 15 (8 to 10 years is more common). The What then? question is a predicament not easily solved for every chicken owner. Do we want to eat Agnes and Mabel? I dont think so! said Ms. Carini (who does enjoy a lot more quiche these days). Will this be their retirement home? I dont know. Mr. Ernst noted that he would likely eat Archie, Rosita and Buckwheat (or give them to a farm), if it werent for the children; and this is most definitely true for Ms. Murphy, if not for her 10-yearold daughter. Ms. Murphy, in fact, has stopped naming her chickens after the loss of Lucille, a beloved chicken who met an early demise. I was done. It was over. I got a little too attached, she said. And every owner I know says, okay, we cant love them as pets. Theyre just too fragile. Ms. Barnes, the happy owner of very young chickens, is trying to keep petlike affection at bay, but without success. Its hard, because they do have moods and personalities. I feel like such a city-girl naming them, but I name plants! I have a geranium named Prince

COURIERphoto/ Steven Felschundneff Dr. Steven Ernst washes a handful of eggs he harvested recently from the coop at his College Avenue home.

Willy, you think Im not gonna name a chicken? Ms. Barnes and the other pro-chicken Claremonters will confirm a very simple, laugh-inducing, life-enhancing fact about owning chickens: theyre just plain funny. Of the 5 chicken families interviewed, 3 used the same phrase to describe their clucking creatures: Theyre a crack-up! They are really, really funny, said Ms. Murphy. Its like watching little dinosaurs. Theyre dumb as rocks, but so funny. Most entertaining, she added, is the raucous clucking that announces the laying of an egg: when the layer clucks, the whole flock loudly announces their support and solidarity. Oh. My. Gosh, she said with dramatic amusement. Its like a bunch of women in a birthing room! Its just hysterical. In ways both amusing and bemusing, the chicken craze is stirring up a slew of hilarious opportunities and accessories: online forums such as the Los Angeles Urban Chicken Group, a support system for like-minded chicken enthusiasts; new vocationsLos Angeles-based Easy Acres Chicken Sitting provides the urban farmer and chicken lover peace of mind; and even chicken diapers (offered in red, blue, purple or pink at www.chickendiapers.com, if youre interested). Constantly entertained, robustly wellnourished and one step closer to living off the land, Claremonts chicken owners are enjoying a rather utopian experience as urban fowl farmers. Its not entirely hassle free, but very close, and, they agree, well worth it. Its a fad, but I think its a really nice fad, said Ms. Stark. Its puts you closer in touch with the cycle of life. Its an opportunity. Brenda Bolinger

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COURIERphotos/ Steven Felschundneff Twins Jacob and Joshua Rancharan both will be attending Biola University come next fall. Jacob plans to study psychology and Joshua plans to major in nursing.

Next adventure in life awaits college bound students

or local families, Spring brings a combination of emotionsworry, excitement, anticipation. Many high school seniors can be seen waiting at the mailbox on any given April afternoon, hoping to receive their college acceptance letters.
Claremont High School seniors Jessica Barragan, Edric Garcia and twins Jacob and Joshua Rancharan plan to spring forth to bigger and better things after they graduate in June. The 4 high school seniors, along with many other CHS seniors, have received acceptance letters from several colleges and universities over the past few months. The letters have ushered in a time of excite-

Edric Garcia received more than one college acceptance letter but plans on attending Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

ment and anticipation for the students who are college bound. Its pretty exciting, said Edric, who is hoping to attend Drexel University. The day my first letter arrived, my mom told me to go to the mailbox. There was a packet from Seattle University and I was thinking that they put a lot of effort into rejecting me with a huge packet but when I saw I had been accepted, I sprinted back home and told my mom to look at it. Then my mom was calling everyone. Jessica recently found out about her acceptance into UC Santa Barbara, UC Irvine, University of Puget Sound and Smith College. According to the International Baccalaureate student, the initial surprise of the first letter can be overwhelming. It hits you for the first 5 minutes and then youre good, said Jessica regarding her reaction to her acceptance letters. Some of the schools that I got into I was very surprised about because I was unsure that I
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COURIERphotos/Steven Felschundneff Claremont High School seniors Joshua Rancharan, left, Edric Garcia, Jessica Barragan and Jacob Rancharan are going through the springtime ritual of selecting a college to attend in fall. The four have been accepted to a number of prestigious universities and will be deciding their future alma mater soon.

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would be accepted. The Rancharan household was also in a celebratory mood when Jacob and Joshua found out they had both been accepted to Biola University. Jacob plans to major in psychology while Joshua will major in nursing. The 2 brothers value education as a springboard to their ultimate goals. When we got the letter, everybody was screaming, Jacob said. We were texting everyone we knew that we had gotten in. Education is very importantespecially with the plans that I have for my life. I can help people now but I can help people even more with a good education. Joshua found the acceptance letter itself to be a source of encouragement. He believes the letter signifies good things that lie ahead at the private Christian university. After reading the letter, it got me excited about the future, Joshua said. Education is very important to me. Our mom has raised us to be successful and to take care of ourselves. Its exciting. Edric will be the first in his family to go to college. The 18-year-old said his parents strongly encouraged him throughout his childhood to pursue higher education to be successful in life. The International Baccalaureate student plans to major in electrical and biomedical engineering. Theres a little bit of pressure but not too much, Edric explained. My parents told me that I have to go [to college]. Im carrying my father and mothers legacies. Throughout my life, the main goal is to earn a college degree, get a job, buy a house and help support my parents, as they get older. My dad worked a 2nd job and said that he regretted not going to school. So its really important for me to go to college, not for just

COURIERphotos/Steven Felschundneff Over the last month Jessica Barragan received acceptance letters from UC Santa Barbara, UC Irvine, University of Puget Sound and Smith College.

myself but for the world. I really want to help the world. For Jessica and other students, this spring will be the time when college bound students will be making their final decisions on their colleges of choice. The 18-yearold hopes she makes the right choice. Im really interested in psychology and studying

specific behaviors, Jessica said. But its also very stressful because Im really planning my future and what if I make a mistake? Its really tough because Im making decisions as an adult now. Its like Im turning that corner in my life. Landus Rigsby

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Acclaimed fabric artist to give presentation at Claremont School of Theology


Nationally renowned liturgical artist Catherine Kapikians tapestries, banners, fabric art, and wood installations may be seen in worship spaces including every major Christian denomination, interfaith chapels, and synagogues. Many of her works are designed by her but fabricated by members of the community, who discover a deep correspondence between creative processing and spiritual formation. All are invited to the artists presentation and reception tonight, April 13th, at 7 p.m. at the Haddon Center, Claremont School of Theology. The event is free. For more information 909.447-2531.

before the U.S. granted that right. In that same year, residents proudly opened their new high school on what would become Route 66. On Saturday, May 7, 2011, from 5 to 7:30 p.m., the League of Women Voters of the Claremont Area will celebrate both of these events with a party on the patio of the Old School House. There will be an hors doeuvres buffet and silent and live auctions. This is the Leagues annual fundraiser and supports its goal of promoting political responsibility through informed and active citizen participation in government. To be part of the fun at this historic landmark location, send your check for $45 per person to League of Women Voters, P.O. Box 1532, Claremont, CA, 91711, or call 624-9839 for more information.

Mothers Day Tea


The Claremont Senior Program will be hosting the annual Mothers Day Tea on Thursday, May 12 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Joslyn Center. Guests will enjoy tea, an array of finger sandwiches, seasonal fruit, scones, and a performance by singer Cathleen Evans. Tickets for this yearly favorite are $4 at the Blaisdell and Joslyn Centers. Heritage Court Assisted Living and Atria Del Rey are the sponsors for this festive event.

Spring Celebration
The city of Claremont and the Rotary Club of Claremont will sponsor the Spring Celebration on Saturday April 23 from 9 to 11 a.m. This community event includes a variety of entertainers, crafts, contests, clowns, games, a petting zoo, as well as a terrific candy egg hunt. At 10:30 a.m., the siren marks the start of the candy egg hunt (including over 30,000 pieces of individually wrapped candy.) Children 0-10 years old are separated into 3 different age groups. Parents are encouraged to enjoy the hunt from the sidelines. The Spring Celebration will take place at Memorial Park, 840 N. Indian Hill Blvd. Please call 399-5490 for more information. The Kiwanis Club of Claremont will host the pancake breakfast at Memorial Park on the morning of the Spring Celebration. The breakfast runs from 7 to 10 a.m. Come early, have breakfast and support your local Kiwanis Club. Tickets are $4 and can be purchased on the day of the event.

Earth Day and PHestival of Art


Organized by Sustainable Claremont, the Claremont Interfaith Committee on Sustainability, and the city of Claremont, Earth Day will be marked this year by the annual festival in the Village. On Saturday, April 30th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., residents can head down to the Village for childrens events, workshops, demonstrations, speakers and information on sustainability. The event is free and open to all. The PHestival of Art is a free, family arts event held at the Packing House from 1 to 4 p.m. immediately following the Earth Day fesitval. Artists of all ages will perform and display their work. Performances will be held at the Hip Kitty Jazz and Fondue and on the east courtyard.

League celebrates 2 events at annual auction


One hundred years ago, in 1911, California became the 6th state to give women the right to vote, 9 years

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CGU hosts Earth Day 2011, A weeklong celebration

he Claremont Graduate University has offered a weeks worth of events in celebration of Earth Day. The following is a list of times and places were locals can help clean up, raise funds and recycle.
Clean-up Walk Date: Sunday, April 17 Time: 2:30 p.m. Location: Higginbotham Park, by the bathrooms. To carpool, please meet at CGU housing in front of building C at 2 p.m. Description: Drucker Net Impact is teaming up with the Drucker Hiking Society for a clean-up walk and hike on the best known walking trail in Claremont: The Thompson Creek Trail.

For more information please email: heather.hoopes@cgu.edu, or visit the Facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=1810970585 99605 Adopt-A-Can: Weeklong Recycling Event! Date: April 18th through April 21st Location: The cans will be placed strategically throughout Claremont Graduate University, 150 E. Tenth Street, Claremont Ca, 91711 Description: April 18-21 Drucker Net Impact is hosting an Adopt-a-Can competition. Claremont Graduate University clubs will receive a recycling can to decorate and place somewhere on campus. Classmates, friends, acquaintances, or strangers are encouraged to discard aluminum cans in the recycle bins. The cans will be collected and weighed each day and the club with the most cans (in

weight) will win the money from all of the clubs cashed in cans. Please stop by and support the CGU clubs by dropping aluminum cans in one of the bins. For information please email: nicholas.fusso@cgu.edu or visit the Facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=21410985193 7703 Great American Bake Sale Date: Wednesday, April 20 Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Location: Burkle Courtyard at the Drucker School, 1021, N Dartmouth Ave. Description: As part of Drucker Net

Impacts Earth Day 2011, A Weeklong Celebration, students are hosting a Great American Bake Sale to benefit the Share Our Strength Organization. Stop by for sweets baked by students, staff, and friends of the Claremont Graduate University and join in supporting this great cause. For more information on the Great American Bake Sale, visit www.shareourstrength.org. For more information about Drucker Net Impacts Bake Sale please email: amanda.ishak@cgu.edu or RSVP on the Facebook event page: http://www. facebook.com/event.php?eid=1770165 59015279.

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