Opinion
Supernaturalism is not the answer Dear Editor: Al Villanueva’s “Reflections on Sandy Hook” Viewpoint in Wednesday’s COURIER was confusing in that he continually vacillated between identifying concretely plausible and supernaturally unreasonable connections with that crime. Mr. Villanueva makes a plea for “pragmatic remedies,” and identifies several existing social conditions that are conceivably connected with our […]
Coates Cyclery a treasure Dear Editor: I was so pleased to read the article extolling the virtues of the bicycle shop we’ve had in Claremont/Pomona for so many years. Wes Roth and now Corey McCroskey of Coates Cyclery have been honorable businessmen and it has been a pleasure to be a longtime customer. Their service […]
by John Pixley When I was in high school and college, and for many years afterward, my dad would see my hair and what I was wearing and ask, “Are you making a statement?” For years, I would adamantly deny it. “No!” I would proclaim hotly, both indignant and guilty. “I am not making a […]
Shape up Dear Editor: A new year and my goal to get in better shape started off by a 5-mile walk around the Claremont Loop. It was beautiful but a bit cool, which my knee did not care for but, just the same, I was going to stick to my guns and complete my walk. […]
by Tim Corvin I was about 14 years old when I discovered the music of Frank Zappa and his band, The Mothers of Invention. I always felt that life would be more enjoyable with more humor and creativity, and Frank’s music provided me with that. It was often crude humor, and as a youngster perhaps […]
by John Neiuber Enacted by the state in 1972, the Mills Act grants participating cities and counties the authority to enter into contracts with owners of qualified historic properties who actively participate in the restoration and maintenance of those properties. In return, the property owners receive a reduced property tax. The Mills Act is a […]
Definition of insanity Dear Editor: Regarding the latest in an extremely long list of shootings in this country, I would like to make some observations: we glamorize war and invade countries that didn’t attack us; we promote further violence by having a death penalty; we have 2-and-a-half times the per-capita gun ownership of any other […]
by Peter Weinberger Traditionally in your last column of the year, a writer will review highlights (and lowlights) to reminisce about key events in the world. This column is not going to be that. The COURIER will have an entire edition devoted to 2012 in our special year in review edition on Saturday, December 29. […]
by Mellissa Martinez It’s that time of year again, the end. As we look back and take inventory, how will 2012 be remembered? Was it ‘amazeballs’ or ‘bang tidy’? Did you ‘zoosh it up’ or was it filled with a lot of ‘squadoosh’? When it comes to summarizing such an eventful year, why stick with […]
Unwelcomed neighbors Dear Editor: At the city council meeting last week, an issue related to the present and future character of Claremont was, once again, the subject of discussion. The question was: “Should we discriminate between residents and non-residents when devising rules governing parking for the Wilderness Park and elsewhere?” Several months ago, the council […]
by John Pixley “Make a left at the light up here and we’ll go to Pomona.” We were out running a few errands. We were heading north toward Foothill Boulevard when my friend, who was out from LA, mentioned that he wanted to pick up some fast food. I had to explain to my friend […]
The lies from Golden State Dear Editor: You can’t have it both ways. Recently, Golden State Water stated that, “Claremont uses much more water than their neighbors.” Yet when Claremont residents conserve water, we are charged with a Water Revenue Adjustment Mechanism (WRAM) fee. We get WRAM surcharges on a monthly basis. GSW continues to […]
Building Bridges Dear Editor: I received my November 17 COURIER with the lovely photos of Bridges Auditorium. Many memories came flooding back. It was comforting to read that the auditorium is being given new life after being stagnant of a regular season for way too long. The article stated the reality of keeping the facility […]
by Debbie Carini When a Jewish man marries a Christian woman (or vice-versa), there is one thing they can both whole-heartedly embrace during the month of December: lights! (I would like to add eggnog here but my husband, the Jewish partner, does not see the appeal of 8 ounces of yellow-y milk containing 345 calories, […]
by Jan Wheatcroft As I get ready for the big selling and shopping season this December, my hands are buried in many different materials, many of which I purchased on my travels in England. As I work, I find myself deeply surrounded by the memories that inhabit each of the particular pieces I select. I […]
Election outcomes Dear Editor: The outcome of the 2012 election has elicited a range of responses from people who came out on the losing end. Recent letters in the COURIER provide examples of reactions that range from laughable to sad to excessive. On the humorous end of the spectrum we note the comments of Jacqueline […]