What's Happening in the Community?

In addition to the Concerts in the Park which are great for a free evening of family entertainment in the great outdoors, there are all kinds of other activities in our local communities which are inexpensive forms of family entertainment.

1.  Take a bike ride.  Just make sure that everyone has the proper safety equipment and then take off to Bonelli Park.  There are several bike trails on the grounds to enjoy an afternoon of outdoor exercise.  Click on this link to download a map.  http://www.labikepaths.com/countymap.html

2.  Check out your local library.  The L.A. County Public Library in San Dimas has a calendar of activities for you to review and take advantage of on their website at http://www.colapublib.org/libs/sandimas/.  Also, take a look at Glendora Public Library for the activities they offer at http://www.glendoralibrary.org/.

3. Day Camps.  The City of Covina offers a variety of day camps for children of various ages for a small fee.  Go to http://www.ci.covina.ca.us/cityview/2008%20Summer/pages4951YouthSummerCamps.pdf for more information.

4. Go swimming.  Both Covina and La Verne offer recreational swimming at their community pools.  In Covina, from June 23 through August 28 from 1:15 to 2:30 PM, Monday through Thursday you and your children can enjoy an afternoon of swimming for just $1 per person.  Season passes are also available.  La Verne's open swim time is open from June 23 through August 22 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  Children under 17 are $2.00 and adults are 2:50.  Both cities also offer a variety of paid lessons at their acquatic centers.  Contact the city's recreation department for further details.

5. Movie Night.  Many of our local communities are showing family-friendly movies in the park.  For a schedule of nights, times and movie titles click on one of the links below.

For more information on the Summer Recreation activities offered by each city please follow the links below:

Claremont:  http://www.claremontonline.net/download.cfm?ID=17868
La Verne:  http://www.ci.la-verne.ca.us/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=178&Itemid=66
Covina: http://www.ci.covina.ca.us/cityview/2008%20Summer/CityViewEntireBookSummer2008.pdf
San Dimas: http://www.cityofsandimas.com/download.cfm?ID=24753
Rancho Cucamonga: http://www.rcpark.com/pdf/grapevine.pdf

I am looking foward to enjoying the Independence Day holiday with my family.  Many of our local cities are offering some type of celebration activities for families to enjoy.  Not only fireworks spectacular events but also, carnivals, family festivals, etc.  The following is a short list of local events.

CLAREMONT

Memorial Park, 840 N. Indian Hill Blvd. (909) 399-5490. Pancake Breakfast, 7-10 a.m.; $3. 5K walk, 8 a.m. Registration is $25-$30. Flag raising ceremony. Family festival with games (11 a.m.-1 p.m.), food booths (10 a.m.-4 p.m.), entertainment, 10:30-4 p.m. Parade, 4 p.m., starts at the corner of Indian Hill Boulevard and Tenth Street. 10:45 a.m.-3:15 p.m. speakers' corner, an open forum.

Fireworks show is being held at Pomona College Strehle Track. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. The LCR will provide music. The "Sky Concert" begins at 9 p.m. The 20+ minute show is fully synchronized to music and electonically fired. Tickets are $8 at the gate ($6 presale at Chamber of Commerce, City Hall, Von's Market (Base Line Road), Wolfe's Market, and the Human Services Office. www.ci.claremont.ca.us.

COVINA

Patriotic Breakfast Concert, Covina Park Bandshell, Fourth Avenue, between Badillo and San Bernardino Road. (626) 332-0020. 8-9 a.m. All-you-can-eat pancake breakfast, 7:30-10 a.m., $5, tickets available at the door. Covina Concert Band.

LA VERNE

Pancake breakfast begins at 6:30 a.m. at the Methodist Church, on "D" Street, across from Bonita High School. Country fair: petting zoo, pony rides, food and craft vendors, games, entertainment. 9:45 a.m. pre-parade Harley ride, representing all 50 states and branches of the military; 10 a.m. parade, starts at the corner of Tenth Avenue and D Street. Expect street closures around parade route. Deep pit barbecue, starts at 4 p.m. at the Methodist Church: beef or turkey, cole slaw, corn, and a roll.

Fireworks show is held at Bonita High School, 3102 D St. Ticket booth opens at 5 p.m. Gates open at 6 p.m. Entertainment begins at 7 p.m. including The Answer. Fireworks at 9 p.m. Tickets are $6 for 13 and older, $5, 5-12, and free for under 4. Tickets also available pre-sale ($1 off/ticket) at the Parks and Community Services Office, 3660 D St. (909) 596-8700. Note: Bonita High School now has artificial turf. No barbecues, open flames or other incendiary devices are permitted in the stadium or anywhere on the field.

MONROVIA

Myrtle Avenue, between Olive and Palm Avenues. Family Festival, 3-7 p.m.; music and entertainment. Fireworks start at 9:00 PM.  Free admission.

POMONA

Fairplex Kaboom! 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona. (909) 623-3111. Festivities begin at 8 p.m. with monster trucks, monster motocross and monster fireworks. Tickets are from $14-$20 and are on sale at the Fairplex credentials office (10 a.m.-7 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. weekends), Ticketmaster, and Fairplex.com. Ages 2 and under are free. Parking is at Gate 17 on Fairplex Drive.

ROSE BOWL

Pasadena. (626) 577-3101. Family fun festival and food court, noon-9 p.m. 2 p.m. outside festival and food court opens. 6 p.m. gates open for all general admission seating, 6:55 p.m. opening ceremonies, national anthem. 7 p.m. Drum Corps performances begin. 9-9:30 p.m. Fireworks. Reserved seats are $25. General admission $13, children 7 and younger. Local members of the active military and their families will be admitted free by showing their current military identification at the Rose Bowl Box office the day of the event. Tickets may be purchased from the Rose Bowl Box Office or Ticketmaster (213) 480-3232 or www.ticketmaster.com. Parking is $15/car. www.rosebowlstadium.com.

TOYOTA SPEEDWAY AT IRWINDALE

Located at the 605 freeway and Live Oak Avenue, between the 10 and 210 freeways. (626) 358- 1100. The Speedway will be hosting the NASCAR Camping West World Series Race and Auto Club Late Model Firecracker 100 races followed by an Independence Day fireworks celebration. Spectator gates open at 4 p.m. and tailgating is permitted in the parking lot. Racing begins at 7 p.m., followed by fireworks. Reserved tickets, $35, general admission, $15 adults, $12 seniors, $7.50 for those 6-12.

WEST COVINA ELKS AND INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION

Edgewood Middle School, 1625 W. Durness, West Covina. (626) 939- 8430.

Thursday: 5-10 p.m. Carnival, food, entertainment, rides and games.

Friday: 7 a.m.-11 a.m. 5k walk/run, 8-11 a.m. Pancake Breakfast, $4/person. Carnival, rides, food and entertainment, 4-10 p.m. Live Music and Sky Divers, 5-10 p.m. Free fireworks show, after dark, around 8 p.m.

Saturday: 5-10 p.m. carnival, food, entertainment, rides, and games.