🔥 Where to eat, roll, rock, and laugh this week (flames included?)

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Can you believe January’s almost over? We’re cruising into the final stretch of the month, and it already feels like the year’s picking up speed.

If you’ve been around La Verne a while, chances are you’ve celebrated a birthday at Shogun: the kind with fireballs, flying shrimp, and chefs who know how to put on a show.

This week, we’re tipping our hats to the local spots that always deliver, plus some new picks worth checking out!

If you’re in La Verne, you’ve probably celebrated birthday parties at Shogun Restaurant. This place is where locals bring out-of-town guests when they want a little drama with their dinner. The teppanyaki grills crackles, chefs juggling knives and flames, and everyone's filled up, and smiling.

The grilling experience keeps guests entertained while chefs prepare your meals right in front of you. Come hungry, settle in, and expect a lot of grilling flames before dessert even crosses your mind.

The Leadership Course is your multi-year rite of passage - designed to raise young men who know who they are in Christ and Scripture.

• 4 stages with spiritual formation.
• Christ-centered, grit and strength.
• Equip sons to lead with humility.

Chaparral Lanes is the kind of place where you come in for a game or two and end up staying for hours instead. Everything's organized and comfortable, with different regulars such as birthday groups, and friends blowing off steam. Everyone has a great time doing their own kind of fun.

Staffs are friendly and patient, their pizza heals your cravings, and the bar's lowkey and social. Whether it’s a birthday party, or casual night out, this place knows how to bring people together.

As we move out of the holidays and into the heart of the new year, we want to give you a clear, data-driven view of what’s actually happening in the Foothills real estate market, not headlines, not guesses.

Here’s the truth:
The market was flat in the back half of the year, but it hasn’t stalled.

From November through December, buyer activity increased, inventory remained tight, and prices held steady. What changed is that buyers became more selective. Homes that were priced and positioned correctly sold. Homes that weren’t sat longer or expired.

The Gist: The Upland Chamber of Commerce hosts Taste of the I.E. on Friday, January 23, from 6 to 10 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Claremont. Guests can sample dishes from Inland Empire restaurants, enjoy live music and dancing, try their luck at casino-style games, and take part in a live raffle. Tickets are $100 for the evening.

Why It Matters: Events like this highlight the region’s food scene and give neighbors a chance to connect outside the usual routine. Tickets are available now:

The Gist: Hillcrest, a nonprofit senior living community in La Verne, is serving brain-healthy MIND diet meals at every breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The approach blends research-backed nutrition with daily dining, focusing on foods linked to better cognitive function and slower dementia progression. Hillcrest says it has fully integrated the program since 2019, pairing meals with education so residents understand the why behind what’s on their plates.

Why It Matters: It turns brain health research into everyday habits for older adults, not just special programming.

Leader of Men is your 12-month journey to restore men as Kingdom leaders everywhere.

• 4 retreats. 12 gatherings. Daily growth.
• Lead with Scripture-driven ministry leaders
• Only 20 men. Begins this January stat.

🏛️ Free Friday Art Day | Claremont Lewis Museum of Art | Claremont | 1/23 | More
A welcoming way to experience rotating exhibitions and connect with local culture.

🥎 Athena Softball Alumnae Game | McKenna College | Claremont | 1/24 | More
Celebrate Athenas softball with campus events and Hall of Fame honors.

🐶 The Canine Stars | Haugh Performing Arts Center | Glendora | 1/24 | More
An energetic stunt dog spectacular featuring amazing rescue pups and athletic feats.

🥋 Women Empowered® Self-Defense Workshop | Gracie Jiu-Jitsu | San Dimas | 1/25 | More
Learn the basics of BJJ in a safe, supportive environment: no experience required.

🎶 CYMO Season Opener | Bridges Hall of Music | Claremont | 1/25 | More
Apolished orchestral performance and guest soloists from the LA Phil, doors open early!

🦞 Cousins Maine Lobster Pop-Up | San Dimas Plaza | San Dimas | 1/22 | More
Buttery lobster rolls with cash-free ordering and easy app pre-orders to skip the line.

☕️ Horchata: Sip the Story | Public Library – Bidwell Forum | Glendora | 1/24 | More
A speaker event diving into why so many cultures call their beloved drinks “horchata.”

🚶‍♀️ History Walking Tour | Claremont Colleges Village | Claremont | 1/24 | More
Tracing the colleges’ roots from 1887 to today, ending back in the Village for lunch.

🏈 Rams Game Day Watch Party | La Verne Brewing Co. | La Verne | 1/25 | More
Catch every play, enjoy $5 beers from kickoff to final whistle, and grab food on-site.

🎶 FM Station: 60s–90s Deep Rock Night | Chase’s Restaurant | La Verne | 1/28 | More
Sing along to iconic anthems and timeless ballads: a crowd-pleasing night of classic rock!