Things to Do in Claremont

Wine, whiskey and beer flow freely as DJs spin rhythms and food trucks heap paper plates with nachos, barbecue, and decadent crepes. As the public unveiling of the 2012 Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition's winning libations, the Fun Decanted festival gives its attendees a chance to sample the competition's victorious roster for one evening. When not filling their souvenir glasses with tastes of the winning wines, beers, and spirits from all over the world, guests join classes on how to produce, taste, and write online dating profiles for a range of wines, beers, and olive oils. A silent auction lets guests bid on wine-related prizes, and all event proceeds go to benefit The Learning Centers' developmental programs for children and technical-school classes for adults.

The Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition has showcased and awarded domestic and international libations for nearly 75 years. In the same way a restaurant chooses its chef via midnight raids of the applicants' refrigerators, the competition's panels of professional judges use a series of blind tastings to ensure a non-biased approach in winner selection. The competition also emphasizes wine education by inviting industry experts to lead classes on topics such as wine growing, grape selection, and food pairing.

At Fast Lap Indoor Kart Racing, which earned CityVoter's Best Sports and Recreational Activity title in 2009, visiting motorists whirl around a 1,200-foot indoor track designed by former IKF racers. Drivers suit up with protective helmets and neck collars before strapping themselves into Sodi karts, whose gas-powered Honda 200-cubic-centimeter engines and miniature horses power them through 10- to 12-minute races. The indoor facility’s professionally engineered exhaust system ensures safe, clean air for all racers as they wind through the course with up to 11 other competitors. Computerized timing systems accurately record photo finishes, and video helmets and race suits are available to enhance the experience. Guests might snag a chance to rub bumpers with a slew of celebrity guests who frequent the track, attempting to outwit IndyCar drivers or trading high-speed knock-knock jokes with Hollywood comedians.

IceTown helps kids and adults become nimble on their blades with open-skate hours every day of the week as well as hockey and figure-skating instruction. Free introductory Hockey Academy and Skating Academy lessons, both open to boys and girls aged 3 and older, teach agility, puck-smashing skills, and how to carve an ice sculpture with a series of precise blade kicks. Adults brush up on hockey skills in clinics separated by gender, and groups can take part in sled hockey or broomball. IceTown also opens its doors to birthday revelers, providing use of its party room, access to open skate, and 30 minutes on its rock wall.

Lincoln limousines slip quietly through traffic, heads turning to wonder who is behind the dusky windows. Smith Entertainment and Transportation's professional drivers navigate the jet-black limos, as well as town cars and party buses, on trips to the airport, fiestas, and wineries. Town cars purr, transporting sharply dressed groups to prom, and Hummer limos mix class and ruggedness like a lumberjack learning to play croquet.

Jose Becerra’s camera seeks out the best angles, the right focus, and the correct lighting to capture memories for his clients. By changing his shooting style to fit his subjects and the situation, Becerra can offer them a range of photographs from posed quinceañera portraits to a photojournalistic take on a beachfront wedding. He also offers services, which extend beyond the shoot to include digital albums, video services, and photo-booth rentals that supply guests with instant keepsakes that are not stolen silverware.

Each year, Yorba Linda's most menacing demons prowl The Cemetery of Lost Souls for four horrible nights. Normally a peaceful martial-arts school known as the United Studios of Self Defense, the dojo suddenly transforms in the fall, its corridors echoing with the shrieks of ghosts just learning that The Karate Kid had multiple sequels. Courageous visitors can brave the bloody spectacle during the house's Scream Time hours or experience a less-startling version during a family-friendly hour. After enduring the thrills, survivors can shake off their goose bumps with attractions such as music, food, bounce houses, and laser tag.