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Fashion Jack: Buttons and wedges …

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Q. I have a shirt with a missing button. The only button I have to replace it has two holes, whereas the rest of the buttons on the shirt have four holes. Is it OK to replace a four-hole button with a two-hole button?

- Dale, Valle Vista

  A. It depends upon the position of the button and your body type. Remember that a two-holer weighs more than a four-holer because plastic is heavier than air, so if you’ve lost the top button on your four-hole-button shirt, and you’re already a top-heavy person, you’ll want to snip off the bottom button and sew it where the top button was, then sew your heavier two-holer on at the bottom where the extra weight won’t bother you so much.

 

Q. Is it OK to walk around Idyllwild in platform wedge shoes?

– Carrina, Romoland

A. Not exclusively, no.

 

 

Email your fashion questions to [email protected].

Clubs: Rotary Photos and Idyllwild Conversations

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Idyllwild Rotary President-elect Chuck Weisbart (right) thanks Boy Scouts of America Camping Specialist Mike McCarty (left) for speaking at the samemeeting held at American Legion Post 800. McCarty discussed the history of the Emerson Boseker Scout Reservation, the current condition of the camp and environmental changes taking place due to the current drought. Photo by Nathan DePetris
Idyllwild Rotary President-elect Chuck Weisbart (right) thanks Boy Scouts of America Camping Specialist Mike McCarty (left) for speaking at the samemeeting held at American Legion Post 800. McCarty discussed the history of the Emerson Boseker Scout Reservation, the current condition of the camp and environmental changes taking place due to the current drought.
Photo by Nathan DePetris
Idyllwild Rotary Membership Chair Chuck Streeter (right) welcomes Joe Mattioli (left) as a new member of the Rotary during its Nov. 12 meeting.
Idyllwild Rotary Membership Chair Chuck Streeter (right) welcomes Joe Mattioli (left) as a new member of the Rotary during its Nov. 12 meeting.

Idyllwild Conversations is presenting “Rekindling the Trailfinders” at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25, at the Idyllwild Library.

Hosts for this special evening are Dr. Jennifer Gee, (director, James Reserve), Julie Steiger, (counselor, Idyllwild Arts), Sarah Fogelsong, (assistant director, Pathfinders) and Rick Barker, (author, moral psychology).

Everyone is invited to this free discussion on how to create the most beneficial and impactful nature program for our kids.

Submit Club news to [email protected].

AAI’s community potluck

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The Art Alliance of Idyllwild sponsored a potluck for the community Sunday at Buckhorn Camp. AAI members and others from the community brought a dish and enjoyed spending time together while indulging in great food. “Over 60 people attended the Art Alliance of Idyllwild’s community potluck on Sunday night,” Shanna Robb, event organizer, said. “It overflowed with good food and good conversation.”

 

Photo by Jenny Kirchner
Photo by Jenny Kirchner
Photo by Jenny Kirchner
Photo by Jenny Kirchner

Readers write: Fire abatement …

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Editor: 

I understand that a committee has been formed to create a more stringent fire code abatement program on the Hill. I found Riverside County’s current fire abatement plan online and it seems well thought out, and has fines and an ability for the county to remove and bill homeowners for fire hazards.

Looking at other surrounding areas’ fire abatement programs, I see that Julian has a much more lenient program than we have now and the majority of counties have either the same or less stringent program.

San Bernardino County is the most severe I could find and it seems we are copying that program. I guess I don’t understand why the current abatement plan enforced is not good enough. I can imagine the new fire code will be a fee-based inspection program where we will each be billed every year to have an inspector evaluate our property and this new fee or tax will go to the county.

I hope we all get involved and look at the cost of this new program.

Scott Fisher
Pine Cove

Fiscal past, present and future discussed at Pine Cove Water

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PCWD PROMOTION: Mike Esnard (left), Pine Cove Water District board president, congratulates Jeremy Potter (right) after his promotion to field foreman, following the resignation of Jerry Johnson.      Photo by J.P. Crumrine
PCWD PROMOTION: Mike Esnard (left), Pine Cove Water District board president, congratulates Jeremy Potter (right) after his promotion to field foreman, following the resignation of Jerry Johnson. Photo by J.P. Crumrine

 

 

Financial matters dominated the latest meeting of the Pine Cove Water District’s directors. The board heard from its auditor and accepted the 2013-14 audit, reviewed its first quarter 2014-15 financial report, and approved a new proposal for the renewal of two cell tower site leases.

 

Past: 2013-14 audit

“The district is in good financial shape. There are no significant audit findings,” reported Terry Shea, partner at Rogers, Anderson, Malody & Scott, LLP, the district’s auditor. PCWD’s ratio of current assets to liabilities is 4:1, which is very good since most districts are about 2:1, according to Shea.

However, he did advise the board to look at ways, including rate changes, to raise more cash over the next three to five years.

“Consider cutting costs or loans or raising revenue to get cash [balance] up,” he recommended. His warning was because PCWD had a cash balance of about $200,000 at the end of the fiscal year (June 30, 2014). Annual expenditures are about $600,000 or $50,000 monthly, and he recommends that his clients maintain a cash availability of about four to six months of expenses.

“If a fire or earthquake occurred, you need to build cash,” Shea said. Emphasizing his admonition, Shea noted that PCWD’s cash balance declined about $45,000 this past year, which was largely attributable to greater investments in infrastructure and a land purchase.

The last rate increase was approved in January 2011 and implemented a $3 increase in the bi-monthly minimum level on Feb. 1, 2011 and again each of the next two years to the current level of $53 bi-monthly. PCWD General Manager Jerry Holldber indicated that he will evaluate PCWD’s financial condition over the next few months and may recommend a rate increase to the board then.

 

Present: 2014-15 budget

At the end of the first quarter of the current fiscal year (Sept. 30), PCWD had received about 18 percent of expected revenues. There are normal collections since property tax revenue is not received until mid-December.

“Everything is on target for this time of year,” reported Holldber.

Expenses for the first three months were about 29 percent of projected costs. Salaries and benefits were about 27 percent, while other categories were slightly higher because full annual costs of some items, such as insurance, were paid in the first quarter.

PCWD has already expended about 60 percent of its projected overtime costs. Holldber explained that was caused by one employee on extended sick leave and another, Jerry Johnson, resigning last month.

“More overtime, but less salary,” noted President Michael Esnard.

Director Lou Padula noted that PCWD had awarded several customers $25 each for identifying and reporting water leaks.

“It’s the best program,” responded Office Manager Becky Smith. “We have spent about $400 in the three years since it began and it’s saved a lot of water.”

 

Future

The board also reviewed and approved a proposed extension of the current tower contracts with AT&T and T-Mobile.

The new terms include a 15-percent rental increase for AT&T. Both companies will reimburse PCWD for maintenance of the sites, extend the leases to October 2049, guarantee the rental payments for 10 years and provide potentially $7,500 in bonus payments if the amended leases are signed within 60 days.

Also, Holldber said he has approached a firm to research the status of the district’s property tax revenue from the county. For several years, there have been questions about its accuracy.

“For some time, how little property tax [revenue PCWD receives] bugs us,” Holldber said. After discussing the subject with legal counsel, he is investigating the possibility of using a firm to research the collection and allocation of these tax payments.

After Shea advised the board to look at alternatives to increase its cash, Holldber agreed and said he plans to review the options of possible future rate increases. Revenue changes may occur once the district has revised Ordinance 4, which addresses its rules and procedures. PCWD’s legal counsel is currently reviewing this ordinance from the 1950s and subsequent amendments.

Readers write: Readers, please write

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Editor:

Maybe the Town Crier readers are able to come up with ideas to help Jeff Stone, state senator-elect, and CalTrans with solutions to motorcycle fatalities in our mountains.

May we hear from readers in The Crier’s letters to the editor.

Most concerned.

David Rudolph
Pine Cove

Fire Fee suit in discovery phase

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The litigation filed against California’s State Regulated Area Fire Fee has been dormant for many months. Lawyers for the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, who filed the suit, have reported that the case is still active and work is continuing.
“Our legal department is currently working on a phase of the case known as ‘discovery,’ where both sides are given the opportunity to ask each other for relevant information,” HJTA reported last week. “After our attorneys sent the state’s lawyers formal questions and requests for important documents, the state sent back 13,000 pages of material.”

The Fire Prevention Fee was enacted in July 2011. After the State Board of Forestry adopted regulations for assessing and collecting the $150 fee, HJTA filed its lawsuit alleging the fee was actually a tax in October 2012. If the court agrees it is a tax, then its enactment was flawed because taxes require the approval of two-thirds of the legislature.

PHOTOS: Last Week in Idyllwild

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TALKING SPIKDERS: Dr. Peter Bryant was this month’s ICC Speaker Series presenter. Bryant spoke about spiders. His subject attracted adults and one 8-year-old spider enthusiast, filling the seats at Silver Pines Lodge Thursday night.   Photo by Jenny Kirchner
TALKING SPIDERS: Dr. Peter Bryant was this month’s ICC Speaker Series presenter. Bryant spoke about spiders. His subject attracted adults and one 8-year-old spider enthusiast, filling the seats at Silver Pines Lodge Thursday night. Photo by Jenny Kirchner
From left, Emily Pearson, Emily’s grandson Colton and Marge Muir supervise installation of the Christmas lights on the children’s tree by Pearson’s Wood Service employees Ray Johnston and Steve Robertson (not pictured). The children’s tree is located in front of The Fort on the corner of Highway 243 and N. Circle Drive.        Photo by Jay Pentrack
From left, Emily Pearson, Emily’s grandson Colton and Marge Muir supervise installation of the Christmas lights on the children’s tree by Pearson’s Wood Service employees Ray Johnston and Steve Robertson (not pictured). The children’s tree is located in front of The Fort on the corner of Highway 243 and N. Circle Drive. Photo by Jay Pentrack
Judy Begin (left) of the Idyllwild Gift Shop, hands to Phyllis Mueller, one of the top dogs of the Tree Lighting Ceremony executive team, a donation to save the Christmas tree that is threatened by the drought, while Joe McNabb, who assisted with mounting the lights, looks on Saturday.Photo by John Drake
Judy Begin (left) of the Idyllwild Gift Shop, hands to Phyllis Mueller, one of the top dogs of the Tree Lighting Ceremony executive team, a donation to save the Christmas tree that is threatened by the drought, while Joe McNabb, who assisted with mounting the lights, looks on Saturday. Photo by John Drake
KING RETURNS: The new local temple Temple Har Shalom of Idyllwild, welcomed back Rabbi-in-training Julian King (left) last Friday night as he led Shabbat services with one of his teachers, Cantor Sam Radwine. Photo by Barry Zander
KING RETURNS: The new local temple Temple Har Shalom of Idyllwild, welcomed back Rabbi-in-training Julian King (left) last Friday night as he led Shabbat services with one of his teachers, Cantor Sam Radwine.
Photo by Barry Zander

Charges dismissed in court

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A Hemet man, arrested June 20, 2014, in Idyllwild on felony charges that were dropped to one misdemeanor, has had his case dismissed in Riverside County Superior Court.

As reported in the Town Crier Aug. 14, Jason Michael Roney, 24, was arrested June 20, 2014, on several felony charges in Idyllwild. Roney’s court charge was dropped to one misdemeanor for suspicion of possession of cannabis.

The case was dismissed Nov. 12 in the interests of justice.

News of Record: November 20, 2014

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DISPOSAL SCARE: On Saturday, Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, California Highway Patrol and Idyllwild Fire Department closed Maranatha Drive after a smoke grenade was left at a household hazard waste collection event sponsored by Clean Harbors Environmental Services. The area was evacuated from about 10:30 a.m. until noon while the Sheriff’s Department confirmed the device was non-threatening and they could safely dispose of the grenade.         Photo by Jenny Kirchner
DISPOSAL SCARE: On Saturday, Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, California Highway Patrol and Idyllwild Fire Department closed Maranatha Drive after a smoke grenade was left at a household hazard waste collection event sponsored by Clean Harbors Environmental Services. The area was evacuated from about 10:30 a.m. until noon while the Sheriff’s Department confirmed the device was non-threatening and they could safely dispose of the grenade. Photo by Jenny Kirchner

Fire log

The Idyllwild Fire Station responded to the following calls, Tuesday to Monday, Nov. 11 to 17.

 

Idyllwild

• Nov. 11 — Building fire.

• Nov. 11 — Medical aid.

• Nov. 12 — Two medical aids.

• Nov. 13 — Three medical aids.

• Nov. 13 — Traffic collision with injuries.

• Nov. 14 — Two medical aids.

• Nov. 15 — Hazardous condition.

• Nov. 15 — Medical aid.

• Nov. 16 — Medical aid.

• Nov. 16 — Alarm system activation, no fire, unintentional.

• Nov. 17 — Two medical aids.

 

 

Sheriff’s log

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Hemet Station responded to the following calls from Sunday to Saturday, Nov. 9 to Nov. 15.

 

Idyllwild 

• Nov. 9 — Alarm call, Forest Haven Dr.  Handled by deputy.

• Nov. 9 — Alarm call, 53000 block of Double View Dr.  Handled by deputy.

• Nov. 10 –– Battery, address undefined.  Handled by deputy.

• Nov. 11 –– 911 call, 25000 block of Fern Valley Rd.  Handled by deputy.

• Nov. 11 –– 911 call, Circle View Dr.  Handled by deputy.

• Nov. 11 –– Suspicious vehicle, address undefined.  Old Banning-Idyllwild Rd. Handled by deputy.

• Nov. 14 — Trespassing, 54000 block of S. Circle Dr. Handled by deputy.

• Nov. 14 — Check the welfare, 52000 block of Double View Dr. Handled by deputy.

• Nov. 14 — Assist other department, 54000 block of Pine Crest Ave. Handled by deputy.

• Nov. 14 — Alarm call, 24000 block of Fern Valley Rd. Handled by deputy.

• Nov. 15 — Shots fired, address undefined. Handled by deputy.

• Nov. 15 — Found military ordnance, 25000 block of Johnson Rd. Handled by deputy.

 

Pine Cove

• Nov. 11 — 911 call, Rockmere Dr.  Handled by deputy.

• Nov. 11 — Alarm call, Cedar Dr.  Handled by deputy.

• Nov. 11 — 911 call, Acorn Ln.  Handled by deputy.

• Nov. 12 — Public disturbance, Mountain View Dr.  Handled by deputy.

• Nov. 12 — Area check, Pine Cove Rd.  Handled by deputy.

• Nov. 12 — Public disturbance, Pine Cove Rd.  Handled by deputy.

• Nov. 13 — Check the welfare, Pine Cove Rd.  Handled by deputy.

• Nov. 15 — Barking dog, address undefined. Handled by deputy.

 

San Bernardino National Forest

• Nov. 9 — Public disturbance, 22000 block of Hwy. 243.  Handled by deputy.

• Nov. 11 — Alarm call, 52000 block of Stonewood Canyon Rd.  Handled by deputy.

• Nov. 13 — Follow-up, address withheld.  Handled by deputy.

• Nov. 15 — Illegal dumping, address undefined. Handled by deputy.

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