At its May 23 meeting, the Idyllwild Fire Protection District’s commission approved a resolution requesting that Riverside County grant the district an advance of its December property tax receipts.
The request is for $400,000, the same amount as the 2016 request. The district and county have agreed to an advance for each fall since 2011.
From July through the middle of December, the district’s cash flow is limited to ambulance collections because it receives no property tax or assessments during that period.
With the advance from the county, bills are more easily paid and the December revenue reimburses the county for the advance and small fee of about $3,350.
The late afternoon of July 4th, the Eagle Fire started near Lake Mathews in Riverside County. It burned 205 acres and was fully contained 24 hours later on July 5.
While no structures were threatened or an evacuation warning issued, firefighters were endangered during the incident.
According to Riverside County Fire Department, two privately owned drones flew over the fire area. The first drone necessitated withdrawing aerial firefighting equipment. During the lapse of air craft, after equipment had returned to Ryan Air Attack Base in Hemet, a second drone was seen over the fire area.
County fire officials were concerned about firefighter safety and efforts to fight fires. They stressed, “Aerial firefighting aircraft, such as air tankers and helicopters, fly at very low altitudes; sometimes just a few hundred feet above the ground … Drones flying in or near a fire or incident where aircraft is working present a critical life safety hazard; not only to the public, but to the firefighters in the air and on the ground working tirelessly to extinguish these fires.”
Once again, fire officials are asking the public to keep drones out of the air space needed to fight fires.
The Federal Aviation Administration requires testing and registration of most drones. Similar to a crime tip line, those who have information about irresponsible drone operators who have flown close to disasters and emergencies can call 1-844-DRONE11 (1-844-376-6311). This telephone line is not for reporting emergencies.
Dorothy Hawthorne, 86, passed away peacefully surrounded by family Monday, July 3, 2017. She had a long struggle with congenital heart disease and kidney failure. She just couldn’t let go of her beloved and devoted husband, Tom, whom she was married to for 69 years. He was her whole life!
Dorothy was born in Los Angeles in 1930. She met her darling Tom at age 16 while working at a Thrifty Drug Store soda fountain. They married in 1948 and had six children, three having predeceased them.
Dorothy collected newspapers to help support the war effort during World War II. She served as a Gray Lady at Balboa Naval Hospital during the Vietnam War, and she and Tom more recently helped fund the Hawthorne Veteran and Family Resource Center in Escondido.
While raising their children, Dorothy supported Tom in his successful 50-year career as the Caterpillar tractor dealer at Hawthorne Machinery Company. Tom and Dorothy have traveled the world and enjoyed many unique adventures together, but home is Escondido and their firm foundation of faith is rooted in the Community of Christ Church that owns and operates Buckhorn Camp.
Dorothy will be remembered by those who loved her as a quiet, gentle, generous woman who was always there to help others, bring them oranges and help however she could. She had an unusually tender heart and was a true servant. She was kind to absolutely everyone she encountered — from the clerk at the dry cleaners to the dignitaries she met in their travels around the world.
Dorothy once made fresh-squeezed orange juice for the King of Tonga who was visiting San Diego and their dealership. She was known for her wonderful, delicious oranges and contributed thousands of them to be included in sack lunches distributed by Interfaith Community Services in Escondido.
She adored her garden and every living, growing thing! She spent many hours watering and tending to her plants and flowers, and was often surrounded by a bevy of birds, dogs, cats, ducks, chickens and sheep over the years. Kittens were her favorite!
Dorothy and Tom began attending an annual family camp at Buckhorn Camp in the early 1960s. After their daughter Chris moved to Idyllwild in 1994, Dorothy and Tom bought a vacation home in Idyllwild and began helping to renovate all aspects of Buckhorn Camp.
Dorothy used to make little gift bags with candy, hot chocolate, dog balls, etc., for Chris’ guests at Silver Pines Lodge. They helped with the annual Christmas dinner for almost 20 years, and Dorothy, Tom and Chris’ sister Debbie were partners with Chris in obtaining and refurbishing Creekstone Inn. She loved Idyllwild and supported Chris in everything she did.
Dorothy is survived by her loving husband Tom Hawthorne; three of their six children Brian Thomas (Suzy) Hawthorne, Debbie (Tee) Hawthorne Ness and Christine (Steve) Hawthorne Perreault; 10 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held for Dorothy at 2 p.m. Friday, July 21, at The Church at Rancho Bernardo, 11740 Bernardo Plaza Court, San Diego. In lieu of flowers, Dorothy would have loved that donations be made to North County Interfaith Community Services, Outreach International or the San Diego Zoo.
Mike Cole of Idyllwild winds up for a volley on the local pickleball courts at the Community Center site, while Eliott Taylor gives him space. Cole is a veteran pickleball player, having joined the sport in the Seattle area shortly after its founding in the mid-1960s. Cole finalized his decision to buy a cabin on the Hill when he realized there are pickleball courts in the community. Photo by Barry Zander
Despite the peculiar name, pickleball is nothing to sneeze at or derisively dismiss. It is the fastest-growing sport in America. Since its founding in 1965 by Washington State Congressman Joel Pritchard, the paddle- and net-based sport has exploded in popularity. It is played in all 50 states at over 4,000 locations and has its own corporate brand and sponsor, the USA Pickleball Association.
Now, as recently announced by the Idyllwild Community Center board, pickleball will have a permanent Idyllwild home and be listed on the USAPA’s website “Places to Play” map.
Given that Idyllwild is a dog-loving town with a dog for a mayor, pickleball is especially appropriate here. The sport was allegedly named after the Pritchard’s dog Pickles who, during games, would chase the ball and run off with it, repeatedly interrupting the first matches of the nascent sport.
The San Jacinto Mountain Community Center board, ICC’s parent, announced that pickleball courts will be built at the Idyllwild Pines Camp and Conference Center, adjacent to two other Idyllwild Pines-hosted and ICC-managed recreational venues — the Idyllwild Skate Park and the Rick Barker Dog Park.
According to the board’s press release, ICC signed a three-year lease with Idyllwild Pines to allow construction of permanent courts on the camp’s land.
Phase one of the Community Center’s construction would have displaced pickleball play during construction on the ICC site. Final plans for all Community Center project phases would not have left enough flat land on the ICC site to accommodate an adequate pickleball playing area. “When it became obvious that the pickleball program would be displaced for the entire time of construction on the ICC site, the board was proactive in making certain that there would be a resolution that would be in the best interests of the pickleball players whose number has grown under the leadership of Barry Wallace,” noted the ICC press release.
The courts will cost $49,480, with $20,000 coming from county funds (Developer Agreement Fee Regional Parks Fund), $20,000 from ICC funds, and anticipated “volunteer efforts to close any [construction funding] gaps that remain.” Said SJMCC President Janice Lyle, “This is a successful example of how a community can quietly work with public and private sources to resolve an issue and fulfill a demonstrated need.”
Pickleball’s rapid growth is attributed to its popularity with seniors, and within retirement communities, community centers, YMCA facilities and physical-education classes.
The Sports and Fitness Industry Association estimated there were 2.5-million pickleball adherents in 2016. SFIA is the premier trade association for top brands, manufacturers, retailers and marketers in the sporting goods and fitness industry. Core (regular and devoted) players were 73 percent male and 27 percent female. Seventy-five percent of core players were 55 years of age or older with the largest demographic, 42.7 percent, 65 or older.
Wallace, ICC board member, has been the driving force behind launching pickleball as an Idyllwild recreation staple. A physical-education teacher by profession and an avowed “racquet ball junkie,” Wallace, with the help of Robert Priefer and support from ICC, installed three pickleball courts on the existing tennis courts on the ICC site. “I started it, but once installed, it just took off. The community grew the game as I knew it would.”
Asked about the permanent courts to be built on the IP site, Wallace said, “I’m happy as can be. Pickleball is a social sport, not dog-eat-dog like some other sports. When people play, they leave happy and smiling.”
ICC Phase 1 construction, originally scheduled to begin this summer, has been delayed. The delay allows pickleball to be played throughout the summer at the ICC site. Construction of permanent courts on the Idyllwild Pines Camp will begin as soon as the county issues final plan approval. “Regardless of the ICC [construction] timetable, we’ll get going on the Idyllwild Pines site as soon as possible,” said Wallace. He said he anticipates no interruption of play for pickleball players. “We’re going to go first class with this,” he said, “to make tournament-ready courts.” Construction also will include bleachers, storage kiosks and fencing.
Wallace noted there are 50 to 60 local players on the pickleball player list Ron Perry maintains. Wallace anticipates the number of local players will grow when permanent courts at Idyllwild Pines expand available pickleball playing time. Currently, on the ICC site, pickleball is played only in the morning because of playground use in the afternoon.
Wallace said he would offer to teach the game to younger Idyllwild Pines campers. The new courts will be available for Idyllwild Pines’ use as well as for Idyllwild locals.
Last week in “Days of Our Nine Lives,” the cats and dogs met the new ARF kittens.
Jet & Crue
Crue: Today I, an ARF canine, will share some ARF cat news!
Jet: Oh, Crue, let me! Let me! Everyone, three of the kittens have found forever homes!
Diamond
Crue: That’s right! Amy, Ruby and Opie have forever families now.
Audrey: That’s what I heard. And they are gone before they ever got to know us.
Diamond: As their mommy, I told them wonderful things about each of you. Would you like to meet the remaining two kittens? (Diamond brings in Topaz and Emerald)
George: Hi, kids! I’m a big, orange tabby who loves human attention, lying by the window and eating!!
Bobbie
Tinkerbell: I’m probably one of the prettiest cats at ARF, with my gorgeous long, black hair, highlighted by some charming white patches. I’m super affectionate with humans.
Anabel: And if you think Tink is beautiful, look at me! My long, silky soft hair is a pretty champagne color. I have giant eyes that will steal your heart.
Crue: Hold on here! What about Jet and me? Little kittens, meet my daughter Jet, a Jack Russel/Chihuahua-mix, but I think she’s part cat.
Tinkerbell
She loves to curl up in laps just as you guys do! And I’m a very calm, quiet and happy Jack Russell terrier. I know that sounds impossible,
Audrey
but I really am!
Bobbie: My turn! I’m Bobbie the office cat. I would prefer to be the only cat in a home. I can deal with dogs as long as they stay out of my face. I’m very affectionate with humans, and I’m still puzzled as to why I haven’t been adopted yet.
Diamond: Obviously, the kittens know me, but you guys probably are still unfamiliar with me. I’m very young, under a year, and I’m definitely one of the friendliest cats in the house. I shouldn’t be here long, really. I’ll steal someone’s heart in no time!
Anabel
Who is next to be adopted? Be sure to keep up with the animal antics of “Days of Our Nine Lives” each week. And please stop in to say hello to the entire adoptable cast at the ARF House, 26890 Hwy. 243 on Saturdays 10-4 and Sundays 10-2, or by appointment M-F by calling 951-659-1122.
Creature Corner is in memory of David, Bajan, Tyler & Jezebel Taylor.
Café Aroma has organized a benefit concert for Rachel Welch and her children, Opal and Jasper Larkin, following the untimely death of her husband, James Larkin, who died June 3 at the young age of 39.
The Art Alliance of Idyllwild organized a silent auction that is available for viewing at 3 p.m. Sunday, July 16, at Café Aroma. Seating for the concert begins at 4 p.m. with music beginning at 4:30 p.m. that afternoon.
All gate, auction and food proceeds go to Welch and her family. Sysco and U.S. Foods are donating food for a buffet spaghetti supper.
Suggested donations at the door are $25. The bar will be open.
Solo artists are Kelly Armantage, Christian Chalifour, Juls Phillips, Carlos Reynosa, Bill Sheppard, Terry Jo Stratton, Miles Thomas and Cole Withers.
Groups performing include Alternate Tuning, Change Required, The Stiff Joints, The Great Suspenders, The Len Tones, Pentagrams & Daisies and The Stiff Joints.
Featured artists are Willy Bonnar, Paul Carman, Sandii Castleberry, Roger Dutton, Bryan and Larée Gibson Goodhead, Lenny Hansell, Jac and Luca Jacaruso,
John King, Elaine Latimer, Joey Latimer, Keith McCabe, Don Reed, Rodger Reeder, Bill Saitta, Monica Sierras, Colin Smith, Craig Wills and Owen Zorn.
Rip Read, the “Startist,” paints in total darkness, the wonders of the cosmos on ceilings of patrons all over the world. Read is returning to Idyllwild to recreate a ceiling damaged in a tree fall. Photo courtesy Rip Read
His technique is shared by no others
What would it be like to be internationally known as a painter who paints in total darkness? Whose work is invisible during the day but only visible at night? Whose detailed depictions of the cosmos are unique one-of-a-kind creations, numbering over 1,200 projects found in 13 countries?
Fourteen years ago, “Startist” (star artist) Rip Read was contemplating a career change while living in Pine Cove. He had been an independent book seller in corporate sales, with a dependable territory, solid prospects and a six-figure paycheck. Then, while on vacation with his wife in Loreto, Baja, Mexico, his corporation cancelled his business.
Read, very much a self-starter, had always been fascinated with astronomy — with the stars, the nebulae and the galaxies. He noticed an ad for Starscape, which interested Read in the idea of creating the cosmos on the ceilings of patrons.
He researched materials and perfected techniques he notes are unique to him. His ceiling creations are totally invisible during the day, but when a room goes black, the ceiling becomes a glowing cosmos, in which stars twinkle and move, yes move. And, before long, after diligent experimentation, Read launched a new career. He became the Startist.
“This is a proprietary process — movement without projectors,” said Read. “No other human on the planet can do this. Over the years, I have made it my mission to study, research, experiment, learn and apply the highest degree of science and innovation to my materials, tools, techniques and processes. My work has been made up of equal parts science project and astronomical art. And I’ve enjoyed both.”
Read has pages of international endorsements from many clients — private homes, estates, private aircraft, yachts, hotels and casinos.
He is returning in mid-July to Idyllwild to redo a ceiling in a client’s home, a ceiling that was damaged when a tree fell onto the house. Because his work cannot be replicated by others, the home’s owner requested Read’s unique artistic intervention.
For more information about Read’s work, visit www.starmurals.com. During his stay in Idyllwild, we will interview him and view his work.
Lisa Lynn Morgan comes to Idyllwild with her Country Gents for the Idyllwild Summer Concert Series on Thursday, July 20. Photo courtesy Lisa Lynn Morgan
A little bit country, a little bit rock ’n roll, and a whole lot of soul
Lisa Lynn Morgan wears many hats — some of them country, some rock ’n roll, some soul, some producer, some concert impresario and some community volunteer.
She brings her multi-discipline musical experience and versatile vocal chops to the Idyllwild Summer Concert Series at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 20. When she sings, Morgan can soulfully recall Janis Joplin and sweetly segue into Patsy Cline, each time making the song her own but also paying homage to the “timeless” originators.
Morgan covers the hits of others and tells her personal story through her own songs. She is joined in this first appearance for ISCS by Larry Gutierrez on lead guitar and vocals, James St. James on drums, Kerry Rose on bass, and Eric Frankson on keyboard and fiddle. Morgan also plays piano having recently reintroduced herself to the instrument. “What else are you going to do when you turn 50?” she laughed.
For Morgan, that list of “what else” is long. “You do what you do when the opportunities arise,” she said. “I respond when my heart’s engaged. I’m passionate about helping other artists. Five years ago I had to start over. Alcohol had pretty much destroyed my life. I do all I can to help others.”
For Morgan, that help list includes working with the desert’s homeless, assisting with a recovery home for women and being part of an emergency disaster team for the American Red Cross.
On the song sheet for Thursday’s concert will be music of some of the great female artists, those that Morgan honors as “timeless” — Joplin, Cline, Melissa Etheridge, Tammy Wynette and others. “We play our music with the full level of our hearts,” she said. “We aim to generate some good memories for our audience.” Songs on that list sure to jog memories include “Piece of My Heart [Joplin]”; “Crazy,” “I Fall to Pieces” and “Walking After Midnight [Cline]”; and “Stand by Your Man [Wynette].”
Opening for Morgan and her Gents at 6:15 p.m. are Roger Dutton and the Great Suspenders.
Each year, Dahleen and board open the series with insufficient money to fund it. They depend on community generosity for sponsorships and donations. To become a sponsor, contact Dahleen at 951-659-2229 or send donation checks to ISCS, P.O. Box 1542, Idyllwild, CA 92549.
Concert patrons are invited to bring chairs, beverages, blankets and flashlights for leaving the venue. As always, the Coopersmiths have ice cream and water available for sale on the site, with proceeds donated back to ISCS.
Smoke was visible covering the Hill on Wednesday morning. Photo by Halie Wilson
Smoke wafting through the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa mountains Wednesday morning is coming from fires in the Sequoia and Los Padres National Forests, not a new, nearby fire, according to the Forest Services's San Bernardino National Forest division.
The Tweet from SB National Forest:
Seeing/smelling smoke in the Mtns and Valleys? That is smoke drifting in from central & coastal Calif wildfires @sequoiaforest@LosPadresNF
— San Bernardino NF (@SanBernardinoNF) July 12, 2017
Southern and classic rock combo Southbound appears on Thursday, July 13, for the Idyllwild Summer Concert Series. Photo courtesy Darryl Reed
A little heat, some country twang and gentlemanly hat tips to some of the greatest exponents of classic and Southern rock — that is what Inland Empire-based Southbound will bring to the Idyllwild Summer Concert Series starting at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 13.
Back for his third time with ISCS, Southbound spokesman Darryl Reed promised a country-flavored musical menu from iconic bands such as the Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynard, Creedence Clearwater Revival and 38 Special familiar, boot-tappin’ tunes like “Hold on Loosely,” “Ramblin’ Man,” “Proud Mary” and “Sweet Home Alabama” that will ease your way to the dance floor so you can bust out your country moves.
Reed holds the center as rhythm guitarist and lead vocalist, joined by Mike Finn on lead guitar, Mike Hunter on drums, Kevin Haerr on bass and Patrick Vargas on piano.
The band developed its chops sending up a high-powered blend of Southern rock, country rock, R&B and classic rock all performed, as the band notes, “with a rural California attitude.” Florida-born Reed hues closely to his Southern roots, featuring music of classic Florida-born groups Skynard, Allman Brothers and 38 Special as regular Southbound fare.
“It’s great to be coming back to Idyllwild,” said Reed. “The people are always warm, friendly and responsive, and we love playing for them.”
Local Sandii Castleberry and Friends open for Southbound, taking the stage at 6:30 p.m. There is no charge to attend the ISCS concerts, presented by Ken Dahleen and the ISCS board, for the dancing and listening pleasure of Idyllwild locals.
Each year, Dahleen and board begin the season with insufficient cash to fund the series. They depend on the generosity of concert patrons to make up the budget deficit. Contributions to help fund the series can be sent to P.O. Box 1542, Idyllwild, CA 92549, or contact Dahleen at 951-659-2229 to become a series sponsor.
Attendees are invited to bring food, beverages, chairs, blankets, flashlights and cash, especially cash, to fill the donation jars passed around by concert volunteers.
Dorothy Hawthorne, 86, passed away peacefully surrounded by family Monday, July 3, 2017. She had a long struggle with congenital heart disease and kidney failure. She just couldn’t let go of her beloved and devoted husband, Tom, whom she was married to for 69 years. He was her whole life!
