Vote here. One vote per person.
Home Search
- search results
If you're not happy with the results, please do another search
Anna Ancheta, musician, conductor, educator and artist
Anna Ancheta teaches voice and how to project when singing, yet her own voice is quiet. Her accomplishments as a musician, conductor, educator and multi-discipline artist and intellect are stellar, and yet Ancheta is modest. Her contributions to community life, both in Idyllwild and in the Hemet/San Jacinto Valley, create civilizing influences that make a difference, and yet few are aware of the extent of her contributions.
Known locally as the conductor and arranger for the female a cappella group Local Color, Ancheta also heads a nonprofit, Musica, that provides music training and orchestral experience for young and old, in Idyllwild and in Hemet/San Jacinto. Musica offers string classes and orchestral experience with the Inland Valley Youth Orchestra. It also provides master classes and mentoring to young musicians.
“Making music together serves to enrich our community and the world,” said Ancheta. “It helps to maintain community health and pride and aligns diverse ages, language groups, and cultural and racial groups. These are qualities sorely needed in communities which are stressed economically and where youth are at risk for drugs, teen pregnancy and gang involvement.”
Ancheta holds a bachelor of arts degree from U.C. Davis in history and fine arts and a master’s degree in conducting from the University of Southern California. She taught for many years at the Westridge School in Pasadena and Little Lake School in Hemet and then as part of the San Jacinto Unified School District. While there, she started a string program that remains in place today. She received awards as teacher of the year in both the Hemet and San Jacinto districts and was honored by the Soroptimists with the club’s “Ruby” award for enhancing the lives of women in her community.
When she speaks about how people learn, finding a “portal” into each person to create a trusting bridge for learning, she shows both her passion for education and her belief in the arts as the consummate civilizing influence. “Whether with old or young, I am fascinated by how people learn,” she enthused. “I’ve always believed in experiential learning, kinesthetic hands-on learning. My father was a carver who made things. My mother was a seamstress who made things. I believe the best learning has a muscle component, a component of doing, of practice. Also, my Zen Buddhist practice has influenced how I teach. Thinking about something is just that. It is important to be.”
Ancheta explains how effective it is to use the body to find the instrument within, to connect and find or reclaim one’s own voice — that effective teaching is all about finding a portal in that suits the person. She notes it’s different with young people than with those who are older. “Kids now have lost that safety zone of making communal music, of just trying stuff,” she said. “With teaching, one has to create a safety zone where it is OK to make mistakes. I often talk to parents about the importance of finding a safety haven or sanctuary for children so that they can learn not to judge themselves.” She notes that 40 years of teaching have equipped her with a large kit of instructional tools that help find that entry portal for young people.
“Older people have their own set of experiences, and so my job is to really listen and find out who they are and how I can best communicate,” she said. “It is a more creative challenge.”
It is clear, after talking with Ancheta, that these challenges, whether with old or young, are what excite and sustain her. “We make mistakes so we can learn,” she notes. “We make mistakes, practice, then deconstruct and then go back and reconstruct.” And with that, Ancheta provides a guide and model for lifelong experiential learning.
For more information about Musica and Ancheta, see www.makingmusica.org.
Cherry Vanilla opens Santiago Idyllwild Authors Series: She’s been there and done that, more than once
Photo courtesy Cherry Vanilla
“It will be fabulous,” said author Cherry Vanilla of her upcoming interview with Eduardo Santiago. She will be talking about her life with rock and roll royalty as recounted in her memoir, “Lick Me, How I Became Cherry Vanilla (by way of the Copacabana, Madison Avenue, the Fillmore East, Andy Warhol, David Bowie and the Police).”
Santiago chose Vanilla because of the scope and honesty of her personal journey from the heyday of rock to the birth of punk during one of the most electrifying and transformational eras in music and in the country.
“I don’t think people who weren’t there can grasp what it was like, the electricity everyone was giving off,” said Vanilla. Born Kathleen Dorritie in Queens in 1943, Vanilla grew up loving show business. “I used to go to the Copacabana with my parents, starting when I was 6 years old,” she remembered. “My mom was a telephone operator at Hotel 14 on East 60th. The Copa was in the basement of the hotel. My dad would hold me up to see the shows. My sister was a governess for Don Ameche [actor and comedian] and I used to stay with them as well. My fascination with show business started early.”
That fascination evolved into an extraordinary career, with incredible highs and sobering lows, recounted by Vanilla with fierce honesty, humor and sassy innocence.
After graduating from high school, Vanilla (still Dorritie) went to work on Madison Avenue in advertising. She also began to DJ on the French Riviera and in a Manhattan club scene fueled by acid and pot. “It was an amazing time, a little bit of everything,” she said, “the Kennedys, birth control, women’s lib, LSD and marijuana, the Vietnam War and protests. There were so many elements.” Then, even with a successful career in advertising and as a radio and TV producer, Dorritie had an epiphany at age 26 after seeing a documentary about rock and roll groupies. She decided to become one and changed her name to Cherry Vanilla. “There was such an energetic vortex then,” she said. “We were so much freer and lived with an abandon our parents never had.”
Soon parties and trysts led to meeting David Bowie, then just beginning his career. Vanilla became Bowie’s personal PR person and helped introduce him to U.S. audiences. She slept with soon-to-be-famous people, including Bowie, Leon Russell and Kris Kristofferson, but all the while grew her own substantial career as a singer, actress, songwriter and publicist. She starred in Andy Warhol’s play “Pork” in London at age 27 and recorded for RCA Records in Europe with the Police as her backup band. Post punk, she shaped a successful career as a West Coast publicist, establishing Europa Entertainment Inc. as the U.S. office for Academy Award-winning composer Vangelis.
Vanilla said she lived it all and loved it all. And yet, looking back, Vanilla said there was an innocence about the era and that time in her life. “We were a lot more innocent then,” she said. “We trusted people more. Now children are exposed to so much fear at such an early age. It’s part of marketing — be afraid, be very afraid.”
Asked if sex is different now from how it was then, she said, “In the ’50s, America was still sort of Victorian and as a result, sex was naughty and because it was naughty it was more exciting, sexier. It’s what we did to rebel. Now, if I were young and wanted to rebel, I would probably go against the grain and not have sex, certainly not at as young an age as girls are having it now. It is so different now from then and not nearly as much fun.”
And if fun and nostalgia for the rock and roll era are part of your makeup, Vanilla’s honest and touchingly sweet account of her fame-fueled life is a “must” experience.
Vanilla and Santiago talk at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 31, on the deck of Cafe Aroma.
New recreation director at Town Hall
Jacqueline “Jackie” Rodriguez is the new recreation director at Town Hall. “I hope to bring Town Hall back up to the standards for which it was originally built — as a meeting place to bring the community together, with recreation programs for all,” she said.
Rodriguez spent the previous three years working in a similar capacity for the City of Riverside Parks and Recreation Department. While there she helped administer a grant program, NEOP (nutrition education and obesity prevention), that provided information and training for families who otherwise might not have any knowledge or awareness in those areas. She supervised programs serving young persons from ages 4 to 17.
Rodriguez, a native of Riverside County, currently lives in Moreno Valley. She is completing a bachelor’s degree in psychology at California State University, San Bernardino. “I’m in my last few months and will be graduating soon,” she said.
Asked what goals she has for Town Hall recreation, Rodriguez mentioned several: to build more field trips into the summer camp program; to expand senior Wii and make Town Hall a “second home” for area seniors; and to expand general recreation opportunities for youth and adults.
“I’d like to hear from the community, what programs or events they would like to have offered,” she said. “Please come by, say hello and tell me what recreational opportunities, classes or events you would like.”
Time to vote to honor the most deserving volunteer
Out of 12 submissions for the Ernie Maxwell Community Spirit Award, the Town Crier has culled them down to three top candidates the community will now choose among.
The honor is given to an individual or group that represents EMax’s spirit of community and volunteerism. Prior awardees took actions that created a spark sufficient to bring others into the fray just as Maxwell did with his activities involving the environment.
This year, all nominees are individuals who have demonstrated a tangible, perhaps physical, effect on the community. They also were chosen because they have given, without expecting recognition and mostly behind the scenes, for years and years helping improve our community.
The candidates and their accomplishments, in alphabetical order, are:
1. Ted Cummings, who contributes his time and expertise to nearly every event on the Hill. Ted is an expert on permits required and how to obtain them.
He volunteers countless hours to help organizations pull together mounds of paperwork to secure the necessary permits. He always shares his knowledge of the little intricacies of events and event planning.
Among many other events, he has worked tirelessly for Jazz in the Pines, the Fourth of July Festival, last year’s Animal Rescue Friends and Living Free’s Festival and Adoption Fair and the upcoming ARF Paws for Rhythm and Brews.
In charge of logisitic planning for Jazz in the Pines, years ago he created the template for the festival still being used today.
2. Jay Mulder (no photo available). At one time upon entering Idyllwild, we were informed that our area was “America’s Cleanest Forest.”
This sign was eventually removed. However, this person nominated for the prestigious Ernie Maxwell Community Spirit Award still believes in keeping our forest clean. For years he has been picking up wayward trash along Highway 243.
With no affiliation to a recognized club or organization, he accumulates trash in paper bags. You’ll sometimes see him on foot, on bicycle or in a car alongside the highway.
His territory is from the county disposal site to north of Pine Cove.
His partner at one time was his dog, but now he is the sole individual in his pursuit to keep our community free of debris.
Ernie Maxwell would have been proud of this man’s battle with rubbish to keep our mountain clean.
3. Wendy Read, who for more than 15 years has been an Idyllwild Garden Club member, helping beautify not only the town by planting at local businesses, but beautifying the school grounds, too, while teaching students about plants, etc.
Serving as president and in other roles on the Idyllwild School PTA, volunteering in its classrooms as well as with the Idyllwild smARTS program throughout her children’s educational years, Wendy has been a tireless supporter of our local elementary to middle school.
The four previous awardees were the Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council in 2011, Dawn Sonnier in 2012, Robert Priefer in 2013 and Annamarie Padula in 2014.
Vote below or at the Town Crier office by June 18th:
Create your own user feedback survey
Paws for Rhythm and Brews: Beer festival to raise funds for ARF
Photo by J.P. Crumrine
Paws for Rhythm and Brews, the first Animal Rescue Friends of Idyllwild beer festival, is Saturday, June 6, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Idyllwild Nature Center. Thirteen craft beer and cider brewers will be featured that day.
During the festival, results of a home brewers competition will be announced. Submissions may be made through May 24 and judging will occur May 31 by the Coachella Valley Brewery. Judges are members of the American Home Brewers Association. The contest has more than 28 categories, including cider and mead. Also, a best-of-the-festival brew will be awarded.
The Coachella Valley Home Brewers Club also will demonstrate home brewing during the day.
“It’s a brand new festival and we’re hoping it grows bigger every year,” said Robert Hewitt, one of the event’s organizers. “Thirteen craft brewers the first year is awesome.”
At 1 p.m., the Forest Lumber stein-holding contest will begin. There is a $10 entry fee, but entrants receive a special mug and the beer in the mug, and the winner earns a trophy. If two or more women enter, they will compete separately, said Janice Murasko, who, with husband Hewitt, planned and organized the ARF fund-raising event.
The winner is the person who can hold a full stein of beer out from their body with their arm parallel to the ground for the longest. “If any beer is spilt, it’s an automatic out,” she said and added that the world record is 20 minutes and 19 seconds.
Shuttle service from the Town Monument and Idyllwild School will be available for attendees. Shuttles service, sponsored by Palm Springs Subaru, will begin running from and to town at 10:15 a.m.
Shuttles also will be available from and to the Nature Center parking lots to the festival.
Super 300 Swing Loaded Blues will provide music throughout the day.
Several food vendors also will offer refreshments, including Big Dev from San Diego, familiar to Jazz in the Pines attendees.
Tickets may be purchased at www.arfbeerfest.com. In advance, for $25, the ticket gains admission, a commemorative beer glass and 10 4-ounce pours. On June 6, the day of Paws for Rhythm and Brews tickets will be $30. At the festival, additional tasting tickets may be purchased.
Admittance for non-drinkers is $5. For those who prefer other libations, wine and cider will be available.
Libations available at the 2015 Paws for Rhythm and Brews
Ace Craft Ciders
Angry Orchard
Bailey Vineyard
Brew Rebellion
Coachella Valley
Coronado Brewing Company
La Quinta Brewing
White Labs
Mike Hess Brewing
Ritual Brewing
Samuel Adams
Stone Brewing Company
The Traveler Beer Company (Vt)
More late spring rain and more than 2014
Spring’s arrival on the Hill is still anxiously awaited. Since Thursday, cool temperatures and precipitation brought more rain and some snow to Hill residents. Next weekend may still seem like late winter rather than the warmth of spring.
The U.S. Forest Service’s Keenwild Ranger Station and the Idyllwild Fire Station recorded nearly 1.5 inches of rain from Thursday to Friday. The total precipitation this rain year (July 1 through June 30) has been 12.65 inches at Keenwild and 19.35 inches at the IFS. Keenwild’s total precipitation is about half the long-term average of 25.5; whereas Idyllwild has recorded about 75 percent of the average.
Precipitaton this year in Idyllwild and Pine Cove, through the middle of May, is more than the 17.1 inches received in 2013-14.
Pine Cove has received significantly more rain. Through Monday, a total of 20.3 inches of rain and 27.75 inches of snow have fallen to the north of the village. Both amounts are greater than last year’s precipitation, but still trailing the long-term average for the fourth consecutive year.
The Town Crier weather site recorded an additional 1.7 inches of precipitation Friday and Saturday mornings, which included rain and moisture from snow.
While this month has been unusually wet, the historic May rainfall has been three-quarters of an inch, which all weather sites have exceeded by nearly twice that amount.
Entering the fourth year of the current drought, the National Weather Service announced last week that El Niño conditions are forming in the Pacific. Consequently, NWS has raised the probability of it continuing through summer to 90 percent and more than 80 percent through the end of 2015.
Normally, El Niño conditions of this strength bring significant rain. And some weather forecasters see a similarity to the 1997-98 period, when 39.4 inches fell on the Hill.
Some Memorial Day events this weekend
Memorial Day, originally Decoration Day, is observed to honor all Americans who died while in military service. The observance originated after the American Civil War and was held on the last Monday in May to commemorate both Union and Confederate soldiers who died during the war.
In many parts of the country, it is traditional to visit and decorate the graves of family and friends.
In Idyllwild, Memorial Day is observed at American Legion Post 800 starting at 11 a.m. Monday, May 25. Post Commander Danny Richardson said the ceremony will include an honor guard, a traditional folding of the American flag, 13 folds commemorating the wars in which American soldiers fought, a reading of the names of legionnaires who have passed, a rifle salute and the playing of taps.
Afterward, the post’s Ladies Auxiliary will host a free luncheon for all attending.
Memorial Day also is a time to celebrate the living, with picnics and recreation with friends and family. Memorial Day 2015 launches new recreational opportunities available at Lake Hemet. For the first time, swimming will be allowed at the lake. Kelly Lam, marketing director for the California Parks Company, operator of Lake Hemet Market and Campground, said that snows had postponed the opening of a floating water park originally scheduled for Memorial Day, but that swimming would be available on Memorial Day weekend.
“The lake itself is technically open for swimming on the weekend,” he said. Lam said the floating water park would have an official grand opening on Saturday, June 6. “It will be a free event,” said Lam. “Come early and have a good time. There will also be free food at the grand opening.”
Prescribed burn on Santa Rosa Plateau
On Wednesday May 20, CAL FIRE/Riverside County Firefighters, in cooperation with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and The Nature Conservancy will conduct a prescribed burn of 99 acres on the Santa Rosa Plateau.
The burn is necessary to eliminate non-native grasses and weeds from the Burro Mesa plot and the Colorado plot on the plateau. CAL FIRE firefighters will benefit from this burn in Intermediate Firing Operations.
Burning will be one day only and will begin at approximately 6:00 a.m. and will conclude by 1:00 p.m.
Residents in southwest Riverside County, including La Cresta, Tenaja, Bear Creek, Murrieta, Temecula, Wildomar and Lake Elsinore may experience drift smoke during the burning period.
For further information, please contact the CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department Public Affairs Bureau at 951-940-6985.
– News release from the Riverside County Fire Department and CAL FIRE
Going for the ringer
