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Local wins national wilderness award
In November 2021, Andrew “Andy” Smith of Idyllwild has received the National Wilderness Stewardship Alliance (NWSA) Agency Partnership Award.
Andy Smith, National Wilderness Stewardship Alliance Agency Partnership Award recipient for 2021.PHOTO BY ANDY SMITH
The award, according to the NWSA website, is “to recognize an agency employee or unit which...
SCE switching 2,750 Idyllwild customers to time-of-use rate
Editor’s note: This is from a Southern California Edison (SCE) press release
This coming December, 2,750 SCE households in Idyllwild will be switched to time-of-use (TOU) rates. They are among more than 107,000 Riverside County households SCE will transition to TOU rates next month.
One consumer affairs observer called it “one...
‘Les Misérables’ for the next generation
Editor’s note: This is taken from an Idyllwild Arts Academy (IAA) press release.
“Gavroche,” the new musical the Idyllwild Arts Theatre Department will perform to the public 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, is a fresh take on “Les Misérables.”
The musical, to be livestreamed at https://idyllwildarts.zoom.us/j/95125102317, features a pop, contemporary score,...
Film and Digital Media’s annual Fall Showcase
David JeromeCorrespondent
The Idyllwild Arts Academy Film Department has until now held its annual showcase of student work in the spring, at the end of the academic year. Students have watched as their colleagues in music, dance, theater and visual arts present their works, and had to wait their turn. With the pandemic, even...
‘A Joyful Holiday’ returns this year
David JeromeCorrespondent
Idyllwild Actors Theater is performing a return of its Christmas show. A tradition since 2006, after a two-year hiatus the performers are returning with “A Joyful Holiday” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11 at the Rustic Theatre.
The show is a collection of holiday tales, from the heartwarming to...
Free holiday concert with a little help from library friends
Editor’s note: This story is from a Friends of the Idyllwild Library press release.
Idyllwild’s beloved acapella choral group Local Color will perform “The Many Faces of Wonder” at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 8, at the Rustic Theatre. Admission is free, but seating is limited to 80, so claim a seat early.
Tree Lighting festivities announced
Stephanie YostIdyllwild Community Center
Idyllwild’s Tree Lighting Ceremony, to be held Saturday, Nov. 27, will honor traditions old and new.
This year’s traditional festivities include two live entertainment stages, numerous activities, snack and gift booths local nonprofit groups will manage, roaming costume characters, three food vendors and a sleigh for family...
Hill may have two supervisors in two years
Depending upon the results of the county’s supervisorial redistricting, Idyllwild, Pine Cove and the rest of the Hill communities may have two supervisors from 2023 to 2025.
In preparation for creating new boundaries for the supervisorial districts, the board of supervisors also had to repeal Ordinance 813 that officially set the current boundaries.
Thanksgiving activities in Idyllwild & Holiday Closings
The American Legion Post 800 has its annual free Thanksgiving meal from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday. Anyone who needs to be with others and to enjoy a hot cooked dinner of turkey and trimmings is invited to Post 800 at 54360 Marian View Drive.
The following day, the Rotary Club’s annual event (except...
‘Dreams’ artist winners announced
David JeromeCorrespondent
Idyllwild Arts Academy presented its annual themed exhibition Friday, Nov. 12. The third of the year’s eight planned art exhibitions, it is always the most popular with students. The students as a group decide upon a theme and collaborate in writing a statement. Only then can the individual artists begin work. All...
Stratford Players to perform Sherlock Holmes play
Editor’s note: This is taken from a press release.
Stratford Players, now in its 10th year entertaining Idyllwild, kicks off the holiday season with mystery and merriment. The theater troupe will perform “The Game’s Afoot or Holmes for the Holidays,” winner of the Mystery Writers of America’s Edgar Award for Best Play. After a...
Award-winning filmmakers now Idyllwild residents
David JeromeCorrespondent
Donal Brophy and Emrhys Cooper are both actors, writers and directors, who in the last year have moved to Idyllwild and produced an award-winning comedy, “The Shuroo Process.” The two principals of Idyllwild Pictures both have credits and resumes too extensive for this brief bit, as do all the members of the...
New billboard in town
Editor’s note: This was taken from an Art Alliance of Idyllwild press release.
The newly erected community billboard is situated next to the monument and the existing Art Alliance of Idyllwild (AAI) billboard.
The new Art Alliance of Idyllwild billboard. PHOTO BY DONNA ELLIOT
The existing billboard...
Information meeting erupts in anger
At times it seemed that an Old West saloon fist-fight might break out at Town Hall Wednesday, Nov. 10, but Riverside County (RC) Sheriff’s Sgt. Bryan DeLoss remained calm, most of the time leaning back in his metal chair on stage with his fingers resting calmly on his chest.
A night Neighbor4Neighbor (N4N) billed...
Couple making miraculous recovery after house fire
David JeromeCorrespondent
Eric and Melanie Kehler, recent transplants from Chicago via Los Angeles, moved to Idyllwild about three years ago. Melanie had begun working for the Hicksville Trailer Palace in Joshua Tree. A friend invited them up to Idyllwild for the Tree Lighting Ceremony and the couple “fell in love” with the town. Melanie...
The dawn of a new talent
Editor’s note: This was taken from an Idyllwild Arts press release.
Every year the Idyllwild Arts Academy (IAA) Fall Dance Concert showcases the brilliance of the student dancers and the choreography of their teachers.
This year’s concert, which will be livestreamed at https://idyllwildarts.zoom.us/j/96600778598 at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Nov. 18...
26 runners cross the Hill’s first 50k finish line
David JeromeCorrespondent
Even couch potatoes have heard of our local Idyllwild 5k and 10k, but Nov. 6 saw the inauguration of a new event to test the fit and awe the sedentary, the San Jacinto 50k. That’s 34 miles.
The top three women racers are, from left, Kylie Donia in...
‘Mr. Idyllwild’ remembered
By David JeromeCorrespondent
Doug AustinFILE PHOTO
Idyllwilders were saddened to learn of the death Friday, Nov. 5, of Doug Austin. His over 20 years in Idyllwild have changed many lives for the better. His love for this community and his fellow humans was boundless, and his acts of generosity so...
Committee prefers District 5 for the Hill
At the Nov. 3 meeting of the county’s 2020 Advisory Redistricting Committee (ARC), its Executive Office Technical Redistricting Committee (EOTRC) presented more than a dozen possible revisions of the current supervisorial district boundaries. EOTRC created six of the maps and the rest (including slight modifications of a few) were public submissions.
Ultimately, ARC unanimously...
Idyllwild Arts Academy Visual Arts student theme show opens
Editor’s note: This story is taken from a press release.
The finest Visual Arts creations by Idyllwild Arts Academy students are on display at https://www.idyllwildartsgallery.org/dreams-2021-theme-show from Friday, Nov. 12 to Friday, Dec. 9, with the quality of the work for this themed show guaranteed by a distinguished outside juror, Becky Alley.
Kuscher to speak on Veterans Day
Gary KuscherFILE PHOTO
Gary Kuscher is this year’s Veterans Day speaker at American Legion Post 800 at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 11.
Kuscher is the current 1st vice commander of Post 800. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1966 to 1970.
While serving at the...
Short-term rental community meeting Nov. 10
Wednesday evening, Nov. 10, at 6:30 p.m., a group of concerned citizens has organized a public meeting at Town Hall to discuss the short-term rental situation in Idyllwild, Pine Cove and elsewhere on the Hill.
“The basic premise is to inform the town people of the latest 927 Ordinance draft and what’s in it,”...
Some cities will be split in redistricting
On Wednesday, Nov. 3, the Executive Office Technical Redistricting Committee will present a series of maps to the 2020 Advisory Redistricting Committee. The intent is for ARC to make recommendations to the Riverside County Board of Supervisors on how the supervisorial boundaries should be adjusted based on the 2020 federal census data.
The board...
Baja 1000 racer prepares in Idyllwild
By David JeromeCorrespondent
Often these pages carry portraits of locals old and new. This week we present a conversation with a pair of “part-timers,” at least for the present. Michael Steele and his wife Cynthia, normally residents of Florida, have spent the last few weeks in Idyllwild recovering from this summer’s Baja 500, and...
Shaliyah Ben named director of Native American Arts Program
Editor’s note: The following is taken from an Idyllwild Arts press release.
Idyllwild Arts Foundation President Pamela Jordan has named Shaliyah Ben director of the Native American Arts Program.
Shaliyah Ben has been named director of the Native American Arts Program at Idyllwild Arts.PHOTO COURTESY OF IDYLLWILD ARTS
Cloud seeding planned for this area
Less rain, lack of precipitation, water shortage, drought and emergency are all familiar terms to Californians, especially in Southern California. The San Diego office of the National Weather Service reported that during the past water year, Idyllwild endured in eighth driest year since rainfall has been recorded.
Potential cloud seeding target areas in...
Redistricting deadlines approach; more maps presented
On Tuesday, Oct. 19, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors held a special evening meeting to discuss realigning the supervisorial districts as a result of the 2020 census.
The board agreed to eliminate the four original staff-drawn maps.
The next step is more detailed analysis of the maps initially presented to...
Governor declares statewide drought emergency
Early last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a revised State Proclamation addressing the statewide drought emergency. The new proclamation includes Southern California counties, including Riverside County, in its application.
In July, the governor asked Californians to voluntarily reduce water consumption by 15% This goal has not been met. With the anticipated arrival of a...
‘The Birds’ will attack at the Rustic Theatre
David JeromeCorrespondent
“The Birds” are coming to the Rustic Theatre, in time for Halloween. Idyllwild Actors Theatre President and Founder Suzanne Avalon promises a “really fun, scary experience” when the group presents a stage adaptation of Daphne de Maurier’s famous tale of birds gone bad and the people they try to murder.
Idyllwild Town Crier celebrates 75 years of continuous publication
The Idyllwild Town Crier has been serving the San Jacinto Mountains (“the Hill”) continuously for 75 years — since its first issue was published on Nov. 1, 1946.
Ernie and Betty Maxwell founded the paper in the attic of their home, using a typewriter and a table-top mimeograph machine....
Steele T2 at Zozo
Brendan Steele fired rounds of 66-68-70-66 to post a 10-under-par 270 and tie with one other for second place at the Zozo Championship in Japan last week.
The native Idyllwilder posted an eagle and 18 birdies against 8 bogeys and a double. Individual performance statistics were not available from Japan, but highlights included his...
Sports
Will Steichen Recreation & Program DirectorIdyllwild Community Center
As youth soccer kicked off the last week of regular-season games, our first match between the undefeated Red Hawks and the Kraken proved to be a nail biter, with outstanding defense by Mateo Whitmer of the Kraken keeping it a scoreless game going into halftime.
Holldber to retire from Pine Cove Water District
At the Thursday, Oct. 14 Pine Cove Water District Board of Directors meeting, General Manager Jerry Holldber announced his retirement effective Dec. 31, 2021.
“It’s time, I’m tired and I’m ready to retire,” he told the board. Holldber became acting general manager of the district in May 1986 and was appointed general manager in...
Supervisors approve temporary event revisions
At its Oct. 19 meeting, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors held a public hearing on the proposed revised ordinance regulating temporary events in the unincorporated areas of the county and approved them in a 5-0 vote.
For nearly two years, staff from the Planning Department and County Counsel’s office have been working on...
More options for Hill in new redistricting maps
The Riverside County Board of Supervisors will have its second look at possible revisions to its districts’ boundaries as a result of the 2020 Census data.
One of seven redistricting maps showing Idyllwild-Pine Cove in District 3. Map courtesy of Riverside County
At the Sept. 28 meeting, the Executive Office...
Mutual Aid leaders are this year’s award winners
Editor’s note: Mara Schoner and Mark Yardas are the 2021 recipients of the Ernie Maxwell Community Spirit Award through community votes. Below is their response to learning of the award:
Mark Yardas and Mara Schoner, Ernie Maxwell Community Spirit Award recipients.PHOTO COURTESY OF MARK AND MARA
First, what a surprise...
IDYTalk returns this Thursday with Ben Biber
The IDYTalk series featuring Idyllwild Arts Academy students returns at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 21, with Musical Theatre major Benjamin Biber speaking in person in the campus’ Krone Library to academy faculty and students, and on Zoom to everyone else.
Benjamin Biber to speak at next IDYTalk.PHOTO COURTESY OF IDYLLWILD ARTS ACADEMY
Sports
Will Steichen Recreation & Program DirectorIdyllwild Community Center
Weeks three and four of the Idyllwild Community Center Youth Soccer season brought many entertaining games, with the kids continuing to develop and improve their skills.
Week three kicked off on Thursday with The Blue Sharks overcoming The Kraken 2-1, followed with the...
Sheriff Bianco acknowledges former membership in Oath Keepers
On Oct. 5, the Press-Enterprise broke the story that Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco admits to his former membership in the Oath Keepers, a far-right group some of whose members are being prosecuted for the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol building.
According to reports of the Southern California News Group, Press-Enterprise owner,...
Commission begins redistricting process
Riverside County’s redistricting effort is moving forward. On Oct. 6, the Executive Office Technical Committee presented four draft maps to the 2021 Advisory Redistricting Commission, that the five planning commissioners composed.
One of the proposals, all of which bring Hill communities into District 4 (desert). MAP COURTESY OF RIVERSIDE COUNTY
County considering more restraints on temporary events
The board of supervisors will consider major changes to Riverside County’s procedures for regulating temporary events (Ordinance 348, section XIX) at an upcoming meeting. A draft ordinance has been prepared and Planning Department staff intend to present it to the board at its Oct. 19 meeting.
The top of the chart showing classes...
Actress finds home and new career on the Hill
By David JeromeCorrespondent
Marisa Quintanilla has lived in Idyllwild for about 2 1/2 years. Her business here, Wildland Organics, is about to celebrate its anniversary Oct. 31.
An active vocalist, photographer and visual artist, she is best known as an actor. Her role as “Huilen” in “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn...
Clubs
Idyllwild Garden ClubThe ever-popular and free Discover Mountain Gardening event is back. The Idyllwild Garden Club will be at the Town Hall Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 23 and 24.
Gardening in the mountains can be a challenge, that’s why IGC holds this public event. Saturday will include three speakers on the Community Garden and...
Why is Idyllwild School by far the most COVID-infected school in HUSD?
Hemet Unified School District’s online Dashboard is posted daily. It shows key COVID statistics for each of the district’s schools on a rolling, two-current-week basis.
On Thursday, Sept. 30, HUSD’s daily Dashboard showed Idyllwild School had by far the highest COVID infection percentage in its combined student/staff population of any school in HUSD. Specifically,...
Idyllwild has lost two icons to COVID-19
On Sept. 2, they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary, having married in 1961 in Lake Arrowhead Community Church.
But it was this Hill where they spent most of their married life working, volunteering, living and raising their four children Steven, Bonnie, Brian and Martha. Michael Alan Pearson, 83, and Emily Martha Pearson, 78, succumbed...
WNKI will expand emergency radio coverage
At its Sept. 21 meeting, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors approved the first phase for the Idyllwild and San Jacinto Mountains Emergency Outdoor Warning System and Travelers’ Information Stations.
“They have taken a first step for what will be an absolute beneficial product for those living and visiting the Hill,” said Idyllwild Fire...
Sports
Will Steichen Recreation & Program DirectorIdyllwild Community Center
The Idyllwild Community Center youth soccer season has officially kicked off. The opening game on Thursday, Sept. 23 between The Kraken and the Green Wolves turned out to be a high-scoring match. Jason Maldonado of the Green Wolves scored 4 points, and Makai Githaiga and...
Great Pumpkin Carnival coming soon
Stephanie YostIdyllwild Community Center President
Fall is a busy time in the mountain communities, and most especially for the Idyllwild Community Center (ICC). Among the many events and programs ICC offers throughout the year, two of its most popular occur every fall.
The first is Idyllwild’s annual Great Pumpkin Carnival....
Steele T17 at Sanderson Farms; will play this week in Shriners
Brendan Steele fired rounds of 69-70-66-67 to post a 16-under-par 272 and tie for 17th in the Sanderson Farms Championship in Mississippi last week.
The Idyllwild native’s drives averaged 310 yards while finding only 48% of the fairways, but he still managed to hit nearly 74% of the greens in regulation while gaining an...
Local groups make short-term rental requests
The effort to revise the Riverside County short-term rental ordinance (927) has strengthened in the past two weeks. The board of supervisors took action to fortify the possible changes with specific attention to enforcement. Locally, the Idyllwild Association of Realtors has expressed to Supervisor Chuck Washington (3rd District) their preferences for changes after a group of citizens...
3rd and 5th districts will shrink in redistricting
Redistricting, the shifting of political boundaries, to create more balanced districts following the decennial census has begun. California has an official 2020 California Citizens Redistricting Commission responsible for considering changes to boundaries for districts of U.S. House of Representatives and the California Legislature, both the Assembly and Senate.
MAP COURTESY OF RIVCO
Shannon Ng manages both Idyllwild and Anza libraries
On June 1 of this year, Idyllwild Library Branch Manager Shannon Ng also became Anza Valley Community Library’s branch manager.
“I’m just now getting comfortable,” she said. “The COVID restrictions were lifted about the time I started managing both branches, so things became complicated very quickly.”
Shannon Ng at her...
Making lemonade out of lemons
“The Idyllwild Area Historical Society and museum used to have a beautiful, old, but healthy large pine tree in front of our garden facing North Circle Drive,” wrote IAHS Vice President Marlene Pierce. “However, several months ago, a Southern California Edison crew topped the tree, leaving a huge pine trunk.”
One IAHS board member...
Too Much Fun in the Pines event Saturday
Christian Chalifour is bringing Too Much Fun in the Pines, a concert to benefit Spirit Mountain Retreat, to the retreat at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2, in the retreat’s garden at 25661 Oakwood Street. It will run just under two hours with a short intermission for purchasing snacks.
The concert features John Walz, Los...
COVID-19 Local Update: Omicron variant likely on its way
As of Tuesday morning, the Dashboard of the Hemet Unified School District (HUSD) reported recently confirmed cases (last two weeks) of COVID at Idyllwild School as being one student and no staff members, in other words, 0.33% of its combined student/staff population, the same as last week. At Hemet High, three students and two staff members are...
Minor injuries, suspected DUIs in recent crashes
California Highway Patrol (CHP) Public Information Officer Matt Napier reported several traffic collisions but no serious injuries on the Hill the past few weeks.At 8:20 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13, Allissa Moreno, 31, of Idyllwild, was driving a black 2011 Ford Flex northbound on Crestview Drive south of Marian View Drive at a stated speed of 20 to...
Fashion Jack Revisited: Clutter and shoe addiction
Originally published Nov. 26, 2015
Q. My wife is nagging me that my clothes closet is cluttered. I don’t see it that way. Who’s right?-Herman, Alhambra
A. Many women seem overly sensitive to clutter. What is clutter to them is in reality underclutter. Your wife appears to be one of them....
Important issues upcoming at water district meetings
The Pine Cove Water District Board of Directors is holding a special meeting at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 1, to discuss the USDA Preliminary Engineering Report Water System Improvements Project.As part of its 10/20/50-year plan approved in February 2021, it has applied for a USDA Rural Development loan for well rehabilitation, smart meters and storage facility improvements....
Santa Ana Winds cause major pickleball court damage
In the far background is what is left of the once majestic pine tree Santa Ana Winds snapped during the Thanksgiving holiday that crashed onto the Idyllwild Community Center’s pickleball courts on Idyllwild Pines Camp property. Pickleball players, shown, volunteered to remove the pine and were hard at work at it with chainsaws Friday.
Photo by Becky...
News of Record: December 2, 2021
Idyllwild FireThe Idyllwild Fire Protection District responded to these calls from Monday to Sunday, Nov. 23 to 28.
• Nov. 23 — EMS call, provide basic life support, 1:14 p.m. Marian View Dr.• Nov. 23 — Alarm system activation, no fire, 4:48 p.m. Village Center Dr.• Nov. 23 — No incident found on arrival...
Creature Corner: December 2, 2021
By Janice MuraskoLast week in “Days of Our Nine Lives,” the ARF cats discussed the benefits to adopting an adult feline.Phil: After the hustle and bustle of last weekend’s tree lighting in town, I’m feeling in the holiday mood.Whiskers: Perfectly understandable!Phil: I’m so much in the mood that I’ve written lyrics to a new holiday song!Whiskers: Oh...
Past Tense: December 2, 2021
60 years ago - 1961The U.S. Forest Service conducted an inventory of timber in the May Valley area where a critical insect problem existed to appraise value and quality of lumber.
55 years ago - 1966Town Hall celebrated its 20th year with exhibits, a buffet and entertainment.
50 years ago -...