Dr. Julia Bucci has been appointed the new Dean of Academics for Idyllwild Arts Academy. Idyllwild Arts President Brian D. Cohen announced the selection on Thursday, March 15. He said Bucci will begin in June and replaces Anna-Karin Li, who has been instrumental in strengthening the academic program at Idyllwild Arts. Bucci is the chair…

A circle of women gathered, dancing to the heartbeat of the Mother, on Saturday at Spirit Mountain Retreat to celebrate in sacred ceremony the Autumn Equinox and International Peace Day. Esther Kennedy, director of the center, leading the Sacred Circle Dance for Peace in the Mideastern dance “Misirlou.”

Marshall Hawkins, dean of local jazz musicians, one of the founders of the annual Jazz in the Pines festival, will be honored next Friday, Feb. 22. The California Alliance of Jazz will induct Hawkins into its Hall of Fame in Fresno. Dr. Jeffrey James Tower championed Hawkins’ entry into the Hall of Fame. Tower was…

For the third year, U.S. military veterans return to Idyllwild as thru-hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail. They are part of “Warrior Hike: Walk Off the War,” a program of outdoor wilderness exercise therapy designed to help veterans transition from front-line military service to civilian life. Former Marine Corps Capt. Sean Gobin realized the potential…