Issues of local food security and sustainability have come into focus recently as part of an informal dialogue session known as The Conversation. Since mid-September, a group of locals from disparate political and ideological backgrounds have come together to discuss such varied topics as Thomas Jefferson and the banking crisis.

The American consulate in Herat, Afghanistan, was attacked in the early morning of Sept. 13. Idyllwild resident Hal Carey was there. He’s now home and recovering from a knee injury related to the attack. Carey, an agricultural development officer with the U.S. Agency for International Development, tries to help local governments improve their food production…

Although attendance was less than normal, firefighters at the Mountain Area Safety taskforce meeting were alert and wary.   August is the middle of fire season and the extremely high daytime temperatures and dry days pose significant warnings for these public safety officials. Just as the meeting began, firefighters’ cell phones, blackberries and iPads all…