

Chamber represents Idyllwild at Date Festival
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Donald Godbey of Hemet was “very impressed” to meet the “talking hairy beast” that staffed the Idyllwild Chamber of Commerce booth at this year’s Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival. The Idyll-Beast, a.k.a. David Jerome, hosted the Idyllwild booth for the entire Date Festival, which set record breaking attendance marks this year. The Idyllwild Chamber Booth was virtually near pandemonium with the availability of the popular Visitor Guides and multiple photo-ops for families and school groups with Idyll-Beast, according to Jerome. “Idyllwild is the only resort community represented at the fair this year,” the Beast reported. Photo courtesy of David Jerome

Last Saturday, Robyn Winks (LMFT) and Chris Perrault lead a meeting at Town Hall to launch their new project, Idyllwild Love. Fifteen other community members gathered in a circle to help the sponsors brainstorm. Present were members of Idyllwild Community Center, Idyllwild Fire Protection District, the Idyllwild Help Center, Friends of the Idyllwild Library, Friends…
The big, white-sided Budget Rent-A-Truck pulled into the backstage parking area between the bull fighting ring and the oval race track at the Perris Fairgrounds the day before the Fourth of July. Signs on its front, back and sides announced, “Explosives.”
Jen Hajj doesn’t remember a time before she began singing. From a young age, it was among her favorite activities. “I use music to express beauty by telling stories that move me or to appreciate something simple, even stunning,” muses the Idyllwild lyricist and performing artist, who adds, “I have a strong feminist bent and…
Idyllwild artist Carlos Reynosa is no stranger to fame on a scale few attain. But let’s start at the beginning. Born in Williams, Arizona, a middle child in a family of 12, Reynosa hails from a diverse heritage. His father, of Yaqui lineage, migrated from Sinaloa, Mexico, to Williams as a young man and married…
Lisa Haley (right) returned to Idyllwild with her Zydekats last Thursday for the final of the Idyllwild Summer Concert Series. The foot stompin’ concert also featured David Fraser on accordion.
Mark D. Smith is Idyllwild’s new postmaster and follows a proud tradition dating back when Benjamin Franklin was the first postmaster of the United States. Smith replaces Ray Wilson, who retired in June. In 2011, Smith began his postal career as the postmaster relief in Donald, Oregon. He was promoted to postmaster in Marylhurst, Oregon…