The Art Alliance of Idyllwild sponsored a potluck for the community Sunday at Buckhorn Camp. AAI members and others from the community brought a dish and enjoyed spending time together while indulging in great food. “Over 60 people attended the Art Alliance of Idyllwild’s community potluck on Sunday night,” Shanna Robb, event organizer, said. “It overflowed with…

Andrew Altschul, according to reviews, has applied a devilish wit to what he observes as a growing societal fascination with reality TV, in his novel, “Deus Ex Machina” (Counterpoint, 2011). That fascination, in Altschul’s view, centers on ever-devolving scenarios of debasement, danger and cutthroat competition for contestants. Intrigued by shows such as “Fear Factor” and…