“Some people think lilacs are just an Eastern thing,” said Gary Parton, Idyllwild’s lilac patron. But even though most longstanding lilac festivals are in the Eastern and Midwestern U.S., Parton and his new committee want to establish Idyllwild as a nationally known lilac town. This year, beginning at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 2, the Idyllwild…

Spirit Mountain Retreat will host an Autumn Equinox Celebration from 4 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18. The event will include music by Local Color and will also feature readings, reflection and drumming. Refreshments will be served. Admission is free to the community gathering to celebrate a time of equal light and dark, a time…