A historic Idyllwild inn transformed into a stylish and inviting mountain retreat The Pine Tree Hotel is the new identity for the property formerly known as the Fern Valley Inn. It is the latest project of childhood friends Isaac Silverman and Tim Ensmann, whose company, Second Home Stays, offers a curated collection of short-term rentals…
Idyllwild’s Mile High Radio Club is a local nonprofit organization that helps our community stay in touch with the outside world during emergencies. They hold their monthly meetings at Middle Ridge Winery. A lively and diverse group crowded around the big table in the center of the room on Tuesday night, February 4. A few…
Mountain Disaster Preparedness is a local nonprofit that has a number of working groups within it, including its CERT (Community Emergency Response Team.) This group undergoes training that includes many aspects of emergency response, including first aid. CERT’s regular meetings are the first Thursday of the month and are held in the meeting room of…
During the January Public Safety Power Shutoffs, many locals used public warming and charging centers for the first time. The Idyllwild Community Center made their Town Hall facilities available for Southern California Edison during the longest outage, and ICC operated Town Hall as a center on its own during later outages. The Idyllwild Public Library…
The Board of Directors of Idyllwild Water District held a special meeting on Friday, February 7, to consider applications for the open Board seat. The agenda named four candidates that had submitted letters of interest: Derrick Zimmerman, John Stamper, Jonathon Mills, and Wendy Harsha. All were present at the meeting. Board President Schelly explained that…
For over 20 years, smARTS has been delivering enriching arts education to students of the Idyllwild School. An all-volunteer, grant-funded program, they work with the school’s Parent Teacher Organization to bring professionals from many disciplines within the arts into the classroom. The program is a testament to what parents and others can accomplish locally with…
The January meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Idyllwild Fire Protection District included the election of officers, the promotions of five firefighters, and the first mention by Chief Mark LaMont of his plans for retirement and succession. At this first meeting of the year two commissioners, Henry Sawicki and Dennis Fogle, who were…
Food distribution volunteers and recipients share their stories The Idyllwild Forest Health Project was founded by Mark Yardas and Mara Schoner as a response to the threat that wildfire presents to our mountain communities. Its goal was to create a “circular economy around better fuels management and eco-system-based forest management.” The organization, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit,…
Wood burning stoves are a popular option for heating Idyllwild homes. They provide an economical and sustainable option when understood and used properly, but they obligate users to a high level of responsibility. Kevin Holldber of Idyllwild Heating & Cooling shared some basic knowledge readers should have before firing one up. Holldber emphasized the sustainability…
Fire season never ends here. Outdoor abatement and indoor safety are year-round duties. Public Safety Power Shutoffs add another type of emergency to prepare for. Both local hardware stores, Village Hardware and Forest Lumber, are well stocked with the essentials. They have plenty of fire extinguishers, and smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors. Both also…
