Sky Island Natural Foods and Sky Island Organics owner Michael Wangler was on a fast track to a Ph.D. and a college presidency when his passion for food intervened. As artist of the week, Wangler shares with other artists a common bond — a passion for creating something of beauty that affects and touches others….
On Oct. 24, 2000, the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument was established. At 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 6, its 15th anniversary will be celebrated at the monument’s Visitors Center on Highway 74 in Palm Desert. On that day in 2000, then-President Bill Clinton signed the legislation, a bipartisan effort led by former…
The Idyllwild Arts Foundation celebrates 70 years of campus history in 2016 that began in 1946 with the founding of the Summer Program. As Idyllwild Arts begins a year of anniversary commemorations, the William M. Lowman Concert Hall, currently under construction, is poised to play a prominent part in hosting 2016 celebratory events. IAF President…
“Shadows of a thousand years rise again unseen, Voices whisper in the trees, ‘Tonight is Halloween!’” — Dexter Kozen In the small village of Idyllwild, Halloween occupies a large place in the yearly calendar. Celebrations bring young and old, two-footed and four-footed residents together in a festive family oriented holiday. Some of the celebrations are…
Idyllwild resident and art therapist Karla Leopold went to Louisiana in 2005 shortly after Hurricane Katrina had devastated New Orleans. With the assistance of Rosie O’Donnell’s “Project Katrina,” Leopold led a team of art therapists to an evacuation center north of Baton Rouge. Their mission was to use art to help survivors process the emotional…
Wisconsin native and longtime Hill resident Annie Varvari has joined Idyllwild Arts Academy’s full time faculty as resource teacher. With degrees in special education and counseling, Varvari fills a key position, providing advocacy for and support to students with special classroom academic and logistical needs. “Kids in resource have concerns,” said Varvari. “Those concerns could…
The Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema (IIFC) enters year seven with over 300 films in submission. “Last year we had 160,” said festival founder and director Stephen Savage. “This year is almost double from last year. “Our reputation for quality independent films is growing. The Hollywood Reporter article naming the festival one of the ‘new…
Chris Thile (pronounced ‘thee-lee), who came of age in Idyllwild playing mandolin, already has a career life of honors and accolades — and he is only 34. He is about to add one more — hosting a storied radio program that has been on the air longer than Thile has been on the planet….
