Art & Culture

Eduardo Santiago’s popular Idyllwild Author Series will feature a two for one bonus on Sunday, June 17. Amy Friedman and Dennis Danziger, two writers who happen to be married to each other will be the next guest speakers. Friedman is the author of the long-running syndicated newspaper column and series of audio books, “Tell Me…

Michael Jaime-Becerra (right) was the featured author on Sunday afternoon at the INK Bookstore’s 2nd Annual Author Series. Becerra talked about his book of short stories, “Every Night Is Ladies’ Night” and his novel, “This Time Tomorrow.” Eduardo Santiago (left), who also grew up in El Monte, Calif., organizes the series and asks the first questions.

The race and campaign for Mayor of Idyllwild is heating up. The election (June 11 through June 13) is only days away. The competition is almost animal-like. Given the gravity of this election, the Town Crier has asked Monk to contact and sniff out the candidates. The winner will be inaugurated July 1.
Three questions were posed to each candidate and their manager. First, what experience does the candidate have leading the pack? Second, what is the candidate’s vision for Idyllwild should they win? And what is the candidate’s campaign slogan?

Customers line up for free hot dogs and all the trimmings at Village Market. Earlier one customer had dutifully asked the cashier inside about the price and was surprised when told they were free. All were happy.

Sandi Castleberrry (right), playing guitar, and Paul Carman, on the saxophone, entertained the students of Idyllwild School on Friday with “Roots of America Music.” Eight students participated playing a variety of musical instruments (from left) are: Madelyn Bueno, Dylan Reinhart, Grace McKimson, Nicola Sabin, Madison Hawkins, Brighten Millhaus, Emily Hill and Pierce Pramuka.

Amy Ephron, yes, that Ephron family, is the next author to speak at Eduardo Santiago’s Idyllwild Authors Series. She is the author of bestsellers “One Sunday Morning,” and “A Cup of Tea” that spent 37 weeks on the Los Angeles Times Bestseller list. Santiago will interview Ephron about her new collection of stories, “Loose Diamonds,…

The Inland Valley String Institute, which serves string players from Idyllwild, Hemet, San Jacinto and surrounding areas, just received a very generous grant from the Mary Austin Scholarship Grant program. Here Institute founding director, Anna Pechanec Ancheta accepts the check from Doug Austin.