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Creative juices of art, winemaking overflow

By
Idyllwild Town Crier
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Middle Ridge Winery Tasting Gallery is celebrating harvest and winemaking with its newest rotating gallery exhibit called “The

Idyllwild Collection: Art Uncorked,” where artists uncork their talent with works as intriguing as harvest in the vineyard. The show kicks off with an “Afternoon with the Artists” from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24. The exhibit runs through Nov. 6.

The inspiring art pieces demonstrate why Idyllwild is recognized as one of the top art communities in America. This eclectic collection includes 3-D art and sculpture; fiber art; oil and acrylic paintings; photography; and jewelry, featuring the talents of: Patrick Barry, one-of-a-kind, African trade bead jewelry; Jeni Bate, “refractured“ watercolor skyscapes; Irena Carlson, abstract acrylics that bridge the worlds of art and spirituality; Debbie Crowell, infrared photography that embraces the space between the real and unreal; Don Dietz, beautiful, functional fused glassware; Darcy Gerdes, impressionistic acrylic paintings rooted with realism; Mark Hobley, thought-provoking pop culture mixed media; Charlotte Horton, fanciful copper-wire tree sculptures; Andrea Johnston, acrylic landscapes capturing fleeting moments in time; Roger Johnston, mesmerizing algorithmic fractals that inspire reflection; Carol Landry, oil paintings with a delicate balance between contemporary and traditional themes; Martha Lumia, light and airy nuno felted scarves, wall hangings and vessels; Del Marcussen, contemporary jewelry with traditional roots and a playful “hippie” filter; Shanna Robb, intricate glass mosaics and ethereal silk paintings; Jacque Swerdfeger, textural, dimensional palette knife oil paintings in vibrant hues; Cher Townsend, imaginative, playful figurative clay sculptures; Barbara Weightman, vibrant oil paintings of nature inspired by classical botanical illustrations; and Mark Willden, beautiful and functional reclaimed barrel art, and one-of-a-kind redshank burl-wood sculptures.

“We are so fortunate to be part of such an incredible community of talented artists,” said Melody Johnston, who along with her husband and winemaker Chris, opened Middle Ridge Winery Tasting Gallery to create a space where their love of wine and art could come together.

While enjoying a glass of Middle Ridge wine created by Chris, guests will be immersed into 4,000-square-feet of art that is described as a “magical intersection of colors, shapes, light and movement.” Exclusively featuring Art Alliance of Idyllwild artists, the winery’s fourth rotating show features 18 artists and more than 80 pieces of artwork. “Afternoon with the Artists” provides an opportunity for art enthusiasts to mingle with the artists and strike up conversations about wine, their art and their inspirations.

The Tasting Gallery also will be featuring the musical talents of Joe Baldino, whose smooth, Latin-inspired jazz creates the perfect ambience to sip, talk and walk through the Tasting Gallery.

The gallery is open from 5 to 10 p.m. Thursdays, from noon to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and from noon to 8 p.m. Sundays.

Howl and Yowl — Living Free brings country sounds back to Hill

By
Teresa Garcia-Lande
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At the 2015, Howl and Yowl, songwriter and singer Jason Powers found a new companion, Gogi. Both were sharing the stage with Dani Rose of Honey County.Photo by Randall Harris
At the 2015, Howl and Yowl, songwriter and singer Jason Powers found a new companion, Gogi. Both were sharing the stage with Dani Rose of Honey County. Photo by Randall Harris

Living Free, the local no-kill animal sanctuary, which rescues cats and dogs, is holding its third-annual Howl and Yowl fundraiser, Saturday, Sept. 24.

“There will be four great bands. They’ll will offer country music from progressive to traditional,” said Randall Harris, Living Free’s president. “We’ll be rocking the meadow. It’s going to be awesome.”

The musical talent will be familiar to many of the event’s faithful patrons. Returning this year will be Honey County, Jason Powers, Black Swan and Michael Thomas.

Honey County is a Southern California trio of women performing progressive country music. They travel between Southern California and Nashville offering their music to fans. Devon Eisenbarger, a member of the group, is a nearby singer from Temecula. She has developed her own following, too.

Black Swan includes local musician Don Reed on guitar and string. Barry Baughn, on vocals and guitar, Bob Gross, vocals and bass, and Larry Mitchell on drums are the other swans. The group plays very popular blues.

Jason Powers brings his powerful music and sound back to Mountain Center. “Those who saw [Honey County and Powers] last year are very happy about their return,” Harris said.

Last year, Powers found Gogi and adopted the dog before departing, demonstrating how helpful the event is for the abandoned animals.

“We are on track to find homes for about 320 animals this year, and will do about 600 total spay or neuter [surgeries] for our rescues and affordable public clinic,” Harris said proudly. “That means we’ll save about 600 [animal] lives.”

Proceeds from Howl and Yowl help to pay for these surgeries, which help to reduce future stray and abandon animals.

Harris added that the music and patrons will have protection from the summer sun because a large tent will be erected for the performance area.

Besides the wonderful musicians, the popular Big Dev is returning with his special barbecue mix and food stand.

The event will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Living Free in Mountain Center, 54250 Keen Camp Road. The phone number is 951-659-4687. The admission fee, which goes entirely to Living Free’s mission, is $15.

Milne hires Nathan Miller as campaign head: Author of ‘Ready for Hillary’ hangman tweet

By
JP Crumrine
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The Republican official and staff person Nathan Miller, who tweeted the “Ready for Hillary” hangman, is now on the staff of 3rd District Supervisor candidate Shellie Milne.

“He apologized, and who hasn’t made a mistake,” Milne said, when asked about Miller joining her staff. He tweeted his apology in August.

“Nathan has stuck by me. Loyalty is a rare commodity,” she added. Milne was subjected to a recall campaign while serving on the Hemet City Council.

“He’s outstanding,” she continued. “It’s very easy for me because he is very conservative but involved with local Republicans.”

Miller was on the staff of Board of Equalization member Diane Harkey when he posted the “Hillary” tweet. He has since resigned. He still remains a political consultant and is glad to work with Milne on her campaign for the supervisor’s seat.

“I run a campaign for people that I believe will benefit their community,” he said recently while lunching at Uncle B’s in Idyllwild. “Because of the values of the district are consistent with Shellie’s, I see congruence.”

Miller does hold an elected office, trustee for the Riverside Community College District. He was elected in 2010 and is seeking his second term this November.

Miller was district director for Assemblyman Mike Morrell (40th).

Gov. signs bills affecting public agency website use

By
JP Crumrine
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The 2015-16 legislative session ended on Aug. 31, and now Gov. Jerry Brown has begun to sign and veto some of the many bills passed in the last month.

Last week, he signed two bills that affect public agencies.

Assembly Bill 2257, which Assemblyman Brian Maienschein (R-San Diego) sponsored, will require the legislative bodies of public agencies (city, county, special districts and school districts) that have a website to prominently post their agendas online. The vote approving this bill was 79-0.

AB 2257 amends the Ralph M. Brown Act and requires the agencies to post the agenda in a consistent and visible location. The bill also requires that the posted agenda be in a machine-readable format, which will allow it to be indexed and searched via common search engines such as Google.

The effective date of this law is Jan. 1, 2019.

The second bill, AB 2853, amends the California Public Records Act. If an individual requests information from the agency that is already posted on its website, the new law allows the agency to refer the requestor to the site.

However, if the individual does not have access to the website or is unable to print the document, a physical copy must then be supplied.

Prop 61, a prescription drug purchase and pricing initiative: Major drug manufacturer opposition

By
Marshall Smith
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Proposition 61, titled by its drafters as “The California Drug Price Relief Act,” and on the ballot as “State Prescription Drug Purchases. Pricing Standards. Initiative Statute,” seeks to cap prices state agencies pay for prescription drugs to the lowest price paid by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

VA generally pays the lowest prices under mandatory discounts under federal law. Tying prices state agencies pay for prescription drugs to VA prices is intended to reduce prescription drug spending for the populations state agencies serve through their health-care programs.

Typically, state agencies pay for prescription drugs under programs that provide health care or health insurance to certain defined populations — low-income residents, through the state’s Medi-Cal programs; current and retired state employees; and prison inmates. In 2014-15, the state paid $3.8 billion for prescription drugs, with the largest amount, $1.8 billion, going to Medi-Cal low-income residents; $1.3 billion to public employees, dependents and retirees (Public Employees’ Retirement System); $334 million to University of California students, clinics and hospital patients; $211 million to inmates; $57 million to underinsured individuals who are HIV positive; $8 million to developmental center residents; and $4 million to California State University students.

Medi-Cal operates comprehensive health coverage to low-income residents through two delivery systems: the fee-for-service system serving 25 percent of Medi-Cal recipients and the managed care system which that 75 percent of recipients. Under terms of Prop 61, were it to pass, the managed care system comprising 75 percent of recipients would be exempted from any drug price relief tied to VA caps. As the California Legislative Analyst notes, “The measure exempts a portion of the state’s largest health care program from its drug pricing requirements,” thereby reducing the pool of potential beneficiaries of drug-price reductions.

The LA’s Office also notes there are many end runs drug companies could make that might diminish actual prescription drug savings should the measure be enacted:

• The VA does not publish the lowest prices for some of the drugs for which it has negotiated lower fees because of confidentiality agreements with the drug manufacturers. Consequently, it would be impossible to determine “lowest price” for some drugs because the VA information is restricted.

• In order to maintain current levels of profitability, drug manufacturers could raise VA drug prices.

• Drug manufacturers might decline to offer the lowest VA prices to state agencies for certain drugs. In such cases, those drugs would be unavailable to most state agencies and the state residents their programs serve.

And while the bill’s sponsors correctly note the rapid rise of prescription drug prices (an 800-percent increase in prescription drug spending from 1990 to 2013), there is no enforcement provision in the measure to prevent drug manufacturer tactics that could vitiate the measure’s effectiveness in actually reducing drug prices.

The California Department of Health Care Services is obligated under federal law to offer most FDA-approved prescription drugs to Medi-Cal and other recipients. Failure to offer an approved drug, because of drug manufacturers’ refusal to offer lowest VA prices to the state, could result in loss of federal funding.

The prescription drug industry is fighting this measure, spending more than $70 million to oppose, and making this one of the most expensive ballot measures in this election.

In short, although aimed at curbing rampant price rises state agencies pay for prescription drugs, tying them to a federally agreed VA “lowest price,” the measure’s outcome and effectiveness are unclear, according to the LAO. The analyst notes outcomes are unclear because there is no enforcement provision and there is a continuing likelihood of drug company actions that could reduce the measure’s effectiveness.

Forest Service criticized for lack of criteria to select hazardous fuels reduction projects

By
JP Crumrine
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The allocation of funding for hazardous fuels projects and how the U.S. Forest Service sets its priorities for this work was questioned in a report last month. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General spent more than year reviewing the program and visiting regional offices, national forest offices and several ranger districts, including two on the San Bernardino National Forest.

In general, the OIG did not find adequate data or procedures to support the priority and funding decisions. However, the Tom Tidwell, Chief of the Forest Service, said in his response to the report, “The Forest Service generally concurs with the findings and recommendations and appreciates the time and effort that went into the report.” He also set June 30, 2017, as the date for implementing the changes or improvements.

Basically, the Department’s OIG is concerned that the Forest Service is not spending the money appropriated for hazardous fuel reduction projects in the areas most in need of treatment. If priorities are not clear and consistent across the nation, the  result could be “placing areas at increased risk of catastrophic wildland fire,” the OIG suggested.

In addition, the OIG found several instances of inaccurate reporting and accounting, which seems to call the entire program’s results into question.

Over three fiscal years, from 2012 to 2014, the Forest Service spent more than $6 billion preparing for and fighting wildfires. Projects funded to reduce hazardous fuels are supposed to contribute to the reduction and possible intensity of these fires.

However, the OIG has found that the Forest Service, which agreed with 10 of the OIG recommendations, does not have a system or process to adequately asses the wildfire risk of where these funds are being spent.

The system the Forest Service uses only “assists in determining funding for regions and their forest and does not assign priority to individual hazardous fuel reduction projects for completion,” the OIG report stated. This funding was intended to “protect at-risk communities and watersheds” and the Forest Service cannot confirm, which projects are being funded.

“[Forest Service] unit did not document rational behind project selection,” the report authors wrote. None of the ranger districts, which were part of the study, “documented why they implemented one hazardous fuels reduction project in the [wildland urban interface] over a different hazardous fuels reduction treatment in the WUI.”

The OIG investigators did state that three regions, including the Pacific Southwest, had started to move in this direction. During the investigation, the Mountain Top and Front Country ranger districts in the San Bernardino National Forest were visited. However, no specific comments referring to this forest or these districts were part of the report.

Local Dravenstatt arrested again on felony charges

By
Marshall Smith
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Idyllwild local Taylor James Dravenstatt, 24, previously sent to state prison for felony burglary in 2013, was arrested again on Sept. 6 for felony burglary of a dwelling. The arrest occurred in Perris. He also is charged with felony parole violation. He is currently in custody at Southwest Detention Center in Murietta. Dravenstatt’s prior conviction counts as a first strike under California’s three-strike law.

Because of his prior conviction and sentence, Dravenstatt is ineligible for probation. He also has a prior felony and prison within the last five years.

Dravenstatt was arrested in 2012 for felony burglary with another defendant, Ron Kimmerle, also then of Idyllwild. Dravenstatt was arrested again this time with other defendants — Charles Michael Stratton and Geoffrey Eugene Helmick, both of Hemet, each similarly charged with felony burglary on violation date Sept. 6.

The next action in the case is a felony settlement case for all three at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20, in Department 63 in Riverside. Bail for Dravenstatt is set at $170,000.

Voter scam: Response to complaints from voters

By
Idyllwild Town Crier
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County elections officials and the California Secretary of State’s office have received more than 100 complaints from voters who have received letters from a group called the Voter Participation Center.

The organization’s letters claim that the voter is not registered to vote and offers a pre-filled voter registration form with incorrect or outdated information, or information for persons who don’t live at the address. In many instances, the voter is, in fact, properly registered to vote, according to Secretary of State Alex Padilla.

It is important that organizations conducting voter registration drives through the mail ensure that their voter data is up-to-date and accurate. Causing confusion right before an election is wrong, he said.

“If you have questions about your voter registration status, check directly with your county elections office,” Padilla said.

“Many counties have online tools that allow voters to verify their voter registration information. Also, contact information for county elections officials and links to county online voter registration status tools is available on the Secretary of State’s website at www.sos.ca.gov/elections/registration-status/.”

New voters or persons who want to update their voter registration information may visit the Secretary of State’s official voter registration website at http://registertovote.ca.gov/. If you need to update your voter registration information, the deadline is Monday, Oct. 24.

Readers Write: The American flag

By
Idyllwild Town Crier
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Editor:

As I was driving down North Circle Saturday to the post office, I counted the number of American flags in front of establishments. I was surprised at how few I saw, so I drove around mid-town and counted those, too. I counted 19 American flags. I know many people fly the American flag daily, so I’m assuming the added flags were in remembrance of the victims of 911, the tragedy our country experienced when fanatical extremists demonstrated their declaration of war on the U.S.A. by killing about 3,000 Americans. That’s 3,000 innocent men, women and children (coincidently, about the same number who live up here) whose lives were extinguished in a couple of hours.

I won’t forget the images I saw of this happening on television. I also won’t forget the images of terrorist supporters laughing and dancing in the street when they heard the news.

Why couldn’t many people be bothered to fly the flag on Saturday? On Obama’s most recent apology tour, he said citizens of our country were lazy. I don’t think this is true. And the facts show our society is one of the most productive, hard-working people in the world. A 40- to 48-hour work week is the norm.

Our president might have been more accurate in his statement if he had substituted “indifferent” for the word “lazy.” I suspect too many people are living too much of their lives electronically. We spend so much time on our cell phone, iPad, computer, etc., that we are losing touch with some of the things going on around us and in our world (country).

My wife Elaine and I left Idyllwild Sunday and when we returned that afternoon driving up the highway into town, I had to slow down and say, “Wow, look at that, wow,” at the sight of the Idyllwild Fire Department trucks and the giant American flag flying over the highway. I felt my heart beat faster at this beautiful scene. It made me react so strongly.

When the American flag is flying, it really is saying something to everyone who sees it. Most of us can hear this message or feel it. It’s there, loud and clear. I hope we see more of the flag in the future. IFD hopefully awakened some who may not have given much thought to what Sunday was about. You raised my blood pressure, but I’m fine.

Bob Rahman, Idyllwild

Readers Write: Advertise your music

By
Idyllwild Town Crier
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Editor:

We are 20-year residents. We love to treat visitors to one of our many fine restaurants. Labor Day weekend, I looked for a restaurant with live music.

I checked the Town Crier’s “On the Town.” There were only three listing live music.

When I walk around town I hear live music everywhere. This is an artist community. Ferro Restaurant advertises music. They are popular.

There are four restaurants advertising in the Town Crier. But 16-plus restaurants here. Do restaurants really think people will just wander in?

I looked for one in particular to call so that I could find out if they had live music or needed reservations. Surprisingly, no advertising in the Town Crier, and on Google, no current phone. Yet, I knew they were still open and running.

So I drove over to tell them they had no number and see if I needed reservations. They were surprised that their numbers were wrong.

Please take this to heart, restaurant owners. Even locals want to know: Live music? What nights? Reservations?

Could you go the extra mile and list your music or phone number in the Town Crier? The Idyllwild Phone Book? The restaurant I wanted was not listed in the phone book either.

The phone book is in every vacation home/rental. I always check the Town Crier for weekly events. Not everything is online.

Let’s help our tourist industry by advertising. Live music. Yeah.

We accidentally walked into Fratello’s restaurant. Excellent food, excellent music. I would pay to hear this band Sugarbear. I will invite friends to come and eat and hear them. I wish I had gone there first, spent the evening, if only I knew where to go and what music was playing. And food? Wonderful. Why doesn’t anyone write in about wonderful food?

Let’s be a supportive small town. We have some of the best entertainment and food in the Inland Empire. Put it out there. Don’t let people wander around hoping to find something good. Let them know what is good and where to find it.

Advertise. Please. I have nothing to gain from this letter except to help our restaurants and entertainment. Really, if something is good, spread the news. If the town benefits, we all benefit.

Victoria Durona, Idyllwild

Editor’s note: The Town Crier did not solicit this letter. (But we appreciate it.)

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