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Readers Write: Faulty water meter?

By
Idyllwild Town Crier
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Editor:

I’ve been watching with interest recently all the issues surrounding IWD, but it finally hit home last month when I received my water bill for $433 after my usual bill of $40 to $60. This bill was the highest IWD bill I’ve ever received in three years and more than double my next highest bill.

I immediately called IWD and explained my concern regarding my bill, and was assured they would send someone out to do a “re-read” of my meter. Later that afternoon, I received a call back from an IWD representative and was told my bill was correct and I must have a leak.

The following weekend, I made a trip to my Idyllwild home to take a look at the meter myself as I’d never looked inside the meter box in the three years I’ve owned my home. I was a little shocked to find that my meter was below 6 inches of compacted dirt, which obviously had never been looked at by anyone.

The following Monday, I called IWD and asked what the process was when someone asked to have their meter reread. I was told that instead of scanning the sensor, they do a physical reading of the meter.

I explained to the representative that obviously, no one physically re-read the meter and that with a $400-plus water bill, I deserved a little more care and interest from my water provider.

I was put on hold for a few minutes and then told someone would go out “right away” and read the meter. An hour later, I was called back and told the meter was correct and my bill was trending to be the same this month. Hmm.

In good faith, I paid my bill, but IWD, through its own behavior and lack of concern for its customers, has created a situation of doubt and uncertainty.

The recent article regarding faulty water meters has only contributed to my doubts as to how they’re managing their affairs.

I still find it hard to believe my monthly water bill went from $60 to $433 in one month (and yes, we’ve done a complete check of our system).

My question to IWD is: Where do I go now, whom do I trust to know my readings are accurate and what happens in the coming months when my bills return to their historical average? How will IWD explain that?

Jeff Chojnacki

Los Angeles

Out Loud: August 4, 2016

By
Becky Clark
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When you run a complex business with very little staffing, a week where you lose three employees to various leaves — vacation, sick and maternity — will definitely set you back a pace or two.

But on top of it, Jack and I previously agreed to dogsit two of our granddogs for 10 days. I say previously because since the time back then when we agreed, we acquired a large, strong, untrained 2-year-old alpha dog who’s like a bull in a China shop.

In the middle of the week, the two granddogs arrived. So over a two-week period, we were down three people at various times, up two dogs and awaiting a call at anytime that our daughter (and operations manager) was in labor.

By the time the family returned to get their dogs, two of the people on leave were back. An hour after they returned, our daughter went into labor.

By the time they returned, my body was covered in bruises from being knocked down more than once just simply trying to open the back door to let in three overactive dogs, Riley the bull in the lead.

Yet we got through that two weeks and last Friday, a new baby granddaughter was born with a full head of beautiful black hair and a middle name honoring her great-grandmother and long-time Idyllwild resident Inie Wilson.

I took up residence over the weekend in a hotel near Desert Regional Medical Center. Various family members visited or stayed over. Two of my grandchildren, who rarely get the chance to swim, practiced in the pool everyday, acquiring more and more confidence in the water.

I played with grandchildren and relaxed, and those bruises are almost healed. It was a happy ending to those two frenzied weeks.

Becky Clark, Editor

Saturday’s rain breaks oppressive heat

By
JP Crumrine
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Above-normal temperatures ravished the mountain climate last week. Temperatures stalled above 60 degrees, approaching 70 degrees, for several consecutive nights. Finally, on Saturday and Sunday nights, July 30 and 31, the temperature dropped to 58 degrees.

Saturday afternoon, a small cloud burst — the first rain of the 2016-17 rain year — may have aided this “cooling” trend. Pine Cove recorded 0.55 inches and 0.2 inches were recorded in Idyllwild. The U.S. Forest Service’s Keenwild Ranger Station in Mountain Center did not report any rain Saturday.

Historically, the July rainfall has been 0.7 inches. In 2015, several storms passed over the Hill in July depositing more than 3 inches of rain.

Fortunately, for possible drought relief, the National Weather Service lowered its projection of the formation this fall or winter of a possible “La Niña” weather pattern, from 75 percent to 55 to 60 percent. Typically, La Niña weather patterns produce less rainfall than normal.

For the next three months, NWS does not forecast any significant rain or below-average rain, either.

Supervisors and district attorney at odds over budget level: DA threatens layoffs, supervisors urge patience

By
JP Crumrine
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Although Riverside County Executive Jay Orr added $6 million to the 2016-17 budget for the District Attorney’s office, DA Mike Hestrin, told the Board of Supervisors that was not enough funding. While he recommended another $12 million, half of that —$6 million— would enable him to avoid service reductions and staff layoffs.

He argued that he has limited options to meet the budget restrictions being set for his office. Consequently, the longer he waits to initiate layoffs, the more money will be needed to still meet his budget limits.

Except for 3rd District Supervisor Chuck Washington, Hestrin encountered little sympathy from the dais. And several supervisors urged him to be more patient before laying off any staff.

County Finance Director Paul McDonnell told the board he thought the shortfall might be addressed over time with little or no layoffs, and less than the $12 million Hestrin was requesting.

Affecting the discussion with the DA’s office has been the issue of how public-safety funding has fared compared to other county-program funding during the past several years.

This year, both Orr and the board were less supportive of public-safety program increases. Orr stressed that since the recession started, general government programs had incurred funding reductions of 17.5 percent and health and human service programs have been reduced 39.4 percent. During the same period, public-safety programs have grown 30 percent.

“It’s time for everyone to pull together,” Orr said.

Hestrin argued that his budget problems began with how his predecessor handled the budget. “The issue of the DA’s budget is … I inherited a structural deficit of $18.7 million. I can’t remedy it by belt tightening or other discretionary spending cuts.” Further, Hestrin told the board that salary costs were growing because of its decisions on retirement costs versus salaries.

Since he was elected DA in 2014, Hestrin has reduced the office’s staffing from more than 800 to 705, including a 27-position decrease last year.

“With no additional funding and not beginning layoffs is a position [that is] untenable and unsustainable,” he stated.

Both Chair John Benoit (4th District) and Supv. John Tavaglione (2nd District) questioned Hestrin’s hiring staff this spring if he knew potential layoffs were on the horizon.

“I don’t believe there is support on the board at this time,” Benoit advised the DA, who replied, “If you don’t find additional money, we bust our appropriations.”

Washington urged his colleagues to specifically address Hestrin’s request for an answer rather than delaying it until the options were limited and harsher. While Supv. Marion Ashley (5th District) also urged a rapid resolution, he stressed that “… we’re not going into reserves for anyone.”

Eventually, the officials agreed to have a meeting with Orr, Benoit and Hestrin before Labor Day.

Tavaglione was more direct about the specific issue and its relationship to the overall financial situation. “Public safety has not been getting what it has gotten in the past. … That’s unfortunate, but damn it, we’ve been really good to public safety for 22 years. Unfortunately, we can’t do it this time.

“It is time for people to tighten the belt,” he emphasized. “The sheriff thankfully has done that. Mr. Hestrin, it is time for you to do that. I will not support more than the $6 million we’ve given you.”

Tuesday’s board meeting ended with the board approving the budget recommendations from Orr and agreeing to future meetings with the DA and his staff. However, the issue was not put to rest.

On Wednesday, Hestrin notified local police agencies that his office would no longer review search-warrant requests after hours.

On Thursday, the county issued a press release in which Benoit said, “It is not an unexpected move from a first-term DA who hasn’t managed through financial adversity before and had to look for efficiencies. I hope he will take a breath, and that this challenge helps him become a strong manager.”

Later, he described Hestrin’s actions as similar to the National Park Service threatening to close the Washington Monument.

Hestrin responded, “The news release issued on July 28, 2016, by the county once again highlights the lack of communication between the Executive Office and the Board of Supervisors, as well as a misunderstanding of what our office does.”

With projected costs exceeding his budget allocation, Hestrin defended his action. “To contain overtime costs which will help stave off layoffs, the District Attorney’s office restricted search-warrant reviews to office hours … These cuts are projected to save more than $500,000. When we are looking at not being able to make payroll, we cannot justify providing courtesy prosecution services. Search-warrant reviews are not legally mandated and are not provided by all county DA’s offices.”

“It appears he prefers political pressure but I hope he will reconsider his announcement and work with the county to find more appropriate, long-term savings that won’t harm his mission or the community,” Benoit said in the press release.

Fatal motorcycle crash, one DUI arrest on Hill roads

By
Marshall Smith
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A fatal motorcycle crash and an arrest for driving under the influence took place on Hill roads over the last week.

At 7:34 p.m. Wednesday, July 27, an unidentified male motorcyclist, aged 57, of San Jacinto, was riding his 2012 black Harley Davidson eastbound on Highway 74, 3/10 of a mile west of Bee Canyon Truck Trail when he failed to execute a slight left curve in the highway, hit the right shoulder and went over a steep embankment. The rider was thrown from his motorcycle and, although wearing a helmet, was pronounced dead at the scene by fire-department responders.

At 12:20 a.m. Sunday, July 31, David Miller, 52, of Idyllwild, was driving his 2015 blue Chevy Silverado westbound on Overlook Drive just west of Highway 243 when he allowed his vehicle to drift off the roadway and into a drainage culvert. Miller was arrested for a DUI and incarcerated at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning. Miller was not injured and his vehicle was only minimally damaged.

Power outage on Hill

By
JP Crumrine
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On Wednesday morning, July 27, crews were working on multiple poles on South Circle Dr, closing the street at Fern Valley Road. This resulted in some residents in Fern Valley losing power, which was unrelated to the major outage affecting the Hill and San Jacinto Valley. (See story above.) Photo by Jenny Kirchner
On Wednesday morning, July 27, crews were working on multiple poles on South Circle Dr, closing the street at Fern Valley Road. This resulted in some residents in Fern Valley losing power, which was unrelated to the major outage affecting the Hill and San Jacinto Valley. (See story above.)
Photo by Jenny Kirchner

About 9 a.m., Wednesday, July 27, two Southern California Edison power lines touched inappropriately.

A 33-kilovolt line and 12-kilovolt came into contact and caused a substantial outage from the Hill to San Jacinto. The cause was unknown, but possibilities could be wind or lines sagging from the heat.

Full power was restored shortly after 10:30 a.m.

The northern boundary was Esplanade Avenue. The southern boundary extended to Double View Drive in Idyllwild. The western boundary was Lyon Avenue and power was lost as far east as Tahquitz View Drive in Idyllwild, according to Mary Ann Milboure of Edison.

Obituary: Elaine Jane ‘E.J.’ Weiler 1929-2016

By
Idyllwild Town Crier
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obit

Elaine Jane “E.J.” Weiler, a long-time resident of Idyllwild, passed away peacefully at home in her sleep on Monday, July 4, 2016.

Elaine was born in Aurora, Illinois, on Aug. 19, 1929, to Andrew Hayden and Catherine Thill-Hayden. She graduated from Madonna High School in Aurora in 1947.

Elaine married Cyril F. Weiler (Cy), also of Aurora, on June 16, 1951. After he graduated from Notre Dame University, Cy’s civil engineering positions took the couple to many cities over the next decades, including Juneau, Alaska, and Daly City, Palo Alto, Monterey and, finally, Escondido. During this time, Elaine and Cy became the proud parents of three children, Michael, Catherine (deceased, 2010) and Karen.

While living in Escondido, the Weiler family belonged to the St. Mary’s Catholic Parish and were active supporters of parish activities, especially the Boy and Girl scouts troops and Explorer Post. Under the leadership and guidance of Cy and Elaine, the scouting troops were dedicated to public service.

One of the organizations supported by the Boy Scouts and Explorers was the Idyllwild Institute Fiesta. The frequent summer trips made to Idyllwild to perform maintenance projects at the fiesta introduced Idyllwild to Elaine, and she fell in love with the community and the surrounding mountains.

After Cy died in 1972, Elaine was employed at the San Diego North County Courts in Vista where she was a deputy county clerk and chief arbitration clerk for 15 years. Upon retirement, she made the decision to move to her beloved Idyllwild permanently, and made her home on Scenic Drive where she could “sleep late, shovel snow and walk her dog” for the next 29 years until her passing.

Elaine was a member of the Red Hat Society, and a volunteer at the Nature Center and Idyllwild Area Historical Society and Museum. She was a member of Forest Folk Inc., a nonprofit organization to involve, enrich and empower seniors 50 and over.

She loved all animals, and frequent trips “down the mountain” to Hemet were required to maintain her supply of raw peanuts that she used to stock feeders on her back deck to the enjoyment of the local squirrels and raccoons. Her front yard contained many suet baskets, bird feeders and hummingbird feeders.

Elaine was a staunch supporter of dog rescue and her house became a “home” to many orphaned dogs, cats and rabbits. Her final housemates were her beloved dogs Beau, Cassie, Girlfriend and Gary’s dog Otis. She spent time volunteering at Sadie’s Clinic and Animal Rescue Friends (ARF).

Elaine was also a very artistic “crafter” with talents ranging from tole painting to knitting and needlework. Elaine loved making gifts for family and friends over the years. She also was part of a local knitting group and was just learning to spin her own yarn for her knitting projects.

Elaine is survived by her son Michael Weiler (Margaret) of Morgan Hill, her daughter Karen Weiler of McAlester, Oklahoma; her son-in-law Gary Vail of Idyllwild (husband of Cathy); grandson Anthony (Dr. Jill Laureano-Surber) Surber, great-grandchildren Julian, Annika, Simon and Thea of Watertown, New York; grandson Mathias (Alexandria) Grabau and great-granddaughter Anastacia of Colorado Springs, Colorado; grandson Nicholas Grabau of Stillwater, Oklahoma; and grandson Joshua McDermott of Vancouver, Washington.

Elaine donated her body to Science Care, a company supporting medical research.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10, at American Legion Post 800, 54360 Marian View Drive, Idyllwild. Pastor Wally Boer will officiate.

There will be a potluck and refreshments in Elaine’s honor following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Forest Folk Inc. P.O. Box 260, Idyllwild, CA 92549 or Sadie’s Clinic at ARF, P.O. Box 719, Idyllwild, CA 92549.

Dorothy Brooks used exercise to restore health after a stroke: Runs Fit After 50 program

By
Marshall Smith
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Dorothy Brooks, stroke survivor, used art and exercise to find her way back to health. She currently leads a Fit After 50 exercise program at St. Hugh’s Episcopal Church. The program, county sponsored, is free to all. Photo by Marshall Smith
Dorothy Brooks, stroke survivor, used art and exercise to find her way back to health. She currently leads a Fit After 50 exercise program at St. Hugh’s Episcopal Church. The program, county sponsored, is free to all.
Photo by Marshall Smith

After suffering a debilitating stroke in 2014, retired registered nurse Dorothy Brooks had to choose. Unable to walk and severely challenged with balance issues, visual distortions, memory loss and speech impairment, Brooks decided she had to find her own way out of her disabilities.

She chose adult coloring books. “I went home to color,” she recalled, “and my brain began to rewire.”

Citing Dr. Rich Hanson’s research in “Hardwiring Happiness: How to Reshape Your Brain and Your Life” (Crown Publishing, 2013), Brooks used her positive experiences with and reactions to coloring to gradually transform her neural structures — healing them with contentment, love and mindfulness. After three months, she began to notice significant improvement. “The brain reacts to positive stimuli,” said Brooks. Hanson’s work stresses the healing properties of mindful presence, the power of intention and experiencing empathy.

As soon as she could, Brooks began to volunteer in Thermal, mentoring children in a “Read With Me” program that acted to improve her own visual acuity and cognitive ability. And it was not just the specific requirements of the reading program that helped her, it was the experience of volunteering, of giving to others, that sent positive and loving messages to the brain — creating healing.

In Idyllwild, continuing her recovery while still using her cane, Brooks began using the Fit After 50 exercise regimen, developed at Cal State Fullerton. It is an evidence-based exercise program with emphasis on preventing falls, and improving core strength, balance and mobility. Eventually Brooks took over the Idyllwild program. She encouraged her students, many recovering from injuries with balance and mobility issues, that exercise can heal, when done mindfully. “I’d say, ‘I had this injury,’ you can do this, too,” Brooks related. “You can heal yourself from an injury and you can heal conditions before you get sick,” said Brooks. “Pay attention to your body. It will tell you.”

Brooks, who had a stressful career as a nurse, both in working with law enforcement and later as an organ-transplant coordinator, cited the importance of finding balance in one’s life. “Kindness — that’s what I’m practicing now,” she said. “I just feel whole now. I’m a happy person.”

And as evidence of that balance and happiness, Brooks in her interview, was positive, enthusiastic and vibrantly youthful.

Brooks offers the free Fit After 50 program, sponsored by the Riverside County Office on Aging, at St. Hugh’s Episcopal Church on Tuesdays from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in the meeting room adjoining the sanctuary. Thursday sessions are added in the winter.

Brooks believes that exercise and a healthy diet, supplemented with sufficient daily water intake, lead to happiness and a deeper sense of well being. She cites the benefits of exercise, as noted in the Fit After 50 brochure, as increased muscle strength, endurance and bone density, increased balance and flexibility, decreased blood pressure, reduced body fat, reduced tension, anxiety and fatigue, reduced pain, improved sleep, and the camaraderie of shared beneficial activity.

For more information about the program, and to experience Brooks’ uplifting class and coaching, call 951-659-2587.

Ken Dahleen and his Big Band Staff bring back the ’40s: And it’s all about dancing

By
Marshall Smith
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Ken Dahleen will take us back to the Big Band Era with a program of familiar big band standards dedicated to dancing at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11, at Butterfield Commons on Strawberry Creek. File photo
Ken Dahleen will take us back to the Big Band Era with a program of familiar big band standards dedicated to dancing at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11, at Butterfield Commons on Strawberry Creek.
File photo

The big-band era that had its heyday from the early 1930s to the 1950s helped to lift the spirits of a country recovering from a Great Depression and facing a devastating war on two fronts.

Ken Dahleen and his Big Band Staff, next up at the Idyllwild Summer Concert Series, plan to lift the spirits and the feet of attendees at the Thursday, Aug. 11, concert on Butterfield Commons. And Dahleen is dedicating this concert to Idyllwild’s dancers. BBS will be playing many of the familiar tunes that transformed popular music and the country’s mood over three decades.

The sound of the big bands — Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, Artie Shaw and Count Basie — gave our country hope in bleak and challenging times. The music was positive and uplifting, and boy could it swing. Dance floors and ballrooms in cities large and small were crowded with people who needed to hope, needed to smile, needed to laugh and, most of all, needed to dance.

So, at a time when many people are not confident about their future, when the national dialogue is caustic and combative, and the mood is again pessimistic, big-band swing seems a good medium for shaking off the shadows.

So, come on out, join your neighbors, eat, drink and dance — and get “In the Mood.”

As they do each year, Dahleen and the Idyllwild Summer Concert Series board plan the series and sign contracts with acts before having sufficient funds to break even. Your help is needed to fund a series that is presented especially for locals.

Bring your beverages of choice, picnic baskets, chairs and cash. Fill the donation jars that volunteers pass before the concert begins.

To date, $21,720 has been raised out of a total budget of $32,420. Three concerts remain to meet budget or help provide a financial cushion for next year. BBS takes the stage at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11. There is no opening act.

Sponsors and donors can contact Dahleen directly at 951-659-2229 or send checks to P.O. Box 1542, Idyllwild, CA 92549.

Besos de Coco, coconut kisses, comes to Jazz in the Pines

By
Marshall Smith
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Besos de Coco (coconut kisses), in addition to having the most unusual name of any act scheduled for Jazz in the Pines 2016, also brings the most unusual instrumentation — classical guitar and voice, double bass sometimes played as a conga, and percussion from the feet of an accomplished tap and Latin dancer. Besos plays Stephens Recital Hall on Sunday, the last day of the festival. Pictured (from left) are Claudia Gomez Vorce (tap), Evona Wascinski (bass) and Lorraine Castellanos (classical guitar and vocals). Photo courtesy Besos de Coco
Besos de Coco (coconut kisses), in addition to having the most unusual name of any act scheduled for Jazz in the Pines 2016, also brings the most unusual instrumentation — classical guitar and voice, double bass sometimes played as a conga, and percussion from the feet of an accomplished tap and Latin dancer. Besos plays Stephens Recital Hall on Sunday, the last day of the festival. Pictured (from left) are Claudia Gomez Vorce (tap), Evona Wascinski (bass) and Lorraine Castellanos (classical guitar and vocals). Photo courtesy Besos de Coco

As John Newman and Idyllwild Arts continue to add spice to the Jazz in the Pines menu, one of the most unusual and eclectic of first-time festival acts is Besos de Coco. Arguably the act with the most interesting name (translation from Spanish, “coconut kisses”) Besos also has perhaps the most unusual instrumentation and genre mix.

Three women, with internationally diverse backgrounds, push the boundaries of musical collaboration and genres. Filipina-American Lorraine Castellanos plays classical guitar and sings, riffing on Andres Segovia and Sarah Vaughan; Evona Wascinski, born in Poland, plays double bass and sometimes treats it as a conga drum; and Mexican-American Claudia Gomez Vorce is the group’s percussionist, using her feet to provide the varied musical genre rhythms of flamenco, classical, jazz, Charleston swing, Latin and American pop.

Said Castellanos (who is married to Jazz in the Pines veteran trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos), “What we have is fun. We play a broad mix from tango and romantic boleros to Elvis Presley and Charleston-era swing. Last year, we played for the patrons concert but this is the first time we’re in the actual festival. Marshall [Hawkins] invited us and we’re very happy to be playing in Stephens [Recital Hall].”

Castellanos said the group’s arrangements are collaborative and are key components of Besos’ appeal. “We are always trying new things and innovative approaches.”

Reviewed in the San Diego Reader as, “Thick, buttery sound … astonishing footwork … the purity of a songbird … three strong women, an inspired choice,” Besos de Coco creates a musical travelogue serving up the romance of the Mediterranean, Latin America and American jazz. And just as irresistible as the Caribbean macaroon dessert for which they’re named, Besos de Coco will keep festival audiences wanting more — because of their tasty arrangements and intriguing flavors.

They appear at 3:15 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 21.

Jazz in the Pines tickets can now be bought in town at the Idyllwild Arts boutique on North Circle.

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