Vol 79, No. 27 edition of the Idyllwild Town Crier
By David Jerome Corrrespondent
The Directors of Pine Cove Water met on Wednesday, June 26, as there had been no quorum on their usual date. With board members Vicki Jacubac and Lou Padulla absent, three directors were present to make a quorum, President Robert Hewit, Becky Smith, and Rose Venard. The board heard good news about water loss fgures, began discussions about replacing their billing sofware system, and approved their new budget.
General Manager Jeremy Poter expressed confdence in the low water loss fgure in his report: 3.5%, which, afer accounting for three leaks repaired, lef 1% unaccounted for. He said he and his operators had gone over the fgures repeatedly and could fnd no more loss. Poter credited the new smart meters in part for this low fgure, saying they are discovering leaks much more quickly, and even small steady flows show up. Leaks on the customer side are caught immediately, and not two months later when a big bill shows up.
Meter replacement continues: the crew is on book 5 of 7 and is managing about 10 a day. The goal is to fnish in September. Poter said installation would pause for inventory, to prepare for the July audit.
Poter discussed the feld crew’s in-
still banned for 4th of July celebrations
terest in switching, on a trial basis, to four ten-hour days, specifcally to help with the meter installation process. President Hewit noted that the GM does not need the board’s permission to do this, but they would advise. Potter noted the advantage in longer days to fnish jobs like meter replacements and believed it would alleviate overtime. Smith pointed him to the employee manual, and HR, advising him to determine exactly how overtime is calculated, daily or weekly.
The district’s monitoring well, #10, rose 7.1 feet to 63.1 feet below the surface. Last Year it plateaued at 69 feet in October.
One well in Dutch Flats that seized up due to iron and manganese build up was pulled and will be scrubbed and refurbished. Another needs the same treatment. Poter noted that only those two wells have this issue.
Poter also noted that he had donated a Redwood tree from the Dutch Flats area, to replace one that had died in Idyllwild Park. The trees had begun to grow too close together and the district incurred no cost in transplanting it. Smith noted this will be the fourth such tree donated. Poter noted that a tree moving company, Hess Land and Tree Co., had been brought in by David Buterfeld and Shane Stewart to do the actual move. Kenny Gioeli of Idyllwild Gardens took
New tree, page A2
By JP Crumrine Correspondent
Summer has arrived and brings warmer temperatures as we prepare to celebrate the Fourth of July. Only a day away, residents and visitors need to be aware that celebrating our Nation’s birthday in Idyllwild will be much less spectacular than in San Diego or other urban areas.
All freworks, including sparklers, are illegal in Riverside County.
At its June 11 meeting, the Board of Supervisors approved its plan to reduce the risk of freworks creating a wildfre on the Hill and throughout the County.
Three years ago, in May 2021, the Board approved Ordinance 858.2 to control illegal freworks.
Now if one wants to have a freworks display during the summer and holidays, a permit must be obtained. The Riverside County Fire Chief designates which areas in the County are safe for freworks.
County Sherif Chad Bianco asked residents to be vigilant and report any possible illegal freworks display. He stressed the danger of freworks to individuals and possibly to veterans sufering from PTSD.
“If you light it, we’ll write it,” Bianco stressed in his announcement.
Individual property owners can be held liable for any damage created from the use or ignition of freworks on their property. Fines from $1,000 up to $5,000 are authorized in the Ordinance.
The Riverside County Sheriff Department is the lead agency for deployment and enforcement. The Code Enforcement Department and Riverside County Fire Departments are intimately involved in the enforcement of Ordinance 858.2
Code Enforcement will continue to work with RSO and the Fire Department for the issuance of the civil penalties included in the ordinance.
At the same meeting, the Board also approved a major media campaign alerting and reminding citizens of the dangers of freworks and the penalties for violation of the ordinance.
Violations can be reported to the Sherif’s Department in several ways.
For all emergencies, dial 911. For non-emergency dispatch dial 800-950-2444. The Communication Centers operate 24/7.
For more information, residents can visit www. riversidesherif.org/555/Fireworks or call the Riverside County hotline phone number listed above to report the use of illegal freworks within Unincorporated Riverside County.
PHOTO BY KEN GIOELI
Restaurant Industry Gains Reprieve From Hidden Fee Law
By JP Crumrine Correspondent
The restaurant industry has won a reprieve from the requirements that ads and menus must state the full and complete cost of individual items on the menu. Senate Bill 478, the “Honest Pricing Law” or “Hidden Fees Statute,” law was to go into efect on July 1, and will for others.
But SB 1524, which exempts the restaurant and food service industry, was unanimously passed in the State Assembly on June 24 and in the Senate on June 27. On Saturday, less than 48 hours before SB 478 went into efect, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed SB 1524 without comment.
“With today’s signing we can uphold the principle of providing consumers with up-front price transparency without inadvertently harming food service workers or small businesses,” Sen. Bill Dodd (D Napa), who sponsored both bills said in a press release announcing the signing of SB 1524. “This new law will require clear, conspicuous disclosure of any fee, and a description of its purpose, on all advertisements, menus or other displays that contain the price of a food or beverage item. Now we can ensure restaurant customers are not shocked when they get their checks.”
The dining industry adamantly opposed the application of SB 478 to them.
“Many restaurants for decades have used auto gratuity instead of tips, (an approach believed to be more fair and equitable), and restaurants have added service charges to help ofset mandates like San Francisco’s Health Care Security Ordinance,” the Golden Gate Restaurant Association said in an early May press release. “Ending the ability for restaurants to use service charges (even if clearly and legibly listed on their menus) will have a very negative impact on the survival of this still struggling industry.”
However, the industry persuaded the bill’s spon-
New tree
Continued from A1
care of replanting it in the park.
Office manager Jennifer Hayes briefed the board on the district’s need to fnd a new source for billing sofware services, as the old vendor, UBMax, has been purchased by gWorks. Hayes presented the board with an estimate, prepared by the new frm, of the cost of continuring with them. The new company ofers a much more complex set of services, many of these, Hayes told the board, PCWD does not need. The estimate was for two services, “front desk” for customer access, and utility billing, with cloud-based storage and support. These two services would cost $6,060, about $4,000 per year more than the present service. Hayes noted that the estimate includes an enticement: waiving the usual “onboarding” fees if the district acts quickly but did not give an expiration date. The frst year would also include a pro-rated credit for past payments to UBMax.
sor, Dodd, to propose an amendment exempting the restaurant industry from the requirements.
One month before SB 478 was to go into efect, Dodd introduced SB 1524. It intends to exempt restaurants, bars, and certain food service providers from 478’s requirement that the various and miscellaneous charges such as tips and health costs must be included in the price of an item, such as an entrée, dessert, or salad.
The requirement, according to the State’s Department of Justice, would have applied to food establishments. In their ads or on menu prices, the price for an item, entrée, salad, desert, and all ofered items must display the total price that customers would have to pay for the good or service.
Simply disclosing, at the botom of a menu, that additional mandatory fees will be assigned to the purchase price is not sufficient. Earlier this year, the DOJ clearly stated, “The price listed or advertised to the consumer must be the full price that the consumer is required to pay.”
For example, currently a menu may list an item, e.g., salad or entrée, as $20 and then apply a 5% fee for health costs to the fnal bill. Afer June 30, this menu item would have been listed as $21.
SB 1524 alleviates this requirement for food establishments. For these businesses, this amendment would clarify that any charges, other than the cost of an item, to a customer’s bill must be displayed conspicuously on restaurant menus. This includes any mandatory gratuity, service charge or other fee charged by restaurants.
When he introduced the new bill, Dodd explained his intent. “Restaurant customers shouldn’t be surprised when they get their checks by a slew of extra charges they were not expecting. Many restaurants are up-front with their business practices but too many aren’t, necessitating action. This proposal will level the playing feld for all restaurants and address confusion and disagreement about what is permissible under state law.”
Sen. Scot Wiener (D-San Francisco), co-sponsor of both bills, concurred with Dodd’s views.
“Restaurants are vital to the fabric of life in California, and they should be able to cover costs as long as they do so transparently,” said Sen. Scot Wiener, D-San Francisco. “SB 1524 clarifes portions of the law that pose a serious threat to restaurants. The bill strikes the right balance between supporting restaurants and delivering transparency for consumers, and I’m proud to support it.”
He added, “SB 1524 strikes the right balance between strengthening transparency for consumers and providing restaurants with clarity and flexibility in
The new service only supports quarterly or monthly billing, so the district would have to abandon bi-monthly bills.
Smith suggested that Hayes look for a new billing company that is compatible with the new meters. Hayes said that the district’s meter company (Phenix, successor to SET) had provided a list of compatible companies, and that she has set up fve demo sessions in the coming week. She also noted that the higher cost of staying with gWorks has been fgured into the new budget. Smith recommended fnding out what the cost would be if they kept gWorks short term and then found a new company later, before the contract’s term. The budget for fscal years 2024-25 was considered and approved. It was a balanced budget at $1,299,000, 3% above last year. The next meeting will be July 10.
how they cover their costs,” said Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, who also sponsored SB 1524. “I am proud to cosponsor SB 1524, which will bring much-needed clarity to how state law applies to restaurant fees by requiring restaurants, bars, and other food service providers to clearly and conspicuously disclose any service charge, mandatory gratuity, or other mandatory fee to consumers on advertisements, menus or other displays.”
The California Restaurant Association supported SB 1524 and was pleased with its passage and signing.
“The California Restaurant Association strongly supports SB 1524, which will allow restaurants to continue to impose service charges, mandatory gratuities, and other common menu charges, provided the charges are clearly and conspicuously disclosed in advance to restaurant patrons,” said Mathew Suton of the CRA. “This will enable restaurants to continue to support increased pay equity and to make contributions to worker health care and other employee benefts. And, importantly, consumers will remain empowered to make informed choices about where they choose to dine out. We are pleased to join Unite HERE in supporting this important measure.”
These businesses have until July 1, 2025, to ensure that they clearly and conspicuously display the additional charges.
PHOTOS BY KEN GIOELI
Will Rollins Talks About His Congressional Campaign at Te Rustic Teatre
By David Jerome Correspondent
On Wednesday night, June 19, the Rustic Theater hosted a meet and greet on for Will Rollins, Democratic challenger to incumbent Ken Calvert.
This will be Rollins second efort to unseat Calvert in 2022 and he came within 11,100 votes.
Rollins invoked the future of republic, saying that because of all the issues on the ballot in November “the cliché that this is the single most important election of our lives is actually true.”
On a lighter note, he called the Idyllwild event an “excuse to get out of the desert to where it’s 30 degrees cooler,” and asked anyone who knows someone giving away a home in the Idyllwild area “to let him know,” adding that he does not expect to be taking out a mortgage anytime soon due to his “poor fnancial decision to run for congress.”
Rollins explained his reason for a rematch. “Why? It is the single most important question anybody running for congress can answer.”
He ofered a short version: in 2022 he was “impulsive, naive and angry,” This time he’d “had a few drinks at a hotel bar.” Acknowledging the laughter, he promised that the long version would sound beter.
The 2022 election was close, but Rollins was up by 10,000 votes on election day. The media and the House leadership believed he had won. He was invited to Washington for the training and orientation sessions, “new congress member training.” He met Nancy Pelosi, who told him “You could be 218,” the number needed to keep a Democratic majority.
He was “on cloud nine, geting a tour of the house chamber, led by the frst woman ever to be the speaker of the House of Representatives…” Then, around 11 p.m., he got an alert on his cell phone that the absentee ballots had gone Calvert’s way and he had lost.
He thought about returning to his job in law enforcement. Prosecuting cases involving major drug distributers and cartels, sales of military technology to China. As he sat considering how much he preferred that job to fundraising. When the news broke] that Donald Trump was running for the presidency again in 2024. The memory of January 6 made him feel he had no choice but to run, “because if we don’t have folks in the House of Representatives willing to defend the constitution, it doesn’t mater whether we have folks in courtrooms… doing the same there…Each one of us here in this room is going to be asked... years from now: ‘What did you do when the house was on fre?’ And our answer in this district will be that we beat the longest serving election denier in the state of California.”
Bipartisanship is a theme he came back to frequently. Former Assembly Republican leader Chad Mayes, Republican, former Riverside County Sherif Stan Snif and a Palm Springs police officers’ union have supported him. He called these party-line crossers “people who know that what makes America truly great is not that this country is perfect or was perfect in the past, it’s our collective responsibility to make our union more perfect for the next generation.”
Most of the event was lef for questions from the audience. The frst person asked on which house commitees he would like to serve on. Rollins noted that frst term representatives do not get to choose, but listed House Intelligence and Homeland Security as top of his list. He said that he has. “a deep interest in fguring out how we fx out broken information system… As I’ve said to folks who are Trump supporters when I meet with them, ‘We may not agree about January 6, but all of us can agree that it’s not good for China, Russia, Iran
to use our own technology to divide us against each other.’”
Transport and Infrastructure also interest him. He mentioned the 91/71 exchange project in Corona, and the $300 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that came to Riverside County to help build it and other projects, noting that Calvert voted against the bill.
Veterans Afairs is another commitee he would like to serve on, making sure that veterans get the benefts they are entitled to. He noted that his grandparents, both life-long Republicans, met while serving in WWII. He added that Riverside County has one of the largest population of veterans in the US.
Other questions drew out his views on Supreme Court (cautious about creating a tit-for tat but open to reforms) and the electoral college (in favor of abolishing it, but seeing constitutional amendments as difficult and the Interstate Compact a possible route to reform.)
Answering a question about career technical education programs, Rollins said that some of the best conversations he has had on the campaign trail were with young people entering the workforce without a college degree, hearing about the jobs they had lined up because of career technical education or apprenticeships. “My grandfather was a welder, never fnished high school. Started a small business that still operates to this day.” He called these types of programs and jobs critical to the state and to building the middle class.
Someone asked about “Lithium Valley,” a proposal for lithium extraction at the Salton Sea, and whether money from this could help “stabilize” or “fx” the sea. The project promises to be the world’s single largest source of the element, essential to batery production and thus to the transition to electric vehicles, and to generate its own geothermal electricity. Rollins noted that the Lithium Valley is in Imperial County, but jobs there will afect our county. He recalled that Governor Schwarzenegger, who he worked for as an intern out of high school, held that “protecting the environment and growing the economy go hand in hand.” Rollins said he wants to create incentives to have those new clean tech jobs in our district for the coming century. He referred to Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) to keep long term jobs in the area and protect the environment.
In closing, Rollins circled back to his connection
with Governor Schwarzenegger. He recalled going to a staf reunion where there were a number of democrats among the crowd including Willie Brown. He recalled one of Schwarzenegger’s stories: Considering the run for governor, he called his old friend Willie Brown, who encouraged him. Schwarzenegger declared, and then almost immediately saw Brown on TV, wearing a dark jacket and shades, saying that voters should “terminate the terminator.” The candidate called his old friend, who told him “this is politics, you’ve got a lot to learn.” When Schwarzenegger won, he reached out to Brown to lead his economic recovery team. This represented the kind of “bipartisan spirit, the sense of country over party, the sense of humor” that he promised to bring with him to congress.
Forest Folk Receives Grants to Keep on Truckin’
By Mary Rider Contributing Reader
Thirty-fve years ago, a transplanted West Virginian working in Orange County bought a vacation home in Idyllwild and chose to retire here twenty years later. Now in her early eighties, she toils full-time to provide Idyllwild Forest Folk free shutle service. Also impressive is her active participation throughout the years in twelve local nonprofts, serving as a Governing Board member and officer in fve of them. Afer two decades, her contributions have had an enduring and positive impact on the mountain community.
This month Reba Coulter achieved her most recent sought-afer goal —the purchase of a brand-new, wheelchair equipped van for Forest Folk to provide free transportation for elderly, disabled, and veterans in the local region. Afer three unsuccessful atempts, she was awarded a $100,000 grant from Riverside County to purchase a new vehicle.
In 2011, Forest Folk became a 501(c)3 organization with the mission of “Enhancing life’s journey for seniors in the Idyllwild, California, mountain communities.” When the town’s Chamber of Commerce decided to disband, they donated their van to the Art Alliance. As its treasurer, Reba requested Forest Folk assume ownership of the van afer the Art Alliance decided the cost of vehicle insurance was too high.
In 2015, Reba, with help from Sue Harper, wrote a grant to subsidize the frst public shutle service on the hill. Through fre threat evacuations, highway closures, and a pandemic, Reba’s leadership skills and determination have enabled Forest Folk to maintain free shutle service for nine years.
Her vision for expanding the range and value of Forest Folk’s service to the community has never wavered, and with the assistance from the FF Board of Directors, there are plans to increase collaboration with local 501(c)3 organizations, expand the number of drop of & pick up sites in town, and ofer more community events to encourage increased ridership.
Aside from the $100,000 grant, Riverside County awarded Forest Folk an additional $241,000 grant to keep Forest Folk running for another three-year period.
Hill businesses and institutions that will be closed Thursday, July 4, to observe Independence Day are: • Area post offices
Fern Valley Water District
Hemet Unifed School District • Idyllwild Health Center
Idyllwild Library • Idyllwild Nature Center
Idyllwild Pharmacy
Idyllwild Town Crier
Idyllwild Transfer Station
Idyllwild Water District
Pine Cove Water District
PNC Bank
Riverside County offices
U.S. Forest Service
PHOTO BY DAVID JEROME
“ASK SPIRITUAL WORKOUT”
By Steven Morrison, M.A.
• Editor’s Note: Spiritual Workout is a practice of these 15 concepts: Be Compassionate • Beliefs Mater • Be Present • Choices Abound • Everything Is Energy • Have an Atitude of Gratitude • Intentions Mater • Judgments Separate Us • Listen to Inspiration • Mind & Body Are Connected • Take Responsibility • The Law of Atraction Is Always On • We Are All Connected • We Are Here for a Reason • We Belong to the Planet, Not the Planet to Us. More at spiritualworkout.com.
Dear Spiritual Workout,
While I agree with the life concepts you’ve listed, do I try to integrate all 15 when making decisions? No! Do not atempt to integrate every concept into every decision you make, or you’ll go nuts. In my experience as a facilitator of this practice, there are plenty of times when one concept screams out as the issue like a clear, non-serving belief. There are also plenty of times when more than one — but almost never all — will readily apply. It’s common for diferent paths to emerge when seeking solutions to problems because the journey of personal growth is, itself, non-linear. Meanwhile, when it comes, specifcally, to decision-making, that’s a place where listening to inspiration comes very much into play. That plus intentions.
Dear Spiritual Workout, My neighbor is reckless when it comes to respecting our property boundaries. How do I approach the problem without escalating things? (I won’t go on Facebook.)
Situations like this are rife with judgments — also known as opinions/atitudes/feelings/right-wrong — that separate us from others. Let’s stipulate that your — and your neighbor’s — judgments are wholly justifed and righteous. Now, the problem is that when we are on the receiving end of so much judgment (e.g., you did this; you’re a that; you don’t deserve to live), all we want to do is defend ourselves in kind (e.g., yeah, well you did that; you’re a this; your mother…) and ‘round and ‘round it goes. Nowhere. To get out of judgment, turn the conversation to you starting with what you want like, maybe, having a neighborly relationship. Is there common ground? Then make it about the impact of boundary violations on you. I feel vulnerable; I believe I don’t have control over what happens on my property; I feel disrespected. Notice…not a word there about the other person and, thus, nothing to defend. So, starting a conversation about what’s wanted and talking only about your Self should help a lot to de-escalate. Dear Spiritual Workout.
I’m having a hard time making a career choice. Go for the money or go for the joy and pray the money comes in?
Go for the joy and intend for the money. Theologian Howard Thurman once said, “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” Spiritual Workout practice aligns perfectly with this ethos, starting with listening to inspiration (your joy). When we hesitate to listen to job inspiration it’s usually because of beliefs we have about the source of income. When we believe work is the source of income, we focus on work to get the income we want. When we believe that Source is the source of income, we focus on joy and let Source fgure out the rest. Your phone isn’t the source of news and information, it’s a conduit. Your job isn’t the source of income, it’s a conduit. When we are in joy, we are positioned to receive via all kinds of conduits.
JAZZ IN THE PINES
FESTIVAL & STUDENT CLINIC
JUNE 30 JULY 13TH, 2024 |
Scan to view the lineup and purchase tickets, or visit jazzinthepines.com
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
LEGEND $10K
Linda and Manny Rider
MASTER $5K
Robin and William Rhoads Peter Heimark, Heimark, LLC
election.
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Wednesday, July 3
• Codependents Anon, noon. St. Hugh’s Episcopal Church, 25525 Tahquitz Dr.
• Fit Afer 50, noon-1 p.m. Town Hall, 25925 Cedar St.
• Philosophy Discussion Club, 5 p.m. in the Spirit Mountain Retreat Hill House, 25661 Oakwood St
• Fit Afer 50, 10-11 a.m. Town Hall, 25925 Cedar St.
• AA discussion & birthdays, noon. St. Hugh’s Episcopal Church, 25525 Tahquitz Dr.
Sheriff’s log
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Hemet Station responded to the following calls
IDYLLWILD
• June 25 — Alarm call, 9:01 p.m. 5500 Block Encino Rd. Handled by deputy.
• June 25 — Alarm call, 11:05 p.m. N. Circle Dr. Handled by deputy.
• June 26 — Alarm call, 1:09 a.m. N. Circle Dr. Handled by deputy.
• June 25 — Alarm call, 9:01 p.m. 5500 Block Encino Rd. Handled by deputy.
• June 25 — Alarm call, 11:05 p.m. N. Circle Dr. Handled by deputy.
• June 26 — Alarm call, 1:09 a.m. N. Circle Dr. Handled by deputy.
• June 27 — Trespassing, 6:44 a.m. 54000 block of Live Oak St. Handled by deputy.
• June 27 — Suspect info, 6:31 p.m. Address withheld. Handled by deputy.
• June 28 — Alarm call, 11:54 a.m. 5500 Block Encino Rd. Handled by deputy.
• June 28 — Public disturbance, 5:20 p.m. N. Circle Dr. Handled by deputy.
• June 28 — Trespassing,
• Mountain Communities Mutual Aid food distribution, 1-2 p.m. Camp Maranatha, 54162 Maranatha Dr.
• Idyllwild Community Zen, 6 p.m. Text/call Valerie Velez at 951-392-6507 for information.
Friday, July 5
• Idy A’s (AA, NA, Alanon, CODA, etc.), noon. St. Hugh’s Episcopal Church, 25525 Tahquitz Dr.
Women’s Writing Group with fellow writers, 2-4 p.m. Spirit Mountain Retreat. Call 951-659-2523 for Zoom info
• AA meeting, 5:30 p.m. Ark of Light, 54445 N. Circle Dr. (behind Idyllwild Acupuncture)
Saturday, July 6
• American Legion Post 800 meeting, 10 a.m. Post 800, 54360 Marian View Dr.
• Healing Rooms, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Shiloh Christian Ministries, 54295 Village Center Dr. AA, discussion, noon, St. Hugh’s Episcopal Church, 25525 Tahquitz Dr.
• Dog Park Saturdays, 3-4 p.m. Rick Barker Dog Park, 26375
9:58 p.m. 2600 Block St Hwy 243. Handled by deputy.
• June 29 — Public disturbance, 2:06 p.m. N. Circle Dr. Handled by deputy.
• June 29 — Missing person, 7:16 p.m. 25000 block of Hwy. 243. Handled by deputy.
• June 30 — Suspicious circumstance, 9:23 a.m. 54000 block of Pine Crest Ave. Handled by deputy.
• July 01 — Suspicious vehicle, 8:43 a.m. 5500 Block Scenic Dr. Handled by deputy.
• July 02 — Suspicious person, 1:32 a.m. 2500 block of Hemstreet Pl. Handled by deputy.
MOUNTAIN CENTER
• June 25 — Danger to self/ other, 1:29 a.m. 2900 Block St Hwy 243. Report taken.
PINE COVE
• June 24 — Check the welfare, 5:40 p.m. 5200 Block Pine Cove Rd. Handled by deputy.
PINE MEADOWS
• June 26 — Follow-up, 12:41 p.m. Address withheld. Han-
Hwy. 243.
• Narcotics Anonymous, 3-4:30 p.m. Idyllwild Water District, 54255 Pine Crest Ave.
• AA happy hour & birthdays, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Behind Idyllwild Water District, 54255 Pine Crest Ave. (bring chair)
Sunday, July 7
• Peace Meditation Practice, 10 a.m. Tibetan Buddhist Dharma Center, 53191 Mountain View, Pine Cove.
• AA, discussion, noon, Idyllwild Water District, 25945 Hwy. 243.
Mixed Nuts, 5:30-7 p.m., Spirit Mountain Retreat, 25661 Oakwood St.
Monday, July 8
• Fit Afer 50, noon-1 p.m. Town Hall, 25925 Cedar St.
• California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (bark beetle issues), 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. Mountain Resource Center, 25380 Franklin Dr., 659-3335.
• Idyllwild Area Historical Museum, 54470 N. Circle Dr., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Fri., Sat. & Sun. (Mon. holidays.) Group tours by appt. 659-2717.
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Ryan Jones standing in front of Idyllwild Brewpub’s brand new “Pub Mobile” at Tahquitz Pines Retreat. PHOTOS BY MIKE FERRO
Bartenders Bridget Noer and Maddie McKay.
Idyllwild Community Fund Announces 2024 Youth Grantmakers’ Community Grants
Idyllwild Community Fund is proud to announce Idyllwild School Youth Grantmakers’ community grants for 2024:
• Friends of the Idyllwild Library, Inc. – Summer Reading Program 2024
• Idyllwild Community Center – ICC Golf Cart Repair
• Idyllwild Forest Health Project – Mountain Community Mutual Aid Foodshares
• Idyllwild Help Center – Access to Youth Sports Programs
• Idyllwild School Booster Club – Outdoor Educational Fieldtrips
• Soroptimist International of Idyllwild – The Women’s Cabinet Youth Grantmakers nurtures community awareness and leadership among Idyllwild School’s 6th, 7th and 8th grade students, is back on track afer a three-year hiatus due to COVID. ICF’s Youth Grantmakers’ Chair Jon Zorn and Idyllwild School Faculty Advisor Sean Sullivan are credited with guiding the group’s re-emergence.
Youth Grantmakers is co-sponsored by Idyllwild Community Fund (ICF) and Inland Empire Community Foundation (IECF). IECF established “The Youth Philanthropy Initiative” aka “Youth Grantmakers” in 2009 to teach young people to address community challenges by making grants to projects that address youth concerns. IECF provides formal training to Youth Grantmakers at high schools throughout Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.
The Idyllwild School chapter is unique in that all other “Youth Grantmakers” are high school students. In 2012, IECF reached out to ICF to bring Youth Grantmakers to Idyllwild School. Idyllwild Youth Grantmakers operate on a $4,000 budget provided by ICF ($2,000) and IECF ($2,000). They meet several times throughout the schoolyear to review applications for projects that beneft Idyllwild’s young people. Recommendations are forwarded to IECF for approval.
Idyllwild Youth Grantmakers has funded more than $34,000 to date (2012 – 2020; 2024) to Idyllwild’s nonproft organizations supporting Idyllwild School’s student community. For more information about Youth Grantmakers, please email: info@ idyllwildcommunityfund.org.
November Ballot Packed With Nine Initiatives Or Amendments
By JP Crumrine Correspondent
The November Election is still four months away. And voters will have to decide on their choice for President, U.S. Senator, Congressional representatives, state assembly and other elected offices.
In addition, there may be nine initiatives or referenda on the ballot, creating a very long ballot and lengthy time in the ballot booth.
As of the June 27 deadline, the Secretary of State has nine measures to include on the local ballots.
However, the Governor and Legislature may come to some legislative agreements this week, which might result in removing one of the five or possibly adding another initiative.
Initiatives
The following are the initiatives which are currently qualified and can be placed on the ballot. Proposition numbers have not been assigned:
Raise the minimum wage.
This measure extends the existing law of $15 minimum wage per hour for businesses with 26 or more employees, and $14.00 per hour for smaller businesses, until it reaches $18.00 per hour.
Rent control
This initiative would expand local governments’ authority to enact rent control on residential property. Current state law (the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act of 1995) generally prevents cities and counties from limiting the initial rental rate that landlords may charge to new tenants in all types of housing. Rents for existing tenants also have limitations if (1) residential properties that were first occupied after February 1, 1995; (2) single-family homes; and (3) condominiums. This measure would repeal that state law and would prohibit the state from limiting the right of cities and counties to maintain, enact, or expand residential rent-control ordinances.
Health Care provider limitations
This measure restricts spending by health care providers meeting specified criteria. Certain health care providers will be required to spend 98% of revenues from federal discount prescription drug program on direct patient care. It will apply to only health care providers that spent over $100 million in any ten-year period on anything other than direct patient care; and operated multifamily housing with over 500 high-severity health and safety violations. Noncompliance can result in revocation of health care licenses and tax-exempt status.
Medi-cal tax
This measure would permanently extend the existing tax on managed health care insurance plans, currently set to expire in 2026.
Crime penalties
This initiative allows felony charges and increases sentences for certain drug and theft crimes such as felony charges for possessing certain drugs, including fentanyl, and for thefts under $950. Currently both are only as misdemeanors—with two prior drug or two prior theft convictions, as applicable. There are also Increased sentences for other specified drug and theft crimes. This modifies Proposition 47, which was approved in 2014.
This initiative has the support of most law enforcement officials throughout the state, including Riverside County’s Sheriff, Chad Bianco, and District Attorney Michael Hestrin.
Newsom has working with the Legislature’s Democratic leaders to place a competing measure on the ballot.
Constitutional Amendments
And there are four constitutional amendments also on the ballot:
The “California Right to Marry and Repeal Proposition 8” is a legislatively referred constitutional amendment. Approval of this amendment will repeal Proposition 8, approved in 2008, which defined marriage as a union between one man and one woman. It will also declare that a “right to marry is a fundamental right” in the California Constitution.
The “California Vote Requirements for Initiatives Requiring Supermajority Votes” amendment is a legislatively referred constitutional amendment. If future constitutional amendments propose increasing the percentage of voters approving something, such as a tax, this amendment will require that the same percentage of voters approve the measure on which they are voting. Secondly it would authorize local government to place advisory questions on local ballots.
The “Remove Involuntary Servitude as Punishment for Crime” amendment is a constitutional amendment, whose purpose is to prohibit slavery and involuntary servitude and repeal involuntary servitude as punishment for a crime.
The “Lower Supermajority Requirement to 55% for Local Special Taxes to Fund Housing” amendment is another constitutional amendment. Its purpose is to lower the vote threshold from 66.67% to 55% for local special taxes and bond measures to fund housing projects and public infrastructure.
Light the Night
Inaugural Event to Illuminate Idyllwild Park on July 5th
Join us this Friday, July 5th, 2024, for the inaugural “Light the Night” Event. The idea is to add more light to Idyllwild Park during the year with white lights while still having the much loved “Tree Lighting Event” which kick-starts our Christmas Season in November. This is a free community event thanks to the event sponsors; The Idyllwild Brewpub, Tahquitz Pines Retreat, The Idyllwild Inn, Strawberry Creek Inn and Idyllwild Realty.
The event will take place from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm in and around Idyllwild Park with Village Center Drive being closed to traffic and enclosed as an event area. “Light the Night” includes Family Entertainment with Face Painting, a Balloon tent and Mayor Max.
Living Free will also be bringing a few doggies looking for new homes. Several of our local Non-Profit Organizations will also have booths so come meet the teams that help build our community.
The Idyllwild Brewpub will be debuting its “Pub Mobile”, an Airstream
equipped with a full-service bar and keg taps and will host an enclosed beer garden featuring wine and the Brewpub’s locally crafted beer.
An important focus of this event is to highlight our wonderful mountain community’s local businesses and there will be several local business vendors selling their goods inside the park as well as Food Vendors such as the smoker brought in by The Peak Restaurant, Dan’s Hot Dogs, Pizza and Dessert by Fratellos, Burgers and Pretzels by The Rustic Theatre and the ICC’s Snack Booth.
Live Music will be performed by local musicians such as The Joes, Cole Withers, Nathan James and Flippin’ Daisies. The tree lighting ceremony will take place at 8:30pm followed by The Francesca Brown Band closing with “God Bless America” followed by The National Anthem.
The park, as well as this event, are dedicated to our first responders who keep us safe and the veterans who protect our freedom.
Jazz In Te Pines Celebrates Its Final Year
By David Jerome Correspondent
With its 30th anniversary, the Jazz in the Pines Festival is ending. The festival has brought mainstream jazz and crossover artists, as well as regional jazz greats, to audiences who came up the hill for the day or weekend and has been the
major fundraiser for scholarships to the Idyllwild Arts Academy. The festival has, in recent years, turned its focus to students of the Academy’s Summer Jazz Clinic, with visiting artists leading classes, and performances showcasing students, alumni, and faculty. This year the concerts will be spread across two weeks, from June 30 to July 13. See Jazz, page B4
John Daversa Big Band
PHOTO BY SCOTT EDWARDS SILVA
On July 4, 1776, people living in the American Colonies declared their independence. They wanted to be independent, or free, from the rules of King George III of England. They wanted to form their own country.
They wrote a document to send to King George. It was called the Declaration of Independence, signed on July 4, 1776. This famous document says that all people are created equal and with certain rights.
Unscramble the words to discover the rights mentioned in the Declaration of Independence.
How many stars can you fnd below?
BONUS:
How many stars can you fnd on this page?
He brought back a
Parade Puzzle
Can you fnd the letters L-I-B-E-R-T-Y hidden here?
One of the original signers of the Declaration of Independence visited
and fell in love with
Preamble to the U.S. Constitution starts with
to make macaroni and later, he became the first president to serve macaroni and cheese as part of an official state dinner. Which Founding Father was this? Circle every fourth letter to find out!
Number of hot dogs that are eaten by Americans on Independence Day: million
Amount of money spent on watermelon for the July 4th holiday: million $ Which two picnic pictures are the same?
Number of people who signed the Declaration of Independence:
Percentage of Americans who own an American fag: %
Onomatopoeia describes words that sound like the sound they make when you say them. For example, when you say, “Pop!” it sounds a bit like a pop. Look through the newspaper. Can you find three to five examples of onomatopoeia?
With hundreds of topics, every Kid Scoop printable activity pack features six-to-seven pages of high-interest extra learning activities for home and school! Get your free sample today at:
Summer Concert Series #2
Welcomes Sherry Williams & Friends on July 11th
By David Jerome Correspondent
Idyllwild’s free Summer Concert Series kicks off July 4 with local jazz giants the 3Skinz opening for rock and roll vocal quartet The Diamonds. Next week the series continues with Sherry Williams and Friends, backed up by an orchestra lead by series founder Ken Dahleen.
Dahleen told the Crier that this year is the series’ 25th or “Silver” anniversary, and he is bringing back audience favorites from among the 78 bands he has brought to Idyllwild since 1999. He also promises “lots of surprises,” adding that “you’ll have to come to all the concerts to see all the surprises.”
The series will continue on July 11, with Sherry Williams. Sherry told us about two friends that will be joining her. “I have a friend who lives up by San Jose who is a fine jazz singer reminiscent of Lou Rawls and Joe Williams, his name is Nicolas Bearde. He’s marvelous. And the other, of course, is Yves Evans. We each sing a couple or three tunes and we sing a couple together. It’s all big band stuff, it’s really fun. Yves, as you know, is hilarious and plays off the both of us. It’s really fun, we enjoy it. Since there will be a large ensemble backing up Sherry Williams and Friends, there will be no opening act and the music will start at 7 p.m. Dahleen will provide the orchestra from among his network of working pros. “They are fantastic to work with,” Sherry tells us, adding that their set will be traditional big band music, a mixture of jazz and blues standards. “I Love Being Here With You,” is one tune she loves. “Yves has a beautiful arrangement of ‘But Beautiful’. Nick is going to do a couple of Joe Williams things, ‘Please Send Me Someone To Love’…we end with a blues
mash-up, ‘Stormy Monday Blues,’ all three of us.
Williams acknowledged Dahleen’s work in puting the series on every year since 1999., “I really take my hat off to him. It takes a lot to put together any kind of a series. The musicians, all the logistical organization, sound and light, it’s a handful, a lot of work.” Dahleen also picks up his horn and joins in a few nights each year, as the leader of his Big Band Staff or as part of a special ensemble like the one he has put together for Sherry and her Friends.
Dahleen is also in charge of fund raising. The budget this year for the nine concerts is $49,000. As a contractor he provides the sound system and the crew to fill the Buterfield Amphitheater with music. The concerts are free and open to all and supported entirely by donations from the community. For information on donating, call Ken Dahleen at (760) 413-4638.
3Skinz and The Diamonds, Thurs. July 4 at 6:05 p.m. Sherry Williams and Friends with Orchestra, Thurs. July 11 at 7 p.m. Buterfield Amphitheater 54201 Ridgeview Drive, access through the Idyllwild Community Center Playground Parking lot on Highway 243, just south of town.
Paige Dobson, the new branch manager at PNC Bank in Idyllwild, shared her incredible journey from starting her banking career in 2022 and rising to branch manager within two years PHOTO COURTESY OF IDYLLWILD ROTARY
Mallory O’Meara gave an author talk about her book Girly Drinks at the Idyllwild Library last Tuesday. PHOTO COURTESY OF FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY
The festival will be a homecoming of sorts, featuring artists that have been a part of the festival since the beginning; Yves Evans, Sherry Williams, Harry Pickens, the Euphoria Brass Band, and of course Marshall Hawkins. The headliner will be John Daversa, a festival veteran and three-time Grammy award winner who will perform, with his big band, their new album, Kaleidoscope Eyes: Music of the Beatles
This year’s Festival will mark two events, one sad, one joyful. The unexpected passing of guitarist Bob Boss this February, afer performing in the Academy’s Black History Concert, was a shock to the community. He was an essential part of the festival since its inception. Dr. Marshall Hawkin’s big band, Seahawk Modern Jazz Orchestra, will dedicate their Friday, July 12 concert to Boss’ memory. On the joyful side, the festival will celebrate Hawkins, founder of the festival and the driving force behind the Academy’s Jazz program, as he marks his 85th birthday.
Although Jazz In the Pines started in 1994, Hawkins dates its inception over a decade before, Father’s Day 1983, with a concert by Richie Cole with Jeff Tower and the Hemet High Jazz Ensemble. This predates IAA (Idyllwild Arts Academy), “When it was still ISOMATA…Dwight Buzz Holmes was the facilitator and made it happen. It’s important to give recognition to Buzz.” Hawkins was working with a local nonprofit, the Idyllwild International Jazz Institute, with Sandy Olinghouse and Bill Plummer.
Dr Hawkins credits two members of the Associates of Idyllwild Arts in the launch of the festival as we know it. “Barbara Wood is the founder. Lin Carlson is the one that asked me to do it, but Barbara is the founder.” What began with a single day of concerts grew to one of Idyllwild’s biggest draws. At its peak, the Associates coordinated over 300 volunteers from the community and welcomed over 2,000 fans.
In 2018, the Associates handed leadership back to the Academy and its Summer Program. 2019 was a hiatus year, and 2020 was shaped by the pandemic. The festival returned in 2021 with a new format, integrated with the Jazz in the Pines Student Clinic. 2023 saw the culmination of Hawkin’s idea of many small venues on campus and throughout the community.
Hawkins underlines that the mission was always “focusing on students and integrating into the curriculum.” He says that “when the school took over from the associates is when it really got started.” He lays out his priorities: “the music, supporting professional musicians, and then the students and of course the Academy.” The mission starts with the music. “Jazz is American heritage, America’s music. The professional musicians have not been recognized in over 100 years.” He pointed to the 1987 declaration of Congress calling jazz a National Treasure. “That’s a fact, but it’s still an ongoing process even as we speak.”
Academy President Pamela Jordan issued a statement spotlighting Hawkin’s contribution to his art and community: “The life and career of Dr. Marshall Hawkins has served as the foundation of jazz in Idyllwild. From founding the Jazz Program at Idyllwild Arts Academy in 1986 to curating performances that atracted thousands of music lovers to our mountain for Jazz in the Pines, we are forever indebted to Dr. Hawkins for his vision, his love for his students, and his generosity to our community. We hope the community will join us to
celebrate Marshall’s contributions over the decades.”
Jordan spoke to the Crier about the history of the festival and the decision to end it. “When it started, the Idyllwild Arts Academy was only 8 years old. There were no students on the campus, either the summer program or the Academy. I think they thought people would learn something about our Academy, but they didn’t. It was a very successful festival on its own, but it didn’t have any connection to the school other than the Associates’ fundraising for scholarships.”
“Marshall Hawkins really expressed to me, around 2019 when we were planning to take a hiatus, what his original vision was. He wanted to bring those musicians to our students. He wanted the student-teacher relationship. Also, at the time we were thinking ‘How do we involve the town?’ One of the things that I heard, even when I came here 10 years ago, was that the festival would happen on our campus, but people would leave without patronizing any businesses in the town.
They would park everywhere in town. We wanted to mitigate that as well. That was the reason we wanted to take a hiatus and reimagine it, but I think we all understand that Covid came along and really changed things, in education and everywhere.”
Marshall sidesteps the issue of his 85th Birthday, saying the festival is really about Bob Boss, noting their 40 years of music together, and saying “Bob Boss was instrumental in the first master class at the Idyllwild Arts Academy, in 1998, along with Jimmy and Jeannie Cheatham and the Sweet Baby Blues Band, in Rush Hall.” Although there will be a special concert with his Seahawk Mojo dedicated to Boss “the whole entire two weeks is really going to be in his honor.” Marshall downplays his own accomplishments, “I’m not finished, there’s a heck of a lot more to do.”
For schedule and tickets, visit idyllwildarts.org/jazzin-the-pines.
Services
�—John Quincy Adams
CRISISLINE, 683-0829 or 1 (800) 339-7233. Alternatives to Domestic Violence (ADV) provides information, counseling and shelter services for battered women and their children.
For Rent
House for rent, 2 bd. 2 ba, with loft . 1100 square feet, Washer/Dryer. Semi/ Partially Furnished No pets. $1750 per month plus deposit. Call 951488-8482.
Lost and Found
LOST PET (Dog or Cat) Call ARF, 659-1122. Also, you may call Living Free Animal Sanctuary at 6594687 or Ramona Animal Haven at (951) 654-8002, 1230 S. State St., San Jacinto, CA 92583.
GREEN WOOD - Get ready for next winter! Hard Mix $345/ cord; Hard and Soft Mix $325/cord; Green Pine $285/cord. 909800-1352.
HANDYWORK Light electrical, plumbing, carpentry, painting, etc. I fix stuff. Reasonable rates. Regina Caron 915-315-1887.
BARTENDER Available for weddings, parties, gatherings of all kinds. 33 yrs experience. Reasonable rates. Regina Caron 951315-1887.
Handyman: Hi! I do hauling, DUMP RUNS , raking and cleaning yards, wooden fence and deck repair and maintenance. Ask about gutter cleanup. References. Call Scott 951-260-7137.
“HELP! Start your own business, making and selling Facsuits. See Facsuit. com. Support@facsuit.com or 951 659-0004 for details.”
PETSITTING, Meg’s Dog Walking, Cat Whispering, Drop Ins, House Sitting, Services, Senior/Special Needs Pets Too! Bonded / Insured, ARF/LivingFree Volunteer, Call for FREE “Meet n Greet” $20 OFF 1st Visit! 310-488-8989
ican stain. 4 upholstered chairs. Excel. Condition. $299. Available to see 6/287/6. 619-990-5282.
Marshall Hawkins and Bob Boss during Seahawk MoJO concert
75 years ago - 1949
Everyone was invited to the dedication ceremonies for the Atwater Kent Bowl on the grounds of the Idyllwild Arts Foundation.
70 years ago - 1954
The Jerry Johnson family was happily welcoming Air Force man Jim Johnson home to the mountains on furlough.
65 years ago - 1959
The District Court of Appeals denied a liquor license for the Idyllwild Inn. The Idyllwild Protective League had spearheaded opposition to the inn’s cocktail bar.
60 years ago - 1964
The Chamber of Commerce was making final preparations for an “old-fashioned pit barbecue” at the Town Hall campfire site. Tickets were $2.50 for adults and $1 for kids under 12.
Past Tense creature corner
Last week in Days of Our Nine Lives, the ARF cats talked about walking dogs in hot weather..
Smokey: Boy, is it toasty outside or what?
Pepper: It truly is. Our weather is screaming summer.
Stretch: With such sweaty weather, folks might be more apt to stay at home.
Whiskey: True. Makes me wonder how many humans want to stay home alone.
Eeyore: They don’t need to! They may find a full time companion right here at ARF.
55 years ago - 1969
Wearing a “Try Harder, Charlie Brown” sweatshirt, Paul McNally, 4, of Glendale was found unharmed by Riverside Mountain Rescue Unit searchers after being lost near Stone Creek for nine hours. The rescue was just one of three RMRU searchers made within a 23-hour period.
50 years ago - 1974
Idyllwild’s Soroptimist Club celebrated its first birthday.
45 years ago - 1979
Summer jobs for economically disadvantaged youth ages 14 to 18 were being offered at the county parks, Idyllwild Park Visitor Center, Town Hall and Anza Co-op. Pay was $2.90 an hour.
40 years ago - 1984 The Hemet Unified
Henri: Right! You cats are such good company, and we dogs, staying at Living Free, are as well.
Stretch: I hope some loving families come to meet us.
Pepper: Even a single person who needs company is so very welcome.
Whiskey: If I had a loving forever home, I wouldn’t need a walk in this hot weather. Just being with a human companion would make me so happy.
Eeyore: It would also make your companion happy, too! I know if I had a home, I would be such good company.
Smokey: I would, too! I would listen to the person’s concerns and be there to comfort him.
Eeyore: All of us are such good listeners. We never talk back, contradict, or roll our eyes!
Harley: Right Eeyore! We are the perfect listeners.
Henri: If a person would only give us a chance. They would see how we transform a house into a home.
Stretch: And we do it all because we are grateful to have a place to call home.
Creature Corner is looking for sponsors! If you’d like to be a sponsor, please contact ARF. Be sure to keep up with the animal antics of Days of our Nine Lives each week. And please stop in to say hello to the entire adoptable cast at the ARF House, 26890 Hwy 243. ARF is open Saturdays 10-3, Sundays 10-2, and during the week by appointment. Please call 951-659-1122.
School District was moving forward on studies for a secondary school at the Jim Burn site in Garner Valley, but the plans were not without opposition.
35 years ago - 1989
About 800 people attended the Patriots Feast picnic and concert at the Robert E. Holmes Amphitheatre at ISOMATA. The concert was performed by the Idyllwild Master Chorale.
30 years ago - 1994
The Town Crier was purchased by Tindle Newspapers Ltd., an English company that owned about 70 newspapers in the United Kingdom. 15 years ago - 1999 History came alive at Idyllwild’s fourth-annual Historical Encampment held at Idyllwild Pines Camp. The five-day
event featured re-enactments of Revolutionary and Civil War battles.
20 years ago - 2004
The Forest Service’s firefighting team on the Hill got bigger and faster with the addition of a Bell 407 helicopter stationed at Keenwild Guard Station in Mountain Center.
15 years ago - 2009
A major district-wide reduction would eliminate funding for middle-school sports for the coming school year. Saving $60,000, money for coaches, referees and travel had been completely cut.
10 year ago - 2014
After 67 years, Riverside County shut down it’s youth rehabilitation program at Twin Pines Ranch.
5 year ago - 2019 The Diamonds to open Summer Concert Series.
1 year ago - 2023 AAI board choses new president, Haleigh Lavy
Kitten a Kitten b
Geri Peterson of Idyllwild, the Southern California 2007 women’s billiard champion, in Atlanta with Alice Rim, a touring pro with the Women’s Professional Billiard Association. FILE PHOTO
The Lil Critters Preschool 28th Annual Graduation Show’s theme this year was “ A Royal Party”. The children performed/ danced to four songs, and then the 3 and 4 year olds did the traditional sign language to “ Greatest Love of All” Lil Critters Preschool photo left to right: Dottie Danborn, Henri Garcia Maisie Victor, Aesop Iyaman Khyana Panchel Lucas Martinez Juniper Aramburo, Pre-K Graduate Liam Gillott June Hilgris Peter Campolong, Faye Barats. Teachers: Aly Fogle-Tackett, Kathy Lewis, Sky Lewis holding Scarlett Norman PHOTO BY FRANCESCA BROWN
