Idyllwild
Rotary Club planning 59th Annual 4th of July Parade, reminds locals and vistiors of road closures
By David Jerome Correspondent
From the Idyllwild Rotary Club website:
The Rotary Club of Idyllwild is inviting all to Idyllwild’s 59th Annual 4th of July Parade, “an event that brings our community together in celebration of independence, unity, and small-town pride. It will be a morning filled with festive sights, familiar faces, and unforgettable moments as we honor the spirit of this great nation.”
The parade starts at 10 a.m. on Friday July 4th. The route starts at Fern Valley Corners, the intersection of North Circle, South Circle and Pine Crest Ave, and will end at the center of town, Idyllwild Park.
Be aware that road closures will be in effect from 9:00 a.m. to noon along the parade route, North Circle, and adjoining streets. “Please plan ahead and thank you for your patience as we celebrate together!”
The parade promises “the usual mix of creative floats, lively marching bands, and dedicated community service organizations.” This year’s Grand Marshalls will be Shane and Ashley Stewart, “in honor of their contributions to our town.”
Those interested in volunteering to help with managing the crowd, directing traffic, and making the experience the best it can be for all involved, may reach out to the Idyllwild Rotary Club at: https://idyllwildrotary.com/4th-of-july-parade
By David Jerome Correspondent
(Editors note: the following is the text of Idyllwild Community Center President Stephanie Yost’s remarks at the dedication ceremony for the new Community Center. The introductions of other speakers (Supervisors Chuck Washington and V Manuel Perez, and David Butterfield) have been removed, but the rest of the speech is published here because it tells the entire story of the Center from genesis to completion and acknowledges the many who helped along the way.)
As many of you know, the impetus for this day goes back more than 20 years. I thought about entitling today’s remarks after the Beatles’ song, “The Long and Winding Road.” But instead, I decided the ancient proverb, “It Takes a Village” is far more apt, as you will soon hear. While we have not raised a child as the proverb suggests, it has taken the efforts of a large community of individuals to bring this project to life, and we know it will be a tremendous asset to the mountain communities for many decades into the future.
To begin, I’d like to introduce a few special guests…first we have Third District Supervisor Chuck Washington and several of his staff, as well as our own mountain communities Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez and his staff. Additionally, we have Anna Varona-Doromel, Supervising Development Specialist with Community and Housing Development for Riverside County Housing and Workforce Solutions—(who’s been ICC’s HUD “den mother” throughout this project).
And of course, I want to welcome Loie and Dave Butterfield, without whom we would not be here today.
Additionally, I’d like to ask all current and former ICC and ICRC board members, advisors, and volunteers, including my husband Steve Olson (who has provided hundreds of hours of free labor and free accounting services to ICC for the past 6 years) to please stand. Please know I am grateful to have you all here today and I thank you for your contributions to ICC, this project, and our community. I’d first like to extend a special welcome/thank you to Emily Roossien, widow of one of the early project founders and architects, the late Robert Priefer. Other important individuals who have contrib-
uted to this project over the years include Kate and Vic Sirkin, Dawn Sonnier, Marge Muir, Chris Trout, Jim Marsh, Lee Arson, former ICC President (and my predecessor) Janice Lyle, Chris Singer Perreault and Steve Perreault, as well as Suzy and Pete Capparelli, long-time advisors to ICC’s current Board of Directors, who have been involved with this project consistently in a variety of ways since the very beginning While I have tried to gather all the names of those involved in this project before I joined ICC, I ask forgiveness and wish to equally acknowledge those individuals I may have missed and those contributors of time and money who have wished to remain anonymous.
Now, for those of you less familiar with this project’s long history, I’d like to give you a bit of a recap. As you will hear, it truly has taken a village to get us to here today.
The first step toward creating a community recreation center began in the late 1990s, when Pete Capparelli filed the original Articles of Incorporation for the non-profit San Jacinto Mountain Community Center on July 26, 1999. He and others, including Robert Priefer, dreamed of such a facility, and put a referendum to fund it on the ballot. Sadly, the measure failed by just a few votes.
Fast forward a few years; in response to the Butterfields asking what our community needed, Robert Priefer suggested the community center project. In 2006, the Butterfields purchased about 7 acres of land for $1.6 million, and in 2009, they donated 5.4 acres of that land for the project that now includes the new building, the Idyllwild Community Playground, and the Butterfield Amphitheater.
Soon thereafter, in 2010, an outdoor exercise course with built, and in 2012, the community came together under the driving force of Dawn Sonnier to build the Idyllwild Community Playground as a hands-on community project.
From 2013 to 2017, ICC conducted the “I’m Helping” fundraising flag campaign to raise funds for the new building, and in 2017 ICC applied for and received a $1.3 million Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant that was intended to partially fund the building project. ICC was supposed to raise several million additional grant dollars by the end of 2019 to build
See Yost Remarks, page A3
Guests applaud the many who worked to make the Idyllwild Community Center a reality
PHOTO BY DAVID JEROME
Modern Gentlemen to headline first night of free Summer Concerts
IWD approaches groundbreaking on Strawberry Creek Diversion project
By David Jerome Correspondent
(Editor’s note: The June meeting of the Board of Idyllwild Water District included passage of a resolution to bring the District’s policies into compliance with new mandates from the state. That is treated in a separate story on page A5. Both these stories were prepared from the recording of the meeting.)
IWD’s June meeting was conducted by President Charles Schelly, who had expected to be on vacation, but was leaving a day later. Director Wendy Harsha was absent, but Schelly was joined by Vice President Jessica Priefer, and directors Steve Olson and Mitch Davis.
General Manger Bill Rojas reported a low water loss figure of 5%. As we enter the summer, the GM’s report showed average production at just under 200 gallons per minute, 49% of their calculated maximum. The District remains at Water Conservation Stage I, the lowest stage, voluntary compliance.
The largest project scheduled for this summer is the replacement of the Strawberry Creek Diversion. Rojas said the contractor, ELCO, plans to move their equipment to the job site on Monday, June 30, and ERSC will be re-staking the easement and pipeline pathway, and will “facilitate” a bird nesting survey required by CEQA.
This led director Olson to ask if the discovery of nesting birds would delay the project, and Rojas answered that it would. Olson suggested a preliminary inspection before ECLO has to move their equipment. Rojas said that on June 23 there would be a walk-through of the site with ELCO, and they would look for nests. CFO Hosny Shouman and Olson noted the need for a specialist for a meaningful inspection.
Rojas told the board he is doing preliminary work to get a new Median Household Income (MHI) study
that might help secure funding for the Wastewater Treatment Plant renovation project. The first study counted residents of all three local water districts, while the new one would include only IWD sewer customers. Rojas said he submitted a letter to the state on the 11th, explaining why a new study was needed. The state must give approval before the new study can commence.
In addition to leak repairs on Jepson Corner and Inspiration Lane, two wells were repaired, a pump replacement—under warranty—and a well-head assembly replacement, both done by Wicker Wells.
Aeration prevention devices were installed on three wells, including well 24, to address cloudy or milky water consumers see when that well is put online.
Rojas noted that 35 meter registers, all under warranty, had been replaced. Director Preifer, who is an employee of Fern Valley Water District, asked about this, noting that FVWD had also had trouble with wireless meter reading. Rojas said that deeper meters, in double boxes, have difficulty transmitting signals, and that he has ordered load-bearing lids with built in antennas to “see if that helps.”
Director Mitch Davis asked about the failure rate of these meter registers, and CFO Shouman said that 90 out of 1,700 had failed, about 5%. Rojas said he would like to be in the range of 20-30. Rojas also pointed to deep meter boxes with poor drainage that are submerged in wet weather, “it’s going to kill the battery.”
The longest discussion of the night focused on a Resolution to bring the District into compliance with state-mandated cross-connection and back flow prevention reporting requirements. The board approved the resolution(see item page x.)
The next meeting is scheduled for July 16.
FVWD approves $1.9 million budget for FY 25-26
By JP Crumrine. Correspondent
The June 19 meeting of the Fern Valley Water District Board of Directors was the usual succinct and productive session. The Board approved the District’s budget for the fiscal year 2025-26, which starts July 1, and several accompanying financial resolutions.
The approved budget total is $1.9 million, about $300,000 or 17 percent less than the final FY 24-25 total budget. The Board anticipates, with no changes, that the FY 25-26 revenue will exceed costs by about $20,000. This will leave reserves at $1.2 million.
Operating expenses are the greatest portion of the proposed budget. The largest portion of the operating budget is employee salaries and benefits. These represent 70 percent of the total. Because the District made a payment of more than $500,000 to the California Employers’ Pension Plan Trust Fund earlier this year to reduce long-term liabilities, another large payment will not be needed. As a result, the estimated operating costs are nearly $400,000 less than the current fiscal year.
The capital budget of $465,000 is $10,000 greater than the current year. No major pipeline projects are planned for FY 25-26. But two projects – a repeater for the radio system and maintenance on a storage container—were shifted from last year to the new year. The largest project is the completion of the office renovation, whose estimated cost is $140,000.
The new budget and the resolutions, e.g., establishing the appropriations limit and setting the assessment charges for FY 25-26, were all approved unanimously, 3-0. Director Jon Brown was absent and there is a Board seat vacant.
The Board also discussed shifting additional funds from its California Employers’ Pension Plan Trust, which total more than $500,000, to its actual retirement funds. This would occur later in the fiscal year, possibly in the second half. The Board transferred some funds this year, too. This action would result in a significant reduction in interest charges since the future retirement liability is lowered.
General Manager Victor Jimenez told the Board that he is continuing the preparation of a rate study for later this year.
In his General Manager’s Report, Jimenez shared that water production is slightly greater than the year before. More surprising, Jimenez noted was “. . . the creeks are still producing water with just a little bit of snow this year.”
In May, stream flow was the source of nearly 86 percent of the District’s water supply compared to 75
Life Tribute: Bruce Anthony Kintz
1943 - 2024
Bruce Anthony Kintz, beloved father, grandfather, spiritual seeker, craftsman, and adventurer, passed away peacefully on May 5, 2024. Born July 2, 1943, in California, Bruce lived a life rooted in joy, devotion, and service.
He was shaped by love—for family, for nature, for God, and for the connections that bring life meaning. He shared his life with Maureen, Joan, Mahri, and later Corinn, embracing their families as his own.
Bruce was the devoted father of nine children and grandfather to many. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gwen and Clyde, and is lovingly remembered by his brother Steve and extended family.
A gifted builder, Bruce ran his own construction business with integrity. His homes were crafted with care, humor, and intention.
A follower of Sathya Sai Baba, Bruce traveled to India and led local devotional groups. His life was marked by service and a deep desire to uplift others. An outdoorsman and spiritual seeker, he embraced vitality, wonder, and joy.
percent in 2024.
The Board vacancy was also discussed. Assistant General Manager Jessica Priefer told the Board that the County’s Registrar of Voters officially informed her that the August mail-in election will not include FVWD. There were only two candidates, Directors Dan DeVoy and Brown, who submitted the necessary paperwork.
Since former Director Bob Krieger resigned at the May meeting, his seat may be filled temporarily by an appointment. The Board plans to announce this and request any interested candidate submit an application to the District by July 10.
This will enable the Board to fill the vacant at its July meeting, scheduled for Thursday, July 17.
DUI suspected in crash near Alandale Fire Station
By David Jerome Correspondent
A single vehicle crash occurred near the Alandale Fire Station on Thursday, June 19 at 6:45 p.m.
Officer Johnathon Torres of the CHP provided these details: The accident happened on Highway 243 north of Round Robin Dr when a Toyota 4Runner driven by a 45-year-
old male from Idyllwild struck an embankment and overturned. The crash resulted in minor injuries to the driver and a passenger, and both were transported to Desert Regional for treatment. The driver was later determined to be under the influence and placed under arrest.
A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, June 29, 2024, at 3 PM at Unity of Santa Barbara, 227 E. Arrellaga St. All are welcome. RSVP to Tara Kintz at (517) 3043715.
the originally designed 8,000-square-foot, two-story community center building.
When I joined ICC’s Board in January 2019, Phase 1 of the multi-phase construction project, which included the amphitheater and the infrastructure (parking, drainage, environmental and other studies, etc.) needed before Phase 2 (the building construction) was well underway. Phase 1 of the project was to be completed by the end of April 2019.
That is, until the Valentine’s Day flood occurred and washed away many months of construction work.
With extra effort and additional donations from the Butterfields, Phase 1 was completed and the Butterfield Amphitheater and parking areas opened on July 11, 2019, with the first Summer Concert of the season.
By winter of 2020, however, ICC had not received the hoped-for grant funds. Additionally, Loie and Dave Butterfield and Tom Hawthorne had purchased, and were in the process of extensively renovating, Idyllwild’s historic Town Hall, which was slated to be donated to ICC to operate for the benefit of the community.
With these facts in mind, I asked ICC’s Board of Directors to reconsider the scope of the original project, and with the input of various individuals and support of Riverside County, it was decided that ICC would proceed with a much scaled-down building that would be paid for entirely with the existing grant funds and donations, and be much more cost-effective for ICC to operate and maintain.
During the spring and summer of 2020, ICC used community donations and a portion of the grant funds to build the Amphitheater perimeter fence, add 10 more rows of seating, the sound mixing platform, and finish the “green room” backstage area and restrooms for the Butterfield Amphitheater. Additionally, ICC used community donations to hire local architect, Erik Marcussen of Ground Floor Design, to design the new single-story building. Erik, I’d be grateful if you would please stand. Your building design is beautiful.
Although COVID definitely slowed down the county Planning Department’s review of the new building plans, eventually they were approved in spring of 2022 and the HUD-mandated bidding process implemented, with LM Rasmussen Construction of Alpine, California providing the winning bid.
The one new wrinkle in this plan was that since winter 2020, construction costs had dramatically increased so now ICC was short about $400,000 just to complete construction of the basic building shell (that is, excluding the large back deck, indoor kitchen, and all of the interior finishings). In 2022, Supervisor Chuck Washington came to our community’s rescue by providing these essential additional funds, allowing ICC to break ground on the project in August 2022.
Fast forward past 2023’s “snow-maggedon” and a wet 2024 winter to 2025, with the basic building shell construction finished at the end of this past March. Unfortunately, however, by this time building costs had increased even further, so yet again ICC was faced with a lack of funding to complete the project.
Generous donors, including the Butterfields, Mahir and Anu Worah, Carl and Diane Cardinelli, Bill and Robin Rhoads, Sharon Jablon, Marianne and Jerry Corey, Linda Ryder, Babz and David Cutter, and several others who insisted they remain anonymous, stepped in to help fund the project’s completion. Likewise, Idyllwild’s former District 3 Supervisor Chuck Washington again stepped in, as has our current District 4 Supervisor V. Manuel Perez. Without these additional donations from private and public sources this project would not be complete today.
Over the past few months, local general contractor Shane Stewart and his crew have worked diligently to build the large back deck, the indoor kitchen, and all of the building’s interior finishings, as well as complete the outdoor restrooms and do additional maintenance work on the property grounds at the amphitheater and playground. In this regard, I would like to acknowledge that Shane and Ashley Stewart are also significant financial contributors, as all of this finishing work was provided to the community at a substantial discount.
Moving forward, once the building is furnished and the kitchen outfitted, ICC will hold some of its programs and rentals here, while keeping childcare and some other programs and rentals at Town Hall. I am also in the planning stages of a partnership with the Idyllwild senior van transportation service Forest Folk to start a new program so that ICC can offer a regularly scheduled pop-up “senior center day” (maybe one or two days per month or even one day per week) to provide opportunities for social interaction for our senior community at our new building.
Well, so maybe that wasn’t such a quick history lesson. But as you heard, it has taken a village to get us to where we are now, and I believe it provides an important lesson for our community: when people set aside their personal differences and choose to work together for the betterment of everyone, amazing things can—and will—be accomplished. It’s certainly why I’m proud to be part of ICC, and an Idyllwild resident.
With regard to the features of the new building, its design has been a product of cooperation and transition. It has a a great room, catering kitchen, open indoor and deck spaces, office space, storage, and public indoor and outdoor restrooms, while also supporting the nearby Butterfield Amphitheater with an ancillary ticket office.
The new building is intended to be a contemporary, yet timeless, expression of mountain architecture. Exterior materials were inspired by those of the renovated Town Hall, with the river rock veneer as a nod to nearby Strawberry Creek, while the open and inviting interior, accented by the vaulted tongue-in-groove ceiling, reflects its alpine character. The back deck adds additional space overlooking the amphitheater. The focus of the project design was to enhance the utility of Town Hall and the amphitheater, while reaffirming Idyllwild’s evolving community and status as a world class visitor destination. I’d say we, together, have certainly accomplished these goals!
New Community Center Dedication honors the many who worked and gave
By David Jerome Correspondent
It was standing room only at the dedication of the new Idyllwild Community Center on Friday, June 20. In addition to over a hundred guests including many who have taken part in the project since its inception 15 years ago, Idyllwild Fire Protection District, the USFS, and Riverside Sheriff’s Office were all there in force.
ICC president Stephanie Yost gave a speech which is presented above, and the crowd also heard from County Supervisors Chuck Washington and V Manuel Perez, and David Butterfield, who donated the land on which the Center, the playground, and the Amphitheater were all built.
An honor guard from the American Legion performed a presentation of colors before the pledge of allegiance.
Yost’s speech is presented above in near entirety because it tells the long history of the center and includes acknowledgements of the many who helped along the way.
David Butterfield spoke of his time in the community and his interest in and outreach to the business community. He spoke of buying a house here in 1995 and hiring one of the first people he met here, Robert Priefer, to improve the property. He began to discuss with Priefer the possibilities, and needs of the town, and became interested in the vacant property on the present site, right at the entry of town, and seemingly neglected.
He heard that there was a proposal to build condos there, and thought that if that happened, the land would be lost to the community. “What if we bought the land and donated 5 acres to the community?” Butterfield told of Pete Capparelli beginning an email chain with 24 people, and how Capparelli and Vic Serkin began to do the things that needed to be done once the land was purchased, including adjusting lot lines and clearing the land. All this took three years.
Butterfield also had to solve the problem of donating land to a community without a government or an organization like a Chamber of Commerce. Capparelli had filed articles of incorporation for a nonprofit called the San Jacinto Mountain Community Center, and it would serve as a steward for the land. Early improvements included the purchase of more land to allow parking and access from Village Center Drive.
Butterfield recalled telling Priefer that he “never wanted to be a landlord,” but took on that role also. He was unsure what to do with the building on the south side of Strawberry Creek Plaza. He knew that it had housed both a bar and a church. It was his wife Loie, he said, who decided that “Idyllwild needs a brewery.” Chuck Washington, who was our supervisor be-
fore redistricting, spoke of how he and his wife Cathy, newlyweds in 1974, took the bus daily from their home in Pasadena to their work in Los Angeles. They decided they needed a car and bought a Chevy Luv. Cathy began to think of places they could go on weekends, and soon they had bought sleeping bags and other camping equipment. One of their early trips was to Lake Hemet. They rolled their sleeping bags out on the ground but were told they would need a tent or trailer. They followed a suggestion to look for a tent in Idyllwild. At the hardware store they bought some plastic tubing and rope and rigged this up between trees to create a framework that was apparently acceptable as a tent. Washington described that weekend as “the best Saturday/ Sunday ever” and recalls catching many (tiny) catfish. He said it was emotional now to come back “full circle” and support the community he had come to love so long ago. He noted that although his district has over a million people in it, he wished he could spend all his time in Idyllwild. He also recalled visits to the Jazz Festival, art shows, and the Tree Lighting. He acknowledged others within the county government who helped with “creative economic thinking” to “funnel the money when we could” to the project. “It’s our role to get the community to where it wants to be, and to thrive.”
V Manuel Perez, our present County Supervisor, spoke of growing up in the Coachella Valley, the son of immigrant farm workers. His family, including grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, would visit Hurkey Creek Campground every summer, and come to Idyllwild to shop. Those vacations, he said “were not luxurious, but they were luxurious for us.” He admitted to occasionally skipping class in high school and ending up in Idyllwild with his friends.
His family, he said, still comes to Hurkey Creek, noting that his oldest son Reuben’s birthday is in August, and they have always celebrated it in the cool of the mountains.
Like Chuck Washington, Perez said his attachment to Idyllwild began as a retreat from the city and shapes his pride in now representing the area.
Perez pointed to Idyllwild’s sense of community as something “other places envy.” This community, he said, is “defined by its people, willing to come together, work, cooperate, collaborate, figure it out. There is struggle, but at the end of the day there is purpose, a mission. That is what we have here.”
After the speeches, the Rotary Club performed a ribbon cutting. Then the doors were opened, and the crowd filled the great room and the deck, enjoying snacks and conversation in the space that took so much from so many to complete, and should serve as the setting for many future events.
Cutting the ribbon at the Grand Opening: ICC Treasurer Terry Shirley, District 4 Supervisor V Manuel Perez
District 3 Supervisor Chuck Washington, ICC President Stephanie Yost, David Butterfield, Pete Capparelli
PHOTO BY DAVID JEROME
ICC donor David Butterfield flanked by Riverside County Supervisors Chuck Washington and V Manuel Perez and the County’s Proclamation honoring the Grand Opening of the new Community Center
PHOTO BY JIM CRANDALL
“ASK SPIRITUAL WORKOUT”
By Steven Morrison, M.A.
• Editor’s Note: Spiritual Workout is a practice of these 15 concepts: Be Compassionate • Beliefs Matter • Be Present • Choices Abound • Everything Is Energy • Have an Attitude of Gratitude • Intentions Matter • Judgments Separate Us • Listen to Inspiration • Mind & Body Are Connected • Take Responsibility • The Law of Attraction 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.
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Dear Spiritual Workout:
I’m at a point in my life where I really want to make some improvements. I’ve had spotty, uneven experiences in therapy before and don’t think that’s where I’m going to find what I’m looking for even though I don’t really know what I’m looking for. I know enough to know I need some guidance and direction, but I’m pretty confused about where to even begin. Spiritual Workout is brand new to me and I’m wondering if it would be right for me for making the improvements I want to make.
Dear Reader:
The answer to that question is a resounding “maybe,” based on what resonates with you, of course. If we were talking in person, I’d want to learn from you, straight up, what “improvements” mean. What has worked/is working in your life? What isn’t? What might you want to be/do/have/experience? These would be the makings of some intentions, engaging the law of attraction in a conscious manner, which would then point to what steps to take to cultivate those desires. It’s possible you don’t have a sense of what improvements” might be and, if that were the case, SW could definitely help you suss that out. Indeed, the whole idea of “improvements” is what we regularly address.
•
Dear Reader
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Senate Committee wants to offer public land for housing
By JP Crumrine Correspondent
As part of the U.S. Senate’s efforts to ensure passage of President Donald Trump’s “One Big, Beautiful Bill”, the tax and spending legislation, the Senate’s oversight committees are drafting legislation to reduce federal costs or augment federal revenue.
The Senate’s Energy and Natural Resources Committee has proposed legislation to sell federal lands to generate revenue.
Besides more oil and gas leasing, geothermal leasing and expanding timber harvests on federal lands, the Committee is proposing to sell acreage for public housing. The bill is still in the committee.
It proposes to offer land from the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service to improve housing shortages, particularly in the west. In total, the two agencies have nearly 440 million acres. The bill proposes that a minimum of 0.5 % up to 0.75 % of this acreage could be sold for public housing projects. That is a total of 2.2 million to 3.3 million acres.
The Committee statement emphasized that neither National Parks nor National Monuments are part of the proposal.
The acreage can be sold via competitive sales, auction, or other methods that must ensure fair market value is received.
Among the priorities for disposing of these federal lands, another section includes the following: adjacent to existing developed areas; have access to existing infrastructure; and are suitable for residential housing.
The land which is sold “. . . shall be used solely for the development of housing or to address associated community needs” according to another section.
According to the Committee, BLM and the USFS have about 2 million acres within a mile of a population center.
A similar proposal to sale public lands, but limited to 440,000 acres in Montana, was removed from the U.S. House of Representatives bill last month. The State’s Congressman Ryan Zinke, former Secretary of the Interior, strongly opposed the idea and had it removed from the House version.
“This was my San Juan Hill; I do not support the widespread sale or transfer of public lands. Once the land is sold, we will never get it back. God isn’t creating more land,” said Zinke in a press release announcing the removal of the section from the draft bill. “Public access, sportsmanship, grazing, tourism… our entire Montanan way of life is connected to our public lands. I don’t yield to pressure; I only yield to higher principles. There is a process to making sure that our lands are be-
SOURCE: HTTPS://WILDERNESS.MAPS.ARCGIS.COM/APPS/INSTANT/BASIC/INDEX. HTML?APPID=821970F0212D46D7AA854718AAC42310
ing used for the best benefit of the people.”
Although Sen. Mike Lee (R Utah) and chair of the SENR Committee said, “We’re . . . turning federal liabilities into taxpayer value, while making housing more affordable for hardworking American families.”
His Senate colleague, Marin Heinrich (D NM), ranking member of the Committee, was strongly opposed to the proposal and called it “. . . a sledgehammer to our national public lands. . . This isn’t about building more housing or energy dominance.”
Obviously, conservation groups are not supportive of the proposal.
The Wilderness Society had a list of issues which it felt should stop the proposal’s approval. Among these, the Society wrote, “The public lands sell-off provision masquerades as a way to provide more housing, but it lacks safeguards to ensure land is used for that purpose with no mechanism to enforce covenants and the Secretary having broad discretion to decide what constitutes housing or ‘infrastructure to support local housing need’”.
“This is a shameless ploy to sell off pristine public lands for trophy homes and gated communities that will do nothing to address the affordable housing shortage in the West,” said Jennifer Rokala, executive director for the Center for Western Priorities, in her statement.
The Committee report did state that whoever purchases land under this provision “. . . must use it for housing or community development needs.”
Of the four Southern California National Forests –Angeles, Cleveland, Los Padres, and San Bernardino –the Angeles is closest to Los Angeles. Idyllwild is in the SBNF, but this area is more than five miles from the closest population centers, such as Hemet or Palm Springs.
A map of the areas which may be eligible for sell can be seen on the Wilderness Society website (https://wilderness.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/basic/index. html?appid=821970f0212d46d7aa854718aac42310).
Trump has authority to revoke national monuments
By JP Crumrine Correspondent
Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Justice released an opinion regarding the President’s authority to resize national monuments.
On Jan. 7, former President Joe Biden established two new national monuments in California, using his authority under the Antiquities Act. The Chuckwalla National Monument is in Riverside County just south of the Joshua Tree National Park. The Sáttítla Highlands National Monument is in northern California near the border with Oregon.
Two months later, in March, there was indication that President Donald Trump would like to rescind this action.
Later this spring, the U.S. Department of Justice was asked to consider whether a President could revoke the establishment of a national monument under the authorities of the Antiquities Act of 1906.
The conclusion of Lanora C. Pettit, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legal Counsel, was “the Antiquities Act permits the President to alter a prior declaration of a national monument, including by finding that the ‘landmarks,’ ‘structures,’ or ‘objects’ identified in the prior declaration either never were or no longer are deserving of the Act’s protections.”
This opinion overturns the Justice Department’s
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prior opinion issued in 1938. Pettit wrote that it was wrong and “. . . it can no longer be relied upon.”
There are 138 National Monuments. Since the passage of the Antiquities Act, 18 Presidents – Democratic and Republican – have relied on the law to establish monuments in order to protect valuable historic and natural resources. Examples include Teddy Roosevelt’s creating the Grand Canyon National Park in 1908. Other include Muir Woods and the Statue of Liberty.
While Trump has taken no action yet, to abolish either Chuckwalla or Sáttítla monuments or any other, he now has a legal opinion justifying this action.
California’ Senators did not receive this news well.
“The Trump Administration is seeking to rewrite the Antiquities Act without the approval of Congress and erase all precedent prohibiting the elimination of lands designated as a national monument. And, continuing his assault on the Golden State, the president seems to have at least two California treasures in mind: Chuckwalla and Sáttítla National Monuments,” said Sen. Adam Schiff in his press release.
Sen. Alex Padilla spoke to Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum at a June 11 Senate Energy and Natural resources Committee hearing.
“This is a dangerous opinion that flies in the face
See National Monument, page A6
IWD board passes resolution to comply with future state cross connection and back flow requirements
By David Jerome Correspondent
The main item on the agenda for IWD’s June 18 meeting was resolution 807, “Authorizing Compliance with State-Mandated Cross Connection Control and Back Flow Prevention Reporting Requirements.” The new requirements are laid out in a handbook adopted July 1 of last year.
Cross connections occur anywhere a public potable water system has the potential to cross paths with another source, or a system for non-potable water, like the fire sprinklers required in new construction. Backflow occurs if the pressure in such a source exceeds the distribution system’s pressure, pulling water back into the public pipes.
The resolution is not detailed; instead it authorizes the GM to “implement all necessary actions to comply” with the state’s new requirements. Director Mitch Davis, who told the board last month that he himself has the certification to perform the necessary tests, thought the resolution was too vague. “It doesn’t seem like it is specific enough, we don’t have a list of what devices are to be used, and where…
General Manager Bill Rojas answered that this was a new mandate, and that lists of approved devices would be upcoming. “They are working on an exten-
Sheriff’s log
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Hemet Station responded to the following calls
=== IDYLLWILD ===
-- Thursday June 19, 2025 -20:36:00 – PUBLIC DISTURBANCE – 2600 *** BLOCK DELANO DR
14:44:00 – ANIMAL ABUSE –5400 *** BLOCK NORTH CIRCLE DR
10:19:00 – ILLEGAL DUMPING –5400 *** BLOCK WILDWOOD DR
08:32:00 – 911 HANGUP FROM CELLPHONE – 5500 *** BLOCK
DICKENSON RD
-- Friday June 20, 2025 -22:28:00 – DANGER TO SELF/ OTHER – 5400 *** BLOCK SOUTH CIRCLE DR
19:03:00 – ASSIST OTHER DEPARTMENT – ADDRESS UNDEFINED
12:00:00 – GRAND THEFT – 2600 *** BLOCK DELANO DR
05:07:00 – ALARM CALL – 2600 *** BLOCK BOULDER DR
00:24:00 – PUBLIC DISTURBANCE – 2600 *** BLOCK SADDLE DR -- Saturday June 21, 2025 --
09:21:00 – ALARM CALL – 5400 *** BLOCK MARANATHA DR
-- Sunday June 22, 2025 -12:28:00 – SUSPICIOUS PERSON – 5300 *** BLOCK TOLL GATE RD
-- Monday June 23, 2025 --
20:15:00 – ASSIST OTHER DEPARTMENT – 5400 *** BLOCK SOUTH CIRCLE DR 20:11:00 – MISSING CHILD – ADDRESS WITHHELD 16:04:00 – UNKNOWN TROUBLE – ADDRESS UNDEFINED
-- Tuesday June 24, 2025 -05:00:00 – PUBLIC DISTURBANCE – 5300 *** BLOCK TOLL GATE RD
00:40:00 – ALARM CALL – 5400 *** BLOCK TAHQUITZ VIEW DR === PINE COVE ===
-- Wednesday June 18, 2025 -12:41:00 – ALARM CALL – 2300 *** BLOCK ST HWY 243
-- Thursday June 19, 2025 -13:44:00 – ALARM CALL – 5200 *** BLOCK PINE COVE RD
08:30:00 – 911 HANGUP FROM CELLPHONE – 2400 *** BLOCK ROCKY POINT RD
-- Friday June 20, 2025 -19:32:00 – AREA CHECK – 5200 *** BLOCK PINE COVE RD
sion for cities and districts, that has not been announced yet. We still have to do the hazard assessment that is going to dictate what is needed.”
Davis had a number of questions about specific devices that Rojas said were not in use in IWD. Board President Charles Schelly pointed to the first lines of the resolution, that direct the GM to implement all necessary actions. “We don’t know what is going to happen next year or the year after. If we say we are going to comply with the state’s requirements we should be OK.” Rojas added that the policy will evolve as details come out. He also said that “The guys that were helping us out (with the new policy) are inundated with phone calls from everybody trying to get in compliance with this. This is going to be evolving so we are continuing to be in compliance with the state. This is just to get us started so they can get our plan submitted to the state by the first.”
Part of the District’s compliance plan is for Chief Water Operator Brian Wilson to complete training and testing to be certified to test and repair back flow prevention devices. He is expected to take the test on July 14. Rojas said that if Wilson passes, he will be able to purchase the equipment he needs for testing on the same day. Rojas called the test “stringent,” and Davis said the pass rate was “atrocious.” There are two written tests and a practical exam on two different devices,
-- Tuesday June 24, 2025 -15:51:00 – ALARM CALL – 5300 *** BLOCK CEDAR CREST DR === POPPET FLATS ===
-- Wednesday June 18, 2025 -17:46:00 – ASSIST OTHER DEPARTMENT – 4900 *** BLOCK ORCHARD RD 02:26:00 – NARCOTICS – 2200 *** BLOCK LAKE PARK DR
-- Thursday June 19, 2025 -15:05:00 – CHECK THE WELFARE – 4500 *** BLOCK LYNX ST
-- Friday June 20, 2025 -10:26:00 – DANGER TO SELF/ OTHER – ADDRESS UNDEFINED
=== SAN BERDO NAT FORS ===
-- Sunday June 15, 2025 -16:26:00 – CHECK THE WELFARE – ADDRESS UNDEFINED 08:41:00 – FOLLOW-UP – ADDRESS WITHHELD
-- Monday June 16, 2025 -22:05:00 – SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCE – 3800 *** BLOCK WESTERN HILLS RD
11:39:00 – SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCE – 5600 *** BLOCK E ST HWY 74
-- Tuesday June 17, 2025 -09:02:00 – PUBLIC ASSIST –
2400 *** BLOCK PINE COVE RD
07:46:00 – FOLLOW-UP – ADDRESS WITHHELD
00:26:00 – AREA CHECK – 3800 *** BLOCK WESTERN HILLS RD
-- Thursday June 19, 2025 -23:55:00 – INCORRIGABLE MINOR – ADDRESS WITHHELD
18:49:00 – ASSIST OTHER DEPARTMENT – 2100 *** BLOCK ST HWY 243
04:22:00 – SUSPICIOUS PERSON – 4900 *** BLOCK E ST HWY 74
-- Friday June 20, 2025 -12:25:00 – INCORRIGABLE MINOR – ADDRESS WITHHELD
-- Saturday June 21, 2025 -15:52:00 – 911 CALL FROM BUSINESS – 5600 *** BLOCK E ST HWY 74
-- Sunday June 22, 2025 -09:28:00 – BATTERY – 5600 *** BLOCK E ST HWY 74 === TWIN PINES === -- Sunday June 22, 2025 -08:40:00 – ALARM CALL – 4700 *** BLOCK WOODCLIFF DR
-- Tuesday June 24, 2025 -14:57:00 – CHECK THE WELFARE – 4700 *** BLOCK TWIN PINES RD
and candidates are not allowed to bring any notes.
In a phone call after the meeting, Rojas answered a few questions about how the new regulations will affect IWD customers. He said he believes that most customers will not have to purchase and install additional hardware. David referred to this, saying that single family homes are a kind of “sacred cow,” and usually exempt. The main area of interest will be fire sprinklers, and Rojas said that, since the state mandated that new construction include these, (in 2011), all local construction has included back flow prevention devices. “Most, if not all, are RP (Reduced Pressure), that is what is required.”
These RP systems use valves that close if the pressure from the distribution system falls below a certain value. There are three types in the Handbook, the simpler uses two check valves, two shutoff valves, four test cocks, and a pressure relief valve. The more sophisticated units include a bypass path including a meter and additional valves and test cocks.
Asked if any commercial buildings in the district might have chemicals in their sprinkler system, Rojas said that they may, and this is one of the things that must be determined this year during the hazard assessment. Sprinkler systems contain stagnant water, something prohibited in potable systems. This may lead to Microbial Induced Corrosion, with both micro-organisms and their waste products as contaminants.
As to protection against back flow at wells, Rojas said that all IWD wells must be compliant. None of them have air gaps, but each has “specific devices for specific applications.” Air gaps place the inlet to a tank several inches above the tank’s flood line, making siphonage impossible. In March, Rojas reported that a broken check valve was allowing water from the Rockdale tank to go back down well #28, leading to exaggerated water loss figures.
As to the required annual inspections of sprinkler systems, Rojas said that customers must now hire private companies with certified testers, but will, if Wilson passes his test, have the option of paying IWD to test and certify their systems.
The board passed the resolution 4-0. The full text is available as part of the board packet for the June 18 meeting at www.idyllwildwater.com/board-of-directors-meetings. The state Handbook is available at www. waterboards.ca.gov/drinking_water/certlic/drinkingwater/docs/2025/cccph-mar-2025-update.pdf
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On the Town
Local Dining, Arts & Entertainment
IDYLLWILD, CA
Modern Gentlemen to headline first night of free Summer Concerts
Former members of The Four Seasons bring tribute to Frankie Valli and much more
By David Jerome Correspondent
The Modern Gentlemen will headline the first night of Idyllwild’s Free Summer Concert Series on Thursday July 3 at the Butterfield Amphitheater. They cover a wide variety of material, not just Doo Wop, but their shows always include a tribute to Frankie Valli, the man who brought them together.
Member Brian Brigham makes the point that all four Gentlemen are “Former long-time members of The Four Seasons,” a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band. The four singers “started with Frankie in 2003 and worked with him until about 2018, well over a decade, before and during The Jersey Boys, the real band, not the musical. If you saw that band, you saw us. We always pay tribute to Frankie, but we cover material ranging from Motown to The Beach Boys, The Beatles, Eagles, Queen, The Bee Gees, Billy Joel.”
Brigham says this will be the group’s first trip to Idyllwild, although he lives in Moreno Valley now, and he and his brother Brandon are from West Covina. The other members are Landon Beard and Todd Fournier.
The group styles themselves “modern day keepers of the classics” with a pedigree few can match. “We were all hand-picked by Frankie Valli to join the Four seasons. He brought us into the studio and brought to
our attention we could be our own group, he was always telling us we could. He supported us going out and doing our own thing.”
Recent career highlights include opening for Lionel Richie in 2023 at the Red Rock Casino in Las Vegas and headlining at The Atlantis Resort Bahamas for New Year’s Eve 2022. They’ve performed for US presidents and royalty, including a special performance for Prince William of Wales at the Arts Club in London. They have released three studio albums; The Modern Gentlemen: Volume 1, You Make It Feel Like Christmas, and Happiest Days.
The music will start at 6 p.m. with local songbird Terry Jo, supported by the redoubtable Lenny Hansell.
The Idyllwild Summer Concert series, now in its 26th season, is always free, paid for by donations from individuals and donors. This year, nine concerts are planned.
Contributions may be mailed to Idyllwild Summer Concerts.org, PO Box 1542, Idyllwild CA 92549-1542.
The next concert, on July 10, will feature Lisa Lynn and the Broken Hallelujahs, with In the Pocket opening.
The Modern Gentlemen Thursday July 3. Music begins at 6 p.m., headliners take the stage at 7 p.m. Butterfield Amphitheater, 54201 Ridgeview Dr.
The Modern Gentlemen (Four Seasons)
Opening: Terry Jo & Lenny Hansel Thurs, July 3rd — Music starts at 6pm
What Is a Collage?
A collage is art that’s made by pasting different things together to create a picture. Artists use paper, fabric, buttons, photos or even leaves. They paste these things onto a piece of paper or cardboard. No two collages are ever the same!
How many di erences can you nd between these two collages?
Paper Collage
A paper collage is made with torn or cut pieces of colorful paper, newspapers, or magazines. Some paper collages look like a real scene, such as a beach or a tree. Other collages are just interesting shapes, patterns and colors all mixed up. (That’s called abstract art.)
Nature Collage
A nature collage is made from things you find outside, like leaves, flowers, small twigs or seeds.
You can use things found on a hike to make a picture of a tree, an animal or just a pretty pattern. Just make sure to only take things that have already fallen on the ground!
Mixed-Media Collage
Photo Collage
A photo collage is made using pictures, often from newspapers or old photo
This kind of collage uses all sorts of materials. Paper, fabric, string, paint, and buttons are just some of the countless things you can use! You might glue on sand to make a beach or use cotton balls to make big, fluffy clouds. Mixed-media collages are all about using your imagination and trying new textures.
Draw the leaf that should come next in each row to complete the pattern.
News Message
© 2025 by Vicki Whiting, Editor Je Schinkel, Graphics Vol. 41, No. 30
PIECE:
Janine & Dennis performed at the Bob Dylan music festival at Middle Ridges. Along with many other local arist artists PHOTO BY LYNNE EODICE Terry Jo Stratton
Teddy & Christine of Vincent's Choice
Melody Ryan
Meet Dr Richard Yocum, Director of Mountain Disaster Preparedness’ Core Medical Group
By David Jerome Correspondent
In March, the Town Crier began a series of interviews with directors of the groups within Mountain Disaster Preparedness, the local nonprofit focused on preparing residents for emergencies. MDP teaches members first how to protect and prepare their own households, and then how to help others. We began the series with MDP’s President, Mike Feyder, then met the directors of the Community Emergency Response Team, Ron Sabala, and the Communications Group, Robert Hewitt. This month we spoke with the Director of MDP’s Core Medical Group, Dr Richard Yocum.
Yocum explained that although other groups within MDP have some medical capabilities, the Core group is focused on first aid. “On average, members have more medical knowledge and ability.”
“The CERT training includes some medical information, and the Disaster Aid Stations are where we stock most of our medical equipment. We are still reviewing how we might respond if activated. Some members will respond to their closest DAS. There are also staging areas, like the Idyllwild School. Core might respond to Town Hall, which is designated as the advanced treatment area. That is the current arrangement.”
Yocum is part of a wave of volunteers that are bringing local volunteer organizations back to precovid levels of membership and capability. “I got interested in December, when I went to the Expo MDP had in Town Hall. I was informed of the void left by the departure of the previous director of Core. We are working to build everything back to where it was before the pandemic, if not better.”
Asked about the large audience for his recent talk about rattlesnakes at IFPD, Yocum noted that it was one of a series of well attended monthly talks he has been giving on relevant topics. “It started spreading by word of mouth. When Marsha Kennedy came on the Board last month—she is co-director of the outreach group— the medical talks evolved more into community gatherings. I think it’s perfect. The more we can get first-aid and medical knowledge out, the more it becomes a force multiplier for the organization, and a benefit for the whole town.
Yocum says the Core group is always looking for people with current or past medical training. “As a group we are meeting to refresh and elevate that knowledge. Medical skills are perishable; they need to be renewed.”
When Yocum took over leadership of Core Medical Group in January, they did not have a well-defined membership roster, “There were several different lists. I’ve been working with intern members to better define active membership and keep contact info current. One of the steps is for those members to collect information on past experience and training, to get a full picture of what type of skills we have available in the group. It’s some work. It’s great that we have lots of people come to the talks.”
Yocum has a history of volunteering. “I’ve been on several nonprofit boards in the past, have been a Search and Rescue volunteer for 12 years, and have given regular medical talks to two different S&R teams.” Asked if this has prepared him for his role in MDP, Yocum said “There is some overlap, it’s not all applicable to a citizen group like this. It’s different in terms of motivating and organizing volunteers. I do have some working knowledge but not organizing an entirely volunteer community emergency preparedness group.”
Yocum echoed something Feyder said in March; that Idyllwild may find itself on its own in an emergency, and MDP exists to address this. “A lot of communities have CERT, but because of our isolation this is a unique organization, intended to address unique needs.”
Like many locals, Yocum has launched a very active “retirement” among our mountains. “I grew up on the east coast, undergrad at Dartmouth, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, then came to UCSD for an Internal Medicine Residency, and never left. Even back east I was very into the outdoors, backpacking and camping. I latched onto the opportunities here in South-
— Abraham Lincoln
ern California.”
For 40 years he was a regular visitor to the San Jacinto Mountains. “It got to the point where my wife and I thought it would be nice to have a cabin up here, four years ago. I was active on the San Diego County S&R. I got in touch with the Riverside Mountain Rescue Unit people; I told them I was going to be up in Idyllwild from time to time. They really drew me in. It’s a great team. It keeps me busy. I might be busier now than before I retired from my day job. I’ve been on the RMRU Board for three years; I’m in my second year as president. I’m also a member of Mile High Radio Club and Pine Cove Property Owners Association.”
Next month we will talk to Marsha Kennedy, MDP’s Director of Outreach.
To learn more, donate, or sign up for MDP’s email newsletter, visit: mdpidyllwild.org. MDP’s Board meetings, open to the public, are at 4 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month, at the Idyllwild Library.
Dr Richard Yocum, climbing with the Riverside Mountain Rescue Unit
PHOTO COURTESY OF YOCUM
Past Tense
75 years ago - 1950 Cliff Campbell was running trail rides into the back country from his corrals at the Idyllwild Dairy.
70 years ago - 1955
Representatives of major conservation organizations met at Bowman Arts Center for the third-annual conservation conference.
65 years ago - 1960
General building contractor William J. Burke
advertised a more than 2,000-square-foot home selling for $13,500. The house would include four bedrooms, two bathrooms and a garage.
60 years ago - 1965
One of America’s great singing groups, Bessie Jones and the Georgia Sea Island Singers and Dancers, participated in the Summers in the Folk Music Workshop at the University of Southern California’s Idyllwild School of Music and the Arts.
55 years ago - 1970
Dr. Max Krone, founder of the Idyllwild School of Music and the Arts, died at his home in Laguna Hills. He started the ISOMATA program 20 years previously.
50 years ago - 1975
Creature Corner
Last week in Days of Our Nine Lives, the ARF cats welcomed ARF's newest dog, Chappy.
Pepper: Adoption news! I have adoption news!
Marlowe: I can't wait to hear, but let's get everyone gathered.
Pepper: Alright, cats. Can you believe that Chappy has already been adopted?
Rowan: No way! We didn't get to know him, really. Pepper: Not really, but he was kind of afraid of us anyway, right? He will now have a wonderful forever home, cat-free.
Marlowe: So we still have four kittens.
Pepper: We do, and we just took in another mama cat and her litter.
Marlowe: I heard that they're not yet ready to go anywhere.
Pepper: They need time to acclimate to their new, temporary home.
Rowan: Soon they will be able to entertain and charm any person who comes to visit.
Marlowe: Meanwhile, all of us will enjoy the cattio. The weather has been so nice!
Rowan: I just hope that dog guardians become aware of the heat of the asphalt as summer sets in. Unless the dog is wearing booties, its poor little feet can burn on hot surfaces.
Pepper: One thing dog guardians might think about is the fact that they are all wearing shoes to protect their feet from the heat, but their poor dogs are not.
Marlowe: And black top or concrete or asphalt can get so hot so quickly. It is safe to estimate that the ground can be 20 degrees hotter than the air temperature. Ouch!
Pepper: I bet most dogs would prefer to stay at home when it's hot rather than having to dance around on a hot surface.
Rowan: I've seen dog guardians place the back of their hands on the hot ground, and if they can't hold it there, comfortably, for 10 seconds, then they don't take their dogs walking.
Two Idyllwild houses were damaged due to fire. One family returned to their home on Idyllmont Road, to find the house burned almost flat. The other home, on Country Club Drive, received damage to a door and some wall surfaces.
45 years ago - 1980
Volunteer bus driver Ron Colgate became the new director of the Mt. San Jacinto Senior Center.
40 years ago - 1985
A nearly $400,000 suspected arson fire burned a 4,000-square-foot Quonset hut at the U.S. Forest Service Keenwild Guard Station near Mountain Center. The blaze destroyed the building’s entire contents, but there was only one minor injury to a firefighter.
This week's Creature Corner is sponsored by Lola Thomas. Would you like to be a sponsor? Please let us know! 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.
35 years ago - 1990 Owner of Hoffman Realty for 12 years, Suzy Hoffman sold the realty to Roy Harris who had been associated with the firm for four years.
30 years ago - 1995 Snow fell on the last day of school. The snow melted as it hit the ground in Idyllwild, but Pine Cove got 2 inches on the ground.
25 years ago - 2000
Despite 867 signatures on a petition, Idyllwild Charter High School failed to get critical support from the Hemet Unified School District Board of Trustees and was forced to close its doors.
20 years ago - 2005 Twenty-two Elvis Presley fans descended on
Idyllwild to pay homage to the location of the 1961 film “Kid Galahad.” The fans presented an original poster for the movie to the Idyllwild Area Historical Society.
15 years ago - 2010
Idyllwild Water District directors approved a 6-percent rate increase for each of the next five years.
11 year ago - 2014
The Center for Biological Diversity filed a lawsuit to force the federal government to determine whether each of nine species was endangered. Among the nine was the San Bernardino flying squirrel, a native to the local Southern Californian mountains.
10 years ago - 2015
Construction began on the Hurkey Creek Bridge re-
Idyllwild Rotary Club
placement project, causing 24/7 one-lane traffic control and potential delays for Highway 74 commuters.
5 years ago - 2020
Lydia “Dia” Abrams went missing from her Garner Valley ranch on June 7, prompting an extensive but ultimately unsuccessful ground search by volunteers and an ongoing investigation by authorities.
1 year ago - 2024
A new Visitors Center opened in the heart of Idyllwild on July 4, thanks to local collaboration, volunteer support, and a long-held dream brought to life by Chris Perreault.
An unforgettable evening of excitement, camaraderie, and the thrill of the win at Bingo Night! Get your dauber ready and mark your calendar for an evening filled with anticipation and fun!!
Idyllwild Rotary Invites YOU to the Monthly Bingo Fundraiser PRIZES PRIZES PRIZES FOOD FOOD FOOD FUN FUN FUN SAT. JULY 12, 2025
Each month a different organization will be the beneficiary of Bingo proceeds
Doors open @ 4:30pm Games start promptly @ 5pm
Idyllwild Town Hall on Cedar St Cash or Card accepted for Bingo Packages and Daubers
18 yrs & UP ONLY
This month Idyllwild Rotary proudly shares proceeds with The Help Center
www.IdyllwildRotary.com
Churches & Spiritual Centers Directory
Art Alliance of Idyllwild Announces AAI Summer Kickoff
Contributed
IDYLLWILD, CA – June 14, 2025 - The Art Alliance of Idyllwild (AAI) is excited to celebrate the start of summer with its annual AAI Summer Kickoff — Saturday, June 28th from 12 p.m. to approximately 6 p.m. at Idyllwild Town Hall.
Formerly called Call of the WYLD, this festive community event highlights the rich arts and culture of Idyllwild and brings locals and visitors together to appreciate homegrown talent, connect with neighbors, and kick off the season in style.
The AAI Summer Kickoff will feature the best
musicians on the hill, including: Lindsay Speed and Friends, Pentagrams and Daisies, Francesca Brown, The Auroras, Nathan James, Urban Grass, and Chuck Alvarez.
Event highlights include: Doggo Dog’s food truck will be there with all of their great food. The Silent Auction and Raffle — filled with wonderful prizes. Chili Bowls for Charity. All proceeds help fund the tile project for Idyllwild Elementary.
We are currently taking donations for the silent auction. If you’d like to contribute, please contact us at artinidyllwild@gmail.com.
For more information visit our website at aai.clubexpress.org
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Idyllwild’s history
June 2025 — Week 4
March 21 – April 19
Although you don’t like to change plans once they’re set, once again, you might find that doing so can make a big difference in your favor. Meanwhile, family matters dominate the weekend.
April 20 – May 20
You continue to get encouragement for your proposals, including some support from unlikely sources. Use this positive flow to move forward with your plans. Good luck!
May 21 – June 21
Family matters are dominant this week. It’s
June 22 – July 22
the situation and suggest a resolution.
July 23 – August 22
While the Lion’s Den is the center of attention this week with family matters dominating much of your time, workplace issues are also important. Try to find a balance between them.
August 23 – September 22
The future of a new relationship could depend on how much the usually impatient-to-get-
September 23 – October 22
October 23 – November 21
November 22 – December 21
December 22 – January 19
A long-anticipated job opportunity could turn out to be less than you expected, but appearances might be deceiving. Check it out before you decide it’s not for you.
January 20 – February 18
Good news! Adapting to a new situation might come more easily than you expected. You can look for continued support from colleagues who appreciate your contributions.
February 19 – March 20
Someone you care for might need more reassurance from the typically “unemotional” PISCES. Go ahead. Open up, and you might be surprised at what you find when you do.
Crowd gathers at Bob Dylan Music Festival at Middle Ridge Winery
PHOTO BY PETER SZABADI