Vol. 80, No. 30 edition of the Idyllwild Town Crier by Idyllwild Town Crier

California Attorney General sues family real estate empire that owns local trailer park

By David Jerome Correspondent

Summer Concert Series features The Laurel Canyon Band this week, ABBA LA next

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Operators and neighbors find fault with County Short Term Rental process and regulation, County responds

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Associates of Idyllwild Arts Foundation: a brief history

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Arts Academy faculty and alumni celebrate life and teaching of Dr Douglas Ashcraft

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California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed suit on June 12 in Los Angeles Superior court against the officers of a family real estate empire that owns, according to the suit and widespread reporting, over 22,000 rental units in the state. The list of defendants begins with the name of Swaranjit Nijjar, aka Mike Nijjar, and includes at least 155 corporations, partnerships and LLCs within the enterprise. Among the properties listed in a 60 page appendix is Royal Pines Estates, located in Idyllwild. The list also includes over 1,300 units in Hemet and over 500 in San Jacinto, from single family homes to apartment complexes and trailer parks with over a hundred units or spaces.

Royal Pines was managed through Nijjar’s PAMA until 2020, and is now managed by a company called Mobile Management Services, with ownership by Golden Opportunity III Holdings, LP, with Swaranjit’s adult son, Sanjeet Nijjar, the sole shareholder.

The suit alleges that the defendants rent out “unsafe and uninhabitable units” and “disregard tenants’ requests for repairs.” The Suit mentions the 2016 death of a five-month-old girl by fire in a mobile home “not authorized for human occupancy,” alleging that when the Department of Real Estate revoked the licenses associated with the enterprise, the defendants reorganized their business structure and “continued leasing substandard, unsafe rental properties to vulnerable Californians.”

See Attorney General sues, page A6

County Biologist to speak on invasive species at Nature Center

By David Jerone Correspondent

The Idyllwild Nature Center will be hosting a talk about invasive species on July 26 at 11 a.m. Park Interpreter Allsion Fedrick provided these details: “Kalee Koeslag is a plant biologist for Riverside County who works at their Western Riverside Multi-Species Reserve. She focuses on ecosystem health especially with regard to invasive species, the perpetuation of pests such as oak-boring beetles, and public use of natural places. She is going to discuss the long-term impacts of invasive plants, insects, and animals in Idyllwild. It should be very interesting since our backyards happen to be the forest.”

Riverside County Biologist Kalee Koeslag talks about invasive species, Saturday July 26, at 11 a.m. Idyllwild Nature Center, 25225 Highway 243.

Journalist and author Carl Love speaks about newest book, Our Idyllwild

By David Jerome Correspondent

Press Enterprise journalist and author Carl Love will be speaking and signing books at two events this week in support of the release of his third book, Our Idyllwild He will be at the Idyllwild Library at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 30, and at the Rustic Theater at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 2. Copies of the book will be available at both events.

Love lives and works in Murietta but has a cabin in Idyllwild as well. He first came here when he was working at the Desert Sun newspaper, at the invitation of a girlfriend who was teaching dance at ISOMATA. He welcomed the escape from the July heat. He later went to work for the Press enterprise in Banning, and was then transferred to Temecula/Murrieta.

Fundraising underway for 2026 congressional race

Calvert alone has raised more than seven Dems

By JP Crumrine CorrePsondent

The 2026 Primary Election is June 2, 2026, nearly a year from now, and the November election is still 5 months after the Primary.

But Ken Calvert, who represents the Hill in the U.S. Congress, is busily raising funds in anticipation of another costly re-election campaign. He needed nearly $9 million for his re-election in November 2024. Already nine other candidates have filed with the Federal Election Commission to challenge him in 2026.

While the Democratic candidates are raising funds, their combined totals do not equal Calvert’s funds through the end of June.

Three of the candidates, Democrats Jason Byors and David Karson, and Republican Cody Michael Wiebelhaus, reported no contributions for this period. Combined the other six candidates had received about $1.5 million, significantly less than Calvert’s total so far for the 2026 election. Brandon Riker has received $94,000 to lead the Democratic candidates so far.

See Carl Love, page B6

See Fundraising, page A5

Idyllwild Water reviews financial year, pursues income study for sewer project funding

By David Jerome Correspondent

With the close of the financial year, the Idyllwild Water District board looked at condensed statements for income and operating expenses that showed the District’s spending below budget both for water and sewer. The final figure for expenses on the water side was $1,963,530, compared to the budgeted $1,965,486, a tenth-of-a-percent under. The sewer side expenses totaled $621,715 compared to the budgeted $676,876. Income for water was 7% below expectations: $2,066,722 compared to $2,222,764. Sewer, being a fixed charge, brought in $990,889 compared to the expected $990,042.

General Manager Bill Rojas reported that work is well underway on the Strawberry Creek Diversion project. He said that ELCO began work on June 30 and had completed the installation of 8” pipe from the diversion structure to Fern Valley Road and was already halfway down the road to their FV 1A plant. This digging was easier because of fewer rocks as the trench left the creek bed. Rojas noted that ELCO had received a permit from the county to close portions of Fern Valley Road and designate detours from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and that he expected all pipe to be laid and the asphalt to be patched within days. Once the pipeline is completed, Rojas said, it will be tied in at the Diversion structure and at FV-1A, and finally the old, exposed steel pipe in the creek bed will be removed.

Rojas said his request to the state to authorize a new Median Household Income study of sewer customers was being considered, and he expected a response this week. It is hoped that the smaller population will yield numbers that will qualify the sewer plant replacement project for grant funding.

Former IWD Director Peter Szabadi attended the meeting as a member of the public, and asked about the timeline and alternate plans for funding the proposed sewer plant project. Rojas said that if there was no grant funding the District would upgrade the plant as feasible, “do upgrades as best we can with the funds we do have.” As to a timeline, Rojas did not have one, and noted that the engineering is 30% done, the benchmark that allows grant applications. But to abandon that work and do the project piecemeal would take new engineering. “Most likely,” the GM said, “the district would be able to cover some of the cost, and would look for low-interest loans.”

The board also heard that Rojas has contracted a roofing company to reroof the Foster Lake shop hangar, with work to begin in August. There had been discussion of a new building, but Rojas said the contractor assured him that the structure was sound and a second layer of metal roofing would keep the interior dry.

Rojas spoke of the purchase of two new Toyota Tacomas from Toyota of Hemet, as part of the year’s Capital Improvement Plan. He said he had negotiated $1,500 off the price of each and hoped to arrange pick up this week.

The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 20.

Getting to know Mountain Disaster Preparedness: Marsha Kennedy, Outreach Director

By David Jerome Correspondent

In March the Town Crier began a series of interviews with the directors of the groups within Mountain Disaster Preparedness, the all-volunteer organization dedicated to helping mountain residents help themselves and their neighbors during emergencies. We spoke with President Mike Feyder, the director of their Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Ron Sabala, their Radio Group Director Robert Hewitt, and their Core MEDICAL group Director Dr Richard Yocum. This week we met Marsha Kennedy, Director of Outreach.

Kennedy is new to MDP. “I ran into Mike Feyder at the post office this spring and he asked me to come to an MDP Board meeting in May. I knew half the group already, so it was easy to feel at home. MDP was looking for someone to take on Outreach. With so many new people having moved to the Hill, it’s important that they know what emergency preparation looks like up here. I’ve been on boards of non-profits since I was in my 20’s. I started an emergency preparation group in a gated community I used to live in, and it was quite successful. With my years in theater I have experience with publicity, so all that experience kind of came together in my work with MDP.”

Kennedy echoes Feyder’s comments about the role MDP has in addressing our community’s special needs. “The factors that make Idyllwild so charming –the fact that it’s ‘an island in the sky—’ also makes living here potentially alarming when something like an earthquake hits us. We had a taste of that with the closure of two of our highways off the Hill in 2019. When a sizeable earthquake does hit, we’ll likely be cut off for days or longer.”

During Kennedy’s short time with MDP, the group is experiencing increased community engagement. “We started by opening Dr. Richard Yocum’s medical talks to the public rather than just to the MDP medical group. His first one about rattlesnake bites drew a standing room only crowd at the Fire Station in June. He and I have developed a monthly schedule of classes on a wide variety of topics. In the past, MDP did one big, yearly event at Town Hall. Now we will be doing more ‘bite-sized’ presentations, which we hope will be easier to easier to attend and digest.”

Kennedy is working on other ways that MDP com-

Idyllwild Weather

municates with residents. “Basically MDP is doing a refresh. The web site is being updated. The Information Box outside the post office—which has had the same display for at least 14 years—is being renovated to better serve our community. Once the Information Box renovation is completed, people can pick up their mail and also see what MDP’s upcoming events are.

More is on the horizon. “MDP is going to be offering more opportunities for residents to learn all kinds of information that can both serve them well in day-today life and could be vital in an emergency response situation. MDP’s newest program is Neighbors Helping Neighbors. Doug Austin always said that our neighbors were our 911. He was so right. The most immediate responders to any widespread emergency up here will be our neighbors. So it makes sense to get to know who they are, what skills and tools they have, and to make plans with them for when something happens.” First responders are often overwhelmed during a disaster, and local groups like MDP can help bridge the gap.

When we spoke with Kennedy, she was planning the first Neighbors Helping Neighbors meeting for Saturday, July 19 on her own street. “We had 16 RSVPs, over half of the homes on two intersecting roads in Fern Valley. We will review a step-by-step plan for after a disaster happens.” The goal is to hold similar meetings in as many neighborhoods as possible. “MDP is going to have a Town Hall Meeting in a couple weeks to explain how Neighbors Helping Neighbors works, and how anybody can start a group on their street.”

Kennedy sums up the vital need for preparation, at individual, neighborhood, and community levels: “As we’ve seen on the news in recent months, disasters happen in a blink. It’s good to have a plan in place. Especially for us up here, we could be isolated and told to shelter in place for days and even longer before significant help arrives.”

Kennedy retired after a career with IBM, then studied screenwriting at UCLA and directing at the American Film Institute. “Like so many others I came from San Diego. In the early 2000’s, a friend and I drove up to Idyllwild and spent the day. I was smitten. I could see myself living here. The idea of a small town and four seasons really appealed to me. Finally in 2011 I was able to make the move. I’m still grateful every day that I get to live here.”

Highlights & Safety Tips:

• Mild and Pleasant Start:Temperatures midweek (Wed–Fri) will hover in the upper 70s to low 80s, with clear skies and low humidity—ideal for outdoor activities.

• Comfortable Nights: Evening lows stay in the mid to upper 50s, with Sunday night dipping to a crisp 50°F—great for open-window sleeping or campfires.

• Warming Trend Toward Monday: By Monday 7/28, temps rise to 88°F, signaling a brief summer warm-up, though not extreme heat. Stay hydrated during peak afternoon hours.

• Mostly Sunny All Week: No significant cloud cover or storms expected—plenty of sunshine every day.

Outreach Director Marsha Kennedy conducts MDP’s first Neighbors Helping Neighbors Workshop

PHOTO BY CHUCK LIVINGSTON

David Sandlin donated his time and equipment to grind and remove a tree stump at the Butterfield Amphitheater on Monday July 21st.

PHOTO BY JOHNNY WILSON

Operators and neighbors find fault with County Short Term Rental process and regulation, County responds

By David Jerome Correspondent

Almost three years after Riverside County adopted Ordinance 927 to regulate the Short Term Rental market,those on both sides of the debate have expressed dissatisfaction with the new system.

The Town Crier spoke with “responsible parties” who manage the operations of STRs: one who manages a few for others, one who owns a few and manages several for owners, and one who manages many for owners. All expressed frustration with a process that involves several different county departments. We asked for and received a response from the county, and got a statement from a resident who has spoken out for tighter restrictions or even a ban on STRs. Because of a request we decided not to use names.

In order to receive a permit for an STR, an owner or agent must wait for the semiannual window for applications. The Ordinance says that in January and July the County must count the number of active permits to see if the caps have been reached. For Idyllwild that cap is 500, approximately 14% of existing single-family units If the number is below the cap, a 30-day window for applications is announced. The cap has not yet been reached. If there are openings, an announcement must be made and a 30 day window opened for new applications.

The application involves uploading five documents: a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Certificate from the Treasurer/Tax Collector’s Office; a Proof of Ownership (copy of Grant Deed); An Applicant Property Owner Authorization form which names the “responsible party” for the rental; an Indemnification and Hold Harmless Agreement Form in which the applicant waives the right to sue the county over the STR process; and a Self Certification Checklist Form, which attests to a self-conducted inspection of the property.

There is a $740 fee for an initial permit, and the annual renewal is $540.

When an application is approved, the Transportation and Land Management Agency issues the STR Certificate. Code Enforcement, deals with complaints, things like noise, and parking, and building safety issues. Planning is the custodian of the list of permits. Sending out notices has been outsourced to a private contractor, Deckard, which also administers the county’s STR website.

The ordinance also includes a ban on new permits for STRs within 150 feet of existing permits, to avoid concentrations of STRs. Existing clusters were grandfathered in, as long as their permits are kept current.

The problems that operators say they faced this last year included; permits that were promised but never delivered, or delivered after many months; permits showing up in the names of the responsible parties and not the owners; owners receiving notifications—including erroneous cease and desist letters—that should have been sent to responsible parties; accounts not being visible on the website; county offices that do not communicate with each other; understaffing of these offices; and a permit list that is not updated to reflect homes that have been sold, voiding their permits.

The managers all expressed appreciation for the county employees they have dealt with, believing they “are doing the best they can,” but say that the division of a single task into four offices created “inefficiencies.” “They are limited with what they can do, what answers they can give before talking with other branches.” “The problem is not the people, it’s that nobody seems to understand the process beginning to end.”

On the side of residents who spoke out against the

increasing number of STRs, we heard “The issue for most of us that have STRs around their properties is this: nothing has changed for us. With grandfathering, there is no reduction in the number of STRs next to resident properties. The number of weeknight parties has not lessened as there is still no usable enforcement available. Code does not return calls or emails. If they choose to come out for a concern, it is days later. The only other resource is calling the Sheriff dispatch.” Noisy parties are not high priority calls for the officers that must patrol the entire mountain plateau. “Regarding the Sheriff Dept., Bianco requested 300,000+, for a team that would focus on resolving STR complaints (I forget the name). The Supervisors approved the money. We have not been able to find out if that money was properly spent. No one in our resident groups has felt any effect from this funding.”

Here are the questions we asked and the issues we raised with the County, and the answers we received from an Information Officer at TLMA The questions have been shortened because they included details from previous paragraphs.

TC: Locals who own and manage Short Term Rentals in Idyllwild have been writing to our newspaper about their difficulties with the permit process. They say that the process is complicated because at least four agencies are involved (Treasurer-Tax Collector, TLMA, Code Enforcement, and Planning) and that employees in each agency do not know what another agency has received.

A: The County’s STR program is implemented by two Departments that interact and coordinate daily: the Planning Department administers the program while partnering with Code Enforcement, who acts as the program’s enforcement arm. The County’s Treasurer-Tax Collector (TTC) is responsible for collection of a variety of revenues on the County’s behalf, this includes transient occupancy tax (TOT) which is collected not only from STRs, but also hotels, motels, bed & breakfasts, etc. Pursuant to County Ordinance 927 (STR Ordinance), when an STR is applying for or renewing a certificate, the Planning Department must confirm that STRs have filed with the TTC to pay their respective TOT; however, the TTC has no responsibility for implementation of the STR program. Nonetheless, all three departments coordinate frequently to assure that STR certificates are processed quickly, and as allowable.

TC: They also say that the website is not user friendly.

A: On March 1, the County switched its online STR program management system to a new online application. We expect expanded usability and functionality for both internal and public users; however, as is generally typical with a switch to a new system, migration to our new STR application has not been without some initial complications. We are currently working diligently with our system vendor to correct the initial bumps, and expect a fully functional, user friendly system this Summer.

TC: Cease and desist orders were sent out by Code Enforcement for homes for which permits existed, and that these letters went to owners and not “responsible parties.”

A: Please see above response. While the County cannot comment on specific enforcement cases, we urge property owners to confirm each year whether all required documentation has been received by the County for permit renewal, in accordance with the deadlines and requirements set forth in Section 7 of the County’s STR Ordinance. Section 8 of the STR Ordinance requires that Responsible Operators ensure that their STR

is used in a manner that complies with the ordinance and all applicable laws, rules, and regulations. “Responsible Operators” includes owners and authorized representatives.

TC: Permits (which must be in owners’ names) have appeared in the names of “responsible parties,” managers.

A: Please note that while the County performs its due diligence to confirm all information that we receive from applicants, STR owners and operators are responsible for providing their respective information in the system at the time of application/renewal. Errors do occur in this process, and we work with our STR partners to correct them.

TC: Homes that have been sold are still on the list of permits, preventing other nearby homes from being eligible for permits.

A: The STR program is rarely notified when individuals sell their property; this may be due to the complex process associated with completing property sale, and owners knowing that when they do not renew their STR certification by its annual renewal date, it will be expired. Where we are notified of change in property ownership, we remove the property from our list of actively certified STRs. We have not been made aware of a list of certified STR properties that were sold, and we would be glad to investigate if that were provided.

TC: Was November the most recent lottery? The ordinance requires a survey in January and July, with announcements to follow of available permits and the timing of a 30-day window for applicants.

A: The most recent Tier 2 assessment occurred November - January of this year. The County’s Tier 2 assessment is detailed in STR Ordinance Section 11.a.3.v and summarized below:

1. STR Program staff review active certifications, ownership changes and site compliance status to confirm if Idyllwild’s 500 STR cap has been achieved

2. If the 500 STR limit has not been achieved, a 30day notice to apply is posted on the County’s STR website

3. 30-day application period is the posted, and applications are accepted for 30 days

4. Submitted applications are evaluated for eligibility and compliance with the STR Ordinance

5. Applicants that have been deemed compliant with the Ordinance, and thereby eligible, are notified that may submit a full application for an STR certification. These notifications were sent to eligible applicants in March of this year.

TC: Is there a current, accessible list of local permitted STRs?

A: Yes, the Planning Department can provide this by request. Also as mentioned, this Summer a public-facing GIS map will be available on our website which will allow anyone to view actively certified STRs in the area.

TC: Are there any figures for citations or fines for STRs that break rules regarding noise and other quality of life issues? Has anyone been cited or fined?

A: There are 22 citations since January 1, 2025.

TC: Is the Sheriff still the enforcer after 5 pm?

A: Code Enforcement works until 10 p.m. with assistance from the Sheriff’s office. After 10 p.m., all calls are directed to the Sheriff’s office.

The Town Crier requested a copy of the current list of STRs from the Planning Department on July 6. We have received only an automated reply.

“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.

Dear Spiritual Workout:

My son is 14 and has a good friend named Sal who he wants to hang out with sometimes after school and during the summer. Sal’s parents prefer to arrange such activities with the parents, which we are fine with. Sal told my son some time ago that he prefers to go by they/him and that his name used to be Sally and he’d been raised as a girl. When Sal’s mom called me, she referred to Sal as her daughter and called her Sally and pretty much ignored my using Sal. The date was arranged but I’m totally confused about this whole situation. Any ideas?

Dear Reader: Yes! Ideas! Starting with being compassionate. That’s the SW concept that dominated my own thoughts as I read your question. To be compassionate is to accept people as and who they are without any judgment, which you’re clearly doing. And the very next SW concept that came to me is take responsibility, which includes knowing what we are and are not responsible for and you and your family are most certainly not responsible for shepherding young Sal through their gender identity journey. That’s the responsibility of him and his parents, with support from allies like your family along the way. It seems that Sal’s parents are fine with him hanging out with your son, you compassionately refer to Sal as he has asked to be referred to, and his mom didn’t overtly put the kabosh on any of it. So if it were me, I’d just keep on as you’re going and let the chips fall where they may.

Dear Spiritual Workout:

I’m married with a three year old and am exhausted and it’s not just because of our daughter. I always have the sense that there’s never enough of me to go around, which is an old story. My wife seems prone to some kind of depression and we are most definitely not sharing household responsibilities like we agreed we would before we ever got married or had a kid. I’m capable and can pick up the slack when necessary, but I’m getting more and more angry and more and more resentful while my wife loads up on junk food and oversleeps. This cycle isn’t getting better and I don’t know how to break it.

Dear Reader:

I can feel the heaviness of your current situation and will start by saying I don’t trust my ability to address the depression side of this equation with such limited information and space, but it sounds like you’re right about “some kind of depression,” which you’d all benefit from addressing if she’s at all willing. Meanwhile, there’s you. I would love to know the beliefs you formed — prior to meeting your wife — that are creating an “old story” reality in your current life. To be sure, those beliefs are the root of the “there’s not enough of me” story, which creates that experience for you regardless of any other characters involved. There’s gold in this inquiry of identifying — and then changing — those beliefs and I sincerely hope you’ll look there.

• Dear Reader

Send your questions to dearspiritualworkout@ spiritualworkout.com. (Confidentiality assured.) When you’re ready for more, find cutting-edge counseling Spiritual Workout-style for $50/month at spiritualworkout.com

STAFF CONTRACTED FIRMS

David Jerome | Editor david@towncrier.com

Mike Ferro | Designer mike@towncrier.com

JP Crumrine | Correspondent jp@towncrier.com

Peter Szabadi | Photography pszabadilaw@gmail.com

Associates of Idyllwild Arts Foundation: a brief history

Contributed By Michael Slocum President Associates of Idyllwild Arts Foundation

The organizational meeting of the Associates of the Idyllwild School of Music and the Arts (ISOMATA), now Idyllwild Arts, took place in January, 1968 with the purpose of supporting the school, volunteering, donating scholarship funds for students, and providing cultural activities for the Idyllwild community. ISOMATA was owned and operated by the University of Southern California at that time. ISOMATA began offering summer art classes in 1950.

In the early years the Associates contributed many hours of volunteer time to help meet the school’s needs. In addition to raising scholarship funds, they assisted with office tasks such as mailings, Summer registration, and helped the maintenance department with raking pine needles, shoveling snow, painting and repairing buildings, as well as many other tasks. In addition, the Associates gave support and volunteer hours to a successful Elderhostel program which took place on campus during the 1970’s and 1980s.

Associates’ meetings were held weekly and cultural events for the community were organized. Besides concerts and performances, the Associates hosted the popular McElderry Speakers Series featuring artists, professors, movie critics, educators, and more.

ISOMATA gained independence from USC in 1983. In preparation for the start of the residential high school, Idyllwild Arts Academy & Summer Program, in 1986, volunteers from the Associates created a new library. Tutoring of students in English, math, science, and literature followed. Housing students who are far away from home over holidays continues to be another important contribution, when needed.

With the advent of Idyllwild Arts Academy, the need for scholarships expanded. The Associates responded by focusing on fundraisers. The idea of a Jazz festival came from long-time members in 1992; Jazz in the Pines was inaugurated in 1993. From a small oneday event held on campus each August, Jazz in the Pines grew to a renowned three day festival featuring world class musicians. After the 21st Jazz Festival, the Associates turned over the management of the festival to the Idyllwild Arts Foundation. The Associates continued to volunteer and organize significant areas of the Festival including the production of the opening night Patrons’ Party. More than 300 volunteers and countless hours of work each year, created a successful Jazz Festival through 2018, the 25th, and final, Jazz in the Pines.

Currently, The Associates continue to volunteer and to produce fundraisers including Musicales, Auctions, Art Events, outdoor activities, and many more events.

The Associates established an Endowment Fund in 1988 to support scholarships for the arts in perpetuity. The fund has grown from a few thousand dollars to over $320,000. Our Endowment Fund grows from the generosity of our members and friends. Interest income from the Fund goes directly to Scholarship Funds at Idyllwild Arts Academy and Summer Program.

The Associates, continue to contribute countless volunteer hours and has donated more than $3,000,000. to support Idyllwild Arts.

Individual Membership remains at $100 per year. We welcome guests and non-members. Associates of Idyllwild Arts Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization, Tax ID # 33-0035443. For more information please visit our website at www.associatesofiaf.org

Riverside County Animal Services overwhelmed with too many dogs and cats

By JP Crumrine Correspondent

Last week, Riverside County’s Department of Animal Services cried out for help. Over the Fourth of July weekend, nearly 1,200 dogs and cats were taken into Animal Services’ facilities in the County.

This situation is overwhelming its capabilities. Already, the number of sheltered dogs is at 240 percent of the facilities’ capacity, DAS said in a press release.

Consequently, DAS is asking for help. “This crisis isn’t just about numbers, it’s about lives, and the limits of a system stretched too thin,” said Mary Martin, RCDAS Director, said in the press release. “We’re doing more so the community can help--waiving fees, increasing transparency and expanding support. Still, we can’t do it alone, and we need more people willing to open their homes today.”

To encourage more adoptions, DAS is offering to waive reclaim fees for all lost pets. The hope is this will help remove the financial barrier for families to reclaim their lost pet.

DAS will provide free microchips, vaccines, and spay/neuter services to pets who are reclaimed.

For those who adopt a pet weighing forty or more pounds from the San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus, DAS will provide them with a $50 gift card for pet supplies. This will be available as long as the supplies last.

For those willing to foster animals, DAS will provide available resources including medical care until they are adopted. All adoption fees are waived for fosters who choose to adopt.

Shelter overcrowding means some animals are atrisk of euthanasia simply due to lack of space and the inability to properly care for that number of animals. For those unfortunate pets in immediate risk of euthanasia DAS has a listing on their facilities’ websites: San Jacinto, Riverside and Coachella Valley.

In May, the Board unanimously approved a resolution moving Riverside County towards a “no-kill” policy for its Animal Services Department.

The Resolution states, “Riverside County commits to becoming a no-kill community in which we strive to save every dog and cat in a shelter who can be saved and where 90% of the companion animals that enter its facilities leave alive.”

DAS is seeking community members to adopt or to foster a pet and take them home the same day. Shelter hours and locations are as follows:

Shelter hours for adoption and lost pet reclaims are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday through Sunday. On Wednesday, the shelters are open until 7 p.m. and on Mondays, they are closed.

Shelter locations:

• Western Riverside County/City Animal Shelter, 6851 Van Buren Blvd. Riverside, CA 92509

• San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus, 581 S. Grand Ave. San Jacinto, CA 92582

• Coachella Valley Animal Campus 72-050 Pet Land Place. Thousand Palms, CA 92276

• Blythe Animal Shelter (Open Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) 245 S Carlton. Blythe, CA 92225

For more information about the crisis and DAS, go to its website at www.rcdas.org.

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Calvert

Through June 30, the Congressman has received a total of $2.6 million in contributions for his re-election campaign. This compares to a total of $1.9 million reported in July 2023, a comparable period before the 2024 Election.

Of his total, almost $1 million is from more than 500 individuals. Political committee contributions have totaled another $1.6 million. More than 40 of the committee contributions have been for $5,000. This includes from specific firms, such as Amazon, Edison, and Sierra Neveda, as well as PACs such as Jobs and the Economy and Deciding American Values.

So far none of the individual contributions have come from the Hill communities.

He currently has $2.5 million in cash available.

Riker

Among the seven Democratic candidates, Riker is far and away the leading fundraiser. According to his press release, since the FEC has not posted the details of his contributors nor spending yet, he has received contributions from more than 3,600 individuals.

The contributions from individuals have totaled $457,000. The average contribution is $98. And according to his campaign spokesperson, Mariah Morgan, several have been received from the Idyllwild community.

According to the press release, Riker plans to match the total from individuals with a personal contribution to his campaign.

At the end of June, he had nearly $750,000 available in cash.

Dixit

The second leading fund raiser among the Democratic candidates is Anuj Dixit. He is a 34-year-old lawyer, who entered the race on May 21.

Of his $300,000 in contributions, nearly 95 percent have come from individuals. Only $17,000 came from committees, including $7,000, that he gave himself.

At the end of June, he had about $275,000 in cash.

Last week, Dixit’s campaign announced that Democratic Congressman David Min (CA 47) has endorsed Dixit. In the press release, Min said, “. . . Raised on March Air Force Base in the Inland Empire, Anuj knows his community deeply and gives Democrats the best chance to flip CA-41 next year.”

Myers

Tim Myers had received almost $180,000 at the end of June and has already spent his total cash. The only details are that $41,000 was used to repay a loan.

Last week, he announced his decision to seek the nomination for Lt. Governor rather than the CD 41 nomination.

Others

None of the other three candidates, Abel Chavez, Ferguson Porter and Tiffanie Tate, had raised more than $50,000 through the end of June.

Tate still had $33,000 cash and Porter had $23,000.

Dr. Tiffanie Tate is a veteran officer of the US Navy, retired OBGYN, author, ordained minister of Universal Life Church, and radio show co-host, of Doctors In The House on NBC radio.

FVWD selects new Director, ponders unaccounted for water loss

By JP Crumrine Correspondent

For the second time in three months, the Board of the Fern Valley Water District appointed a new director. Christine Pyo will replace Robert Krieger, who resigned at the end of May, on the Board.

Pyo said she and her husband have been full-time Idyllwild residents for about two years. They moved here from Los Angeles and are happy about that decision.

“It’s a beautiful community and we are becoming part of it,” she told the Board. She is grateful for the opportunity to use her background, which includes corporate work and healthcare, to give back to the community.

Her time on the FVWD Board will be another addition to her community involvement. She is a volunteer at Idyllwild Pines Camp and already the music director for the Idyllwild Community Church. Her musical talent, combined with her healthcare background, allows her to offer music therapy sessions.

“I have a heart to serve the community of Idyllwild. It is truly a special place in my heart,” she wrote in her application.

“I would love the opportunity to offer my skills in order to improve the town and ultimately give back to the people,” she added. “I look forward to working with the other members who have a passion for this community.”

After a few questions from the Board, Pyo attended via Zoom, Director Jon Brown commented, “I usually have a lot of questions for applicants, but your resume and application answered all of them.”

The board then voted unanimously (4-0) to appoint Pyo as its newest member.

The District’s water production increased substantially during the latest (May-June) billing period. Total production was 7.5 million gallons, 30 percent greater

than the same period in 2024.

General Manager Victor Jimenez emphasized that current supplies were good and the creeks were still flowing. In response to a question from Director Chrissie Teeling, he said current production was not a worry, but he will be watching supplies over the rest of summer since rainfall has been so infrequent during 2025.

During this period, water consumption increased about 20 percent over 2024’s May-June period, which increased revenue by about 10 percent. Jimenez attributed the increased demand to the lack of rainfall causing more customers to water their lawns and plants.

However, the Board and Jimenez did have a discussion about the 17 percent unaccounted for water volume.

Jimenez stressed while there was one leak this month it was small. “I honestly don’t think we have a leak problem,” he told the Board.

He believes the method by which water production is measured and usage monitored is affecting the calculations.

“Having the treatment plant and all of the storage tanks that we have in the equation, definitely increases the chance of inaccuracy in water loss reporting,” Jimenez wrote in an email to the Town Crier.

The volume in the tanks is assessed daily, but it is a human estimate, which could vary.

“I don’t think we have a water leak problem it’s a water loss accounting issue,” he concluded. He plans to assess the procedures going forward to identify what may be influencing this figure.

During May and June, the creeks, again, were the large source of water for the District. Groundwater provided 6 percent of the water. In June 2024, groundwater was 14 percent of the District’s water source. Creek flow is supplying more than 90 percent of FVWD’s water through Spring.

New state agency to focus on homelessness

By JP Crumrine Correspondent

Besides funding and new regulations, Gov. Gavin Newsom has decided that a reorganization of state government is another tool to combat the homeless problem in California.

On July 11, he announced the formation of the new California Housing and Homelessness Agency and a separate Business and Consumer Services Agency. His intent according to the press release is to “. . . institutionalize housing, homelessness, and affordability as longterm priorities.” Both agencies will become effective next July 1.

“Housing and homelessness are complex and multifaceted issues — deserving of full and prioritized attention — something we have established within this administration,” the Governor said in his press release. “I am grateful that the legislature recognized the need for a new standalone agency dedicated to addressing

these vexing issues that continue to face our state and nation, so that these issues will never fall into the shadows again. We have a moral imperative to continue this work and to ensure every Californian has a safe place to call home.”

The new California Housing and Homelessness Agency will comprise the following: the departments of Housing and Community Development and Civil Rights, as well as the California Interagency Council on Homelessness, and the California Housing Finance Agency.

The CHHA focus is on housing, homelessness and civil rights. Under one umbrella, the intent is to speed up the construction and financing of housing under California’s affordable housing programs. Better alignment of housing programs and financing should provide a more streamlined process.

The new Business and Consumer Services Agency will be composed of the Departments of Alcoholic Beverage Control, Financial Protection and Innovation, Consumer Affairs, Real Estate, and Cannabis Control as well as the Cannabis Control Appeals Panel, the Alcoholic Beverage Control Appeals Board and the California Horse Racing Board.

Its mission will be to protect consumers through broad oversight across a wide range of industries, such as occupational licensing, alcohol regulation, cannabis regulation, and financial protection.

“This bold plan shows we are being more aggressive in prioritizing change for the better,” Tomiquia Moss, Secretary of the Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency, said in the Governor’s press release. “This will enable us to better reach our goal of 2.5 million new homes by 2030, with one million of them being affordable housing.”

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The suit alleges that the defendants business practices burden not only their tenants but also the surrounding communities, causing local code enforcement agencies to “spend disproportionate amounts of their limited resources trying to bring Nijjar Companies’ properties into compliance” and adds that since 2019, “Defendants have received several thousand notices of habitability defects….some citing hundreds or even thousands of defects at a single property.”

The suit says that the Defendants, in 2022, “brought in more than $330 million in rental income and were left with around $70 million in profit” but “spent more money from their corporate accounts on meals and entertainment…than they spent to provide badly needed pest-control for their tens of thousands of tenants.”

Besides the failure to maintain properties, the suit alleges engaging in unlicensed real estate activities, discriminating against prospective tenants with Section 8 vouchers, adding “deceptive, unenforceable” terms to leases that waive tenant rights guaranteed by the state, and violating the California translation Act by intentionally marketing to Spanish-speaking communities but only providing leases in English. Other sections allege violations of eviction and rent increase laws.

Bonta’s suit asks for penalties of up to $2,500 per violation, and seeks payments for tenants

Nijjar’s attorney Stephen Larson has given a statement to LAist saying: “The allegations in the complaint are completely false and misleading, and its claims are legally erroneous.” LAist continues to quote the response as saying that Nijjar’s companies “provide an extraordinary service to housing those disadvantaged and underserved by California’s public and private housing markets.”

Larson also represented Nijjar in a 2023 counter-suit against the City of Los Angeles. The City invoked Public Nuisance Law (PNL) and accused Nijjar of allowing a 116 unit apartment complex in North Hollywood to become a center of gang activity. The counter-suit blamed the City for allowing criminal activity in an adjacent alley.

In that case, the court granted a preliminary injunction ordering the City to implement safety measures; improved lighting, video monitoring, private security, and criminal background checks on tenants. On remand, the background checks were removed. The California Court of Appeal reviewed the case and held that the City could enforce the original PNL order

The judge has not yet issued a schedule for pleadings in the new case.

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS:

1. Petitioner: BEVERLY JO FOUNTAIN filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present name: BEVERLY JO FOUNTAIN changed to Proposed name: BEVERLY JO BOWMAN.

2. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter shall appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING

a. Date: 08/27/2025. Time: 8:00 am.

b. The address of the court is same as noted above, Dept. C2

AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION OF 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE). Publication of notice pursuant to this section shall be once a week for four successive weeks. Four publications in a newspaper regularly published once a week or oftener, with at least 5 days intervening between the respective publication dates not counting such publication dates, are sufficient. The period of notice commences with the first day of publication and terminates at the end of the twenty-eighth day, including therein the first day.

CERTIFICATION

I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office.

PETER ALDANA, County Clerk Pub. TC: July 10, 17, 24, 31, 2025 CVME2502777 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE, 27401 Menifee Center Drive, Menifee, CA 92584 Branch name: Menifee Justice Center. TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS:

1. Petitioner: RUTH SOLOMON filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: a. Present name: RUTH SOLOMON changed to Proposed name: MESERET SOLOMON.

b. The address of the court is same as noted above, Dept. M205.

3. a. A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: Riverside, Idyllwild Town Crier. Date: 07/03/2025 BELINDA A. HANDY JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT Pub. TC: July 10, 17, 24, 31, 2025 CVCO2504875 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE, 505 S. Buena Vista Avenue, #201, Corona, CA 92882. Branch name: Corona Courthouse.

ARF is here to help: Plan now for your pet’s future

By Janice Murasko President Animal Rescue Friends of Idyllwild

Odds are, you’re a planner, and you take precautions. You have medical insurance for yourself (and maybe for your pet, too!), homeowners’ or renters’ insurance, and auto insurance. You plan birthday celebrations, holiday gatherings, and vacations. You look at your income and find a way to pay the bills, but have you planned for your pet’s care in the case of your passing? Sadly, the majority of pet guardians fail to do this.

More often than you think, ARF is faced with finding fosters for dogs and/or cats when a pet guardian has passed. This can pose a real problem when there are no available fosters (which is way

too often). Recently ARF received a request from a family member to take in a dog of a deceased family member. Fortunately, ARF found a foster to take the sweet dog, and it also was able to cover all veterinary costs required. This was a fortunate dog, but sadly too many end up in shelters or on the streets.

Start today, or tomorrow at the latest, to plan for your pet’s care in your permanent absence. Please have a reliable person who has agreed to house your pets either temporarily or for their lifetimes. If at all possible, leave funding and/or have them insured to help cover their living and veterinary expenses. Make available their medical records, or

at the least, make certain a reliable person knows the name and number of their veterinarian. Additionally, be certain that your pets are always current on vaccinations and dental work. Your family members or friends will be so grateful and thankful that you have made these vital preparations. In your absence, your pets will grieve. It will be stressful for them. The worst scenario for them would be in a scary shelter situation! Do what you can now to make this transition as easy as possible for your beloved fourleggeds. They are part of your family and deserve serious consideration.

Date: 07/07/2025 RANDALL S. STAMEN

JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT Pub. TC: July 10, 17, 24, 31, 2025

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE

Notice is hereby given the undersigned will sell at Public Auction by competitive bidding on or after July 31st, 2025 at 12:00 pm, for the purpose of satisfying lien for the storage and will be held online at www.StorageTreasures.com. The property has been stored at San Jacinto Self Storage, 1137 S San Jacinto Ave. in the city of San Jacinto, County of Riverside, State of California. This notice is given in accordance with the provisions of section 21700 ET. Seq. of the Business and Professions Code of the State of California. Auctioneer’s Site: https://www.storagetreasures.com, Storage Treasures. All units listed contain miscellaneous household items and furniture. Unit numbers and identity of Occupants renting each space are as follows: 614 - Morgan Clayton 619B - Hector Hernandez 509 - Rochelle C Tsosie Pub. TC: July 10, 17, 2025

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as ARCHITECTURAL PROPERTIES, ARCHITECTURAL PROPERTIES &ESTATES, ARCHITECTURAL ESTATES, 2561 WEST LA CONDESA DRIVE, PALM SPRINGS, CA 92264, COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE. Mailing Address: 2561 WEST LA CONDESA DRIVE, PALM SPRINGS, CA 92264. ARCHITECTURAL PROPERTIES 2561 W LA CONDESA DRIVE PALM SPRINGS, CA 92264 This business is conducted by a Corporation. State of Corporation: CA The registrant

therein the first day.

CERTIFICATION I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. PETER ALDANA, County Clerk Pub. TC: May 22, 29, June 5, 12, July 17, 24, 31, August 7, 2025 CVMV 2506523 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE, 13800 Heacock Street Bldg. D #201, Moreno Valley, CA 92553. Branch name: Moreno Valley Courthouse. TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS:

1. Petitioner: Leah Maira Perrien filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows:

a. Present name: Leah Maira Perrie changed to Proposed name: Melissa Ann Reid.

NOTICE OF HEARING

a. Date: 08/29/2025. Time: 8:00 am, Dept. MV2.

b. The address of the court is same as noted above.

JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT

Pub. TC: July 17, 24, 31, August 7, 2025 CVME 2507641 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE, MENIFEE JUSTICE CENTER, 27401 MENIFEE CENTER DRIVE, MENIFEE, CA 92584. Branch name: MENIFEE JUSTICE CENTER. TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS:

1. Petitioner: Evelyn Alvarez filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows:

a. Present name: Evelyn Alvarez changed to Proposed name: Eve Lynn Alvarez.

Dept. M205. b. The address of the court is same as noted above.

MCGOWEN CEO Statement filed with the County Clerk of Riverside County on 06/26/2025 FILE NO.: R-202508021 NOTICE — IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION OF 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE). Publication of notice pursuant to this section shall be once a week for four successive weeks. Four publications in a newspaper regularly published once a week or oftener, with at least 5 days intervening between the respective publication dates not counting such publication dates, are sufficient. The period of notice commences with the first day of publication and terminates at the end of the twenty-eighth day, including therein the first day. CERTIFICATION I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my

On the Town

Summer Concert Series features The Laurel Canyon Band this week, ABBA LA next

By David Jerome Correspondent

Idyllwild’s free Sumer Concert Series continues tonight, July 24, with The Laurel Canyon Band. The Lily Rock Ramblers will open. Next week, July 31, ABBA LA will return with Pentagrams and Daisies opening.

The Laurel Canyon Band is a seven-member band that celebrates the music of the Southern California rock scene of the 60s and 70s. Featuring songs by artists like The Eagles, Linda Rondstadt, Jackson Browne, Joni Mitchell, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, and more.

Working as producer on the Emmy-nominated two-part documentary for MGM+ called Laurel Canyon, leader Michael Wright remembered how much he loved the music from that time and place. He reached out to friend and former bandmate Chuck Alvarez to be the musical director, and together they assembled a group of musicians who shared their love for the music of this particular time and place: “Robert Gross, bass playing legend, he played with Delaney and Bonnie back in the day, Phil Shenale on keyboards, and Jeff Olson on drums.” Backup singers are a father and daughter duo, Paul and Lilli Babb, “Paul and I have been best friends since we were kids.”

“It’s a very good band, but what makes it special is the music. People love the songs, and the stories the songs tell, stories I learned making the documentary. You know all the songs, and you love them.”

The Lily Rock Ramblers bring a mix of Bluegrass, Americana, and folk tunes. They Jamie Guthrie (guitar & vocals), Matt Drey (banjo, dobro & vocals), and Ron Vanderlinden (upright bass & vocals.)

Next week, on July 31, Southern California’s premier tribute to Scandinavian pop sensations ABBA will return to the Butterfield. ABBA LA was the one new addition to the Summer Concert Series during last year’s 25th Anniversary season. They began as a heavy metal tribute to the band that brought us “Dancing Queen,” “Take A Chance On Me,” and “Fernando,” but evolved into a “crazy busy” recreation, according to singer Laura Bradley. Bradley told the town crier last year that she loves ABBA’s intergenerational appeal, touching everyone from toddlers to nonagenarians.

Each year, Series founder and producer Ken Dahleen brings the best working tribute artists from the region to Idyllwild for unforgettable summer evenings of music, and invited the pillars of our local music scene to get the crowds warmed up. This will be the Series 26th year, and the concerts have had the Butterfield Am-

Idyllwild Summer Concerts

JULY 24th

JULY 31th

Pentagrams and Daisies The Laurel Canyon Band

August 7 The Tokens Opener: Sandii Castleberry

• Linda McCaughin & Phil Strong

• Sandlin Refrigeration

• David and Colleen Pascale

• Sanford & Brenda Moreno

• Idyllwild Rotary Charitable Fund

• Babz and David Cutter

• Harry & Cosmo Perrogato

phitheater for a home since 2019.

• Tiffany Raridon / Idyllwild Properties

• Linda & Manny Rider

• Augusta Communities / Idyllwild Trailer Park

• Residents of Idyllwild Trailer Park

• Robin & Bill Rhoads

• Roland Gaebert

The Summer Concert Series is free and open to all, supported entirely by donations from the community. This year’s budget for nine concerts is $49,275, with $40,177 already raised. Contributions, checks payable to “Idyllwild Summer concert Org” may be sent to PO Box

Rotary Club of Idyllwild supports local orgs with Town Hall bingo

The Rotary Club of Idyllwild continues to support local businesses and organizations through its monthly Bingo Night at Town Hall. Each month a Rotarian visits local businesses purchasing gift certificates as prizes. A different organization is selected monthly to share in the night’s proceeds. Idyllwild Rotary’s goal is to serve and promote our mountain community.

Since Bingo Night’s inception in September 2024, over $1800 in gift certificates have been purchased locally and more than $2400 donated to organizations supporting our mountain communities and residents. ARF, Soroptimists, Idyllwild Community Center, American Legion Post 800, Mountain Communities Mutual Aid, Idyllwild Help Center, Living Free and Idyllwild Garden Club have been recipients of Bingo proceeds. September-October-November Bingo events will benefit Idyllwild Scholarship Fund, Idyllwild Summer Concert Series and Forest Folk.

Dates for 2026 Bingo Nights at Town Hall have been secured beginning February through November 2026. Any local non-profit organization interested in partnering with Idyllwild Rotary and reserving a Bingo Night contact IDYRotaryEvents@ gmail.com.

August 9th

• Bob & Gisela Stearns

• Idyllwild Pizza Company

• Idyllwild Town Crier

• Stephanie Yost at Idyllwild Mountain Properties

• Pete and Suzy Capparelli

• Garrett Capune & Harmeet Chana

• Vacation Rental Owners

The Laurel Canyon Band with the Lily Rock Ramblers, Thursday July 24; ABBA LA with Pentagrams and Daisies, Thursday July 31. Music begins at 6 p.m., with headliners taking the stage at 7 p.m. Butterfield Amphitheater, 54201 Rid

Starts Friday July 25th

Opener: Lily Rock Ramblers

Contributed By Barbra Larsh Rotary Events Committee

Do you like reading comics or watching cartoons? Have you ever tried to draw a cartoon on your own? Well, today’s a great time to try a little ’tooning with Kid Scoop’s own artist, Jeff Schinkel.

Draw lightly in pencil first. Initially, keep your drawing loose, concentrating on the overall

or pose of your character.

Drawing your favorite characters is good practice, but don’t be afraid to make up some of your own, too!

Create your own characters using these shapes.

Practice drawing things that can provide a good setting for your cartoons—trees, lakes, rocket ships, desert islands and more!

Comic strip cartoonists draw and write. See if you can come up with something funny for these characters to be saying. Show it to a friend and see if they get a chuckle out of it.

Try drawing 3 different kinds of chairs in your home.

Comic characters have different character traits. Some are kind, but some are not. Some are courageous, while others are not. What other traits do comic strip characters exhibit?

Select three characters you like from the newspaper comics. Complete the boxes below.

Comic Strip:

Character’s Name:

Character Trait:

Action that shows the trait:

Comic Strip:

Character’s Name:

Character Trait:

Action that shows the trait:

Comic Strip:

Character’s Name:

Character Trait:

Action that shows the trait:

What’s a character trait?

Read the list and then see if you can think of any other traits. responsible persevering honest compassionate generous kind respectful capable hopeful disciplined community minded

Standards Link: Character Education: Identify positive character traits.

Comic Talk

Select newspaper photos of people or animals. Make up humorous things for each character to say to create a newspaper comic strip.

Standards Link: Writing Applications: Write a variety of sentences.

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:

Whoops! Unscramble the word on each crayon to gure out what color each crayon should be.

Try

What

gesture

Live Music

PHOTO BY PETER SZABADI

ICC Sports update

ICC ADULT SOFTBALL: WEEK 4

BBI Construction found their footing after a three-game losing streak when they were victorious over Artifacts in last Tuesday’s (July 15th) early game; they won by a score of 248.

Santa Rosa took on Pure Bean in the first game of their ‘double-header week’ in Tuesday’s late game. Santa Rosa was ahead 10-7 going into the final inning, but then Pure Bean tacked on 8 runs in the final inning to come back and win the game 15-13. Pure Bean won their second straight game which puts them solidly in third place.

Santa Rosa then took on Village Properties in Wednesday’s (July 16th) early game and once again ended in a nail-biting finish – this time in favor of Santa Rosa who narrowly won by a score of 13-11. Santa Rosa holds on to the fourth spot in the standings, now tied with BBI Construction

Then it was the game that the whole league was watching, as Wednesday’s late game featured the two undefeated teams going head-to-head: KIC Construction vs Pharos Athletic Club, both were at 4-0 at the start of the game.

KIC’s batting power has been unmatched this whole season as they averaged a whopping 26.5 runs per game in their first four games. Pharos A.C. has been finding ways to win, but by a much smaller margin.

Pharos A.C. was not worried about KIC’s ability to score runs, however, as they have one of the best defenses in the league. After four games Pharos A.C. have held opponents to an average of 8.25 runs per game.

It’s a classic battle of fire and ice; one that would add to the centuries-long debate about which team is the most triumphant: the team with the best offense? or the team with the best defense?

After three innings in Wednesday’s late game, it was a real tug-of-war where Pharos A.C. was doing their job on defense and had a slight 1-0 lead over KIC Construction; then they managed to pull in a few more runs to increase their lead 5-0 in the fifth inning.

They thought they had KIC in the ropes; however KIC scored their first run in the sixth inning and were making a comeback in the final inning, but the third out came too soon for them to do anything else.

Pharos A.C. would go to defeat KIC Construction by a score of 6-4 and now holds the top spot in the standings, as KIC Construction drops down to second place.

In this game, to contribute to the centuries-long debate, the ‘fire’-power of KIC’s offense seemed to have been ‘iced’ by Pharos Athletic Club’s superior defense.

But will this continue, or did Pharos A.C. just add more fuel to KIC’s fire?

We shall see what happens in Week 5.

Stay tuned.

CURRENT STANDINGS (as of 07-21-2025)

Arts Academy faculty and alumni celebrate life and teaching of Dr Douglas Ashcraft

By Art Connor Correspondent

Before a pre-invited audience of alumni, faculty members, students and friends of the Idyllwild Arts Academy and general well-wishers, the Idyllwild Arts Foundation and the Associates of Idyllwild Arts presented a memorial program to celebrate the life and musical environment of Doctor Douglas Ashcraft. Since the devoted piano pedagogue and mentor’s passing in January, such an occasion was in the hearts and minds of all those gathered together this past Saturday evening in Lowman Concert Hall, and as subdued as the proceedings warranted, a nonetheless enlivened, enlightened and inspired mood prevailed throughout.

Following short introductory speeches by IAF President Pamela Jordan and the invited past Board Chairman Jeffrey Dvorak, the night’s program began with returning pianist and teacher Antoinette Perry’s playing of the “Moment Musical, Opus 94 #6” of Franz Peter Schubert. Preceded by a short reminiscence, Ms. Perry’s interpretation proved a subtle farewell to Dr. Ashcraft’s talents, and the “Troubadour’s Lament” (so styled in the work’s first published version) became the evening’s first significant programmed piece. There followed solo flutist and former IAA Orchestra conductor Ransom Wilson’s playing of Claude Debussy’s “Syrinx”, and with piano accompaniment from alumnus Michael Noble, the first 2 movements of George Frederick Handel’s “Sonata for Flute and Harpsichord, Opus 1 #11 in F Major” were essayed. Both pieces seemed to provide an ethereal quality to the concert space (in particular the Debussy work, effectively kept at moderate volume by Mr. Wilson). Mr. Noble was then recalled to the bench for a little-known work by Catalan composer Federico Mompou (in a piano arrangement by A. Volodos). The “Damunt de tu nomes les flors” evoked to this listener a soothing, lullaby-like atmosphere, further engaging the reminiscing facilities of the assembled auditors.

The ensuing “Chant” for violin and piano by Bulgarian composer Pancho Vladigerov, performed respectively by alumnus Moni Simeonov and IAA teacher Jeanette Louise Yaryan proved a somewhat diversionary excursion into Eastern European folk traditions, with a generous outpouring of violinistic (as well as pianistic) techniques. And with a somewhat humorous

YOUTH SOCCER

Save the date! On Saturday August 9th from 10:00am to 2:00pm, representatives from AYSO are coming up the Hill for a “Soccer Fun Day!” at Idyllwild School’s Top Field.

This is a free fundraising event for kids where there will be 3v3 and 4v4 “mini tournaments” (ages 7-14), plus an inflatable soccer field for the little ones (ages 4-6).

Food, snacks, and drinks will be available and 100% of the proceeds will go towards new soccer uniforms.

There will also be “early bird registration discounts” for the 2025 season which starts in late August and runs to mid-October (exact dates TBA).

And for the local businesses, there will be sponsorship opportunities where we will give priority to those who sign-up to sponsor a team on “Soccer Fun Day!” Saturday August 9th.

For more info, please contact the ICC at 951-6592638 or email info@idyllwildcommunitycenter.org

introductory statement from alumnus Julian Jenson, recalling Dr. Ashcraft’s premonitory warnings regarding playing and practicing, the first 2 published nocturnes of Frederic Chopin (Opus 9, #1 and #2) were presented in a suitable concert fashion, eschewing the usual “salon” performance methods, particularly in the second (all-too-familiar) E-Flat Major work, while the first (B-Flat Minor) nocturne gave forth simultaneous sensitivity, poignancy and charm.

There followed what this reviewer considered to be the major tributary works of the evening. IAA Music Chair and Orchestra member Kai Potts Smith’s rendition of the opening “Adagio” movement of Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Sonata #3 for Solo Violin in C Major (BWV 1005)” , executed in a mellower register on Ms. Potts Smith’s viola, was a revelatory inspiration, as was the playing of the 3rd movement (“Andante”) of Sergei Rachmaninov’s “Sonata for Cello and Piano, Opus 19”, where Ms. Yaryan’s accompanying set off the viola’s middle and lower ranges most effectively, proving (to this listener, at least) of this work’s return to professional status and compositional worthiness.

It remained for Ms. Yaryan’s function as a solo pianist to complete the circle of the evening’s tribute with a subtly meditative conclusion, with her performance of the final “Arietta” movement of Ludwig van Beethoven’s ultimate piano sonata (#32 in C Minor, Opus 111). Though criticized for its wide and sometimes wild assortment of variations on a simple theme (and often as not performed in that manner), Ms. Yaryan stood true to the movement’s original unconscious intention as the composer’s farewell to more traditional 19th-century formats, and an anticipatory welcoming of new piano styles. Ever so subtly, with the wistful trillings in the high registers fading in the recesses of the concert hall’s rafters, Dr. Ashcraft was effectively memorialized, and will thus be a continued spiritual presence on the Idyllwild Arts campus and environs.

... y aunque la vida murió,/nos dejó harto consuelo/su memoria.

Jorge Manrique (1440-1479)

(And although his life is passed,/ we are left with great consolation/ by his memory.)

— Charles Darwin

Top Left: Ransom Wilson and Michael Noble

Bottom Left: Moni Simeonov and Jeanette Louise Yaryan

Right: Antionette Perry

PHOTOS BY PETER SZABADI

75 years ago - 1950

The local square dance class completed nine lessons, which was the complete course, in one week. Then it announced it was opening to the public.

70 years ago - 1955 Hidden Lodge swimming pool opened daily. The cost was 60 cents for adults, and 40 cents for children.

65 years ago - 1960

Model T clubs chugged up the Hill to the County Park and attended

the second Woodsman Breakfast of the season.

60 years ago - 1965

Noise from Town Hall dances was a problem for folk living nearby. Irritations like this didn’t exist when the town was more sparsely populated, they said.

55 years ago - 1970

Despite protests from thousands of people, the green light was given for Great American Land Company to begin its 3,911-lot development in Garner Valley.

50 years ago - 1975 Richard Smith of Idyllwild was injured in a motorcycle collision on Jameson Road. It was the third local motorcycle crash within a 10-day period.

Creature Corner

Last week in Days of Our Nine Lives, the ARF cats met new ARF dog, Ocean.

Pepper: In-n-out!

Marlowe: Huh? What do you mean?

Pepper: I mean that the newest ARF dog was here, and now is gone...adopted!

Sequoia: That was quick! He was adorable.

Pepper: And so is the family that adopted him. What a lucky pup.

Sequoia: And I heard that a deposit was put down on one of the kittens.

Pepper: You're right. Now we still have quite a few left to find furever homes.

Marlowe: Those kittens are so darned cute. It's inconceivable that they haven't yet been adopted.

Rowan: Just about everyone who meets them says the same.

Sequoia: When will updated photos of these kittens be ready?

Rowan: Well, considering it takes at least two people to get decent photos of these busy babies, hopefully next weekend.

Pepper: Right. This last weekend was a sparse one, with so many regular ARF volunteers either on vacation or recovering from necessary surgeries.

Sequoia: No kidding!

During vacation season, it's not unusual to find the ARF House closed on a Saturday or Sunday.

Pepper: Until more dog and cat loving people step up to volunteer, this will happen.

45 years ago - 1980

Hikers through the Mt. San Jacinto State Park were rewarded with sights from another time period, such as a logging wagon from 1900. Lumbering on the Hill was at its peak between 1880 and 1910.

40 years ago - 1985

The U.S. Forest Service and California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection were investigating the cause of the 1,800-acre Cabazon Fire that wounded 28 people. Nearly 1,600 firefighters battled the blaze.

A Southern California Edison work crew was thought to be responsible for starting the fire.

35 years ago - 1990

Birchard Studio on the Idyllwild Arts campus was remodeled. Birchard was the first building to

be constructed on what was then, and is now, the sprawling campus of Idyllwild Arts Academy.

30 years ago - 1995

Due to budget reductions in the county Public Library System, the Idyllwild Branch was again fighting for hours. The county Board of Supervisors was looking at 40 percent cuts across the board.

25 years ago - 2000

Two visitors to the Hill fell from Tahquitz Rock during a climb and died tragically.

20 years ago - 2005

Kyle D. Ferree pleaded guilty to causing the Verbenia Fire by shooting a gun. Ultimately, the fire consumed nearly 4,000 acres northwest of Idyllwild and Pine Cove.

15 years ago - 2010

The U.S. Forest Service issued new and tighter fire restrictions for the San Bernardino National Forest. Forest officials were spurred to action by recent high temperatures, which were rapidly reducing vegetative moisture levels.

11 year ago - 2014

The California Department of Parks and Recreation, with the assistance of the California Highway Patrol Aviation Unit, rescued an injured female hiker from Mt. San Jacinto State Park.

10 year ago - 2015

Cal Fire and several Hill residents filed lawsuits against Mountain Center Resident, alleging that faulty electrical equipment on their Mountain Center property caused the Mountain Fire, seek-

ing recovery for fire suppression costs and over $2 million in damages.

5 year ago - 2020

While closed due to COVID-19, the Idyllwild Nature Center underwent major exhibit renovations and organization led by Park Ranger Steve Perez, who also reported a 25% increase in trail visitors and a growing need for volunteers to support operations.

1 year ago - 2024

Despite record heat and early blooms leaving few actual lemon lilies, the annual Lemon Lily Festival went on at the Nature Center with crafts, music, and community spirit, highlighting ongoing restoration efforts and the flower’s historical significance.

Rowan: Volunteers and fosters! They're both desperately needed right now.

This week's Creature Corner is sponsored by Lois Shepard. 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.

Churches & Spiritual Centers Directory

Idyllwildof

With a wife and two children, he came up for a summer weekend around 1996, and the kids asked “Can we move here?” The adults had to explain why that was “not practical,” but a seed was planted.

“My wife Joanne and I a decade ago got the deal of the new millennium and bought a second home there, an hour from Murrieta. It sounds weird that I, a retired teacher and freelance journalist, could afford it, but that’s also the reason I still sub.”

Love’s first attempt to write a book about Idyllwild focused on Mayor Max and the people around him, but this never quite came together. “When that didn’t happen, I found an even better idea: the entire community.”

The Prologue to the book points to the sign on Highway 243 at South Circle Drive with the badges of local organizations like the Rotary Club, the American Legion, and the Soroptimists, and highlights the motto , “Welcome to Idyllwild. Home of Adventure, Music, Art, and Harmony.”

“This is my attempt to explain the people behind that message. It’s not intended to be a history book, though I’ll address that plenty. Instead, it’s a moment in time, about 24 months of Idyllwild time spread over 2023, 2024, and 2025. The book is Our Idyllwild on Amazon. The last chapter is “My Idyllwild,” my story that started in the 1980s. The last line, after telling my relationship to the community, is, “What’s your Idyllwild?”

The book is based on interviews with influential locals, and looks at the changes that have come to the community. There are chapters that treat the passage of famous characters that spent time here, but most of it is about those who have made this place their home.

“This is my third book, and like the previous two, photographer Carl Kravats and designer Robbie Adkins helped. Kravats took more than 100 color pictures. He has more than 50 years of experience and has worked with many famous people, including the cast of Saturday Night Live. He has been a food photographer in Temecula for 21 years and has shot 8 cookbooks. Adkins, who lives in Murrieta with two, as she put it, “doggies,” has designed about 200 books and has won awards. She said she loves helping people like me make books.” Love and Kravats were especially impressed by their encounter with the Idyll-Beast, an encounter that produced some of their favorite images.

“My other two books are I’m Not Your Friend, I’m Your Teacher, a memoir about my 22 years plus of teaching elementary school in Murrieta, and From Two Lanes to the Fast Lane, what I call the ‘greatest hits’ of my Press Enterprise columns in Temecula and Murrieta.

Author Carl Love talks about his book Our Idyllwild, 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 30 at the Idyllwild Library, 54401 Village Center, and 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 2 at the Rustic Theatre, 54290 N. Circle Drive. Both events are free. Reach Carl Love at carllove4@yahoo.com

Carl Love continued from