palms to pines magazine - january-february 2015

Palms to Pines Magazine, January-February 2015 1

Palms to PinesYour guide to Idyllwild, Palm Springs and everywhere in between

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015 | Vol. 2 No. 1palmstopinesmagazine.com

COMPLIMENTARY

Magazine

ILLUSTRATION BY JAMIE DEE GALEY, COLOR BY TRILLIAN GUNN © 2014

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Artistic Excellence Since 1998

ART ALLIANCE of IDYLLWILD

(877) 439-5278 AAI, P.O.BOX 472, Idyllwild, CA 92549 Idyllwild - “One of the 100 Best Art

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Visit Idyllwild’s galleries

Acorn GallleryA gallery offering an interesting blend of fine arts and handcrafted gifts. Each piece is creatively inspired and fairly priced. Jewelry, photos,paintings and more. Featuring award-winning artists GwenNovak and Marcia Cox. Next to Café Aroma. Kirsten Ingbretsen,owner. (951) 795-3799www.acorngallery.com

Café AromaA unique gourmet Bistro- Gallery-Social Club showcasing the works of a variety of artists, rotated throughout the year. We also feature the works of our resident artists, Rachel Welch and Erin Murray. (951) 659-5212www.cafearoma.org

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Courtyard GalleryContemporary art at its best!A vital, diverse gallery featuring pottery, visual art and photography of nine internationally acclaimed local artists: Carol Mills, Cher Townsend, Helen Atik, Debbie Crowell,Mark Alan Meader,Elanie Moore, Judith Schonebaum,Jan Priestley and Trish Tuley.Gallery owned by the late Carol Mills.(951) 659-2774 www.courtyardgalleryidyllwild.com

1 Florist in the Forest & GalleryThis full-service flower shop features the art of owner and designer Donna Lori Parker, Rebecca Krasovich’s clothcreations, jewelry by Jeff Alleva and Neona Rose, works by Karin Hedstrom, Ed Bucher’s metal creations, photographyby Lyn Shaw and Kathy Chin, Kathleen Chaney’s art rocks, Christy Stedman’s batiks and Shirley Jordan paintings. (951) 659-4143www.floristintheforest.com

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(877) 439-5278 AAI, P.O.BOX 472, Idyllwild, CA 92549

2014 Member GalleriesIdyllwild - Voted Best Mountain Getaway by L.A. Weekly

Idyll Awhile Wine Shoppe BistroIndulge yourself with taste and culture at our European-style wine bistro and gallery. We feature an incredible selection of regional and international wines and beers, as well as regional and local artists. (951) 659-9463 www.idyllawhilewineshoppebistro.com

Four Corners GalleryFeatured are the landscape paintings of AAI’s two-time Artist of The Year, Elena Kern. You may view various gallery members working on the decks of this stream-side studio. Artists include OPA’s award winning, Ying Liu, Elizabeth Parsi, Lois Sowa Stipp, Sherry Ehlert, Duke Windsor, and AAI’s 2001 Artist of The Year, Helen Moles. (951) 533-7564 www.elenakern.com

Oh My Dog GalleryInternationally known photographer and activist Frank Bruynbroek’s stirring candid and commissioned black and white dog photographs are sometimes fun, other times haunting, always captivating. His Ansel Adams-like ability captures a landscape of emotions from man’s best friend. (818) 755-7933 www.compawssion.com

Everitt’s Minerals & Gallery Idyllwild Living Room Gallery Two galleries in a single, comfortable main street location. Fine hand-crafted jewelry and exquisite mineral specimens, antique Japanese woodblock prints, award-winning oil paintings, photography, fine ceramics & crafts combine to create one of Southern California’s best gallery experiences. Everitt’s (951) 659-7075 www.everittsminerals.com; Living Room (951) 750-4880 www.idyllwildlivingroomgallery.com

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12 Singerton Fine Arts GalleryThis gallery brings together a wide venue of media in painting, sculpture, glass art and jewelry designed and created by owners Ron and Darla Singerton. Their award-winning works provide a delightful journey from ancient world replicas tomodern abstract. (951) 659-2504www.singertonfinearts.com

The Spruce Moose Featured at this unique woodland gift shop are award- winning works by Jennifer Ali, Jerry Baccaire, Karlis Dabols, Donna Elliot, Lissa Evans, Fariad, Darcy Gerdes, Mark Nelthorpe, Shanna Robb, Les Walker & Mark Whaley

along with breathtaking photography and handcrafts of other local artisans. Our soy-blend candles, hand-poured in Idyllwild, ship all over the globe. (951) 659-5556 www.sprucemoosegifts.com

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Artspresso GalleryWe carry art by Art Alliance of Idyllwild 2012 Artist of the YearKathy Harmon-Luber. Raku pottery of Sergio Naduville. Paintings by Gene Peebles,Diane Morgan,Gerry High and many more. We have been in Idyllwild serving the art lovers since 2001. Come check us out. (951) 659-6162 www.ghighart.com

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FERRO Within a small mountain village lies a small hidden village where culinary, visual and musical arts meet. (951) 659-0700

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[email protected]

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ArtAllianceTwitter: twitter.com/artinidyllwild


Publisher | Idyllwild House Publishing Company, Ltd.

Editor | Becky Clark

Content Editor | Jay Pentrack ([email protected])

Creative Director / Webmaster | Halie Wilson ([email protected])

Graphic Design Assistant | Teresa Garcia-Lande

Advertising Sales | Lisa Streeter ([email protected]) & Suzanne Avalon ([email protected])

Goddess of All Things | Dolores Sizer

Photographers | Jenny Kirchner • John Pacheco • John Drake

Contributing Writers | Hillary Angel • Shanna Robb • Robert B. Smith

General Counsel | Jack Clark

Palms to Pines Magazine is published bi-monthly by Idyllwild House Publishing Company, Ltd., P.O. Box 157, 54405 N. Circle Drive, Idyllwild, CA 92549.

Please send subscription and change of address requests to the above address. Please allow up to two weeks for requests to be processed.

All contents of Palms to Pines Magazine are copyrighted by Idyllwild House Publishing Company, Ltd. © 2014-2015 all rights reserved. This material may not be published,

broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or part without the express written consent of Idyllwild House Publishing Company, Ltd.

Idyllwild House Publishing Company, Ltd. is located at 54405 North Circle Dr. (P.O. Box 157), Idyllwild, CA 92549

(951) 659-2145 or toll free at 1-888-535-6663 email: [email protected]

Full magazine online at www.palmstopinesmagazine.com

INDEXPalms to Pines Celebrates Love .................................... 6

Love Letters, Straight from the Heart ............................. 7

Still Going Strong ................11

Fern Creek Medical Center’s Unique Approach ............14

Only in Idyllwild ...................18

The Making of the Grand Idyllwild Lodge, Part 1 ....20

Finding the Meaning of Valentine’s Day ................23

An Oasis of Fun in Anza ...27

The Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema ..........28

Coffee With Altitude ...........29

Snow Sports on the Hill ......30

¿Que Pasa Paso Robles? ..32

Idyllwild Events Calendar ..34

Romantic Retreats in Palm Springs .....................36

Desert Date Night Ideas ....38

McCormick’s Auction ........40

Riverside County Date Faire: It’s a Date! ........................42

Palm Springs Celebrates Modernism ........................44

Palm Springs Events Calendar ..........................48

The cover illustration is the creation

of Jamie Dee Galey, with coloring by

Trillian Gunn.


Palms to PinesYour guide to Idyllwild, Palm Springs and everywhere in between

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015 | Vol. 2 No. 1palmstopinesmagazine.com

COMPLIMENTARY

Magazine

ILLUSTRATION BY JAMIE DEE GALEY, COLOR BY TRILLIAN GUNN © 2014

Have you ever stopped to consider the number of times throughout the day that you think about love? Be it love

for your husband, wife or significant other, love for your child, love for your family, love for a friend, love for your pet, love for a cause or love of nature – the reality is that we think about love a lot, even as we are bombarded by bad news and the bad deeds of man daily. Love prevails. This issue of Palms to Pines is a celebration of love! With Valentine’s Day approaching, we wanted to introduce you to some special Idyllwild couples with wonderful stories of romance to inspire you; in Palm Springs we list the Top 10 Most Romantic Places to help you plan a special Valentine’s Day and, we even offer you some date night suggestions that are useful any time of the year. Our calendar of events for Idyllwild and the Desert Cities will also give you some great ideas for fun things to do any time you visit. So this Valentine’s Day (and everyday) celebrate love in its many majestic and magical forms; celebrate each day recalling the kind

and tender feelings that love inspires. “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou Make someone feel loved today.

– Jay Pentrack

Love is Everywhere

Dolores Sizer and Jay Pentrack, recently engaged.PHOTO BY HALIE WILSON


We’ll do almost anything for love. Climb the highest mountain, swim the deepest sea, shout it from rooftops, and lay our souls bare. We sing about it, cry over it, make movies about it, sacrifice fortunes for it, and spend our lives seeking it. And, we write about it – songs, poems, sonnets – words that hope desperately to capture and convey a feeling, explain our emotions and even convince someone to love us back. Love, wondrous, glorious love ...

‘Bright Star’ by John KeatsBright star, would I were stedfast as thou art–Not in lone splendour hung aloft the nightAnd watching, with eternal lids apart,Like nature’s patient, sleepless Eremite,The moving waters at their priestlike taskOf pure ablution round earth’s human shores,Or gazing on the new soft-fallen maskOf snow upon the mountains and the moors–No–yet still stedfast, still unchangeable,Pillow’d upon my fair love’s ripening breast,To feel for ever its soft fall and swell,Awake for ever in a sweet unrest,Still, still to hear her tender-taken breath,And so live ever–or else swoon to death.

Palms to Pines Celebrates Love

By Donna Elliot

Poets wax lyrical about climbing mountains and crossing oceans for love, but how many lovers are put

to the test? Neil and I met on a Welsh mountain, he proposed on top of the Matterhorn in Switzerland, and we criss-crossed many oceans to be together, including meeting in Austria on one Valentine’s Day for a Viennese Ball. Neil and I didn’t set out to spend nearly half of our first ten years apart, but career opportunities, a belief in the strength of our relationship and a shared vision for the future made it possible. Writing letters in airports, in coffee shops and at every possible moment made it bearable, and letters turned it into a journey of discovery. You are invited to share the intimacy of this journey.

16 May 1998 – UK “It is barely a half hour since I watched you walk through passport control and I miss you horribly, perhaps the feeling will ease with time, at the moment I doubt it very much. Despite my desperate feelings I know this is, in the long term, the best thing for us both and for our relationship. It is going to be hard but the reward of being with you in the long term is really worth it.”

19 June 1998 – Singapore “Well, we’ve made it! I am sitting in Starbucks at the airport waiting for you to come through the gate. I didn’t think this day would ever arrive. I am so grateful that fate brought us together. I know love will keep us together. Now, you can at least picture where I am. You will have a second place to call ‘home’ – with me.”

4th January 1999 - Singapore “You are such an important part of my life now. I couldn’t imagine any dream that didn’t include you. When you left last night, I felt so alone that I can’t believe we live through these partings. I’ll just have to concentrate on all of the wonderful things that will allow us to be together again. Already I am thinking about where we can go in April.”

31 March 1999 – Singapore “It is hard to believe we have survived nearly a year of changing seasons and scenery. Sometimes I get overwhelming surges of nostalgia, particularly when you mention the Spring weather there. It is all so vivid, the two spring times we did share.”

Love LettersStraight From The Heart


11 July 1999 – UK “Another airport, another farewell. I’m afraid they do not get any easier. I still find it desperately depressing leaving you. It’s sometimes so bad, I wonder why I do it to myself. Of course, when I see you again, or just hear your voice on the telephone, I remember why. And, in case you were wondering, it is worth every moment of heartache for all those moments of joy when we are together.”

22 February 2000 – Singapore “Today is supposed to be an auspicious day so I thought I’d share it with you.”

25 February 2000 - Singapore “I am sitting in the same Starbucks where only last week we were together. It is difficult when you see other couples who can spend their time together. I envy them. Everyone else’s life seems less complicated. We have more obstacles to overcome than most, but I suppose that is what makes the relationship so strong and so special.”

21 March 2000 – Singapore “As usual, a whirlwind has swept you away and you are being asked to consider major


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changes. There is so much I want to say to you but fear my writing can’t keep up with my thoughts, nor will do them justice. I don’t want our relationship to fall apart because of the distance. I think that it may start to if we are apart for any longer. I can’t do this without you and it becomes harder and harder to be without you. It just seems a waste of precious time to each be experiencing things on separate sides of the globe.”

21 June 2000 – Singapore “Being apart for so long was the dumbest thing we have ever done! However, we’ll make sure we don’t let that happen again.”

29 June 2000 - Singapore “Tomorrow night I get on a plane and at the other end will be you. It is like magic, but then our relationship always has been.”

30 June 2000 – Singapore “I am at the airport now – waiting to leave. I shall close my eyes on the plane and dream of you, and then my dream will come true!”

9 July 2000 – Germany “I’m on the plane back to Singapore and missing you more than ever. I think having

spent such a wonderful time with you makes me acutely aware that I am going in the opposite direction to you.”

20 August 2000 - UK “Here I am on Day 1 without you and I’m an emotional wreck again. I had real problems keeping hold of myself. It is almost too much to bear, to be apart from you. I think that the last few weeks have been some of the best we have had together, but then, I always think that just after we have spent some time together.”

24 November 2000 – South Korea “I’m on my way back now – nearly home – and can’t wait. It is hard being away from you. You fit into my life so easily. It is a wonderful feeling to know you are at home waiting for me. Having you visit Seoul was also a wonderful experience. After you left, it felt like I had only dreamed you were there.”

30 September 2004 – UK “I’m missing you, but then I miss you even when you are in the next room. This will be the first week-end we’ve spent apart for some time, but I know we’ll be together in spirit. I’m happy you are taking up new

challenges. It is what keeps us young and energetic.”

17 October 2004 - Wales “I’m in Cardiff having had a really great walk in the Beacons. The views offered a mixture of sun and clouds, but once when the sun burst through to shine on the water, it looked like a diamond or something out of ‘Rivendale’. I spent a lot of time ‘talking’ to you in my head.”

17 November 2004 – New York “I’m on the Acela Express, winging my way to you. I am so excited. I left my glasses behind, but that doesn’t matter as I don’t need them to see how wonderful you are.”

7 April 2005 – Santiago, Chile “Just finished work and decided to have a coffee. It is hard to explain my excitement at seeing you again this week-end. I feel all shivery as I write this.”

16 April 2005 – Wilmington, Delaware “I’m in a bookshop having a coffee. I came here to get a book to read on the trip to Hong Kong. I also brought along this paper so I could share a few moments with you.”


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5 May 2005 – UK “I really love sitting here writing to you. It is like the rest of the world disappears and I am safe from the hustle and bustle, the deadlines, the pressure, REALITY!”

15 May 2005 – Hong Kong “Heaven is the land of the Frappucchino. Unfortunately, hell is not bringing any paper so this is all I can write. Luckily, my love for you is inversely proportional to the size of this card. Or, to put it more poetically, if this card were big enough to cover the world, there would still not be enough room to say how much I love you.”

14 August 2005 - UK “We have already spoken and although it makes the morning brighter, the rest of the day seems emptier and lonelier. I think the closeness of our relationship has both advantages and disadvantages. The advantage is that because it is so strong, we will survive a separation. The disadvantage is that we feel the separation more acutely.

20 October 2005 – UK “I have a question. If Starfleet were

so clever, why didn’t they adopt Klingon cloaking device technology?”

15 December 2005 - UK “I am in Barcelona tonight – or at least my coffee is in my Starbucks’ Barcelona mug. These mugs evoke memories of good times and places.”

20 March 2006 – Hong Kong “You are on a plane on your way here. Tomorrow, we start to enjoy life together again. Thank you.”

31 May 2007 So, after 2,169 cards, letters and innumerable lattes, we are now ready to begin a new chapter in our lives, in Idyllwild, California. We do not know whether this next sojourn will involve more airports and City Mugs, but that is why life is such an adventure. It is not surprising that John Donne said “… more than kisses, letters mingle souls …”

15 November 2014 P.S. We now enjoy our coffee at the Higher Grounds coffee shop in Idyllwild!

Dave and Julie Dillon Idyll Awhile Wine Shoppe & Bistro

By Jay Pentrack

E a st Coasters Dave and Julie Dillon met in High School – their high schools were rivals - in

Pennsylvania but it wasn’t until college that the pair began a relationship that has lasted more than 30 years. “We knew of each other but never really knew each other until I was in college. I was probably a junior in college. I did my under [graduate work] at Bloomsburg State University,” Dave said. An accomplished wrestler in high school, Dave says of Julie’s attraction to him, “She likes men in tight pants.” With a background in history and political science and the economy on a downward slide, Dave’s buddy Pete Coy suggested that they apply for a job fighting fires. Both of them were hired, so Dave took a semester off from school to make some money. Julie and Dave had just started dating when both guys were sent to California for their firefighting stints; Julie moved into Pete and Dave’s apartment to take care of their things. This would be Dave’s first introduction to Idyllwild. “I came out with Pete and we arrived in probably the first week in June of 1981. It was a dark night and foggy when we drove up the mountain,” he recalled. “[The next day] we drove into Idyllwild and I said, ‘oh yeah.’ I had been on the East Coast my whole life and I was like ‘this town is too cool.’” Dave and Pete became members of the Vista Grande Hot Shots. Young and in love, Dave kept in touch with Julie when he could. “He would call from a pay phone when they were in fire camp,” Julie offered. “Imagine, you’re in fire camp and they would bring in phones and then the line would be like [a mile long] and if you talked for more than a few minutes there would be a hundred guys behind you,” Dave said. Soon, Dave had a proposition for Julie, “We were writing and talking to each other and he said ‘why don’t you come out here,’ and he sent me a one way ticket,” Julie recalled. “He was making all of this

money fighting fires and I was like, ‘okay.’ So I came out and we rented a little cabin on Country Club.” Dave and Julie returned to Pennsylvania so Dave could complete his degree. With jobs still scarce, Dave decided to return to the Vista Grande Hot Shots, but prior to their return to California, the pair decided (in 1982) to marry so that friends and family could attend. Dave would spend the next five years on the Hot Shots team and Julie would give birth to their son Bryant in Hemet, California. While Dave worked, Julie found ways to occupy her time. “I

hung out with all of the Forest Service girls, the girlfriends of all of the guys,” Julie said. There were times when Dave was gone for weeks, “Of the two big fires I fought here, the biggest one was the Mountain Center [fire]; that was only 5,000 acres. Think about that, 5,000 compared to [the] 30,000 acres [burned by the 2013 Mountain fire],” Dave recalled. “During the Cabazon fire, I left on June 29 and I came home August 31st.” Julie took a job at Idyllwild’s Red Kettle restaurant, owned at that time by Jan Boss; she worked there for two years. A job at the Idyllwild Library (located across

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1981

2015

Still Going Strong

from the emporium) working with Lorna Fulton, would follow. Julie has wonderful memories of and lifelong friendships with many notable Idyllwild-ians like Jan and Pat Boss and Patti and Gary McKee. Sadly, Patti McKee passed in 2013. The couple returned to Pennsylvania after Dave left the Hot Shots; Julie worked for Delta Airlines while Dave was teaching and coaching wrestling; they also welcomed another son, Jared. “When Jared graduated from high school Julie said ‘let’s go back out west.’ So I applied and got a job at Riverside Unified as a staff developer so I was in charge of teaching teachers how to teach,” Dave explained. “That was in 2007. When we decided to move back, I said ‘I’ll commute to Riverside and we’ll live up here.’” It took a few cross-country trips with a U-Haul, but the couple and all of their belongings finally made it to California. “We stayed at Jan and Pat Boss’ place in Hemet, they put us up because they were working at Thousand Trails so they were in their motorhome,” Julie recalled. But Dave’s perfect job with Riverside Unified

lasted only a year and a half, “When the recession hit, I kept getting pink slipped, because I was low man and I didn’t have tenure. Then I said to Julie ‘We need to start thinking about something else.’” As patrons of Idyll Awhile, Dave

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and Julie spent time observing how the business was run. “We would come here once or twice a month and sit in here or sit [on the patio] and we really didn’t know anyone so we were kind of in the background,” Dave said. “For nine

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1982

2014



months we watched, then we started talking to Rick and Elizabeth (Delnero) about different things. ‘I said, this place can be something else, and they knew it.’” On November 21, 2011, Dave and Julie purchased Idyll Awhile. “We bought it and like 5 days later it was the Tree Lighting [ceremony],” Dave said laughing. “It was insane.” Julie recalls, “We ran out of wine glasses, Gary [Kuscher, past President of the Art Alliance of Idyllwild] brought wine glasses from the Art Alliance.” About four months into their ownership they met local musician, Jac Jacaruso, who offered to play at the bar for free. “And when we heard him … wow,” both Julie and Dave exclaimed. And thus began a long and successful relationship with the many talented musicians in Idyllwild. On any given night patrons may be treated to accomplished saxophonist, Paul Carman, or jazz legend, Marshall Hawkins on bass. Son Jared joined his parents at Idyll Awhile in 2012; in addition to his vast knowledge of beer, Jared also introduced his parents to many local musicians he had met as a waiter at a local restaurant.

Working 6 days a week, however, has prompted the fun-loving couples’ decision to sell Idyll Awhile. “Spending time with each other is part of the reason why the place is up for sale, we don’t have any time for each other,” Julie said. “We’re not going to lie; we’ll miss it because we have had so much fun and we have a lot of great memories.” Dave is more philosophical about moving on, “I coached wrestling for 10 years and I was very successful; I left when I was peaking. Another thing that I believe is to get out when you’re at the top.” Dave and Julie plan to stay in Idyllwild after the bar sells and look forward to the time when they will once again be patrons, not owners. “We want to hang out here, we want sit on the other side of the bar and give somebody else a hard time,” Julie said laughing. “The nice part will be that we can go home; we can go away for the weekend. We want to do some of that again.” Idyll Awhile is located at 54245 N. Circle Drive. For hours of operation and additional information, visit them online at www.idyllawhilewineshoppebistro.com.

Best Wine and Beer on the Mountain at the Best Prices!

Live music Wednesday, Friday & Saturday Nights

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The Village Centre

Idyll Awhile

Higher Grounds

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w2015

By Jay Pentrack

B ack in high school in Anaheim, California, self-proclaimed “band geek,” Ken Browning, had no

idea that one day the wholesome young cheerleader who shared a few French classes with him would one day be his bride. He also did not foresee that one day he would be a doctor practicing medicine in the small mountain community of Idyllwild. Dr. Browning considered being an architect at one time, but his love of music had him considering a career as a musician. “I wanted to go and do music,” Dr. Browning said. “But then I thought I couldn’t do music because I didn’t have perfect pitch and all of these people at Long Beach State had great ears and they could tune and I couldn’t tune anything.” A career in medicine became an obvious choice for him. “My father was a physician and he was an old fashioned GP, he delivered babies, took tonsils out on the kitchen table, and all that stuff,”

Dr. Browning recalled. “I realized working some summer jobs that I didn’t do well working for somebody, I needed to be my own boss. I thought all I know anything about is medicine, so I’ll try that, plus it is noble to want to help people.” Dr. Browning studied medicine at the Kansas City College of Osteopathic Medicine on an Air Force scholarship and entered private practice in Riverside, California in 1984. He joined a family practice group that didn’t do obstetrics and, later joined another family practice group in Riverside that did obstetrics because it was an area of practice he enjoyed. Dr. Browning purchased a 1902 Heritage House which has served as his office for the past 27 years. With a son in the Boy Scouts, Dr. Browning visited Idyllwild’s Camp Emerson many times and by 1995, and after a divorce, had started looking at “for sale” signs. “I found this place on Tahquitz right on the creek that was for sale … I called my CPA and said ‘could I ever afford

something like this’ and he said, ‘you can’t afford not to, because you’ll just give all of your money to the government.’” In 1997, Dr. Browning and Sandy would have their first date after reconnecting on a high school 30 year reunion committee. “It was on a Friday, it was Memorial Day; she drove up from La Habra, we had lunch in Riverside, and then it’s like ‘what do you do’, so we drove around and we ended up up here,” he recalled. “I hadn’t known that her fantasy had always been to live in a log home. So we went home, we came back, we spent the weekend, talked, listened to music, and talked.” The couple will celebrate 17 years of marriage next month. Out walking the dog one morning in Idyllwild, Sandy called home saying, “you’ll never guess what building is vacant and available.” By December, they had rehabbed what is now home to Fern Creek Medical Center with new paint, new flooring, new siding, and many more improvements. “We opened on Valentine’s

Dr. Kenneth & Sandy BrowningGoing Beyond the Standard of Care at Fern Creek Medical Center


Brenda Scherlis, Nurse Practitioner, Jodi Sutherland, Lifestyle Educator, Dr. Kenneth Browning, and Sandy Browning Fern Creek Medical Center.

Dr. Browning and his staff are passionate about Fern Creek Medical Center and the Idyllwild Community it serves.

PHOTO BY JENNY KIRCHNER

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Day, it will be 3 years ago this February,” Dr. Browning recalled. “It was a snowy night and I had lots of friends help, this was truly a friend effort, a community effort, and then we all walked across the street to, it was still the Creek House, and ... we all had dinner there. The rest is history.” In addition to a traditional family practice, Dr. Browning has a passion for lifestyle medicine. “Basically what that is is if you come in and you’ve got heart disease, … instead of just giving a statin or some kind of medication, [we question] ‘why do you have this, let’s figure out’ and fix that instead of just giving a Band-Aid. Dr. Browning’s staff includes Nurse Practitioner, Brenda Scherlis, and lifestyle educator, Jodi Sutherland. “I can work somebody up and see that they have these issues and then I can pass them off to her, and we call this amongst ourselves, continuing the conversation,” Dr. Browning explained. “She spends an hour or an hour and a half with them figuring out ‘how do you eat, what is your stress like, what are your relationships like,’ just life issues and then start working and teaching people how to eat better. All of

a sudden for example, we can take a Type 2 diabetic that has cholesterol issues and triglyceride issues and then in 12 weeks have all their labs at normal, they are on no medications. If there is a weight issue, and there usually is, that’s pretty well been handled.” Both Dr. Browning and Sutherland have taught lifestyle medicine in many cities throughout the country. According

to Sutherland, Dr. Browning is somewhat of a pioneer in lifestyle medicine. “Dr. Browning had started lifestyle medicine over 13 years ago in Riverside and he has one of the most successful clinics in the country,” Sutherland said proudly. “[Dr. Browning] has the success of lifestyle medicine and the passion for it. Part of his passion is bringing [lifestyle medicine] up here to the community that he loves. It’s

PHOTO BY JAY PENTRACK

FERN CREEK MEDICAL CENTERFamily Practice & Therapeutic Lifestyle Medicine

Kenneth C. Browning, D.O.Brenda Scherlis, MSN, FNP

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about doing the best for the community that he lives in; he’s living his passion.” And wife Sandy, has been a large part of the success of Fern Creek Medical Center. “Sandy was part of the practice from the very beginning. We work really well together as a team,” Dr. Browning offered. Over a glass of wine one night at Idyll Awhile, Dr. Browning, Sandy and Sutherland had an epiphany. “At that time in medicine the buzz word was that physicians have to own up to the standard of care, so we’re all being held to that standard,” Dr. Browning explained. “And I said, ‘we go beyond the standard of care, and this is great,’ and then all three of us stopped and looked at each other and I grabbed a napkin and I wrote down on the napkin, and I said ‘that’s a T-Shirt,’ beyond the standard of care.’” For Dr. Browning and Sandy, every day in Idyllwild is glorious. “We often comment with our friends when we go to the wine bar on a Friday night, and their kids come up or [our] friends come up, it’s like Cheers,” Dr. Browning said with a smile. “A lot of us lived in Riverside all at the same time and we never got together, because you just don’t do that anyplace else. One of our other phrases is ‘only in Idyllwild.’”


About the Front Cover Artist

Born in Palm Springs, Jamie Dee Galey spent most of his youth battling dragons

and flying spaceships in the desert before moving to Idyllwild where the first few years he helped the locals in their 100-year war with with the Ogre army. Growing tired of war, he up and moved to Los Angeles where he lives with his spouse Katie, his 2 children, Stephen and Jacob, 3 cats (Chalupabatman, Potato and Dynamo) and dog Razquil. He is a published comic book artist, freelance illustrator, web designer and level 17 human archer. If you would like to contact Jamie please visit his web site jamiedeegaley.com or email him at [email protected].


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This February my family will celebrate three years of living in Idyllwild. My husband and I

had been planning to move, when he said, “I want to live on vacation,” so Idyllwild became our first choice. With wildlife just outside your door – squirrels, coyotes, and deer – the endless blue sky, and the fresh air, lightly scented with pine. My husband, Chris, surprised me with a trip to Idyllwild as a Mother’s Day gift. He was hoping that I would love it as much as he did. He had warm memories of family trips to Idyllwild when he was young and had always hoped to live here. In February of 2012, his wish came true. We have made so many memories in the relatively short time we have been here. And, believe it or not, I had never experienced falling snow! After only three weeks living here I had my first experience and quickly learned that in addition to the beauty of it, snow can be hard work! My husband was out of town, of course, which meant I had to shovel the 4-foot berm at the bottom of our driveway. I also learned to put tire chains on my truck which, unfortunately, did not stop me from driving my truck into a hole. We soon got to know new friends and began participating in all of the fun things Idyllwild has to offer. Where else can you help build a Community Playground, watch Concerts in the Park, and be part of an Old Fashion Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony? I remember thinking, “It’s like living in a Hallmark Movie.” Then ironically enough, some of the locals got a chance to be “extras” in a similar type television movie that recently aired on this last November. My family and I had a great time screaming and pointing at the television as we recognized the Idyllwild locations and locals used in the movie. Now I understand where the saying, “Only in Idyllwild” comes from! Did I mention that our “Mayor” is a Golden Retriever named Max, or that we have a friendly neighborhood “Idyll Beast” that makes special appearances throughout Idyllwild from time to time?

One of my favorite memories is USO-themed dance we hosted at the Town Hall. My poor husband got talked into wearing something that would almost make him Ryan Gosling’s stunt double from the movie, “The Notebook.” He arrived after the dance had started and was pretty embarrassed by all of the whistles and kidding he received. With the 1940s music playing in the background it felt like we had traveled back in time. I am still amazed how Idyllwild seems to outdo itself with each event. Whether it is live music at different venues throughout town or a Community Potluck, my family and I hope to continue to make many more wonderful memories here in “Idy.”

Only in Idyllwild


Top photo: Chris and Wendy. Above: Madison, Chris and Wendy.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF WENDY HAWKINS-WATTS


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By Jay Pentrack

A new luxury bed and breakfast opened in Idyllwild in early October of 2013 to accolades from both the Idyllwild

community and the many guests who have kept owners Brad and Jacki Rechtfertig running since day 1. Booked solidly every weekend since their opening last October, the couple’s dream of building a high-end, luxurious destination lodge has certainly come to fruition. The Rechtfertigs both hail from small towns, “I grew up literally on a farm in Kansas in a small town about the size of Idyllwild, about 2500 people,” offered Brad. Jacki came from a small town in West Virginia (which begs the question, how small was it? ) “It’s a teeny little town where

everyone knows each other, and everyone takes care of each other,” Jacki said smiling. Though miles apart, they both had the same realization at almost the same time – they had a dream to move West. Brad attended Kansas State and graduated with a degree in business, but chose a career in law enforcement. “I was a police officer for 12 years, so that was my first career, but I always did construction on the side. My dad was in construction and that’s where I kind of got my start in construction,” he explained. “I was working patrol on a highway in Kansas City and it was in the middle of this God-awful ice storm and something clicked in me, I was single, and I said ‘I can’t live here anymore.’ I just picked up

and moved … I had a house, I had a great career, I worked for a phenomenal police department and I just picked up and moved everything to California before I even had a job, but I knew I was going to be applying to [the police department in] San Diego.

The Grand Idyllwild LodgeBuilding Paradise, An American Story – Part 1

“One day, one magical day, we got

the financing for the Lodge and at

that point it was full steam ahead.”

– Brad Rechtfertig

With their home (above) completed, construction of the lodge could begin. From humble beginnings ... the foundation for Brad and Jackis’ home is shown below.PHOTOS COURTESY OF BRAD AND JACKI RECHTFERTIG



“Everybody thought I was nuts.” Jacki, a nurse, had also had enough. “It was the winter of 2000 for me that I walked out of the door one morning to go to work and the ice chilled me to the bone,” she said with a shiver. “It must have been something about that winter because that was when I said ‘I can’t do this, I have to move,’ and I was single at the time too, but it took me 2 years. [Brad] moved in 2001, I moved in 2002 with a girlfriend of mine; same kind of gutsy thing. I didn’t have a job yet, but as a nurse, and especially at that time, jobs were easy to come by.” Brad and Jacki both ended up in San Diego but in a city with a population of over 3 million people, the likelihood of two kids from small towns a world away meeting was slim. But the universe had other ideas and the two met looking to rent the same house on Coronado at the same time. “I had already been living in Coronado, I had three roommates, we were all cops. There were four of us that were going to rent a place so we wanted a big house, so we actually met looking at the same house to rent,” Brad said incredulously. “… I made one little comment that she’ll never forget.” And Jacki has not forgotten, “The first thing he

ever said to me was ‘so you’re my competition.’” Neither of them got the house, but Brad got the girl; a year and a half later Brad proposed to Jacki, she accepted, and they married in 2005. In San Diego, Brad built their first home where the couple lived – Brad, a San Diego Police Officer and Jacki, a nurse at Scripps Mercy. In time, Brad began considering other career options. “I started getting burnt out on [police work] and I always needed to have an outlet. I’m more like an, entrepreneurial, creative person and I never had that outlet,” he explained. “I was at the stage where I was deciding, do I want to stay with the police department and continue to do that or do I want to go into business for myself, so I got my general contractor’s license and left the department.” A visit to Idyllwild would be the catalyst for another gutsy move. “The captain I worked for at Central Division … gave me the keys to his cabin and we just went up and stayed and instantly we were like ‘wow,

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this is a really cool place.’” That experience would lead them to settling in Idyllwild. “The inn was Jacki’s idea, Brad explained. “We were thinking long term because we wanted to have our own business, kind of a home-based business, and me being a builder, gave us some options. … we recognized pretty quickly that Idyllwild lacked a high end place. We knew if we did it and we built it from the ground up that financially it would work out. That’s kind of where the idea started.” Once they settled on Idyllwild as the

The framing of the lodge begins.

location and purchased the property where the Lodge would be built, the work began. The property they purchased, where the Lodge sits today, was all brush and manzanitas. According to Jacki, you couldn’t even walk through it. But Brad was not deterred. “Whenever you do something there are always nay sayers, and I won’t say who it was but it was one of the guys that was working for the tree crew here, he said ‘you guys are buying this,’ and I said ‘yeah,’ he said, ‘well you’re nuts, you can’t even do anything with it,’ because it was all hills. The driveway coming up here was this big valley.” But sometimes, folks can’t see the forest for the trees (forgive the obvious pun), but Brad knew the potential and had the vision and determination to continue. “Nobody had any idea that it had this view, so I brought a ladder and tried to figure out; where we’re sitting [on the main deck], we’re about 8 feet above what the original grade was, but if you just go 50 feet [to the left] it was 10 feet below grade. We had huge topographical and grading issues,” said Brad. “At the time I knew that if I could get it at this level or above, it would have this view. If we were a couple of feet lower, it wouldn’t have this view. It had to be this [exact] level.” After tackling the grading issues, Brad began construction on their home. “Our house had to get pushed as far [to the corner of the lot] … as we possibly could to give us the most options for [the Lodge]. So, that’s what I call phase 1,” Brad explained. “It looked kind of funny, not very architecturally appealing, because nobody knew that it was part of this grand master plan.” By Christmas of 2009, the couple had moved into their new home. For six years Jacki traveled back and forth from her nursing job in San Diego and also worked as a nurse at the Idyllwild Arts Academy while Brad took on construction projects. “That’s what we did for many years because we didn’t know when this was going to happen, we didn’t know when we were going to be able to do this whole construction, it could have been another 5 years, we just didn’t know,” Jacki recalled. Then, according to Brad, it happened. “One day, one magical day, we got the financing for the Lodge and at that point it was full steam ahead,” Brad said excitedly. “We didn’t have approved plans finalized for this yet and at that point we decided that we needed to do a complete redesign because the more I thought about the original design

I realized that the main floor elevation was too high. “ So Brad set out to redesign the Lodge and once he figured out the elevation, he completed the plans in a week. “Everything in design is always a balance. If you have two forces fighting each other, than something is probably right. It’s always a balance. This was the elevation we came up with and everything was balanced off of that.” 2011 was a lost year as Brad tells it. The dreaded permit process consumed much of Brad’s time as he traveled back and forth to Riverside to walk his plans through. “The bureaucracy is absolutely insane. Fortunately, I had really good working relationships with a few key people there and that’s what makes all the difference in the world.” With permits in hand, Brad began construction of the Lodge in the Winter (yes, I said Winter) of 2012. So he gathered his big crew together, “My crew was basically me and at any given time maybe one or two other guys,” and within 18 months they had completed the Lodge and opened. “The only things I subcontracted were plumbing, HVAC, drywall and about half of the electrical; everything else I did,” he said proudly. (Oh, and by the way, Brad, not realizing that

he was already making 99.9% of the male population look like lollygaggers, was also building another home on the Hill for some additional income … at the same time!) Since nature is what drew Brad and Jacki to Idyllwild, it only makes sense that they would build their Lodge with a deep respect for the nature teeming around them. “Nature is the biggest thing Idyllwild has to offer in Southern California. It’s one of the very few pristine natural getaways,” said Brad. “We wanted to keep it very natural. We already had two major deer trails that came through the property. We left all the trails natural. It’s kind of like a little nature park that surrounds the Lodge so that when guests are here they feel like they have escaped.” “What we are offering is a romantic, luxurious, quiet getaway,” Brad explained. “You have to hit every single one of those; if you can hit that – that’s what people want.” The Grand Idyllwild Lodge is located at 54820 Pinecrest Avenue in mile high Idyllwild. For more information and a complete list of amenities, visit them online at www.grandidyllwildlodge.com. For reservations call (951) 659-2383.

Next issue: Part 2 – From the Ground up - Building the Grand Lodge


This dirt road was transformed by Brad into the dramatic entryway to the Grand Idyllwild Lodge.

Hours: Wed.-Sat. 7 a.m.-2 p.m., Sun. 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. 54700 North Circle Drive, Idyllwild

(951) 468-4222

Breakfast and Lunch

Tommy’s Kitchen

By Zac Johnson

When confronted with the task of writing a piece on St. Valentine’s Day, I was suddenly and violently

cast into a few of the shadowy and less than handsome places in my psyche — my past — periods which for me are very much like the dark ages may be for others … something which in present happier times can only really be made light of through humor, satire, and historical inaccuracy. Monty Python did so more than once. So I’ll try my hand at that. You see, as a child I became grossly infatuated with all girls within a seven-and-a-half mile radius, but I had no romantic compass, and I was completely unaware of the long term effects of such an affliction. For all intensive purposes, I was head over heels in love with no less than twenty- or thirty-three girls at any given time. This for obvious reasons didn’t lend itself to success with any one of them. There is, however, another less glamorous holiday which tends to occur around the same time every year as V Day, its origins and rationale completely obscure to most if not all of us: Groundhog Day. I related with the ugly truth that belied the story of a man living the same day over and over, never fully realizing his destiny despite his pathetic attempts at imitating it. I’m speaking of course of the film starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell. In fact, if you remove the groundhog entirely, and replace him with a cupid, or just leave out small precocious creatures all together, the film that for many defined that bizarre day of celebration could easily and more appropriately have been titled “Valentine’s

Day.” How strange is that? But because, for nearly every day since I can remember, I’ve fixated on the idea of love, although, admittedly, I’ve historically never had a solid grasp on its exact meaning, Valentine’s Day is just like any other day, possibly, with greater highs and harder, swifter falls. I am more accustomed to the latter, and I’m sure that’s more commonplace than most of us know. You see, I’ve lived a good part of my life in an inescapable bubble of self-absorption, like Phil Connors, fatally giving away very few things, and expecting the world in return. It may be easier that way for many of us because really it can be a full time job … seeing the world through the eyes of the one you love or the one you want. And in my experience, to be really good at it, you have to stay one step ahead, to be able to fill a hole in someone’s heart, and to have the humility to make things out of thin air, things that they need more than anything they’ve ever known. To make matters worse, I’ve found that I cannot read minds, and I think you found out too when you didn’t guess the number your friend was thinking of in third grade even after

several concentrated attempts. Besides, parlor tricks couldn’t possibly amount

to a fulfilling romance. I recently stopped guessing at the hard stuff. I’ve finally retired the notion that my

powers of telepathy await me just over the

horizon. Instead, I try to ask. Then

I do. But that lesson came at a cost.

Once when I was nine or so, I wrote a poem for a girl

that emerged from the deepest reaches of my soul, and lightning struck the ground, and a choir sang from the pine trees while I spelled out everything that

she meant to me at the time. “Roses are red, Violets are blue, If I can’t have you, I don’t know what I’ll do.” I smile now, but

back then, I thought that showing desperation was the key to a girl’s heart. Even now I still wonder … A confusing girlfriend told me years later, “you shouldn’t just want me; you should need me.” So, as I grew older, I learned that it was acceptable to show someone that you had no Plan B. But as a kid, my poem was interpreted as a plea for help, and I learned that I wasn’t supposed to keep my heart on a string. Another time, I saved my allowance to buy a ring from the Gift Shop when it was a mainstay in the center of town. The ring was for a crush. It was sterling silver with rosy opal gems that formed a floral cluster at the base of the finger. What girl wouldn’t give anything for such a perfect token of my affection? Later, during the exchange though, it was “dropped”

My Quest for the Meaning of Valentine’s Day


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by her, and it landed a few hundred feet or so from where we stood in the grass at Idyllwild Pines Camp. I was appalled by her callousness, and I did not fully understand rejection until years later. That afternoon, after casting her off into the vestiges of love, I snuck back to the field to collect the ring so that I could give it to another girl before Valentine’s Day expired, and my carriage would return to its original pumpkin form. But alas it was gone forever, eaten by the weeds, collateral damage for the lesson of love. So really I’ve guessed most of the time, rather unsuccessfully, at what women want. I read that humor is the key. But I’ve learned that most of my jokes are “stupid.” In my defense they were not really jokes, but advances in disguise. I’ve also heard that confidence is attractive. But my confidence usually comes across as arrogance, which I have to quickly disguise with jokes. It’s all a vicious and self-deprecating cycle that will likely never end. It’s a mystery I liken to the “unsolvable” math problem Will Hunting anonymously solves while working as a janitor at a prestigious University. Yes, to many men, women are that tricky, and I never cracked the code. On the flip side, the answer was simple for me. I once said, “I stay with you because

you tolerate me. That’s your best trait.” And I was genuinely content with the concise answer I had given to my wife’s enormous question. But in her eyes I saw a raging storm break from clear blue skies, and I will never again speak those words, moreover, I have all but eradicated that horrendous conviction from my innards. I learn quickly when there’s something on the line. I even surprise myself sometimes. Good advice is often hard to find. I asked my coworker something that had been nagging at me. He’s been married twice; I’ve been married once, so I figured he’s got twice the experience with such things. If not, it couldn’t hurt to hear him out, I thought. “How do you make someone want you,” I asked. I will ever ask him again for such advice. I remain unconvinced that jumping out at someone from behind a bush will win their heart. It will more likely stop it. But it remains that there are questions we all ask ourselves when approaching such consequential days as Valentine’s Day, and we can take a cue from other holidays as we all undoubtedly privately search like starved animals to get the answers. What do we want (Christmas)? What are we thankful for (Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, and Veterans


Day)? What are we afraid of (Halloween)? Where do we go from here (New Year’s)? Is the darkness over yet (Groundhog Day)? Essentially, Valentine’s Day is all these quandaries wrapped up into one day. It can help us to ask some of the most important questions in our lives and give us a sense of where we are headed when we approach it with an open heart. And that might just be good. I’m no holiday scientist, but it should really be called Ultimate Day or Everything Day or Get-A-Hold-Of-Yourself Day. A friend once told me that nobody had ever loved her for who she was. And I related to that feeling. But in hindsight, I don’t even know that that’s true. It’s more likely that there was that someone out there for her, once upon a time, but they were just afraid to show her how they felt … or they were shot down when they tried. And I can also relate to that sentiment. It’s comforting to realize that we are surrounded by friends, those who accept who we are without reservation. But as life goes by, it can be the hardest thing to appreciate those who appreciate us even when we don’t take notice … to reciprocate their affection in exactly the right way. And I think that doing so may, indeed, be the purpose of this day … or at least it’s a start.


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Forest WhispersMystical Gnomes for the yard and home

Cowboys and Indians that want a new home Amusing Signs that say what you cannot

Embossed Harley Davidson signs, too!Idyllwild Souvenirs • (951) 741-9780

Lady of the LakeMetaphysical Books & Gifts

Located upstairs in the “Fort”659-5115

Open every day 10am-5pm

Psychic Readings • Books

Coyote Red’sUnique & Delicious Jerky Amish FoodsJams & PreservesBBQ Sauces, Hot Sauces & RubsSnacks & Popcorns951-659-2305

A Step BAck in timeFor toyS, SodA And cAndy

951-659-6456Upstairs in the Fort

Remember When ... Toys

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M & K Biker ShopUpper Level at the Fort54225 N. Circle Drive, Suite 7-D18Men’s & Ladies Boots, Custom Bling, T-Shirts, Hoodies, Eyewear,Helmets - Full Force, Novelty, Half & D.O.T.760-553-0566 - Mark760-705-6852 - Kathy • www.mkbikershop.com


888.371.ANZA | CahuillaCasino.com

Take Palms to Pines Hwy 74 to CA-371

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By Jay Pentrack

W e all like to feel special - noticed, regarded, and yes, even pampered. It feels good when

a waiter or waitress remembers your order, when the clerk at the grocery store knows your name, or when the guy who fixes your car remembers your last oil change. But in this day and age of email, texting and online shopping, our experiences and interactions become more and more impersonal. Gaming has followed suit with mega casinos featuring huge entertainment venues, massive gaming floors, and ultra-chic restaurants owned by world famous chefs. The only way to be remembered at one of these super-casinos is to be a high roller and have your own personal gaming representative. I don’t know about you, but I can’t justify spending a year’s salary just to feel important. Decidedly less imposing (and pretentious) and much more personal is the Cahuilla Casino located on CA 371 in Anza – about 45 minutes from the desert cities, Idyllwild and Temecula. What you’ll notice first is the ease of getting there; traffic is, for the most part, non-existent. Highway 74 from both Palm Desert and Idyllwild offers beautiful scenery as you make your way to Anza. (From Temecula, take Highway 79 to CA 371.) Parking is a breeze, and you’ll feel comfortable leaving your car in the

well-lit parking lot. (You may also notice new construction nearby – that’s the new discount gas station and convenience store opening in 2015.) Cahuilla Casino opened in 1996 and was immediately popular with local residents and area visitors. At approximately 10,000 square feet, the casino features over 350 slot machines ranging from the newest slots available to some of your all-time favorites. And, unlike the Las Vegas casino I visited recently, people were actually winning – Cahuilla Casino pays out over $4 million each month. It was nice to hear the whoops and hollers that accompany the jackpots! The first order of business should be joining the Club Cahuilla; it’s free to join and right off the bat you get $20 in rewards the first day you sign up. Members enjoy weekly (slot) match play, restaurant rewards, bonus offers, gifts, prizes, and even something special on your birthday! Feeling special yet? All that excitement can work up a mighty appetite and the Road Runner Bar & Grill is the perfect place to quell your hunger. Their brunch menu has all of your favorites and then some – my favorite is the Jackpot - 2 Baked Biscuits smothered in Country Gravy, 2 Eggs, Bacon or Sausage, and Hash Browns, all for only $7.50. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, try the Strawberry Pancakes - 4 Pancakes Topped with Strawberries and Whipped Cream, 2 Eggs and choice of Bacon or Sausage Links, a sweet $9.00.

For lunch they have a great selection of burgers, sandwiches (the Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich is amazing) and salads, all easy on the wallet or purse. Dinner is also served with entrees that include steak, seafood and crispy (finger-licking good) fried chicken and nothing on the menu is over $15. If you’ve had some luck or need some, go ahead and order the Brownie Sundae or Funnel Cake Fries, OMG! My mama always said, a little sugar makes everything better. In January and February they’ll be breaking out the Cahuilla Wheel (like the Wheel of Fortune only Cahuilla-style), and … wait for it … the Tournament of the Sexes II. Last year, the guys took the crown in the tournament that spans several weeks, but this year, I hear the ladies are poised for a BIG win! The last round of the tournament is at the end of February. Cahuilla Casino has some great promotions planned including a Valentine’s Giveaway so it is the perfect time to plan a visit and, since Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday and football season is over, you have no excuse for sacking out in front of the TV while your best girl wonders where the romance went. Plan a special weekend to show her what she means to you; Cahuilla Casino will make you both feel special – this time and every time you visit. Cahuilla Casino is open 24 hours, 365 days a year, for players 21 and older; for more information visit cahuillacasino.com.


An oasis of fun in Anza


By J.P. Crumrine

The Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema returns for its sixth time next month. From opening day, Tuesday, Jan. 6, through the awards ceremony, the evening of Sunday, Jan. 11, festival participants once again will be offered a panoply of dozens of films — from features through documentaries and shorts. Idyllwild 2015, now the sixth rendition of the film festival, demonstrates the growing reputation of the event. “I had no idea what a wonderful oasis Idyllwild is. What a wonderful surprise finding the forest land. It’s a perfect get-away for film lovers,” said Will Wallace, actor and director and honorary co-director of the festival for the fifth year. One-hundred thirty-five films will be shown at Idyllwild 2015 and each will have two screenings, said Stephen Savage, festival director and founder. On Saturday at the Idyllwild Library, the focus will be children’s films. “Until opening night, I have butterflies, [I’m] worried if nobody shows up,” Savage replied when asked what excites him about Idyllwild 2015. “It’s hard to get excited until it’s over, but we’re gaining a reputation as a simple festival and it’s getting bigger.” Then he shared some of this year’s highlights. Opening night film is “Ron and Laura Take Back America,” a comedy written

and directed by its co-stars, the team of Mel England and Janice Markham. The film also stars Golden Globe Best Actress Nominee Irene Bedard, Jim J. Bullock and features a celebrity cameo by Academy Award Best Actress Nominee Sally Kirkland. Another opening day favorite of Savage’s is “Where Hope Grows,” which Chris Dowling wrote and directed. He was the director of the Idyllwild 2010 best film, “Rock Slyde.” His latest movie, “Where Hope Grows,” is about a former pro ball player who befriends a grocery store clerk with Down syndrome and learns a life lesson. On Wednesday night, “Solitary,” written and starring Katherine Lee McEwan, will make its world premiere. The film is about a young woman returning home to her aging father who encounters the memories of her buried past. Adam Schomer is the featured filmmaker this year. His two documentaries, “One Little Pill” and “Polygon,” will be shown Friday, Jan. 9 starting at 11:45 a.m. The Rustic Theatre will be home for the week-long festival and Savage gushed about the quality of its ability to show these films. For a small-time facility, Shane Stewart has installed a completely digital film room. “The upgrades are amazing and the theater is beautiful. I know it’s costly,” Savage said. “The festival wouldn’t be here without the Rustic.”

The other Idyllwild 2015 film venues are AstroCamp, the Caine Learning Center and one that hasn’t been identified. With the help of the fest, Savage hopes to help Stewart install a digital marquee and new doors to the theater seating. International film fans will again have many choices during the busy week. There will be films from many countries, including two from Iran. “They worked hard to get their visas to come here,” Savage said. Other countries represented in this category include Australia, Brazil, France and Mongolia. A new strength this year will be the student film category, Savage said, brimming. “It’s 10 times bigger, including a great film from UCLA.” Besides an opportunity to see exceptional and new films and meet the filmmakers, Idyllwild 2015 continues to offer learning experiences for film aficionados. On Saturday, Jan. 10, three different seminars will be offered. These will cover topics such as raising capital, legal issues with distribution and Screen Actor Guild contracts and cost-effective filming. The website for the Idyllwild 2015, the International Festival of Cinema, is www.idyllwildcinemafest.com/. A full week’s access to Idyllwild 2015 is $120. Idyllwild residents can get a pass for $25 through Dec. 31. Starting Jan. 1, the Idyllwild pass will be $35. Tickets will be available online beginning Dec. 17.

HIGHER GROUNDS


W ith a Starbucks on almost every corner in every city, it is refreshing that in Idyllwild you

won’t find a single one. That is not to say that we mountain folk don’t love our coffee, because we do; we just don’t believe that we should be required to learn a new language to order it. (We also don’t care much for stoplights and you won’t find one of those in Idyllwild either.) What you will find, in the middle of the Idyllwild Village, is Higher Grounds, our only coffee house. Like most things in Idyllwild, Higher Grounds is not a super huge corporation run by guys and gals

in Brooks Brother’s suits; it’s owned by Mimi Lamp, a local artist, entrepreneur, and world traveler who employs a lot of local young people that give the place a unique and fun personality. It is relaxed and comfortable, like hanging out in your friend’s living room. The coffee is delicious and roasted on premises; it is 100% organic and fair trade. Roasts include Valley Organic Expresso Blend, Papua New Guinea Light Roast, Ethiopian Yirgacheffe Light Roast, Peruvian Organic City + Roast, and many more. “Being a locally owned business, we can choose to roast, brew and drink anything

which is why we only roast organic, fair-trade coffee,” offered Mimi. “That’s what we want to drink.” As many folk do, you’ll likely want to take some home with you; to take it a step further, if you own a business – resorts and hotels are ideal – you can also serve it to your guests. Not only will you delight in the clean, rich taste, but you’ll have some serious bragging rights. Next time you visit the Hill, stop in and ask about their weekly delivery program that includes free shipping. Visit idyllwildcoffeeroasters.com for a complete list of their roasts and blends. You can also order online.

Coffee With Altitude

By Robert B. SmithIdyllwild Area Historical Society

Visitors arriving in Idyllwild after a snowstorm may be surprised to find no skiing

facilities here. Not that it hasn’t been attempted. The one sustained effort to create a ski resort began in 1946. Jules Berkeley of Los Angeles built Hidden Lodge on 37 acres he’d acquired high in Fern Valley below Tahquitz Peak. To exploit its location handy to both Devil’s Slide Trail and South Ridge, it featured summer horseback excursions and winter skiing. For its opening season a toboggan slide was laid out, and a ski tow was built to serve a 3/4-mile-long run. As Sports Director (a.k.a. ski instructor), Berkeley hired an interesting character from Sun Valley, Tommi Tyndall. Born Karl-Heinz Popelik, he had been something of a ski bum in the Alps during his student days. Needless to say, Dresden, Germany, became an uncomfortable home for a Czech-German Jewish family in the 1930s. So when World War II broke out, and Popelik happened to be visiting the United States, he decided to stay. Penniless, he changed his name and began to scratch out a living by teaching skiing. This positioned him to capitalize on the sport’s booming postwar popularity. In Idyllwild Tyndall quickly became Jules Berkeley’s chief assistant at Hidden Lodge, spending much of his time down in the village trying to build enthusiasm for skiing. He started a ski club, made the rounds of other organizations, even led community singing at the Christmas Children’s Party. Then, just before the 1947-48 ski season opened, Berkeley decided to

HITTING THE SLOPES AT IDYLLWILD



withdraw from actively managing the resort and to contract out individual functions to concessionaires. Tyndall retained skiing, but room rentals, tobogganing, and the Silver Dollar Café went to other employees. With his authority curtailed, Tyndall’s interest drifted toward Big Bear. At its zenith in mid-February 1948, Hidden Lodge boasted “two inches of fresh powder atop a hard-packed base of 22 inches,” 2,500 toboggan runs in a single day and night, and exhibitions of skiing and jumping. A steady stream of guests was transported between village and lodge in war-surplus “Weasel” tracked vehicles. But it was all downhill from there. Tyndall married the café manager, and the couple left to start their own resort at Big Bear, Snow Summit. By 1950, Berkeley was marketing his struggling lodge as a conference center, advertising two-bedroom cottages, bunkhouse with sleeping rooms, dining room, swimming pool, horseback riding, 12 ski runs from beginner to expert, and the ever-popular 1,100-foot toboggan slide. The ski tow continued to operate through 1959, but by then Hidden Lodge had morphed into a religious youth camp and was set to be subdivided for homes. Its last gasp was a moment of fame in 1961 as the primary filming location for Elvis Presley’s “Kid Galahad.” The lure of winter sports also held center

stage in the long, contentious gestation of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Although it was built to terminate in designated wilderness, and experts cautioned all along that Long Valley received too little snow to support a ski resort, the idea was continually used to sell the tram. Ultimately, the proposed resort was scotched, and when it finally opened in 1963, nothing remained of the dream but equipment rentals and occasional dogsled races. Meanwhile, the most successful winter sports venture in Idyllwild was Halona Hill, a single short ski run and gentler toboggan run, outfitted with a rope tow, equipment rental shed, and coffee and doughnut bar. Between 1948 and 1957 it gave locals an outlet, but the sporadic nature of snowstorms and intense drought doomed it to become another cabin subdivision. A December 1932 ad in the Riverside papers invited New Year’s Eve revelers to come up to the Rustic Shop Tavern (now Silver Pines Lodge) for a “sliding party,” featuring toboggan rides downhill to the creek behind the restaurant on a homemade course built to resemble a bobsled run. A similar, much longer run existed for a time

on the hillside behind Idyllwild School, but neither venture proved to be a moneymaker. Still, there have always been plenty of ad hoc opportunities to speed down snowy hills on a sled, toboggan, or anything else that slides. Old-timers recall coasting between Humber Park and the village center. For a few, a favorite sport was night-time sledding from Idyllwild to Mountain Center on snow-covered Highway 243, at a time when traffic was essentially nonexistent. Each fleeting snowfall still brings out the familiar tools, along with snowshoes, even a few cross-country skis. But although snow is perpetually alluring, Idyllwild residents consider the absence of industrial winter sports development to be one of the San Jacinto Mountains’ greatest assets.


By Dave DillonIdyll Awhile Wine Shoppe & Bistro

Just recently, my wife Julie and I, had the wonderful opportunity to visit Paso Robles on a wine buyers tour. The

Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance invited approximately twenty wine purveyors from around the nation to three days of education and wine tasting. The three days were packed with trips to different wineries for educational seminars. Each seminar highlighted a different aspect of the Paso wine scene and was accompanied by a carefully selected wine tasting to compliment the seminar. The three most important things I would like to share with you about Paso Robles and what makes it my favorite wine destination are the following: the geography, the people, and the

innovative approach to wine making. These three things combined create what Chris Cameron, wine maker for thirty years in five different countries, calls the “most innovative and exciting” wine appellation in the world. Paso Robles just recently was approved and divided into sub appellations. Each of these designated areas has a unique microclimate that influences the grapes and wines produced there. The one aspect of Paso Robles that all the wine makers discussed was the Diurnal Growing Season Temperature Change. Diurnal temperature change is a meteorological term that relates to the variation in temperature that occurs from the highs and lows during the day. In Paso Robles during the summer some microclimates can have a temperature swing of 50 degrees. Much of this variance can

be related to the Templeton Gap. The Templeton Gap is an east/west running valley that allows for a strong on-shore flow of cool air from the Pacific Ocean into the Paso Robles area. According to the wine makers, it is this temperature swing along with the unique soils that provide Paso Robles wines with the fruit forward flavors with slight tannins that we all love.

Another thing that continually draws us to Paso Robles is the openness and warmth of the people.

In contrast to the Napa Valley, there is a friendliness and cooperativeness in the Paso Robles area. Many of these wine makers

¿Que Pasa Paso Robles?

have known each other since the beginning and have helped each other to learn and become successful. They share facilities, knowledge, and labor to make sure that all the Paso Wineries are a success. We have come to know many of the winemakers on a personal level. We purchase most of our Paso Robles wines direct from the winery. This provides a unique business relationship that does not exist with our friends to the north. We have twice been guest at the Cass Winery and spent time with Steve Cass and his wife Alice. On our last visit Steve shared his secret to making great wines, “plenty of great beer.” Maybe the most important factor contributing to Paso Wines is the spirit of innovation. This area houses wine makers who are ready to experiment and break the rules. The vintners all acknowledged how they felt comfortable with new blends, grapes, and innovation in general. Paso Robles has great Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnays, but the true fun comes when one starts to experience the non-traditional grapes and blends. It is not often that one finds one hundred percent Mourvedre, Petite Verdot, or blends of Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mourvedre, Petite Sirah and Syrah. This last blend is wonderful bottle of wine produced by Pomar Junction Winery called Train Wreck. Stop by Idyll Awhile and pick one up. If you are looking for what I consider to be the ultimate wine experience, it is only six hours away. There are great wineries, people, and times awaiting you in Paso Robles. If you can’t make the trip north you can always stop in Idyll Awhile for a taste of Paso. Our Paso Robles collection is what we are most proud of, and it continues to change, grow and get better just like Paso Robles.

F rom the revival on Broadway,

LOVE LETTERS comes to Idyllwild on February 6th and 7th at The Rainbow Inn, 54420 South Circle Drive. A finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Love Letters is a funny and emotional portrait about the powerful connection of love. Two friends, rebellious Melissa Gardner and straight-arrow Andrew Makepeace Ladd III have exchanged notes, cards and letters with each other for over 50 years. From second grade, through summer vacations, to college, and well into adulthood, they have spent a lifetime discussing their hopes and ambitions, dreams and disappointments, and victories and defeats. But long after the letters are done, the real question remains: Have they made the right choices or is the love of their life only a letter away? Starring Howard Shangraw and Suzanne Avalon, these two actors have decades of professional experience and have been acting partners and collaborators for years. Guaranteed to bring and smile, a laugh and a tear; Love Letters is not to be missed. Tickets are $15 and are available online at isistheatrecompany.com. Hosted by the Rainbow Inn, 54420 South Circle Drive.

From Broadway to Idyllwild

Isis Theatre Company presents “Love Letters” by A.R. Gurney


Isis Theatre Company presents ...

LOVE LETTERSBy A.R. Gurney Nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Starring Suzanne Avalon & Howard ShangrawFriday & Saturday, February 6 & 7all shows at 7:30pmRainbow Inn

54420 S. Circle Dr. in IdyllwildStay at the Inn!Go to rainbow-inn.com for room reservations.For further information call 951-692-9553Space is limited, call for reservations!Ask about our Gastrognome Dinner Package.Tickets: $15, available at the door or online at IsisTheatreCompany.com

A disarmingly funny and unforgettably emotional portrait

about the powerful connection of love.

Fresh Off

Broadway!

By Shanna Robb

T he Cracker Jack name and the original slogan “The More You Eat, The More You Want” were both

registered in 1896. As a kid growing up in the late 1960s, I remember methodically nibbling away at the molasses-coated popcorn anticipating the ultimate prize, which in those days was deemed “valuable” by the kids in my neighborhood. With that in mind, imagine my childhood disappointment when I once received a box of Cracker Jacks void of the ultimate prize! With crayon in hand, I started my first letter writing campaign at the age of seven. Several months later I received a small cardboard box from the Cracker Jack

TheReal

Jackpot

headquarters back East. To my childhood delight, the

box held a dozen prizes including rings, plastic

figurines, and stickers. I remember thinking

I had hit the jackpot! The real jackpot, however, came 40 years later when I became

acquainted with the mountain

community of Idyllwild. While the town of

Idyllwild is small in nature, like a box of Cracker Jack treats, it is big in character! Offering events to please all ages, Idyllwild is paradise to those looking to disconnect from the sprawling suburbia of Southern California. The only thing void in Idyllwild, according to Robert Smith (Idyllwild Historian), is “fast-food, tract houses, chain stores, freeways, and smog”. As I see it, that is truly a treat worth seeking! Tempted by the lure of Idyllwild and its surrounding treasures, tourists have found

this mile-high community to be a treat and retreat since 1901. The film industry followed suit and started to expose the beauty of Idyllwild during the silent film era. Fast forward to the 1960s and the priceless prizes found in Idyllwild’s natural surroundings welcomed icons like Elvis Presley (Kid Galahad) and Peter Fonda (Wild Angels). A well-known art community, Idyllwild continues to be tied to the fascinating world of film. Founded by Stephen Savage, one of the most active independent filmmakers working today, the 2015 Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema brings the world of film to Idyllwild during the week of January 6-11. Described as a “Mini-Sundance” by The Hollywood Reporter, the 7-day festival offers a full lineup of films


Speakers at a seminar during the 2014 Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema. TOWN CRIER FILE PHOTO

The after party at Jo’An’s following the 2014 cinema festival. TOWN CRIER FILE PHOTO

v


from around the world. Per Savage, the film festival is the “go to” event for filmmakers and film lovers in California. And while attendance continues to grow, the small town layout and welcoming atmosphere of the festival continue to put film enthusiasts and filmmakers in close proximity. To learn more about this year’s festival, visit www.idyllwildcinemafest.com. The beauty sought by visitors in 1901 continues to draw tourists to Idyllwild and the Art Alliance of Idyllwild’s Under $100 Art Fair is a must see. This unique art event aims to erase the stress that often accompanies Valentine’s Day shopping. With several art mediums showcased during the February 7th art fair, the event is an ideal opportunity to purchase one-of-a-kind gifts that are truly (drum roll please) made in America! Best of all, no one has to break their Cracker Jack budget because all artwork will be priced under $100! For more information about this free art fair, visit www.artinidyllwild.org. With a homemade gift in hand, locals and visitors can add live theatre to their February activities by supporting local theatre group, Isis Theatre Company. There is no better way to celebrate the month of love and the love of theatre than attending a reading of Love Letters by A.R. Gurney. The theatrical talents of Isis will be featured during their 7:30 p.m. readings

on both February 6 and 7. For event details and tickets, visit www.isistheatrecompany.com. For those seeking another creative way to support live theatre, Stratford Players will be hosting a black tie party with a twist on February 22. Wear what you want and the cast will provide the black tie! Never a dull

moment, the free gathering will include wine, hors d’oeuvres, live entertainment, and a silent auction. To learn more about the 2 p.m. gathering that is designed to celebrate small town theatre, visit www.stratfordplayers.com. Speaking of celebrating, the annual Idyllwild Master Chorale Spring Concert is scheduled for February 28. The creation

of Robert Evans Holmes in 1975, the professionally conducted chorale includes singers from the Idyllwild area, surrounding desert communities, Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego. Setting the stage for music in the mountains, the February concert is a wonderful way to enjoy the musical talents of Idyllwild. To purchase tickets, visit www.idyllwildmasterchorale.com. Whether planning a quick day trip or a weekend full of adventure, Idyllwild offers a delightful box of memories that are waiting to be unwrapped. Offering a variety of options and price ranges, it is easy to understand why people literally fall in love with Idyllwild’s array of events, inns, galleries, retail stores and restaurants. In fact, once you fully experience Idyllwild, it is easy to see how one could get inspired by the original Cracker Jack slogan. Simply put, “The More You Get to Know Idyllwild, The More You Want to Experience It.”

Michèle Marsh (left) and Susan Hegarty are two of several members of the Isis Theatre Company’s troupe of talented actors performing “A Wilde Holiday: The Star Child and other tales by Oscar Wilde” on Dec. 13.

PHOTO BY PETER SZABADI

The Idyllwild Master Chorale.TOWN CRIER FILE PHOTO

By Hillary Angel

1Bicycle Rentals. Explore downtown Palm Springs and its surrounding neighborhoods on tandem or

cruiser bicycles. Ride through historic neighborhoods and see where stars, such as Audrey Hepburn, Frank Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe once stayed.

2Aerial Tram Dinner. Hold on to each other tight as you soar 8,500 feet up Mt. San Jacinto on the world’s largest

rotating tramcar to have a sunset dinner at Peaks Restaurant overlooking Palm Springs.

3Up, Up, And Away. From Valentine’s Day celebrations to anniversaries and proposals, Balloons Above offers

“sweetheart” hot air balloon flights for couples at sunrise or sunset.

4Scenic Waterfall Picnic. Pack a picnic lunch and hike to a spectacular 60-foot waterfall in Tahquitz Canyon,

Top 10 Activitiesfor a Romantic Palm Springs Retreat


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Can

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PALM

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a desert oasis comprised of tall palm trees, teetering rock formations and crystal-clear streams.

5Stroll Through a Botanical Garden. Formerly a residential estate, Moorten Botanical Garden is a historical and

private arboretum that has over 3,000 desert plants and is often described as a haven of tranquility.

6Horse Drawn Carriage Tour. Take a narrated carriage ride through downtown Palm Springs or a quiet

and relaxing ride through the beautiful historic neighborhoods that have been the playground of Hollywood’s elite since the 1920s.

7Sunset Tour. Desert sunsets bring out spectacular colors and shadows on the hills along the San Andreas Fault

Line or Joshua Tree National Park, a perfect backdrop for an awe-inspiring sunset off-road tour through the twisted landscape and palm oasis that surrounds it.

8Couples Spa Day. Rejuvenate with a couples massage,

relax under a poolside cabana or soak in an outdoor mineral pool at Spa Resort Casino.

9Horseback Riding. Discover the beautiful

Indian Canyons on horseback. With over 150 miles of riding trails, Smoke Tree Stables offers guided rides that provide both solitude and breathtaking beauty.

10Soak Up the Sunshine. With an average temperature of 75 degrees in the

winter season, soak up the sun poolside at one of Palm Springs’ intimate boutique inns, large resorts or fabulous rental properties.

From sunset tours to couple massages, Palm Springs makes a perfect romantic getaway. For more ideas, go to www.visitpalmsprings.com

Moorten Botanical Garden

Peaks Restaurant


Palm Springs Date Night Ideas

PHOTO BY TOM BREWSTER PHOTOGRAPHY

By Marissa WillmanPalm Springs Blogger

F or decades, celebrity couples have flocked to Palm Springs for a

romantic rendezvous. Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner retreated to this desert oasis in the 1950s, while Elvis whisked Priscilla away to their Honeymoon Hideaway in the 60s. More recently, the romantic allure of the desert has attracted celebrity couples like Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. Luckily, you don't have to be an A-lister to enjoy date night in the desert. Whether you're enjoying the excitement of a blossoming romance or celebrating years of marriage, these Palm Springs date night ideas set the mood for romance.

Dine under the stars at a romantic Palm Springs restaurant. If French is the language of love, then French cuisine is the food of passion. Make a reservation at Le Vallauris to enjoy an exquisite French meal under the stars, surrounded by lush greenery and fragrant flowers as you dine al fresco on the patio. Or enjoy the sunset disappearing behind the San Jacinto mountains while dining in Cary Grant's former backyard at Copley's on Palm Canyon, an intimate restaurant serving contemporary American dishes. For truly picturesque patio dining, head to Spencer's Restaurant, which is tucked against the San Jacinto Mountains. Trees sprinkled with hanging lights line the patio, where you and your special someone will enjoy Spencer's signature American dishes with French and Pacific-Rim infusion.

Ride a horse-drawn carriage through the city. Treat your loved one to an elegant and romantic night on the



the town from a private horse-drawn carriage. With Big Horse Carriage Company, couples can explore the nostalgic neighborhoods of Palm Springs while their hoofed friends lead the way.

Enjoy a quiet night above it all with a ride up the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Hold your beloved close as you enjoy a scenic ride up the world's largest rotating tramway, enjoying 360-degree views of the Coachella Valley and beyond. Take in the sunset from the top of the mountain or at Peaks Restaurant, where you can watch the desert transform as night falls over the Coachella Valley.

Watch the sunset from the sky. Love is always in the air with a private hot air balloon ride. Book a sunset tour for a date night adventure your sweetie won't soon forget. You'll watch the sunset transform the desert sky into a myriad of pinks, purples and orange hues from your private-basket hot air balloon.

Stargaze from the heart of a fault line. Red is the color of love, passion and

the iconic Jeeps of Desert Adventures, an eco tour company specializing in San Andreas fault line tours. Climb aboard one of these Jeeps just before sunset as you and your partner embark on a San Andreas

Nightwatch Tour, which takes you into the heart of a slot canyon as the sun sets across the desert. After your tour of the fault line, your guide will treat you to a tour of the night sky.

By Bill Marchese

Keith McCormick’s Palm Spring Collector Car Auction shattered all previous sales records, grossing $7.7 million in the

Nov. 21-23 auction, the highest in the company’s 28-year history. Attendance also broke the record, said Keith McCormick, who said 428 cars were sold during the three-day event. “We expect another great auction this winter,” McCormick said, since a “variety of interesting vehicles” are already signed up for the Feb 20-22, 2015 auction at the Spa Resort Casino parking lot in downtown Palm Springs. The Friday auction, which will be expanded to 180 cars, is free and open to the public. On Saturday and Sunday, admission is $15 for a single day or $25 for the weekend. Many people show up to take photos of the cars, trucks and motorcycles, “like a trip to a car show,” McCormick

> > > > > > > > > > > > > >Car Auction Sets Sales Record



noted. “Counting Cars,” the TV series on the History Channel, filmed part of the auction with star Danny Koker bidding on cars. Koker’s father, also named Danny, purchased several exotic cars in previous auctions years ago, including the flatbed truck used by his son on the TV show today. Another high point of the auction was the appearance of Henrik Fisker, legendary auto designer of the Aston Martin DB9 and

McCormick’s Palm Springs Collector Car AuctionWHERE: Spa Resort Casino in Palm SpringsWHEN: February 20-22, 2015 Friday, Noon to 8:30 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.mMORE: Info at www.classic-carauction.com, (760) 320-3290COST: Free on Friday, One day pass, $15; two days $25

the BMW Z8 and other cars. He drove his own personal speedster, a highly modified 1972 Oldsmobile Toronado, through the auction tent. The car has been modified as topless (no soft convertible top or side windows), with a burgundy soft leather interior, 1970 style hubcaps and 20-inch alloy wheels. It is powered by a powerful 455

cubic inch (7.5 liter) V8 engine. It sold for $30,450. Other notable cars included a 2005 Mercedes SLR McLaren, which sold for $153,300; a 1956 Buick

Road Master convertible, $76,125; a 1958 Mercedes 190sl roadster, $74,025; a 1956 Chevrolet BelAir convertible, $62,475; and a 1956 Volkswagen oval window Beetle, $25,200. The next auction is scheduled for Feb. 20-22, 2015. For auction details or a preview of cars, go to www.classic-carAuction.com.

By Jay Pentrack

Now in its 69th year, the Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival is set for its 2015 run February 13-22

at the Riverside County Fairgrounds in Indio. Attracting over 294,000 people last year, the festival for 2015 promises to be the largest ever with an exciting entertainment line-up and affordable ticket prices, thanks to presenting sponsor Fantasy Springs Resort Casino and sponsor O’Reilly Auto Parts, which will allow families to have an incredible day of fun without breaking the bank.

Headline Entertainment On Valentine’s Day, February 14, at 7:30 p.m., at the Fantasy Springs Concert Pavilion, Brett Eldridge will take the stage. Winner of the CMA award for “New Artist of the Year,” Eldridge gained acclaim with his hits “Don’t Ya,” and “Beat of the Music.” Ramon Ayala is certain to draw a large crowd when he performs on February 15 at 7 p.m., also at the Fantasy Springs

Concert Pavilion. Ayala mastered the accordion, vocals and songwriting and has been performing for over 40 years. His hits include “Un Rinconcito en el Cielo,” “Chaparra de Mi Amor” and many others. Andy Grammer is best known for

making music that has his audiences dancing in the aisles. Grammer has performed his first two singles, “Keep Your Head Up,” and “Fine by Me,” on Jimmy Kimmel Live and the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

It’s a Date!


Get your funk on when the Commodores perform on February 21 at 7:30 p.m. Inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2003; their hits “Brick House,” “Three Times a Lady,” and many many more, are remembered by all.

Fast, Furious, Feathery & Furry For a truly unique experience, don’t miss the camel and ostrich races! Ostriches reach a height of 8 or 9 feet and can run like the wind – reaching speeds of up to 40 mph. The camel races are wildly unpredictable which makes for an exciting and fun-filled experience for the entire family. Did you know that camels can kick in all four directions with each of their legs? The races will be held Friday, February 13 through Sunday, February 22.

Going to Extremes The WGAS Motorsports Team returns to thrill audiences with their Monster Trucks and Demolition Derby from February 14-22. The Freestyle Motocross Team will also perform heart-stopping jumps and


stunts and Monster Trucks will demolish everything in their path. It’s a raucous good time! Expect to be “wowed”!

Exhibits and More For folks who enjoy browsing, the Riverside County Fair has plenty of wonderful exhibits, contests and demonstrations to keep you entertained all day long. An Agricultural Competition, Date Recipe Contest, Petting Zoo, Gem and Mineral Exhibit, Fine Arts Exhibit, Livestock

Show, Pollywood Bird Show and Marvelous Mutts Show round out the Fair’s schedule that includes something for everyone.

The 69th Annual Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival is presented by Fantasy Springs Resort Casino. General admission is $9 for adults, $8 for seniors, $7 for youth, and $6 for group bus tours. Children under 5 years of age are free. For additional information visit www.datefest.org or call 1-800-811-FAIR. Tickets may be purchased online.


Courtesy of O’Bayley Communications

Modernism Week’s signature February festival will take place February 12-22, 2015, celebrating ten years of events highlighting midcentury modern design, architecture, art,

fashion and culture in the Palm Springs area of Southern California. The annual 11-day festival features more than 180 exciting events including Signature Home Tours, films, lectures, Premier Double Decker Architectural Bus Tours, the Modernism Show & Sale, nightly parties and live music, walking and bike tours, the popular “Lost, Saved and Endangered” lecture, tours of Sunnylands and Palm Springs Art Museum’s new Architecture and Design Center, vintage fashion, classic cars, garden tours, a vintage travel trailer exhibition, and more. “Modernism Week has grown into one of the most popular and internationally recognized architecture and design festivals in the world,” says Board Chairman, Chris Mobley. “We are grateful to the Modernism community and the City of Palm Springs for showing their support throughout the past ten years. Modernism Week is going more social in

Palm Springs Celebrates the 10th Anniversary of Modernism Week

PHOTO BY DANIEL CHAVKIN

PHOTO COURTESY BEAU MONDE VILLAS


“Modernism Week has grown into one of the most popular

and internationally recognized architecture and design festivals in the world.”

– Board Chairman, Chris Mobley

Saguaro HotelPHOTO BY DAVID A. LEE


in 2015, with the introduction of CAMP (Community and Meeting Place), the new central hub of activity during the event. Located on Palm Canyon Drive at the gateway to Palm Springs’ vibrant Uptown Design District, CAMP will be the Modernism Week headquarters for tours and events. A highlight during the first weekend of Modernism Week will be a keynote address by American-born designer Todd Oldham. Oldham, who launched his first clothing line in 1989, won the Council of Fashion Designers Perry Ellis Award for New Fashion Talent in 1991. His talk will be presented at the Hilton Palm Springs

PHOTO BY DAVID A. LEE




on Saturday, February 14 followed by an opportunity to meet the award-winning designer at a poolside reception. The February schedule will also include tours and a gala at the new Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture and Design Center, Edwards Harris Pavilion. One of last year’s most sought-after events, the Modernism Week Show House: The Christopher Kennedy Compound will return for a second year. “Modernism Week After Dark,” a series of special nightly events at stylish hotels, music clubs, and unique venues will also be back by popular demand. Introduced in 2014, the entertainment line-up will feature celebrity-chef curated private dinners in iconic homes, live bands at swanky venues, and festive martini mixers and cocktail parties throughout the week. All events are open to the public and tickets are on sale now and may be purchased online at modernismweek.com.

Palm Springs International Film FestivalJanuary 2-12www.psfilmfest.org

Palm Springs Gymnastics CupJanuary 23 -25Palm Springs Convention Center, 277 North Avenida Caballeros, Palm Springswww.gymnasticscup.com/ palm-springs

Spirit Sports Duel in the Desert ChampionshipJanuary 31-February 1Palm Springs Convention Center, 277 N. Avenida Caballeros, Palm Springs

www.varsityallstar.wix.com/ spiritsports

Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards – Desert Aids ProjectFebruary 7Palm Springs Convention Center, 277 N. Avenida Caballeros, Palm Springswww.desertaidsproject.org/ fundraising-at-dap/steve-chase- humanitarian-awards-gala

Annual Palm Springs Fine Art FairFebruary 12-15Palm Springs Convention Center, 277 N. Avenida Caballeros, Palm Springswww.palmspringsfineartfair.com


Riverside County Fair and Date FestivalFebruary 13-22 Riverside County Faigrounds, 82-503 Hwy 111, Indiowww.datefest.org

Valentine’s DayFebruary 14

McCormick’s Palm Springs Collector Car AuctionsFebruary 20-22 244 North Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262(760) 320-3290 - www.classic- carauction.com

Desert Events – January - February 2015Carnival at the Riverside County

Fair and Date Festival

Palms to Pines Magazine, January-February 2015 59WWW. .COM

Visit www.morongo.com to see our special anniVersary promotions.

MORONGO.COM 888.MORONGO RATED BY AAA


ENTRY FEESFriday night, Saturday and Sunday $300. Add $100 for prime time placement – only 128 cars. No numbers will be reserved without consignment fee being paid in full. Visa, Mastercard and AMEX are accepted. Positions will be filled on first-come, first-served basis. To reserve the position you desire, send your check covering the entry fee or phone in your credit card number. You may specify the cars you’re entering at a later date. Entry fees are REFUNDABLE less $50 handling fee if you no-tify us in writing 14 days prior to the auction. Color photographs may be included in our exclusive color brochure. We strictly limit the number of positions available in this three-day event of 580 cars. COMMISSION STRUCTURE: FLAT 5% OF SALES PRICE (One of the lowest in the business). WE SOLD OUT OF LOT NUMBERS DURING OUR PREVIOUS SALE SO BOOK EARLY.

www.Classic-CarAuction.com

Over

580

Cars!

FRIDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY – FEBRUARY 20, 21 & 22, 2O15

Located at the Rear of Our Showroom in the Spa Resort & Casino Show Area:

McCORMICK’s PALM SPRINGS

COLLECTOR CAR AUCTIONS

244 North Indian Canyon DrivePalm Springs, California 92262

Located at the Rear of Our Showroom in the Spa Resort & Casino Show Area:

McCORMICK’s PALM SPRINGS

COLLECTOR CAR AUCTIONS

SPONSORED BY

M E D I A S P O N S O R

WE SOLD 72% OF ALL CARS ENTERED AT OUR LAST AUCTION! The McCormick family invites you to their 58th auction featuring over 580 antique, classic, exotic, muscle, sports and special interest autos. Ask for Keith, Jason or Julie to answer your questions (760) 320-3290.

WHERE TO STAYTourism in Palm Springs is booming and difficult for us to secure special room rates for our auction attendees however we have managed to get a few rooms at a 15% discount at theAlcazar Palm Springs Hotel (walking distance to event) for our guests. Give them a call at760.318.9850 and mention you will be attending the auction. For other hotel options you can always contact Vacation Palm Springs at 760.778.7832

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palms to pines magazine - january-february 2015

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