Idyllwild Library Hosts All That Jazz

“Satchmo” Louis Armstrong is captured in this banner by Marcia Gawecki on display at Idyllwild Library. Photo: Idyllwild Library.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Julie Pendray

IDYLLWILD, Calif. — Louis Armstrong spent his youth in and out of the New Orleans Home for Colored Waifs for “delinquency” in his tough neighborhood known as “the battlefield.” When this grandson of slaves wasn’t housed there, he was passed around for varying lengths of time to different members of his extended family. After his father abandoned his mother, it’s reported she had to go live in the town’s prostitute quarters to make ends meet. Armstrong helped by doing a paper route, hauling coal, and selling food salvaged from trash cans. When the rising singer, cornet and trumpet player could finally put his days of hardship behind him, living in New York and Chicago, he was known for saying that, in spite of it all, New Orleans had given him the gift of music … “something to live for.”

Stories like this of a man who is remembered as one of the major developers of a unique American art form, have inspired Marcia Gawecki to research jazz musicians and paint their  faces on huge eye-catching banners. Her work has decorated The French Quarter at Jazz in the Pines at Idyllwild Arts Academy for the past two summers. This month, the portraits bring Idyllwild Library to life in an exciting explosion of color, to celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month.

Images of Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Etta James and Miles Davis are there, along with accomplished musicians who teach at the academy or have performed at various venues here as local residents. The latter include 2011 American Idol finalist Casey Abrams and his mentor Marshall Hawkins, co-founder of the academy’s jazz program. You’ll also find Herb Jeffries, who was the last living member of the Duke Ellington Band before his death in 2014.

Chuck Alvarez and  Yve Evans  are highlighted, and Barnaby Finch, who toured the world with George Benson and Lee Ritenour, completes the display.

Barnaby Finch with his portrait by Marcia Gawecki, currently on display at Idyllwild Library. Photo courtesy: Idyllwild Library.

Marcia Gawecki with her portrait of Miles Davis. Photo courtesy: Idyllwild Library.

“What inspires me is the hard work of other artists,” Gawecki said in an interview this week. “People like Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald had to overcome such great obstacles like poverty and racism and still they accomplished great things. I do a lot of research on the people that I paint. I once listened to an 18-hour book on tape on Louis Armstrong’s life.”

Gawecki said the musicians’ stories give her hope.

“An artist’s life is not easy because he always has to have a day job. I work as a cashier at Fairway (market) and I’m grateful for full-time work. It inspires me when young people come through my line (at the market) and say that they walk by my house every day and look at the banners that I put in the window. And they are artists too. In a small town you get a lot of support.”

She said The French Quarter’s bartenders tell her the locals really like the color of her banners.

Marcia Gawecki’s portrait of Etta James is one of many that help get people dancing at Jazz in the Pines. Photo: Julie Pendray.

“It really gets them up and dancing!” she said.

Gawecki enjoys painting “big” but even banners have their limitations.

“I was thinking of doing the same work on large wooden panels about the same size,” she said. “I have a couple of doors without knobs lined up in my bedroom right now. But when you go big with wood you have to start thinking about transporting in a truck instead of a Honda civic.”

She plans to target large restaurants that have space to show off her creations.

As a result of her educational display at the Idyllwild library, Gawecki has been commissioned to do five banners of Idyllwild Actors Theatre performers.

“I’m excited about that!” she said.

Her story of coming to Idyllwild is interesting. She was born in Boston and grew up in Omaha Nebraska.

“I’m an Air Force brat,” she said. “Both my parents were in medicine and there were seven of us. So art was my way of getting attention in a large family.”

She came on a visit here after working in South America.

“I just got back from two years in Santiago, Chile where I was the editor of the English language newspaper and taught English,” she said. “I was broke and living with my mom in Temecula and was planning on moving back to Chicago where I had been before. But it takes a lot of money to move to Chicago so I was saving up for that. My mom and I took a day trip to Idyllwild because it was the closest mountain village to Temecula and I was missing the four seasons of Chicago. I fell in love with the place! There was so much overbuilding in Temecula and they were chopping down whole orchards to build new houses. Now I have 40 trees on my property! And I have wildlife at my door so it’s a perfect, quiet, spiritual place to be.

To learn more about Gawecki’s work, you can contact her at idyllwildwriter@gmail.com

Copyright Julie Pendray & SpecialsNotOnTheMenu.com

Ernie Maxwell Trail Views

View of Suicide Rock from Ernie Maxwell Trail. Photo: Julie Pendray.

By Julie Pendray

IDYLLWILD, Calif. — Spring is here and some of us “on the Hill” can’t wait to get in the sun and shed the extra pounds we accumulated during the snow. Ernie Maxwell Trail is a good choice for an easy-to-moderate walk here in the San Jacinto Mountain Range above Palm Springs. You can enjoy awe inspiring views of Suicide Rock — looking across Strawberry Valley — or look straight up to Tahquitz Rock.

View of Tahquitz (Lily Rock) from Humber Park. Photo: Julie Pendray

Check out wildflowers and water in the streams, along with cooler temperatures, before summer hits.

Tahquitz is where the Yosemite Decimal System of climbing ratings originated in the 1950s, according to a variety of sources.  The system was developed by climbers in the Angeles Chapter of the Sierra Club . It classifies the difficulty of routes and is now used throughout the United States and around the world. People can ascend Tahquitz via Ernie Maxwell Trail, by connecting with Climber’s Trail. That path to the foot of Tahquitz is steep and sprinkled with loose shale. Not for the casual hiker.

Climbers Trail is a steep ascent to the base of Tahquitz. Photo: Julie Pendray

However, a 5.2-mile, round-trip hike of Ernie Maxwell Trail itself,  is a journey that can  be done in 2 hours, including time to take photos or stop for a snack. As the weather heats up, expect the walk to take a little longer, especially if you’re not used to the elevation. The trail starts at Humber Park at 6,420 feet. Hikers descend to 5,720 feet to the other end of this route, which intersects an unpaved road in a neighborhood. The lower level is not the best place to start Ernie Maxwell because there’s no assigned parking and the narrow, sloped road can be muddy for several days after rain.

Trail head at Humber Park. Photo: Julie Pendray

Instead, join the trail at Humber Park, where you’ll find parking and rest rooms. Access to the park is at the top of Fern Valley Road, and the trail head is in the lower part of the park. The National Forest Service requires an Adventure Pass, which you can get at the ranger station on Highway 243 at Pinecrest, in the center of Idyllwild. The pass costs $5 a day or $30 for a year and it grants you access to other recreation areas within San Bernardino Forest. You can get maps and other information there too.

Dogs are allowed on the trail, if they’re leashed. Your hike will enter into San Jacinto Wilderness, which means no bicyclists are permitted.

Here are a few images taken during a hike of Ernie Maxwell Trail this week. To view the gallery, click on the first image, then click on the right arrow to see other photos.

Indian Paintbrush growing along Ernie Maxwell Trail. Photo: Julie Pendray

Ernie Maxwell Trail. Photo: Julie Pendray

Windswept dead manzanita on Ernie Maxwell Trail. Photo: Julie Pendray

Manzanita flowers. Photo: Julie Pendray

Could these be grinding spots used long ago by Native Americans? Photo: Julie Pendray

Fallen tree trunks can be seen along Ernie Maxwell Trail. Photo: Julie Pendray

Tree bark, Ernie Maxwell Trail. Photo: Julie Pendray

Fallen tree trunk, Ernie Maxwell Trail. Photo: Julie Pendray

Tree trunks and manzanita form natural artistry along Ernie Maxwell Trail. Photo: Julie Pendray

Wallflower, Ernie Maxwell Trail. Photo: Julie Pendray

Snow flower, Ernie Maxwell Trail. Photo: Julie Pendray

Arabis (common name rockcress), Ernie Maxwell Trail.

Trail head to Climbers Trail, Ernie Maxwell Trail. Photo: Julie Pendray

Ernie Maxwell Trail is named after the founder of Idyllwild Town Crier, the town’s newspaper. Maxwell and his wife, Betty, owned the paper from 1946 to 1972. Maxwell formerly wrote and/or illustrated for The New Yorker, Los Angeles Times, Copley News Service and Esquire Magazine, according to a profile of him in the paper. He was a painter and sculptor who served on the Idyllwild Arts Foundation board and taught summer classes at Idyllwild School of Music and the Arts (ISOMATA), as it was called in the 1950s. The residential high school is now known as Idyllwild Arts Academy.

The annual Ernie Maxwell Community Spirit Award is given to people who have shown commitment to this unincorporated village through volunteerism or achievements. The Town Crier is accepting nominations for this year’s award until May 13. Previous awardees are: Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council in 2011; Dawn Sonnier in 2012; Robert Priefer in 2013; Annamarie Padula in 2014; and Wendy Read in 2015, according to the newspaper. Nominations can be mailed to: Idyllwild Town Crier, P. O. Box 157, Idyllwild, CA 92549, or drop it by the newspaper’s office at 54405 N. Circle Drive or email it to the editor: becky@towncrier.com .

© Copyright Julie Pendray & SpecialsNotOnTheMenu.com

Idyllwild Art Auction to Help Trafficking Victims

“…And dancing and leaping she goes,” by photographer Erin O’Neill.

By Julie Pendray

IDYLLWILD, Calif. — A sheriff’s investigator and a safe house representative  will speak at an art auction here April 14 designed to raise awareness and funding to help victims of sex trafficking. It’s another event in ongoing efforts by Soroptimist groups across the country to aid people caught in the globe’s fastest growing criminal industry.

Merino/silk scarf designed and laminated by Mimi Jacaruso.

Celebrating Women in the Arts, presented by Soroptimists International of Idyllwild, will feature a silent auction of work by as many as 20 local women.  The beauty of nature and the imagination will be juxtaposed against the backdrop of the evening’s topic: the dark under belly of a world that targets young people from all kinds of backgrounds and socio-economic groups.

Any child is vulnerable because of the grooming techniques used by traffickers, according to a member of Riverside County Anti Human Trafficking Task Force, Opal Singleton, who spoke to Idyllwild residents at a Soroptimist event last year. She is the author of “Seduced: The Grooming of America’s Teens.”

Karen Johnston has donated this necklace to the Soroptimist event.

Both of this week’s speakers serve on the multi-agency task force. Kristen Dolan from Operation SafeHouse will talk about the emergency shelter provided to victims at two locations in Riverside county: Riverside and Thousand Palms.

“Though Operation SafeHouse has two locations, our Anti-Human Trafficking department reaches across the entire county of Riverside,” she said in an interview by email this week. “We go to wherever the victim is and provide resources to them in their area.”

“Faded Splendor,” by Kathy Harmon-Luber.

Operation SafeHouse also holds community Protect and Prevent education events every month in Riverside, Thousand Palms and Murrieta.

Nuno felted scarf by Martha Lumia.

 

 

Net proceeds from Thursday’s event  in Idyllwild will help provide education opportunities for clients served by the organization, Dolan said.

Some of the money also will go toward a community education event in Idyllwild in September, according to the Soroptimist group.

“The View” is painted silk on canvas by Shanna Robb.

Artists Kathy Luber, Shanna Robb, Erin O’Neill, Mimi Jacaruso, Darcy Gerdes, Donna Elliot, Das Seastrand, Martha Lumia, Karen Johnston and others have donated their work for Thursday’s event.

Wine, cheese and other refreshments will be served in the first part of the evening. In the second part, sheriff’s investigator Brian Robertson will speak, along with Dolan.

“All Things,” a mixed media piece by Donna Elliot.

 

Celebrating Women in the Arts will be held  5:30 to 8 p.m. April 14 at Rainbow Inn, 54420 South Circle Drive, Idyllwild. The suggested donation is $20.

Soroptimist International of Idyllwild is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. For more information, go to their Facebook page or call club president Karen Doshier (951) 452-4599 or email dnkdoshier@gmail.com

 

“The Mushroom Dance,” by Darcy Gerdes.

“Ravens Flight,” by Das Seastrand and Jerry Baccaire.

Copyright to Julie Pendray & SpecialsNotOnTheMenu.com

 

 

 

Ortega Highway – A Sweet Day Trip

By Julie Pendray

LAKE ELSINORE, Calif. –Many years ago, when I was still discovering California as a wet-behind-the-ears Kiwi, my husband surprised me with an impromptu drive to soak in a hot tub under the stars among trees somewhere off the beaten path off Ortega Highway. These heavenly hot springs are no longer available to the public, but there are still many reasons to take this wonderful drive over the mountains from Lake Elsinore in Riverside county to the beautiful coastline of San Juan Capistrano.

Ortega Highway is part of state Route 74, which goes from Palm Desert to the coast. On this leg of the journey, motorists pass through San Juan Hot Springs and Rancho Mission Viejo as well as Cleveland National Forest. The winding adventure is about 33 miles and will take you about 45  to 60 minutes. It is such a welcome respite from freeway traffic. However, before you set off, you should know that the Highway Patrol warns people that this is not the stretch of road to get cocky. As the song goes, “keep your eyes on the road and your hands upon the wheel”(or handle bars). In fact, ’70s music on satellite radio is the perfect accompaniment to this journey. Don’t be intimidated by this piece of highway, just hit the road, drive defensively and stay on your side of the center line when you round the corners. The view of the lake on the eastward stretch, from thousands of feet above the valley, is stunning and well worth the trip, especially at night when the lake appears midnight blue with a sparking town around it. The caveat is that this highway is considered more dangerous at night, so drive with care. Life is an adventure. Just be sensible.

Ortega Highway is a scenic route through Cleveland National Forest. Photo courtesy Shannon Rosenberg.

I’ve driven on the highway several times in recent years and I’ve wondered about the rustic little eatery called Ortega Oaks Candy Store but I’ve always been in a hurry so I’ve never stopped. Recently, on a westward drive, through my foggy windshield on a rainy day, I noticed a sign there announcing soup and sandwiches. Soup sounded like a good idea, since I had a cold, so I decided this would make a great spot to get out of the car and stretch my legs on the journey home.

I really love it when I’m not sure whether such an earthy little dining establishment will live up to its advertisement and then I find it’s better than I expected. Don’t let the humble exterior or its location fool you. There’s an amazing variety of offerings, and I was warmed not only by the simply presented homemade food but also the genuine friendliness of Shannon Rosenberg, the business owner. I chowed down a hot pastrami sandwich and the best chicken tortilla soup I think I’ve ever had. This place really hit the spot.

The candy store has expanded its offerings over time, Rosenberg said, because it’s the concession for the adjacent Ortega Oaks Campground. It’s even more than that. On the store’s web site, you’ll find news and events for the community, such as a call for Forest Service volunteers. Clearly, this spot is a hub for locals, some of whom wandered in and out while I was eating. Yet it was nice that I wasn’t treated like an outsider while I was eating on my own. I have found on my travels that if you are open enough to engage in warm conversation, an out-of-towner can be welcomed in, even with a foreign accent!

Nostalgic candy is traditional in this store, which opened in 1956 and was operated by a local ranch owner, Paul Anhalt. He also sold produce there, Rosenberg said.

Ortega Highway was completed in 1934 and is named after the Spanish soldier and explorer Sgt. José Francisco Ortega who founded Mission San Juan Capistrano. Ortega led the scouts of the 1769 Portola expedition to Monterey and later became commandante in San Diego. He founded the presidio of Santa Barbara, commanded the presidio at Monterey and was a scout of San Francisco Bay, according to the California State Military Museum. He is buried at Mission Santa Barbara.

San Juan Loop Trail. Photo courtesy US Forest Service.

It might be nice to mention this history to your family as you drive over the highway or hike the forest trails, such as San Juan Loop Trail, an easy 2.1 mile walk, beginning across the highway from the candy store.  Yet, the candy itself is likely to be more engaging for young ones.

Rosenberg told me the selection of edibles changes from time to time. I was delighted to find huckleberry preserves, which are uncommonly seen in California stores. You might encounter chocolate chip bread pudding, espresso fudge, licorice Scotties or ginger roll. If you are on a special diet, you’re likely to find gluten-free, sugar-free and vegan options.

As if operating the store and creating the menu items and goodies isn’t enough to keep Rosenberg busy, she also makes cakes for all occasions and not just for the locals — some people drive up the highway to get them.

Ortega Oaks Candy Store is at Ortega Oaks RV Park & Campground, 34040 Ortega Hwy, Lake Elsinore.

© Copyright to Julie Pendray & SpecialsNotOnTheMenu.com

Sky Island Wows with First Art Show

“The Dream,” by Rigo Rivas. Image courtesy of Rigo Rivas.

By Julie Pendray

IDYLLWILD, Calif. — If ever there was a lesson in multiple vantage points or realities, it’s Rigo Rivas’s paintings. What appears to be a woman dreaming, with her arm thrown back over her long tresses becomes a man working with a pitchfork in a field of wheat. Just when you think you have the picture  of “The Dream” figured out, it becomes an entirely different scene before your eyes. Then as you walk away, a third reality appears on the canvas.

Where do his ideas come from?

Rivas is exhibiting at a new gallery space at Idyllwild’s recently renovated Sky Island Natural Food Store until June 1.

“Don’t Baather Me,” by Carol Landry, who is exhibiting in Idyllwild until June 1. Image courtesy: Carol Landry.

Temecula artist Carol Landry’s representational paintings of animals, cacti and still life are also part of the show. Both painters belong to the Art Alliance of Idyllwild.

This week, Rivas, a Hemet resident, talked to me about his work.

“I find myself always motivated to bring out new ideas constantly circling in my head,” he told me. “Finishing a new piece excites me.”

Rigo Rivas, Hemet artist, is exhibiting in Idyllwild until June 1. Photo courtesy, Rigo Rivas.

His pieces are reminiscent of Salvador Dali‘s surrealism and sometimes the brushstrokes of the Father of Expressionism, Vincent van Gogh.

“Van Gogh, Salvador Dali and Picasso have inspired me,” he confirmed. “Dali and Picasso especially share a cultural connection with me as their works depict the festivals, architecture and scenery I am quite familiar with since I was young in El Salvador. They motivated me to tell my own stories through my art of the strong Spanish culture in Central America.”

He said he generally tries not to classify his work by any one discipline.

“I would rather allow the viewer to create their own assessment and evaluate how the piece affects them. However, if I had to say, I think I scratch the boundaries of surrealism, romantics, and even cubism; a little bit of several principles, but never solely one.”

Rivas said he doesn’t have a set theme in mind when he starts a painting.

“Through composition I try to convey the emotion and feeling that is wrapped around the subject in my memories. One thing that is especially intended is when someone views the painting, they are led around the composition so they are able to examine the details throughout.”

“Celebrating Creativity” by Rigo Rivas. Image courtesy of Rigo Rivas.

He said his passion for art started early in life when his brother was an artist and included him in his projects.

“My family is artistic, just not at a professional level,” Rivas said. “I do know that artistic ability ran through my mom to my brother and myself.”

He took his first art classes in high school in El Salvador. A few years later, he moved to Los Angeles and took community college courses in life drawing, illustration and design, as well as working as a sign painter. He moved his family to Hemet in 1989.

“Having come a long way from the place I grew up I feel compelled to make the memories of my early life live again and share it with people who would have otherwise never been aware of the sights and colors of small town life in El Salvador,” Rivas said.

A viewer can’t help but wonder about symbolism, given Dali’s influence.

“Hatching Eggs” by Rigo Rivas. Image courtesy of Rigo Rivas.

Rivas said, “I am conscious of symbolism and metaphor in my pieces during creation. In ‘Hatching Eggs’ I wanted to depict a visual metaphor of growing out of adolescence into adulthood. However, the general image for the design came to me first before I saw fit to assign a theme to it. The symbols I use in my pieces such as birds, eggs, and hands may not be universally appreciated since they are my personal interpretations of subjects or themes.”

Rivas exhibits monthly  at the Latino Art Museum in Pomona.

Carol Landry, a member of Art Alliance of Idyllwild. Photo courtesy of Carol Landry.

Landry just got two pieces juried into the Fallbrook Spring Art Show, which will be April 1-24. She built her career in San Diego as an airbrush painter for the aerospace industry, government, architects and celebrities. Landry is a multi-faceted artist, having worked in oils and acrylics, doing plein air pieces, abstracts and mixed media.

“Queen of the Desert” by Carol Landry. Image courtesy of Carol Landry.

The spring show at Sky Island Natural Foods is in the recently expanded Meadow Greens Cafe area.

Sky Island Organics also has acquired the former Gary’s Deli footage next door, which will become the manufacturing and processing kitchen for the company.

Sky Island Natural Foods and its vegetarian Meadow Greens Cafe are at 54423 Village Center Drive in the Strawberry Creek Plaza, across from the Idyllwild Post Office.

©Copyright to Julie Pendray & SpecialsNotOnTheMenu.com

Help Weather Forecasters Collect Data

 

Volunteers help National Weather Service forecasters by reading rain gauges every day. Photo courtesy: National Weather Service.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — The National Weather Service is looking for volunteers throughout California to collect information that will help forecasters predict weather, especially significant events. Each person will need a 4-inch rain gauge, the Internet, and a few minutes every day, according to NWS San Diego meteorologist Jimmy Taeger.

“Numerous locations around California, especially in the mountains and deserts, lack valuable precipitation reporting,” Taeger said. “Community Collaborative Rain Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS) is a non-profit group of volunteer precipitation observers. They report rain, hail and snow as well as any significant weather as it occurs. Anyone can join, and it’s easy to report the information.”

Taeger said the CoCoRaHS web site is easy to navigate and has instructions for anyone to learn how to record an observation. The site also has daily maps of observer’s reports showing where precipitation fell the day before.

“It’s fun to compare the different amounts of precipitation that can fall in an area from just one storm,” he stated.

Taeger said the information is very valuable for hydrologists, farmers and many others besides weather forecasters.

If you’re interested in becoming part of the CoCoRaHS network from school, work or home, visit www.cocorahs.org to sign up. You can also e-mail Jimmy.Taeger@noaa.gov or call 858-675-8700 with any questions.

This article was generated from a news release.

Why Fermented Foods?

By Janel Ruehl
Sky Island Organics

IDYLLWILD, Calif. — Fermented foods have been an integral element of native cuisines across the planet for centuries. Although fermentation began as a method of food preservation long before the modern era of refrigeration, the associated health benefits have earned fermented foods a permanent place on the table of many cultures.

While you may be familiar with such common names as kefir, kombucha, and kimchi, the variety of fermented foods is incredibly expansive. In Japan, miso paste is a staple condiment, seasoning, and soup. In India the fermented rice dishes of idli and dosa are common favorites in the south; while the yogurt-based lassi is nearly ubiquitous in the north. The flat, fermented bread known as injera is the foundation of every Ethiopian meal. In Europe, homemade, fermented creme fraiche is a popular addition to many meals.

Chicha is a fermented drink made from rice.

Sauerkraut is a traditional, popular condiment in Germany. The Nepalese make their own version from the whole family of brassica plants, known locally as gundruk. In South and Central America, chicha is a popular fermented drink. And in southern Turkey, the spicy, fermented drink salgam is celebrated annually with a local festival. Traditional fermented foods in the United States include pickles, old-fashioned root beer, homemade ketchup, and water kefir (the original “soda”). With such a wide variety of recipes from around the world to try, now is the time to make fermented foods a permanent fixture of your diet as well.

Fresh vegetables and dairy products are transformed into nutritional powerhouses through the process of lacto-fermentation. In this process, naturally occurring sugars and starches are converted into lactic acid through the proliferation of various species of lactic acid-producing bacteria. Lactic acid is a natural preservative, inhibiting the growth of decompositional bacteria. And yet, this process does much more than simply preserve food. Regular consumption of fermented foods improves your digestion and bowel health, supports your immune system, and can lower your food bills. Fermented foods also taste great and they are surprisingly easy and fun to incorporate into your life.

Supporting your digestion and bowel health is one of the most foundational ways to support overall health and well-being. Fermented foods introduce a wide variety of beneficial bacteria to your digestive system, known as probiotics. In addition to aiding digestion, probiotics have been shown to slow or reverse some diseases and improve bowel health. With the right balance of gut bacteria and enough digestive enzymes, you can absorb more nutrients from the food you eat. Lactic acid helps to break down proteins and iron, making them easier to digest and assimilate.

Probiotics also help digest fiber and protect you from absorbing pesticides, carcinogens and other harmful elements in your food. A healthy balance of gut bacteria aids in weight loss as well, and has been shown to decrease diabetes and obesity. Additionally, fermented foods may help combat some common food intolerances, by repairing damaged intestinal walls which lead to “leaky gut syndrome”.

Ancient Alchemy teas are produced in Idyllwild. Find them at Sky Islands Natural Foods.

Fermented foods are also one of the best ways to support your immune system. Probiotics aid in the production of a number of antibodies to various pathogens, helping you fight off common colds and viruses. If you suffer from seasonal allergies or often catch seasonal colds, try adding 2-3 tablespoons of sauerkraut to your meals. Fermented foods are excellent detoxifiers as well. They are particularly adept at helping rid your body of heavy metals, among other common toxins.

In addition to these major health benefits, fermented foods can benefit your wallet! With just a few inexpensive ingredients you can make a wide variety of fermented foods at home. Because they help you absorb more nutrients from the food you eat, the regular addition of fermented foods to your diet can reduce the number of supplements you need. And while many people have become accustomed to taking probiotic supplements, fermented foods consistently contain a wider variety of beneficial bacteria than any commercially available supplement. Of course, fermentation is also still one of the very best methods of food preservation and can help you cut down on food waste. While fresh salsa usually has a shelf life of a week or less, fermented salsa can last for up to two months in the refrigerator! If you are tired of throwing away condiments like mayonnaise and ketchup, try a fermented variety that is significantly healthier and will last much longer.

If you’re not accustomed to eating fermented foods, rest assured that there are many great-tasting options available. You may want to start by making some simple substitutions of foods you already eat. Many commercial pickles, olives and sauerkraut are not fermented. Look for brands that utilize lacto-fermentation rather than vinegar or chemical preservatives. Water kefir, commonly known as homemade soda, is an excellent, fermented substitute for commercial brands that are loaded with sugar and high fructose corn syrup. If you already rely on some fermented staples, you might be ready to try making some fermented foods at home. Kimchi is a traditional Korean condiment that can add such a surprising and delicious depth of flavor to any veggie stir fry, basic fish or poultry dish, or even atop your favorite burger. While most kimchi contains seafood like brined shrimp and fish sauce, try this amazing vegan version from J. Kenji Lopez at seriouseats.com that is as good if not better than the original, with simple ingredients that are easy to find- even in Idyllwild!

Homemade Vegan Kimchi

Ingredients:

1 large head napa cabbage, cored and separated into individual leaves, about 1 lb total
I small daikon radish (about 4 ounces)
8 scallions, greens roughly chopped, whites reserved separately
Kosher salt
8 cloves garlic
One 2-inch knob ginger, peeled
1/2 cup Korean chili powder (kochukaru) (or use regular dried red chili flakes or cayenne)
2 tablespoons white or red miso paste
1 tablespoon sugar

Directions:

Place cabbage leaves, daikon, and scallion greens in a large bowl and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons kosher salt. Toss to combine, cover, then let sit at room temperature until cabbage is wilted, at least 1 hour and up to 12. It should release about 1/4 to 1/2 cup liquid.

Meanwhile, combine scallion whites, garlic, ginger, chili powder, miso paste, and sugar in the bowl of a food processor or blender. Process until rough paste is formed, about 30 seconds total, scraping down sides as necessary.

Once cabbage is wilted, add chili mixture and turn to coat. Add 1 cup water to mixture. Taste liquid and add more salt as necessary (it should have the saltiness of sea water). Pack kimchi into mason jars, pressing down firmly to pack tightly and using a chopstick to release any air bubbles trapped in the bottom of the jar. Cover the kimchi with its liquid.

Seal the jars tightly and allow them to sit at cool room temperature for 24 hours, then transfer to the refrigerator. Allow to ferment at least 1 week before eating (see note). Kimchi will last for up to 1 month after opening. Alternatively, place directly in fridge after packing and taste daily starting after the first week until it’s as sour as you like it. Consume within 1 month.

The health section on SpecialsNotOnTheMenu.com is sponsored by Sky Island Organics which has a natural foods store and cafe in the Strawberry Creek Plaza on Village Center Drive in Idyllwild.

 

Day Trip to Oak Glen

Old red barn at Parrish Ranch, Oak Glen. Photo: Julie Pendray.

By Julie Pendray

Oak Glen, Calif. –When Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis got married in The Secret Garden in Oak Glen, many people probably wondered about the location. I’d never heard of Oak Glen either until last summer. That’s when I interviewed Fariad Ali, the man who won Idyllwild’s Sizzling Summer Plein Air Contest. He told me his working gallery is in this tiny community above Beaumont, 15 miles east of San Bernardino.

Fariad Ali with his painting which won Idyllwild’s Plein Air contest in 2015. Photo: Julie Pendray

Recently an Idyllwild friend, Mountain Mike, suggested we go for a brief visit to sample the boysenberry crisp at Los Rios Rancho, one of Oak Glen’s historic apple orchards. The crisp was delicious! I thought, “I’m coming back when I have more time.”

So, inspired by Ali’s watercolor techniques, the boysenberry crisp and a warm sunny day, I ventured up the hill on my own. With daffodils and cherry trees blooming, the view of snow-capped San Bernardino mountains and a new steakhouse providing nightlife, Oak Glen makes a great destination. It’s a perfect day trip from Riverside and San Diego counties.To get there, take exit 92 off I-10 and go north through Beaumont and Cherry Valley and then up on Oak Glen Road. You’ll reach an altitude of nearly 4,800 feet.

Oak Glen is comprised of four large family-owned ranches, plus about 30 smaller operations. Ali and his artist wife, Jennifer, have their gallery, Wildland Images, in Parrish Ranch on the top floor of what’s known as the old red barn. Enoch Parrish opened the first apple orchard in the area in 1876, followed by the Wilshire family.

Oak Glen School. Photo: Julie Pendray.

On this visit, I only had time to visit Parrish Ranch and its surroundings but the adventure whet my appetite for another outing.

Once you leave Beaumont below, the noise and stress of urban life drop away and you breathe in the fresh air with a panoramic view from a winding road along a ridge.

As the road steepens and you see the currently naked apple trees up ahead, be careful not to miss a 1927 two-storied stone building. This is Oak Glen School, once part of the C.J. “Blackie” Wilshire Ranch, according to its wooden sign. Nearby you’ll see signs inviting you to throw a tomahawk or try your hand at archery.

Orchards then begin to dominate the terrain. Oak Glen orchards offer uncommon varieties such as Vasquez, King David, Ben Davis, Gravenstein and Pink Pearl. Some highlights for visitors are picking their own fruit and taking in the Apple Blossom Country Festival presented by the grower’s association. The next one will be April 16-17.

Rounding a bend further up the road, you’ll find Los Rios Rancho on your left. This is billed as Southern California’s largest apple farm, in operation since 1906. It’s one of many stops where a tourist can savor mouth-watering apple cider and pie and take home preserves and other gifts. Picnic tables under flowering cherry trees invite you to relax a while or you can walk along a trail. This places offers tours and living history demonstrations, with an estimated 300,000 visitors arriving during apple season. Now is a good time to enjoy a lot of what Oak Glen has to offer, without the crowds.

Flowering cherry trees at Los Rios Rancho, Oak Glen. Photo: Julie Pendray.

On this visit, I made a beeline for Ali’s gallery. He greeted me with his wonderful signature smile and we chatted for an hour about his latest work, his artistic viewpoint, his life in Oak Glen and local history. He clearly loves the town. Someday, I’ll write about my interview with him, but for now I want to tell you about his environment, which he describes as the Beverley Hills of the Inland Empire. It’s certainly a wealthier community than some of the empire. Oak Glen has a population of only about 630 people.

Cheryl Hicks, co-owner of Angus McCurdy’s in Oak Glen. Photo: Julie Pendray.

Ali gave me two recommendations for lunch: a burger at Angus McCurdy’s across the street; or the brand new Oak Glen Steakhouse and Saloon.  McCurdy’s was closed for renovations but Ali took me inside to meet Cheryl Hicks who owns and operates the eatery with her husband, Tony. She said McCurdy’s, built in 1867, was originally the equipment barn for Parrish Ranch. This structure and a house across the street are two of the oldest “stick frame” buildings in San Bernardino county, she said. A special bonus for me at McCurdy’s was meeting one of the owners’ friends, a local resident and fellow ex-pat Kiwi. He’s from Invercargill, which is one of the settings for a favorite movie of mine, The World’s Fastest Indian , starring Anthony Hopkins.

A pirate show entertains Oak Glen visitors June to December. Photo: Julie Pendray

Next on my tour with Ali was the building that once served as the schoolhouse. Next to it, the Pirates of Parrish Ranch show is offered each summer and fall. David Freeman, a film industry retiree, produces the show, using the stage name Harley. Canon fire, sword fights and a pirate ship entertain audiences from late June through the first week of December, when apple season ends. The show is free for visitors to Oak Glen.

Parrish Ranch Red Barn. Photo: Julie Pendray.

My final stop in Parrish Ranch was the store in the red barn, underneath Ali’s gallery. This was built in 1867, according to Harley’s wife, Nancy Glenn, the friendly manager. She told me Oak Glen’s Vasquez apple variety was named after Juan Vasquez who tended trees on Parrish Ranch for 60 years. The orchards there produce 19 apple varieties grown organically, she said.

The store is like a wander back in time, with delicious apple cider and butters, caramel apples and the apple crisp made from scratch by Liz, who has worked in the “barn” for 20 years. You’ll also find chocolates, caramels and brittles from Granlunds Candies in Yucaipa, as well as wine and wine tasting, olive oil, kitchen novelties, cooking books and teas. I bought the Island Vacation tea, in memory of my many trips Down Under. I also left with a little history book, “The Story of Oak Glen and Yucaipa Valley,” by O. W. Willits, which goes back to the days of the earliest known visitors, the Wanakik Cahuillas.

On my way out of Parrish Ranch, I passed a few camera-shy alpaca and enjoyed the snowy mountain scene in the distance. Winding a little further north down Oak Glen Road, I encountered the new Oak Glen Steakhouse and Saloon, which includes a wedding venue under construction, with water features and a backdrop of an old apple orchard. This business is owned by the Knudsen family.

Bison tenderloins at Oak Glen Steakhouse and Saloon. Photo: Julie Pendray.

After my tour with general manager Brandon Gallegos, I settled into the saloon (which has a great mountain view) and tried one of their specialties — Bison tenderloins wrapped in bacon. This is like a filet mignon. Knudsen said all their meats are prime cut. Executive chef John Hausotter cooked it exactly to my preference — medium. It was tender and especially flavorful because of the bacon. Guests can choose from a variety of sauces. On recommendation from the kitchen, mine came with the slightly sweet shallot-merlot sauce. It was divine. My side choices were firecracker green beans and brussel sprouts – both delicious.

This restaurant was still under soft opening until the next day, so the chef brought me a sample of lobster bisque to try. It came complete with a touch of cream sherry and accented with a swirl of sriracha sauce. Yum! Needless to say, I wasn’t able to eat all of the tenderloin on the spot because it was so packed with protein, so I took a portion home. My verdict: this place is worth the drive.

The Knudsens own a nearby ranch with 52 head of bison. In the entrance to their restaurant is a painting of their late stud, Big John. This is one of about 15 pieces by artist Ali that set the Western theme throughout this establishment. Big John’s four-feet-tall head will soon be mantled in the saloon, Gallegos said.

Brandon Gallegos, general manager, Oak Glen Steakhouse and Saloon. Photo: Julie Pendray.

Oak Glen Steakhouse and Saloon. Photo: Julie Pendray.

As I watched mouth watering dishes arriving in front of guests next to me at the bar, I struck up conversations.

“This is the best thing to happen to Oak Glen in more than 20 years,” one diner told me. After his disclaimer that he’s a friend of the family, Steven Guarderas of Yucaipa told me, “I used to come for the snow to get away with my family. Now I come two or three times a week. I’ve had the steak, calamari, lobster, tacos. Everything has been great.”

My own disclaimer is that I was treated to my meal after my interview with the manager. I’m very grateful to the folks in Oak Glen for their hospitality.

There’s so much more for me to learn about Oak Glen. Reading that little history book  is a help and I look forward to more visits. I highly recommend the area as a day trip.

© Copyright Julie Pendray and SpecialsNotOnTheMenu.com

Where’s El Nino?

By Julie Pendray

Idyllwild, Calif. — What happened to Southern California’s expected rain? It’s a question asked by many of us since January’s mountain snow and February’s warm dry days. Spring seems to have sprung. Trees are blossoming, squirrels are building nests, birds are chasing each other around the trees and bulbs are coming up.

File photo of Lily Rock, Idyllwild, taken from Humber Park. Photo: Julie Pendray.

But don’t count your chickens before they’ve hatched, National Weather Service is saying. March and April could bring heavy precipitation.

Those are generally the wettest months, according to Alex Tardy, Warning Coordination Meteorologist at the NWS office in San Diego, which covers the Southern California region, including Idyllwild.

“March is typically the wettest month on record for strong El Ninos,” he stated in a slide show presentation of weather models and historical data he published on You Tube today. “Even in a non-El Nino period, we could expect 4 to 7 inches of rain in the Southern California mountains.”

Slide from National Weather Service presentation provided by Alex Tardy.

He said models and historical data indicate “above normal probabilities of precipitation” for March. “This is not an indication of flooding, per se.”

What happened in February?

Last month was one of the hottest and driest Februarys on record for Southern California, Tardy said.

“The storm track basically buckled in February and went up and over most of California, not just Southern California,”he said.

Most of our region is now below where it should be for precipitation at this time of year, the meteorologist said. “Most of southwestern California is doing very poor, at about 50 percent of normal.”

Compared to the two strong El Ninos in 1983 and 1998, the precipitation this winter through February has been 30 to 50 percent of those periods in some areas, he said.

The ocean temperatures in the El Nino zone are still as warm as they’ve been all winter and they’re just as significant as they were in 1997/98, he added.

The storm track is what’s different.

“The storm source regions have been there but the storms are not making it this far east,” Tardy said. “In the past month, the storm regions have been going way too far to the north.”

The bottom line?

Enjoy the early daffodils but don’t put your rain and snow gear away yet.

To view the You Tube slide presentation by Tardy, click here.

Copyright Julie Pendray and SpecialsNotOnTheMenu.com

 

 

 

2015 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2015 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 48,000 times in 2015. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 18 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.