With consummate class and a showman's flair, Idyllwild's Casey Abrams left the American Idol stage, leaving an impression that will last for many seasons. Singing "I Put a Spell on You," Abrams showed why this "Jazz Messenger" has found his way into the hearts of not just his Idyllwild fans but fans the world over.
What's next? Perhaps, like Jennifer Hudson, he'll snag that movie roll. He has acting chops. But what he did, more than any other contestant in recent memory, was push the envelope, by bringing his quirky intelligence and sense of humor along with an awesome fearlessness to each week's song interpretation.
More in this coming week's article.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Hemet Unified sets hearing on class size
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING OF THE GOVERNING BOARD OF HEMET UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the Governing Board ("Board") of the Hemet Unified School District ("District") will hold a public hearing in accordance with California Government Code Section 4217.10 et seq. ("Public Hearing") regarding a General Waiver Request to waive EC 41376 and increase the class size cap to maintain the instructional integrity of our educational program in response to the current state-wide budget crisis and reduced revenue to the school district. The Public Hearing is to be held on May 3, 2011, at 6:30 p.m. or as soon thereafter as practicable, in the Board Room at the Professional Development Service Center, 1791 W. Acacia Avenue, Hemet, California, 92545. The Public Hearing will be open to the public, and all interested persons in attendance will have the opportunity to be heard. Written comments may be submitted to the District either during or prior to the Public Hearing. Written comments submitted prior to the Public Hearing should be sent in time to arrive at the District no later than the morning of May 3, 2011, and should be sent to: Hemet Unified School District, Attention: Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, 1791 W. Acacia Avenue, Hemet, California, 92545. For additional information, you may contact the Assistant Superintendent of Business Services via telephone at (951) 765-5100, ext. 5000.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Idyllwild Fire Protection District Special Meeting
Idyllwild Fire Protection District
Board of Commissioners
Special Board Meeting
AGENDA
Thursday April 21, 2011
Meeting starts at 12:00 pm
Open to the Public
Meeting to be held at the Idyllwild Fire Station conference/training room, 54160 Maranatha Drive, Idyllwild, CA.
Call to Order: Please silence cell phones and/or pagers
Roll call: Commissioners Capparelli, Riggi, Killingsworth, Stigall, Schelly
Chief Walker and Administrative Assistant Andrewson
Pledge of Allegiance
Action Items
The Board may approve or take action on any items contained under “Action Items”.
• Sign Resolution 504 – Registrar of Voters requires resolution on Candidates Statement for the General Elections. Idyllwild Fire Protection District Board of Commissioners have resolved the CANDIDATE(s) will pay the cost of printing and handling of said statements.
Citizens’ Comments
Citizens may comment on any matter as contained on the Agenda. Individual citizen’s comments will be contained to five (5) minutes each as timed by a member of the Board or IFPD’s Administrative Assistant. Optional request to citizens making public comments: You are not legally required to state your name and address, however, it is appreciated.
If you challenge any decision in court, you may be limited to raising only those items you or someone else raised at the public meeting described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to this agency, at or prior to, the public meeting.
Next regularly scheduled meeting will be on Tuesday May 10, 2011 1800 (6:00 pm)
"The People of this State do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies which serve them. The people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know. The people insist on remaining informed so that they may retain control over the instruments they have created." ~Preamble from “The Brown Act”
Board of Commissioners
Special Board Meeting
AGENDA
Thursday April 21, 2011
Meeting starts at 12:00 pm
Open to the Public
Meeting to be held at the Idyllwild Fire Station conference/training room, 54160 Maranatha Drive, Idyllwild, CA.
Call to Order: Please silence cell phones and/or pagers
Roll call: Commissioners Capparelli, Riggi, Killingsworth, Stigall, Schelly
Chief Walker and Administrative Assistant Andrewson
Pledge of Allegiance
Action Items
The Board may approve or take action on any items contained under “Action Items”.
• Sign Resolution 504 – Registrar of Voters requires resolution on Candidates Statement for the General Elections. Idyllwild Fire Protection District Board of Commissioners have resolved the CANDIDATE(s) will pay the cost of printing and handling of said statements.
Citizens’ Comments
Citizens may comment on any matter as contained on the Agenda. Individual citizen’s comments will be contained to five (5) minutes each as timed by a member of the Board or IFPD’s Administrative Assistant. Optional request to citizens making public comments: You are not legally required to state your name and address, however, it is appreciated.
If you challenge any decision in court, you may be limited to raising only those items you or someone else raised at the public meeting described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to this agency, at or prior to, the public meeting.
Next regularly scheduled meeting will be on Tuesday May 10, 2011 1800 (6:00 pm)
"The People of this State do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies which serve them. The people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know. The people insist on remaining informed so that they may retain control over the instruments they have created." ~Preamble from “The Brown Act”
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Brendan Steele Wins first PGA tourney
Today, Idyllwild's Brendan Steele won the Valero Texas Open. He was the leader going into the final round and he held the front despite a challenge from fellow Californian Kevin Chappell.
Steele shot a tournament total of 280, which was 8 strokes under par. He finished a stroke ahead of Chappell and veteran Charley Hoffman.
The winner's share is $1.1. million.
Congratulations to Brendan.
Steele shot a tournament total of 280, which was 8 strokes under par. He finished a stroke ahead of Chappell and veteran Charley Hoffman.
The winner's share is $1.1. million.
Congratulations to Brendan.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Forest Service shutdown
In the event, the federal government can not avert a shutdown of activities becasue of the lack of authority to spend money, the San Bernardino National Forest and specifically the San Jacinto Ranger District will be affected.
Fire suppression activities will be exemptd from the shutdown, but normal recreation programs will be closed until the government reopens. The following is from the U.S. Department of Agriculture web site:
US Forest Service
April 7, 2011
Contingency Plan for Agency Close Down Procedures
This plan assumes that some Agency activities will continue and are essential to protect life and property and are excepted from close down procedures, such as:
1. Fire Suppression including fire fighters and all necessary equipment costs to protect life and property.
2. Law Enforcement personnel and all necessary equipment costs to protect life and property.
3. Emergency and Natural Disasters Response (i.e., floods)
4. Protection of Federal lands, buildings, waterways, equipment and other property and investments owned by the United States when the suspension of such activities would cause an imminent threat to human life and property. This includes nurseries, insectaries, tree seed labs, and the minimum level of staffing to administer permits and contracts needed for protection of National Forest lands.
5. All contracts in support of cyber security and infrastructure operations to support key positions and essential personnel.
6. Protection of Research studies where lack of continuation measurements or maintenance would destroy or endanger validity of research findings. Includes green houses, growth chambers, etc.
7. Job Corps operations unless directed otherwise by Department of Labor.
8. Collection and Payment activities for previous legal obligations.
9. Excepted positions and support of excepted personnel as needed for close down procedures
10. Emergency and Defense Preparedness
Fire suppression activities will be exemptd from the shutdown, but normal recreation programs will be closed until the government reopens. The following is from the U.S. Department of Agriculture web site:
US Forest Service
April 7, 2011
Contingency Plan for Agency Close Down Procedures
This plan assumes that some Agency activities will continue and are essential to protect life and property and are excepted from close down procedures, such as:
1. Fire Suppression including fire fighters and all necessary equipment costs to protect life and property.
2. Law Enforcement personnel and all necessary equipment costs to protect life and property.
3. Emergency and Natural Disasters Response (i.e., floods)
4. Protection of Federal lands, buildings, waterways, equipment and other property and investments owned by the United States when the suspension of such activities would cause an imminent threat to human life and property. This includes nurseries, insectaries, tree seed labs, and the minimum level of staffing to administer permits and contracts needed for protection of National Forest lands.
5. All contracts in support of cyber security and infrastructure operations to support key positions and essential personnel.
6. Protection of Research studies where lack of continuation measurements or maintenance would destroy or endanger validity of research findings. Includes green houses, growth chambers, etc.
7. Job Corps operations unless directed otherwise by Department of Labor.
8. Collection and Payment activities for previous legal obligations.
9. Excepted positions and support of excepted personnel as needed for close down procedures
10. Emergency and Defense Preparedness
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Emmerson says budget talks collapse
Republican State Sen. Bill Emmerson (R 37) said with discouragement that budget negotiations with Gov. Jerry Brown have ended. Emmerson does not see any further discussion between the parties at this time.
According to Emmerson, he and his colleagues negotiated over 50 issues and found agreement on all but two or three. Pension and regulatory reform were areas in which the politicians found common ground. But the spending cap proposal proved too high a hurdle to mutually clear.
“I think the discussion we’ve had came to an end. The Governor was not able to get to a plan on a spending cap proposal or agree on a single sales tax,” Emmerson said. “We had a pathway to improving California’s budget problems. I’m extremely disappointed.”
Emmerson is not sure what Brown will do next — majority vote budget, a fall initiative or another alternative. He was genuinely positive about Brown’s willingness to negotiate.
“I think the governor was extremely honorable. There was no contention,” Emmerson said. “He’s a stand-up guy.” Emmerson said he believed the governor was, in the end, unable to convince his stakeholders.
Brown faulted the larger Republican caucus which, in Brown’s words in a March 25 letter to Republican leader Bob Dutton, “added almost two dozen new topics [to those originally under negotiation] including obscure aspects of labor law and shifting the Presidential primary to March. In addition, your list of demands — if met — would undermine my entire budget proposal by undoing major elements and extending the taxes for only 18 months [rather than the five years the governor had proposed].”
Emmerson himself may get involved in possible initiatives for pension reform and spending caps.
At this point, Governor Brown said he would focus his efforts “on speaking directly to Californians and coming up with honest and real solutions to our budget crisis.”
According to Emmerson, he and his colleagues negotiated over 50 issues and found agreement on all but two or three. Pension and regulatory reform were areas in which the politicians found common ground. But the spending cap proposal proved too high a hurdle to mutually clear.
“I think the discussion we’ve had came to an end. The Governor was not able to get to a plan on a spending cap proposal or agree on a single sales tax,” Emmerson said. “We had a pathway to improving California’s budget problems. I’m extremely disappointed.”
Emmerson is not sure what Brown will do next — majority vote budget, a fall initiative or another alternative. He was genuinely positive about Brown’s willingness to negotiate.
“I think the governor was extremely honorable. There was no contention,” Emmerson said. “He’s a stand-up guy.” Emmerson said he believed the governor was, in the end, unable to convince his stakeholders.
Brown faulted the larger Republican caucus which, in Brown’s words in a March 25 letter to Republican leader Bob Dutton, “added almost two dozen new topics [to those originally under negotiation] including obscure aspects of labor law and shifting the Presidential primary to March. In addition, your list of demands — if met — would undermine my entire budget proposal by undoing major elements and extending the taxes for only 18 months [rather than the five years the governor had proposed].”
Emmerson himself may get involved in possible initiatives for pension reform and spending caps.
At this point, Governor Brown said he would focus his efforts “on speaking directly to Californians and coming up with honest and real solutions to our budget crisis.”
Friday, March 25, 2011
Where were Casey's fans? Abrams nearly eliminated!
It made for great television, but American Idol early favorite Casey Abrams’ near elimination on Thursday, March 24 was a shock to his fans and to Idyllwild. How did a guy pegged to go the distance by many in the blogosphere and the media, celebrated for his originality and musicianship, wind up with the fewest viewer votes? Where were his fans and why didn’t they vote? Has something diminished the “Casey” fan infatuation factor from the headiness of the early weeks of the contest or have fans, including locals, grown complacent, convinced he would sail safely through?
Had it not been for a once-a-season “save,” when judges can override the wisdom or digital dexterity of voters, Abrams would have exited and been denied the post-season national tour.
On Thursday’s show, Abrams, with the fewest votes of the bottom three of eleven finalists, had to “sing for his life” for a possible judges’ reprieve. Abrams had only sung a few bars of “I Don’t Need No Doctor” when judge Randy Jackson stopped him. “We know who you are,” said Jackson. “You deserve to be here,” said Jennifer Lopez. “This is crazy wrong,” said judge Steven Tyler. “We made the decision to keep you on.” And with that unanimous decision, a shocked Abrams survived. But as host Ryan Seacrest darkly noted, two finalists will be eliminated next week.
In the end, those who win do so because of viewer votes, and only if the viewers vote. Talent plays a role, but it is not necessarily determinative. Think Jennifer Hudson, the only Idol contestant to win an Oscar who didn’t even make it to the top three in season three. Left standing after her elimination were six more finalists: Fantasia Barrino (who went on to win), Diana Degarmo (runner up), and George Huff, La Toya London, John Sevens and Jasmine Trias. Only Barrino went on to some measure of sustained career success.
According to Idol lore, Idol producers created the once-a-season judges’ save in season eight, partly because of Hudson’s early elimination and subsequent successes. How many times in the first nine seasons did viewers choose those most likely to have successful recording careers? Judged by subsequent career success, not many. Which of the first nine winners (Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino. Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks, Jordin Sparks, David Cook, Kris Allen and Lee DeWyze) became household names? Again, not many.
Does Casey have a chance from this point on? Have finalists in the bottom three ever gone on to become the American Idol? For the most part, they have not, with two exceptions. Check out this headline from tampabay.com and the St. Petersburg Times: “American Idol shocker: [name deleted] hits bottom three.” That was Adam Lambert, season eight’s leader throughout the entire competition until a close and controversial final vote in which Kris Allen won the competition. In the week of season eight’s Top Five elimination, both Allen and Lambert landed in the bottom three.
In season three, eventual Idol winner Fantasia Barrino was in the bottom two in the Top Seven telecast when Jennifer Hudson was eliminated, and was again in the bottom two in the Top Four elimination round.
Sam Miller, a Hill resident for over 30 years and proud lady of the Red Hats said she wants the town to know they have to support this talented and fine young man. “He’s one of our own and we need to take care of him,” she urged. “This town needs to push itself a little bit more and vote to support Casey.” Miller said she spent a half hour on Thursday casting votes by telephone. “Let Casey know [by voting] that he has a town that backs him, that loves him, and that’s proud of him."
And, as an “Only in Idyllwild” aside, Miller said that because we’re a small town, where many know Casey, his schoolmates, his parents and friends, we have to work harder to compete against finalists from large metropolitan areas with potentially larger home town fan bases.
Had it not been for a once-a-season “save,” when judges can override the wisdom or digital dexterity of voters, Abrams would have exited and been denied the post-season national tour.
On Thursday’s show, Abrams, with the fewest votes of the bottom three of eleven finalists, had to “sing for his life” for a possible judges’ reprieve. Abrams had only sung a few bars of “I Don’t Need No Doctor” when judge Randy Jackson stopped him. “We know who you are,” said Jackson. “You deserve to be here,” said Jennifer Lopez. “This is crazy wrong,” said judge Steven Tyler. “We made the decision to keep you on.” And with that unanimous decision, a shocked Abrams survived. But as host Ryan Seacrest darkly noted, two finalists will be eliminated next week.
In the end, those who win do so because of viewer votes, and only if the viewers vote. Talent plays a role, but it is not necessarily determinative. Think Jennifer Hudson, the only Idol contestant to win an Oscar who didn’t even make it to the top three in season three. Left standing after her elimination were six more finalists: Fantasia Barrino (who went on to win), Diana Degarmo (runner up), and George Huff, La Toya London, John Sevens and Jasmine Trias. Only Barrino went on to some measure of sustained career success.
According to Idol lore, Idol producers created the once-a-season judges’ save in season eight, partly because of Hudson’s early elimination and subsequent successes. How many times in the first nine seasons did viewers choose those most likely to have successful recording careers? Judged by subsequent career success, not many. Which of the first nine winners (Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino. Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks, Jordin Sparks, David Cook, Kris Allen and Lee DeWyze) became household names? Again, not many.
Does Casey have a chance from this point on? Have finalists in the bottom three ever gone on to become the American Idol? For the most part, they have not, with two exceptions. Check out this headline from tampabay.com and the St. Petersburg Times: “American Idol shocker: [name deleted] hits bottom three.” That was Adam Lambert, season eight’s leader throughout the entire competition until a close and controversial final vote in which Kris Allen won the competition. In the week of season eight’s Top Five elimination, both Allen and Lambert landed in the bottom three.
In season three, eventual Idol winner Fantasia Barrino was in the bottom two in the Top Seven telecast when Jennifer Hudson was eliminated, and was again in the bottom two in the Top Four elimination round.
Sam Miller, a Hill resident for over 30 years and proud lady of the Red Hats said she wants the town to know they have to support this talented and fine young man. “He’s one of our own and we need to take care of him,” she urged. “This town needs to push itself a little bit more and vote to support Casey.” Miller said she spent a half hour on Thursday casting votes by telephone. “Let Casey know [by voting] that he has a town that backs him, that loves him, and that’s proud of him."
And, as an “Only in Idyllwild” aside, Miller said that because we’re a small town, where many know Casey, his schoolmates, his parents and friends, we have to work harder to compete against finalists from large metropolitan areas with potentially larger home town fan bases.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)