Photo by Gary Leva
Weather: Highs of 63 – 72 Lows of 40 – 47
Idyllwild Sun/Moon (Rise/Set) Calendar
Discovering the Western Screech Owl
Introduction
Just in time for Halloween, I had a fascinating experience with the Western Screech Owl. I kept hearing a unique sound at night—a fluttering coo—that captured my curiosity. Eventually, a reader suggested I highlight the Screech Owl, knowing they are found here in Idyllwild. That was my mystery sound! I was thrilled to finally learn what I had been hearing in the trees surrounding my home.
Habitat and Behavior
Western Screech Owls primarily reside in forested areas, though they are sometimes found in deserts and even near cities. These owls are quite small, roughly the size of a pair of binoculars. They are completely nocturnal, making daytime sightings rare unless a group of songbirds are causing a commotion, trying to chase an owl from their tree. During the night, these owls nest in tree hollows and hunt for a variety of prey.
Diet and Feeding Habits
The Western Screech Owl’s diet includes mice, voles, rats, bats, and occasionally rabbits, as well as insects and other small creatures. One particularly interesting behavior is their production of pellets—compact balls of undigested material such as bones, hair, and nails, which their digestive system cannot process. These pellets can be purchased online for biology projects, and there are charts available to help identify what the bird has eaten from these remains. (You don’t need to have children to enjoy and learn from this activity!)
Owl Adaptations
Owls possess several remarkable adaptations. Their ears are asymmetrical, meaning they are not evenly aligned; this helps them pinpoint the source of sounds with great accuracy. Unlike humans, owl eyes are shaped like tubes rather than spherical eyeballs, enabling them to see over long distances, similar to looking through binoculars. Because their eyes are fixed and cannot move, owls must rotate their heads to change their field of vision. Their necks are specially designed to rotate up to 270 degrees—three-quarters of a full circle. Additionally, their feathers are structured to allow nearly silent flight, making them highly efficient nighttime hunters.
How to Experience a Screech Owl
The best way to encounter a Western Screech Owl is to listen closely at night. Here is a link that demonstrates the unique sound to listen for, so you can identify these remarkable birds in your area.
What Restaurants are open or closed today?
Where can I get a quick snack?
Live Music Around Town This Week
Click Below
Thursday October 16th
Yarn Club
Idyllwild Library
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Join us for our new Yard Club where you can meet other knitters and crocheters! Bring a project to work on as you share ideas and make new friends! All levels welcome. (This is not a knitting/crochet class but rather an open environment to gather.) Some materials provided.
Thursday October 16th
Fireside Book Club
“Willie Boy”
By Harry Lawton
Idyllwild Library
2:00 pm
Thursday October 16th
Neighbors Helping Neighbors
Mountain Disaster Preparedness (MDP)
Idyllwild Town Hall
6:30 – 8:00 PM
Friday October 17th
Oktober-FRIEND-fest Camp
ICC Kids Korner at Town Hall
8am-6pm, Ages 5-14
Registration open at www.Idyllwildcommunitycenter.org
Friday October 17th
Wednesday October 29th
Medicare Updates
Seminar & Q&A
With Charise Karjala
Idyllwild Library
3:00 pm
Saturday October 18th
Paint & Battery Disposal
Idyllwild Transfer Station
“The Dump”
8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Saturday October 18th
8:30 am
Join us for a special free Pink Out Cardio Sculpt Class in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month 🎀 Feel lighter, stronger, and happier after 40 minutes of high-intensity, dance-based cardio followed by strength training and stretching.
Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 18th @ 8:30 AM and don’t forget to wear your pink!
Saturday October 18th
Once-A-Year Special Event
“Discover Mountain Gardening”
Idyllwild Nature Center
25225 Hwy. 243
9:30 am – 1:00 pm
The Idyllwild Garden Club began offering this once-a-year event on a Saturday for all of those members and residents that can’t make a normally scheduled Wednesday meeting. Our event, Discover Mountain Gardening, is on October 18th from 9:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at the Idyllwild Nature Center meeting room, located at 25225 Highway 243, Idyllwild. This event and parking are free to everyone who wishes to come.
We have three wonderful speakers/topics that you’re sure to enjoy. At 9:30 a.m., native expert Bruce Watts will give a presentation on native plants and pollinators. At 10:30 a.m., indoor plant expert Julie Roy will talk about house plants, and will give tips on how to transplant them. And at 11:30 a.m., Stephen Sutton and Bob Greenamyer will give a talk on Birds, Bats and Bees, discussing the benefits of these critters and how to attract them. Following this presentation, there will be a workshop where you can build a bat box or bird house to take home (there will be a small fee for supplies).
Fall is the time to plant bulbs and native plants, as well as feeding your lilac plants. At this meeting we will have our annual bulb sale, with five unique and special daffodil bulbs available for purchase. We will also have lilac food available for purchase, as well as plants, both indoor and outdoor. Don’t forget about our gardening books and our club t-shirts! Membership information is readily available, and refreshments will be served.
Saturday October 18th
Unraveling Secrets Behind the Nature that Surrounds Us.
with William Selby
Idyllwild Library
11:00 am
Saturday October 18th
Chili Cook-Off
American Legion
Noon – 10:00 pm
Saturday October 18th
Dia de los Muertos Cooking Class
Location disclosed upon registration
1 pm – 4 pm
$90 per person
Information Email: bcrcktt@gmail.com
Saturday October 18th
Comedy Night
Rustic Theatre
7:00 pm
Order any time prior to
Monday 10/20 noon!
Next Food Distribution on Thursday 10/23
Sundays
Farmer’s Market
Town Hall
25925 Cedar Street
9am – 2pm
Monday October 20th
Ol Tyme Radio
Middle Ridge Winery
5:00 pm
Tuesday October 21st
Monthly MDP Meeting
Mountain Disaster Preparedness
Idyllwild Library
4:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Welcome clarity & peace into the start of this next cycle with a channeled journey, tea ceremony, breath & reiki healing.
Tues, Oct 21st 7-9pm
Heart of Alcyone
54445 N Circle Dr, Suite D
Sliding Scale $33-$44
For details, check out event link
Spots are limited. Please RSVP w/ Rena (551) 206-6086
Wednesday October 22nd
Sadie’s Clinic
ARF
26890 Hwy. 243
9 am – 3 pm
Call for appt: 951-659-1122
Wednesday October 22nd
“Spiders”
Kid’s Story Time
Idyllwild Library
11:00 am
Come learn about spiders and how they can be amazing! Storytime followed by a craft.
Wednesday October 22nd
Faces & Places Reading Group
“American Sherlock”
Idyllwild Library
2:00 pm
Friday October 24th
Estate Planning Workshop
Village Properties
54278 N. Circle Dr.
5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Please RSVP
Saturday October 25th
Creepy Crawly Saturday
Idyllwild Nature Center
25225 Hwy. 243
11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Celebrate Halloween at the Nature Center. Spiders and snakes. Tricks and treats. Arts & Crafts for every age.
Oct 25, 2025, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
The Rustic Theatre, 54290 N Circle Dr, Idyllwild-Pine Cove, CA 92549, USA
Join us for some Comic Relief this Saturday night. Presented by Comedy Supreme, hosted by Donna Maine, the line-up includes Richard Weiss, Mini Holmes, Jim Barnes and Ron Ruhman.
Tickets are $20 online or $25 at the Door.
Saturday October 25th
Past Life Meditation Soundbath
w/ Carrie
Audiowild Studios
54240 Ridgeview Cr.
7:00 pm
Sunday October 26th
ARF Event
“Honoring and Remembering our Pets”
ARF Memorial Garden
26890 Hwy. 243
2:00 pm
Friday October 31st 7:00 pm
Saturday/Sunday Nov. 1st & 2nd 1 pm & 3 pm
Halloween Fun Robot Play
By Sam Plonski
Rustic Theatre
Friday October 31st 7:00 pm
Spooktacular Halloween Party
American Legion Post
54360 Marion View Drive
Saturday November 1st
“Living with Raccoons as Neighbors”
With Tracy Philippi
Idyllwild Nature Center
25225 Hwy. 243
12:00 Noon
Lifestream Blood Drive
Donate blood and receive a special edition Halloween t-shirt, while supplies last!
Friday, October 24 10:30am – 2:30pm
Idyllwild Library: Community Room
Beat Nite
Oct. 27th, 6:30 to 8:30 PM
Middle Ridge Winery.
The theme is Halloween. This is a curated poetry event, not an ordinary poetry reading, but more of a performance by the Evolutionary Poets, featuring the work of poet laureates and also their own.
Dr. Marshall Hawkins and Paul Carman playing together, as well as, improvising with the poets.
The photo of Andrew Leeson is by Peter Szabadi.
Story Time: “Halloween”
Wednesday, October 29
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Idyllwild Library: Community Room
Fall Songwriting Concert
October 24 7:30 pm
Stephens Recital Hall
“Hans and the Golden Goose“
Children’s Musical
October 25 4:30 pm
Bowman IAF Theater
Music Department Showcase
October 25 7:30 pm
William M. Lowman Concert Hall
“The Laramie Project”
November 7 7:30 pm
Bowman IAF Theater
What’s happening at the Rustic Theatre?
$15 ADULTS & $12.50 SENIOR/ CHILDREN
Matinee $12.50 (12:00 Show)
Mon – Thur $10
Tuesday is Closed Captions
TRON:ARES (rated PG-13)
Thu @ 6:00pm
Fri @ 6:00pm
Sat @ 12:00pm, 3:00pm
Sun @ 12:00pm, 3:00pm, 6:00pm
Mon @ 6:00pm
Tue @ 6:00pm
Wed @ 6:00pm
Run Time: 1 hr. 59 min.
The Idyllwild Library – 951-659-2300
Friday 10 am – 6 pm
Saturday 10 am – 6 pm
Sunday CLOSED
Monday CLOSED
Tuesday 11 am – 7 pm
Wednesday 11 am – 7 pm
Thursday 10 am – 6 pm
Tuesdays
Mah Jongg
11:00 am – 2:30 pm
Calling all Mah Jong players!! Do you enjoy the game of Mah Jong? The Mah Jong game group meets every Tuesday in the library Community Room. All players are welcome.
Upcoming Programs:
- December 3rd Local Color Christmas Concert
Kitties Galore!!! Great for keeping the mouse population under control and YOUR blood pressure low. Nothing like a sweet kitty curled up on your lap. Come meet Them.
951-659-1122
San Jacinto Trail Report
Snow, weather, & trail conditions for the San Jacinto Mountains
Idyllwild Historical Museum
Open Saturday & Sunday 11am – 4pm
54470 N Circle Dr.
Stop by the museum and check out all the displays about the logging era, early tourism, & rock climbing history. We would LOVE for you to join the Historical Society. Annual memberships start at just $15. Click here to join. Feel free to bring a picnic and enjoy the Museum up gardens and picnic tables.
Body & Soul
Click Here for a list of Yoga, Pilates, Aerobics, Meditation & Hypnosis in Idyllwild.
Emergency Radio Station
In Idyllwild, have a portable radio with batteries available and tune into WNKI AM 1610 Radio station for Emergency announcements in Idyllwild.
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
Click here for list of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in Idyllwild.
12-Step Meetings
4th Quarter Calendar
October – December 2025
Delivery in Idyllwild
Bear Necessities Delivered
Groceries/Restaurant Food/Mail/Pharmacy/Etc.
Call or Text: (951) 512-0800
Available 7 Days a Week
Everyday: 11 am – 8 pm
Deliver to Idyllwild, Pine Cove & Mountain Center.
Organization List
If you’ve ever wondered how many organizations we have here in Idyllwild that would love to have you involved, or need to contact them? Click on the button below.
The New Bathrooms are OPEN!
Next door to the Idyllwild Gardens Nursery – Across the street from the Rustic Theatre.
Open Daily 9am – 5pm
Thank you to Shane & Ashley Stewart for donating the land for these bathrooms and to Stephanie Yost with ICC for her persistence with the County of Riverside to FINALLY get us public bathrooms. Thank you to the County of Riverside and Supervisor Manuel Perez for making this happen. It’s been a LONG time coming! Bathrooms will be locked at night.
Hotel Information
Upcoming Weekends
www.IdyLodging.com
Idyllwild Churches
All events, venues & programs run by
Idyllwild Community Center
Idyllwild TOWN HALL
25925 Cedar St
Chair Exercise Class
FREE
Town Hall
Monday 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Wednesday 11:30 am – 1:00pm
Friday 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Friday
Yoga for Seniors
Town Hall
10:45 am – 11:45 am
Fit after 50
Free Exercise Class
Town Hall
Monday 10:00am – 11:00am
Wednesday 10:00am – 11:00am
Thursday 10:00am – 11:00am
Mondays
Tai Chi Class
Free!
Town Hall
10:30 am – 11:30 am
FEEDING AMERICA
First Tuesday of each month.
Visitor Center – Now Open
Saturdays & Sundays 11am – 4pm
The Visitor Center is now open between the public bathrooms and Idyllwild Gardens on Saturdays & Sundays from 11am – 4 pm.
If you would like to volunteer to talk to visitors, help them find their way and point them in the direction of “A Good Time” please contact me at hello@GoodMorningIdyllwild.com.
Need To Know Stuff…
Idyllwild POST OFFICE HOURS:
Closed Christmas Day & New Years Day.
Open Monday – Friday
9 AM – 5 PM
Lobby open for mailbox access 7 am – 8 pm daily. Sometimes the timer doesn’t work right and the lobby is open later, so don’t hesitate to try the door.
Package pick-up only
Sat. 12 Noon – 1 PM
Mail goes off the hill once a day at 7:45 am.
Mountain Center Post Office Hours:
Closed Christmas Day & New Years Day.
Open Monday – Friday
8:30 AM – 12 Noon & 1:00 pm – 4:45 pm
Closed Saturday & Sunday
Is The Dump Open Today?
Friday – Yes – 8 am – 4:30 pm
Saturday – Yes – 8 am – 4:30 pm
Sunday – Yes – 8 am – 4:30 pm
Monday – Yes – 8 am – 4:30 pm
Tuesday – Closed
Wednesday – Closed
Thursday – Yes – 8 am – 4:30 pm
Mayor Max & Deputy Meadow
We will be in our usual spot in front of Wooleys:
Friday 4:00 pm
Saturday and Sunday 2:00 pm
Monday, Tuesdays, Wednesdays – Off
Thursday 4:00 pm
Idyllwild Nature Center
Open Friday 9am – 4pm
Open Saturday 9am – 4pm
Open Sunday 9am – 4pm
Closed Monday
Closed Tuesday
Open Wednesdays 9am – 4pm
Open Thursday 9am – 4pm
Nature Center Banquet/Meeting Room available to Rent for your group activity.
951-659-3850
The Help Center is Open:
Monday 10-4
Tuesday 10-4
Wednesday 10-4
Thursday 10-4 (Donations accepted 10-1)
Friday 10-4 (Donations accepted 10-1)
Saturday 10-4 (Donations accepted 10-1)
Sunday 10-4
Call 951-659-3000 to schedule donations outside normal donation hours.
Bargin Barn
Idyllwild Community Church
Open Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Behind the Church at 54400 N. Circle
Donations accepted Thur/Fri/Sat 10:00 – 1:00
Idyllwild Laundry
Laundromat/Wash & Fold/Dry Cleaning
Open 8 am – 8pm EVERY DAY!
Idyllwild Shuttle
Idyllwild Shuttle Service – FREE
Monday – Palm Desert
Tuesday – Around Idyllwild
Wednesday – Hemet
Thursday – Around Idyllwild
Friday – Not in Service
Saturday – Not in Service
Sunday – Not in Service
Call for more details: 951-426-9688
The shuttle is available to rent to outside groups when available.
Idyllwild Community Center Facilities
Town Hall
25925 Cedar Street
Butterfield Amphitheater
54201 Ridgeview Dr.
Idyllwild Pickleball Court
26375 Hwy. 243
Behind Skate Park
Open Daily 7 am – Dusk
First come-first-serve basis
More info call: 951-659-2638
Idyllwild Community Playground
Open Daily 7 am – Dusk
54195 Ridgeview Dr.
Idyllwild Dog Park
26375 Hwy. 243
Open Daily 7 am – Dusk
Idyllwild Skate Park
26375 Hwy. 243
Open Daily 7 am – Dusk
Skateboard & safety gear required.
Un-supervised – Ride at your own risk.
If you run across someone and they want to find out which restaurants are open but they don’t get Good Morning Idyllwild delivered to their inbox, they can always go directly to the website http://www.GoodMorningIdyllwild.com and find the Restaurant Chart. You don’t HAVE to sign up to see the most recent newsletter or see the restaurant chart. Just go to the website.
If you would like some business cards to hand out with Good Morning Idyllwild, please message me back at the bottom of your email and I will get you some to hand out personally or at your business.
We do our best to get days and times correct but sometimes we make mistakes.
Questions: Please contact us at P.O. Box 1171 Idyllwild, CA 92549
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