The artwork of Linda Warren combined with the poetry of Candace Pearson has been on display at Higher Grounds Coffee House in Crestline all the month of September and will remain on display for another week. A “Meet the Artists” reception was held last Friday evening in the patio area of the coffee house, with many local residents in attendance, enjoying the art, the conversation and hearing about the inspiration of the art and poetry.

“It was a lovely evening, getting to sit around and talk with neighbors at a safe social distance, which has been almost unheard of this year. It was delightful,” said Dre Posigian, Higher Grounds Coffee House manager.

Warren is an ink and print artist, who enjoyed putting illustrations to the feel of the short poetry that Pearson wrote. “We’ve known each other for other 35 years, so this collaboration is a natural extension of our previous working relationships in the businesses world,” Warren said.

“Having this beautiful location to display local artwork is a wonderful opportunity for the community to see what is being created locally,” added Pearson. “We are fortunate to be the beneficiaries of their generous offer to showcase our art project.”

Pearson has been sharing her poetry for free with the community for a couple years, mostly under the trees at the Designed by Faith gift shop, which is just next door. She has written Valentine, Christmas and just summer days’ poetry for those who stopped by. She was recently honored with a grant to share poetry in the community.

The reception was also a positive outreach for the Higher Grounds Coffee House, and they hope to add additional events each month, going forward. This month, painter Kristina Holcomb will have her vibrant, expressionistic paintings and prints on display and for sale. They are inspired from her childhood memories. Holcomb has been painting since she was 6 years old.

Each month previously, Higher Grounds has featured the art work of a local artist. One of the early artists on display was book illustrator John Arthur, who now has his own art gallery in Top Town Crestline, Mystwood Gallery.

Higher Grounds has just begun having events again on their large outdoor patio, with large umbrellas for enjoying the fresh mountain air.

Higher Grounds Coffee House, located at 23776 Lake Drive at the corner of Manzanita and Springwater Road, offers a wide selection of mixed flavored teas, coffees, juices and pastries, plus delicious fresh sandwiches. Their fall flavors include Vietnamese Coffee, draft lattes, with flavors maple, cinnamon, pumpkin spice, brown sugar, cardamom and salted caramel. They make their flavors in-house. All food is to go but may be enjoyed on the patio.

The Higher Grounds patio is also an excellent viewing location for the new hiking mural just completed on the exterior wall of Liberation Therapies by the Crestline-Lake Gregory Chamber of Commerce.

Higher Grounds Coffee House is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Beginning Oct. 18, they will also be open on Sundays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Their phone number is (909) 589-2772. They have new, cute stickers for sale as well.

The new manager of Higher Grounds, Dre Posigian, already has lined up plans for a couple more artists to be showcased and the idea for a few more fun events, such as trivia nights. Scheduled for October already are an Oct. 9 Worship Night at 6 p.m. The next “Meet the Artist” evening is tentatively planned for Friday, Oct. 16 from 6 to 8 p.m., and on Saturday, Oct. 17 there will be a pop-up artisans marketplace in their parking lot from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.