The Music's Over

One of Temecula's most prominent activists, humanitarians and patrons of the arts passed away.

Eve Craig, 88, was one of the founding members of the Arts Council of Temecula Valley, the Temecula Valley Historical Society and organized bimonthly musical performances at the Civic Center. She died Saturday.

She and her brother, Jim Meyler, moved to Temecula in 1989. Together, they created the Arts Council -- and she served as the first president, according to the Californian.

She put together a program in 1996 that let young musicians perform in front of a milling crowd at the City Council chambers for a few minutes before each meeting. She attended nearly every meeting, sitting in the same seat every week in one of the front rows.

On some nights, Craig took a seat behind the electric piano at the side of the chamber and played the music herself.

She became the founding president of the historical society and was responsible for the restoration of Louis Wolf's tomb, according to the Californian.

She also volunteered for the Temecula Valley International Film and Music Festival and the Assistance League of Temecula Valley, according to the report.