A smokey haze clouded our drive to the city late afternoon yesterday. On the way home the moon was orange through all the smoke. So Cal has quite a few fires and we are thankful they aren’t close to us. But, I do think most everyone on Palomar might have woken up during the night by the strong smell of smoke perhaps coming our way from the bigger fires in Orange County and San Bernadino and others throughout SoCal. We’re thankful that it is much clearer out there now.
Neighbors, Jim and Teresa McCarthy introduced us to a Fire app you might want to follow. Watch Duty is simple to see up for alerts that keep you posted in the county or you can click on their maps to keep up with other areas.
For the past 24 years there are very few times that I’ve missed a Real Estate inspection. I’m there to represent the seller and usually the buyer, but also I am there to LEARN. It is always interesting. We had a couple septic inspections today and I learned something new.
See the photos showing a pipe with no cover? That happens to be the vent pipe above a bathroom on a vintage cabin. Those darn woodpeckers, thinking they are storing up food for the winter, have filled that open pipe with acorns. Their cousins and ancestors for many decades have done all that gathering and stashing for naught. Hundreds – oh, I’m guessing maybe thousands of acorns have found their way into the septic tank. They may even be the cause of the outlet tee and possibly the leach field needing replacing.
Yes, the cabin owner is bringing up a vent cover like this one:
You might want to make sure all your vents are covered. It could save a lot of $$$ someday on a septic repair to get the system working again.
Here is another tip! On days like this, you might want to visit the General Store for their large selection of ice cream and chilled coffees. Ah, yes…
It’s warm up here today but just heard its 115 degrees in Pauma Valley!
Thankful to be on this beautiful mountain!
Stay cool!
Bonnie Phelps, Realtor gearing up for several new listings heading your way!
So many items have been donated to the Silent Auction! What is up for grabs? A very contented bear, hand signed by the late, Chris-the-Woodcutter Marszalek, that cute little roll-top desk, tables full of fun things! A fun cooking class! Like new bunkbeds the bedding, too, a queen frame and restored vintage dresser. Simply place your bid and keep an eye on it as others might want it too!
What else? Live Music and booths! Come on out to the Hoedown today! Click for the details and see you there!
Thinking about having your septic tank pumped? Considering selling? We usually have all tanks pumped and certified during escrow. Here is your chance to save $100.00! While the rebates last, you can sign up for $100.00 county rebate, get your tank pumped and then a rebate check is to be mailed to you.
The County program was set up to provide rebates for 400 properties. There are 91 rebate opportunities left… Thanks to Lafe Ball, next door neighbor to this little cabin, for letting us know about the rebate. Who should you call for service? Thad with All In Pumping has been the best price and such a professional and pleasure to work with. When you have your lids uncovered, you will save even more.
Sign up on line for the County Rebate Program, or simply give Kate a call 619-431-0763.
When was the last time you had absolutely delicious street tacos? The new chef at “The H” is doing a fabulous job. I tried the sampler with grilled chicken, carne asada and carnitas. They make their own guacamole with fresh local avocados. I started off with a house salad with their homemade blue cheese dressing. They should bottle and sell it! Best ever! We eat there often as it is a great place to meet up with friends.
They buy slabs of beef to grind the hamburger fresh. Best Burgers in the Backcountry! The Catch of the Day is always a great choice. That cowboy I’m married to usually can not resist their steak or prime rib.
Oh, fun stories I must share… Our grandkids love the restaurant, too. They have been taught to be very polite and place their own orders since they were little. Starting about 7 years old, the youngest always seemed to notice when we are running low on his favorite appetizer. So, very politely he will motion a waitress to the table, turn and quietly say, “We’d like another order of potato skins please”. They always disappear so fast!
One time his brother, about 13 at the time, was sitting at the opposite end of a long table from his Grandaddy. He was paying attention when Grandaddy ordered. When the waitress got around to that hungry boy, he just said, “I’ll have what Grandaddy ordered”. I had to laugh. He’d always ordered a kids hamburger plate. Grandaddy was paying the bill and didn’t find out until we were served that he was treating that growing guy to a yummy steak dinner. They both ate every bit of their Ribeye and enjoyed it very much!
During the day it is fun to sit at the windows on the right watching the hummingbird feeders.
A quick 25 minutes from the top of the mountain: 16787 Hwy 76, Pauma Valley, California
Are you coming up? We’d sure love to have you! Perfect weather is promised so it will be a great day to visit Palomar!
10 am until 2:00 – Get your entrance tickets for the event, visit the booths, meet the locals, check out the silent auction and the Kids Corner for fun games.
11 to 1 – Enjoy the music Chris Clarke and Friends, you might want to bring your favorite chair and/or boots for dancin’.
A great barbecue lunch will be available about noon – no charge for BBQ – it was donated by the Bailey Resort folks.
Entrance for the event is $15.00 for adults, $7.00 for kids 12 and under, and those 6 and under are free.
It’s a fundraiser to keep the Community Center rolling and able to provide events like this.
From the top of the mountain, turn to your right, you’ll see the cars. Event is to the left of the Fire Station.
What ideas do you have to donate for the Silent Auction? Here is a peek at a few things that have already come in. They’ve been delivered to the Community Center and Cecelia and Christine will make them into fun displays of irresistible items for your home, cabin or gifting pleasure.
Do you have contacts at Sea World, the Zoo, Animal Park, Center for the Arts, movie theaters or where ever for free gift certificates or tickets? How about the casinos for over-night stays, dinners, or two-for-ones at Rincon’s Lazy River? Maybe a great deal from the La Jolla Splash Park? Or a bag of feed from Tractor Supply? Cecelia just came up with another idea; Would you like to teach a class on whatever you love? Baking, wood working, sewing, a craft, or you pick? There is so much talent here on Palomar. Let’s do this!
Do you remember Chris the Woodcutter? One year he won a manicure! That was good for lots of laughs! Connect with your contacts and it will be so fun to see what you come up with!
With Fall and the Holidays just around the corner, maybe you have some wonderful like-new or vintage things that you are ready to pass on for someone else to enjoy?
Just off the phone with John Lesac. He has been busy with his mill and is donating a live edge slab that is seasoned and he plans to hand-finish for you to make into a side table or bench! That will be fun to see who goes home with that creative piece from the forest!
It would be wonderful if the items can be delivered ASAP or by Thursday August 29th via Cecelia 760-594-4688 or Christine 949-400-7997. They will get all questions answered about Silent Auction donations. You could then meet up with one of them to make arrangements to drop off or give them the donation info so they have the paperwork ready the day of the event.
So much fun ahead!
Cecelia and Christine
PS We are friends donating our time to put this Silent Auction together. ALL proceeds will go directly to the Hoedown Community Center Fund Raiser – This event provides funds toward insurance, paper goods and other expenses throughout the year. Thanks to All for contributing!
All mountain neighbors are invited to bring your family to our annual event on Saturday of Labor Day Weekend at the Community Center House next to the Fire Station. We are going to kick it off earlier than advertised. Come on out at 10 am until 2:00.
ENTRANCE – Adults $15.00, Kids 6 to 12 are $7.00. Age 6 and under are free.
THANK YOU to The Bailey Resort folks. They are donating a very delicious, catered BBQ lunch. Their staff with Tom Mendenhall heading up and donated the lumber to re-built the stage. Julian Pie Company donates pies every year.
LIVE MUSIC – Weekender Chris Clarke is playing his guitar and singing bluegrass favorites.
SILENT AUCTION – There will be a fun Silent Auction this year! Full-timers have volunteered to have it all set up the day before in the Community Center House. Cecelia Borland and Christine Locken have some great ideas to make this a real successful event and fun for all. When you show up for the Hoedown, let the bidding begin! The auction will close at 1:45. The gals are donating 100% of the proceeds to the Community Center*. And, YES what do you have to donate for the auction? More on that in the next post.
CRAFT and COMMUNITY BOOTHS – Are you crafty? Do you have a special product you market, fresh produce to sell? Just let us know. We will provide a 6 foot table and you bring the rest. So far we have very cute carved bears and mountain themed cloth purse sets heading our way. Ted Berry, mascot for Save Palomar Mountain will be there, and who else? For those of you selling items, reserve your space then simply donate something to the Silent Auction and your booth is free.
CERT SIGN ORDERS – This will be the last day to order your address signs. Click for more info and check out their booth.
*COMMUNITY CENTER FUNDRAISER – This event provides funds toward insurance, paper goods and other expenses throughout the year. Thanks to All!
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES –
Help with set up Friday August 30th
Help with clean up and put away Saturday August 31
Lunch ticket people needed to help Sharon Dall
Someone needed to clean Community Center House before event and after
Are you one of those folks who come up and dream about having a place of your own on beautiful Palomar? This is the ever-changing view from my desk where I could have taken several fun photos already this morning of folks out there enjoying this mountain.
All of a sudden a lot of people are considering being our newest neighbor! Since returning from a couple weeks traveling, I’ve had showings almost daily. One day, I had three appointments and several days, two! Usually a call or text comes in and we schedule time the next day or so. But, more often than not, they are last minute. Sunday we were finishing up lunch at Lake Henshaw. A couple came in asking if I was Bonnie Phelps. They’d seen my car with my name on it in the parking lot. They had messaged me, hoping for a tour – we took off and had a wonderful time. Another day I was catching up at my desk, thinking I had a day free and got a call for a showing. A couple saw a listing on line, came up to walk around, liked what they saw and called for a tour. Of course! They were so surprised that I could be there in just a few minutes. Both those couples submitted offers today! Another realtor was up with her clients and we are to get an offer from them, too! Usually with other agents we meet at our home/office, take a look at a some big maps to get oriented a bit and then I do the driving. When agents are from off the mountain, it has always been so helpful to get their client’s questions answered along the way. She has an offer heading our way, too. Three offers in one day!
So, I’d better use this time while I can before the phone rings again. Don’t get me wrong, I love to get pulled away from my computer! There is nothing I like more than sharing Palomar where we have lived full time now for 26 years! When clients have a question about this mountain, I’d better know the answer, don’t you think? So come on up!!
What do I have available now? Here are my listings with a couple more in the works: Palomar Properties For Sale.
And yes! This is a great time to get your questions answered about the value of your ranch, home, cabin or land. Let’s connect!
Why are these signs a good idea? Here are three reasons for you:
Do you order things online to be delivered? Quite a few times times I’m out showing property and come across a package dropped off on a stump in the middle of nowhere, at a vacant cabin, in front of a gate or someplace it just doesn’t belong. I realize this might have been ‘delivered’ by a new, quite frustrated, Amazon delivery person that has given up on our very creative numbers down these little dirt roads and is just trying to get home. Some of these found packages look pretty weathered and I do get them to the right address. When you provide your house number signs all along the way, you might have a better chance of getting your packages in a more timely manner.
Thinking of selling? If your buyer is needing a loan, lenders now require photos of your house with numbers at each turn. The appraiser needs to take photos from the public road, any turns along the way and then mounted on the house. True story. If more numbers are needed, then they need to get posted, photographed and provided prior to the loan funding for your escrow to close.
These $15.00 reflective signs are a great deal but not always available since Bill needs to have multiple orders to keep the pricing down. Now is your chance to check this off your list:
3. FROM: Bill Leininger CERT Program Manager
Help the Fire Dept Help You!
Seconds count in an emergency, so make it easy for our Firefighters and Paramedics to get to you FAST. How can you help?
Visible, obvious house number signs and arrows to your house!
Imagine a dark, foggy night on the mountain – where do you need signs and arrows posted to make it easy for the Fire Department to get there?
Signs are 12 x 6 inches; made of aluminum; come in two colors – Blue or Green.
– BLUE signs mean you have an accessible water tank on your property that the Fire Dept can use to refill the water tanks on their vehicles.
– GREEN signs mean you do not have an accessible water tank on site. But, the sign is still just as visible and important to the Fire Department.
Other sign options are available, including arrows (to point a direction), “END” (to indicate the end of the road, driveway), etc. Just let us know what you need.
– I’ll have actual signs at the PMPO Mtg (24 Aug) and at the Mountain Hoe-Down.
PRICE for each sign – approx $15 (payable when you get the sign)
– I’ll follow-up to confirm your order before I place it.
Palomar Mountain News 