Palomar Mountain News

Did you know Palomar has a Coffee Shop?  It opened a couple months ago (after much nudging from Teresa McCarthy) but finally got it’s name today, from Cecelia Borland: StarStrucks!

Welcome to StarStrucks!  Where coffee, tea, hot chocolate and smiles are always Free!

Simply call, message me your order, or just stop by.   I will put on my plastic gloves, make your beverage and run it out to our table under the veranda (that sounds even fancier than ‘patio’).

Then, we can visit through the glass, you can sit at a table or you grab and go.  All options include internet, of course.  We are a free hotspot where your cell phone should work, too.  You can even sit in your car, sipping away while checking your messages. Click on Guest and browse away with no password needed.

Here are your current menu options:

Hot Chocolate:  Mocha, Peppermint, Milk Chocolate or Pumpkin Spice with marshmallows and a dash of cinnamon, and mini moo’s Half and Half, French Vanilla or Hazelnut if desired.

Coffee – So many choices!  Here are just a few:  Hazelnut, Newman’s Organic Special Blend, Donut Shop Regular, Kirkland Medium Roast, Pumpkin Spice, Green Mountain Dark Magic, Laughing Man Columbia Huila, Tullys Hawaiian Medium Roast, Pumpkin Spice Cappuccino, Caribou Blend, Chai Latte French Vanilla, Toasted Coconut, or Chai Latte!  Sugar, creamers, oh, do marshmallows and cinnamon work on coffee?  You pick!

Tea –  Oh so many options including: Country Peach, Chai Spice, Peppermint, Lemon Ginger, Sweet and Spicy, Earl gray, Honey Lemon Ginseng Green Tea, Organic Fennel and even SleepyTime.

See our Five Star Rave Reviews:

“Finally!”  Teresa McCarthy

“This is my FAVORITE coffee shop of all time” Heidi Phelps  (She had to say it, she’s my daughter-in-law)

The Treasures live next door have been making their own at StarStrucks Beverage Bar:

“May I have coffee, please?  Momma lets me…”  Kiki, age 13

“Thank you GramBonnie but could you please get mini marshmallows next time?”  Sunshine Juliette, age 9

“Thanks – gotta go stock my stand!” Judah, age 11 and the President of Woodpecker Fire Wood

“Please GramBonnie, may I have some more?”  Atticus age 6

Loving living life in the clouds at this very moment waiting for promised snow.  But, look the daffodils are already blooming!!!

Looking carefully at that garden of flowers, you can also see another wonderful sight!  A staked and pinned property corner with that bright orange flag!  Ah, what bliss! Very unusual and pretty special to have a recorded survey next door!  The happy buyers are looking forward to signing their loan docs in the morning and being our newest neighbors in time for our snowy weekend!

Just opening escrow on the Bailey Road cabin today!  This nice couple fell in love with Palomar while staying in three different vacation rentals, including ‘Mountain Music’ and just have to have this charming cabin as their very own.

Next week we should have the last LLC details finalized for the purchase of the South Grade land.  Those buyers are so anxious to make that fabulous view their own!  If you would like to purchase a property in an LLC, you might check into that advantage now.  There is a bit of time required to register an LLC with the state.  Ask me for info and I can point you in the right direction.

Met with cabin owners today at one of the fixers that wins the prize for needing the most love in my 20+ years on Palomar.  The family has so many happy memories of fun times at the cabin.  A few decades ago, they did permit new electrical and a septic system.  They also had the land surveyed and discovered one corner is on the other side of the neighbors fence just a bit. (Ohmygoodness, it must be Palomar!!!)

Almost out of inventory! The only cabin I have left on the open market at this very moment is Grandpa’s!  It could be the single best buy in all of Southern California for a cozy, Four Season escape or full time living like as so many are enjoying these days.  It is sooooo cute with so much love woven in, since 1921!

Cabin showings are a little different starting this week.  We still meet at our home office, but drive separately, distance ourselves while I open the doors with a soapy wipe.  Handshakes and hugs are reserved for later…

So, what are buyers looking for?  A PLACE TO GET AWAY from the crazy city stuff!  That has always been one key dream, but even more now.   Do you have a property you are thinking of parting with?  Let’s connect and get your questions answered.

Meanwhile, I’ll get the fire stoked and wish you could be here for a cup of soup from the crock pot…

All the best to YOU!

Bonnie Phelps

From: Aimee Cebulski
Subject: Palomar Resident Wins “Hero of the Month” Competition, Cash Award

Palomar Mountain resident Heather Beer was named as the Thank You Heroes “Hero of the Month” for February 2020.  She recently received her award and cash payment of $1500 (to cover household rent) as part of the contest.

Nominated by an anonymous source, Heather was recognized for her longtime community volunteer work with the disabled, elderly and animals. She volunteered with the National American Red Cross working overseas and was a volunteer firefighter for almost 10 years. She is currently working two jobs to make ends meet and her nominator closed out her entry form with the question “Why can’t more people be as selfless as Heather?”

We want to congratulate Heather on this much-deserved recognition and financial award.  Full press release below on the program (when it was open in February) along with two photos of Heather — In both she is center, flanked by Colleen Moore and Aaron Moore, both of the Thank You Heroes Home Rebate Program.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:
Aimee Cebulski, for Thank You Heroes Home Rebate Program

Community Heroes Can Win a FREE Month of Mortgage or Rent

Thank You Heroes Home Rebate Program Launches First-Ever “Hero of the Month” Campaign to Recognize San Diegans Going Above and Beyond

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — (February 1, 2020) — Do you know a San Diegan with an amazing story doing something heroic, supportive, stepping out of their comfort zone, or helping others in any way? The “Hero of the Month” program launching today from the Thank You Heroes Home Rebate Program allows residents to nominate someone deserving to win a FREE month of mortgage payment or rent.

“We are dedicated to helping community heroes buy and sell homes here in San Diego and wanted to do something to recognize those individuals showing real service to others,” said Colleen Moore, Thank You Heroes Home Rebate Program founder. “We are thrilled to launch the Hero of the Month program and help ease the financial burden of someone who has shown a commitment to ease the burden of others,” she added.

Heroes may be nominated through the link on the KFMB web site (www.cbs8.com) and entries are reviewed each month with one winner selected from all eligible entries. Nominations require information about the potential honoree, including a description of his/her heroic efforts (up to 500 words) and information about their rent or mortgage payment and verification requirements (payment up to $5,000 is awarded each month).

ABOUT THE THANK YOU HEROES HOME REBATE PROGRAM:

Thank You Heroes (TYH) is an innovative program based in San Diego, California combining unique rebates, services, discounts and guarantees to community heroes. Heroes are defined as active duty military, veterans, law enforcement, firefighters, all first responders, teachers, clergy and medical healthcare workers. The TYH team is comprised of real estate agents, lenders, property managers, credit help programs, flooring and general contractors, roofers, handymen, home warranty, insurance and other housing related services. Designed to truly protect community heroes, the Thank You Heroes Program actively works with its members to ensure delivery of legitimate rebates, discounts and benefits under one umbrella program. When buying or selling a home, the program offers up to a 30% cash rebate to clients and can also cover up to 100% of the closing costs. There is no fee for participation in the program and interested buyers and sellers can log on to http://www.thankyouheroes.com to learn more.

Aimee Cebulski

Would you like great fresh produce, grown and available from their farm in Pauma Valley?  Now that the Farmers Markets are closed down, this was a great find. Open today until 5 or call (760) 297-0838.  I picked up a bunch yesterday but had family for dinner and gobbled up a lot so decided to load up again.  Running down now again.  Great produce and want to keep it local.  🙂

Did you change your clocks yet?  It’s that time again.

Mountain weekender, Michael Green’s opinion of daylight savings time is a pretty good one.  Thought some of you might like it, too:

From:  Michael Green

I know it’s not popular with lots of people, but I like daylight saving time. An extra hour of daylight after work is worth going to work sooner even if it is dark. It’s the time of year that feels like you are working to live not living to work.

Rattlesnake Avoidance Training is for any dog that may come in contact with rattlesnakes while outdoors. Training is held at Raney Ranch, close by in Santa Ysabel.

The very beautiful Will Valley is getting ready for Frank’s service.  Checking out the weather report, you’ll want to dress warm.  There is a big tent already set up and will have heaters, tables and chairs.  Some quads will be out there to shuttle folks from cars to the tent.  Neither rain nor sleet nor snow nor the Coronavirus will stop the Celebration of Frank Mendenhall’s life this Saturday and everyone is welcome.    

From Janice Mendenhall

Frank’s Celebration of Life will be Saturday, March 7th, 2020 at 11 am,
in Will Valley at the 5.2 mile marker on East Grade Road, Palomar Mountain.
We will be doing a potluck and pitting a pig. Please come join us and bring a dish and a story to share.

I am so blessed to have had Frank in my life. I thank everyone for your prayers at this very difficult time.

Janice

You have three opportunities to hear the Smith Mountain Boys this merry month of March.  Has it really been about 45 years these good friends have been making music together?  Dutch Bergman, Steve Barry on sound and Bruce Druliner on his new Taylor guitar.

Everyone is welcome.  Dates and locations are below and be sure to scroll down to listen to just a tease of Ghost Riders in the Sky with Dutch’s wife, Denise, joining in on the fun.

Would you like to carpool?  Folks from Palomar are heading down for almost all concerts, just let me know and we’ll work it out.

Friday, March 6, 2020 6 pm – 8 pm
De Anza Country Club (Open to the public for dinner and the music)
Borrego Springs, CA
760-767-5105

Friday, March 20, 2020 6 pm – 9 pm
Wynola Pizza and Bistro
Santa Ysabel (Julian), CA
760-765-1004

Saturday, March 28, 2020 5 pm – 7:30 pm
American Legion Post 853 (Open to the Public)
AL Rider’s Famous “Cook your own Steak Night”
Borrego Springs, CA
760-767-4001

The Observatory is closed “for the indefinite future”.  Please see note below.

(It could be quite a while if they happen to be out of tp and this Costco sign is accurate. 23,000 years?!??? Sorry, I couldn’t resist!).  Bonnie

From: Rosemary Johnston
Sent: Thursday, March 5, 2020 3:16 PM
To: Bonnie Phelps
Subject: Fwd: The Observatory is Closed

Don’t know of you have seen this…
———- Forwarded message ———
From: Steven Flanders <flanders@caltech.edu>
Date: Thu, Mar 5, 2020 at 2:54 PM
Subject: The Observatory is Closed
To: FOPO <fopo@lists.astro.caltech.edu>

To the Friends of Palomar Observatory:

I’ve invited everyone to come to the Observatory on Saturdays for the presentations we do in our Greenway Talks Series.

Now regrettably I have to tell you that the Greenway talks are cancelled and, due to the coronavirus emergency, the Observatory is closed to the public for the indefinite future.

We’ve been putting together a schedule of summer events and, for the same reason, those events now are all on hold. I’ll let you know when the Observatory reopens. When it does reopen, we’ll finish putting together a program of events for the summer.

– Steve Flanders

Relaxing in front of the fire tonight, I remembered when I first met Larry Groupe.  He was captured by the view from a cabin on Palomar.  The perfect setting to write his music. That was nearly 16 years ago.  Click and search to see quite a few PMNews posts since then and be sure to check out Larry’s website.  I also just came across a fun post about music for a string quartet he created and had performed at the Observatory. Take a listen.

Larry shared the news about his latest project, The Outpost, based on a true story:

From: Larry Groupé – “The Outpost” is premiering at SXSW!

Hello friends,

I wanted to alert you to my latest film “The Outpost”. It is premiering at SXSW next week! This war drama film is based on CNN anchor Jake Tapper’s best selling book of the same name, that brought to light the real events of these soldiers and their predicament. Without spoiling anything this film looks at the day in and day out challenges of our unsung heroes which are rank and file troops. Due to the extreme situation they are in we focus on the camaraderie and the dedication they have for each others safety. Full description is here. I wrote the original score and also co-wrote the end credit song.

Starring Orlando Bloom, Scott Eastwood and Caleb Landry Jones. Directed by Rod Lurie.

Most sincerely,

Larry

We expect a theatrical release by this summer, and Netflix will be streaming distributor after that.