Palomar Mountain News

Lake Henshaw Café has server/waitressing positions available.

Please call Greg at 760-782-9180.

Please click for more info about Lake Henshaw Café.

How did Marty and Jasmin come to fall in love with Palomar enough to have two properties up here?

Raised in Canada and missing the beautiful views, Jasmin looked forward to escaping her crazy-busy and very stressful schedule as the charge nurse at Sharp Hospital.  On her days off, she would get in her car and drive to the back country.  She explored all over the county to take in the scenery with tall trees and abundance of nature.

Meanwhile, very busy Dr. Fineman had a nice nurse assisting occasionally but she really didn’t catch his eye until a costume party one Halloween.  Jasmin was dressed up as a cute little black cat and he couldn’t resist.  The fell in love, were married and had a goal to have a weekend escape on their favorite mountain that Jasmine had introduced  Marty  to when they were dating.

Ten years ago this weekend, Marty and Jasmin purchased their home on Palomar.  As weekenders, they have spent every chance they get enjoying their private forest and lovely, secluded home.  Now they are celebrating with another beautiful property, just 20 minutes across the mountain.  It is an unpainted canvas with open meadows, framed with gorgeous trees and magnificent views across Warner’s Valley to Lake Henshaw, the Pacific and the Observatory.  The perfect setting to take in the invigorating mountain air, relax, refresh and dream of building their retirement dream home… and then finish their weekend off at their home-in-the-woods.  Ah, life is grand!   

“When thunder roars, go indoors!”  Well. I like to add “and unplug what you’d like to keep!”

The weather report is showing a chance of storms all week.  I love any changes with weather but lightening can be a challenge.  We have stories about lightening strikes taking out appliances, computers, phones and more.  Here are some tips for you new folks and a reminder for the rest of you about taking precautions during this kind of weather.

Hoping for some refreshing rain,

Bonnie Phelps

Campers have been enjoying the great outdoors since 1951 at what is now Palomar Christian Conference Center.  The camp encompasses 320, beautiful, forested acres on the west side of the State Park. This is the first summer that they have branched out and are leasing the Doane Valley School Campground, too.

Just saw this article in the Valley Center Road Runner about Camp Beyond the Scars. It looks like a wonderful program coming up this next week.

For more info about the many different camps and group opportunities available here on Palomar, please visit Palomar Christian Conference Center.  I see quite a few of our mountain kids in the photos for Horse Camp or Adventure, Science, Base or Leadership Camps.  They have another great camping experience called “Unplugged”.  Check it out!

Glancing through the schedule, I see there are some dates still available.

Happy Summer Everyone!

Bonnie Phelps

PALOMAR MOUNTAIN FIRE SAFE COUNCIL has a 40 yard dumpster heading our way.  COMMUNITY CLEAN-UP
This Saturday, July 13 (and maybe Sunday the 14th) at the Fire Station
Open Saturday 9am to 1pm and Sunday 1 to 5 OR UNTIL FULL

Two pickup loads per household until noon, then all you want.

NO TIRES, PAINT, HAZMAT, ELECTRONICS, CHEMICALS, or LARGE APPLIANCES
This dumpster will be at the Fire Station the first weekend of the month thru October. Come early; bring your combustibles, trash, small appliances, and other rubbish that litters your yards.

No charge but donations welcomed.

Here is a tip: last month, the dumpster was full before noon on Saturday so be sure to plan ahead.  If full when you arrive, you might run your load down to Pala Disposal.  They are on the left just before you get to the Pala Casino.  Very reasonable.

Thanks to the volunteers that help with this project each month!

Together, let’s clean up the mountain!

Bonnie Phelps

Feel like prime rib, great BBQ ribs, a burger,

pizza, Mexican food, wonderful salads and absolutely delicious mud pie for dessert?

That would be at the Lake Henshaw Cafe.  Now owners, new menu and just wonderful food.

Tonight they are offering Prime Rib.  They have it only once in a while on Saturday Nights.  The rest of their menu is pretty amazing, too and very reasonably priced.

Greg and Wendy Gonsalves have had several other restaurants in the back country since 1986 and always a great following.  They brought their most requested favorites to Lake Henshaw.  They have been open a couple months now and we’ve already been may times and enjoyed every meal.

  Patricia Hixon is a Palomar neighbor, in charge of the dining hall, has been waitressing over 30 years and has it fine tuned.  Always a pleasure.

Here is a tip:  Sunday’s are already pretty packed – breakfast is fabulous, too.  But, mid week and evenings you can usually sit right down.

Let’s pack the place and be sure to bring your friends.  We really want them to do well and keep the good food coming at the Lake!

Open daily 8 to 8.

Bonnie Phelps

The dumpster company cancelled because of the holiday weekend.  Sorry for the late notice.  If you have a truck loaded up, you might consider taking it to Pala Disposal.  Going down Hwy 76, it is on the left, just before you get to Pala Casino.  Very reasonable and a pleasure to deal with.

The first camping trip for the Robinson family was at the Observatory Campground. Ever since that very special experience under our starry nights, it has always been a delightful dream to have a home on the mountain.  Their dream just came true!  They are looking forward to being full-time eventually and home school their children Ryder and Rowen, plus their niece Riley.  Meanwhile Rick works in construction with a company that does property management.  He can do just about anything so I am guessing he could become pretty popular on Palomar. Rachel is in the restaurant industry, working at WildWood Crossing… I’m thinking that would be a lovely name for their cabin!  The children are so excited to be at their home in the woods and even got a bit of snow when they were moving in!  Hooray, even more kids for Kids Club!

Firework viewing from Palomar is always fun.  No crowds, easy to park…  just pull over at one of the lookouts and watch the show all across the county. We counted 17 locations one year at a party on the rim.  It is fun to try and guess the locations of the shows from the mountain top.  This list of a couple dozen shows just arrived from my title company.  However, it is missing one we often see!  If it is clear out there, Catalina Island usually has the longest show.   Enjoy celebrating the birth of our great country!

SAN DIEGO
ANNUAL BIG BAY BOOM JULY 4 FIREWORKS SHOW
Location: Multiple Locations along San Diego Bay
Time: 9:00 PM
Fireworks: Yes
Take in the largest display in the county. With fireworks launched from four barges strategically placed around North San Diego Bay, they can be seen from Shelter Island, Harbor Island, the Embarcadero area and Seaport Village/Coronado Landing, and the score is simulcast live on THE MIGHTY 1090 AM and MAX FM 105.7. Just find a place along the bay and you will not be disappointed.
SEAWORLD SAN DIEGO 4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS
Location: SeaWorld San Diego – 500 SeaWorld Dr, San Diego, CA 92109
Time: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Fireworks: Yes
SeaWorld will celebrate Independence Day with a 15-minute display of fireworks set to a musical soundtrack, starting at 9:40 PM on July 4.

OCEAN BEACH JULY 4TH CELEBRATION
Location: Ocean Beach Pier at the end of Newport Ave
Time: 9:00 PM
Fireworks: Yes
Spend the day picnicking, swimming in the ocean, walking and playing in the sand and shopping along Newport Ave. Then bundle up as the sun sets and pull up a blanket for a really spectacular fireworks show launched from the OB Pier.

CORONADO
4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION IN CORONADO
Location: Various Locations on Coronado
Time: 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Fireworks: Yes
Celebrate the 4th of July in the Crown City including a parade down Orange Avenue at 10:00 AM, a concert in Spreckels Park at 4:00 PM and fireworks over Glorietta Bay at 9:00 PM.

NORTH COASTAL
SAN DIEGO COUNTY FAIR 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION
Location: Del Mar Fairgrounds – 2260 Jimmy Durante Boulevard, Del Mar, CA 92014
Time: Starts at 10:00 AM, Fireworks at 9:00 PM
Fireworks: Yes
Independence Day is one of the best days to come to the San Diego County Fair because they pull out all the stops with food, fireworks at 9:00 PM, entertainment and more.

RED, WHITE AND BOOM!
Location: LEGOLAND California – One Legoland Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Time: 1:00 to 9:00 PM, Fireworks at 8:30 PM
Fireworks: Yes
Take the whole family and spend the day enjoying over 60 rides, shows and attractions along with some all-American picnic games like burlap races and water-balloon tosses and then top it off with an awe-inspiring fireworks display set to patriotic music.

OCEANSIDE FIREWORKS SHOW
Location: El Corazon Site at Rancho Del Oro Drive
Date: July 3rd
Time: 6:00 to 10:00 PM
Fireworks: Yes
Start off your Independence Day celebration a day early by bringing a beach chair and the whole family to enjoy the Oceanside Fireworks Show.

NORTH INLAND
ESCONDIDO INDEPENDENCE DAY FESTIVAL & FIREWORKS
Location: California Center for the Arts, Escondido – 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido, CA 92025
Time: Starts at 4:00 PM, Fireworks at 9:00 PM
Fireworks: Yes
Join 20,000 patriotic festival-goers for the 55th Annual Independence Day Festival & Fireworks with music, fabulous food vendors, and a wealth of children’s activities and games for everyone to enjoy.

MIRA MESA FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION
Location: Mira Mesa Community Park, Mira Mesa Boulevard and New Salem Street, Mira Mesa
Time: Starts at 7:00 AM, Fireworks at 9:00 PM
Fireworks: Yes
Come early for the pancake breakfast, parade and family friendly activities and stay late for the fireworks.

AN OLD-FASHIONED FOURTH OF JULY & FIREWORKS IN POWAY
Location: Poway High School Stadium – 15500 Espola Road, Poway, CA 92064
Time: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, Fireworks at 9:00 PM
Fireworks: Yes
Following the Old-fashioned Fourth of July celebration at Old Poway Park (10:00 AM to 4:00 PM), head to Poway High School (gates open at 6:00 PM) for music, more food, glow sticks and fireworks.

RANCHO BERNARDO’S THE SPIRIT OF THE FOURTH
Location: Webb Park – Avena Pl And Bernardo Center Dr, Rancho Bernardo, CA 92128
Time: 9:00 AM to 9:30 PM, Fireworks at 9:00 PM
Fireworks: Yes
It’s a whole day of fun at Webb Park in Rancho Bernardo with a Community Fair featuring food, music, Patriotic Pet Contest, classic cars, games and a parade (9:00 AM to 5:00 PM). End the evening with fireworks at Bernardo Heights Middle School.

SAN MARCOS 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION
Location: Bradley Park – 465 S Rancho Santa Fe Rd, San Marcos, CA 92078
Time: 6:00 to 9:00 PM
Fireworks: Yes
Carnival games, jumpers, food and fireworks!
SCRIPPS RANCH 4TH OF JULY RUN & RIDE
Location: Red Cedar Dr & Aviary Dr, San Diego, CA 92131
Time: 6:00 to 10:00 AM
Fireworks: No
Join the Scripps Ranch Old Pros on the 4th of July for the annual 10K Race & Fun Run and bike rides that all end at the Scripps Ranch Fourth of July Parade!

SCRIPPS RANCH 4TH OF JULY PARADE
Location: Scripps Ranch Hoyt Park – 10800 Canyon Lake Dr, San Diego, CA 92131
Time: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Fireworks: No
As a spectator you can cheer on everyone who is in the parade. But, why not dress up as well and join in the fun?

VISTA INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION
Location: Moonlight Amphitheatre – 1200 Vale Terrace Drive, Vista, CA 92084
Time: 5:00 to 10:00 PM, Fireworks at 9:00 PM
Fireworks: Yes
Celebrate the 4th of July in Vista at the Moonlight Amphitheatre with live music, an honorary ceremony, family fun and fireworks!

EAST COUNTY
EL CAJON 4TH OF JULY PICNIC AND FIREWORKS
Location: Kennedy Park – 1675 East Madison Avenue, El Cajon, CA 92019
Time: 2:00 to 9:30 PM
Fireworks: Yes
The July 4th event starts at 2:00 PM with food, games, prizes, kiddie train rides and more! Live musical entertainment begins at 3:00 PM with a spectacular fireworks show at 9:00 PM.

JULIAN 4TH OF JULY PARADE
Location: Main Street, Julian, CA 92036
Time: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Fireworks: No fireworks but a fun day outing
Julian presents a homegrown event that celebrates the town’s gold rush era history, the dedication of veterans and active duty military who serve our country, and local residents who cherish the special qualities of the little town tucked into the Cuyamaca Mountains east of San Diego.

SANTEE SALUTES – FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION
Location: Town Center Community Park East – 550 Park Center Drive, Santee, CA 92071
Time: 2:30 to 10:00 PM
Fireworks: Yes
Rock out with live music, a patriotic ceremony, kid’s fun zone and a spectacular fireworks display at Santee Salutes!

LAKE MURRAY FIREWORKS AND MUSICFEST
Location: 7001 Murray Park Dr, San Diego, CA 92119
Time: 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Fireworks: Yes
Fireworks are back at Lake Murray. Join the July 4th celebration for a day full of food, fun, bands, and fireworks.

SOUTH BAY
CHULA VISTA 4TH FEST
Location: 2800 Olympic Parkway, Chula Vista, CA 91915
Time: 6:00 to 9:00 PM
Fireworks: Yes
The Chula Vista 4th Fest fireworks will be set off from the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center with patriotic music simulcast on 91X, Magic 92.5, and Z90.3.

INDEPENDENCE DAY FIREWORKS IN IMPERIAL BEACH
Location: Imperial Beach Pier – 10 Evergreen Ave, Imperial Beach, CA 91932
Time: 4:00 to 9:00 PM
Fireworks: Yes
The City of Imperial Beach will be hosting a fireworks show off the Imperial Beach Pier choreographed to KYXY 96.5 along with eight other shows across San Diego County.

INDEPENDENCE DAY AT THE BORDER & FIREWORKS
Location: Larsen Field – Cesar Chavez Park – 4061 Camino de la Plaza, San Ysidro, CA 92173
Date: July 1st
Time: 3:00 to 9:00 PM
Fireworks: Yes
Come and enjoy an Independence Day Celebration in San Ysidro complete with children’s inflated city, mechanical bulls, live music all day on multiple stages, drinks, food and fireworks!

Mitch and Sarah Peters are so excited to have their own cabin in the woods. Mom is a kitchen designer at Home Depot Design Center and hoping on a position where she can work from home. Mitch works in sales and delivery.  Daughter, Giana is looking forward to meeting all the other kids, making new friends, having lots of wonderful adventures  and enjoying her fun new room at the cabin.  And, the family pup? Well, Guapo is so pretty and used to clean living in the city but very happy with the idea of chasing squirrels and having a wonderful life on Palomar with the family.