Palomar Mountain News

Fire Dept on the way to open South Grade.  Be careful out there!

(Thanks Glen Heggsted for sending the photo).

Do you love beautiful patriotic music?  Each year the Valley Center Schools host a fabulous free concert honoring our Veterans and love for this country.

Arrive early for lunch and get a great seat.  The concert is at the VC High School  Theater.  Be ready to tap your feet!

Click for all the info.

Five years ago, Jim and Teresa McCarthy found a perfect cabin and closed escrow on their 20th Wedding Anniversary!  With 6 grown kids and now 21 grandkids, they look forward to time away from their busy city schedules. As other vacation rentals popped up, they decided to offer Spotted Owl Chalet as a rental when their family wasn’t using it.

A couple years ago, they couldn’t resist the view from a second cabin.  This one was a fixer.  Jim has been using his skills as a plumber and a can-do-anything guy.  Teresa is so good with decorating.  Together they are making that cabin-with-the-yellow-door, deserving of the amazing view.   It’s still a work in progress but meanwhile, another opportunity popped up!

Running an errand together a few short weeks ago, Teresa asked about one of my signs.  I said, “That sign takes us to the Definition of Cute!”  We pulled in and the rest is history! Escrow closed the week of their 25th Anniversary!  Oh my, they know how to celebrate!  New furniture arrives tomorrow!

But there is more!  The first part of November, Jim retired after 26 years as the general manager of a plumbing company.   And, drum roll!!!  Teresa hung up her apron as a Bakery Operations Field Specialist.  She served many Albertsons and Vons stores in Southern Cal and was oh-so-ready for something new.  They decided to rent their city home to family and live on Palomar full time! Their plans are for an ever-changing adventure, moving between whatever cabin is available with their two adorable pups.

You’ll see them out walking Pirate and Fanny, so be sure to say “hello”. No slowing down for these retirees!

So glad to have Jim and Teresa loving life on the mountain!

Is this the cutiest thing?!?!!  When I saw weekenders Justin and Beth Pettis wedding pix, I just had to share.  Justin spent the better part of three years to restore this little gem and it has been used for other weddings and special events.

These happy newlyweds love coming to their getaway on the mountain.  Justin looks forward to getting out of the city where he has his own marine mechanic/electronic business.  The mountain is calling him up to “piddle around”.  Beth is in grad school and thankful for the good internet on their property.  She is content to work on her masters as a nurse practitioner in their peaceful forest setting.

We’ll be looking for your VW van ’round the mountain.  (Maybe we should have a parade?!?

Welcome Justin and Beth!

Anthony and Holly hosted a Tail Gate Party for Trunk or Treat!  Such a fun idea!  They have lots of fun ideas for their new home on Palomar!  Full-timers, they are all set with 4WD and looking forward to our Four Seasons and the adventure of mountain living.  Thrilled with having their own well, they plan a garden and chickens eventually, but presently installing new flooring and making their house a home.  Holly works from home with insurance auditing and Anthony is a Heating and Air Conditioning Technician!  Thinking he will be doing some jobs on Palomar real soon – we have needed someone up here with his skills!   That candy was a treat but if you ever have a chance to try their home made banana bread… ohmygoodness!  It is wonderful!

Welcome Anthony and Holly!

It was so fun to meet Bob and Susan Perez at Trunk or Treat!  They are one of our newest neighbors. Bob has been camping on Palomar for years and has fond memories back packing under the starry sky.  They both loved the peace and serenity of a beautiful forest. Susan however, appreciates things like blow dryers and sleeping indoors with a cozy fire. So, they have the best of both worlds with their mountain retreat.

Bob worked with a power company.  He sang that song ‘I am a lineman…’ for many years and retired supervising.  Susan has been a much-loved Pre-K and kindergarten teacher.

Their three grown children grew up in Scouting.  Both sons made Eagle Scout so have had many great times in the mountains. The most excited are those grandkids who can hardly wait until their next trip to the family cabin.

Welcome Bob and Susan!

To meet more New Neighbors, simply click here.

31 kids sure had a blast trick or treating at 25 different trunks!  Even Smoky Bear showed up!!!  Many thanks to all who made another fun event extra special on our little mountain!

Palomar Christian Conference Center is hosting another fun time for mountain families.  We have about 45 full time kids on the mountain now.  (Amazing!)  This is another event for some old fashioned fun for kids-of-all-ages.

Design your own crust for a fresh baked pie to take home!  I hear the chefs and kitchen crew might have apple and maybe some pumpkin pies ready for that top crust.  That will be your job!

We’ll gather ’round the tables and share smiles and ideas and be creative with  cookie cutters, learning to decorate or cut and weave the dough. Bring any fall cookie cutters to share to get creative with pie crust. Oh, you might want to bring an apron and maybe some extras just for fun.

When the pies are ready to go in the oven, lunch will be served!  What a treat!

Directions:  Drive through to State Park, you will pass the entrance (no charge to go through to the camp).  Follow the signs to the Conference Center.  When you come to the parking lot, park… then walk down to the Dining Hall.

Monday morning (not Tuesday as most Kids Club events are)

9:59 am will get you a great seat!

It is not fun to get stung!

My hand is back to normal now from one sting (Benadryl and ice) but the buyer for this property was stung about four or five times on his face and arms!  He ended up going to the hospital (they told him to use Benadryl and ice – surely there is something stronger…).  Then the surveyor was stung!  Now, the seller is home from his honeymoon.  He is his way with his brand new bride to pack up a few things before closing this escrow.   So, those bees needed to go away.

Jeremy Loughran to the rescue!  I spoke to eight other options who would not come up!  When Jeremy answered, he didn’t even need to be bribed!  He immediately said he would be glad to service Palomar.  He is on call 24/7, owns and operates his company Bee Free.  Jeremy was a pleasure to deal with and great to watch (from inside my car with the windows up).  He said he would “be our Bee Man for Palomar”!  These were not honey bees but he can re-locate hives for you, too.

Jeremy Loughran  619-451-1214

Check out his Website

Thanks Jeremy!

Bonnie Phelps