2006-2007 Orange Book: Internet Directory
Palomar Mountain News

Palomar Mountain News

When a devastating fire threatened dozens of homes, the residents of Palomar Mountain found it was very important to have a source of information on the Mountain about events as they happened.

Palomar Mountain is a small community of a few hundred full time residents. Traditionally several bulletin boards have served very effectively as a way to get the word out.

You could find baby announcements, invitations to a square dance, cabins for rent, or kittens to adopt. As an effort to communicate even more effectively and take advantage of the Computer Age, several years ago an e-mail broadcast was casually started as a little mountain 'newspaper'.

"This began somewhat as a hobby," says Bonnie Phelps, "and as a way of meeting other neighbors who share a similar love for the mountain."

No one thought the "news" would grow over 30 email addresses. But to everyone's amazement, PalMtnNews now goes out to close to 250 residents and property owners. The broadcast spans the globe as one cabin owner currently lives in Saudi Arabia and another family live in Antigua - in addition to people with Palomar ties all across the United States! There is also a growing group of people who want to rent or buy property one mile nearer heaven!

Most news is stored on the Palomar Mountain community web site hosted by volunteer, Mike Pique. You'll find many articles and several hundred pictures of different events at www.palomarproperties.com. You can also learn all about the Mountain community with links to its world famous Observatory, information camping and hiking, the annual volunteer Fire Department barbecue, a pancake breakfast sponsored by the Palomar Mountain Planning Organization, church events and a whole lot more.

Another function of the broadcast is to encourage others in the gathering and recording of the history of the mountain. A planned history link on the web site will include current and historical pictures of areas of interest and stories of their past.

Several volunteers are interested in editing another book on Palomar history. What information do you have that is tucked away? Suggestions and contributions are greatly appreciated. You can contact Bonnie Phelps at PalMtnNews@aol.com or PO Box 82 Palomar Mountain, CA 92060 or call (760) 742-1742