Pinecrest GROWS: Mountain Chickadee Farm

Jill Spevacek, (left) pictured here with here friend Brooke at work on the farm.

The Pinecrest community will be pleased to learn that fresh local produce will be available this summer. And I mean local! Jill Spevacek, daughter of Pinecrest owners, Franks & Kathy, is currently in the process of building and planting the new Mountain Chickadee Farm on the west hillside of Pinecrest.  According to the Mountain Chickadee Farm facebook page, "Mountain Chickadee Farm is located in Julian, CA. We provide the San Diego area with high quality all natural produce."

Jill's interest in food began as a senior in Julian High School’s culinary class and continued during college at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Last year, she further developed her skills with an internship on a 15-acre farm outside of Nevada City. Mountain Chickadee Farm will grow mainly vegetables, and plans for further development of a berry patch. 
Although not yet "certified organic", the farm will use only non-harmful, whole earth practices. Jill" goal is to provide Julian (and Pinecrest) with fresh, locally grown produce. Mountain Chickadee Farm-stand will be located at Pinecrest and plans to be open twice a week.
This year's seeds have been germinated and so far include turnips, radishes, and bok choy. Jill is super excited about the project and will begin transplanting some of my starts this week. She says, "Hopefully we will have produce for sale come May!"

Jill is looking forward to interacting with the Pinecrest community, as well as the community at large, by participating in the farmer's market and at the Club House where the fruits of her labor may be featured in the form of fresh produce, pies and jams. 

Community comes together to help set up

Mountain Chickadee Farm

Yurt building. Working together.

A while back some of us at Pinecrest got to know each other a lot better over the course of two days while erecting a fabulous yurt. It was cold, the directions were translated into English in a somewhat haphazard way, and none of us had ever done anything quite like it before, but working together we got it done. There's no better way to build community than collaborating on a project that is both a challenge and a group learning experience. When the yurt was finally complete, we all went inside. it was nice to be together, protected from the elements, in a building we built ourselves. we had a little ceremony and toasted each others efforts. 

That yurt is gone now, but the community we kindled on those two chilly spring days still remains.

joy.

Compassion

compassion

winter is a perfect time to spend an afternoon with an inspirational book, prepare a pot of hot tea, or have a quiet conversation with a friend. 

Pinecrest Retreat: growing a community, one campfire at a time

what happy people do differently

PS: The #13th thing "happy people do differently"

 is gather together with friends at Pinecrest Retreat.

President's Day Event

president's day is right around the corner and we have some celebrating to do! there has been a lot of work being done at pinecrest and we want to show you all the progress (and it's a good reason to get together with everyone again!). so get out of town! come check on your fabulous trailer, take a hike around lake cuyamaca if you like, and mingle with all the groovy people at the club house during a little week-end gathering- soon to be announced.

mark your calendar & check back for details!

Simplicity

“Manifest  plainness, Embrace simplicity,
Reduce selfishness, Have few desires.”
―Lao Tzu

2012 Was a Very Good Year!

ron & frank host a lovely evening dinner party for visiting guests and pinecrest dignitaries.

so many great and fun things happened at pinecrest in 2012 it's hard to keep track. the new construction around the swimming pool was completed to the awe of pinecrest members, swim clubbers and visitors alike. additionally, phase one of club house renovations turned the dark and dingy office/snack bar into an open air lounge which was managed most beautifully by miss judy. 

-many new members have joined in the fun at pinecrest, and along with them some fabulous and funky vintage trailers! the community at pinecrest continues to grow more diverse and dynamic each season. 

- the rental trailers, positioned near the clubhouse, seem to be growing in popularity and provide a nice place for the extended family and friends of members to come and stay in comfort.

-sister jayne hosted the sisters on the fly on more than one occasion over the the course of the summer. and a few of these lovely ladies enjoyed the retro-camping scene so much they decided to find the right site and join the pinecrest club!

-the peak of the season was clearly the secret international outdoor arts & film festival which was hosted by site member and blogger timo elliott at the end of the summer season. this was the second year in a row that the festival was held at pinecrest and the word seems to be getting out as many were in attendance for the 3 day festival which included hiking, yoga, poolside grilling, a guided tour of pinecrest, wine tasting, and of course many great independent films projected upon pinecrest's brand new, super fantastic movie screen. frank and kathleen hosted the opening night welcoming ceremony and kimberly jones wine selections of napa valley was the official wine sponsor this year. 

-the "pinecrest gardening club" was also launched in 2012. along with work in the community victory garden, the club members sponsored two events: 
1. the native plant restoration project. 
2. the first annual bulb planting party. 
both were successful!

yes 2012 was a very good year! and there's more to come in 2013. stay tuned!

BE A HAPPY CAMPER

New Members keep Pinecrest FUN!

As Pinecrest evolves, so too do the faces of its members!

the last day of summer

Garden Club News: Native Plant Restoration & Bulb Planting Party

the newly formed pinecrest garden club* announces two fun projects:

1: the "native plant restoration project".

anyone can participate! find a native plant growing on or near your camp site and adopt it. identify it by circling it with stones or rocks (and a little sign if you wish). then do your best to take care of it. water it when it is thirsty and trim it if it gets to scraggly. this is an on going project. please report your progress on the bulletin board with photos of improvements or just a little story.

2: the "plant a bulb project", hosted by garden members ron & frank.

when? saturday november 3rd. what? buy some flower bulbs at a local nursery, tulips, daffodils, crocuses, whatever... then plant around your site or along a path you might walk along. we'll have a potluck lunch at the clubhouse around noon to celebrate our beautifying accomplishments! see you there! (look on the clubhouse bulletin board for more info and updates.)

*all are welcome & encouraged to participate. no gardening experience needed!

Pinecrest Hosts Secret International Outdoor Arts & Film Festival 2012

Pinecrest Retreat was host to the 5th annual Secret International Outdoor Arts & Film Festival, where international artists and filmmakers camp, hike, grill, chill and show films at this creative event. Although the event was closed to the general public, Pinecrest site-holders and swim club members were invited to attend.

The German film TORPEDO won for best long-play narrative film and an American made film about growing up on Main Street entitled EXTRAORDINARILY ORDINARY won for best long-play documentary. Frank & Kathy hosted The Artist Welcoming Gala on Friday night at Camp Wabi Sabi.

 For more info go to: www.facebook.com/internationalfilmfest

Secret International Outdoor Arts & Film Festival to showcase films at Pinecrest.

This is a unique festival for creative artists, filmmakers & Pinecresters.

Secret International Outdoor Arts & Film Festival is a week-end retreat for creative people who enjoy camping, grilling and the great outdoors. 

Other activities sometimes include hiking, wine-tasting, star-gazing, campfires, cocktails, and long conversations about "all things trending". It's an all volunteer festival. 

This is a intimate (invitation only) festival which is an opportunity to enjoy watching films with the people who made them. This event is NOT open to the general public, but Pinecrest site-holders are invited and encouraged to come to the Saturday night screenings, suggested admission $10. Bring a blanket and a chair.

Saturday Sept. 22 at 7pm-ish

Feature Presentations: A collection of short films 15mins or less.

Miss Judy gives the latest Pinecrest Clubhouse news!

Vintage Travel-Trailer Rentals:

The TERRY

Features:

Classic vintage decor
Two Twin Beds 

Full electric power

Hot and cold water

Private fire-ring and Picnic table

Flushing toilets 

Easy-access to Club House & Pool

 (pool entry included)

Sleeps Four. $80 

Call 760-765-0464 

Vintage Travel-Trailer Rentals:

The AUTO MATE.

Features:

Classic vintage decor

Full electric power

Hot and cold water

Private fire-ring and Picnic table

Flushing toilets

Easy-access to Club House & Pool

 (pool entry included)

Sleeps Two. $70
Call 760-765-0464