Palomar Mountain News

Updated maps from Stan Hill. Today I have been making calls and several more property owners are signed up. The parcels in purple have been surveyed with the green dots showing the trees marked. Properties in red have the surveyors heading their way real soon. The properties in white have not signed up yet. Driving around there are quite a few properties that could really benefit from this free grant.

Stan asking for help to spread the word for Crestline and Birch Hill neighborhoods. A mailer was sent to all parcels with a water share. Properties without a water share or properties with a well, did not get a mailer.

Good news: Do you have a now-dead tall stump that used to be a beautiful tree but was butchered by SDG&E? Stan has already identified over 40 trees and SDG&E has agreed to have their crews put them on the ground. Stan has worked it out that if the property owner doesn’t want the wood, the grant will take care of either donating it to one of the locals that has connected with Stan for removal, or the grant will take care of removing or chipping the wood.

Here is a tree that I came across in my travels that was tagged for removal but this 20 foot section came down on it’s own. I looked up to see where it came from and it snapped off that trunk from about 70 feet off the ground. Hollow all the way through. It damaged a fence and partially blocked a road.

The grant will remove “dead and dying” trees within 150 feet of a habitable structure. Look around your property and please check the map for your parcel and any other parcels that could be added to the map. If you don’t know the contact info for a neighboring parcel, simply let me know we’ll look them up.

Like to sign up? Click on the QR code below or give Stan a call:

Stan Hill, Forestry & Fire Prevention Project Manager

Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego County

In Partnership with the Fire Safe Council of San Diego County

11769 Waterhill Road, Lakeside, CA  92040

Office Tel: (619) 562-0096 Ext. 110

Cell: 951-553-3013

www.firesafesdcounty.org | www.rcdsd.specialdistrict.org 

I’m always glad to get your questions answered, too.

Bonnie Phelps, Realtor and Volunteer to help make Palomar more Fire Safe

760-533-1742

Meet Mr. Vic. He saw me parked on Crestline and pulled over. He asked if there were any cabins for sale. I asked if he wanted to own a cabin up here. He said, “No, a whole bunch of cabins!”

He took a quick pic of the sign on my car. I asked what brought him to Palomar. About that time the big truck with the crane pulled up. Mr. Vic said he had good news for all Sprint and T-Mobile customers as they just finished installing antenna for good phone service. It should be up and running in about a month or so.

Tonight a guy pulled into our driveway. He looked pretty frustrated. He delivers for Door Dash. He had just dropped of a box for Cliff and Susie but alas, he wasn’t able to confirm the delivery. He had no connection with his T-Mobile service so his GPS didn’t work. He pulled in the right driveway as we are a free hot spot. In a couple seconds, he was able to call the company. He has recently moved to CA from Haiti with limited English. It was pretty interesting as he spoke French. (Where are Renaud and Sandrine when you need them?) He had Door Dash transfer him to an English speaking agent so I could explain his situation. But he still had three packages in his car. I invited him to follow me to April’s house and then to the General Store where I pointed him to the Observatory. Hope your gate was open so you got your two boxes. If not, they are on the inside of the gate and he was going to call you as soon as he had service on his way back to San Diego.

He did figure it out real quick that he will wait a few weeks before he brings deliveries up the mountain again… or, he knows he can always stop by our place.

Bonnie Phelps, Realtor and English speaking Door Dash Rep for T-Mobile customers

Call or pop by anytime for all your Real Estate and delivery needs 760-533-1742

How may I help you? Could you use a Master Stone Mason? How about an experienced Heavy Equipment operator? Or a multi-talented Carpenter and Handyman? After living up here for five years now, mountain references are available upon request.

Thank you for reaching out: Glen Manges 951-397-1720 mengesglen@gmail.com

“Glen Menges, is an ‘artist’ with stone. The walls he built for me look like they have been here for many years. He is so careful about color and shapes. I recommend him to anyone and you are welcome to come by and see his handywork.” Cecelia Borland 760-594-4688

After several trips across Crestline and Birch Hill the past couple days for Real Estate needs, I’ve noticed a lot of standing dead and dying trees. When you see an oak like this with a lot of ‘bulging cavities’ and loosing it’s leaves early, there is a good chance, that it is just waiting to be firewood. We aren’t in the area for the Dead and Dying Tree Grant this year. So, since our tree was close to power lines, we had Freddy’s Tree Service come up and put it on the ground.

It is always fascinating to watch these professional tree monkeys. Wish I had a video for you of the mice that had been living in this tree! They are so quick! There were several nubs on the trunk that were just big holes for critter homes. The mice apparently didn’t like the noise and started running around, trying to encourage the chain saws to stop. This climber must have been used to having them be so close by as he didn’t seem to be bothered one bit.

Within about a week, the tree lost a lot of leaves so we could see the branches. Alas, it was suppose to look like the trees to the right. When Freddy’s crew started cutting, it was no surprise to see very little firewood waiting. Looking at this first branch that came down, you can clearly see the opening for critters at the top, and only a few inches of wood around the rim. The rest of the branch was kind of like loose sawdust. As the top of this trunk drops to the ground, you can see the multiple holes.

Need a tree crew? We were very pleased with Freddy’s Tree Service 760-420-2543

From Cecelia: Yasmira, our faithful Postmistress the past three years, is leaving us so seek greener pastures and milder winters with another USPS assignment. She and her husband and daughter are moving to be near both their families out in Indio. Come join us in wishing her Bon Voyage on Friday, Oct 17th at noon for lunch and fellowship.

Since we’re promised cooler weather, we moved the luncheon location to the Community Center next to the Fire Station.

Mexican lunch will be catered by Jilberto’s. Can you think of something yummy to bring for dessert? Help with set-up, clean-up will be appreciated. Community Center will provide table service and beverages.

You are invited! Palomar Mountain Fire Safe Council will be having its Annual General Meeting to elect new board members, review last year’s operations and next year’s plans.

This coming Saturday, October 18th at 9 am.

Community Center next to the Fire Station, 21610 Crestline Rd. Palomar

The Fire Safe Council provides a 40-yd roll-off dumpster monthly, free chipping, roadside brush clearing, fire retardant gel, classes in chainsaw maintenance, road side clearing access for emergency vehicles and wildfire preparedness. If you are interested in serving on this dynamic community-minded board, please come and join us.

Cecelia Borland, Secretary Fire Safe Council

760-594-4688

Come away for your first gorgeous peek of Fall from Sky View Haven. Spectacular views for all Seasons from custom built home on the rim of Palomar. What mountains do you see in the view? Simply click for the details and lots of photos. Like to come up for a tour? Let’s make it happen!

Bonnie Phelps, Four Season Realtor

760-533-1742

Cute little vintage cabin in the woods just celebrated it’s 95th birthday with so many ‘presents’! The owners added and new roof, septic system, retaining walls to help with erosion, new stairs, a spa bathtub (such bliss) and all sorts of things to make this such a happy little place to be. The eagle soars through the trees and many pigeons and doves are quite content to share the feeders and watering trough with local deer. Brand new leather furniture was just delivered but owner couldn’t resist a move out of state near family so it’s your turn.

Click for all the details then let’s connect for a tour!

Bonnie Phelps, Realtor on Highway to the Stars

760-533-1742

From: Stan Hill

Hello Everyone,

We plan to start cutting dead and dying trees this coming Monday, the 13^th of October. I have a couple of banners coming that we can hang in the neighborhood. I have spoken with one of the firewood guys and Robert about wood removal and have a plan. Also, we have a chipping person that will be following up to clean up each property. As always, we will adjust as we go to get it just right.

We plan to look for any trees that pose immanent threat first. Then the contractor will decide the most efficient order.

Please check the updated map. If you have dead or dying trees on your land, make sure your parcel is marked. Yes! You can still sign up! Simply click on the QR code or reach out to me and we’ll get you on the list.

Working together to make Palomar more fire safe,

Stan Hill, Forestry & Fire Prevention Project Manager

Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego County

In Partnership with the Fire Safe Council of San Diego County

11769 Waterhill Road, Lakeside, CA  92040

Office Tel: (619) 562-0096 Ext. 110

Cell: 951-553-3013

www.firesafesdcounty.org | www.rcdsd.specialdistrict.org 

From: Bill Leininger

“Palomar Mountain Community – Earthquake Preparedness on Saturday, 11 Oct!

Join your CERT volunteers at the Fire Station (CALFIRE Station 79) this coming Saturday, from 9-11 AM.  We have:
– Earthquake preparedness information and an app to provide earthquake warnings.
– Fire extinguisher training with a simulator, so you can practice your PASS
—- If you don’t know how to “PASS”, this training is for you!
—- And, the training is safe for adults AND kids!
– “Price of Preparedness” games – come see how much you preparedness you can do for just a little spending
– Bonus – prizes and giveaways for attendees

No RSVP needed – just come by the station on Saturday, 11 October, from 9-11 AM

Bill Leininger
SDCF CERT – Northern Division Program Manager for Palomar Mountain CERT”