Palomar Mountain News

It’s a little late for this double oak to get in on the Dead and Dying Tree Grant. So sorry for the garage and two roofs over the cabin. Glad no one was hurt and the propane tanks weren’t damaged.

Just off the phone with Stan Hill in charge of the Dead and Dying Tree Grant. He said it has funded and they should be working on the first properties by the end of May. They have already identified 200 trees for the grant. Room for more!

This first phase of the grant is for Crestline and Birch Hill. The next one will be in Bailey area. Have you signed up? This oak was very obviously a GSOB tree. One easy way to tell is they don’t lose their fall leaves. Even after all our snow and wind, those leaves are still hanging tight. The stump on the right was cut some time ago according to the next door neighbor. He was so surprised to see it hollow inside. Questions about your trees? Stan Hill’s contact info is below and more than glad to help.

Go out, look around and and see if there is a tree withing 150 feet of a habitable structure. Maybe it is on your neighbor’s land! We can get their contact info and let’s get them signed up. Those standing dead fir trees are pretty famous for having the tops snap out in storms. One even ‘remodeled’ a kitchen a few years ago.

Let’s work together to help make Palomar more fire safe.

Here is the QR code to sign up in less than a minute. Please share with your neighbors:

Stan Hill, Forestry & Fire Prevention Project Manager

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

Cell: 951-553-3013 stan.hill@rcdsandiego.org

Check out the newsletter from the State Park: http://www.friendsofpalomarsp.org/newsletter–brochure.html Thanks to Rosemary Johnston for sending our way. The Apple Festival is in the works and the date will be provided soon.

Meanwhile, more good news: The kiosk will be open mid April going forward Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

You just never know when you’re going to meet a new friend! During the snow, I ran out early one morning to take some fun pix. At the top of the South Grade early snow bunnies had arrived. One car stood out with a gal sitting at the drivers seat looking a little perplexed. I drove by, got out for a pic of the new campground sign and was planning to turn around to go back to see if she needed help. As I headed toward my car, she was walking my way.

Monika came up from Orange County that morning with a big bag of keys. It was her first time to the Mountain and had no idea we had snow this time of year. She works for a company that recently acquired the largest tower farm on Palomar and provides the maintenance for the property. It is leased to the CIA, FBI, Homeland Security, San Diego Sheriffs Department and Air Traffic Control. A back up generator runs on propane during our power outages.

The former owners had sent keys. We went to the gate but none of them seemed to fit. Some of the locks were combos so decided to go to our house, warm up in front of the fire and make some calls while taking advantage of StarStrucks Coffee Bar. She left messages and we took off on a fun tour of our Winter Wonderland. Eventually she had some call-backs but no one had a combo for us. Then we needed to take a break for lunch, of course!

We decided to try the gate one more time since a propane company was to deliver and the generator was to be serviced in a few days. We loaded up my car with a pretty standard supply of tools when I get keys in the mail for new listings; Shovels, bolt cutters, extra padlock and WD40 – just in case.

Thinking positive, I started shoveling in front to the gate while Monika tried the keys again. No luck and the heavy chain was not going to open for two gals with bolt cutters, so she sprayed the locks with WD40. Worked like magic! One of the keys finally fit and she was in! All the buildings have their own key and everything is double locked. She was able to mark all the keys but then we had to lock up. It took all four hands working together to finally get those tight locks linked up as my extra padlock only gave us an extra half inch.

In the middle of the night, I woke up thinking about these two giggling gals fumbling with closing the locks and heavy chain. I went over the next day and added one more padlock. Ah, that made a difference. Monika will have a much improved system for all these important agencies real soon.

When you need shoveling done or your padlocks opened just let me know!

Bonnie Phelps, Full Service Realtor with a new friend!

760-533-1742

From: Rosemary Johnston

Associate State Archeologist (Sacramento and San Diego, CA) – Deadlines extend into late March! 

Join us as a leader in archeological and cultural resource management! In this role, you will have the opportunity to conduct research, provide expert advice, contribute to publications, and lead staff in archeological projects. You will also manage federal and state funding, represent the department in key discussions, and take on various exciting tasks in the field! With two rewarding opportunities to apply for, now is your chance to make a difference at California State Parks. Click here to learn more! 

This great map is from Stan Hill, in charge of the grant. According to his records, everyone in pink already signed up. The purple color has already had foresters check the trees and you can see dots on each parcel for trees they identified. If you think they missed some, simply connect with Stan.

All the white parcels have not signed up to take advantage of this free service. If you have some dead or dying trees in this area of the mountain, be sure to click on the QR code within this prior post to sign up. Do you know of trees that need attention on a neighbor’s land? Please forward them this info.

Let’s work together to make Palomar more firesafe,

Bonnie Phelps, Realtor

760-533-1742

Does your propane company charge sales tax? California has a tax exemption waiting for you for propane delivery. I called a couple local propane companies. Both were aware of the tax exemption. One doesn’t charge tax for any deliveries. But another company I spoke to DOES charge tax if you don’t send in the form. I questioned that practice as the first company automatically doesn’t add the tax on for any of their customers. You might want to confirm for yourself. If you are charged tax, you can save some dollar$ by submitting the form.

Simply fill it out and get it to your propane provider: https://www.cdtfa.ca.gov/formspubs/cdtfa230n.pdf

Bonnie Phelps, Realtor

Every storm brings boulders and rocks down on the Grades. The county crews are out 24 hours to keep the roads clear. Over the years when lanes are blocked, I’ve seen other neighbors pull over and do what they can when they can. It is all much appreciated. I do have to give a big shout out to Nick and Janice Ricchiuti who were on their way up for brunch today. They saw this boulder in the road, had a strong tow strap and safely get that boulder and a few smaller rocks out of the road pretty quick.

Thanks you two and all who help make Palomar even more of a very special place.

See also Palomar Oak at Enzo’s BBQ

Palomar enjoyed quite a rain recently. Several have asked how much we were treated to. It varies all across the mountain. I’d heard 7 inches and a little more over on Birch Hill. Thinking we had more out here on the west side, I asked our neighbor, Jim Hamerly and he shared his totals:

“That large rainfall dropped 10.14 in of rain. In January, we had a total of 0.74 inches. In total, 1.2 inches more than last year over the same 2 months.”

We’d been teased with a bit of snow. We had only an occasional dusting that didn’t last, but the rain froze on the trees. It was so pretty looking out the kitchen window at Round House Ranch.

We’d had a down-pour for about 20 minutes in August. But, nothing else significant since last April. We’re enjoying this sunny weather but also looking forward to the next storm and will be thankful for all moisture that heads our way.

Bonnie Phelps, Realtor for all Seasons

760-533-1742

Now the count for fire locations on South Grade and East Grade (County Roads S6 and S7) are a total of 15. There were fires started on Thursday night on the East Grade too. So, fires were set Thursday and Friday nights. When going up and down the Grades, have those dash cams on, cameras ready. Hoping someone can get a license plate.

Palomar Patrol People; Ready, Set, Go!