RIP Mikey Ulmer

One of our local boys died early Sunday morning from a hit-and-run driver. Jonathan Michael "Mikey" Ulmer was 21, and had lived in Pine Valley, but most recently was living in Alpine with his brother Jeromy and his mother and grandparents.

Mikey was a gifted carpenter and all-around construction wizard. And at only 21, had become an awesome griller, making a Jack Daniel's steak we heard was unsurpassed. He was funny, he was kind, he was always helpful. He had a huge heart, and he and his brother Jeromy were each other's best friends. He was also great friends with many other Mountain Empire kids. He graduated from MEHS in 2006.

This young cowboy has left many broken hearts behind. He was loved by many and will be forever in our hearts. The hit-and-run driver has not been caught. Anyone with any information please help to bring closure to Mikey's family and many friends.

In addition to his mom, grandparents, and brother and best friend, Jeromy, he is survived by an older brother, Christopher Ryan, a sister, Brittany Ulmer Hopkins, his father, Christopher, a half brother, Keagan, a step brother Kerrigan, and stepmom, Kathy Latus. RIP Mikey.

To see more information, visit the Facebook page created in his honor: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=113056852059494&v=app_2392950137

Replacement Trees Planted in Descanso

200 replacement trees planted in Descanso

MONDAY, JANUARY 18, 2010 AT 1:19 A.M.

DESCANSO: Volunteers spent part of the weekend planting 200 trees in Descanso to help replace thousands of oak trees that have been killed by the gold-spotted oak borer, an insect ravaging the Cleveland National Forest.

The tree planting, sponsored by the Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego County and the Fire Safe Council of San Diego County, was the first of two community tree-planting days planned for the area around Descanso, where the most damage has occurred.

On Jan. 30, the two groups will hold a tree-planting and conservation workshop at Descanso’s town hall. And on Feb. 13, it will hold another tree-planting day, with the goal of more than 400 trees.

The gold-spotted oak borer is a beetle that officials believe came from Mexico. Over the past seven years, officials say, it is responsible for killing thousands of California live oak, Canyon live oak and California black oak in an area that starts in Alpine and spreads east to Mount Laguna and north to Julian.

Happy New Year Descanso

Spent New Year's Eve at a Descanso block party. Several good Descansoans, but the most interesting were the Burrells, who have been in Descanso since 1951. They have a tremendous amount of historical knowledge of what Descanso was like since then and the many changes that have occurred. Told Mrs. Burrell she needs to write a book. If you encounter her, encourage her to do so.