Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Weather
Yosemite Valley
Today: Isolated showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a
high near 92. Calm wind becoming west southwest between 5 and 8 mph. Chance
of precipitation is 20%.
Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm.
Partly cloudy, with a low around 58. Calm wind becoming east between 5 and
8 mph.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am.
Partly cloudy, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming west southwest
between 5 and 8 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before
11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 57. Calm wind becoming east between
5 and 8 mph.

El Portal
Today: Isolated showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Mostly sunny and hot,
with a high near 98. Calm wind becoming southwest between 6 and 9 mph.
Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. Calm wind becoming east
northeast between 6 and 9 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 98. East northeast wind
between 6 and 9 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 61. Northwest wind at 7
mph becoming east northeast.

Tuolumne Area
Today: Scattered showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with
a high near 62. Calm wind becoming west southwest between 5 and 8 mph.
Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm.
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. West southwest wind around 6 mph
becoming calm.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am.
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64. Calm wind becoming southwest between 4
and 7 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before
11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 42. West wind at 7 mph becoming east
northeast.

Park News
TUOLUMNE RIVER PLAN SUMMER WORKSHOPS
As part of the continuing public involvement process for the Tuolumne Wild
and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan (Tuolumne River Plan), all
interested members of the public are invited to attend two summer planning
workshops. Each will take place at Parsons Lodge in Tuolumne Meadows from
11am-3pm. Come find out the latest about planning for Tuolumne Meadows and
the entire 54-mile river corridor within Yosemite National Park. The Draft
Tuolumne River Plan/Environmental Impact Statement is expected to be
released for public comment in January 2010. Bring a lunch and be prepared
for a 30-minute walk from the parking area to Parsons Lodge.

July 17 HOT TOPICS IN THE TRP
Learn about the latest issues currently being discussed by the
planning team and park managers. Share your ideas!

August 21 SNEAK PEAK OF THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE
Come and learn about the Tuolumne River Plan's range of draft
alternatives, including a sneak peak at the agency's preferred option.

HIGH COUNTRY OPEN HOUSES IN TUOLUMNE MEADOWS
Save the dates for July 18 and August 22 as the NPS hosts two open houses
dedicated to planning efforts focused on the high country. Displays will be
set up outside the Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center and project managers
will be on hand to answer questions. Each open house will also feature an
opportunity for field visits to the various project areas. Additional
details will be announced in a future e-newsletter. Projects will include:
Tuolumne River Plan
Tenaya Lake Area Plan
Tioga Road Trailheads Project
High Elevation Aquatic Ecosystem Recovery and Stewardship Plan
For more information about each of these projects, visit online at
www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/currentplans.htm. (K. Rylands 6/29/09)

Updates
Fire Update #13
Fire activity increased over the weekend on the Grouse and Harden fires in
Yosemite National Park. The Grouse Fire (250 acres) is about seven miles
southwest of Yosemite Valley and north of Glacier Point Road. The Harden
Fire (111 acres) is on the north side of the park, west of Harden Lake and
northwest of White Wolf. The two fires are being managed to achieve both
protection and resource objectives.

Grouse (37 41.445 x 119 41.017; 6500’, Mariposa Co.), started May 30. It
is approximately 250 acres. Personnel are working ahead of the fire
implementing management actions along Steamboat Ridge to prevent northward
fire spread. The fire is visible along Wawona Road (Highway 41) and
Glacier Pt. Road. Temporary road closures may be enacted for visitor
safety.

Harden (37 53.624 x 119 42.221; 7800’, Tuolumne Co); Lightning-caused,
probably on June 8. It is north of White Wolf, west of Harden Lake and
within the 1996 Ackerson fire perimeter. It is 111 acres and burning
mostly in brush and Red Fir. Fire officials are assessing the need for
closures around Harden Lake, Smith Peak and the old Aspen Valley Rd.

Fire Information: Please call 209/375-9574 and visit Inciweb @

http://www.inciweb.org/incident/1704

For Additional Information: The park website, www.nps.gov/yose/fire; or

email at: yose_fire_information@nps.gov. (T. Pusina 6/30/09)

Employee/Volunteer Corner
On Friday, July 3rd, YARTS will observe a holiday schedule, meaning that
Runs 1 and 7 will not operate that day. The remainder of the schedule will
stay unchanged. (D. Whittington, 6/30/09)

The National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) will be meeting
on July 6th, Monday at the Mariposa Senior Center. It is located on
Spriggs Lane off of Smith Road. Our program will be about fire resistant
landscaping and will be presented by a Master Gardener. We meet at 12:30
PM. Come early and join us for lunch. Call 742-7182 for reservations.
The lunch is always delicious and is $3.00 for seniors and $6.00 for under
65. (C. Liu, 6/30/09)

YARTS Passes for Volunteers
Volunteers (including Interns and SCAs) are not federal employees, so they
can't participate in the DOI transportation subsidy program and get a YARTS
voucher. But they can still get a pass! Volunteers may be reimbursed for
local travel expenses, either at $.14/mile or the cost of bus fare. The
park encourages volunteers who regularly travel from home to their duty
station to use YARTS instead of personal vehicles. YARTS sells monthly and
20-trip commuter passes which qualify; go to www.YARTS.com to learn more.
Simply submit a claim for reimbursement for volunteer expenses to the
volunteer office with the original receipt. Call the volunteers office at
379-1850 with questions. (H Boothe 6/29/09)

Community News
The El Portal Market staff invites the community of El Portal to a thank
you party! 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 1, 2009 with short comments by
the Superintendent at 5:30 p.m. Come and celebrate the opening of the
store – sign up for the Coffee Club and get the El Portal Market travel mug
with an original logo by Ansley Rothell, sign up for a charge account and
enjoy cookies and punch provided by the Market. Hope to see you there!
(K.Kari 6/30/09)

The Ansel Adams Gallery - Join us for Wednesday Art Night. This week we
will be presenting the work of pastel artist Roy Gould. Roy will be on hand
to demonstrate his techniques. As always, refreshments will be provided.
Wednesday Art Night is co-sponsored by The Ansel Adams Gallery and the
Yosemite Association's Art Center. For more information, call 372-4413.
(6/29/09)

The Adam Burns Band will be playing this Friday, July 3rd, in Mariposa at
the Art Park on Main Street, from 7-9pm. This will be the kick off of the
Mariposa Evenings live music series. On Sunday, July 5th, the Adam Burns
Band will open up for bluegrass favorites Hot Buttered Rum in Groveland, at
Mountain Sage Nursery and Cafe. Sunday's music starts at 5pm (K Ramsey
6/29/09)

The Marcis Family will bring some of our home-grown, spirit food from our
Lushmeadows BELIEVE Garden this week, Thursday, to the El Portal Community
Hall during Sal's Taco Night. We will have for purchase: Braided Garlic,
Potatoes, Carrots, Red and Golden Beets, Red Romaine Lettuce, Parsley, as
well as Tomato and Pepper transplants ready to go in your garden! See you
there. (6/29/09)

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Groveland this week and a little beyond
7/3 Ice Cream Social at the Groveland Community Hall. This annual ice cream
social is a fundraiser sponsored by the Groveland Kiwanis. The menu
features sundaes, shakes, banana splits, pies and lots more. Funds go
towards programs helping children in our community. Games & Prizes.

7/3 Annual 4th of July BBQ Pine Mountain Lake Stables. The Country Mountain
Riders and the Pine Mountain Lake Association host the annual BBQ, open to
the public with raffles, dinner & band from 5pm to 10pm

7/4 & 7/5 Groveland Art and Wine Show by the Sierra Professional Artists at
the Yosemite Courtyard at the Groveland Hotel, FREE A great little show
featuring works by our local artisans. The program always includes a raffle
for original pieces and fundraising for art in the schools programs.
Visitors enjoy art, wine and music throughout the weekend

7/5 Live at the Sage: Hot Buttered Rum & the Adam Burns Band at the
Mountain Sage Amphitheater www.mtnsage.com Robb 209.962.4686 A fantastic
Sierra venue, don't miss the experience of the Mountain Sage outdoor stage.
All shows start at 5pm, food and beverages available...great fun!

7/8 Honorary Mayor Stump-off at Mountain Sage Free Jackie 209.962.0429. Our
first of several stumping events, with beer, wine and food available for
purchase. Goose will be stumping right along with the rest of them!
www.HotelCharlotte.com/goose.html

7/10 Yosemite Courtyard Theatre: BluesBox Bayou Band The Groveland Hotel at
Yosemite National Park guestservices@groveland.com Peggy 209.962.4000. You
can't go wrong with this one, great price, wonderful setting—it all makes
for a wonderful night of dinner theater. Just across the street from the
Charlotte, dine with us and then off to the show!

7/11 Weekly Movies in the Park at Lower Mary Laveroni Community Park at
dusk a pittance www.YosemiteChamberofCommerce.com

Additional events and contact details available from
www.HotelCharlotte.com/events.html (6/29/09)

Acting Designations
On Monday, June 29, Sarah Stock will be Acting Branch Chief of Wildlife
Management. On Tuesday, June 30, Heather McKenny will fill the same role.
(S Thompson 6/29/09)

While I am away from the office on vacation from June 27, 2009, until July
13, 2009, Irma Keheley will be acting chief, office of human resources.
Please contact Irma at 209.379.1814 with any questions, concerns, etc.,
that you would normally direct to me. Thank you. (H. Whitman, 6/26/09)