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Yosemite Forum
"An interactive lecture series designed to bring evolving knowledge of the
Sierra Nevada to the public and the park."
Sponsored by Resources Management and Science, Yosemite National Park
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Auditorium, Yosemite Valley
Noon to 1 PM

Join Dr. John Pryor, Anthropology Department Chair, CSU Fresno for a
presentation on: A Grand Old Site: Preliminary Results from 12 Years of
Archeology at the Grandad Site.  Since 1998 the Department of Anthropology
at CSU-Fresno has held its annual Archeological Field School at the Grandad
site.  This amazing archeological site contains evidence of how American
Indians lived in the Sierra Nevada Range from the period of contact with
European populations back to the end of the last Ice Age over 9,000 years
ago.  For the last three years, the focus of our energies has been on the
total excavation of the remains of an earth-covered dwelling, measuring
around 18 feet in diameter, which appears to have been a chief’s house.
This project is one of the largest excavations ever conducted on a village
site in the Sierra.  Our work at Grandad is yielding a vivid picture of
California’s past. (A Long 2/3/10)
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Valley Fuel Station Update: The new site controller is up and running!
Locals can now purchase fuel with your personal Visa, Master Card, or
Discover card.  Your card will need to have a PIN assigned to it prior to
the first use.  All you need to do is come to the Garage between 8 AM and 5
PM, Monday through Friday, with your credit card and ID showing your local
residency or employment.  It takes just a few minutes to get the PIN.  The
number will be system generated, and once you have your PIN, you can
purchase fuel at the Valley Fuel Station 24/7 without having to purchase
pre-paid fuel cards. (D Anthonijsz 2/2/10)
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Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team Members Sought Individuals are
currently being sought to fill positions on two National DOI Burned Area
Emergency Response (BAER) teams as well as local NPS BAER teams.  BAER
teams are comprised of botanists, hydrologists, geologists, biologists,
archeologists, GIS specialists, foresters, environmental specialists, IT
specialists, and soil scientists, and address post-fire threats to human
life, property and critical natural and cultural resources.  Additional
information can be found at
http://www.fws.gov/fire/ifcc/esr/Library/National_BAER_Team_Vacancy_Announcement_2010v2.pdf
.  All nominations must be submitted by February 14th.  Please contact
National BAER Coordinator Rich Schwab (208.387.5642, richard_schwab@nps.gov
) or Pacific West Region BAER Coordinator Nelson Siefkin (510.817.1502)
with any questions.  (N Siefkin 2/2/10)
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Wildland Fire Resource Advisor Training: A Wildland Fire Resource Advisor
Training will be in El Portal on March 23-24 (an optional field trip will
take place on the morning the 25th).  This course provides participants
with the background to serve as Resource Advisors (READs) during wildland
fires. READs work with Incident Command Teams and fireline personnel to
minimize the impacts of fire, fire management activities and post-fire
conditions to natural and cultural resources. READs are also critical as
the starting point for identifying needs related to the repair of fire
suppression impacts, Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) and Burned Area
Rehabilitation (BAR).  The target audience includes botanists, ecologists,
biologists, hydrologists, geologists, foresters, GIS specialists, cultural
resource specialists and fire managers.  Please contact Jun Kinoshita
(379.1317) to enroll or with any questions. (J Kinoshita 2/2/10)
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The Wapama Falls trail at Hetch Hetchy is open for public use. (L
Kwiatkowski 2/2/10)
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Wawona Tunnel contractor Candelaria will be working on the new fire alarm
system in the Wawona Tunnel for the next couple of weeks.  There may be
short, 15 minute delays in Tunnel traffic.  Please drive cautiously. (D
Coon 2/2/10)

Updates

Yosemite News Release
February 2, 2010
For Immediate Release

Media Contacts:
Scott Gediman 209-372-0248
Kari Cobb 209-372-0529

    Yosemite National Park Announces Public Scoping on the Tioga Road
                 Rehabilitation Environmental Assessment

The National Park Service is initiating an Environmental Assessment (EA) to
study rehabilitating 27 miles of the Tioga Road to make safety
improvements, while preserving natural and cultural resources along the
road providing access to Tuolumne Meadows, Tioga Pass, U.S. Route 395 and
trailheads for the John Muir, Pacific Crest, Yosemite Creek, Lukens Lake,
and South Fork of the Tuolumne River Trails.

The existing roadway surface on this western segment of the Tioga Road is
in very poor condition, with no major maintenance repairs undertaken for
over 40 years. The existing road shoulders and road surface have
deteriorated beyond minor repair due to poor drainage and subsurface
erosion.  Currently, there is no designated roadside parking.  The informal
parking that has resulted is currently causing resource damage. The
proposed project would address these issues, as well as others.

Public scoping will begin February 4 through March 5, 2010. An EA will be
available for public review in fall 2010. Construction is expected to begin
in summer/fall 2012 and to be completed by summer/fall 2016.

During the public scoping period, two Public Open Houses will be held, one
at the public library in Groveland, CA on February 18th from 6 pm to 8 pm
and one at the Valley Visitor Center Auditorium on February 24th from 1 pm
to 4 pm.

The public is encouraged to submit comments online at the National Park
Service Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) site at:
http://parkplanning.nps.gov/yose/tiogaroad

Comments can also be submitted in writing to:
Superintendent, Yosemite National Park
Attn:  Tioga Road Rehabilitation (Big Oak Flat Road to May Lake Road)
PO Box 577
Yosemite, CA  95389

Faxed comments may be sent to:
Fax:  209.379.1294

An informational fact sheet can be viewed online at
www.nps.gov/yose/planning (K Cobb 2/3/10)
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TARGETED SPEEDING ENFORCEMENT
 Over the next several months, rangers in the Valley and El Portal will be
 conducting targeted speeding enforcement aimed at reducing speed-related
 traffic issues on the roadways.   Speeding vehicles are the greatest
 threat to people and wildlife in the park.  Moreover, this effort is in
 response to requests from the community indicating a desire for increased
 speed enforcement to better provide for the safety of pedestrians,
 motorists, and wildlife.  Citations will be issued where warranted.
 Remember that the people who use these roads most often are your
 neighbors, coworkers, and friends; help keep them safe by driving
 defensively and in compliance with all posted speeds and regulations.

 Targeted speed enforcement is a proven effective method for achieving
 these goals.  By publicizing these enforcement and education efforts, the
 National Park Service believes motorists can be deterred from speeding.
 Additional area specific reminders are outlined below.

 VALLEY:
 Traffic safety must be a priority for all drivers in the Valley due to
 extensive road work, altered traffic patterns, displaced pedestrian
 routes, and winter driving conditions.   Please drive slowly and safely!
 Remember that the speed limit in the east Valley is generally 25 MPH
 unless posted lower, and that the speed limit elsewhere in the Valley is
 35 MPH. The speed limit along the detour in Yosemite Village is 15 MPH.
 Be aware of new temporary stop sign locations in Yosemite Village.

 EL PORTAL:
 Traffic safety must be a priority for all drivers in El Portal due to the
 large numbers of walkers, joggers, and cyclists using the roads.   Please
 drive slowly and safely!   Remember that the speed limit on Foresta Road
 is 25 MPH west of the Post Office, and 15 MPH in Old El Portal.  Personnel
 in government vehicles which do not need to access the Rancheria Flat
 housing area should utilize Highway 140 instead of Foresta Road for
 transit.

 The speed limit in all posted chain control areas is 25 MPH. (E Gabriel
 2/2/10)

Employee Corner

Please join me in congratulating Mike Wichmann who has been selected as the
Branch Chief for the Project Management Division's Branch of Construction
Management.  Mike received a BS in Civil Engineering from the Colorado
School of Mines in 1988 and was hired by the NPS as a Construction
Supervisor for the Denver Service Center.  Mike has managed a wide variety
of highly complex NPS construction projects at GRCA, DENA, CRLA, MORA,
PUHE, SAGU, and SEKI, before landing at YOSE in 1993 to supervise the
construction of the El Portal Warehouse and Maintenance Complex.  Mike
became a YOSE Project Manager following the 1997 flood where he has been
the PM on a number of projects including the Yosemite Theater Renovation,
the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center and Bookstore Renovation, the Hybrid Bus
Fleet Replacement, the Curry Lounge and Registration Rehabilitation, and
the Curry Village Employee Housing project.  Mike has served as the Acting
Construction Branch Chief since May 2009.  Mike resides in Mariposa with
his son Cody.   (M Butler 2/2/10)
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It's with great pleasure to announce Taro Pusina accepted the position of
Deputy Fire Management Officer for fuels, wildland and prescribed fire.
Taro brings a tremendous breath and depth of knowledge and experience to
the Yosemite fire program.  Over the years, Taro has spent his career
forming strong alliances and partnerships with scientists, researchers and
the interagency fire community to promote the use of applied and natural
fire throughout natural landscapes in the west.  This background will be a
tremendous benefit to our fire program.  He is also an active member of the
Wawona fire brigade.  Taro will provide leadership for the park's
prescribed and wildland fire program as we continue to implement the
Federal Wildland Fire Policy.  There are many challenges and opportunities
ahead of us for the National Park Service and I am thrilled to have Taro as
part of our Yosemite fire management team to lead us into the future.  Taro
received his Bachelors degree in Resource Management and Forestry in 1992
from UC Berkeley.  His effective date will be Feb 28th and his office will
be located in Wawona.  Taro and his wife Heidi have 2 children and are long
time residents of the Wawona area.  Please help me congratulate Taro in his
new assignment!!  (K Martin 2/2/10)

Acting Designations

The acting branch chief for Archeology & Anthropology the week of February
1st is as follows: Monday 2/1, Tuesday 2/2, Thursday 2/4 & Friday 2/5:
Sonny Montague 379-1313, Wednesday 2/3: Jessica Middleton 379-1432
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Madelyn Ruffner will be Acting Branch Chief for the Environmental Planning
and Compliance Branch of Project Management from Monday, February 1, 2010,
through Friday, February 5, 2010.  She can be reached at 379-1226 or you
may leave a message with Karen Dera at 379-1002.
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Joe Meyer will be Acting Chief of Resources Management and Science for the
week of February 1.
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Sheri Ogden is Acting Chief of Business and Revenue Management  February 1
- 5, 2010.
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Katariina Tuovinen will be Acting Deputy Superintendent February 1-5, 2010.
She can be reached at 372-0286.
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While I am out of the park February 1-5 attending the Fire and Aviation
Workshop Eric Gabriel will be the acting Operations Branch Chief. (C
Cuvelier)
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Cindy Whitten will be the acting Human Resources Officer until further
notice, you may contact her at (209) 379-1878

Community News

Please come and support the Mariposa High School Grizzlies Cheerleaders
They will be having a Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser Saturday Feb 6th
Place: Pizza Plus ( Shopping Center on the corner of 49 south & 140 in
Mariposa)
Time: 6am - 12 noon
Price: $7.95 / person
Menu: 3 pancakes, scrambles eggs, 2 bacon & 2 sausage & coffee
Hope to see there! (Y Cheley 2/3/10)
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The Adam Burns Band will be playing this Saturday, February 6th, at the
Evergreen Lodge, starting at 9 pm. (K Ramsey 2/3/10)
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6TH STREET CINEMA is located in the historic Old Masonic Lodge (under
renovation) on 6th Street in downtown Mariposa.  Entrance is $7 per film
for non-members, and non-member students pay $5. Monthly membership is $12
allowing film entry for $3 each. Special performances and broadcasts have
alternate pricing structures. Recorded Information: (209) 966-1333. Staff:
209 742-6666. Visit our website: http://www.sixthstreetcinema.org or e-mail
us: sixthstreetcinema@sti.net

 Special event, Thursday night only!
Feb 4th (Thursday), 8:00 p.m.: "A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION, WITH GARRISON
KEILLOR, LIVE IN HD"
(Gen. Admission $22; Member Admission $18; Student $15)(PLEASE NOTE: 8:00
P.M. SHOW TIME)
Coming to you live from the Fitzgerald Theater, and beamed into movie
theaters across the country, it's a special Thursday evening edition of A
Prairie Home Companion. Featuring legendary English singer-songwriter Elvis
Costello, sibling vocal powerhouses Jearlyn and Jevetta Steele, songstress
Heather Masse, and the finest folk duo around, Robin and Linda Williams.
Also with The Royal Academy of Radio Actors; Sue Scott, Tim Russell and
Erica Rhodes, with both Tom Keith AND Fred Newman creating sound effects
mayhem, plus a punched-up Guy's All-Star Shoe Band, and of course, The News
from Lake Wobegon. Two hours of non-stop fun (well, there'll be a brief
intermission) on the big screen. Bring your Powdermilk Biscuits, Mournful
Oatmeal, and maybe some Duck Tape!

Feb. 5TH - 6TH (Friday-Saturday), 7:30 p.m. "BRIGHT STAR"
London 1818: a secret love affair begins between 23 year-old English poet,
John Keats (Ben Whishaw), and the girl next door, Fanny Brawne (Abbie
Cornish), an out-spoken student of high fashion. From Jane Campion, the
Oscar winning writer/director of "The Piano" comes this beautifully
romantic film that is on so many critics top lists. (Rated PG; 119 mins.)
(T Arfsten 2/2/10)
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Come on down to the Carabiner for some great dinner specials that include:
Monday: Mac & Cheese with a Side Salad
Tuesday: Chicken Pot Pie
Wednesday: Italian Sausage with Cole Slaw
Thursday: Rice Bowls with Mongolian Sauce
Friday: Chicken Enchiladas with Rice & Beans
Saturday: BBQ Beef Brisket with Potato Salad
Sunday: (Lunch) Chili Dogs with Tater Tots  (Dinner) Pulled Pork Sandwiches
with Baked Beans (SUPERBOWL)

Also going on this weekend at the Carabiner:
Friday:Pool tournament at 8 PM
Saturday: Family night (Valentine's cards)
Sunday: Superbowl party starting at noon!
Hope to see you there! (DNC Employee Recreation 2/2/10)