Yosemite Photos, Video and News

Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Weather

Yosemite Valley
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. West southwest wind between 13
and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. West southwest wind 7 to 13
mph becoming south southeast.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. Southwest wind between 7 and
15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. North northwest wind 8
to 11 mph becoming east northeast.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 72. East northeast wind between 8 and 14
mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 39.

El Portal
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. West southwest wind around 10
mph.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 44. West wind at 9 mph becoming
east.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Calm wind becoming west
southwest between 8 and 11 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42. North northwest wind 6
to 11 mph becoming east northeast.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 79. East northeast wind around 10 mph
becoming northwest.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 44.

Wawona
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. West wind around 11 mph.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42. West wind at 10 mph becoming
southeast.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. Calm wind becoming west
between 10 and 13 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. West northwest wind 6
to 11 mph becoming east.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 74. East wind around 10 mph becoming west.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41.

Happening Today (see Community News below for other events happening today
)
Hazard Tree Removal: The park forestry crews is conducting tree hazard
mitigation work, weather permitting, along the Big Oak Flat road between
Rattlesnake creek and the Crane Flat intersection. Work began Tuesday 6/1
and will continue for 2-3 weeks. Traffic control will be in place and
delays can be expected. Expect delays up to 20 minutes. The tree work is
part of the Big Meadow fire burned area emergency rehabilitation. Trees
that were killed by last years fire and that have been determined to be a
hazard to the public, employees or the road will be mitigated.The Big Oak
Flat Entrance can expect surges of traffic exiting the park in 15 to 20
minute intervals. For additional information, contact Butch Castro at
379-1968. (B. Castro - 6/1/10)

Construction Update:
Wawona Road Rehabilitation (June 1 - November 2010)
**Please use caution when driving along the Wawona Road - there are
numerous unpaved surfaces.

**Today's locations of work: Contractors will be pouring concrete for
curb in the section between the Wawona Tunnel and Bridalveil Fall.

**Tonight's locations of work: Tonight, there will be installation of
underdrain in the 5 mile section north of the Glacier Point Road
intersection (Chinquapin), as well as subexcavation in the 5 mile
section that starts about a mile north of the Wawona Campground and
continues north.

**Tomorrow's locations of work (June 10): Tomorrow, the contractor
will be placing curb from the Wawona Tunnel to Bridalveil Fall.

For daily traffic control updates, call the park information line at (209)
372-0200 (then press 1, and 1 again). (M. Ortiz - 6/4/10)

Glacier Point Road Rehabilitation (June 1 - 11, 2010)
Crews will be working at multiple locations along the Glacier Point Road as
well as on the Wawona Road at the Chinquapin Intersection with delays
Monday morning 6:00 am through Friday night at 4:30 pm. Weather
permitting, construction is anticipated to be completed by the end of this
week, June 11th.

Tioga Road Pavement Borings(June 7 - July 1, 2010) [Weather and conditions
permitting]
Beginning Monday, June 7 crews began pavement borings on the Tioga Road
between Crane Flat and Tuolumne Campground with up to 15-minute traffic
delays, Monday through Friday with no weekend delays. This work is being
conducted in preparation for a future rehabilitation project.

**For all road construction information and updates, visit the park's
website: http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/roadwork.htm (M. Ortiz -
6/9/10)

Big Oak Flat Parking Lot Rehabilitation (June 7 -10, 2010)
There will be minor impacts to parking on Thursday (June 10) at the Big Oak
Flat Entrance parking lot for striping to occur. (M. Ortiz - 6/9/10)

Barite Mine Work in El Portal (May 25 - July 4, 2010)
Contractors are beginning to work on mitigating hazards at the Barite Mine
in El Portal. The prime contractor is Sygnos, and Arizona Mine Reclamation
is a sub-contractor. Rancheria Flat residents may see contractor vehicles
parked at the top of the housing area, near the water tank; contractors
have been asked to drive carefully in the housing areas. This Recovery
Act-funded project is expected to be complete by July 4. If you have any
questions or concerns, please contact Joe Meyer at 379-1185.

Integrated Utility Master Plan [IUMP] (ongoing)
Mozingo is continuing work at the new Ahwahnee Hotel sewer lift station.
Mozingo is also removing old abandoned utilities in the Lower River area.

Wawona Tunnel (ongoing)
Candelaria Construction is continuing work on the fire alarm systems and
fans in the Wawona Tunnel.

Tecoya Housing (ongoing)
Allison Sierra is working on the installation of new water, power and sewer
systems in the Lower Tecoya area. (M. Ortiz - 6/8/10)

Park and Partner News
The Yosemite Pet Policy was initiated to protect our wildlife, protect your
pet, and to ensure your pet(s)
are not inconveniencing others in your neighborhood. To avoid losing pet
privileges, please
note and observe the following:

Pets within the park boundary or in public areas must be under physical
restraint or on a lease at all times.
Activities of pets shall not disturb, menace, or inconvenience others.
This includes unreasonable barking.
Pet owners are liable for any cleaning or damages to government
property.
Pet owners are responsible for properly disposing of pet's fecal matter.

Our office has been notified that pet owners are not picking up and
properly disposing their pet's fecal matter.
With the warmer weather coming upon us, this can attract flies and rodent's
into the housing areas. This can
cause serious health and safety issues. (C. Baker - 6/9/10)
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Volunteers Rock – a new weekly update on volunteer accomplishments around
the park. Planet Granite, a dedicated group of volunteers since 1997,
installed campground signs at Hodgdon Meadow on June 5. Also on that day,
nearly 60 youth and adults from Cub Scout Pack 23 of Nevada City, CA worked
on a vegetation project with Resource Management and removed ash from fire
rings at Upper Pine Campground. On Wednesday, June 9 be on the lookout for
"X-one", a group of sixty Japanese tourism leaders who are here today to
enjoy the park and volunteer too. They will be picking up litter in the
area around Mirror Lake. (H. Boothe - 6/9/10)
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The Yosemite Museum's summer exhibit "Views & Visitors: the Yosemite
Experience in the 19th Century" will be on view from June 16 through
October 31 in the museum gallery in Yosemite Valley. It features
paintings, prints, photographs and artifacts from Yosemite's early years.
The Grand Register of the Cosmopolitan and a selection of other historic
registers will be included, along with an interactive kiosk related to the
Cosmopolitan and a slide show of images of early visitors and hotels.
Please join us for the opening reception on June 15 from 5 to 6:30 pm.
Refreshments will be served. This exhibit was made possible by a grant
from the Yosemite Conservancy. (B. Beroza - 6/7/10)
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Yosemite Conservancy Begins a New Era in Yosemite
A new era in support for Yosemite began on Friday June 4 with the launch of
the Yosemite Conservancy.The mission of the Yosemite Conservancy inspires
people to support projects and programs that preserve and protect Yosemite
National Park’s resources and enrich the visitor experience. Support from
the Conservancy funds trail repairs, habitat restoration, outdoor programs,
volunteering, scientific research, and other essential programs that
otherwise would not happen.

The Yosemite Conservancy was created following the merger between the
Yosemite Association and Yosemite Fund, two nonprofits with more than 100
years of combined experience supporting the park. Working together and with
the support of our partners we can achieve extraordinary things for our
park.
For more information visit yosemiteconservancy.org (N. Morrison - 6/7/10)

Acting Designations
Acting Administrative Officer assignments: Dayna Jackson (379-1872) will be
acting Chief of Admin, Tues through Thursday (6/8-6/10), and Dale St.
Vincent (379-1106) will be acting on Friday (6/11/10). Katariina will be
available by cell and email. (P. Lendvay Humphrey - 6/9/10)
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Bret Meldrum (379-1216) will be Acting Chief of Resources Management and
Science June 9-11. (N. Nicholas - 6/9/10)
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Mark Husbands will be Acting Branch Chief for the Design Branch of Project
Management Division on Wednesday, June 9 ,2010. He can be reached at
379-1364 or you may leave a message with Tricia Radmacher at 379-1221. (T.
Radmacher - 6/9/10)
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Historical Architect Sueann Brown (379-1222) will be acting Branch Chief
for History, Architecture & Landscapes June 7 - June 18, 2010. (D. Humphrey
- 6/3/10)
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Until further notice, Brenna Lissoway (379-1283) will be the Acting Park
Archivist . If you have need to access the Archives, or have archive
related questions, you can also try calling at 379-1281 or 379-1104. (J.
Bayless - 6/3/10)
****************************************************
Jana Friesen McCabe (372-0288) will be the Acting Branch Chief of Public
Outreach and Engagement from June 2 - 11, 2010. (D. Sisson - 6/2/10)
****************************************************
Until further notice, Lorene Schafer (379-1873) will be the Acting Chief
for Contracting and Procurement . If you have contracting related
questions and don't already have a point of contact, please call Helli
Tucker at 379-1368. Please continue to route purchase request (PR)
packages to Lorene for Acquisition Approval in IDEAS.
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Until further notice, Ed Dunlavey will be the acting Operations Branch
Chief and Deputy Chief Ranger.
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Until further notice, Cindy Whitten will be the acting Human Resources
Officer - 209/379-1878.

Employee News
Submitting a Yosemite Fund/Conservancy proposal? Attend one of these
workshops to learn how to write an effective proposal!
(The Yosemite Fund and Yosemite Association have merged to form Yosemite
Conservancy.)

What: Proposal-Writing Tutorial

When: Thursday June 17th at 9 am, or
Tuesday, June 29th at 3:30 pm

Where: El Portal Large Breakroom

Why: Learn about what projects typically appeal to the organization, how to
write an effective proposal, how to avoid common pitfalls, what the Project
Review Committee is looking for, and more!

Every branch that is planning on submitting proposals should plan on having
at least one employee attend. Contact me with any questions. (J.
Treutelaar - 6/9/10)
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In Park Training Opportunity (CORRECTION TO LOCATION - 6/9/10):
The Resources Management and Science Division is hosting a two day course
titled:
Human Resources Management and Leadership skills for New Supervisors/Leads
of Federal employees

Dates: June 16 and 17, 2010

Time: 8:00-4:30 daily (16 hours)

Location: CLIFF ROOM, YOSEMITE LODGE AT THE FALLS, YOSEMITE VALLEY

Cost: $180/person for non Resources Management and Science staff

Course Content and target Audience: Many times in the NPS, someone
that has been in a position for several years gets given leadership
and supervisory responsibilities without much training, especially of
temporary employees. This course covers basic skills that both
supervisors and those that lead others without official supervisory
title need to know about human resource management. This targets
both those in GS and WG positions.

How to Sign up: Email judi_weaser@nps.gov or call 209-379-3296. (J.
Weaser - 6/8/10)

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EXTENDED - DETAIL/TEMPORARY PROMOTION OPPORTUNITY – Permanent NPS YOSE
employees -
In addition to the Superintendent's Office having an exciting opportunity
for a detail/temporary promotion (if qualified) to Administrative Support
Assistant (OA), GS-0303-06/07.

The Division of Facilities Management also has an exciting opportunity for
a detail/temporary promotion (if qualified) to Secretary (OA), GS-318-06/07
. This position works directly for the Chief of Maintenance.

These opportunities require you type a minimum of 40 words per minute.

Applicants selected for these detail/temporary promotion(s) would provide
administrative support to the Deputy Superintendent/Chief of Maintenance.
Assignments will provide an opportunity to work with a broad range of
people in support of park/facility operations. Skill in written and verbal
communication is essential. Primary tasks include preparing and
coordinating correspondence, including documents prepared for the signature
of the Superintendent. You will also answer the phone, respond to email,
maintain the office filing system, maintain adequate office supplies and
organization, and other administrative duties as assigned.

If interested in being considered for detail or temporary promotion (if
qualified) for either of these positions, please annotate your preference
(or both) on your resume and submit your resume to Irma Keheley in the
Human Resources Office no later than Thursday, 06/11/10. Please make sure
to have your supervisor’s approval. (Don't forget to indicate your typing
speed on your resume).

Questions about the position(s)? Call Don Neubacher, Superintendent, at
(209) 372-0301 regarding the Administrative Support Assistant (OA); call Ed
Walls, Chief of Facilities Management, at (209) 379-1063 regarding the
Secretary (OA), GS-0318-06/07. Questions about how to apply, call Irma
Keheley at (209) 379-1814. (I. Keheley - 6/4/10)

Community News
FOR RENT: Studio apartment in town (Mariposa). Freshly painted; quiet
neighborhood; private. No pets; nonsmoking; one individual. $500/month.
Call 966-6726; ask for Mark or Frank. (Y. Radanovich - 6/9/10)
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This Friday kicks off the Yosemite summer music series at the East
Auditorium!! DNC Employee Recreation would like to invite the entire
Yosemite community to a night of progressive-electro-club music and dancing
featuring 2 local DJ's - ENTRAGA - They rocked it at the Carabiner New
Years Eve party if you recall :) This FREE show is from 9pm until
midnight. Please bring an employee/photo ID and cash for refreshments. No
backpacks or outside alcohol please. Located behind the Visitors Center.
See you at the show!!! Save the Date: The Pimps of Joytime are back on
June 29th in the East Auditorium!! (E. Brosk - 6/9/10)
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Important Information about the El Portal Community Hall: If you are
interested in reserving the El Portal Community Hall for official NPS
business, a private function, or a public event, reservations are taken by
the El Portal Community Hall Association (EPCA). EPCA is a non-profit
organization run by volunteers dedicated to maintaining the hall as a space
for our community to train, meet, gather, organize, learn, and revel.
Please send all requests for reservation of the hall to
EPCommunityhall@gmail.com. Please allow a few days to receive a response.
Ideally, requests for use of the hall should be made at least 30 days in
advance. Although we are well aware that this is not always an option, the
sooner you can get your reservation request in, the better. We will not
always be able to accommodate last minute requests. (T. Newburger - 6/8/10)
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