Yosemite Photos, Video and News

Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Weather

Yosemite Valley
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. West northwest wind between 3 and
11 mph.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 44. West wind 5 to 10 mph
becoming southeast.
Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 80. South wind 5 to 11 mph
becoming west.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 44. West wind at 8 mph
becoming southeast.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. South southeast wind 5 to 11 mph
becoming west.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 45.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 84.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 48.

El Portal
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. West northwest wind between 3 and
10 mph.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 43. West wind between 5 and 8 mph
becoming calm.
Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 84. East southeast wind at 9 mph
becoming west southwest.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 43. West wind around 5 mph
becoming calm.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Calm wind becoming west between
6 and 9 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 46.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 87.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 51.

Wawona
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. West wind between 3 and 10 mph.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 47. West wind at 9 mph becoming
east.
Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 82. East southeast wind at 10 mph
becoming west southwest.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 46. West wind around 6 mph
becoming calm.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. East southeast wind at 10 mph
becoming west.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 48.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 85.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 50.

Happening Today (see Community News below for other current events)
YARTS - The YARTS stop at The Ahwahnee hotel is back in service again. (W.
Malone - 6/2/10)
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TIOGA ROAD - ADMINISTRATIVE ACCESS
Beginning today, Wednesday, June 2, 2010, Tioga Road is scheduled to be
open for travel to all essential avalanche trained administrative traffic
between Crane Flat and Tioga Pass. There is currently 1 signed, mandatory
radio call through zone at Olmsted Point. All personnel entering the
designated mandatory radio call through zone will contact another vehicle
in their convoy (partner vehicle) prior to and when exiting the mandatory
radio call through zone.

All authorized, avalanche trained, personnel entering the gate at Walker
Party will contact the access coordinator or their designee. Ed Appling
(radio #360) or his designee will be the access coordinator Monday thru
Wednesday. Bob Brantley (radio #261) or his designee will be the access
coordinator Thursday thru Saturday. For Sunday, the access coordinator
will be designated by the Tuolumne Subdistrict Ranger, Sally Sprouse (radio
# Tango 1). Park dispatch will be informed of who is the designated access
coordinator each day. Any authorized personnel should call in to the access
coordinator by 8:00 AM from the point at which the road is gated on the
west end and also when exiting the road at the gate on the west end.

Conditions may change. All employees passing through any Mandatory Radio
Call Through Zone must monitor their radio all day and be prepared to leave
the Tioga Road corridor if conditions change. All drivers should also
expect to encounter bicycle traffic as the road is currently open to
cyclists from Walker Party to Olmsted. Drivers should be aware of rocks
which continuously slide onto the roadway during the melt. Blasting
activity will be occurring at Olmsted on Wednesday June 2. The avalanche
team will reassess Olmsted on Thursday to determine if radio call through
is still necessary. When Olmsted drops to a "no stopping zone", I will
consult with roads personnel and advise the superintendent on possible
dates the road could open to the public. At that point, a press release
will go out through the PIO. Updates on opening Tuolumne and the Tioga road
are available at http://sharepoint.yose.nps.gov/prot/Ops/2010/default.aspx.
(S. Sprouse - 6/2/10)
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Construction Update:
Wawona Road Rehabilitation (June 1 - November 2010)
**June 2 locations of work: Today, contractors are working in a 5 mile
section south of Glacier Point Road intersection (Chinquapin) and north of
Alder Creek on pulverizing pavement for subexcavation. They are also
working in the area from the Wawona Tunnel to Bridalveil Fall, on removing
the telecommunications line and stringing curb line. Tonight they will be
working on underdrain in the area south of Chinquapin as well.

Crews will be working at multiple locations along the Wawona Road with the
following delays Sunday night 11:00 pm through Friday night at 4:30 pm:
For daily traffic control updates, call the park information line at (209)
372-0200 (then press 1, and 1 again).

11:00 PM to 6:00 AM 60-Minute Delays
6:00 AM to 7:30 AM 15-Minute Delays
7:30 AM to 3:30 AM 30-Minute Delays
3:30 PM to 4:30 PM 15-Minute Delays
4:30 PM to 11:00 PM 30-Minute Delays

Glacier Point Road Rehabilitation (June 1 - 11, 2010) - CORRECTION (6/2)
Crews will be working at multiple locations along the Glacier Point Road as
well as on the Wawona Road at the Chinquapin Intersection with the
following delays Monday morning 6:00 am through Friday night at 4:30 pm.
Weather permitting, construction is anticipated to be completed by June
11th.

6:00 AM to 7:30 AM 15-Minute Delays {These delays refer only to the
Glacier Point - Wawona Road Intersection/Chinquapin}
7:30 AM to 3:30 AM 30-Minute Delays
3:30 PM to 4:30 PM 15-Minute Delays {These delays refer only to the
Glacier Point - Wawona Road Intersection/Chinquapin}
4:30 PM to 11:00 PM 30-Minute Delays

Tioga Road Pavement Borings(June 7 - July 1, 2010) [Weather and conditions
permitting]
Beginning June 7 crews will be completing 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

Integrated Utility Master Plan [IUMP] (ongoing)
Mozingo Construction will continue work at the new Ahwahnee Hotel sewer
lift station.

Wawona Tunnel
Candelaria Construction will continue work on the Wawona Tunnel fire alarm
and new phone systems.

Tecoya Housing
Allison Sierra will continue with the replacement of old failing utilities
(water, power, sewer) in the Lower Tecoya area. (M. Ortiz - 6/2/10)

Park and Partner News
Attention river watchers! The River Forecast Center of the National Weather
Service produces a daily forecast of river stage at Pohono Bridge. This
forecast is updated daily, and can be viewed at:
http://www.cnrfc.noaa.gov/graphicalRVF.php?id=POHC1 (J. Meyer - 6/2/10)
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The General Services Administration
will be conducting an internet auction of Yosemite personal property
consisting of one Melroe Bobcat. For further information regarding the
sale item or to register to bid, visit the website gsaauctions.gov. Sale
number 91QSI10188 lot 318. The sale started on May 28, 2010 and closes
June 4, 2010. An appointment must be made with Don Ramsey (379-1024) prior
to inspection, no exceptions (serious bidders only). Park employees must
view the items and bid on their own time. Park employees are allowed to
participate in the sale, with the exception of any employee with unfair
(nonpublic) detailed knowledge or prior use of an item offered for sale.
Such employees are prohibited from bidding on that item, and the
prohibition includes their immediate family as well. (D. Ramsey - 6/2/10)
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Yosemite Fund Proposals
The time has come for this year's cycle of The Yosemite Fund's grant
proposal process!
As you know, the Yosemite Association and The Yosemite Fund have merged.
By combining the best elements of both organizations and 100 years of
experience, the new merged organization will do more than ever to protect
Yosemite and inspire enduring connections for current and future
generations. During this transition year, the process and format of the
forms will be the same as in the past. With regards to this process, until
the merged organization's new identity has been launched, we'll still be
referring to The Yosemite Fund.

The park has benefitted enormously from our partnerships with YA and YF.
The Yosemite Fund has donated over $40 million to Yosemite since 1988.
This process is the mechanism by which Yosemite National Park requests
funding from The Fund and its donors to further the park's mission and
accomplish important work for which other funding sources may not be
available. The grants for approved proposals from this process will go
into effect in January 2011.

Anyone affiliated with Yosemite, including non-NPS employees such as a
concessioner, can submit a proposal, although it must be submitted through
a Division Chief. The first deadline is several weeks away to allow for
collaboration in developing proposals. Notifying and working with the
appropriate division chief well in advance of the deadline is strongly
encouraged.

Four files are necessary to guide you in this process. The first is a
timeline and explanation of the steps from here.

The next is a copy of The Fund's "Guidelines for Project Selection." These
newly revised guidelines and policies have two purposes: to assist park
employees in preparing Fund project proposals, and to assist The Fund's
Project Review Committee in assessing those proposals for recommendation to
the Board of Trustees for funding. Please utilize these guidelines when
writing your proposals as it will certainly make them stronger.

The last two files are the proposal and budget forms, which need to be
fully completed for each proposal. The forms are very similar to last
year. Please remember if you are submitting a multi-year proposal the
budget form must have a completed tab for each year. Please utilize the
"sum" function built into the spreadsheets to tabulate totals rather than
adding the numbers yourself and typing the total in. To check a box on the
Word form, right-click the box, select Properties, and select "checked."
If graphics or maps are available, it is recommended you include them with
the proposal - such visuals are helpful to the Project Review Committee in
evaluating the proposals. Lastly, be sure to save a copy of both files
locally prior to submitting them to your division chief. Last year, some
forms had to be re-typed because only hard copies were retained.

Proposals are due to Division Chiefs by July 6th, 2010.

To get the aforementioned files, or if you have any questions, please
contact me at Jennifer_Treutelaar@nps.gov. I can also be reached at (510)
817-1345 through June 11th and (209) 372-0238 after that.

Two last notes:
Schuyler Greenleaf and I will be hosting a Proposal Writing Tutorial in the
near future and notice will be sent out shortly with the date and location.
The Yosemite Fund and Yosemite Association will celebrate their merger on
Friday, June 4 at 10:45 am at the Visitor's Center in Yosemite Valley. All
are welcome to attend. (J. Treutelaar - 6/2/10)
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Property Management is again accepting government property for disposition
beginning Monday, June 7, 2010. An appointment with Don Ramsey (379-1024)
must be made prior to bringing any government property to the warehouse.
(D. Ramsey - 6/2/10)

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Specialty Tram Tours: Beginning yesterday, June 1, DNC is offering a
Specialty Valley Floor Tram Tour at 9:00 am Sundays - Fridays. The theme of
the tour changes each day. Interpreters from DNC, NPS, Yosemite Association
and Yosemite Climbing Association have created special in-depth tours
revolving around a host of topics including: climbing, geology, rivers and
waterways, and birds.

The schedule is as follows:
Sundays: Vagabonds and Visionaries, presented by the Yosemite
Climbing Association
Mondays: The Unknown West End, presented by the Yosemite Association
Tuesdays: Vagabonds and Visionaries, presented by the Yosemite
Climbing Association
Wednesdays: Geology, presented by the NPS Division of Interpretation
and Education
Thursdays: The Feathered Dragon - Yosemite's Birds, presented by the
Yosemite Association
Fridays: Yosemite's Waterways and the Hidden Strength, presented by
DNC Interpretive Services
Saturdays: No program

Visitors will be able to explore in-depth at designated stops along the
route of the Valley Floor Tour. For more information contact the Yosemite
Lodge Tour Desk at 209/372-1240. (G. Rosenfeld - 5/28/10)

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Admin. Office Closure: All Admin. Offices will be closed from 8:30-10 am on
June 3 for an all division staff meeting. Please note: the IT Help Desk
will be open by phone. (P. Lendvay-Humphrey - 5/28/10)
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Merged Nonprofits Announce New Organization
The Yosemite Association and Yosemite Fund plan to launch our new
organization on Friday, June 4 at 10:45 am at the Visitor's Center in
Yosemite Valley. By combining our best elements and 100 years of
experience, we can do more than ever to protect Yosemite and inspire
enduring connections for current and future generations. We look forward to
celebrating this exciting moment with our partners and the Yosemite
community.

Please come join us for a celebration of our new organization.
When: Friday, June 4, 2010 – 10:45am
Where: Yosemite Valley Visitor Center (N. Morrison - 6/1/10)

Acting Designations
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)
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Laura Kirn (379-1314) will be Acting Chief of Resources Management and
Science June 1 to June 3. (N. Nicholas - 6/2/10)
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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
Volunteer Opportunity: Have you ever wanted to staff a fire lookout tower?
Miami Mountain Fire Lookout, half way between Mariposa and Oakhurst on Hwy
49, is looking for volunteers to staff the tower a day or two at a time.
You can sign up at their website;
http://www.fire-lookouts.org/cali/miami_mtn/ For more information contact
David Vorous, 372-0207. (D. Vorous - 6/1/10)
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Weekend Employment Opportunity: Yosemite Association/Yosemite Fund in El
Portal is seeking temporary outreach workers for the weekend of June 5-6.
Work will involve interacting with the public outdoors, and will require
moderate physical activity. Employment is 6 hours per day (8:00 a.m. –
2:00 p.m.) at $11/hour. Contact John at 379-2646, x. 11 or
jfriedrich@yosemite.org (J. Friedrich - 6/1/10)
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NEW - 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, 06/03/10. 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 - 5/28/10)

Community News
Earthfest Event at Mountain Sage: Here is the link to our website (
http://www.mtnsage.com/events/earth_fest.html) noting the free workshops
and list of vendors participating at Sierra Earthfest at Mountain Sage
Nursery all day this Saturday, June 5th from 9am-7pm. Some highlights
include a larger artisan vendor section, 2 specialized yoga classes,
workshops ranging on the secret world of bird song all the way to learning
about locally grown beef. Come by the educational booths to learn about
tapping into rainwater from your roof tops or learn how to put natural clay
into action in your garden. Top off the day with some of the best
toe-tapping blues of San Francisco with highly acclaimed bay area
funk/blues band Tracorum and Mark Twain himself giving a performance on our
quaint stage. Check the website for further details, or contact us at
info@mtnsage.com. And remember, this day is FREE, just for you. Hope to
see you then! (R. Hirsch - 6/2/10)
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JOHN MUIR HIGHWAY - DUAL INAUGURAL FESTIVALS
There is all sorts of actions planned for the “launching” on June 5th of
the naming of of the 14 mile stretch of J132 that begins in Coulterville at
Highway 49 and terminates at Highway 120 the John Muir Highway. Formal
ceremonies are taking place in Coulterville at 11 am and at the northern
terminus at 2 pm.

VIP guests will be appearing at both ceremonies. Coulterville’s guest list
includes well known Muir impersonator Lee Stetson and Muir’s grandson, Bill
Hanna. The morning’s event will begin in the Coulterville Park, where local
artisans and vendors will have a variety of displays from 9 – 11 am. It
will culminate at the actual intersection of 49 and 132 with a ribbon
cutting and sign unveiling followed by a parade up Main St. towards Greeley
Hill featuring vintage cars and several mounted units.

Food will abound, with a complimentary continental breakfast available in
the Coulterville Park from 9 – 11 am, a benefit BBQ in Greeley Hill for the
Vietnam Moving Wall Memorial from noon – 5 pm (behind Sanford’s across from
Fiske Rd.) and dinners being organized at both ends of the highway. Both
dinners are followed by theatrical performances.

The Coulterville dinner and theatrical performance features Mark Twain and
Bret Harte impersonators. They will dine with paying guests at the
Coulterville Old School House between 5 and 6:30 pm and then the trouble
will begin at 7 pm on stage at the IOOF at 5030 Main St as they share
stories of their adventures “OUT WEST”. Ticket information can be obtained
at the NMCHC at 209-878-3015. Advance dinner tickets must be purchased no
later than June 1st but tickets will be available at the door for their
on-stage performance.

The goings on at the Big Creek Meadow Ranch at the 120 terminus of the John
Muir Highway begin at 2 pm on the highway with a second formal ribbon
cutting. There will be hay rides, vendors and entertainment following. A
gourmet picnic begins at 4 pm followed by the initial performance of “The
Wild Adventures of John Muir” presented by the Yosemite Playhouse at 6 pm.

For more info visit JohnMuirHighway.net or call 209-878-3074 or
209-962-0429. (D. Silverman - 6/2/10)
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2010 Yosemite Community Scholarships
Congratulations to the 2010 Yosemite Community Scholarship Winners! They
are Leanna Castro ($1500 scholarship sponsored by the Yosemite Employee
Association), Carson Abbott ($500 scholarship sponsored by the Yosemite
Rotary Club), Emily Morrow ($1000 scholarship sponsored by the Yosemite
Lions Club) and Jordan Gover ($1000 scholarship sponsored by the Yosemite
Winter Club).

The Yosemite Scholarship Commission has been in existence since 1924 to
provide support for college education to local high school seniors through
the generous support of the Yosemite community. (L. Kirn - 6/1/10)
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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 - 6/1/10)
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FOR RENT: 2 bedroom house for rent with 4 acres on Triangle Rd. Beautiful
front and back yard. Newly painted by hip youngsters. $850 a month, pets
ok. Garden space in the back, and a detached garage. 2 miles past Silva Rd.
Be moved in on time for Carter Rd. Music Festival and walk home from the
party. Call Adam at (330)260-6875. (A. Stroup - 6/1/10)