Yosemite Photos, Video and News

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

Paving work has begun on the Wawona Road. Contractors started north of
Wawona Campground, and they will be alternating lanes every night going
north. Just south of Chinquapin, the waterline is being placed so there is
no pavement there.

     *Today's work: Today, contractors will be pouring curb south of
     Wawona, and also repairing damaged curb and some smaller curb runs
     north of Chinquapin.

     -For all Yosemite road construction information and updates, visit
     the park's website:
     http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/roadwork.htm
     -For daily traffic control updates, call the park information line at
     (209) 372-0200 (then press 1, and 1 again). (M. Ortiz - 8/2/10)

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Integrated Utility Master Plan [IUMP] (to be completed by the end of 2010)
Mozingo Construction (contractor) is currently working on the new sewer
lift station at the Ahwahnee Hotel as well as some of the fire hydrants and
valving on Ahwahnee Drive. Further work on the abandonment of old utilities
has been put on hold.

Allison Sierra (ASI) was recently awarded the contract for the new North
Pines sewer lift station project that is to start shortly after the
campground closes for the season. (M. Ortiz - 7/26/10)
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Wawona Tunnel (ongoing)
Candelaria Construction (contractor) will be controlling traffic in the
Wawona Tunnel  tonight and the rest of the week  for installation of a new
fire alarm system in the Wawona Tunnel.  The traffic control will be
between 10:00 pm and 6:00 am.  Candelaria will be using a pilot car for
traffic movement through the tunnel.(M. Ortiz - 7/26/10)
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Tecoya Housing (to be completed by October 1, 2010)
Allison Sierra (ASI) [contractor] will be working in the Lower Tecoya area
to replace old and failing water, sewer, and power lines and remove them
from sensitive ecological areas. This contractor (ASI) was also awarded the
contract for the new North Pines sewer lift station project that is to
start shortly.  (M. Ortiz - 7/26/10)

Park and Partner News
Yosemite Fires – Update #5 – August 1, 2010
The lightning caused fires of July continue to burn in Yosemite wilderness
and are being managed for multiple objectives.  This means fire managers
and firefighters may use less aggressive or minimal actions where the fire
is accomplishing benefits on the land.  For example, the fire may burn the
understory of trees, ridding the area of accumulations of dead and down
vegetation and accumulations of needle and leaf litter.

All fires listed are being monitored and data is being collected (fuel
moistures and weather) to determine what actions will be taken.  In
wilderness areas Minimum Impact Management Tactics (MIMT) are utilized by
using natural barriers of rock and lakes, or utilizing trails and past
fires thereby lessening the use of aggressive hand tools, i.e. chain saws.
Utilizing the minimal tool and natural features further reduces the work
needed to rehabilitate the fire area.  Firefighters do this without
diverting their attention from the safety of themselves or the public.
These adjustments firefighters make to effect minimum resource impacts are
essential if the spirit of wilderness and National Parks is to be
maintained.

Slope fire: (37 54.572 x 119 40.924; 6900’ el., Tuolumne Co).  This fire
has grown to approximately 180 acres. It is approximately one mile n/w of
Harden Lake in an area of frequent fires: 1985, 1996, 1999, 2002, 2005 and
2009. There is no recorded fire history in the immediate fire area.  The
fire is burning through the ground cover, with the occasional torching of
single trees or groupings of trees. The fire is backing slowly and flanking
the north slope with a low rate of spread although there has been short
range spotting. The north and southeast perimeters are the most active.
Smoke is visible along Tioga Rd, O’Shaughnessy Dam of the Hetch Hetchy
Reservoir, and across the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne River toward
Rancheria trail area.  The mixed conifer forest is on a north aspect, with
cedar and white fir trees, down tree limbs and compacted short needles as
the predominate vegetation. There are numerous trails in the area and all
remain open. “Fire near the Trail” warnings signs are in place, and hikers
are encouraged to heed the warning signs.
Cooperators include the San Francisco Water Quality and Public Utilities
Commission at Hetch Hetchy, and the Tuolumne County Air Pollution Control
District.

Other fires:
Tuolumne:  (37 57.024 x 119 32.58; 8000’ el., Tuolumne Co).  This fire is
3.88 acres, and inactive.  It continues to be monitored.

Wildcat 2: (37 56.865 x 119 30.447; 8000’ el., Tuolumne Co.) This fire
became more active over the weekend of July 31 and August I, and has
increased to 16 acres.  It is burning through fingers of fuel along
Register Creek, and it continues to be monitored.

The National Weather Service is predicting favorable air models for smoke
dispersion for the Slope fire, with no long term stagnation in the
forecast. Early morning smoke may be present down the Grand Canyon of the
Tuolumne.

Another update will be out in the next few days as new data is collected,
including photos.  Additional maps and photographs are available to view on
the Yosemite Webpage:  www.nps.gov/yose/fire.

“The National Park Service manages wildland fire to protect the public,
communities and infrastructure, conserve natural and cultural resources and
restore and maintain ecological health.”

For Additional Information:
  Fire Information and Education Office:  (209) 372-0480
  Yosemite Online:     www.nps.gov/yose/fire
  NASA satellite images of smoke:
     http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/subsets/index.php?subset=AERONET_Fresno.2010208.aqu
  USGS regional webcam images of smoke movement:
  http://sierrafire.cr.usgs.gov/swifers/pages/WebCam.htm  (G. Wuchner -
  8/2/10)
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Tuolumne River Plan Public Meetings in Tuolumne Meadows. Join project
manager and planner, Kristina Rylands, for an update on the Tuolumne River
Plan's progress. After nearly 6 years of research and study, as well as
involvement from the tribes, public, gateway communities, and other federal
agencies, the Tuolumne River Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Statement
will be released for public comment in late 2010 or early 2011. Come and
learn  what makes the Tuolumne Wild and Scenic River stand apart from other
rivers in the nation, and the actions the National Park Service is
considering to help protect and enhance river values into the future.

All presentations take place at Parsons Memorial Lodge in Tuolumne Meadows
from 1:00-3:00pm on August 20, September 10, 11, 17, and 18. There will be
a slide presentation followed by a short stroll by the river. Bring water,
sunscreen, and sturdy walking shoes. Allow 30 minutes to walk to the Lodge
from parking areas or shuttle stops. All participants will receive a free
Tuolumne Wild and Scenic River postcard, and kids of all ages can spread
the word for how to protect the river as part of the "Tuolumne River Giver"
coloring contest. (Everybody--and the river--wins!) To learn more about the
Tuolumne River Plan, visit online at www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/trp.htm. (K.
Rylands - 8/2/10)
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Yosemite Institute Winter Group Program openings
Residential Youth Education Programs in Yosemite National Park

Yosemite Institute, a campus of NatureBridge, is announcing a unique
opportunity for school groups seeking a winter program that combines
academic study with physical challenges, team building, and leadership
development in the outdoors.

Program dates are available for groups of 12 to 160 participants in
December 2010 and January 2011. Interested teachers and youth group leaders
are encouraged to contact Rachel Dunn at 209.379.9511 ext.11 or
rdunn@naturebridge.org. To learn more, visit our website
www.yosemiteinstitute.org/yoswinter.

About Yosemite Institute
Yosemite Institute, a campus of NatureBridge, is committed to educating the
next generation of environmental stewards. For almost four decades our
field science education programs in Yosemite National Park have been
connecting kids from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds to nature
and inspiring them to service. We use core science education to inspire
future generations to lifelong environmental stewardship. Our inquiry-based
programs ensure that our students return to their home communities with a
broadened view of the world and the tools to make positive impacts in their
neighborhoods.  www.yosemiteinstitute.org. (K. Cobb - 8/2/10)
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Summer Branch Drop: The failure of a large, apparently sound oak limb at
Cedar Court this week appears to be from early onset of summer branch drop.
With warm temperatures and light winds in the forecast it's time for
another summer branch drop advisory. Summer branch drop is a
widely-observed, poorly-understood phenomenon where large horizontal or
leaning limbs or stems suddenly break and fall. It seems to occur more on
hot, calm afternoons of late summer, and may be associated with heavy
foliage and/or heavy seed crops. Recommendations on hot, still, late summer
afternoons include: do practice situational awareness; don't leave immobile
people (infants, elderly, etc.) directly under large oak trees; do run away
if you hear a sharp crack in an overhead oak tree; do report witnessed tree
failures. Residents and workers who are under oaks daily may have a higher
exposure to risk of tree failure than visitors. For additional information
about tree hazards and tree hazard management in Yosemite National Park
please go to the following URL:
http://www.nps.gov/archive/yose/nature/veg_hazards.htm (B. Mattos -
7/30/10)
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FIRE EXTINGUISHER TRAINING:   The Fire Prevention Office will be conducting
Fire Extinguisher/Fire Prevention Training  at the Big Oak Flat Entrance
kiosk main office on Wednesday  August 4th   @ 1500 hours . Training is
open to all NPS employees.   For Additional Information: Jack Alviso, Fire
Prevention Officer: 209-375-9541. (J. Alviso - 7/30/10)
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New Quarter Launched in Yosemite National Park
About 1,200 people attended a ceremony in Yosemite Valley today to launch
the new Yosemite Quarter.  United States Mint Director Edmund Moy, Yosemite
National Park Superintendent Don Neubacher, other elected officials and
guests spoke at the event.

The ceremony culminated with Moy and Neubacher placing the ceremonial
quarter on the coin display, marking the official start of circulation for
the quarter.  After the ceremony, quarters were given to children by
Neubacher and Moy.  There was a commemorative cake, baked at the Ahwahnee
Hotel featuring Yosemite Quarter design in chocolate.  The Yosemite Ranger
Mounted Patrol and local musician and historian Tom Bopp also participated
in the ceremony.

A quarter exchange was held in which attendees at the event could obtain
first day issue rolls of the Yosemite Quarter.  This was sponsored by the
Yosemite Credit Union, a Division of Valley First Credit Union.

The Yosemite Quarter was the third coin released as part of the America the
Beautiful Quarters Program.  This is the first year of the United States
Mint’s new 12-year initiative to honor 56 national parks and other national
sites across the country.  The Yosemite Quarter design features El Capitan
and the Merced River. Editors Note: Photos of the event are available by
emailing Kari_Cobb@nps.gov  or by calling 209-372-0529 (K. Cobb - 7/30/10)
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TUNE IN TO SEE TOM BOPP LIVE DURING THE BROADCAST PREMIER OF HIS MOVIE
Who:  Tom Bopp
What:  Broadcast premier of Vintage Songs of Yosemite – The DVD  with Tom
Bopp live in the studio
When:  7pm, Sunday, August 1, 2010
Where : KVPT Valley Public Television, Fresno, CA
Why:  KVPT Summer Pledge Drive

A colorful, musical gift from Yosemite’s past. Yosemite entertainer Tom
Bopp brings to life 100 years of the Yosemite Experience with archival
films, rare photos, vintage music and stories, and a spine-tingling
re-creation of Yosemite’s Fire Fall. Tom Bopp has been entertaining
Yosemite’s guests at the Wawona Hotel and The Ahwahnee since 1983.

Artist Bio:
Tom Bopp has entertained and educated Yosemite’s guests at the Wawona Hotel
and The Ahwahnee since 1983. His interest in Yosemite’s cultural history
led him to develop interpretive events and programs over two decades (for
the Yosemite National Park Centennial in 1990, the Camp Curry Centennial in
1999, The Ahwahnee 75th Anniversary in 2002), and most recently a film
documentary called Vintage Songs of Yosemite.

Born in southern California (1957) and raised in Torrance, Tom studied
classical piano for 10 years and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from UCLA
in Music Theory & Composition.

Tom’s repertoire is an eclectic but by no means comprehensive mélange,
representing his shifting tastes in music, or as he puts it, a short
attention-span.

Whether he’s performing cabaret songs, antique salon music, cowboy ditties,
leftovers from long-ago classical piano lessons, Depression-era tunes, or
ragtime, spontaneity is the thing Tom likes best.

In April, 2005 Tom provided the entertainment for a small dinner party that
included Vice President and Mrs. Cheney. (Tom wishes to point out that
respect for the office does not imply an endorsement of policy).

In January, 2006 Tom was honored by his employer, Delaware North
Corporations, with the newly created Legacy Award of Service Excellence.
Out of some 40,000 worldwide associates, only seven received the award --
one for each of DNC's seven divisions -- of which Tom represents Parks &
Resorts. The award was presented at DNC's Spirit Of Vision Awards Gala in
Orlando.

On December 17, 2008, Tom was awarded the annual Yosemite Fund Award "in
recognition of the significant effort he has made to enhance the value of
Yosemite National Park as a national treasure."
Tom’s eclectic tastes are represented on five CDs available on the internet
at YosemiteMusic.com. His first movie, "Vintage Songs Of Yosemite - The
DVD" is based on his multi-media performances by the same title, presenting
the first century of the Yosemite Experience through vintage music,
stories, art, photography, and the only complete iteration of the Fire Fall
on film. In addition to nightly performances at the Wawona Hotel, Tom
performs winters at Yosemite’s Ahwahnee Hotel. (S. Gediman - 7/30/10)

Acting Designations
Charles Cuvelier, Chief Ranger will be acting Superintendent from July
31-August 5, and Niki Nicholas, Chief of Resource Management, will be
acting Superintendent from August 6-August 15. (D. Neubacher - 8/2/10)
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Sonny Montague is acting Branch Chief for Anthropology & Archeology from
8/2 through 8/5. (L. Kirn - 8/2/10)
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The following staff will be Acting A.O. while Katariina is out of the park
from July 29 -  August 17, 2010. Dale St. Vincent, August 1 - 6
(379-1106),   Lorene Schafer, August 9 - 13, (379-1873),  Dayna Jackson,
August 16-17 (379-1872).  (P. Lendvay Humphrey - 7/29/10)
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Elexis Mayer will be Acting Division Chief of Project Management during the
week of Monday, August 2, 2010, through Friday, August 6, 2010.  Elexis can
be reached at 379-1377, or you may leave a message with Sarah Henderson at
379-1202. (S. Henderson - 7/30/10)
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Historical Landscape Architect Daniel Schaible (379-1295) will be acting
Branch Chief for History, Architecture & Landscapes on Monday, Aug. 2,
2010.  Historical Architect Sueann Brown (379-1222) will be acting Branch
Chief for History, Architecture & Landscapes from Tuesday, Aug. 3 thru
Monday, Aug. 9, 2010.
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Jim Bacon will be the Acting Division Chief for the Planning Division
August 2nd.  Jim may be reached by telephone at 379-1375 or if unavailable
you may leave a message with Mae Frantz at 379-1218.  (D. Harrison -
7/28/10)
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Mike Yochim will be the Acting Division Chief for the Planning Division
August 3rd, 4th and 5th.  Mike may be reached by telephone at 379-1441 or
if unavailable you may leave a message with Mae Frantz at 379-1218.
(D.Harrison - 7/28/10)
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Until further notice, Brenna Lissoway (379-1283) will be the Acting Park
Archivist while Paul Rogers is on a detail as the Acting Regional Archivist
(PWR). If you have need to access the Archives, or have archive related
questions, you can also try calling at 379-1282 or 379-1104. (J. Bayless -
6/3/10)
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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
Come help us wish Pam Meierding well as she moves on to her next adventure!
She is leaving the NPS to become the Executive Director of the nonprofit
Balanced Rock.  Pam has worked for Yosemite since 2006 for the
Interpretation and Protection Divisions.  We're truly sad to see her go but
at least she will still be part of the community.  Please join us at 4 pm
on Tuesday, August 3rd at the Girls Club to celebrate!  If you can, feel
free to bring something to share.  Questions?  Contact Jeni Treutelaar at
372-0238 or Jennifer_Treutelaar@nps.gov (J. Treutelaar - 8/2/10)
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Farewell Party: Yosemite Protection staff is holding a going away party for
Ranger Les Kwiatkowski.  He is leaving Yosemite to head to the deserts of
Lake Mead.  Please join us at the Early Intake Pool (Hwy 120 to Cherry Lake
Rd, 12 miles, follow signs to Early Intake) for a pool party and barbeque
on August 9.  The party will commence at 1800 cop-time (6p).  Burgers,
veggie burgers, and chicken will be cooked on the grill.  Bring a dish to
share, a swimsuit and a story to tell.  RSVPs appreciated, but not
necessary. - Greg Moore 379-1888. (G. Moore - 7/30/10)
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Job Opportunity:   Facilities Asst: F/T position for Field Science school
in Yos Natl Park.  Experience in carpentry, plum, elect, etc.  Exc
benefits/work environment.  Valid Drv Lic reqd.  Ph: 209-379-9514x20 or
Email:  facilitiessearchyos@naturebridge.org  E.O.E  (P. Lovegreen -
7/30/10)

Community News
FOR RENT:  3 Bedroom / 2 bath home.  Stove and refrig.  Two story /outside
storage building.  Located on Highway 140 in Midpines.  $825 /month +
utilities.  209 377-8450; (cell) 209 564-6546. (Y. Radanovich - 8/2/10)
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Looking to Rent a Guest House or Small Home: If you have- or know of - a
guest house or small home for one adult, one child, and one dog that's
available by September located  between Oakhurst and El Portal,  please
contact Brenna at brenna.eagle@nps.gov. (B. Eagle - 8/2/10)