Yosemite Photos, Video and News

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Hetch Hetchy Entrance Station Improvements (August 16 - November 2010)
Abide International (contractor) will begin work Monday, August 16 to
upgrade the Hetch Hetchy Entrance Station. Work will last approximately
three months. Expect slight delays at the kiosk during this time. The
entrance will be upgraded with new area lighting, a new security camera
system, new doors and reconditioned windows, and new HVAC system along with
other improvements that will bring the entrance station up to date in
energy efficiency and security.  (M. Ortiz - 8/17/10)
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UPDATE - El Portal Complex Photovoltaic (PV) System (July 22, 2010 -
December 2010)
Paragon Industrial Applications (PIA) [contractor] started moving material
and equipment into the El Portal Complex area on July 22, 2010. To minimize
potential traffic and parking problems, PIA has agreed to work Thursday -
Sunday.  The contractor's staging area is located by the Wastewater
Treatment Plant, where they will keep their material, equipment and tools.

Thank you! The project is progressing very smoothly. Project Management and
the contractor, PIA, want to thank all El Portal Complex employees for all
of the great support.

        Last week - Update:  Work continued this past week on installing
        the racks for the base of the modules along walls 3, 4 and 5
        (south of the Machine Shop). Work also continued to install the PV
        racks and associated flashing on top of building J (Open
        storage/Archives). In addition, they continued installing anchor
        bolts at wall 2 (Machine Shop). Excavation work started between
        the Compliance Trailer and the walls south of the Machine Shop for
        conduit work for the new inverters. An attempt was made to drill
        the large hole necessary for pier footings for carport 4 and 5 but
        rock stopped progress. The contractor (PIA) will be bringing a
        larger drill rig for work beginning on August 26 to continue this
        work.
        (Thursday - Sunday): Work will continue in the areas mentioned
        above, as well as the work specified in the parking announcement
        below.
        Parking: Parking will be restricted to "No Parking" on Thursday -
        Sunday in the area near the Planning Trailer. In addition, on
        Friday (Aug. 27) employees are being asked not to park on the
        upper parking deck in the marked spots. Twelve (12) spaces will be
        indicated with a painted orange circle. This is the area where El
        Portal B&G normally parks their government vehicles. The
        contractor will be shooting elevations for pier placement and is
        asking that these 12 spots be clear of vehicles.

IMPORTANT - Get Creative to Avoid Extra Cars at the EP Complex : During
contracted work days (Thursday - Sunday) El Portal Complex employees are
strongly encouraged to carpool, use the bus, ride your bike or walk to work
during construction days as there will be a noticeable decrease in parking
during construction. Specific locations of work will be posted throughout
the project. NOTE:    Please remember to park Government vehicles in
appropriate locations and avoid taking over the limited parking available
for personal vehicles (perimeter of complex).

INTERESTING PROJECT FACT: This new source of renewable energy will result
in savings of nearly 12% on electricity purchased off the grid. At 13 cents
per kilowatt hour, the park is projecting a savings of up to $104,000 per
year!  (M. Ortiz - 8/23/10)
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Wawona Road Rehabilitation (June 1 - November 2010):
**Please use caution when driving along the Wawona Road - there are many
locations of unpaved surfaces.

UPDATE: Paving operations are currently on hold.
     *Today's locations of work (8/24): Today, there will be grading for
     placement of riprap for waterways near drainages throughout the road
     corridor.
     *Tonight's locations of work:  Tonight, there will be grading of
     pullouts for the placement of rock barrier stones as well as
     backfilling of curb in the area that begins a mile north of the South
     Entrance to the Glacier Point Road intersection (Chinquapin). Work
     will continue on the high-voltage electrical system that runs a mile
     south of the Wawona Tunnel (this work contains approximately 3,000
     feet and will be ongoing through September 17).

-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 - 8/24/10)
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UPDATE: Integrated Utility Master Plan [IUMP] (to be completed by the end
of 2010)
River Crossing Work to Begin Soon - Removal of Old, Abandoned Utilities
Embedded in the River
Mozingo Construction (contractor) is currently mobilizing for the river
crossing - related portions of the project this week. You are likely to see
work near the Stoneman Bridge area (across from Curry Village). Work with
heavy machinery will begin each day at 9:00am - and travel through areas
such as Lower Pines Campground, North Pines Campground, Housekeeping Camp
will be essential in accessing the river during certain portions of this
project.

There are 8 different areas through the river corridor where contractors
will be removing abandoned utilities pipes and materials. These pipes are
embedded into the river, therefore it is a delicate process to remove them.
Contractors will work to minimize turbidity in the river during this
process and will be monitoring turbidity levels. Work will occur over the
next 2 months through mid-October.

The removal of abandoned utilities is a large part of the IUMP  work in
Yosemite. IUMP utility replacement work involves the relocation of old
failing utilities (water, power, sewer) from sensitive environmental areas
and relocating the new utilities into new integrated utility corridors
underneath roads and pathways. This allows meadow and wetland habitat to
revert back to pristine conditions.

Other Areas of Work (both current and upcoming) include:
     The east end of Ahwahnee Meadow.
     Areas within Stoneman Meadow.

Allison Sierra (ASI) was awarded the contract for the new North Pines sewer
lift station project that is to start shortly before the campground closes
for the season. Stay tuned for more information as the project time nears.
(M. Ortiz - 8/23/10)
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Wawona Tunnel Ventilation Repairs (ongoing)
Candelaria Construction (contractor) is continuing the installation of the
new ventilation and fire alarm systems throughout the tunnel. They are
approximately 90% complete. (M. Ortiz - 8/19/10)
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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
Call for Nominations for the Yosemite Volunteer Awards
Over 9,000 volunteers serve Yosemite National Park each year, working with
nearly every division and park partner.  And I bet you can think of at
least one person or group who stands shines brighter than the rest. Let's
recognize them!

Please nominate your outstanding volunteers in the following categories:
     Outstanding Volunteer Service – Individual
     Outstanding Volunteer Service – Youth (up to age 25)
     Outstanding Volunteer Service – Group
     Outstanding Volunteer Service -- Youth Group (most participants up to
     age 25)
     Enduring Service Award
     Yosemite Volunteer Program Award
     Yosemite Supervisor of Volunteers Award
     Yosemite Facelift Participant Award

Award recipients will be recognized during Facelift, receive several
goodies, and be nominated for the National Park Service Hartzog Awards.

To be ready for Facelift, the deadline is short: Friday September 3. Anyone
can nominate -- NPS, partners, volunteer, even the public. Get your
nomination in today!
The nomination packet can be found at Sharepoint
>BRM/Volunteers-in-Parks>forms or by request from yose_volunteers@nps.gov
(H. Boothe - 8/24/10)
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Interested in Being a Model for Yosemite Conservancy Promotions?
Yosemite Conservancy is looking for hikers, outdoor enthusiasts and
Yosemite lovers to participate as models in a series of photo sessions
taking place in Yosemite 8/30-9/3. The photos will be used on our website
and in publications to promote the organization and our work in the park.
We are looking for a variety of ages and backgrounds, including children
and seniors. This is a paid engagement. If you are interested please see
the schedule below to determine if you might be available:

Calendar Dates and Locations
Monday, 8/30 - Tuolumne Meadows area
Tuesday, 8/31 - May Lake (morning)/Tuolumne Meadows area (afternoon)
Wednesday, 9/1 - Yosemite Valley
Thursday, 9/2 – Yosemite Valley (morning)/Glacier Point (afternoon)
Friday, 9/3 – Wawona/Mariposa Grove

Time of Day
Morning session (6:30am – 10am)
Mid-day session (10am – 2-3pm)
Afternoon session (2pm – 6:30/7:30pm)
Some days/locations may require slightly different time needs and short
hikes to reach destination

If you are available during one of the sessions and can provide your own
transportation to the park, please send an email expressing your interest
to Carla Pasqualini at CPasqualini@YosemiteConservancy.org by Friday, 8/27.
Spots will fill quickly so turn your information in as soon as possible to
receive placement. Please provide your name, date(s) available, description
of yourself (age, background, fitness level), phone number, and email.
We’ll follow-up with all interested parties to determine the best fit with
your availability. This opportunity is open to the public so feel free to
forward if you know anyone who may be interested. (N. Morrison - 8/24/10)
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Yosemite Fires – Update #16 – August 23, 2010

The lightning caused fires of July and August 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.

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).  The Slope
fire is revised to 658 acres.  Ground calculations were re-computed and
reflect accurate acreages to date.  Although the fire area had decreased
temperatures, winds did contribute to increased fire behavior over the
weekend of August 21. The most active fire perimeter is slow movement to
the east, with 8 to 12 inch flame lengths, through shaded and damp surface
fuels. This lightning caused fire began July 25.  Smoke may continue to be
visible along Tioga Rd, White Wolf area, O’Shaughnessy Dam of the Hetch
Hetchy Reservoir, Rancheria trail area, and in the Tuolumne Meadows 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. Fire monitoring crews were rotated 8/20/2010, and seven
firefighters are committed.

The fire has crossed the trail from Harden Lake to Pate Valley.  Hikers
will be escorted through the area.  The immediate Harden lake area is open
to hikers for day use only. Hikers are reminded to stay on trails through
the fire area.

Vernon:  (37 59.813 x 119 43.618); approximately 7000’ el., Tuolumne Co.
–This lightning caused fire has grown to approximately 160 acres. The most
active part of the fire is now toward the north and northeast, with 75% of
the perimeter active.  The fire has crossed the trail to Lake Vernon from
the Tiltill Valley Junction from the south and is closed.  Closed trail
signs are in place and hikers are to refrain from hiking to Lake Vernon
from the Tiltill junction.  The fire did become more active due to breezing
atmospheric conditions over the weekend of August 21.  This fire is in
designated wilderness, and will be managed for multiple objectives,
primarily forest restoration. It is approximately three miles north of
Hetch Hetchy Reservoir and one half mile south of Lake Vernon.  There is
significant lightning caused fire history near this fire; the most recent
being the 2006 Frog and the 2005 Wapama fires. The fire is in a
predominately red fir and Jeffrey pine forest.  Fuels burning are needle
litter and other down and dead vegetation. Fire monitoring crews were
rotated on 8/20/2010; and 5 personnel are committed.

Cooperators for both the Vernon and Slope fires include the San Francisco
Water Quality and Public Utilities Commission at Hetch Hetchy, and the
Tuolumne County Air Pollution Control District.

A high pressure ridge is to bring higher temperatures and decreased
humidities this week.  Moderate to heavy smoke will be visible over both
the Vernon and Slope fire areas.  Contributing to the smoke affecting the
Yosemite area is the Pinecrest fire near Dodge Ridge and Highway 108, which
is visible on satellite observations.

Other fires: The Tuolumne and the Wildcat fires are both inactive.  The
human caused Pohono and Clark fires are out.  All are being patrolled.

“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
  Firenews:  http://www.nps.gov/fire/public/pub_firenews.cfm
  Inciweb California:  http://www.inciweb.org/state/5/
  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 -
8/24/10)
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Annual Apple Picking Event - CANCELLED. The apple picking even planned for
today, August 24, has been cancelled, because of lack of apples. The apples
were so few, the bears were able to eat them before they ripened.  Also, a
volunteer group of 60 has made short work of the few trees that had any
substantial numbers of apples.

Sorry for the late notice. The size of the apple crop varies widely among
years, and this was a year of few apples, likely because of the cool, wet
spring.

Next year, though, be ready for action. (S. Thompson - 8/23/10)
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Yosemite Area Returned Peace Corps Volunteers: Have you served in the Peace
Corps and are now part of the Yosemite community? This is your opportunity
to stay connected and meet the Director of Peace Corps! On September 12
Director Aaron Williams will be visiting the park and would like to meet
with RPCVs. This is also a great opportunity for RPCVs to reconnect as we
look forward to celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Peace Corps in
2011. For more information please contact Jim Bacon (RPCV Guatemala 03-05)
at  jim_bacon@nps.gov, (209) 379-1375. (J. Bacon - 8/23/10)
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YOSEMITE CONSERVANCY AWARD - Please submit nominations by August 31, 2010
The Yosemite Fund Award was created in 1991 to recognize annually the
efforts of an individual in the Yosemite community who has done exemplary
work to significantly enhance the value of Yosemite National Park or the
visitor experience. This tradition continues in 2010 as the Yosemite
Conservancy Award. The 2010 Yosemite Conservancy Award will be presented at
a special reception in the Park along with a certificate of commendation
and $2,500.

Nomination Process:
A one page nomination should include: Name of nominee, reasons for
nomination, list of accomplishments of nominee, and name, phone number and
address of person submitting nomination.
When nominating an individual, please remember the following guidelines:
  The nominee must be a member of the Yosemite community, must not have
  previously received the award, and must be living.
  The award is made to a single individual and members of the Award
  Committee and Yosemite Conservancy staff are not eligible.
  If the nominee’s contribution is performed on the job, his or her
  efforts must be above and beyond what is required by that job.

Please submit nominations in writing by August 31, 2010 to Schuyler
Greenleaf, PO Box 99, El Portal, CA 95318, or by email to
schuyler_greenleaf@contractor.nps.gov. (S. Greenleaf - 8/23/10)

Acting Designations
David Pettebone will be Acting Branch Chief for Visitor Use and Social
Sciences from August 23rd to the 27th.  He can be reached at 209-379-1433.
I can also be reached on my cell phone from the 23rd to the morning of the
26th. (B. Meldrum - 8/23/10)
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Sue Beatty (379-3290) will be acting Branch Chief for Vegetation and
Ecological Restoration August 23-25 and August 30.
Lisa Acree (379-2171) will be acting Branch Chief for Vegetation and
Ecological Restoration  August 26-27. (J. Weaser - 8/20/10)
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Bill Kuhn will be the Acting Branch Chief for Physical Science and
Landscape Ecology August 24-27.  Bill can be reached at 379-1157. (J. Meyer
- 8/20/10)
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Mark Fincher 372-0219 will be Acting Wilderness Manager from 8/18- 8/26
while Mark Marschall is on annual leave. (M. Marschall - 8/18/10)
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Niki Nicholas, RMS Division Chief, will be Acting  Deputy Superintendent
August 16 through August 31.  You may reach her at 372-0332. (K. Dera -
8/17/10)
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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

 Uniform Ordering Deadline - August 31, 2010
 Please reference the items noted below regarding both FY 2010 year end and
 FY 2011 new year NPS uniform procedures.

   The last date to process the Uniform Account (UA) for Employee form for
   FY 2010 through the Fiscal Office is close of business August 12, 2010.
   Review your uniform account by August 12 as this is the last day of FY
   2010 that I am able to access the UA system for any necessary
   modifications.
   The  last  day  to  order uniform items is August 31, 2010 6:00 PM EST.
   Order now to alleviate potential problems.  Unspent UA balances are not
   carried  over to the new fiscal year for all uniformed employees.  Note
   that  back-orders for seasonal and temporary employees are cancelled at
   the  end  of  each  fiscal  year.   Therefore,  seasonal  or  temporary
   employees  are  encouraged  to  attempt an exchange for an item that is
   available  rather  than  have the money returned to WASO in a cancelled
   back-order.  Permanent employees' back-orders are not cancelled.
   NPS uniform ordering website:   www.uniformsolutions.com/lma
   To obtain lost of missing password:  Employees with access to NPS email
   may  email  VFSolutions  at  nps@vfc.com  to  obtain  this information.
   Employees  without  access  to  an  NPS  computer  are to contact their
   supervisors.
   Call  VFSolutions  customer  service  @  800-448-7968  to  address  any
   ordering  concerns,  including  status  of        back-order(s) for the
   seasonal  and  temporary  employee.  Employees without access to an NPS
   computer are to contact their supervisors.
   FY  2011:   October  1,  2010  NPS uniform ordering for FY 2011 begins.
   Uniform   log-in   account  numbers  and  passwords  will  not  change.
   Supervisors  are required to submit the UA form for the first period of
   FY  2011  in  order  to reactivate each uniformed seasonal or temporary
   employee  yet  on the rolls.  Also submit the UA form for any uniformed
   employee that may have entered on board after August 12, 2010.
   Permanent and term employees' uniform allowances are automatically
   advanced and will be reflected in the uniform account on October 1,
   2010.

 As always, contact me if you have any questions. (M. De Boer - 8/24/10)
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 FIRE EXTINGUISHER TRAINING:  The Fire Prevention Office will be conducting
 Fire Extinguisher/Fire Prevention Training at the Tuolomne Ranger District
 Office on Wednesday August 25th @ 1300 hours. Training is open to all NPS
 employees.   For Additional Information contact: Jack Alviso, Fire
 Prevention Officer: 209-375-9541. (J. Alviso - 8/24/10)
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 Job Announcements - SOME CLOSE TODAY!
 Title(Embedded image moved to file: pic01282.jpg)(Embedded image moved to
 file: pic13653.jpg)
 Closing Date(Embedded image moved to file: pic30674.jpg)
 Budget Technician GS-0561-06-07 (HRF 10-308)(Embedded image moved to file:
 pic02220.jpg)                                       9/2/2010
 Prescribed Fire Specialist (RX/fuels) GS-0401-09 HRF 10-302F(Embedded
 image moved to file: pic05402.jpg)                        8/25/2010
 Contract Specialist, GS-1102-07/09, (HRF 10-310)(Embedded image moved to
 file: pic06923.jpg)                                 8/25/2010
 Prescribed Fire Specialist (RX/fuels) GS-0401-09 HRF 10-301F(Embedded
 image moved to file: pic03831.jpg)                        8/25/2010
 (I. Keheley - 8/23/10)
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 THE FOLLOWING OPPORTUNITY HAS BEEN EXTENDED:

 The Division of Facilities Management / Utilities Branch has an
 opportunity for a detail/temporary promotion (if qualified) to
 Administrative Support Assistant, GS-0303-05 at the El Portal Waste Water
 Treatment Plant (EPWWTP).

 This opportunity requires that you can type 40 words per minute (wpm).

 To be considered, you are required to have your current supervisor's
 approval.

 The employee selected for this detail/temporary promotion opportunity will
 provide support and assistance to the EPWWTP supervisor and staff.
 Knowledge in written and verbal communication is essential. Primary tasks
 include receiving and appropriately processing phone calls, scheduling
 appointments/maintaining calendar for supervisor, receive and process
 incoming correspondence, take and transcribe notes at meetings and
 maintaining confidentiality and professionalism at all times.  Knowledge
 of a number of programs utilized in the Park, as they relate to the
 clerical and administrative support functions, is a key part of the duties
 of this position (for example Quicktime, Federal Personnel/Payroll system
 (FPPS), GovTrip, Operations Formulation System (OFS), Project Management
 Information System (PMIS), Facility Management Software System (FMSS)).
 Skill in computer use and programs and the ability to use a variety of
 office equipment and associated software are a necessity.  You are
 required to type at least 40 words per minute.

 If interested in being considered for a detail or temporary promotion (if
 qualified) for the Administrative Support Assistant, GS-0303-05, please
 submit your complete resume to Roxanne Zirkle in the Human Resources
 Office no later than COB Thursday, 08/26/10.  Please be sure to have your
 supervisor's approval; this may be e-mailed to Roxanne.  Don't forget to
 indicate your typing speed in your resume.

 Questions about this position?  Call George Harders, Supervisor, at
 379-1828 or Paul Laymon at 379-1077.  Questions about how to apply, call
 Roxanne Zirkle at (209) 379-1816.

 Thank you and Best of Luck! (R. Zirkle - 8/23/10)

Community News
El Portal Community Hall Association is looking for people who want to give
back to the community.
Our mission is to encourage, support, and provide opportunities for
community involvement and cohesion through our community center.  We exist
to allow, manage, and encourage the responsible use, and proper maintenance
of the Carrol Clark Community Hall.  We work to facilitate the improvement
of the Community Hall.
Our role is to manage and to maintain in cooperation with the NPS, a
Community Center that provides a positive, healthy, and safe environment
for social gatherings, and for arts, culture, education, wellness, and
spiritual programs, for all members of the El Portal, Yosemite, and Merced
River Canyon Community.
If you are interested please contact Todd at 379-2096 or Holly at 379-2042.
It is a great way to volunteer your time by giving back to the community
you live.
Please call with any questions or concerns.  The CC Community Hall looks
forward to some fresh ideas and new people that will continue to honor and
preserve the heritage, the history, and the people of our community, past,
present, and future.  Thanks! (H. Kuehn - 8/24/10)
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FOR RENT:  New 1 bedroom cottage in Midpines.  Spacious and light.  Jacuzzi
tub, swamp cooler, laundry room.  No smoking.  $1000/month.  966-5402. (Y.
Radanovich - 8/24/10)