Yosemite Photos, Video and News

Daily Report - Yosemite National Park

Friday, August 27, 2010

Weather

Yosemite Valley

Today: Sunny, with a high near 91. Southeast wind 5 to 8 mph becoming

southwest between 14 and 17 mph. Winds could gust as high as 23 mph.

Tonight: Clear, with a low around 47. Southwest wind 7 to 15 mph becoming

southeast. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. Southeast wind 9 to 18 mph

becoming southwest. Winds could gust as high as 24 mph.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41. South southwest wind

between 6 and 16 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.

Sunday: Partly cloudy, with a high near 78. Southwest wind between 5 and 11

mph.

Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly

cloudy, with a low around 42.

El Portal

Today: Sunny, with a high near 92. East southeast wind 6 to 14 mph becoming

south southwest. Winds could gust as high as 18 mph.

Tonight: Clear, with a low around 52. Southwest wind 5 to 11 mph becoming

east.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. East southeast wind 7 to 16

mph becoming south southwest. Winds could gust as high as 21 mph.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42. Southwest wind at 11

mph becoming east southeast.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. Southwest wind between 5 and 9

mph.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 45.

Wawona

Today: Sunny, with a high near 91. Light wind becoming south southwest

between 11 and 14 mph. Winds could gust as high as 18 mph.

Tonight: Clear, with a low around 43. Southwest wind 5 to 11 mph becoming

east southeast.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 78. South wind between 7 and 15 mph, with

gusts as high as 20 mph.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 32. West southwest wind at

11 mph becoming southeast.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. Southwest wind between 5 and 9

mph.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37.

Tuolumne Area

Today: Sunny, with a high near 67. Southwest wind 7 to 10 mph increasing to

between 18 and 21 mph. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph.

Tonight: Clear, with a low around 30. Southwest wind between 11 and 20 mph,

with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58. Breezy, with a south southwest

wind 11 to 14 mph increasing to between 21 and 24 mph. Winds could gust as

high as 31 mph.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 26. Breezy, with a

southwest wind 22 to 25 mph decreasing to between 11 and 14 mph. Winds

could gust as high as 33 mph.

Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy,

with a high near 58. West southwest wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts

as high as 20 mph.

Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly

cloudy, with a low around 28.

Happening Today (see Community News below for other events happening today)

Road Maintenance: The Mather road crew will be conducting road maintenance

in the Tuolumne Meadows area, expect short traffic delays. (B. Brantley -

8/23/10)

Construction Update

Tioga Road - Culvert Work with Minimal Delays (August 18 through mid-

September, 2010)

A contractor will begin work cleaning out culverts along Tioga Road this

week beginning  Wednesday, August 18th. Work will likely begin at Crane

Flat and move east. This project will continue for approximately 3-4 weeks.

Work will occur Monday - Friday, 7:00 am - 5:00 pm. Expect up to 15 minute

delays along the Tioga Road during this project. (M. Ortiz - 8/19/10)

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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. A slight delay in auguring for pier

        footings for the carport is in effect until a new larger

        auger/core drill type machine arrives next week.

        (Today - Sunday): A shipment of pro-solar racking is due today

        (Friday) and solar panels should be going up this weekend.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: Renewable Solar Energy generated by this project

will support the operations of the Wastewater Treatment facility which

plays a vital role in effectively treating wastewater that is generated by

park facilities. (M. Ortiz - 8/27/10)

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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.

     *Today's locations of work (8/27): Today, there will be placement of

rip rap in the area that runs from the Glacier Point Road intersection

(Chinquapin) to the Wawona Tunnel.

-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 - 8/27/10)

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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

Yosemite News Release

August 26, 2010

For Immediate Release

Media Contacts:

Scott Gediman 209-372-0248

Kari Cobb 209-372-0529

Yosemite National Park Eradicates Mature Marijuana Site

El Portal Site Contained Over 3,600 Mature Plants

With information obtained from a joint investigation with the United States

Forest Service and the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office, Yosemite National

Park Rangers raided a large marijuana cultivation site in El Portal early

Tuesday morning, August 24th, and seized 3,657 plants.  The site was on

land in both Yosemite National Park and the Sierra National Forest.  The

park worked with Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office Deputies and Detectives,

an Officer from Mariposa County Probation, and Park Rangers from Point

Reyes National Seashore.  The total estimated worth of the seized marijuana

is $14.6 million.

Two Mexican National males, who were in the United States illegally, were

taken into custody while working the cultivation site during the raid.  One

of the men was armed with a loaded .45 caliber pistol concealed under his

clothing.  Both subjects were wearing camouflage clothing at the time of

their arrest.

The marijuana plants growing in the site ranged in size from one plot of

young one foot tall plants, to a mature plot that was in the process of

being harvested with plants ranging from five to ten feet tall.  In

addition to seizing the 3,657 plants, several pounds of processed marijuana

ready to be moved out of the site were also confiscated.

The grow site suffered extensive resource damage, including damage to the

native vegetation and landscape.  There were hose lines, fertilizers, trash

and human waste throughout the area.

“We want these growers to know that we will not tolerate this type of

activity on public lands and we will continue to aggressively seek out and

eradicate illegal marijuana growing operations,” said Yosemite National

Park Superintendent Don Neubacher.

The operation concluded safely with only a few minor injuries to officers.

Both suspects are currently in custody awaiting charges to be filed. (Kari

Cobb - 8/27/10)

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NOTICE OF PLANNED ELECTRIC SERVICE INTERRUPTION FROM PG&E

WAWONA COMMUNITY

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2010

9:00AM-2:00PM

PG&E is planning a power outage for the Wawona community to repair

equipment on THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2nd, 2010 9:00am-2:00pm.

For additional information, please contact Heather Gonzales, PG&E Planned

Outage Coordinator at (209) 726-5588 (K. Bablitch - 8/26/10)

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Yosemite Fires – Update #17 – August 26, 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 at 688 acres.  The fire activity has increased in spread, and

growth, due to lower humidities and higher temperatures.  The most active

fire perimeter is to the east.  Fire monitors reported single tree torching

and short range spotting ahead of the fire. It is burning in brush, timber

and heavy accumulations of dead and down vegetation, through an area with

no recorded fire history.  This lightning caused fire began July 25.  Smoke

is 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 fire continues to burn on a predominately north aspect in a mixed

conifer forest.  Seven firefighters are committed.

The fire has crossed the trail from Harden Lake to Pate Valley and is

adjacent to all other trails to Pate Valley.   Consequently the decision

was made by Wilderness and Fire Management officers to close all trails in

the area to Pate Valley from White Wolf for safety to hikers and

backpackers.

Vernon:  (37 59.813 x 119 43.618); approximately 7000’ el., Tuolumne Co.

–This lightning caused fire has grown to approximately 230 acres. It is

burning in brush and timber, with the greatest movement to the east.  Fire

monitors noted single tree torching and brush fields burning.  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 Jeffery pine forest.  Five personnel are

committed.

The fire has crossed the trail to Lake Vernon from the Tiltill Valley

Junction from the south and is closed.

Cooperators for both the Vernon and Slope fires include the San Francisco

Public Utilities Commission, and the Tuolumne County Air Pollution Control

District.

A high pressure ridge has brought very high temperatures and decreased

humidities this week.  Moderate to heavy smoke will be visible over both

the Vernon and Slope fire areas with transport winds from the southwest.

Other fires: The Tuolumne and the Wildcat fires are both inactive.  The

fires 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

  Current Yosemite Fire Activity Online:

     http://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/currentfire.htm

  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 -

     8/26/10)

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Lightning Caused Fires in Yosemite National Park Prompt Trail Closures

Two lightning caused fires in the northern portion of Yosemite National

Park continue to burn in the areas of Lake Vernon and Harden Lake.  The

fire in the Lake Vernon area, known as the Vernon Fire, has grown from 160

acres to 230 acres in the past two days.  The fire in the Harden Lake area,

known as the Slope Fire, continues to progress slowly and current acreage

is at 688 acres.

Moderate smoke from both fires is visible in the Hetch Hetchy area, as well

as along the Tioga Road near the White Wolf area.

All trails to Pate Valley from White Wolf have been closed due to fire

activity related to the Slope Fire.  Additionally, the trail from Tiltill

Valley Trail Junction to Lake Vernon remains closed due to the fire

activity of the Vernon Fire.  Both trails will remain closed until further

notice.  The Tiltill Valley trail to Tiltill Mountain remains open.

The Slope Fire and the Vernon Fire are both located in Yosemite Wilderness

and pose no threat to park facilities.  The fires are being managed by

Yosemite Fire Crews for ecological benefits.  Fire is a natural part of the

ecosystem.  It reduces dead vegetation, stimulates new growth, and improves

habitat for wildlife.

Cooperating agencies include San Francisco Public Utilities Commission and

the Tuolumne County Air Pollution Control District.

For more information on fire, please visit

http://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/current_fire.htm  or call 209-372-0480.

(K. Cobb - 8/26/10)

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Operation Coordinated with Mariposa County

This week National Park Service Rangers and Mariposa County Sheriff’s

Office Deputies began a joint operation to raid a large marijuana

cultivation site in the El Portal area.  These sites contribute to the

introduction of insecticides, herbicides, and unwanted fertilizers into the

natural ecosystem and impact both NPS and USFS lands.  The purpose of the

operation is to remove the illegal cultivation site; document the

environmental damage; take into custody any individuals found in the site;

and improve public safety.

This is the second cultivation site found on National Park Service property

so  far this season, and approximately the eighth site found in the Highway

140  corridor  this  year.  We are requesting the help of all Yosemite area

residents as we have reason to believe that individuals associated with the

cultivation site may flee the area.

The  community  and  employees  can  provide tips and leads to the Yosemite

Emergency  Communications Center at 209-379-1992.  Things to be looking for

include

  A person who appear suddenly and then retreats into the brush

  Hitchhikers  that  appear  as  if they have been in the woods for a long

     period of time or adversely experiencing heat related emergencies

  Individuals  dressed  in camouflage or clothing too warm for the weather

     (long  sleeves  and  jeans  when  the  general  population is wearing

     shorts)

  Hitchhikers  that  lack  traditional  outdoor equipment (i.e. fishing or

     climbing gear, sleeping bag, tents)

Please  notify  NPS  Dispatch  and  advise  them  of the location, time and

direction  of  travel  when  you observed those individuals.  Your tips and

leads  are  greatly appreciated as we seek to eliminate the resource damage

in and adjacent to Yosemite.

Yosemite ECC: 209-379-1992

Investigations Branch Office: 209-372-0614 (C. Cuvelier - 8/25/10)

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Summer Branch Drop Advisory

With high temperatures 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 go to:

http://www.nps.gov/archive/yose/nature/veg_hazards.htm (B. Mattos -

8/25/10)

Acting Designations

The eminent Scott R Jackson will be acting for the esteemed park

archeologist Laura Kirn on Friday, 27 August 2010. (D. Curtis - 8/27/10)

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Andy Fristensky (372-0599) will be acting Branch Chief for Interpretive

Field Operations August 27-September 7.

Carol Blaney (372-0445) will be acting Branch Chief for Interpretive Field

Operations September 8-10. (V. Mates - 8/27/10)

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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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Lisa Acree (379-2171) will be acting Branch Chief for Vegetation and

Ecological Restoration  August 26-27.

Sue Beatty (379-3290) will be acting Branch Chief for Vegetation and

Ecological Restoration  August 30. (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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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

Community News

TONIGHT: GRAND PARTY AND FUNDRAISER FOR EL PORTAL SCHOOLS  -- FRIDAY,

AUGUST 27th at 5:30 PM at the EL PORTAL COMMUNITY HALL.  Say goodbye to

PHYLLIS WEBER -- 32 years of service  and hello to SEAN JACOBS -- new El

Portal Principal.  Food, Drink, LIVE MUSIC and Fun donated by DNC, YEA and

the ADAM BURNS BAND.  Dinner and Remarks -- 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Adults,

$10 and Children $5.  Hamburgers, hot dogs, salad and ice cream.  Adam

Burns Band at 7:30 p.m. -- a $10 donation requested.  STUDENTS, FRIENDS,

FAMILY AND COMMUNITY WELCOME!!!! (I. Guy - 8/25/10)

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Groveland Events This Weekend

8/28 Friends of the Groveland Library and Mountain Sage are pleased to

present a FREE performance 6:00 p.m. at the Sage's outdoor theater. You'll

enjoy the Gold Rush tales of master storyteller Hard Luck Lin along with a

fun selection of old-time folk and blues performed by the Ragland Family

Band. Free watermelon! Bring a blanket or low chair, your dancing shoes and

enjoy small town fun at its' finest.

8/28 Farmers Market every Saturday at Mountain Sage with great local

produce, homemade treats, artisans, crafts, impromptu music and more.

Starts 8 a.m.

8/28 "Rockslide!"For Your Musical Enjoyment Pine Mountain Lake 19th Hole

Lounge is pleased to present "Rockslide" OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! 8 pm to

Midnight! Admission is free.

9/03 Karaoke with Shirley, the hill's most talented spinner. Pine Mountain

Lake 19th Hole Lounge. Shirley keeps the music flowing! This is one of the

most popular nights out, singing, dancing and enjoying friends and

neighbors while meeting new people too. Great venue! Admission is free.

9/03 Green String Farm Band at Evergreen Lodge. Join us in the tavern as we

welcome from Sonoma County, the Green String Farm Band returns. For more

information, call (209) ­ 379-2606 or visit evergreenlodge.com

9/04 Flea Market Hosted by the Yosemite Chamber of Commerce at Mary

Laveroni Park in Groveland September 4, starting at 7:00 a.m. Bring your

treasures and extra stuff to sell. The Flea Market will be held in the

upper park parking lot. For spaces, call Laurie 962-0323, or Tony 962-0824.

Spaces are $10.00 each. Bring some shade.

9/04 "Dyna-Mo"For Your Musical Enjoyment Pine Mountain Lake 19th Hole

Lounge is pleased to present "Dyna-Mo" OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! 8 p.m. to

Midnight! Admission is free.

9/04 Kate Gaffney at Evergreen Lodge. Join us in the tavern as we welcome

for the first time to the Evergreen, Singer-songwriter Kate Gaffney. For

more information, call (209) ­ 379-2606 or visit evergreenlodge.com

9/05 STCHS 2nd Annual Labor Day Country Barbeque. On Sunday, September 5th

at the Pine Mountain Lake Stables. Tickets available at Yosemite Bank,

Groveland Museum and at the door.

9/06 FREE FISHING EVERYWHERE! No license required. Lakes and rivers. (Hotel

Charlotte - 8/27/10)

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TONIGHT: Free Movie Night!!!  7:30 pm on Friday, August 27th at Yosemite

Community Church.  Showing of "The Hiding Place", the true story of a

family that fought the Nazi madness with the only weapon they had. Love.

Free popcorn and soda!  Everyone welcome. (D. Engelstad - 8/26/10)

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TOMORROW: FREE & FUN! Friends of the Groveland Library invite you to a

night of stories and music celebrating the life & times of Mark Twain, at

Mountain Sage on Sat, Aug 28th at 6pm. Hard Luck Lin, a veteran '49er,

recounts adventures, and maybe a tall tale or two, from back in the day and

The Ragland Family Band entertains with music. Free watermelon! Bring a

blanket or low chair, your dancing shoes. See you there!(Mountain Sage -

8/26/10)

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Housing Wanted.  Looking for a small house with at least 2 bedrooms (or

more) and 1 (or 2 ) bathrooms located within 50 minutes of the El Portal

Admin building.   I am a non-smoker with 2 senior cats who are litter box

trained and would appreciate heating and cooling, stove, refrigerator and

water.  My contact info is:  Jody Auerbach, Work: (209) 379-1227  CELL:

(209) 617-1119. (J. Auerbach - 8/27/10)

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FOR RENT:  4 bedroom, 1-3/4 bath house, 50 minutes from El Portal.

Available fully furnished (even dishes!) for $1550/month or empty for

$1250/month, includes satellite TV.  Freshly painted, new carpet in almost

entire house, very clean!  Garage with opener, pool, woodstove, fireplace,

forced-air heat, evaporative cooler.   Secluded setting off good paved

road.  No smoking;  pets considered with increased deposit/rent.  Great for

family or several room-mates.  209-966-6644 or e-mail house@shearwalls.com

(C. Baker - 8/26/10)

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Steven Stayner statue dedication is Saturday in Merced

The Steven Stayner and Missing Children’s Memorial dedication will be held

from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 28, in Applegate Park.

Steven Stayner was the Merced youth who was abducted while walking home

from school in 1972. Nearly eight years later Stayner created national

headlines when he escaped from his kidnapper with 5-year-old Timmy White.

Stayner championed the cause of missing children until his untimely death

at age 24 in a 1989 motorcycle accident. White became a Los Angeles County

sheriff’s deputy and died this year at age 35 of a pulmonary embolism.

The dedication ceremony, hosted by the Steven Stayner Memorial Committee

and the City of Merced Department of Parks and Community Services, will

start at the grove of trees near N and 26th Streets. Later the statue of

Steven and Timmy located near M Street will be unveiled.

Steven’s children and family are expected at the ceremony, along with

members of the White family. Also among those expected to attend are Russ

Van Voorhis, the Ukiah police officer who was the first to encounter Steven

after his escape. Beverly Smith, the mother of Vanessa Smith who went

missing from her Winton home in 1997, plans to be at the dedication. Ed

Smart, the father of Utah abduction victim Elizabeth Smart, has sent a

letter to be read at the dedication. Former Merced County Supervisor

Kathleen Crookham will be the master of ceremonies.

The statue is located in a new addition to Applegate Park at 26th and M

Streets. The one-acre property features an ornamental metal archway serving

as an entrance to the park, with a winding walkway leading to the statue.

The life-sized statue was created by world-renowned sculptor Paula Slater

of Hidden Valley Lake.

People attending the ceremony are asked to park in the lot at 2525 O

Street. The Stayner Memorial Committee website is

www.stevenstaynermemorial.org. (K. Baker - 8/27/10)