Yosemite Photos, Video and News

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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 - 9/1/10)
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Road Maintenance: The Mather road crew will be conducting road maintenance
in the Tuolumne Meadows area, expect short traffic delays. (B. Brantley -
8/31/10)

Construction Update
Tioga Road - Culvert Work with Minimal Delays (August 18 through mid-
September, 2010)
A contractor began work cleaning out culverts along Tioga Road on
Wednesday, August 18th. Work began at Crane Flat and is moving 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 - 8/30/10)
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Hetch Hetchy Entrance Station Improvements (August 16 - November 2010)
Abide International (contractor) began 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 - 8/30/10)
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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.

        Last week - Update:  Contractors (PIA and Suntrek) started
        mounting 240 watt solar modules this weekend on wall 5 (south of
        the Machine Shop). The park received over a thousand modules
        (solar panels) on Saturday, August 28.  The contractor is working
        quickly to install modules before the next shipment of 1000
        modules comes in 2 weeks. There is only so much room in the
        lockable warehouse, therefore the ones that are in there now have
        to move out fast.
        (Thursday - Sunday): This week September 2-5 - Work will continue
        on wall 2 (Machine Shop) for solar racking. Modules (solar panels)
        will continue this week to be mounted on roof 1 (Warehouse area)
        and wall 2 (Machine Shop). Work will continue near the Planning
        Trailer on carports 2,3 and 4.  A new drill rig is due this
        Thursday to try again to drill the pier footings for the carport
        columns.
        Parking: Parking will be restricted to "No Parking" on Thursday -
        Sunday in the area near the Planning Trailer for work on the
        carports. Appropriate signage will be in place indicating which
        spaces are closed to parking.

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 - 8/30/10)
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Wawona Road Rehabilitation (May 3 - November 2010):
**Please use caution when driving along the Wawona Road - there are many
locations of unpaved surfaces.

     *Today's locations of work (9/2): Today there will be placement of
rip rap in the area that runs from the Glacier Point Road intersection
(Chinquapin) to Bridalveil Fall.
     *Tonight's locations of work:  Tonight, there will be paving in the
area that runs from the Glacier Point Road intersection (Chinquapin) to
Bridalveil Fall.
     *Tomorrow's locations of work (9/3): There will be no work on Friday,
September 3 during the day.

-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 - 9/2/10)
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UPDATE: Integrated Utility Master Plan [IUMP] (to be completed by the end
of 2010)
River Crossing Work Underway - Removal of Old, Abandoned Utilities Embedded
in the River
Mozingo Construction (contractor) is currently mobilizing for and working
on 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:
     Areas within 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 - 9/2/10)
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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 Fires – Update #20 – September 1, 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: (37 54.572 x 119 40.924; 6900’ el., Tuolumne Co).  The Slope fire is
at 1027 acres.  The fire activity was low in spread, and growth, due to
much cooler temperatures and higher humidities. Only 40 percent of the
perimeter is active, most to the northeast.  It continues to burn 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 was rising to 600’ above the ground and dispersing to the northeast.
Light smoke may 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. Six firefighters are assigned.

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.)
The acreage has been revised downward to 377 acres.  It is creeping through
brush and timber, with flanking and backing movement to the southeast. One
foot flame lengths were observed by fire monitors. Light smoke was
dispersing to the northeast at 600’ above the ground. This lightning caused
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. Three firefighters
are assigned.

The fire has crossed the trail to Lake Vernon from the Tiltill Valley
Junction from the south and the trail 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.

Other park fires:  The Cloud human caused fire near Clouds Rest is out and
in patrol status.  The Tuolumne and Wildcat 2 fires are inactive and in
patrol status.

Weather:  A stable high pressure ridge has developed and dispersion of
smoke will worsen until Sunday August 5.  However the smoke production off
both active fires is so minimal, they are not being detected by satellite
images. According to Tuolumne Co APCD, the Pinecrest fire on the Stanislaus
N.F.,  produced smoke on the western flanks which is visible.

“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 -
9/2/10)
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Hetch Hetchy Day Use Hours Changing Next Week: The Hetchy Hetchy day use
hours will be 8:00 am to 7:00 pm starting September 7th to October 31st.
(C. Flores - 9/1/10)

Acting Designations
Kristina Rylands will be the Acting Division Chief for the Planning
Division from August 31 - September 3.  Kristina may be reached by
telephone at 379-1175 or if unavailable you may leave a message with Doyle
Harrison at 379-1110. (D. Harrison - 8/31/10)
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Jay Shields will be acting Mather District Ranger from 8/29-9/4
Chris Smith will be acting Canyon Ranch Subdistrict Ranger from 8/29-9/6
(K. Killian - 8/30/10)
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Sue Clark will be Acting Environmental Planning and Compliance Program
Manager beginning Monday, August 30, 2010, through Friday, September 10,
2010.  Sue can be reached at 379-1115 or you may leave a message with Sarah
Henderson at 379-1202. (S. Henderson - 8/30/10)
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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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Tom Medema, Interpretation and Education Division Chief, will be Acting
Deputy Superintendent  September 1 through 30.  You may reach him at
372-0332. (K. Dera - 9/1/10)
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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.

Employee News

 Peter Gavette is heading west! Peter has accepted a promotion at Golden
 Gate National Recreation Area.
 Please join us for a potluck picnic to wish him farewell on Wednesday,
 September 8, 5:30 pm, at McClendon's Beach in El Portal. (L. Kirn -
 9/2/10)
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 Call for Nominations for the Yosemite Volunteer Awards - Deadline this
 Friday Sept 3!!!
 Over 9,000 volunteers serve Yosemite National Park each year, working with
 nearly every division and park partner.  Do you know one or more who's
 work stands out above 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.
 Call the VIP office with any questions: 379-1850. (H. Boothe - 9/1/10)

Community News
ART HOP - Look for the gold balloons!
Friday Sep 3rd from 5 to 8 PM - downtown Mariposa
Meet local artists, view their creations, mingle with friends, enjoy music
and refreshment!
For more information, please visit www.mariposaarthop.com (L. Leao -
9/2/10)
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Do you want to learn how to play the guitar? Can you already play but would
like to get better? Adam Burns is now offering guitar lessons at the
Community Hall in El Portal and Cousin Jack’s Music Store in Mariposa.
These are individual, 30 minute lessons tailored to your musical style and
goals. You’ll learn by playing songs you love and get an MP3 recording of
your lesson so that you can play it back later. All ages and abilities are
welcome. Contact Adam today to get started at 209 379 4344 or
adam@adamburnsband.com. (A. Burns - 9/2/10)
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STILL LOOKING!
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 - 9/2/10)
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Wanted: Housing to Rent--Studio, Apartment, Private Room, or Share House in
El Portal. Permanent NPS Employee, Single, No pets, but will care for yours
if you have them. References available. Please call Karen Dera at (916)
705-0152 (cell) or (209) 372-0286 (work). (K. Dera - 9/2/10)
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FOR RENT: 2 bedroom 1 bath in town for $750.00 plus utilities.  Small back
yard for your gardening pleasure. 1 small pet allowed.Call 209-966-5847 if
interested (9/1/10)
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Groveland Events This Week and Weekend
9/2-9/6 Strawberry Music Festival (Memorial Day Weekend) Camp Mather
(Evergreen Road), near Yosemite Varies StrawberryMusic.com 209-984-8630
This festival has run for decades, Groveland children are brought up on
Bluegrass & Jazz and have a passion for outdoor music venues! Tickets are
often available at the event for single day or the series.
09/03 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.
pinemountainlake.com

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 Yosemite Chamber of Commerce will hold a Flea Market 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. YosemiteChamberofCommerce.com

9/04 Farmer's Market at Mountain Sage every Saturday. www.mtnsage.com

9/04 Pine Mountain Lake 19th Hole Lounge is pleased to present "Dyna-Mo"
Admission is free pinemountainlake.com

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 Rebekah's pancake breakfast at the community hall is the first Sunday
of each month @ 7 a.m.

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. grovelandmuseum.org/STCHS.html

9/06 FREE FISHING EVERYWHERE! No license required. Lakes and rivers.
For more events and details, see www.HotelCharlotte.com (Hotel Charlotte -
9/2/10)
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El Portal's Potluck Preschool will start the 2010-11 year on Monday Sept.
13th.  We meet every Monday from 10 a.m. to noon at the preschool room
located at the Community Hall.  All ages 0-5 are welcome!!  A parent or
caregiver must attend with the child(ren).  Come join us for Circle Time,
Discovery activities, Art, Music, P.E. and Story.  All activities are
created and presented by our parents.  No experience necessary!!  The main
focus is to give the children the opportunity to have fun together and, in
the process, to learn to love learning.  If you would like more details or
have any questions, please call Bethany Gediman at 379-2960. (S. Gediman -
8/31/10)