Yosemite Photos, Video and News

Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Friday, June 4, 2010

Weather

Yosemite Valley
Today: Partly sunny, with a high near 79. West southwest wind between 7 and
13 mph.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 51. Southwest wind between 7 and
10 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 87. South southeast wind 8 to 10 mph
becoming west southwest.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 54. West wind 6 to 8 mph becoming
east.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 89. East northeast wind at 9 mph becoming
west.
Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 52.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 88.

El Portal
Today: Partly sunny, with a high near 87. West southwest wind between 3 and
10 mph.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 50. West southwest wind between 5
and 8 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 91. East southeast wind 7 to 9 mph
becoming west.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 41. West wind around 7 mph
becoming east northeast.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 95. Northeast wind 5 to 8 mph becoming
west.
Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 52.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 95.

Wawona
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. West wind between 5 and 10 mph.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 53. West southwest wind between 5
and 8 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 88. Southeast wind 6 to 9 mph becoming
west.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 54. West wind around 9 mph
becoming east.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 91. East northeast wind 6 to 8 mph becoming
west.
Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 53.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 90.

Happening Today & This Weekend (see Community News below for other events
happening today or this weekend)
Merged Nonprofits Announce New Organization
The Yosemite Association and Yosemite Fund plan to launch our new
organization today, on Friday, June 4, at 10:45 am at the Visitor Center in
Yosemite Valley. By combining our best elements and 100 years of
experience, we can do more than ever to protect Yosemite and inspire
enduring connections for current and future generations. We look forward to
celebrating this exciting moment with our partners and the Yosemite
community.
Please come join us for a celebration of our new organization.
When: Friday, June 4, 2010 – 10:45am
Where: Yosemite Valley Visitor Center (N. Morrison - 6/1/10)
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YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK ANNOUNCES FEE FREE WEEKEND ON JUNE 5 – 6

Yosemite National Park Superintendent Don Neubacher announced that entrance
to Yosemite National Park will be free this weekend, June 5-6. The fee
free weekend is in celebration of National Trails Day, which is intended to
inspire hikers to seek out their favorite trails on public lands across
America. It also provides an opportunity to thank volunteers working on
developing and maintaining hiking trails.

Several other fee free days will take place in 2010 including August 14-15,
September 25 (Public Lands Day), and November 11 (Veterans Day).

National Public Lands Day, September 25, is intended to educate Americans
about the environment and natural resources. It also builds partnerships
between local communities and improves outdoor recreation. November 11,
Veterans Day, is to show honor for current members and retired members of
the United States armed forces and their families. An additional fee free
weekend, August 14-15, was added to the 2010 fee free days in an attempt to
help families who have been affected by the current economic situation by
providing a chance to visit public lands for free.

The free entrance days waive entrance fees for entering the park. All
other fees associated with camping, lodging, or activities within the park
are still in effect. (K. Cobb - 6/4/10)
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Announcing the beginning of Yosemite fire season – June 4, 2010
Yosemite fire managers are announcing the 2010 Fire Season begins today.
Fire season officially begins when seasonal firefighting equipment and
personnel are in place, prepared and ready to respond.

Additionally, residential yard burning in El Portal will end today due to
drying of vegetation, higher temperatures and lower humidities. The end of
residential burning for the other park residential communities of Wawona,
Foresta, Hodgdon and Aspen Valley will end on June 19.

Homeowners living in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) are reminded to
complete their defensible space by clearing hazardous dry vegetation away
from their homes, outbuildings and property. Yosemite N.P. enforces CA
State laws requiring property owners to clear a minimum of 100 feet from
any structure or to property lines. Property clearance for fuels reduction
work must be completed by June 10, 2010. Property inspections will begin
on that date.

Although the park experienced a heavier snow pack, lower temperatures and
continued precipitation through the spring, the potential for a hot a dry
summer is ahead. Yosemite fire officials urge the public and residents to
“Please be Fire Safe.”

Be prepared for all emergencies in addition to fire. Have a plan for
gathering and communicating with family members, to gather pets, and
valuables in case an approaching wildland fire requires evacuation.

For additional information, please go to “Prepare at Home” at:
http://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/firemanagement.htm (G. Wuchner - 6/4/10)

Construction Update:
Wawona Road Rehabilitation (June 1 - November 2010)

**Today's location of work: Today contractors will be working on
removing the telecommunications line and installing string line for
the new curb from the Wawona Tunnel to Bridalveil Fall.

**Sunday's locations of work: When work resumes on Sunday night, the
contractor will be installing underdrain in a 5 mile section north of
the Glacier Point Road intersection (Chinquapin)
and, in addition, there will be subexcavation in the 5 mile section
that begins approximately 1 mile north of the Wawona Campground and
ends about 6 miles south of Chinquapin.

**Monday's (June 7) locations of work: On Monday, they will be
grinding out curb from the Wawona Tunnel to Bridalveil Fall, as well
as installing string line for curb in the 5 mile section that starts
approximately 1 mile north of the Wawona Campground and ends about 6
miles south of Chinquapin.

For daily traffic control updates, call the park information line at (209)
372-0200 (then press 1, and 1 again). (M. Ortiz - 6/4/10)

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

Tioga Road Pavement Borings(June 7 - July 1, 2010) [Weather and conditions
permitting]
Beginning Monday, June 7 crews will be completing pavement borings on the
Tioga Road between Crane Flat and Tuolumne Campground with up to 15-minute
traffic delays, Monday through Friday with no weekend delays. This work is
being conducted in preparation for a future rehabilitation project.

**For all road construction information and updates, visit the park's
website: http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/roadwork.htm (M. Ortiz -
6/4/10)

Big Oak Flat Parking Lot Rehabilitation (June 7 -10, 2010)
The Big Oak Flat Entrance parking lot will be closed on Monday (June 7) and
Tuesday (June 8) while the contractor grinds the deteriorated asphalt and
lays new asphalt. Visitor facilities will remain open with limited parking
available along the edge of the main road. The parking lot will reopen on
Tuesday once the paving is complete. There will be minor impacts to parking
on Thursday (June 10) for striping to occur. (M. Ortiz - 6/4/10)

Barite Mine Work in El Portal (May 25 - July 4, 2010)
Contractors are beginning to work on mitigating hazards at the Barite Mine
in El Portal. The prime contractor is Sygnos, and Arizona Mine Reclamation
is a sub-contractor. Rancheria Flat residents may see contractor vehicles
parked at the top of the housing area, near the water tank; contractors
have been asked to drive carefully in the housing areas. This Recovery
Act-funded project is expected to be complete by July 4. If you have any
questions or concerns, please contact Joe Meyer at 379-1185.

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

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

Tecoya Housing (ongoing)
Allison Sierra will continue with the replacement of old failing utilities
(water, power, sewer) in the Lower Tecoya area. (M. Ortiz - 6/4/10)

Park and Partner News
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK ASKS FOR NEW CONTRACT PROPOSALS FOR OPERATION OF AN
URGENT CARE MEDICAL CLINIC

Yosemite National Park announces that the Prospectus for new proposals for
the operation of an urgent care medical clinic located in Yosemite Valley,
is now available. The existing fifteen year contract, currently held by
Tenet Healthcare and managed by Doctors Medical Center of Modesto, will
expire on December 31, 2010.

“Doctors Medical Center has been an excellent provider of medical service
to Yosemite National Park, and has contributed in a very significant way to
the health and well-being of Yosemite visitors and employees for well over
a decade,” said Marty Neilson, Chief of Business and Revenue Management for
Yosemite National Park. “The existing contract will expire at the end of
the year, and we look forward to receiving offers from medical providers
who are interested in serving the continuing need for medical service in
the park.”

The Prospectus is available on-line at www.npsconcessions.gov. Additional
information about this opportunity may be found at www.fbo.gov.

A site visit to the urgent care medical clinic, and related employee
housing, for all interested offerors, is scheduled for June 9, 2010 at 10
a.m. Questions concerning the Prospectus should be directed to Darby
Watson, Project Manager, National Park Service Division of Commercial
Services, Pacific West Region, at 510-817-1365, or by e-mail at
darby_watson@nps.gov. Questions pertaining to the site visit on June 9th
may be directed to Kim Tucker, Concessions Specialist, National Park
Service, Yosemite National Park, at 209-379-2698, or via e-mail at
kim_tucker@nps.gov. (K. Cobb - 6/4/10)
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Wawona Activities: The Wawona Golf Shop and Course opened for the season,
Friday May 28th, Weather Permitting the hours are: 9AM to 5PM
The Wawona Saturday BBQ's have started! Join us from 5 pm to 7 pm on the
lawn every Saturday weather permitting! (W. Kearns - 6/4/10)
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Attention river watchers! With the significant amount of snow remaining in
the high country and the arrival of hot temperatures, the National Weather
Service (NWS) California-Nevada River Forecast Center is predicting the
Merced River at Pohono Bridge to approach or exceed flood stage beginning
Saturday. The NWS plans to issue a flood watch on Friday morning, followed
by a flood warning on Saturday morning. River levels are expected to
remain high for 5-8 days. Impacts to visitor facilities are expected to be
minimal, however visitors should be extra cautious around creeks, rivers,
and slippery rocks and riverbanks. Valley District Ranger Eric Gabriel is
the Incident Commander and is coordinating the park's response with an
interdisciplinary team and park partners. The NWS produces a daily river
forecast, which can be viewed by the public at
http://www.cnrfc.noaa.gov/graphicalRVF.php?id=POHC1. Visitors in the Happy
Isles area can view real-time weather and river data at the newly
reconstructed Happy Isles Gaging Stationg, near the Nature Center. (J.
Meyer - 6/4/10)
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Attention volunteer supervisors! We have updated all of our volunteer forms
for 2010 and have made them available on sharepoint:
http://sharepoint.yose.nps.gov/brm/vip/Volunteer%20Forms/Forms/AllItems....
. There you'll find copies of updated policies and a Volunteer Handbook
to give to your incoming volunteers. We also have an abundance of volunteer
welcome goodies and recognition items... pins, first aid kits, bandanas
etc. Please call the VIP office if you would like recognition items for
your volunteers or if you have any questions regarding the new paperwork or
policies. 379-1850. (L. Prell - 6/3/10)

Acting Designations
Bret Meldrum (379-1216) will be Acting Chief of Resources Management and
Science on Friday, June 4. (N. Nicholas - 6/4/10)
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Historical Landscape Architect Daniel Schaible (379-1295) will be acting
Branch Chief for History, Architecture & Landscapes on Thursday, June 3 &
Friday, June 4, 2010. Historical Architect Sueann Brown (379-1222) will be
acting Branch Chief for History, Architecture & Landscapes June 7 - June
18, 2010. (D. Humphrey - 6/3/10)
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Until further notice, Brenna Lissoway (379-1283) will be the Acting Park
Archivist . If you have need to access the Archives, or have archive
related questions, you can also try calling at 379-1281 or 379-1104. (J.
Bayless - 6/3/10)
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Jana Friesen McCabe (372-0288) will be the Acting Branch Chief of Public
Outreach and Engagement from June 2 - 11, 2010. (D. Sisson - 6/2/10)
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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
EXTENDED - DETAIL/TEMPORARY PROMOTION OPPORTUNITY – Permanent NPS YOSE
employees -

In addition to the Superintendent's Office having an exciting opportunity
for a detail/temporary promotion (if qualified) to Administrative Support
Assistant (OA), GS-0303-06/07.

The Division of Facilities Management also has an exciting opportunity for
a detail/temporary promotion (if qualified) to Secretary (OA), GS-318-06/07
. This position works directly for the Chief of Maintenance.

These opportunities require you type a minimum of 40 words per minute.

Applicants selected for these detail/temporary promotion(s) would provide
administrative support to the Deputy Superintendent/Chief of Maintenance.
Assignments will provide an opportunity to work with a broad range of
people in support of park/facility operations. Skill in written and verbal
communication is essential. Primary tasks include preparing and
coordinating correspondence, including documents prepared for the signature
of the Superintendent. You will also answer the phone, respond to email,
maintain the office filing system, maintain adequate office supplies and
organization, and other administrative duties as assigned.

If interested in being considered for detail or temporary promotion (if
qualified) for either of these positions, please annotate your preference
(or both) on your resume and submit your resume to Irma Keheley in the
Human Resources Office no later than Thursday, 06/11/10. Please make sure
to have your supervisor’s approval. (Don't forget to indicate your typing
speed on your resume).

Questions about the position(s)? Call Don Neubacher, Superintendent, at
(209) 372-0301 regarding the Administrative Support Assistant (OA); call Ed
Walls, Chief of Facilities Management, at (209) 379-1063 regarding the
Secretary (OA), GS-0318-06/07. Questions about how to apply, call Irma
Keheley at (209) 379-1814. (I. Keheley - 6/4/10)

Community News
Yosemite Valley School Fund Raiser – EVENT CHANGE! End of the School Year
Barbeque, June 7th, 2010 at 5:30 p.m. - $5
Join us for the dedication of the Yosemite National Park valley School Tree
of Life Mural – The Tree of Life Mural project was begun in 2009 and
completed through artistic contributions from the Yosemite Community at
large. Darlece Cleveland was the project director and Laurie Smith oversaw
the completion of the project. The mural depicts the tree of life and four
seasons in and about Yosemite. We would love to celebrate the installation
of the mural with the Yosemite Community. Dinner provided courtesy of the
Yosemite Rotary Club. (J. Kunz - 6/4/10)
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The Pick and Gather at Riverdance Farms - U-pick Organic Blueberries and
Cherries Farm and Food Festival. Hosted by local farmers Cindy Lashbrook
and Bill Thompson, East Merced Resource Conservation District, Community
Alliance and Family Farmers and Valley Land Alliance. The main event on
Saturday, June 5th 2010 will be from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Local artisans,
meet local farmers, seasonal, local organic food, organic gardening, kids'
play area,crafts for all, painting demos, farm tours, lavender hill, hay
maze, wagon rides, wine and organic beer, food preservation, farm animals,
star gazing, how-to workshops, farm, garden, health market. "Taste of the
River Valley" will be from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Saturday night camping
available. Spend the day on a beautiful, diversified, organic famr along
the Merced River!! (K. Baker - 6/4/10)
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John Muir Hwy. Dedication: To honor the great preservationist John Muir,
Tuolumne and Mariposa Counties’ Boards of Supervisors have joined together
and designated Highway J132 from Coulterville to Highway 120 as the John
Muir Highway, a route he traveled on his first journey to Yosemite. A
formal dedication will take place on Saturday, June 5, 2010 at the
Coulterville Park, in Coulterville. The ceremony, which begins at 11:00
a.m., will feature Bill Hanna, great grandson of John Muir as well as a
special appearance by Lee Stetson, impressionist who portrays John Muir, as
seen in Ken Burn’s National Parks series on PBS. VIP speakers also include
Yosemite National Park staff. (M. Gendron - 6/3/10)
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Earthfest Event at Mountain Sage: Here is the link to our website (
http://www.mtnsage.com/events/earth_fest.html) noting the free workshops
and list of vendors participating at Sierra Earthfest at Mountain Sage
Nursery all day this Saturday, June 5th from 9am-7pm. Some highlights
include a larger artisan vendor section, 2 specialized yoga classes,
workshops ranging on the secret world of bird song all the way to learning
about locally grown beef. Come by the educational booths to learn about
tapping into rainwater from your roof tops or learn how to put natural clay
into action in your garden. Top off the day with some of the best
toe-tapping blues of San Francisco with highly acclaimed bay area
funk/blues band Tracorum and Mark Twain himself giving a performance on our
quaint stage. Check the website for further details, or contact us at
info@mtnsage.com. And remember, this day is FREE, just for you. Hope to
see you then! (R. Hirsch - 6/2/10)
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Coulterville/Don Pedro: June 5 starting at 5 PM - join us at the Don Pedro
Lumber Cafe to hear Tommy Warren, solo singer and country, jazz and rock
sax player from the Central Valley. No cover. As always great steaks,
jumbo burgers, Mexican cuisine beer and wine and more. For more
information and driving directions call Steve or Cyndi 209 852 0146. (M.
Tanner - 6/3/10)
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Groveland this weekend
6/5 Monthly Flea Market hosted by the Yosemite Chamber of Commerce at Upper
Mary Laveroni Community Park. $10 to sell www.Groveland.org, Laurie
209-962-0323 This monthly institution expands this year to 6 dates, the
first Saturday of every month April-September. Find a new treasure or sell
an old relic.
6/5 Earth Festival at Mountain Sage. Oodles of folks gather at Mountain
Sage to enjoy the day, the world and our place in it. Music, farmers
market, vendors, workshops and a whole bunch more. Very Earthy.
6/5 John Muir Festival & Wild Adventures of John Muir a Musical Play. From
Coulterville to Groveland Via J132 (John Muir Hwy) Free-$30
www.johnmuirhighway.net Jackie 209-962-0429 A miles long celebration of
John Muir's achievements recognized by the renaming of J132 to John Muir
Highway. An event packed day and evening with the play at Big Creek Meadow
Ranch.
6/5 Mark Twain & Bret Harte visit Coulterville Old School House and IOOF
$15 performance 209-878-3015 Enjoy a living history performance by these
two old west great!
6/5 Dyna-Mo at the Grill at Pine Mountain Lake The Grill at Pine Mountain
Lake Bambi/Jay 209-962-8638 Live dance music every Saturday night at the
Club, this is really becoming a place to "hang out" after dinner in
Groveland!
6/6 Where the Hell is Groveland Car Show at Mary Laveroni Community Park
www.Groveland.org Jackie 209-962-0429. This annual car show brings in over
150 unique and antique cars to our little park. The all day event includes
raffles, food, auctions and is a fund raiser for Groveland area schools.
Car buffs will love this one! Additional events and details online from
www.HotelCharlotte.com/events.html
(Hotel Charlotte - 6/3/10)