Daily Report - Yosemite National Park Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Weather
Yosemite Valley
Today: Sunny, with a high near 56. Calm wind becoming west southwest
between 5 and 8 mph.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 40. Southeast wind between 5 and 7
mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 54. South wind between 7 and 16
mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. South southeast wind
around 8 mph.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of rain after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high
near 49. South wind between 6 and 9 mph.
El Portal
Today: Sunny, with a high near 75. West southwest wind between 3 and 7 mph.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 36. East southeast wind between 6
and 8 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. South southeast wind between
10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 35. Southeast wind around
9 mph.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of rain after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high
near 62. South southeast wind between 7 and 9 mph.
Friday Night: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. Chance of
precipitation is 70%.
Tuolumne Meadows
Today: Sunny, with a temperature rising to near 48 by noon, then falling to
around 38 during the remainder of the day. West southwest wind between 3
and 10 mph.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 25. Southwest wind between 14 and
18 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 43. Breezy, with a southwest wind
between 22 and 24 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 23. Breezy, with a
southwest wind between 17 and 24 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of snow after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high
near 35. Southwest wind around 18 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.
Friday Night: Snow. Low around 19. Windy. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible. Tuolumne
Wawona
Today: Sunny, with a high near 67. Calm wind becoming west southwest
between 4 and 7 mph.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 37. East southeast wind around 6
mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 64. South southeast wind between 6 and 14
mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. Southeast wind around
8 mph.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of rain after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high
near 57. South southeast wind between 6 and 9 mph.
Friday Night: Rain. Low around 33. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Happening Today
Pile Burning resumes today in Wawona -- Approximately 20 to 40 debris
piles of vegetation are being burned in the Bill’s Hill and Camp Wawona for
the next few days.
Favorable smoke dispersion is predicted with no stagnation in the forecast
by the National Weather Service. A significant winter storm is predicted
for the weekend.(G.Wuchner-11/17/10)
***************************************************
Don't forget! CFC Fundraiser. If you are in EP today, drop by for lunch.
Wonderful hot soups, rolls, beverages! Mmmmmm. Take some home for dinner.
All donations from soup sales go to the CFC General Fund. Speakers will be
from Habitat for Humanity and Manna House. Any donations of soup will be
appreciated. (J. Harrison-11/16/10)
***************************************************
World Liberty Contract Services will be continuing brush removal on the
Big Oak Flat and El Portal Roads around Foresta and Cascades . Brief
periods of traffic control will be in effect on weekdays through
November. Staff may view further descriptions of the work:
http://sharepoint.yose.nps.gov/intp/Shared%20Documents/Planning,%20Project,%20and%20RMS%20Fact%20Sheets/Roadside%20Brushing_9.10.pdf
(B.Mattos - 11/9/10)
Park & Partner News
Curry Village Grocery Store is temporarily closed due to construction until
this Thursday. Please visit the Village Store Grocery in the Village area
,open 8:00am- 8:00pm, or Yosemite Lodge Gift, open 8:00am to 7:00pm, for
your grocery needs. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
(W.A.Kearns-11/16/10)
Acting Designations
Mary Kline will be the Acting Chief of Interpretation & Education Nov. 15 -
Dec. 6. She can be reached at 372-0645.(T.Medema-11/15/10
***************************************************
Jody Auerbach will be the Acting Branch Chief for Contracting Nov 9-18 and
Tom Tobin from Nov 19-26. Jody or Tom can be reached via email or at
379-1227 or 1040. (L. Schafer - 11/08/10)
***************************************************
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 -
06/03/10)
***************************************************
Ed Dunlavey will be the Acting Operations Branch Chief and Deputy Chief
Ranger until further notice. (C. Cuvelier - 09/07/10)
***************************************************
Ken Stowell will be in charge of PCO until Monday, November 22. Ken's
number is 372-0533, or you may leave a message with Tammy Lawhon at
379-1271.
Employee News
This week's Safety Topic is Housekeeping. As we approach a new season, we
all need to take time to declutter our work spaces and vehicles. Have a
safe day!(C.Ronay-11/17/10)
***************************************************
Yosemite has a large turnover of employees, and many who will be leaving us
for the winter. Mail will continue to be addressed to these individuals.
All mail addressed to the National Park Service should be BUSINESS mail,
not personal mail. Unless you know for a fact that mail is from "Mom" or
"Aunt Harriet" the mail is meant for your OFFICE, not the individual whose
name is on the envelope. (We still receive mail for deceased employees and
some who have retired 20 years ago or more.) That mail will still be sent
to the appropriate office that employee last worked for because it should
be business. . We do not want you to miss important correspondence just
because Joe Whatshisname is no longer with us. In the case of this
morning, it was an invoice rightfullly addressed to NPS for items purchased
when "Joe" was still employed here.
It is legal for you to open this mail. It is agency mail, not individual
mail. You are the mail agent for your office, just as Denise and I are the
mail agents for the National Park Service and have authority to open any
vaguely addressed pieces. I have confirmed this authorization with Bill
Carroll, the United States Postmaster, so feel free to open "Joe
Nolongerworkshere" mail! (DHale-11/17/10)
***************************************************
Is there a large format scanner in the park? One that would scan large 24"
x 36" (E size) drawings? (S.A.McCabe-11/17/10)
***************************************************
I am very pleased to announce that Wesley Wills has accepted a GS7 term
Archeological Technician position with the Branch of Anthropology in the
Division of Resources Management and Science. Wes has a B.A. in
Anthropology from Sonoma State University and will be completing a Masters
in Cultural Resources Management there this academic year. He has has been
a seasonal here at Yosemite for the past three years. Please join me in
congratulating Wes on his first term position! (N.S.Nicholas-11/16/10)
***************************************************
I am very pleased to announce that David Curtis has accepted a GS7 term
Archeological Technician position with the Branch of Anthropology in the
Division of Resources Management and Science. Dave has a B.A. in
Anthropology from University of New Mexico and is working on a Masters in
Cultural Resources Management at Sonoma State University. Dave has
worked as a seasonal Archeological Technician at Yosemite, Point Reyes, and
Mojave over the past six years. Prior to his NPS experience Dave has
worked as an Archeologist for the Colville National Forest, WA and the
Bureau of Indian Affairs, AK.Please join me in congratulating Dave on his
first term position! (N.S.Nicholas-11/16/10)
I am very pleased to announce that Barbara Bane has accepted a GS9 term
Archeologist position with the Branch of Anthropology in the Division of
Resources Management and Science. Barbara has a Bachelor's degree in Art
History from Rice University, and a graduate certificate in Geographic
Information Systems and a Masters degree in Anthropology from Northern
Arizona University. For the past two years she has worked as a Staff
Archeologist for a consulting firm in Reno, Nevada and before that Barbara
worked seasonal positions as an Archeological Technician for the Flagstaff
Area Monuments, Chaco Canyon, and Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. Please
join me in welcoming Barbara to Yosemite! (N.S.Nicholas-11/16/10)
***************************************************
Please Join us for a potluck get-together for Burcu Hinchberger on
Thursday, November 18, at 2:00pm, in the El Portal small
breakroom/lunchroom across from the Human Resources Office. We would like
to recognize her service with the Human Resources office at Yosemite
National Park before the Hinchberger's depart for Natchez Trace. If you
would like to make a presentation or contribute a potluck item, please
contact the Human Resources office at (209) 379-1805. (A. Long-11/17/10)
***************************************************
Mike Hinchberger is going to NATR in Jackson, Mississippi.Wish Mike & Burcu
well by stopping by the Fazio residence at 9013 Ponderosa Lane. on
Saturday, November 20, 2010 starting at 3:00pm.Pheasants, beverages will be
served Bring stories, lies and something to share !(L.Fazio-11/16/10)
***************************************************
Ted Orland- Scenes of Wonder and Curiosity
The community is invited to attend an Artist's Reception for Ted Orland on
Thursday, November 18, from 3:00pm -5:00pm at the Ansel Adams Gallery.
Refreshments and drinks will be served.
Orland's hand-colored black & white photographs follow in the West Coast
tradition of fine craft printmaking; and, at the same time, engage a wide
range of contemporary subject matter. This unique and unusual exhibit
should surprise even those who think they have seen all types of landscape
photography. Orland is also an accomplished author, having written Man and
Yosemite and Art and Fear with David Bayles. Don't miss this opportunity to
meet him! For a preview of Orland's work, click here:
http://www.anseladams.com/TedOrlandC_s/87.htm. (KatieS-11/15/10)
Construction Update
Hetch Hetchy Entrance Station Improvements (August 16 - November 2010)
Abide International (contractor) began work Monday, August 16 to upgrade
the Hetch Hetchy Entrance Station. During the past week, crews installed
insulation, the vapor barrier, and the dry wall in the kiosk. They also
installed new exterior lights and drains for the new HVAC unit. In
addition, crews poured the new concrete for the walkway and walk-up window.
(M. Ortiz - 11/16/10)
******************************************************
Wawona Road Rehabilitation (May 3 through November 2010):
Work will be ongoing through the month, as long as weather allows. Please
use caution when driving along the Wawona Road - there are multiple
locations where work is being completed at this time.
NOTE: **Striping south of Chinquapin, snow pole installation, grading for
paved ditches, stone and riprap work, manhole work, shoulder work, final
asphalt work, along with culvert work will continue throughout this week
with crews doing an internal inspection on Thursday (11/18). Delays of up
to 30-minutes throughout the corridor will still be in place for the
remainder of this week.
-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 - 11/16/10)
******************************************************
Update - El Portal Complex Photovoltaic (PV) System (July 22, 2010 -
January 2011)
Paragon Industrial Applications (PIA) [contractor] began work at the El
Portal Complex area on July 22, 2010. To minimize potential traffic and
parking problems, PIA is working Thursday - Sunday.
Last Week's Progress:
PIA subcontractor, Suntrek Solar, almost finished paneling
carports 9, 10 and 11 (those across from the gas pumps).
PIA electricians were also busy installing florescent lighting
fixtures beneath the carports. Some of the existing underground
wiring for the street lights was destroyed by the large drill
rig brought in for pier footings so PIA electricians are also
repairing street light circuits. As of today (11/15) most of
the existing street lights including the lights above the gas
pumps will be working again. The new lights inside the carports
will most likely be ready for use within the next two weeks.
The structural steel workers completed the upper deck parking
(carports 6 and 7). The last remaining portion of the upper
deck parking (carport 8) is still being fabricated in Southern
California and will probably be on site and installed during
the first week in December. With the steel work complete for
carports 6 and 7, the painters were able to begin priming and
painting the structure yesterday.
The contractor has installed 1,780 (240 watt) panels so far.
There will be 2,820 panels installed by the end of this
project.
Due to the recent good weather, the contractor is still on
schedule to complete the project in January 2011.
Parking:
Many normal parking areas adjacent to the gas pumps will be
available to park employees, but some parking east of there
near the Planning Trailer will have to be restricted to "No
Parking -Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday" as the
electricians put up light fixtures. In addition, the upper deck
parking will be off limits to parking until construction ends.
Overall, the upper deck will remain a off limits construction
area until carports 6 and 7 are complete. (M. Ortiz -
11/15/10)
******************************************************
Update - Drilling for the Glacier Point Water Well (November 3 - 19, 2010)
Work began November 3 digging a new well near Glacier Point. Well
completion is expected by November 19 but is dependent upon factors that
include: weather, reaching water, the depth of the water, and associated
tasks to determine capacity, collect ongoing data, winterizing of the well
and associated site clean-up . Delays this week have occurred due to recent
weather. Beginning next season (after well testing), trenching alongside
the existing road and along existing utility alignments will take place to
connect the new water well to the existing utility system. The well is
being constructed to replace the surface water sources currently used for
the Glacier Point drinking water system. If you have any questions please
contact Russ Balch 379-1089 or Colter Chisum 379-1068. PEPC #25201(R.
Balch - 11/12/10)
******************************************************
Integrated Utility Master Plan [IUMP] (2010 - 2011)
Removal of Old, Abandoned Utilities Embedded in the River, within Meadows,
and within Campgrounds
Phase 3B - Mozingo Construction (contractor) is finishing up with the
river-crossing related portions of the project. The removal of the lift
station near Lower River has also been completed. You will notice work
being done primarily around The Ahwahnee. (Phase 3B to be completed by the
end of 2010)
Update - Phase 2B - Allison Sierra (contractor) began work in the North
Pines Campground area on November 1. This is continuing work to replacing
old and outdated utilities and removing abandoned utilities from
environmentally sensitive areas.This phase includes work within the
following areas, and highlights include:
North Pines Campground
- New lift station and related accessories to be located
near Campground Entrance Kiosk.
- Removal and replacement of existing sanitary sewer
system.
Southside Drive and Upper Pines Corridor (including Clark
Bridge)
- Installation of water, sewer, communication, and
electrical utilities through and across Clark Bridge (between North
and Upper Pines Campgrounds)
Backpacker’s Camp Utilities
- Installation of new vault toilets (removal of current
flush toilets). Because the gravity sewer line serving the
Backpacker's Camp bathroom crosses Tenaya Creek and is impacting the
creek flowage, this sewer line will be removed from the creek
bed. This will require that existing bathroom with flush toilets to
be removed and replaced with vault toilets. (M.Ortiz -
11/9/10)
Community News
"Got Yarn??? Your scraps, any color, any size will be converted into
thick, warm, colorful patchwork blankets for the needy in our community!!!
Just drop your donations off at either the El Portal or Yosemite Valley
Post Offices. Many thanks for your community spirit and compassion!
(D.Hale--11/17/10)
******************************************************
Get ready to hunker down and spend your cold & snowy evenings at the
Carabiner! Open Sun-Thurs from 5pm-11pm and Friday & Sat until Midnight.
This Saturday is Casino Night with games from 7-10pm. The prize raffle
will be right after the chip exchange. We're giving away Ahwahnee and
Mountain Room comps, backpacks, Smartwool, free rent (DNC employee), a
solar-powered-light-up-water-bottle and more!!!! Look for fun times up
there all winter long brought to you by your friends at Employee
Recreation! Please email ebrosk@dncinc.com to be added to our mailing list
and receive your own copy of the monthly activity calendar.
(E.Brosk-11/17/10)
******************************************************
It is that time of year for the Toy and Coat Drive, which Yosemite has
participated in the past several years. If you would like to donate any new
toy, a new or used coat for a boy or girl (infant to 18 years of age),
please bring your toys or used coats to the Resource Management Division at
the El Portal Maintenance Warehouse and see Ami Knighten (379-1011), , or
in Yosemite Valley on the second floor in the Admin Building and see Rhonda
Soden, (372-0290). We will accept coats until December 10. We will accepti
gifts until December 17.. (R.Soden-11/16/10).
******************************************************
Wooden rocking chair with cushions. Lightly used. Must go by this
Saturday.. $15 OBO.
White washer and dryer for sale; $175 for set, $100 each. Lightly used
over last 2 years.
Top load, super plus capacity, several cycles. Must go by Saturday. Call
742-4549 to see items in Midpines.K.Carr-11/16/10)
******************************************************
For Rent-- Three bedroom/two bathroom, unfurnished home on Silva Road
(near Highway 49S). $1,000/month plus utilities + $1,000 cleaning deposit.
Contact Glen @ 209 626-6335. (Y.radanovich-11/16/10)
330 reads | 
Tags: