Yosemite Photos, Video and News

Hazard Tree Removal
NPS Forestry Crews continue to remove encroaching vegetation, trimming trees and removing hazard trees along the  El Portal Road from Park Line eastward to Pohono Bridge. This week work will continue from the old dam to Pohono. Work will continue as long as weather allows. Traffic control will be in place from 8:00am to 4:30pm. (L. Castro - 1/24)

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PARK AND PARTNER NEWS

Badger Pass Daily Snow Report
Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Base Depth: 72” – 78”
New Snow: 0”
Snow Conditions: Powder, Packed Powder
Forecast: Sunny
Temperature: High: 55, Low: 34
Runs Groomed: Bruin, Eagle, Turtle, Beaver, Rabbit
Lifts Open: Turtle, Bruin, Eagle, Badger
Runs open: All
Many features (14) in our two terrain parks!!! One is on Eagle run with boxes, rails, rollers and a jump while the Beaver run hosts 4 big-air jumps, rollers and boxes!! Come try them out!!
Groomed XC trails: Freshly groomed from Badger Pass to Glacier Point on Friday night (January 21). Fresh tracks set out to Bridalveil Campground Monday night (January 24).
XC trail snow conditions: Excellent
Tubing Hill: Two sessions/day: 11:30am–1:30pm & 2:00pm–4:00pm (S. Costello - 1/25) 
       
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EMPLOYEE NEWS

Individual Acquisition Plan Forms
You can now find the IAP Form required for at Contracting's SharePoint site in our Shared Documents Forms folder. Until/unless PWR advises otherwise we are to use the IAP form you can find in that same folder or on PWR's Contracting site. An Individual Acquisition Plan (IAP) must be prepared for all acquisition actions expected to exceed $25,000 and all Interagency Agreements regardless of dollar value, and all PWR IDIQ Architectural and Engineering (A/E) task orders regardless of dollar value. Additionally, this requirement is applicable to proposed Delivery Orders over $25,000, to be issued against GSA contracts. There are no exceptions to preparing and submitting an IAP for contracting projects estimated at $25,000 or higher, and Interagency Agreements, and A/E task orders at any dollar amount. Please call or email with questions or feedback and visit the Contracting & Procurement SharePoint site for information, direction, forms and more. http://sharepoint.yose.nps.gov/admn/contract/default.aspx (L. Schafer - 1/25)
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Secretary Salazar Broadcast
We've reserved the El Portal Windowless Conference Room for those of you who might like to catch Secretary Salazar's "All Hands" broadcast on Wednesday, January 26 at 10:30 PST. (T. Hawkins - 1/24)
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Weekly Safety Topic - Slips and Trips
This week's safety topic is Slips and Trips which can result in Falls. It is critical with the current weather pattern of sunny days and freezing nights that this topic is reviewed.  We have had 2 employees slip on ice in the last few weeks resulting in serious injuries to both of them.  Please utilize the resources in our warehouse to prepare yourself and prevent any further injuries follow this link or sharepoint and you can view and order shoe traction devices http://inpyosems07/index.html. Search by selecting safety products where you will find a variety of stablicers/shoe chains available. (C. Ronay - 1/24)

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ACTING DESIGNATIONS  

Vickie Mates will be Acting Chief of Interpretation and Education January 25-28. She can be reached at 349-1199 or 372-0643.

Jay Shields will be Acting Mather District Ranger 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 call 379-1282 or 379-1104.

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COMMUNITY NEWS 

For rent: Large, custom, two story house for rent near Midpines on shared five acres. Recently updated with fresh paint, flooring and window coverings. Three bedrooms and two full bathrooms (master suite) upstairs, with wood floors and ceiling fans throughout. Open living space downstairs with new vinyl and carpet throughout. Large living room with wood stove; kitchen with all appliances and antique island; laundry and half bath.  Many custom details; must see to appreciate.  New arbor over patio and covered deck.  See craigslist ad for pictures and more details http://merced.craigslist.org/apa/2172389336.html (apts/housing for rent).  Available now, $1050/month plus deposit.  No smoking.  No pets; may consider small dog (25 pounds or less; no aggressive breeds). Contact Amy at arkinak@gmail.com. (A. Kirn-Cannon - 1/25)
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El Portal Travel Series
The EPTS is back! Mark you calendars for the upcoming presentations of the El Portal Travel Series. All slide-shows are on Tuesdays at 7:00pm, at the Clark Community Hall in El Portal.

February 1 - Karen & Paul Amstutz - “A 3-course Feast in Asia… India, Nepal & Thailand”
Paul, Karen & the kids spent the Fall living, exploring, and working in South Asia. The “main dish” was a delicious 3 months in Nepal, volunteer teaching at a primary school for the children of Tibetan refugees. Their three daughters attended “Manasarovar Academy,” made wonderful friends, and studied Nepali, Tibetan, and many other subjects. They also managed to visit friends and the Taj Mahal in India, complete two Himalayan treks, raft the Seti River, start a birding club, ride jungle elephants, snorkel in Thailand, and eat incredible amounts of dosas, momos, mangoes and dalbaht!  Join us for a smorgasboard of fabulous family adventures!  

March 1 - Pete Devine - "Yosemite's Chinese Sisters" - An exploration of Yosemite's two spectacular sister parks in China.  
March 15 - Matt Jones - "Village Life and Mega-fauna of Malawi" - Two years of living, working and exploring the warm heart of Africa.  
April 5 - Josh Helling - "Climbing with Pirates in Yemen" - A climbing expedition to Socotra Island's granite spires, in the Gulf of Aden between Somalia and Yemen.  (K. Amstutz - 1/24)
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For rent: Master bedroom with private bath, garden tub and walk-in closet for rent in a three-bedroom house in Midpines. Large kitchen, dishwasher, wood stove, deck with view, and garage with extra storage. Quiet road. Available now, deposit, $450/month, and one-half utilities. (209) 742-5683. (1/24)