Yosemite Photos, Video and News

Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Monday, May 2, 2011

WEATHER

Yosemite Valley
Today: Sunny, with a high near 74.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 42.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 70.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 78.

El Portal
Today: Sunny, with a high near 85.
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 44.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 87.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 91.

Wawona
Today: Sunny, with a high near 77.
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 43.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 75.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 81.

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PARK AND PARK PARTNER NEWS
Employment Opportunity as Yosemite Institute Program Coordinator
This is a 40-hour per week, year-round position with the Yosemite Institute. NatureBridge's Yosemite Institute is a nationally recognized leader in the field of experiential environmental education, providing educational adventures in nature’s classroom to inspire a personal connection to the natural world and responsible actions to sustain it. The Program Coordinator (PC) is responsible for supporting the operation of Yosemite Institute programs (transportation, meals, lodging, staffing and scheduling) by performing various clerical functions. The PC works closely with the Director of Operations (DoO) to ensure smooth program logistics and communication with school groups. The ideal candidate is an excellent communicator and incredibly detail-oriented. The PC is also the main coordinator for the summer schedule and organizing all logistics surrounding summer programming.

Applicants interested in being considered for this position need to submit a cover letter and resume including contact information for three references, by 5:00pm, May 6th, 2011. Invitations for interviews will be extended to selected candidates after the application deadline. Completed applications can be sent electronically to: Program Coordinator Search, at: yi@naturebridge.org. If you have questions or would like to review a complete job description, please write to yi@naturebridge.org or call 209-379-9514, ext.11. Recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce is a high priority at Yosemite Institute and NatureBridge. (R. Dunn - 5/2)
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El Portal Trailer Court Power Outage
There will be a power outage at the Trailer Court only on Wednesday, May 4, from 9am until 4pm. This outage is to make repairs to damage caused by the spring storm. Questions to Kent Summers, 379-1236. (K. Bablitch - 4/29)

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CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

Crane Flat Helibase Road Restrictions
The Crane Flat Helibase Road will be restricted to administrative traffic only until further notice, due to narrow, single lane access with minimal pullout options. The road has recently been plowed to only one lane which will create complications if 2 vehicles meet traveling from opposite directions. If you need access to the helibase (maintenance, med-flights, ect.), please use the YNP Fire Direct frequency (172.775 TX/RX) and make calls to "Crane Flat Helibase" or "anyone on the Crane Flat Lookout Rd." to let them know you are driving up. A blind call on YNP Common (168.350 TX/RX) would also be beneficial to contact any unexpected maintenance personnel. If you have any questions, please contact Eric Small (209-768-9304) or Jeff Pirog (209-379-1330). (J. Pirog - 4/27)

Wawona Hotel & Store Repaving
Starting Monday April 11th, contractors began work to repave the Wawona Hotel parking areas and the Wawona Store Parking Lot. (E. Scott - 4/7)

Foresta Road Closure Update
Now that the slide and banks have dried out and are showing stability, El Portal Roads will begin removing the material this week starting May 2. Due to noxious weed infestation, the material will be transported to the Mariposa Landfill and used for cover. Federal Highways will be engineering a long term fix with no date established for the work. The goal is to open the road after the material is removed from the roadway and shoulders. Please contact L. Summerfield with any questions. (L. Summerfield - 4/28)

Wawona Road Rehabilitation
Expect up to 30-minute traffic delays along Wawona Road starting Wednesday, April 20 and continuing through May 27. The work hours are scheduled for 6:00am to 5:00pm, Monday through Friday. There will be multiple work zones, similar to last fall, so please be patient as crews complete the remaining work on this project. (M. Pieper - 4/18)

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ACTING DESIGNATIONS

Heather McKenny will be acting Branch Chief of Wildlife Management on Monday, May 2.

Mike Yochim will be the Acting Division Chief for the Planning Division on Monday, May 2. Mike may be reached at his El Portal office at 379-1441. If unavailable you may leave a message with Doyle Harrison at 379-1110.

Kristin Ramsey is acting Branch Chief Interpretive Services from April 26 - May 4.

Tom Clark will be acting Facility Projects Supervisor from 4/26 to 5/8 while Kevin Keheley is out. Tom can be reached at 379-1171.

Heather Cave will be Acting Emergency Communications Center Manager from April 22 - May 2.

Ken Stowell will be acting Facility Park Custodial Operations Supervisor from 4/16 to 5/8 while Alan Hawksley is on vacation. Ken can be contacted at 372-0533, or you may leave a message with Tammy Lawhon at 379-1271.

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

Room for Rent
In Bootjack. Full use of house, kitchen, etc. Private full bath room. $400 mo. $300 dep. Utilities included. Call Kim @ 209.966.8440. (M. Battcher - 5/2)
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Poetry at the Art Center
Indulge your senses this May Day (May 1) by joining poet Yosemite poet James Downs and poet and publisher John Peterson for an afternoon of poetry and a look at publishing by the poet and publisher at the Yosemite Art and Education Center at 2:00pm. For all with a touch of poetry in your soul or an interest in knowing what goes into publishing a volume of poetry. Join us for coffee/tea and a celebration of the art that creates in a medium of word and meter and verbal imagery. (YAEC - 4/29)
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Housing Needed
I start work in early May in limited term job through mid-October as the Acting General Manager of the Yosemite Conservancy El Portal office. Looking for a sublet studio, in-law, room or house for rent, preferably in El Portal, but otherwise at least near a YARTS stop. With the right kind of roommate(s), a shared situation could also work. I'll be working 3 weeks/month in Yosemite and 1 week in the Bay Area. My wife will be up from the Bay Area for about 10 days/month. Ideally like to keep total rent to less than $900. rmiller@yosemiteconservancy.org, 510-410-0720. (R. Miller - 4/29)
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El Portal Town Photo
The El Portal Town Photo is now available at www.davidjaffe.info (please note the address is not a .com address). (D. Jaffe - 4/29)