Yosemite Photos, Video and News

Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Weather

Yosemite Valley

This Afternoon: A 40 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near
58. South southwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tonight: A chance of rain showers. Cloudy, with a low around 30. Southwest
wind between 9 and 14 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of
precipitation is 50%.
Thursday: Rain and snow showers. Snow level 5200 feet. High near 54. South
southwest wind between 8 and 16 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance
of precipitation is 80%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Thursday Night: Rain and snow showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 27.
Southwest wind between 3 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New
snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Friday: A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near
59. Calm wind becoming west northwest between 5 and 8 mph. Chance of
precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch
possible.
Friday Night: A slight chance of rain and snow showers. Snow level 5400
feet. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

El Portal
This Afternoon: A 30 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near
62. Southwest wind around 11 mph.
Tonight: A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 35.
Southwest wind between 7 and 10 mph.
Thursday: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 58. South wind between 6
and 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday Night: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33.
Southwest wind between 3 and 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63.
Calm wind becoming west northwest between 6 and 9 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37.

Wawona
This Afternoon: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high
near 61. South southwest wind between 11 and 13 mph.
Tonight: A chance of rain showers. Cloudy, with a low around 33. Southwest
wind between 6 and 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Thursday: Rain and snow showers likely, becoming all rain after 11am. Some
thunder is also possible. Snow level 5000 feet. Cloudy, with a high near
56. South wind 6 to 9 mph increasing to between 14 and 17 mph. Winds could
gust as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Little or no snow
accumulation expected.
Thursday Night: Rain showers likely before 9pm, then rain and snow showers
likely. Some thunder is also possible. Snow level 4900 feet. Mostly cloudy,
with a low around 32. Southwest wind between 6 and 9 mph becoming calm.
Chance of precipitation is 60%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Friday: A chance of rain and snow showers. Snow level 4700 feet. Mostly
cloudy, with a high near 62. Calm wind becoming west between 5 and 8 mph.
Chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 35.

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Happening Today
Construction Update:
Integrated Utility Master Plan (IUMP) Contractor Mozingo Construction will
be doing sewer manhole construction work on Village Drive and Ahwahnee
Drive for the next couple of days. Mozingo will also continue work at the
new Ahwahnee Hotel sewer lift station. Mozingo will also start pulling old
abandoned utilities out of the ground just South of the Ahwahnee Hotel in
the next week or so. 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.

Allison Sierra Construction will continue utility work in the Lower Tecoya
area.

Please drive cautiously in construction zones. (D. Coon)
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Barite Mine Work Underway in El Portal
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. (J. Meyer -
5/26/10)
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Park and Partner News
Yosemite News Release Media Contacts: Scott Gediman 209-372-0248
and/or Kari Cobb 209-372-0529
May 26, 2010 -- For Immediate Release

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK EXPECTS BUSY MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

Visitors to Yosemite National Park over the Memorial Day holiday weekend
should expect the park to be busy. People planning trips into the park are
strongly encouraged to arrive before 10:00 a.m. or after 2:00 p.m. to avoid
long waits at the entrance stations. Visitors may also choose to ride the
Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (www.yarts.com), which picks
up in multiple locations along Highway 140 from Merced and provides
multiple drop-off locations throughout Yosemite Valley. Once visitors
arrive in the park, they are urged to ride the free shuttle throughout
Yosemite Valley, utilize the bike paths, or walk.

All campgrounds on the reservation system are full. There are a very
limited number of first-come, first-served campsites available throughout
the park. Visitors should arrive early to secure a campsite. All trails
within Yosemite are open, however some may still have snow patches and ice
present on the trail. Hikers should be aware that spring weather can be
unpredictable and change without warming.

The Glacier Point Road will open for the season on Friday, May 28, at noon.
Due to ice and avalanche conditions, the Tioga Road will not be open for
Memorial Day weekend. There is no projected opening date for the Tioga
Road. The Mariposa Grove Road is open. However, visitors should be aware
that the parking lot fills quickly and there is a free shuttle bus service
from Wawona to the Mariposa Grove.

The Half Dome cables will not be in place for the Memorial Day weekend.
This is due to the amount of snow still remaining on Half Dome and the
trail to the Half Dome cables. There is no projected time for the Half
Dome cables to be in place.

Yosemite National Park has received above average precipitation this year,
with the snowpack at 115% of average. The park’s waterfalls are
spectacular and the peak flow is expected the first week of June.

Visitors within the park should be aware of high water level and fast
moving water in the Merced River and other streams. With the increasingly
warm weather, snow in the high-country continues to melt and fill the
Merced River. Extreme caution is important when in proximity to any moving
water.

Visitors are urged to drive slowly within the park. With the warmer
weather, animals are more active and are prevalent along the roadways. (S.
Gediman & K. Cobb - 5/26/10)
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Hazard Tree Mitigation
The park forestry crews plan to resume tree hazard mitigation work, weather
permitting, along the Big Oak Flat road between Rattlesnake creek and the
Crane Flat intersection on Tuesday 6/1. The tree work is part of the Big
Meadow fire burned area emergency rehabilitation. Trees that were killed by
last years fire and that have been determined to be a hazard to the public,
employees or the road will be mitigated. Traffic control will be in place
and delays can be expected.The Big Oak Flat Entrance can expect surges of
traffic exiting the park in 15 to 20 minute intervals. This work will
continue for 2 to 3 weeks.

For additional information, contact Butch Castro at 379-1968. (B. Castro -
5/26/10)
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The Valley Floor Tour has a new supplemental audio tour in Spanish
Visitors may use the Spanish supplement while they take the Valley Floor
Tour. The supplement consists of 18 separate audio files combined to
enhance the experience of the visitor whose native language may be Spanish.
Visitors will receive an iPod with an informational pamphlet on how to use
the equipment and when to play each section.

The script was created in collaboration with the NPS Division of
Interpretation and Education. The translation services and recording
services were completed via internet firms with the final product also
delivered via the internet, so there was no travel involved.

There is no additional charge for visitors wishing to use this exciting new
offering. Please share this information with your staff and the public. For
more information please contact Gary Rosenfeld at 209/372-8331. (G.
Rosenfeld - 5/26/10)
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Training Opportunity: The Planning Division is hosting a week long training
program for Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification &
Preparation Workshop
This week long training program offers a practical approach to project
management and will prepare non-certified professionals to take and pass
the PMP certification exam. The vendor guarantees that you will pass or
you will receive a full refund. Call Doyle Harrison for details.

Course Dates/Class Hours: Monday-Friday, June 7-11, 2010 8:00 am to
5:00 pm

Tuition: $875.00 per person

To sign up for this course please contact Doyle Harrison at 379-1110 or
email at doyle_harrison@nps.gov

THERE ARE ONLY THREE SEATS LEFT IN THIS TRAINING WORKSHOP (D. Harrison -
5/26/10)
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Need to know if camping is available in Yosemite? Please call
209/372-0266. The Valley Campground staff now has recorded information
about the status of all of Yosemite's campgrounds. We update the
information as soon as possible so please call our status line
(209/372-0266) for the latest availability. (K. Woods - 5/25/10)
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Yosemite is our backyard enrollment now open
A week long educational day camp for local children

Yosemite Institute, a campus of NatureBridge, is hosting a week-long summer
program for local youth that combines physical challenges, team building
activities, and adventures in Yosemite.

Yosemite Is Our Backyard offers an educational day camp experience for 7-9
and 10-12 year olds. They will learn the secrets of Yosemite and go on day
hiking adventures throughout Yosemite Valley with a skilled educational
staff. The program also includes one evening cookout and campfire for 7-9
year olds and an overnight at the Historic Merced Grove Ranger Cabin for
the 10-12 year olds. Learning adventures will begin each day at 8:45 a.m.
and end at 4:00 p.m. The days begin and end in Yosemite Valley. Tuition is
$175. Volunteer as a parent-chaperone for the full week and your child will
attend at no cost or volunteer for 2-3 days and your child will attend for
half-price.

Program dates are from June 14-18th. Please contact Dena Staggs at
209.379,9511 ext.25 or dstaggs@naturebridge.org for signups.(K. Cobb -
5/25/10)

Acting Designations
Katariina Tuovinen will be Acting Deputy Superintendent May 24-31, 2010.
She can be reached at 372-0286. (R. Soden - 5/24/10)
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Carol Knipper (379-1097) will be Acting Chief of Resources Management and
Science on Wednesday, May 26. (N. Nicholas - 5/26/10)
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Craig Anthony will be acting Safety Officer May 24-28 while Roger Farmer is
attending training. (C. Ronay - 5/25/10)
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Historical Architect Sueann Brown (379-1222) will be acting Branch Chief
for History, Architecture & Landscapes Monday May 24 thru Wednesday May 26,
2010. (D. Humphrey - 5/24/10)
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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.
****************************************************
Ed Dunlavey will be the acting Operations Branch Chief and Deputy Chief
Ranger until further notice.
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Cindy Whitten will be the acting Human Resources Officer until further
notice - 209/379-1878.
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Employee News
DETAIL/TEMPORARY PROMOTION OPPORTUNITY – Permanent NPS YOSE employees -

The Superintendent's Office has an exciting opportunity for a
detail/temporary promotion (if qualified) to Administrative Support
Assistant (OA), GS-0303-06/07. This opportunity requires that you type a
minimum of 40 words per minute.

Applicant selected for this detail/temporary promotion would provide
administrative support to the Deputy Superintendent. This assignment will
provide an opportunity to work with a broad range of people in support of
park 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 a detail or temporary promotion (if
qualified) for the Administrative Support Assistant (OA), GS-0303-06/07,
please submit your resume to Irma Keheley in the Human Resources Office no
later than Thursday, 06/03/10. Please make sure to have your supervisor’s
approval. (Don't forget to indicate your typing speed on your resume).

Questions about the position, call Don Neubacher, Superintendent at (209)
372-0201. Questions about how to apply, call Irma Keheley at (209)
379-1814. (I. Keheley - 5/25/10)
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2010 General Yosemite Wilderness Training [June 1, 2010 & June 22, 2010]
Target Audience;
Yosemite National Park staff and Park partners interested in
improving their knowledge and understanding of the Wilderness Act of
1964, the California Wilderness Act of 1984, the importance of
wilderness character, and the role of the Yosemite National Park
Wilderness Office.

Objectives of Training:
Upon completion of this training participants will improve their
understanding of:
The 1964 Wilderness Act
The California Wilderness Act of 1984
Wilderness Character
Yosemite National Park Wilderness policy and operations

Time and Location:
June 1 and 22, 2010
08:00 – 12:00 (4 hours)
Yosemite Lodge in the Cliff Room

Please confirm your attendance by calling Jay Sammer at (209) 372-0568. (D.
Abbe - 5/25/10)
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National Park Foundation Launches Disaster Recovery Fund - Last week, the
National Park Foundation and the National Park Service established the
National Parks Disaster Recovery Fund to help national parks recover from
future natural and manmade disasters. The fund was immediately activated by
Director Jarvis and NPF President and CEO Neil Mulholland to begin raising
funds that will be available to Gulf parks for immediate needs throughout
the oil spill disaster as well as long-term monitoring of the health of
damaged ecosystems.

No funds raised will be used to mitigate the liability of any responsible
parties for the injuries caused by the oil spill.

Individuals wishing to support this effort may visit www.nationalparks.org,
or text “PARKS” to 90999 on their mobile device to make a $10 donation.
Funds raised between now and July 1, 2010, will go directly to the impacted
parks in the Gulf and support critical and immediate needs as well as
sustained scientific study of maintenance of impacted ecosystems.

Parks in the projected path of the Gulf oil spill include: Big Cypress
National Preserve, Biscayne National Park, De Soto National Memorial, Dry
Tortugas National Park, Everglades National Park, Gulf Islands National
Seashore, Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, Padre Island
National Seashore. (D. Puskar, Director, Partnerships and Government
Relations - May 25, 2010)

Community News
6TH STREET CINEMA
Located upstairs in the historic Old Masonic Lodge (under historic
renovation) on 6th Street in downtown Mariposa. Use the path alongside the
scaffolding on the side of the building to enter. Entrance is $7 per film
for non-members; non-member students pay $5. Monthly membership is $12
allowing film entry for $3 each. Special performances and broadcasts have
alternate pricing structures. Recorded Information: (209) 966-1333. Staff:
209 742-6666. Visit our website: http://www.sixthstreetcinema.org or e-mail
us: sixthstreetcinema@sti.net
This week:
May 27 (Thursday) 7:30 p.m. Dispatches from the TED Festival (FREE
ADMISSION)
The TED Festival brings together the best and brightest our culture
has to offer to give the 20 min. (or less) talk of their lives. This
month, William Li presents a new way to think about treating cancer
and other diseases: anti-angiogenesis, preventing the growth of blood
vessels that feed a tumor. Eve Ensler tells heartfelt stories of
girls around the world who have overcome shocking adversity and
violence to reveal the astonishing strength of being a girl. At TED
University, Jonathan Klein of Getty Images shows some of the most
iconic photographs, and talks about what happens when a generation
sees an image so powerful it can't look away -- or back. Natalie
Merchant sings from her new album, "Leave Your Sleep." Lyrics from
near-forgotten 19th-century poetry pair with her unmistakable voice
for a performance that brought the TED audience to its feet.

May 28-29 (Friday-Saturday) 7:30 p.m.: DAMNED UNITED. A movie about
soccer that doesn't spend a lot of time on the field, this film by
the award winning director/writer team Tom Hopper and Peter Morgan,
tells the true story of two coaches who turn around a third rate
British soccer club into division champs. (Rated R; 99 minutes). (T.
Arfsten - 5/26/10)
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Groveland this Week:
5/27-5/30 Strawberry Music Festival at Camp Mather (Evergreen Road),
near Yosemite info@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!

5/28 & 29 Ben Benkerk Live at the Iron Door Saloon
www.iron-door-saloon.com 209-962-5947. The Iron Door Saloon offers just
the greatest ambiance with a bunch of beers on tap, good live dance
music on Friday and Saturday nights...a great way to wind down from a
day of hiking.

5/28 A Tribute to the Legends: Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennet & Nat King
Cole at the Yosemite Courtyard Theater peggy@groveland.com. The Yosemite
Courtyard Theater presents outdoor concerts featuring tribute bands
honoring some classic artists. Pair these concerts with dinner in town
for a great evening of good food and fine outdoor entertainment. Just
like a big city!

5/29 Detours at the Grill at Pine Mountain Lake
clubmgr@pinemountainlake.com Bambi/Jay 209-962-8638. Live dance music
every Saturday night at the Club, this is really becoming the place to
"hang out" after dinner!

5/30 Memorial Day Celebratoin BBQ and Dance PML Stables sponsored by the
Fire Department $14 adults, $7 kids Live Music by The Watering Hole. The
Fire Department will sell water and soda, PML 19th Hole Lounge will sell
Beer and Wine. Serving from 3-8pm, to-go dinners also available. (Hotel
Charlotte - 5/26/10)
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FOR RENT: Studio apartment in town (Mariposa). Freshly painted; quiet
neighborhood; private. No pets; nonsmoking; one individual. $500/month.
Call 966-6726; ask for Mark or Frank. (Y. Radanovich - 5/25/10)
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Yosemite Association/Yosemite Fund in El Portal is seeking temporary
outreach workers for the weekend of June 5-6. Work will involve
interacting with the public outdoors, and will require moderate physical
activity. Employment is 6 hours per day (8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.) at
$11/hour. Contact John at 379-2646, x. 11 or jfriedrich@yosemite.org (J.
Friedrich - 5/24/10)
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REMINDER: Elections are occurring on June 8th. Please vote. (B. Davis -
5/24/10)