Yosemite Photos, Video and News

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YOSEMITE OUTDOOR ADVENTURES COURSE INFORMATION- #60 Moonlight snowshoe with
Pete Devine. Yosemite Conservancy is offering a
Moonlight Snowshoe Trek lead by our own Pete Devine. Here’s your
opportunity to enjoy the luster of the full moon in an evening snowshoe at
Badger Pass. Join us on Saturday, December 18 at Badger Pass A-frame at
3:00pm to meet group and get snowshoes. During your trek, Pete will discuss
various aspects of winter ecology, as well as relate some fascinating
stories of Yosemite’s history. No snowshoe experience is necessary.  This
is open and free to all NPS and Park Partners. Call Holly at 1 800 469 7275
for more information.(H.Kuehn-12-13-10)
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The California/Nevada Amphibian Population Task Force 2011 Meeting will be
held at the Yosemite Lodge at the Falls, Cliff/Falls Room, January 6-7,
2011. Topic areas include: Active management of populations or habitat,
agency programs and perspectives, chemical contamination effects, disease
and malformations, ecology, invasive species effects and management, land
management effects, legal actions, new methods and tools, population
genetics and phylogeography, population status and distribution. A field
trip is scheduled for January 8. The field trip will include a discussion
on addressing amphibian and reptile issues associated with management of
impounded waters.  If you have any questions please contact Heather McKenny
at 379-1438. (N.S.Nicholas-12-13-10)
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Volunteer Leadership Team Open House - Tuesday, December 14, 2pm to 3pm
The Yosemite Volunteer Leadership Team (VoLT) cordially invites you to an
open house on Tuesday, December 14, at 2pm in the Auditorium in the Valley.
The VoLT is comprised of your representatives from park divisions and
partners, coming together to provide guidance for the Yosemite Volunteer
Program.  For this open house we are specifically hoping to generate ideas
on volunteer positions that would appeal to local/commuter volunteers.
The agenda:
* Short presentation on the accomplishments of the Volunteer program in
2010 and the role of the Volunteer Leadership Team (VoLT)
* Discussion about local/commuter volunteer positions and recruitment
* Open forum for questions and discussion on what the Volunteer Program can
do for you.
The Open House will be followed at 3pm by our regular VoLT meeting until
4pm.
Join us!  Questions?  Call 379-1850 or email yose_volunteers@nps.gov
(H.Boothe-12-13-10)
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TUOLUMNE MEADOWS WINTER CONDITIONS UPDATE - December 8, 2010
Weather: (December 1 through December 7)
High temp: 50° (Dec 7)
Low temp:  10° (Dec 1)
New Snow: 13”
Total settled snow depth: 23” as of December 8

Ski Conditions and Weather:  The winter is in full swing here in Tuolumne
Meadows. We had one of the most wintery Novembers in recent memory, with
over 6 feet of new snow and temperatures as low as -16 degrees. We have
added another foot of snow this first week of December, making for a solid
base and good coverage for the entire area. The trail breaking is
relatively easy, 4-6 inches deep. Coverage is still a little thin for doing
turns on steeper terrain, but the touring is just about perfect considering
the early date. The latest report from the east side is that the snow line
is in the vicinity of Warren Fork, so skiers coming in from Lee Vining
should be prepared to walk mostly bare pavement the first 3 miles or so
above the road closure gate.

Avalanche and Snowpack Conditions:  For the latest avalanche advisory for
this area go to www.esavalanche.org  for the Eastern Sierra Avalanche
Center. The ESAC site is updated several times a week and more often during
weather events.

Wildlife:  We have seen little wildlife in the past couple of weeks, just
the usual tracks of coyotes, pine martens, weasels, squirrels, mice, and
hares, along with birds such as Mountain Chickadees, Brown Creepers,
Red-breasted Nuthatches, Common Ravens, and Clark’s Nutcrackers. There are
still some American Robins hanging out up here even though the ground is
completely snow covered (I suspect they are subsisting on juniper berries),
as well as one die-hard Belted Kingfisher cruising up and down the mostly
ice-covered Tuolumne River between the Ski Hut and Parsons Lodge.

A Friendly Reminder:  If you have any ski related or weather questions feel
free to call (209) 372-0450 between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm. If we are out
skiing, leave a message and a phone number so we can return your call.
(Jeff and Kathi, the Tuolumne winter rangers). (J. Kamps - 12/9/10)
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We need your socks!  Old socks spilling out of your dresser? Want to make a
contribution to science? The Yosemite Fisher crew wants your (clean) socks!
We can use any style, size, or color; ancient ragwool hiking socks and
little running socks are equally appreciated. Your socks will be used at
bait stations over the winter as we study the rare Pacific Fisher! Please
contact Andy Steele at 379-1196 with any questions or to arrange a
donation. (A. Steele - 12/10)
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Reminder: All property donated or transferred to the NPS must be processed
through the Property Management Office . (D. Ramsey - 12/10)

Acting Designations

Heather Cave will be Acting Emergency Communications Center Manager Dec
14-21.
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Jeremy Brown will be acting Trails Supervisor 12/13-1/3 (D. Kari - 12/10)
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Rachel Lewis  (Bravo 10) will be  acting Wilderness Patrol Supervisor  from
12/11-12/26.  Rachel can be reached at the Wilderness Patrol Office at
372-0360, the Wawona Ranger Station 375-9520, or through Dispatch. (D. Abbe
12/10/2010).
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Kevin McCardle (379-1418) will be Acting Branch Chief for History,
Architecture & Landscapes (HAL) from 12/9-12/14 (D. Humphrey - 12/9)
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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. (J. Bayless - 6/3/10)
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Lisa Acree (379-2177) will be Acting Branch Chief for Vegetation and
Ecological Restoration on Dec. 13-15.
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David Pettebone (209-379-1433) will be Acting Branch Chief for Visitor Use
and Social Sciences for the week of December 13.  He can also be reached on
his cell throughout the week.
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Scott Jackson is Acting Branch Chief for Anthropology December 13 - 16;
Steve Thompson is Acting Branch Chief on Friday December 17.
Paul DePascale is Acting Branch Chief for Anthropology December 20 - 24.
Jennifer Hardin is Acting Branch Chief for Anthropology December 27 - 31.
(L.Kirn-12-13-10))

Employee News

A special thanks to the following individuals for orchestrating the
wonderful park party on Thursday.  We all had a joyous time.  The preparers
of the excellent event were:  Renea Kennec, Cheri Murdock, Cyndi Mattiuzzi,
Angie Long, Teri Ford, Holly Fickler, Claudine Ronay, Jessica Zeek, Debbie
Jordan, Wendy Malone, Theo Burciaga, and Sarah Henderson.  Mark Jones and
Keith Stowell did a great job at the barbecue!  A big thank you to Ed
Whittle for helping with the set up and slide show, and to Rhonda Soden for
collecting the donated food, toys, and coats.   Also, a very special thanks
to the crew that completed the new fantastic East Auditorium kitchen:
Randall Binks, Steve Shewchuck, Greg Schmaus, Steve Sickler,  Mark
Pearman,Tommy Clark, Kevin Keheley, andTom Darcy. The kitchen will serve
the park for many years to come.
Happy Holidays to all of you!    Don (C.Mattiuzzi-12-13-10)
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I am pleased to announce that Daniel Boughter has accepted a term GS-8
position as a Biological Science Technician with the Branch of Vegetation
and Ecological Restoration in the Division of Resources Management and
Science. Dan has a B.S. in Environmental Science from Northern Arizona
University (NAU)and a Master's in Biology from NAU.  Dan currently works
for CalTrans as an Environmental Planner/Biologist.   Previously Dan has
worked for the  National Park Service as the California Exotic Plant
Management Team Leader based at Point Reyes and for USDA-Agricultural
Research Service as a Research Technician.   Dan's new job here at Yosemite
will include being the RMS point person for all roadside revegation
projects.   Please join me in welcoming Dan to Yosemite. (N.S.Nicholas)
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I am pleased to announce that John Leonard has accepted a term GS-8
position as a Biological Science Technician with the Branch of Vegetation
and Ecological Restoration in the Division of Resources Management and
Science. John has a Bachelor's degree in Forestry from Humboldt State
University.  John has worked here at Yosemite for the past eight years in
ecological restoration and before that worked as a consulting utility
forester at PG&E for seven years.   He has also worked in the Peace Corps
as a Forestry Extensionst in Ecuador for two years.
Please join me in congratulating John on his promotion. (N.S.Nicholas)

Construction Update

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. Contractors will be working Monday -
Thursday, beginning December 6, 2010.
           Last Week's Progress, Parking, and more:
                       The PV contractor ran conduit and conductor in
                       carports 9, 10, and 11, and on the upper parking
                       deck carports (6, 7, and 8).
                       Four of the concrete pads for the PV transformer
                       and the larger inverters were poured.
                       Suntrek worked to put up more panels on the upper
                       parking deck carport (#7).
                       There is a total of panel count of approximately
                       1900 installed at this point.
                       Because the contractors are now working Monday -
                       Thursday, there are many more government employees
                       around the work site. Please use extreme caution
                       when you are near the construction areas. Please do
                       not cross through the barrier tape or enter the
                       "hard hat only" zones without your hard hat.

Overall, the Design/Build Install Renewable Energy Equipment at the El
Portal Complex  is proceeding on schedule.  (M. Ortiz - 12/13/10)

Community News

Book Signing- Friday, Dec. 17, 1:00pm to 4:00pm at the Lobby of The
Ahwahnee Hotel. Pioneers in the conservation movement since 1995, Audrey
and Frank Peterman are among the leading experts on America's
publicly-owned lands. The Peterman's founded Earthwise in 1994 championing
the idea that culturally diverse populations should embrace the environment
and be active stewards of America's public lands, national parks and
wildlife refuges. Come meet the authors of Legacy on the Land: A Black
Couple Discovers Our National Heritage and Tells Why Every American should
Care. Copies of Legacy on the Land are available at The Ahwahnee Gift and
The Ahwahnee Sweet Shop. (P.Burgess-12-13-10)
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Notice Of Planned Electric Servive Interruption-PG&E PG&E will be replacing
electrical power poles throughout the El Portal area on Dec. 30, 2010, from
9:00am-3:00pm. This outage will affect all of El Portal, Badger Pass,
Chinquapin and Glacier Point/Hwy 41. Unsafe weather conditions or an
unforeseen emergency may force a cancelation at the last minute. For
further information on this outage, please call Heather Gonzales, Planned
PG&E Coordinator, at 209-726-5588. (K.Bablitch-12-13-10)
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To all employees and residents who participated in Yosemite Art and
Education Center's annual art exhibit , a generous thank you.  To those who
didn’t, mark your calendars for next year’s show and make a point of
joining in or at least stopping by to see the phenomenal variety and talent
that exists in this park.  We had a lot of fun with it and will be doing it
again in November 2011.  If you still need to pick up your art pieces, I
will be in the art center erratically so will post my days on the door.
Thanks again. (A. Allen - 12/10)
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This is the last week that you can buy Yosemite Winter Club Snow Ball
tickets at the discounted price.   For only $75 a person enjoy an elegant
four course dinner, dancing, and an hosted bar on February 12, 2011.  Send
your checks to the Yosemite Winter Club at PO Box 717, Yosemite, CA 95389
or call 209.379.2602 for more information.    Interested in joining the
Winter Club?  Go to YosemiteWinterClub.com and sign up! (12-13-10)
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Small furnished room in Old El Portal  available January thru July only.
$300 per month, plus utilities.  Share large and lovely 3-bdr, 2 bath house
with 2 female roomates. House has nice ambiance, view, decks, wireless
Internet. Call Karen Dera at 916-705-0152 or kdera@surewest.net. (K. Dera -
12/10)