Yosemite Photos, Video and News

********************
Power Outage (12/9): There will be a power outage affecting all of Yosemite
Valley, Arch Rock, BOF Tunnel, Wawona Tunnel, Turtle Back Dome, Sentinel
Dome and Glacier Point on December 9, 2010, 0730 - 1430. This outage is at
the request of PG&E to perform maintenance to the transmission line to
improve reliability and prevent possible unscheduled outages in the future.
For additional information call Paul Laymon at (209) 379-1077. (K. Bablitch
- 12/7/10)

Acting Designations

Jay Shields will be Acting Mather District Ranger from 12/7-12/12. (K.
Killian - 12/7/10)
**************************************************
Lisa Acree (379-2177) will be acting Branch Chief of Vegetation and
Ecological Restoration on Dec. 7-8. (J. Weaser - 12/7/10)
**************************************************
Joe Meyer (379-1185) will be Acting Chief of Resources Management and
Science from December 6-8. (N. Nicholas - 12/6/10)
**************************************************
Jody Auerbach will be Acting Chief, Contracting & Procurement 6-10
December. (L. Schafer 12/5/10)
**************************************************
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)

Employee News

Loss of a Friend and Colleague
It is with sadness and fond memory that I share the news that long-time
Yosemite Park Ranger and Naturalist Bob Fry has passed away.

Bob (along with Julia Parker and Len McKenzie) began working in Yosemite in
1960--back in the days when protection rangers staffed the visitor center
and naturalists carried firearms in their vehicles.  He began as a seasonal
naturalist while teaching high school science in Southern California, then
began working year-round after he retired from teaching.  Bob was an
amazing naturalist, being especially interested in botany and evolution...
and very interested and knowledgeable about local Indian culture, history,
geology, and just about everything else.  Even when he answered a question
with, "I don't know!" he would usually provide an answer a few seconds
later, after he had a moment to search his vast knowledge and deduce the
likely answer.  (And his answers usually involved a variety of tangents: a
simple question often resulted in a very long, yet fascinating,
discussion.)

Bob had degrees in botany and theology and worked closely with Julia and
many others through his long career (he retired in 2003).  Those who worked
with him have lost a phenomenal teacher and naturalist, mentor, friend, and
role model.  Bob is survived by his wife, Marilynn, who lives in Southern
California, and his children and grandchildren. Details of a memorial gift
are being discussed and will be communicated soon. (T. Medema - 12/7/10)
**************************************************
Reminder: Lower Housing Compost Dumpster
Many residents and staff have been taking advantage of the compost dumpster
in the lower housing area. Thanks for your efforts! It is generally 1/3
full each week. This is compostable material you are helping to divert from
the landfill.

Please remember to only put items in this dumpster that are biodegradable -
including the bag that contains them. Some plastic bags have been placed in
it, which causes a problem at the Mariposa facility.

Items you can put into this dumpster that are biodegradable and collected
in a paper/compostable bag:
     -Food waste items including vegetables, fruits, meats, breads,
cheeses, and dairy. Basically if it is edible or a waste item from
something edible (like a stem, peel, or bone), you can put it in this
dumpster
     -Compostable utensils and containers made from corn or other
vegetable products
     -Paper products such as plates, cups, and napkins
     -Yard waste, such as small bags of leaves and weeds
You should gather your organic waste separately in a compostable bag
(available at the Village Store) or a brown paper bag. When full of organic
waste, tightly close or tie off the top of the paper bag or compostable bag
and take it to the dumpster. If you are hosting a meeting in the Valley,
consider gathering food waste separately from nonbiodegradable items. (V.
Mates - 12/7/10)
**************************************************
Come One, Come All! You are invited to attend the Superintendent's Holiday
Party! An annual event with delicious food and abundant good cheer. Pleas
join us.

When: Thursday, December 9, 2010; 12:00pm - 2:00pm

Where: Yosemite Valley, Visitor Center Auditorium

Charitable donations of canned goods and toys will be collected. (R.
Kennec, J. Zeek, C. Murdock - 12/7/10)
**************************************************
Plan your 2011 Group Volunteer Projects now!
We are once again asking for projects for our group volunteers to work on.
Last year over 170 projects were completed by volunteer groups, from
obliterating social trails to deconstructing buildings, cleaning up the
Merced River to organizing warehouse storage, cleaning fire pits to fuel
reduction work.  We can recruit volunteers of any age, specific skills, and
the group size you need. What could they do for you in 2011?

To get volunteer groups to work for you next year:
1) Fill out a Group Project Description Form, found on SharePoint:
http://sharepoint.yose.nps.gov/brm/vip/Volunteer Forms/Forms/Allitems/aspx
2) Turn in the form to the volunteer office by Friday, January 7, 2011:
email - yose_volunteers@nps.gov, fax 379-1853, or interoffice mail.
3) The projects will be compiled in a catalogue that will be posted online,
hopefully by January 15.
4) Groups apply for projects and we assign them based on your criteria -
most projects are booked by mid-March.

Why do we do it so early? First, we need to request campsites before
they're booked up.  Second, many groups plan their activities far in
advance.

Questions? Give us a call at 379-1850 or email at yose_volunteers@nps.gov
(H. Boothe - 12/7/10)
**************************************************
RENTAL INFORMATION:  Rental info submitted to the Housing Management Office
is available on the SharePoint Site:
http://sharepoint.yose.nps.gov/admn/housing/Lists/Private%20Rentals/AllItems.aspx
 (Y. Radanovich - 12/7/10)
**************************************************
It is that time of year for the Toy and Coat Drive that 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 new/used coats to the Resource Management
Division at the El Portal Maintenance Warehouse and see Ami Knighten
(379-1011),
Or, for your convenience, in Yosemite Valley on the second floor in the
Admin Building and see Rhonda Soden (372-0290).
- We will be accepting coats up until December 10, 2010.
- We will be accepting other gifts up until December 17, 2010. (R. Soden -
12/7/10)
**************************************************
Congratulations! I am pleased to announce that Katherine Wilkin 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. Kate has a B.S. in both Biology and
Environmental Science from the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg,
VA and a Master's in Biology with the highest honors from California
Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, CA.  Before joining the
National Park Service Kate worked for The Nature Conservancy in Florida,
New Hearst Property Acquisition for California State Parks, and Northeast &
Mid-Atlantic NPS Inventory & Monitoring Program.  Currently, Kate is a GS-7
term here in Yosemite after spending two summers as a seasonal with the
meadow health crew.

Please join me in congratulating Kate on her promotion. (N. Nicholas -
12/6/10)

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 transformer that most of the new system will feed into,
           arrived on site on Friday.
           Contractor crews were busy over the weekend preparing the
           transformer site near the Planning Trailer.
           Suntrek crews were able to continue work on the upper deck
           canopy carports 6, 7, and 8 installing panels.
           The electricians were busy running conduit and conductor to
           combiner boxes and inverters.
           The welding crews finished the work on the upper deck parking
           and the painters are waiting for one more clear, sunny day to
           finish their part of the canopy.
           As you'll notice, parking will be restricted in certain areas
           as the crews work on the conduit runs. These closed areas will
           be signed and well-marked.

Overall, the Design/Build Install Renewable Energy Equipment at the El
Portal Complex is proceeding on schedule.  (M. Ortiz - 12/6/10)
******************************************************
Update - 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 continuning their work to
remove old and abandoned utilities out of senstive environments throughout
Yosemite Valley.  You will notice work being done primarily in Cook's
Meadow this week (12/6 - 12/10). (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 -
     12/7/10)

Community News

FOR RENT:  3 bedroom/2 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 - 12/7/10)
******************************************************
FOR RENT:  Adjoining duplex to main house.  One bedroom/one bathroom;
shared laundry room.  1100 square feet; very clean.  $650 month.  Bootjack
area.  Call Chet at 742-5933 or email:  chet@sti.net. (Y. Radanovich -
12/7/10)
******************************************************
FOR RENT:  3bd/2ba mobile w/deck and carport - available on December 15th.
$850/month; $850 rent deposit. Preferably no dogs or cats; however one cat
is ok.  Quiet occupants preferred.  Call Kristi at (cell) 559-696-2284. (Y.
Radanovich - 12/7/10)
******************************************************
You are in Luck!  For those of you who missed the tree and wreath sale, The
Lion's Club has several trees and wreaths available:
     12" potted Euro tree with ceramic pot = $15  Perfect for Dorm Rooms
or small apartments!
     18" pine wreath = $25  Gorgeous!

Please feel free to spread the word to your friends who may not be on the
Daily Report distribution. All proceeds go to local organizations such as
the Day Care, School, etcetera. If you are interested, please contact Brett
Archer at (209) 372-8327. (K. Wright - 12/7/10)
******************************************************
YEA WINTER SOCIAL
Yosemite Employee Association invites all employees to Winter Social, a
semi-formal event at the Cedar Lodge. Mark your calendars for December
17th. Doors open at 5PM, host bar by YEA, hors d'oeuvers by Crab Cakes,
music by The Adam Burns Band. Enjoy this adult event for $20 for members or
$25 for non-members. Consider staying at Cedar Lodge (ask for the
discounted rate) to enjoy your evening if you do not have a designated
driver. Questions? Contact any YEA Board member or come by Sal's on Dec.
16th. (M. Dale - 12/6/10)
******************************************************
TONIGHT! THE YOSEMITE GREEN LIVING FORUM - 2nd installment Join Balanced
Rock for an interactive sustainability course in El Portal.
Explore ecological design, bioregional action, and voluntary simplicity
while developing a practical vision for creating a sustainable future in
our local communities. All three sessions meet Tuesdays from 7-9pm at the
El Portal Community Hall.
•     December 7, “Wild Democracy: Ecological Citizenship and Bioregional
Action”
•     December 14, “Sustainable Living Practices: Green Building, Energy,
and Food Systems” (at the Yosemite Institute in El Portal)
Suggested donation of $10 per session to cover take-home reading material,
video presentations, and staff preparation time. Call 209-379-9453 or
arin@balancedrock.org with questions or to reserve a space. (A.Trook -
12/6/10)
******************************************************
Upcoming Events in Groveland
Daily Wine Tasting and Lunch
Cafe Charlotte is open 11:30 to 3:30 dailly during the holidays for Wine
Tasting and Lunch. Try 5 wines for only $5 and take the tasting fee off the
price of the bottle if you find one you want to buy. Special Sale on Wines
for holiday gifts too!

December 23 & 24
The Oops, I Need a Gift  Faire: At the Hotel Charlotte on Thursday, 12/23
from 1-5pm. Designed for the last minute shopper and those who woke up
realizing they forgot "Aunt Bea" and need something wonderful, local and
unique. Folks who will be at the Charlotte with last minute gifts to sell
include: Jan Knudsen with her letterosis and fun cape, Jackie Sample with
her jewelry, Connie Scott with her neckties for dogs and designer pottery,
Kris Corey with his Yosemite Audio CDs, Barbara J with her seasonings and
more too. We will also have a bevy of kitschy Hotel Charlotte logo  items!
All unique, all Grovelandesque. This Forgot a Gift fair is designed to help
you stay near home and on the hill in the last hectic days before the
Holiday rush. (Even if you don't need anything, stop by to share a bit of
Holiday Cheer with us.)  Really big oops? The Hotel Charlotte is open on
Christmas Eve until 10 pm and again at 7:30 am on Christmas morning if you
have still forgotten something. The selection becomes fairly limited...but,
heck we are here for you!

December 31st New Years Eve
New Year's Eve: will see the hotel redressed in it's more formal sparkle as
we host dinner throughout the evening. First, with our 4-course early menu
serving from 5:30 to 7pm, or our bells and whistles dinner-dance mid-night
party starting at 8:30. New Year's Eve details are online.  What a great
year to turn 90 (the Hotel!) and 50 (me!) Join the celebration with us. (C.
Botell - 12/6/10)