Yosemite Photos, Video and News

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NEW AND HAPPENING TODAY

Foresta Road Will Reopen Today at 6:00 AM (Between Rancheria and Old El Portal)
The Foresta Road Slide Repairs are nearly complete, so the Foresta Road will reopen to traffic at 6:00 AM today. Once the road is reopened, there may still be intermittent-single lane traffic control as the crews are removing materials and equipment from this area, so please use caution when driving thru the area on Friday and Saturday, 2/17 and 2/18. (M. Pieper)
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Yosemite National Park Releases Environmental Assessment for the White Wolf Lodge Rehabilitation Project - news release
Scott Gediman 209-372-0248
Kari Cobb 209-372-0529

Yosemite National Park announces the release of the White Wolf Lodge Rehabilitation Environmental Assessment (EA). The EA will be available for public review and comment from tomorrow, Friday, February 17, 2012, to Friday, March 23, 2012. The purpose of the White Wolf Lodge Rehabilitation Project is to improve the structural stability, accessibility, and operational efficiency of the main building and duplex cabins.  A digital copy of the EA is available on the National Park Service’s Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) website at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/whitewolflodge .

The public is invited to attend the park’s monthly Open House and discuss the project with park staff on Wednesday, February 29, 2012.  The Open House will be held at the Yosemite Valley Auditorium, behind the Valley Visitor Center, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The EA evaluates the No Action Alternative (continuation of as-needed emergency repairs and routine and periodic maintenance) and one action alternative (preferred alternative). Rehabilitation under the preferred alternative includes accessibility modifications to the main building, duplex cabins, and immediate surroundings.  Modifications would occur to some cabins, paths of travel, and restrooms for day and lodge users.  Other repairs include improvements to the flooring, foundations, and roofing at the main building and the duplex cabins; operational efficiency improvements including providing an alternative location for two self-contained cold-storage units for kitchen operations; and site grading and drainage/foundation improvements to minimize further weather-related damage to the structures and paths onsite.

The preferred method for submitting comments is through the PEPC website at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/whitewolflodge . Printed and CD copies of the plan will be available at the Open House on Wednesday, February 29, or can be requested by emailing Yose_Planning@nps.gov.   Limited hard-copies are available.  Comments may also be submitted via mail and should be postmarked by March 23, 2012 to: Superintendent, Yosemite National Park, Attn: White Wolf Lodge and Duplex Cabins Rehabilitation, PO Box 577, Yosemite, CA 95389. (K. Cobb)
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Yosemite National Park Announces Public Workshops, Site Visits, and Webinars on the Merced River Plan - news release
Events present a great opportunity for public to get involved in important planning effort
Scott Gediman 209-372-0248
Kari Cobb 209-372-0529

Yosemite National Park announces a series of Public Workshops, Site Visits, and Webinars for the public to engage in the alternative development process for the Comprehensive Management Plan for the Merced Wild and Scenic River (MRP). The meetings are a continuation of the park's outreach efforts from last fall in which the public was asked to provide input on what they would like to see included in the management alternatives evaluated in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) to be released later this year. The MRP is a very important plan and will guide the future management of Yosemite within the Merced River corridor.  These spring workshops will be yet another chance for the public to review work in progress and provide input directly to park planners about a range of conceptual approaches to protecting river values and managing use within the corridor.   The MRP will guide future decisions about land use such as restoration, transportation, camping, parking, lodging, employee housing and other administrative uses, and set user capacity – most notably within Yosemite Valley – and will establish the management strategy and actions for the next 20 years by modifying the General Management Plan.

“This is a critical step in the public planning process and I can't stress enough how important it is for the public to remain engaged and invested,” stated Don Neubacher, the park superintendent. “We ask that the public continue to inform this process and let us know what they think."

The  Preliminary Alternative Concepts Workbook for the MRP will be published on the web site mid-March 2012 and distributed in hard-copy late March 2012.  This document will provide a synopsis of each alternative concept as compared to existing conditions.  Copies will also be provided to each of the Workshop/Site Visit participants.

The Workshop schedule is:
-Wednesday, March 28, 2012, 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Yosemite Valley Auditorium
-Wednesday, April 4, 2012, 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Golden Gate Room, Fort Mason Center, San Francisco
-Thursday, April 12, 2012, 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., El Portal Community Hall
-Friday, April 13, 2012, 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Wawona Community Hall

Site Visits will provide an opportunity to discuss proposed actions “on-the-ground” at the locations where they may be implemented.  They will be conducted in conjunction with the Workshops outlined above.  Visitors are asked to wear comfortable walking shoes.

The Site Visit schedule is:
-Wednesday, March 28, 2012, 1:00 p.m, to 3:00 p.m., meet at the Yosemite Valley Auditorium
-Thursday, April 12, 2012, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., meet at the El Portal Community Hall
-Friday, April 13, 2012, 10:00 p.m. to 12:00 p.m., meet at the Wawona Community Hall

There will also be two webinars conducted that will review the draft alternatives. These will be held on Tuesday, March 27, 2012, at 10:00 a.m., and on Wednesday, April 11, 2012, at 6:30 p.m. People can participate in the webinars by logging into yose.webex.com

Park entrance fees will be waived for people attending the Public Workshops/Site Visits for the MRP. Visitors are asked to tell the park ranger at the entrance station that they will be attending one of the Public Workshops/Site Visits.

For the latest information on the MRP and all park planning efforts, please visit www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/planning.htm. (K. Cobb)
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Vehicle Sticker Update
To all Permanent and Term NPS employees, just a reminder that the Entrance Stations are in possession of a plentiful supply of the coveted new Permanent Employee Vehicle Sticker with an expiration date of December 2014 printed  right on the front.  For those qualifying NPS employees who have yet to obtain this essential accessory, please feel free to stop by any entrance station and we promise to do our best to equip you with your very own.  And please, after you have the sticker in your possession, we simply ask that you physically attach it to your windshield at the driver’s side lower corner as this is our primary focus when a vehicle approaches the station.  So stop by, grab some words of wisdom, and pick up your new sticker. (G. Gibbons)
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Ansel Adams Gallery Reception
The AAG will be having a reception for Bob Kolbrener and his stunning black and white photography on Saturday from 1-3 PM. Refreshments and light food will be provided. (M. Reeves)
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Arrow Glass Windshield and Glass Repairs
Arrow Glass will be here Thursday, February 23 at 8:00 am to repair/replace any vehicle windshield/glass needs. Please park your vehicle in front of the Machine Shop facing the parking lot with the doors unlocked and the keys in the vehicle. If you need to be added to the list between now and then please call me at the Machine Shop (379-1150) or Sharon at Arrow Glass (533-3700) so supplies for your vehicle can be obtained. Just a note that the vehicle needs to remain here for at least 24 hours. (G. Tilley)
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Badger Pass Daily Snow Report - 2/17
Base Depth: 18” – 30”
Snow Conditions: Powder & Packed Powder. Excellent Coverage & Conditions.
Forecast: Sunny
Temperature: High 46 Low 28
Runs Groomed: Bruin, Eagle, Turtle, Rabbit & Badger
Lifts Open: Turtle, Bruin, Eagle, Badger
Runs open: All
XC trail snow conditions:  100% coverage and groomed from Badger Pass to Glacier Point on Friday Morning 2-17-2012. (S. Costello)

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RECENT NEWS

Tuolumne Meadows Winter Conditions Update - February 15, 2012
Weather: (February 8 through February 15)
High temp: 51°F (February 9)
Low temp: 4°F (February 14)
New Snow: 13 inches
Total settled snow depth: 24 inches as of February

Skiing Conditions and Weather: Winter is finally paying us a visit. Both recent storms have dropped some light, fluffy powder. The skiing has been fantastic. Trail breaking isn't difficult in the light snow, but can be once the temperatures change so bring plenty of skin & ski wax!

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

The new snow that fell this week was cold and dry with only 0.6" of water in 13" of snow. Not much wind below tree line resulted in a uniform snow cover and no slab conditions. Above tree line the snow is more wind affected and pockets of wind slab are possible. We observed some collapsing on a North facing, wind loaded slope. This slope had old snow on it from November and the collapsing took place on the old faceted snow near the ground. These pockets of old snow are very isolated on the shadiest of north facing slopes and, generally speaking, are not widespread enough to pose much of a hazard.

Wildlife: A Pine Marten was seen sniffing around the Tuolumne Lodge area. While skiing in variable conditions earlier this week on Gaylor Peak, two Golden Eagles loomed overhead, perhaps thinking they would soon find their prey! Not to fear now that there's powder…

Questions: Please note that power and phones are out for the season. Contact the Wilderness Office at 209/372-0740 with any questions or concerns. Be prepared for winter conditions, finally! -- Laura & Rob Pilewski, the Tuolumne Meadows winter rangers. For regular updates, bookmark our blog on the park's website: http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/tmconditions.htm . (M. Ortiz)
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Private Rental - Midpines
Three bedroom one and half bath 960 sq-ft. mobile-home at $675/mo. Includes
appliances and an option of partial furnishings. Refrigerator, propane furnace and stove, with front loading washer and dryer, propane water heater and swamp cooler. Located just off of Highway 140 on Colorado Rd, Midpines. Please no pets. Available beginning of April 2012. Please contact: Ofer Brender, ofer@kadima.us 510-915-0404. (C. Baker)
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Upcoming Servicewide Radon Testing for NPS Residential Units
The radon testing kits have arrived in the park. The schedule for placing the test kits within NPS housing units is listed below:

Yosemite Valley: February 21 - 24
El Portal: February 24 - 27
Mather District: February 24 - 27
Wawona District: February 24 - 27

We ask that all windows and doors remain closed for up to 12 hours prior to the kits being placed. You may access your unit at any time; we just ask that no door be left open for an extended amount of time. The testing kits will need to remain in place for three days. Park staff will be responsible for placement of the test kits, as well as collection and delivery to designated laboratory facilities following the three day sampling period. The Housing Office will relay any questions or concerns regarding radon that are raised by residents to the Regional Office. The placement of a radon testing kits within NPS residential units should not be interpreted as a cause for alarm. Testing will enable screening for problem areas or locations and serve as the basis for follow up actions, including additional testing and mitigation measures if necessary. If radon is discovered and remediation is necessary, radon remediation techniques are available and highly effective.

With your cooperation and participation, we can ensure a safer and healthier environment for our families living in NPS housing.

For additional information regarding Radon, click on the EPA Citizen Guide to Radon link: http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/citguide.html or visit the Housing SharePoint site @ http://sharepoint.yose.nps.gov/admn/housing/default.aspx (C. Baker)
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Weekly Safety Topic
Hello Yosemite employees - be sure to check out this week's safety topic, "Safe Lifting." Whether it is 2 pounds or 50 there is a correct way lift and save your back! http://sharepoint.yose.nps.gov/safe/Safety%20Pics/Yose_Weekly_safetyFY12.PDF . (C. Ronay)
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Music at the Carabiner
This Saturday, the wonderful Adam Burns Band will play a FREE live show at the Carabiner (Degnan's Loft). They will rock the Valley from 8ish to 11ish. Don't miss this one, it's a chance to turn all those snow dances into a true celebration! There's only a handful off live music opportunities left this season at the Carabiner, stay tuned for the details. We're really going out with a bang this year! (E. Brosk)
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Sixth Street Cinema Supporters
It is with sincere regret that we inform you that the Sixth Street Cinema will being going dark beginning the first week of March, after fifteen years, approximately 2,300 screenings and events, and nearly 46,000 patrons through the doors. It has been our privilege and our pleasure to bring so many great films from around the world, and so many cultural, educational and humanities programs to our community. We are truly thankful to those in the community who have supported us over the years, be it financial, voluntary, or in spirit.

The capital project, and more to the point, the problems incurred with funding, and the health issues affecting Tony over the last year and a half, have dealt a hard blow to our financial stability. With the down time, we will attempt to piece together a solution to our current condition. If there is a way for us to survive this, we will.

To that end, we will provide more details in the coming days and weeks. And of course we will have an event in the near future for face to face discussion of the details and the possibilities, and the impossibilities. In the absence of screenings, we do not expect our members, who have so diligently supported us over the years, to continue sending payments. That said, you are welcome to continue your membership payments during this dark period until a resolution is at hand, as funds are necessary for whatever outcome lies ahead for us.

The Leonardo screenings will take place as scheduled, February 19th, 23rd and 26th, as will the Opera scheduled for Feb. 25. We will not be screening a film this weekend, but we will return next weekend, February 24th and 25th, and the following weekend, March 2nd and 3rd, with what we consider to be the best drama and the best comedy of 2011, for our final films. As always, thank you for your kind words, thoughts, and support.

Sincerely,
The 6th Street Cinema Board (T. Arfsten)
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Sixth Street Cinema
Located upstairs at the Old Masonic Lodge in downtown Mariposa. For more information, please call (209) 742-6666 or go to www.sixthstreetcinema.org . Coming soon - a very special event: LEONARDO LIVE. Feb. 19 (Sun.), 23(Thu), and 26(Sun), 7:30 p.m. Admission: $7 general public; $5 students; $3 SSC members. A satellite-delivered HD presentation of the once-in-a-lifetime exhibition “Leonardo da Vinci: Painter at the Court of Milan”, captured at the U.K. National Gallery. LEONARDO LIVE offers an unprecedented opportunity for audiences worldwide to experience these da Vinci works. The historic exhibition is sold out in London and, due to the fragility of the paintings, the exhibition cannot tour. See trailer: http://leonardolivehd.com/ (T. Arfsten)
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NPS 100th - 2016 Call to Action and America's Summit on National Parks
As you may know, partners of the NPS (National Parks Conservation Association, National Park Foundation, and National Park Hospitality Association) recently hosted a three day conference in Washington, DC. The conference focused on the Call to Action initiative set forth by NPS Director Jarvis, honoring the 100th Anniversary of the NPS. The Call to Action charts a direction for the National Park Service as we move into our second century of preservation and enjoyment.

Yosemite is playing a leadership role in the Call to Action and we had several partners attend the recent summit. For more information:
Call to Action (external site): http://www.nps.gov/calltoaction/
Call to Action (internal site): http://inside.nps.gov/calltoaction/
Resources from America's Summit on National Parks: http://www.2016parksummit.org/faq/resources.html . (K. Hardy)
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NPS Housing Survey Results
On June 13, 2011, the park provided an "on-line" Housing Survey to all Yosemite National Park employees. The survey was intended to fully understand our complex housing issues, develop a strategy that meets Yosemite’s housing needs and address your concerns and questions. The participation was overwhelming! There were 257 employees who took the time to offer substantive comments and questions. After careful analysis, the comments have been distilled down to 24 pages, capturing the salient responses and common themes.

You can find the results of this survey on the Yosemite SharePoint Site: http://sharepoint.yose.nps.gov/admn/housing/default.aspx

Thank you for taking the time to participate in the survey. Together, we can tackle our housing issues and make Yosemite the best place to work and live in the National Park Service. (C. Baker)
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For Rent
Older 2 bedroom mobile - no smokers, must have reference, has iron water stains things orange. Very quiet area near E. Whitlock & Colorado. $475 a mo plus $400 deposit. 966-3170. (M. Kline)
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Charge Card Reminder
Attention Supervisors: If any of your staff had charges on their government charge card (purchase or travel) in January please ensure review, by cardholder and yourself, of the statement and all supporting documents in a timely manner. Charge card applications, directions and a variety of other related information can be found on SharePoint at http://sharepoint.yose.nps.gov/admn/contract/default.aspx . (L. Schafer)
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For Rent
Downtown Mariposa rental: 3 bedroom, 2 bath. Completely furnished including bed linens, dishes, TV, utilities, etc. $1,450/month. Available now through April 30, 2011. Please call: 209-966-3044. (Y. Radanovich)

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CONSTRUCTION AND TRAFFIC DELAYS

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ACTING DESIGNATIONS

Bret Meldrum will be acting Division Chief, Resources Management and Science on Friday, February 17, 2012. He can be reached at 209-379-1216.

Kevin Killian will be the acting Chief Ranger Feb. 17-24 while Charles Cuvelier is out of the park on leave.

Rachel Lewis will be acting Wilderness Patrol Supervisor from Friday February 17 th , 2012 through Sunday February 26 th , 2012.  Rachel can be reached at the Wawona Ranger Office at 375-9520. 

Danny Schaible will be acting Branch Chief for History, Architecture & Landscapes, February 13 thru February 17, 2012. He can be reached at 209-379-1295

Deron Mills will be the acting Chief of Fire and Aviation Management from Feb 13th through Feb 20th. He can be reached at 209-375-9572.

Tom Tobin will be the Acting Contacting Officer from 2/6 thru 2/21. Jody Auerbach is out to the office and will return on 2/22. Jody will periodically be checking her email. Tom can be reached at 379-1040.

Madelyn Ruffner (379-1226) is on a 120-day detail as Acting Environmental Planning and Compliance Program Manager. Madelyn may be found at her regular desk location in the EPC Trailer. Elexis Mayer (379-1377) has temporarily moved to the Planning Trailer to continue her work on the Merced River Plan. For further assistance, you may also contact Jessica Zeek (379-1002), Administrative Support Assistant for Environmental Planning and Compliance.

Jack Hoeflich will be acting Valley District Ranger until further notice.

Andy Fristensky will be Acting Deputy Chief of Interpretive Operations until further notice. He may be reached at 372-0599.

Jeffrey Trust will be Acting Yosemite Valley Field Interpretation Supervisor until further notice. He may be reached at 372-0307.

Ron Watson will be the Acting Supervisory Information Technology Specialist until further notice. He may be reached at 379-1074.

Brenna Lissoway (379-1283) is on a detail as the Park Archivist. If you have need to access the Archives, or have archive related questions, you can call 379-1282 or 379-1104.