Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Friday, May 30, 2008
Weather
Yosemite: TODAY...SUNNY. HIGHS 61 TO 71 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...45 TO 55 IN
THE HIGH COUNTRY.
TONIGHT...MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS 35 TO 45 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...26 TO 34 IN THE
HIGH COUNTRY.
SATURDAY...MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS 62 TO 72 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...44 TO 54 IN
THE HIGH COUNTRY.
SATURDAY NIGHT...PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS 37 TO 47 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY... 28 TO
36 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
SUNDAY...SUNNY. HIGHS 61 TO 71 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...43 TO 53 IN THE HIGH
COUNTRY.
SUNDAY NIGHT...PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS 37 TO 47 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY... 27 TO 37
IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
MONDAY AND MONDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLOUDY. HIGHS 67 TO 77 IN YOSEMITE
VALLEY...50 TO 60 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY. LOWS 38 TO 48 IN YOSEMITE
VALLEY...28 TO 38 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
El Portal: Today: Sunny, with a high near 78. Southwest wind between 3 and
9 mph.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 45. Calm wind becoming east
between 5 and 8 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. East wind 6 to 11 mph becoming
southwest.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 45. Southwest wind 5 to 9
mph becoming east northeast.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming
west.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 46.
Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 81.
Happening Today/This Weekend (Check the Community News section for other
events)
Beth Waldow is moving to private law practice. After over 30 years of
government service in a variety of jobs, Beth will be joining the Walter
Wilhelm Law Group in June. The Visitor & Resource Protection Division
greatly appreciate all her contributions. As the current prosecutor for
misdemeanor cases she has been an ardent advocate for the park. Please
join us in a potluck celebration, May 30, 5:30 p.m. at Jodi Gover's
residence, Tecoya H116 on the Awahnee Meadow. Bring a dish to share, BYOB,
and a lawn chair. (C. Cuvelier - 5/20/08)
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National Parks Family Day
Date: May 31, 2008
Location: Fresno, CA
Description: Annual Event Brings National Parks to Fresno Families
FREE annual community event designed to introduce the national parks to
everyone living in Fresno County. Families experience Yosemite, Sequoia,
and Kings Canyon national parks with a full day of hands-on fun and
educational activities.
Meet National Park Rangers from Sequoia, Yosemite, and Kings Canyon
National Parks, Pinnacles National Monument, Juan Bautista de Anza
National Historic Trail, and San Francisco Maritime National Historic
Park who will teach you about the wildlife and history of the national
parks
Learn the basics of camping from Philip Hoelzel, author of Como Acampar
Enjoy live entertainment from dance, music and performance groups
Experience an educational presentation provided by REI and others
Join us!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Storyland/Playland at Roeding Park
890 W. Belmont Ave., Fresno, CA 93728
Located just east of Freeway 99 between Belmont and Olive Avenues.
This great event is brought to the Central Valley by a partnership between
the National Parks Conservation Association, Central California Hispanic
Chamber of Commerce, Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks;
Delaware North Companies, Inc. and Yosemite Association
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The Third Annual El Portal Spring Clean will take place on Saturday
morning. Meet at the Community Hall at 9:00 A.M. for a fun trip around town
to pick up unwanted items to be properly deposited in the two dumpsters
provided by Total Waste Systems. This is an all volunteer all donated
event. Please cooperate by not throwing contraband into the dumpsters
(signage provided) or leaving stuff outside of the dumpsters. Items to be
recycled should not be included. This is all going into the land-fill so
think before you toss. (N. Nicholas - 5/30/08)
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El Portal Spring Clean this Saturday 5/31 from 9am to noon. If you want to
help haul please be at the community hall at 9am with gloves on. If you
need help hauling something please call Mark and Allie before Saturday at
379-2619 and we will be by with volunteers between 9 and noon. Please note
that some restrictions apply (i.e., no refrigerators). (N. Nicholas/M.
Deglomine - 5/29/08)
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We would like to inform you of the passing of a friend, co-worker and
caregiver Lisa Domingues. She passed on Wednesday May 21, 2008, one month
after she was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. Lisa has touched so many
lives throughout our communities and has loved so many of our children
providing care for them at Yosemite National Park Childcare Center. She has
worked at the center for nearly 20 years and she will be greatly missed.
Memorial benefit dinner is still Saturday May 31, 2008 at the Clark
Community Hall at 5:00 p.m. Questions about the benefit contact Charity
Brocchini @ 372-4819 or 379-2860 a raffle will also be held at 8:00 p.m.
(C. Brocchini - 5/22/08)
New Today
Bishop Mule Days 2008 was very successful for the NPS Yosemite Packers.
1st Place & Special Award for Authenticity: Government Show String led by
Chris Flanagan.
1st Place: Matched Pair of Mules, Billie Patrick and Murphy, Kelly Maples
and Otis.
2nd Place: Government Working String led by Manuel Guerrero.
2nd Place: Authentic Pack Load Display led by Jed Sauer.
Yosemite NPS Team: Gil Guerrero, Manuel Guerrero, Mike Preston, Jr., Chris
Flanagan.
Placed 3rd overall throughout a weekend of competition. Placing 2nd & 3rd
in pack scrambles and 5th in the obstacle course. Placed 2nd in the team
packing contest.
Shane Fairbanks placed 3rd in Team Roping.
Although the weather was cold and windy, a good time was had by all. The
NPS Yosemite Packers demonstrated the tradition of mule packing in Yosemite
National Park. The Packers along with the horses and mules worked well and
looked really great!
Thanks to the community and many folks not mentioned above for the
continued support of the NPS Yosemite Packers Pack Team. We are already
planning our next fund raiser, so set your calendars for Friday October 3rd
for our annual dinner/dance to be held in the Valley. (J. Wheeler -
5/30/08)
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Bear Facts May 18 - May 24, 2008
Bears Hit by Vehicles Year to Date = 3
Yosemite Valley Incidents this week
Campgrounds | 3 | $68
------------------------------+------------+--------------
Parking lots | 1 | $200
------------------------------+------------+--------------
Other (concession | 2 | $70
facilities and residential | |
areas) | |
------------------------------+------------+--------------
Total | 6 | $338
Yosemite Valley Incidents Year to date
Campgrounds | 12 | $414
------------------------------+------------+--------------
Parking lots | 36 | $9,385
------------------------------+------------+--------------
Other (concession | 13 | $990
facilities and residential | |
areas) | |
------------------------------+------------+--------------
Total | 61 | 10,789
* There have been 9 incidents involving bears obtaining food from
overflowing trashcans or unclipped dumpsters in addition to the incidents
listed above.
Comparisons Year to Date
| 1998 | 2008 | Percent | 2007 | 2008 | Percent
| | | Change | | | Change
--------------+------------+------------+------------+-----------+--------------+--------------
Incidents | 318 | 61 | -80.82% | 65 | 61 | -6.15%
--------------+------------+------------+------------+-----------+--------------+--------------
Damage | $155,545 | $10,789 | -93.06% | $9,067 | $10,789 | 18.99%
Two bears were hit by vehicles this week, one died from its injuries.
Please obey speed limits and be aware of wildlife on the sides of the roads
when driving in Yosemite.
The Pines campgrounds and concession areas, such as Housekeeping and Curry
Village, had an increase in bear activity this week. A sow has been taking
her cubs into developed areas and getting food out of lockers that are not
properly latched. If you are planning on camping in Yosemite, make sure you
know how your locker operates and latch it properly every time you open and
close it.
Do you have bear sightings or incidents? Please call the save-a-bear
hotline and leave a message (209) 372-0322. (T. Seher - 5/30/08)
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Reconstruct El Portal Road at the “narrows”
There will be construction activity causing delays nightly except
Sundays through 6/14.
Mon – Thurs – 8:00 p.m. – 6:00 a.m. Traffic control will be
coordinated with the Valley Loop Road project.
Fri – Sat - 10:00 p.m. – 6:00 a.m.
The guardwall will be complete except for stain on May 30.
The curb and drop inlets will be complete on May 29.
Final paving is scheduled for 6/4 & 5, with striping and raising
manholes on 6/6 & 7.
Completion of the cut wall facing is scheduled for 6/14.
Guardwall staining is scheduled for 6/12 - 14.
Final inspection is scheduled for 6/10 at 11:00 a.m.
Tunnel View
Walkway and wall work is underway causing limited parking (busses only)
in the North lot.
NPS Trails is constructing the new trailhead for the Pohono Trail.
Sanitary Sewer Capital Improvements (CIP 2)
Cleanup at North end of Lower Pines CG is ongoing.
Raise Manholes and collars Valley wide begin on May 12th thru June 13th.
Paving of damaged areas will begin June 1st. (G. Rothell - 5/30/08)
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North and Southside Drive Rehabilitation
Northside Drive:
May 30th thru June 22nd>>El Capitan Picnic Area to Pohono Bridge--Open
during the day with intermittent one-lane closures while crews raise the
utility manholes. It is also open during the night, however pilot car
operations are escorting 2-way traffic due to the nighttime closure of
Southside Drive.
Southside Drive:
May 30th thru July 27th>>Pohono Bridge to Wawona Road--Open during the day
with a single lane and gravel type driving surface. Closed Sunday thru
Thursday nights. Sunday night the closure is from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM and
Monday thru Thursday nights the closure is from 8:00 PM to 6:00 AM. During
the night crews are pulverizing, regrading and compacting the recycled road
surface. Paving operations are tentatively schedule to begin June 16th.
(Nighttime delays up to 30-minutes and daytime less than 5-minutes)
May 30th thru July27th>>Wawona Road to Housekeeping--During the day
intermittent one-lane closures as crews continue to work on headwalls and
curb installation in preparation for the next phase of pulverizing and
paving (Wawona Road to El Capitan Crossover).
Big Oak Flat Road Sealing
May 30th thru June 27th>>crews will be working nights with one-lane traffic
control and up to 15-minute delays while they seal the Big Oak Flat Road
between El Portal Road and the Hodgdon Entrance. The work schedule for
Sunday & Friday Nights is 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM and for Monday thru Thursday
Nights it is 8:00 PM to 6:00 AM. (M. Pieper - 5/30/08)
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We are pleased to announce that Erik Skindrud has accepted a GS-9 term
writer/editor position in the Division of Interpretation and Education.
Erik has a BS in European History from U.C. Santa Cruz and a Master's
Degree in Journalism, focused on Yosemite's Half Dome, from U.C. Berkeley.
He has worked as writer/reporter for Science News, Orange County Register,
and Landscape Communications. Erik has extensive interest and experience
backpacking in the Sierra Nevada and a passionate interest in the history
of Yosemite. He will be in the Branch of Interpretive Support Services
reporting to Vickie Mates. Please join us in welcoming him! (C. Stein -
5/30/08)
Announcements
Drop in program: Come join the Habitat Protectors of Yosemite (HaPY)
program! Program runs Fridays from May2- October 31st. Work with park
staff to remove invasive plants and learn basic ecological principles. All
volunteers are required to wear pants and closed-toe shoes. Long sleeves,
sunscreen, water, and snacks are recommended. Meet in front of Yosemite
Valley Visitor Center at 9am. Bring a lunch and join us! (M. DeBree -
5/1/08)
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The Fire Management Office will be hosting a S-260 Incident Business
Management Class, May 29-30 from 0800-1700 at Cedar Lodge. Space is
limited. This class will enhance your knowledge and skills to better
provide incident support in the Finance, Planning, Operations and Logistics
Sections. If you provide support to fires or all-hazard incidents, you
should consider attending this class.
If you want to attend, please call or email me, no later than May 22. (D.
Mills - 5//6/08)
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Annual wildland fire refresher - A wildland fire refresher will be held on
May 30th at the Crane Flat Yosemite Institute from 930 to 1800. This
refresher is intended for Mather district personnel, but all are welcome.
Please bring your blue sheet (red card information sheet), line gear and
apparel for shelter deployment drills. Please call or email me to reserve
a spot, I have room for 25 people. (K. Krause - 5/5/08)
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Leave Share Participants
Currently, YOSE leave share participants are:
Shari Baudoux
Kevin Bowman
Kimberly Cunningham-Summerfield
You can find leave share participants Servicewide on InsideNPS at:
http://insidenps.gov/index.cfm?handler=leaveshare
If you are interested in contributing annual leave, please do so by
completing a Request to Donate Annual Leave to Leave Recipient (Within
Agency) Under the Leave Transfer Program, OPM Form 630-A. A fillable PDF
version of the OPM 630-A may be found at:
http://opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/opm630a.pdf (T. Hawkins - 1/31/07)
Community News
6th STREET CINEMA is a non-profit theater located in downtown Mariposa,
atop the historic Masonic Lodge on 6th Street. It is the presentation arm
of the Rural Media Arts and Education Project, a 501(c)(3) corporation,
and is supported by the California Arts Council, SierraTel, the James
Irvine
Foundation, Mariposa County, and the Geoff and Josie Fox Family Foundation,
a Donor Advised fund of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. We are
also generously supported by Iron Mountain Systems and Stonecutter.com.
The views expressed by the films, in print materials, or by discussion
facilitators are not necessarily those of these funders. This activity is
funded in part by the California Arts Council, a state agency, and the
National Endowment for the Arts, a national agency. Monthly membership is
$12, allowing film entry for $3 each; non-members pay $7, and non-member
students pay only $5. Film/theater information: (209) 966-1333 or
http://www.sixthstreetcinema.org Staff: 209 742-6666. E-mail us:
sixthstreetcinema@sti.net
This week's film:
Saturday only, May 31, 7:30 p.m. TED (4th edition) FREE ADMISSION (with
no-host bar). TED (Technology Entertainment Design) is an annual conference
held in Monterey, (moving to Long Beach this year). It defines its mission
as "ideas worth spreading", Its lectures cover a broad set of topics
including science, arts, design, politics, global issues, architecture,
music and more. The speakers themselves are from a wide variety of
communities and disciplines and have included such people as Bill Clinton,
Nobel laureates James D. Watson and Murray Gell-Mann, Internet entrepreneur
Jimmy Wales, and Google co-founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page. The TED
Conference also has a companion conference, TED Global, held in varying
locations. Its admission fee and annual membership now runs $6,000, and has
become one of the most sought after conferences to attend. The presenters
over the 4-day conference are given the simple advice: Just be profound!
Saturday's segments include:
Yochai Benkler: Open Source Economics Larry Lessig calls law professor
Yochai Benkler "the leading intellectual of the information age." He
proposes that volunteer-based projects like Wikipedia and Linux are the
next state of human organization and economic production.
Isabelle Allende: Tales of passion As a novelist and memoirist, Isabel
Allende writes of passionate lives, including her own. Born into a Chilean
family with political ties, she went into exile in the United States in the
1970s -- an event that, she believes, created her as a writer. Her voice
blends
sweeping narrative with touches of magical realism; her stories are
romantic, in the very best sense of the word.
Amy Tan: Creativity Born in the US to immigrant parents from China, Amy Tan
rejected her mother's expectations that she become a doctor and concert
pianist. She chose to write fiction instead. Her much-loved, best-selling
novels have been translated into 35 languages. She's writing a new
novel and creating the libretto for "The Bonesetter's Daughter," which will
have its world premiere in September 2008 with the San Francisco Opera.
Joshua Klein: The Intelligence of Crows Joshua Klein will hack anything
that moves -- his list includes "social systems, computer networks,
institutions, consumer hardware and animal behavior." His latest project,
though charmingly low-tech, has amazing implications for the human-animal
interface.
Erin McKean: Redifining the Dictionary Is the beloved paper dictionary
doomed to extinction? When does a made-up word become real? And could you
use "synecdochical" in a sentence, please? In this infectiously exuberant
talk, leading lexicographer Erin McKean looks at the many ways in which
today's print dictionary is poised for transformation in this internet era.
UPCOMING EVENTS (at 7:30 unless otherwise noted):
"Harry and Tonto," a benefit for the Catnip Society, June 7, 6:30 p.m. $15
"Brazil: Director's Cut," June 13-14
"Savages," June 20-21
"Blade Runner," June 27-28 (T. Arfsten - 5/28/08)
Acting Designation
Mary Kline will be acting Chief of I&E Friday, May 30
Tom Medema will be acting Chief of I&E on Monday, June 2 (T. Medema -
5/30/08)
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Sueann Brown (379-1222) will be acting Branch Chief for History,
Architecture & Landscapes on Friday May 30th. (D. Humphrey - 5/30/08)
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Glen Rothell will be Acting Chief of Project Management May 30th. Glen may
be reached at his Valley office at 372-0429 or at his El Portal office at
379-1139. You may also leave a message with Doyle Harrison at 379-1202.
(D. Harrison - 5/30/08)
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Sue Beatty (379-3290) will be acting branch chief for Vegetation and
Restoration on Fri. May 30. (J. Weaser - 5/30/08)
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John Barton will be Acting Roads and Trails Branch Chief on 5/30/08. He
can be reached at 379-1052 or you can leave a message with Beth Benitag at
379-1057. (R. Soden - 5/30/08)
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Craig Anthony will be acting Safety Officer Friday May 30 and Monday June
2. He can be reached at 379-1064. (C. Ronay - 5/30/08)
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Rodney Raines is now acting Wawona Utilities supervisor until further
notice. He can be reached at 375-9510 or leave a message with Shawnessy.
(K. Bablitch - 5/28/08)
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For the month of May, Mike and Kevin have asked me to backfill for Kevin
while he is on leave. I will continue my duties as AO from the Valley and
you can contact me there as needed. However, there will be times when I
may not be available to address some issues in Admin. During those times
please feel free to contact the following administration branch chiefs for
assistance. They have authority to make decisions and adjust
administration resources to meet your needs when I'm not available.
May 26th - 30th Skip Sheets 379-1195 (L. Harris - 5/1/08)
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