Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Friday, June 13, 2008
Weather
Yosemite: TODAY...SUNNY. HIGHS 84 TO 94 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...61 TO 71 IN
THE HIGH COUNTRY.
TONIGHT...CLEAR. LOWS 43 TO 53 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...34 TO 44 IN THE HIGH
COUNTRY.
SATURDAY...SUNNY. HIGHS 85 TO 95 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...62 TO 72 IN THE HIGH
COUNTRY.
SATURDAY NIGHT...CLEAR. LOWS 44 TO 54 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...35 TO 45 IN THE
HIGH COUNTRY.
SUNDAY...SUNNY. HIGHS 85 TO 95 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...63 TO 73 IN THE HIGH
COUNTRY.
SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT...CLEAR. LOWS 42 TO 52 IN YOSEMITE
VALLEY...34 TO 44 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY. HIGHS 81 TO 91 IN YOSEMITE
VALLEY...59 TO 69 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
El Portal: Today: Sunny and hot, with a high near 96. Southeast wind 6 to
11 mph becoming west.
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 52. Calm wind becoming northeast between
8 and 11 mph.
Saturday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 96. North northeast wind between
6 and 13 mph.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 53. North wind between 5 and 13
mph.
Sunday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 96. Northeast wind 7 to 14 mph
becoming west.
Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 51.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 92.
Happening Today/This Weekend (Check the Community News section for other
events)
Resources Management & Science - Interpretation & Education Workshop Friday
June 13 - There will be a Resources Management and Science - Interpretation
and Education Workshop Friday June 13 in the Cliff Room of the Yosemite
Lodge in the Valley. The workshop will start at 9 am and end at 4pm.
RMS staff will focus on how climate change may impact various resources.
Any park staff are welcome. (N. Nicholas - 6/13/08)
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Alternative bluegrass band Crooked Still will open the Summer Concert
Series at Mountain Sage in Groveland this Saturday, June 14th at 5:00pm.
The event is for all ages. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door;
ages 6-12, $6. More information can be found at:
http://www.mtnsage.com/nursery/music.html (G. Stock - 6/10/08)
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YA Outdoor Adventures available this weekend. Naturalist Michael Ross is
leading two different field seminars this weekend and there’s free space
available for park employees. Saturday is “Birding Yosemite Valley” and
Sunday’s course is “Foresta Birding.” Both programs are full days, start
at 7:30, and are a great way to learn about our park. Monday through
Wednesday next week professional photographer John Senser leads a unique
backpack trip to photograph the full moon rise with two nights camped at
North Dome; there is also space available on this course at no charge for
park employees. Contact Pete or Corrie to sign up: 379-2321. (P. Devine -
6/11/08)
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6th STREET CINEMA is a non-profit theater located in downtown Mariposa,
atop the historic Masonic Lodge on 6th Street. We are the presentation arm
of the Rural Media Arts and Education Project, a 501(c)(3) corporation,
and are supported by the California Arts Council, the National Endowment
for the Arts, 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.
Monthly membership is $12, allowing film entry for $3 each; non-members pay
$7 per film, and non-member students pay $5. Recorded Information: (209)
966-1333. Staff: 209 742-6666. http://www.sixthstreetcinema.org . E-mail
us: sixthstreetcinema@sti.net
This month we are celebrating Director's Cuts of some wonderful movies!
This week - Friday-Saturday, June 13-14, 7:30 p.m.: BRAZIL: THE DIRECTOR'S
CUT. (Rated R; 142 min.) Terry Gilliam (yes the Monty Python animator)
gives us this bureaucratic nightmare-comedy about a meek governmental clerk
named Sam Lowry (Jonathan Pryce) whose life is destroyed by a bug. Not a
software bug, a real bug (no doubt related to Kafka's famous Metamorphosis
insect) that gets smooshed in a printer and causes a typographical error
unjustly identifying an innocent citizen, one Mr. Buttle, as suspected
terrorist Harry Tuttle (Robert De Niro). When Sam becomes enmeshed in
unraveling this bureaucratic glitch, he himself winds up labeled as a
miscreant. The movie presents such an unrelentingly imaginative and savage
vision of 20th-century bureaucracy that it almost became a victim of
small-minded studio management itself--until Gilliam surreptitiously
screened his cut for the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, who named it
the best movie of 1985 and virtually embarrassed Universal into releasing
it...but in an edited form. Now you can see the original as Gilliam
intended it! You will laugh, cry, be awed and dazzled, and wonder if this
is not far from a reality of the future.
UPCOMING DIRECTOR'S CUT EVENTS (at 7:30 unless otherwise noted):
"Savages," June 20-21
"Blade Runner," June 27-28
July: musical month! (T. Arfsten - 6/11/08)
New Today
Foresta Fire Update: Fire staff successfully completed burning about 20
additional acres in the Foresta area Wednesday night, bringing the project
total to approximately 55 acres. The area burned Wednesday-Thursday was in
very dense, heavy fuels which have not been treated since the 1990 A-Rock
Fire. The successful completion of this project is great news for Foresta--
a main objective of this project was community protection from fire
originating in the Merced River canyon and travelling up the Crane Creek
drainage. Due to changing weather conditions, no further burning is
scheduled for the area this season. Fire staff will be on hand over the
weekend for mop-up and monitoring. (A. Freeman - 6/13/08)
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The Seventh Annual Mono Basin Bird Chautauqua is coming right up June
20-22nd. Based out of Lee Vining, California, the Bird Chautauqua is a
weekend festival of birds, science, art, music, field trips, and workshops.
The event concludes on Sunday the 22nd at the Mono Lake County Park with a
free concert featuring special bluegrass musical guests Rita Hosking and
Cousin Jack. The concert begins at 12:30 pm. Please carpool to the County
Park since parking will be difficult.
For information and registration visit: www.birdchautauqua.org The Bird
Chautauqua partners include the National Park Service, US Forest Service,
California State Parks, Mono Lake Committee, Friends of the Inyo, Eastern
Sierra Audubon, Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association, and PRBO
Conservation Science.
Not your ordinary bird festival! (D. Marquart - 6/13/08)
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WILDERNESS FIRST RESPONDER RECERTIFICATION CLASS:
Yosemite Institute is sponsoring a WFR-Recertification course though
NOLS/WMI.
DATES: August 26-28, 2008
COST: $250.00
LOCATION: YI Crane Flat Campus, Dining Hall
Register in advance by calling Peggy at YI, 379-9511. Check in the first
day of the course is at 7:45am. Course days run from 8:00am to 5:00pm. BYO
lunch. (P. Schmidt - 6/13/08)
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El Portal Pool is now open for lap swimming Mon-Fri 12:00-1:00 and open
swim 1:00-5:00. Swim lessons begin June 23rd. Call 966-2498 for more
information. (M. Dale - 6/13/08)
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El Portal Voice Mail Change: For those using the 379-1000 voicemail system.
You must set-up a new box on the 379-1400 voice-mail system if you wish to
continue using YNP voicemail.
Just a reminder, as indicated in my previous email, please contact me once
you have set-up your voice-mail box in the new 379-1400 system.
Only after I hear from you will I change the routing of your forwarding
appropriately.
The 379-1000 system is losing functionality so it is very important to
migrate to the new system as soon as possible! (T. Gorham - 6/13/08)
Construction News
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.
Final paving is delayed until electrical repairs are completed.
Completion of the cut wall facing is scheduled for 6/14.
Guardwall staining is scheduled for 6/12 - 14.
Tunnel View
Walkway and wall work is underway causing limited parking (busses only)
in the North lot. Work will shift to the South lot next week.
The paving work bid proposals are under evaluation.
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.
Manhole collars, clean out pads and tracer wire box pads will be poured
Valley wide beginning on June 9th thru June 25th
Replacement of damaged sewer line on west side of the Ranger club will
begin on June 21st
Paving of damaged areas has been delayed until June 17th (G. Rothell -
6/13/08)
Park News
The annual Barry Hance Memorial Award Ceremony will be held on Tuesday June
17, 2008 beginning at 10:00 a.m. in the Yosemite Valley Auditorium
Each year Yosemite honors a fellow employee that epitomizes Barry's hard
work and excitement for life
All Employees are encouraged to attend this very special event
A barbecue luncheon, hosted by Yosemite Child Care, will immediately follow
the award presentation
All donations will got to support our local child care facilities. (Yose
Superintendent - 6/10/08)
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Yosemite News Release
June 11, 2008
For Immediate Release
Missing Visitor Found in Yosemite National Park
Esmin Garmendia-Barrios was found alive and responsive today, June 11,
2008, at approximately 2:15 pm. Mr. Garmendia was located by helicopter
near Mt. Starr King inside the designated search area, south and east of
Washburn Point where he was last seen on June 8.
Almost 200 searchers from Yosemite National Park, the California
Conservation Corps (CCC), and Mono, Tuolumne, San Mateo, Marin, Santa
Clara, Ventura, Fresno, Contra Costa, Santa Barbara and Sierra Madre
Counties, as well as the Bay Area Mountain Rescue Unit and China Lake
Search and Rescue participated in the search
Media calls should be directed to the Media Relations Office at
209/372-0248. (-NPS-)
"Chief Ranger Steve Shackelton wishes to express his gratitude for the
remarkably spirited outpouring of support shown during this week's
successful search.
Along with the huge number of park staff people who committed their time,
park partners including the Yosemite Institute, DNC Parks and Resorts at
Yosemite, Inc., and the CCC were invaluable as was the help of fourteen
county and area search and rescue teams who responded from all over
California to lend a hand-- including many who volunteered their time. This
amazing cooperative effort made the success of the operation possible." (A.
Freeman - 6/12/08)
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June 4, 2008
For Immediate Release
Yosemite National Park Announces the Public Comment Period for the Invasive
Plant Management Plan Environmental Assessment
Invasive plants are one of the greatest threats to the integrity of
National Park Service lands. Non-native plants invade an estimated 4,600
acres of federal land in the United States every day, and already infest
millions of acres in the national parks. Fortunately, Yosemite National
Park is at the early stages of invasion. Unfortunately, 177 non-native
plant taxa have already established within Park borders, many with the
potential to spread rapidly.
The purpose of this Invasive Plant Management Plan Environmental Assessment
for Yosemite National Park is to evaluate a range of alternatives to
prevent the establishment and spread of invasive plants into uninfested
areas of the park, and quickly and effectively eradicate new infestations.
The public comment period for the Invasive Plant Management Plan
Environmental Assessment will open on Friday, June 13, 2008 and will run
through Sunday, July 13, 2008. The plan is available on the park's website
at http://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/invasive.htm. A public meeting will
take place on Wednesday, June 25, 2008 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. during
the monthly Open House in the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center Auditorium.
Additionally, park representatives will be available at the El Portal
Planning Advisory Meeting on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 at 7pm in the Clark
Community Hall.
Written scoping comments should be postmarked no later than July 13, 2008.
Comments can be submitted at public meetings, by mail, fax, email, and
through the Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) commenting
system. To request a hard copy or CD ROM version of the EA and to submit
written comments:
Mail: Superintendent, Yosemite National Park
Attn: Invasive Plant Management Plan
PO Box 577
Yosemite, CA 95389
Fax: 209/379-1294
Email: YOSE_planning@nps.gov
PEPC: http://parkplanning.nps.gov
For more information on park planning efforts, visit the website at
www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt.htm. (-NPS-)
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 following Yosemite National Park employees have been approved for
participation in the Voluntary Leave Transfer Program:
Shari Baudoux
Kevin Bowman
Kimberly Cunningham-Summerfield
Linda Kelly
If you are interested in contributing annual leave to any of the above
individuals, please do so by completing a Request to donate Annual Leave to
Leave Recipient (Within Agency) Under the Leave Transfer Program, Optional
Form 630-A (OF 639-A).
Please forward your OF 630-A to:
Human Resources Office
Yosemite National Park
P.O. Box 700
El Portal, CA 95318
or fax to (209) 379-1800
Click HERE for more Information on the Voluntary Leave Transfer Program.
(H. Whitman - 6/9/08)
HR Corner
Yosemite National Park
Current Vacancy Announcements
UPDATED: June 12, 2008
The following is a summary of current vacancy announcements at Yosemite
National Park. Most vacancy announcements will be posted on
http://www.usajobs.gov. This website is the Office of Personnel
Management's USAJOBS internet site. If you have any questions or cannot
find the announcement on USAJOBS, please call the Park’s Human Resources
Office at (209) 379-1805.
PERMANENT – GOVERNMENTWIDE ALL CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEES
Sign Painter Supervisor
Vacancy Ann.#: YP-174197 (DS)
Who May Apply: Status Candidates
Pay Plan: WS-4104-09
Appointment Term: Permanent
Job Status: Full-Time
Opening Date: 5/28/2008
Closing Date: 6/18/2008
Animal Packer
Vacancy Ann.#: YP 174149 DR FY 08
Who May Apply: Status Candidates
Pay Plan: WG-5001-07
Appointment Term: Permanent
Job Status: Full-Time
Opening Date: 6/3/2008
Closing Date: 6/17/2008
Instrument Worker/Mechanic
Vacancy Ann.#: YP173569-08-NMH
Who May Apply: Status Candidates
Pay Plan: WG-3359-08/10
Appointment Term: Permanent
Job Status: Full-Time
Opening Date: 6/2/2008
Closing Date: 6/20/2008
Utility Systems Repairer Operator Supervisor
Vacancy Ann.#: YP-185676-AY FY08
Who May Apply: Status Candidates
Pay Plan: WS-4742-11
Appointment Term: Permanent
Job Status: Full-Time
Opening Date: 5/30/2008
Closing Date: 6/20/2008
Information Technology Specialist (Cyber Security)
Vacancy Ann.#: YP-185682 (DS)
Who May Apply: Status Candidates
Pay Plan: GS-2210-12
Appointment Term: Permanent
Job Status: Full-Time
Opening Date: 6/2/2008
Closing Date: 6/16/2008
Maintenance Worker
Vacancy Ann.#: YP 194034
Who May Apply: Status Candidates
Pay Plan: WG-4749-05
Appointment Term: Permanent
Job Status: Full-Time
Opening Date: 6/5/2008
Closing Date: 6/20/2008
TERM PROMOTION –YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK – PERM EMPLOYEES
Heavy Mobile Equipment Mechanic Leader
Vacancy Ann.#: YP174250-08-DR
Who May Apply: Status Candidates
Pay Plan: WL-5803-10
Appointment Term: Permanent
Job Status: Full-Time
Opening Date: 6/2/2008
Closing Date: 6/16/2008
PERMANENT -- STATUS NOT REQUIRED – OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Sign Painter Supervisor
Vacancy Ann.#: YP-174194 (DS)
Who May Apply: Public
Pay Plan: WS-4104-09
Appointment Term: Permanent
Job Status: Full-Time
Opening Date: 5/29/2008
Closing Date: 6/18/2008
LABORER
Vacancy Ann.#: YP 192970
Who May Apply: Public
Pay Plan: WG-3502-02
Appointment Term: Permanent
Job Status: Full-Time
Opening Date: 5/29/2008
Closing Date: 6/16/2008
MAINTENANCE WORKER
Vacancy Ann.#: YP 193559
Who May Apply: Public
Pay Plan: WG-4749-05
Appointment Term: Permanent
Job Status: Full-Time
Opening Date: 6/2/2008
Closing Date: 6/13/2008
Animal Packer
Vacancy Ann.#: YP 174148 DR FY 08
Who May Apply: Public
Pay Plan: WG-5001-07
Appointment Term: Permanent
Job Status: Full-Time
Opening Date: 6/3/2008
Closing Date: 6/17/2008
Utility Systems Repairer Operator Supervisor
Vacancy Ann.#: FS-185677-AY FY08
Who May Apply: Public
Pay Plan: WS-4742-11
Appointment Term: Permanent
Job Status: Full-Time
Opening Date: 5/30/2008
Closing Date: 6/20/2008 (H. Whitman - 6/13/08)
Community News
Granite Frontiers
The Yosemite Climbing Association is hosting its second exhibit in the
valley museum. Over the last six months we have been working very hard in
conjunction with Park Service to put together this show, which focuses on
the last 140 years of Yosemite's climbing history. Through much support
from The Yosemite Fund and Royal Robbins, Inc. we have been able to achieve
success in putting this project together.
It's been a long road with many bumps and detours but we've come out with
much to show for it and we hope you can all share this with us. So, please
come ready to learn learn a little history and share in the celebration!The
exhibit is open 10-Noon and 1-4 from June 7th - October 27th in the
Yosemite Valley Museum Gallery. (K. Yager - 6/10/08)
Acting Designation
Brain Martin will be the acting Buildings and Grounds Facility Manager on
Friday June 13th. He can be reached at 375-9508. (T. Hawksley - 6/13/08)
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Jim Allen will be Acting Utilities Branch Chief starting June 16th through
June 27th. He can be reached at 379-1039 or leave a message with Katie
Bablitch at 379-1055. (K. Bablitch - 6/13/08)
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Tony Brochini will be Acting Chief of Facilities Management on Friday, June
13, 2008. He can be reached at 379-1008 or you can leave a message with
Beth Benitag at 379-1057. (R. Soden - 6/12/08)
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Sueann Brown (379-1222) will be acting Branch Chief for History,
Architecture & Landscapes on Friday June 13th. (D. Humphrey - 6/12/08)
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Ansley Rothell will be the Acting Emergency Communications Center Mangaer
from June 10-18. (N. Bissmeyer - 6/10/08)
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Sue Beatty (379-3290) will be acting Branch chief for Vegetation and
Ecological Restoration June 9-13. (J. Weaser - 6/9/08)
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Andrew Ackerman will be Acting Branch Chief for Visitor Use and Social
Sciences from June 9th thru the 16th. He can be reached at 209-379-1216.
(B. Meldrum - 6/9/08)
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For the next 90 days, I will be out of the park often working on an
assignment for the NPS Centennial. Kristina Rylands will act as the Chief
of Planning whenever I am out during this time. She can be reached at
379-1175. This week I will be out Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. (L. Dahl
- 6/2/08)
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While Jen Nersesian is on an international assignment, Calvin Liu will be
acting branch chief of Public Involvement and Outreach in the Division of
Interpretation until June 24th. (C. Liu - 6/2/08)
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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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