Yosemite National Park

Yosemite Daily Report 2008

Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Weather
AIR QUALITY ALERT MESSAGE
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY AIR POLLUTION CONTROL DISTRICT
RELAYED BY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY CA 911 AM PDT TUE
JUN 24 2008

SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY...KERN COUNTY...MARIPOSA COUNTY AND TUOLUMNE COUNTY AIR
POLLUTION CONTROL DISTRICTS HAVE ISSUED AN AIR QUALITY ALERT DUE TO SMOKE
IMPACTS FROM FIRES THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA.

WINDS ARE TRANSPORTING SMOKE FROM FIRES THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA INTO THE SAN
JOAQUIN VALLEY...PROMPTING LOCAL AIR POLLUTION OFFICIALS TO ISSUE A HEALTH
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT.

SMOKE MAY AFFECT
TUOLUMNE...MARIPOSA...MERCED...MADERA..FRESNO...KINGS...TULARE AND KERN
COUNTIES...AIR DISTRICT
FORECASTERS SAID.

LOCALIZED AIR QUALITY COULD FLUCTUATE DEPENDING ON SMOKE IMPACTS.

EXPOSURE TO PARTICLE POLLUTION CAN CAUSE SERIOUS HEALTH
PROBLEMS...AGGRAVATE LUNG DISEASE...CAUSE ASTHMA ATTACKS AND ACUTE
BRONCHITIS...AND INCREASE RISK OF RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS.

RESIDENTS ARE ADVISED TO USE CAUTION AS CONDITIONS WARRANT. PEOPLE WITH
HEART OR LUNG DISEASES SHOULD FOLLOW THEIR DOCTORS ADVICE FOR DEALING WITH
EPISODES OF UNHEALTHY AIR QUALITY.

ADDITIONALLY...OLDER ADULTS AND CHILDREN SHOULD AVOID PROLONGED
EXPOSURE...STRENUOUS ACTIVITIES OR HEAVY EXERTION...AS CONDITIONS DICTATE.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...CALL YOUR LOCAL AIR DISTRICT
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY AIR DISTRICT OFFICES...FRESNO 559.230.6000. ..
BAKERSFIELD 661.326.6900. ..MODESTO 209.557.6400
KERN COUNTY AIR DISTRICT OFFICE...661.862.5250
MARIPOSA COUNTY AIR DISTRICT OFFICE...209.966.2220
TUOLUMNE COUNTY AIR DISTRICT OFFICE...209.533.5693

Yosemite: TODAY...SUNNY. AREAS OF SMOKE. HIGHS 81 TO 91 IN YOSEMITE
VALLEY... 59 TO 69 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
.TONIGHT...MOSTLY CLEAR. AREAS OF SMOKE. LOWS 43 TO 53 IN YOSEMITE
VALLEY...33 TO 43 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
.THURSDAY...SUNNY. AREAS OF SMOKE. HIGHS 82 TO 92 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...60
TO 70 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLEAR. AREAS OF SMOKE. LOWS 45 TO 55 IN YOSEMITE
VALLEY...34 TO 44 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
.FRIDAY...SUNNY. HIGHS 86 TO 96 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...63 TO 73 IN THE HIGH
COUNTRY.

El Portal: Today: Areas of smoke. Sunny, with a high near 92. East
northeast wind 5 to 13 mph becoming west southwest.
Tonight: Areas of smoke. Mostly clear, with a low around 53. Light wind
becoming east northeast between 10 and 13 mph.
Thursday: Areas of smoke. Sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming
west southwest between 10 and 13 mph.
Thursday Night: Areas of smoke. Mostly clear, with a low around 58. West
southwest wind at 10 mph becoming east northeast.
Friday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 98. East northeast wind 7 to 10 mph
becoming west southwest.

Happening Today/This Week (Check the Community News section for other
events)
Yosemite National Park Invites Public To Open House
The National Park Service welcomes those interested to attend an Open House
in Yosemite Valley on
Wednesday, June 25, 2008 from 1:00pm to 5:00pm in the Yosemite Valley
Visitor Center Auditorium.

The public is invited to the Open House to:
Talk to park staff and listen to presentations given throughout the
day
Review newly released documents and reports
Submit comments on proposed projects and ongoing implementation
efforts

Planning efforts and projects that will be represented at this Open House
are:
Invasive Plant Management Plan
The public comment period for the Invasive Plant Management Plan
Environmental Assessment
runs from Friday, June 13, 2008 through Sunday, July 13, 2008.
High-Elevation Aquatic Resources Management Plan
The public scoping comment period for this plan runs from June 23
through July 25, 2008.
Parkwide Vegetation Map
Find out about the parkwide vegetation map and how park managers are
utilizing it.
Tuolumne Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan
Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan
Environmental Education Campus
Construction and Project Updates (P. Meierding - 6/18/08)
*************************************************
Reconstruct El Portal Road at the “narrows”
There will be construction activity causing delays at night which will
be coordinated with the Valley Loop Road project.
Guardwall staining is scheduled to begin on June 23rd and may cause
afternoon delays.
Final paving is delayed until electrical repairs are completed.

The contractor will be staining the new guardwall on the El Portal Road
beginning Tuesday night (6/24). The final coat of staining results in the
aged look and needs to be applied in daylight. This will occur on
Wednesday and Thursday between noon and 4:00 PM. During these afternoons
traffic will be reduced to one lane and will be controlled by flaggers. (G.
Rothell - 6/23/08)
*************************************************
July YARTS Vouchers - I will be in El Portal today to distribute the YARTS
vouchers for July. I will be in the small breakroom in the maintenance
building from about 3:45 until 4:30 or so. Please remember to meet with
me or have your designated agent sign for and pick up your voucher. I'd
like to see as many of the newest riders as possible to explain the
Department of Transportation rules for the vouchers.

I am on leave next week and will return on July 7th. Wendy Malone will
have the vouchers during my absence. If anyone wants to sign up for
vouchers for August, I will need the completed and signed applications by
COB July 7. Per Department of Transportation rules, vouchers are only
for government employees - no interns, volunteers, or contractors. (S. Grin
- 6/24/08)
*************************************************
Contracting Office Closure - Please be advised that the Contracting and
Procurement office will be closed for internal administrative operations
every Wednesday beginning 25 June through the end of the fiscal year. If
you experience an unexpected, urgent situation, please contact Dan Sohn at
379-1173. (L. Schafer - 6/20/08)
*************************************************
Yosemite National Park Childcare is hosting a bbq fundraiser on Wednesday,
June 25 between 11:30 am to 1:30 pm In front of Indian Museum. Hamburger,
cheeseburger, veggieburger or hot dog with salad, chips and lemonade for
$7.00 or add a soda for $1.00 (C. Brochini - 6/24/08)
*************************************************
Art Night Tonight beginning at 5:00 to 630 pm. This week we invite you to
visit with watercolor artist Don Fay at the Yosemite Association Art and
Education Center, as well as view original Ansel Adams photographs from the
collection at The Ansel Adams Gallery. As always, refreshments will be
provided and everyone is welcome. (AAG - 6/25/08)
*************************************************
The next Croaking Toad will be this Thursday, June 26 at 8 am in the Large
Break Room in the NPS Administrative and Maintenance Facility in El Portal.
Lisa Acree will be discussing "The Invasive Plant Management Plan: Road to
a Weed Free Yosemite."

The public review period is now open for input on the Invasive Plant Plan
for Yosemite National Park. Lisa will guide the audience through the
development of the plan, explain differences between the alternatives, and
discuss what adoption of the plan will mean for Yosemite.

All park community staff members are invited. (N. Nicholas - 6/24/08)
*************************************************
The Chowchilla Mountain Road is closed from the Wawona Golf Course to the
Yosemite NP boundary due to the wild fires in Mariposa County. (M. Dowdle -
6/24/08)

New Today
Fires near Yosemite National Park
Several fires are still burning in areas around the park.
The North Mountain Fire, located on the Stanislaus National Forest between
Cherry Creek and the Tuolumne River is currently at approximately 605 acres
with 5% containment.

Area smoke has made visibility poor and drivers are advised to use extra
caution.

The Oliver Complex, on the Sierra National Forest, is comprised of several
fires. The Westfall Fire was 100% contained yesterday at 105 acres.

The Silverknob Fire is 480 acres at 60% containment, the Chiquito Fire is
52 acres at 60%, and the Star Fire is at 30 acres with 0% containment.

FOR EVACUATION INFORMATION: Please call the Mariposa County Sheriff's
Office Hotline at 209/966-1133.

For fire information, please contact the Sierra National Firest at
559/877-2218.

The North Mountain fire is burning in the Stanislaus National Forest
between Cherry Creek and the Tuolumne River. It is currently approximately
600 acres. It's progress has been impeded by the low fuel loads resulting
from 2004's Early Fire, and has not yet reached the park boundary.

This fire was transitioned yesterday to management by a Type 2 team.
Information can be found by calling 209/532-6371.

Remember, we are experiencing severe fire weather that will likely continue
through the coming months. While the number of residences affected by these
fires is still small this is a good opportunity for all of us to think
about our personal fire safety. For more information, please visit
www.firesafecouncil.org/homeowner/index.cfm (A. Freeman - 6/24/08)
*************************************************
The Yosemite Research Library will only be open Tuesdays and Thursdays
until July 10th. (L. Eade - 6/25/08)
*************************************************
Mary Vocelka, a long-time employee of Yosemite National Park, passed away
on June 1st. A memorial service will be held in Yosemite on Saturday, June
28th from 12:30 pm - 2pm at the Yosemite Chapel. (L. Eade - 6/25/08)
*************************************************
Mountain Sage Yoga
Saturday, June 28th In the Stage Area $10 per person 8 to 9:30 AM
Get your day started off right with a flow led by Jon-Paul Salonen of Blue
Oak Ayurveda. JP weaves flows that are strengthening and relaxing, that
foster balance and focus. Come savor the delicious morning air with
conscious breathing! (Mtn. Sage - 6/25/08)
*************************************************
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 sponsors.

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 week's film: (Please note: due to unforeseen theatrical rights
regulations, we will not be able to screen the Director's Cut of "Blade
Runner" this weekend. as announced. No one is more disappointed than we
are. However, we are pleased to announce as replacement "Red Rocks West,"
a film from the director of "You Kill Me" and "The Last Seduction." )

Friday-Saturday, June 27-28, 7:30 p.m.: RED ROCKS WEST. (98 min. Rated R)
This hard to categorize film was initially released directly to video,
because the studio did not know how it would be received. It was
subsequently booked into the Roxie Theater in San Francisco, and
immediately
broke the theater's house attendance record...and it has become legendary
ever since. Drifter Michael (Nicolas Cage) comes to town and is mistaken by
Wayne (J.T. Walsh) to be the hit man (Dennis Hopper) he has hired to kill
his unfaithful wife. Mike collects the money, and then decides to tell the
wife, who makes him a counter offer. Matters soon get worse when he runs
into the real hit man. Director John Dahl blends western, black comedy, and
film noir in this notable film.

Upcoming Films: July is Musical Month!
NO FILM July 4-5 (Happy Independence Day)
Bride and Prejudice, July 11-12 (A Bollywood adaptation)
Across the Universe, July 18-19 (Redux...due to popular demand)
Sweeney Todd, July 25-26 (Barberian?) (T. Arfsten - 6/25/08)

Construction News
Bridalveil Creek Campground Road Resurfacing - Construction for this
project is scheduled to start on Thursday, 06/26/08 and will be completed
Saturday, 06/28/08. The campground is currently closed to visitors and
construction completion will happen in advance of the scheduled opening
date of July 3. The contractor will be staging within the campground and
material supply trucks will be hauling on both Friday and Saturday from
Oakhurst to the campground. For additional information contact Lou
Summerfield at 379-1089. (L. Summerfield - 06/24/08)

Park News
New Website Empowers National Park Visitors To Address Global Warming -
www.doyourpartparks.org/yose
You can help Yosemite reach its carbon footprint goal! The National Park
Service in cooperation with the National Park Conservation Association have
developed a new website, www.doyourpartparks.org, which empowers national
park visitors to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help national parks
become leaders in combating global warming. It’s simple. Go to the website
and pick a park to create a personal profile that will be linked to your
carbon footprint and the park of your choice—Yosemite is one of 15 parks
currently participating in the project. Calculate your carbon footprint by
entering basic information about your household’s energy usage and pledge
to reduce your carbon footprint. Explore the website and learn more about
climate change and other information about what you can do to help. Join an
on-line community of people committing to reduce their carbon footprint. By
focusing your efforts with your pledge to Yosemite you will be able to see
how every effort you take adds up. Our collective effort will help protect
Yosemite’s glaciers, plants, wildlife and air. Sign up today!

Did you know? If only 5% of national park users substituted 10% of their
current electricity use with greener sources of power, they would save 11
billion lbs. of CO2 per year! (P. Meierding - 6/24/08)

Announcements
The General Services Administration is conducting an internet auction of
Yosemite personal property.
The auction is now open and closes at 10:45 am on 06/26/2008. The sale is
number 91QSCI08151331. The item is a 1990 Tascam reel to reel recorder. It
is at the El Portal warehouse for inspection. Park employees are allowed
to participate in the sale, with the exception of any employee with unfair
(nonpublic) detailed knowledge or prior use of an item offered for sale.
Such employees are prohibited from bidding on that item, and the
prohibition includes their immediate family as well. Employees must view
the items and bid on their own time. For further information regarding the
sale items or to register to bid, visit the website gsaauctions.gov. (D.
Ramsey - 6/24/08)
*************************************************
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 24, 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
Maintenance Worker/Maintenance Mechanic

TERM -- STATUS NOT REQUIRED -- OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Civil Engineer

(I. Keheley - 6/25/08)

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)
*************************************************
1st Aid and CPR classes are still available through the Yosemite Medical
Clinic(372-4637). We have 1st aid with CPR classes at the clinic on June
27th, July 3rd, and July 15th. 1st Aid with CPR classes are available in El
Portal on June 26th, July 10th, and July 30th. Healthcare Providers can
renew their certification at the Clinic on July 11th at 1600 or take thier
initial class on July 25th. Brian Shoor will be on vacation until June 24th
and can be contacted at shoors@sti.net. (B. Shoor - 6/10/08)
*************************************************
El Portal Community Dance: June 28th at the El Portal Community Hall. EPCA
and El Portalive present the first dance of the summer with APHRODESIA, an
amazing 10-piece afrobeat and african highlife band from San Francisco.
Local drum and bass heros the Hometown Zeros will open and DJ John
Rodriguez will close the show. Music starts at 6:30, admission is $15. A
limited number of free passes are available for volunteers helping with
setup, cleanup, and during the event. For more information or to inquire
about volunteering email elportallive@gmail.com. Sign up for shuttle van
service from Yosemite through DNC Employee Recreation. (T. Newburger -
6/5/08)
*************************************************
Mountain Sage Music Series PRESENTS: BLUE TURTLE SEDUCTION
JUNE 28th - 5pm - gates 4:00
$12 advance/$15 door - $6 children 6-14 years
Blue Turtle Seduction is one of the grooviest bands we know and are sure to
get you up and dancing. They are one of the most requested repeats of last
summers music series. Described as a combination of rock, bluegrass, funk
and jazz, Blue Turtle just received high acclaim at High Sierra Music
Festival. Paired with Tistrya Hamilton, an outstanding singer-songwriter,
this will certainly be a performance you won’t want to miss. Dinner will
be available by Blue Oak Aryuveda as well as beer and wine will be served
as a local fundraiser. Bring a lawn chair and a blanket and relax under
our new shade canopy.
Again, thanks to our co-sponsers GAINS, StayNearYosemite.com and Sunset Inn
Cabins at Yosemite!
Tickets are available now at 962-4686, info at www.mtnsage.com. (Mtn. Sage
- 6/24/08)

Acting Designation
Judi Weaser will be Acting Chief of Resources Management and Science on
Wednesday June 25. (N. Nicholas - 6/25/08)
*************************************************
Shawn Zumbrunnen is acting Back Country Utilities Supervisor on June 25 &
26. Shawn can be reached at 379-1250 or leave a message with Vera Newitt @
379-1055. (B. Benitag - 6/25/08)
*************************************************
Bernadette Barthelenghi will be Acting Branch Chief of Design for Project
Management June 26, 27 and July 1st. You may phone Bernadette at 379-1025
or you may leave a message with Tricia Radmacher at 379-1221. Mark
Husbands will be Acting Branch Chief of Design for Project Management June
25 and 30th. You may phone Mark at 379-1364 or you may leave a message
with Tricia Radmacher at 379-1221. (D.Harrison - 6/20/08)
*************************************************
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)
*************************************************
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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