Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Weather
Yosemite: TODAY...SUNNY...BREEZY. HIGHS 57 TO 67 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...36 TO
46 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
TONIGHT...MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS 26 TO 36 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...15 TO 25 IN THE
HIGH COUNTRY.
THURSDAY...MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS 59 TO 69 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...42 TO 52 IN
THE HIGH COUNTRY.
THURSDAY NIGHT...PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS 28 TO 38 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY... 20 TO
30 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
FRIDAY...MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS 61 TO 71 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...42 TO 52 IN THE
HIGH COUNTRY.
El Portal: Today: Sunny, with a high near 69. Southwest wind between 9 and
15 mph.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 31. West southwest wind 6 to 14
mph becoming northeast.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 72. Northeast wind 6 to 11 mph
becoming west southwest.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 35. Southwest wind 5 to 10
mph becoming north.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. East northeast wind 6 to 11 mph
becoming west.
Happening Today/This Week (Check the Community News section for other
events)
FYI: Posted Saturday, April 26, 2008 El Portal Market - Mariposa County
Fire Fire Investigation Supplemental Report - Incident: MMU#4767,
YNP#08-0896 at: http://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/epm.htm
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The bike trial from the Lower Yosemite Falls Shuttle Bus Stop to the Camp
Six Intersection will be scheduled to be paved starting 4/21 to 5/9. Paving
is complete. Cleanup is underway. There will be some minor detours today
and tomorrow. (D. Tucker - 4/30/08)
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The Research Library will be closed April 24th - 30th. In case of a
research emergency, contact the Museum staff (372-0282 or 0297). (L. Eade -
4/21/08)
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Blood Drive Wednesday 4/30 in front of Valley Visitor Center. Please share
the Gift of Life at the annual Yosemite Lions Club Blood Drive. The
Bloodmobile and the Eyemobile will be in front of the Visitors Center from
10 am to 3 pm. Donors must be in good general health, weigh a minimum of
110 lbs and be at least 17 years old. Be sure to drink plenty of water
(avoid caffeine drinks) and eat a healthy meal prior to donation. Photo ID
and Social Security Number are required at donor registration. The
Eyemobile will accept your old unused eyeglasses for donations, and offers
free eye exams. Come join us! (D. Stewart - 4/29/08)
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Yosemite National Park Open House
The National Park Service welcomes those interested to attend an Open House
in Yosemite Valley on Wednesday, March 30, 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:
Alpine Butterflies
Learn about butterfly species and surveys in Yosemite's high country
Tuolumne Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan
Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan
Invasive Plant Management Plan
Environmental Education Campus
Construction and Project Updates
Visitors attending the Open House will have the entrance fee waived. (P.
Meierding - 4/29/08)
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May YARTS Vouchers in El Portal: Sorry for the late notice but I am
planning on being in El Portal on Wednesday, April 30, with the May Yarts
vouchers. I will be in the small breakroom in the Maintenance building
about 3:45 until 4:30. Prior to that I will stop in the Fiscal Office
area. Please mark your calendars and set your alarms and I'll see you
there. (S. Grin - 4/29/08)
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Valley District Building Heat: The heating system for the Valley District
Building will be shut down 4/29 & 4/30 for installation of a new boiler.
Please contact Valley Buildings & Grounds supervisor , Keith Stowell, @
372-0545 if there are any concerns. (B. Martin - 4/30/08)
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Comprehensive Interpretive Plan. These will explore two main topics: on
May 1st, we will look at the stories and issues that connect people to
Yosemite that we should focus on in interpretation; and on May 20, at how
this information gets distributed, both in the park and by outside
purveyors. All are welcome, and anyone involved in tourism -- from tour
operators to visitor centers to museums and others -- is especially
encouraged to attend, to help us all form a more coordinated network of
visitor engagement.
If you are interested in attending or have any questions, please contact
Tom Medema ASAP at the email address above or at (209) 372-0642.
If you are unable to attend we still welcome your ideas and comments, and
will be posting our progress on the web at
http://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/cip.htm. (J. Nersesian - 4/29/08)
New Today
Yosemite News Release
April 29, 2008
For Immediate Release
Glacier Point Road to Open in Yosemite National Park
Road to Mariposa Grove Opened April 26, 2008; Tioga Road Plowing
Progressing Well
Yosemite National Park Superintendent Mike Tollefson announced today that
the Glacier Point Road is expected to open to visitors Friday, May 2, 2008
at noon. Glacier Point is located about 30 miles from Yosemite Valley off
the Wawona Road, the section of State Highway 41 inside the park.
Restrooms along the road and the Glacier Point Snack Stand will be open to
visitors on Friday as well. Additionally, the Mariposa Grove Road opened on
April 26, 2008 for vehicles under 24 feet in length and under 7 tons. These
temporary restrictions are due to continuing wet and icy conditions on the
road.
No date has been determined for the opening of Bridalveil Campground.
Roadways may be wet due to ice and melting snow and wildlife is very active
on the Glacier Point Road. Visitors are advised to drive with caution.
An opening date for the Tioga Road (Highway 120 outside the park) which
crosses the Sierra Nevada through Yosemite National Park, has yet to be
determined. (-NPS-)
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Tioga Road Update as of 4/30/08
Tioga Road opening operations continued Tuesday 4/29/09
Tioga Road progress for April 29, 2008:
Ending Location: 32 miles from Crane Flat Gate (Pywiak Dome/Spring Hill).
Average Snow Depth: 3 Feet (one small bare spot adjacent to Tenaya Lake).
Status of Glacier Point road as of 4/30/08
Glacier Point road proposed opening date will be Friday May 2nd, 2008. (
pending any weather conditions or operational issues).
Lower Mariposa Grove Road open as of Saturday April 25, 2008 ( With weight
restrictions on road).
No shuttles allowed on Mariposa Grove road at this time. (T. Brochini -
4/30/08)
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DETAIL / TEMPORARY PROMOTION OPPORTUNITY
The Project Management Division, Environmental Planning and Compliance
Branch is offering an opportunity for a 120 day detail / temporary
promotion (if qualified) to Environmental Compliance Specialist, GS-09/11.
This opportunity will provide the opportunity to learn about the practices
and procedures used nationally by the NPS to conduct and facilitate
planning and compliance activities. The position would allow an employee to
gain experience in elements of both the National Environmental Policy Act
and the National Historic Preservation Act.
This opportunity is open to permanent career/career-conditional employees
of Yosemite National Park. This is an interdisciplinary position that can
be filled by: Geographer, GS-150, Ecologist, GS-0408 or Resource Management
Specialist, GS-0401.
If interested, please obtain your supervisor's approval, and submit a
resume to Irma Keheley, Human Resource Office, El Portal, no later than May
12, 2008. (I. Keheley - 4/30/08)
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Need some extra cash? The Yosemite Association is looking for an outside
contractor to clean the Art and Education Center once a week on Sundays
between 10:00am and 3:00pm. The job shouldn’t take more than an hour, and
we will pay $30 per cleaning. Please contact Carolyn King, Administrative
Coordinator, for information at 379-2646. (C.King – YA, 04/30/08)
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Free Presentation - El Portal Community Hall - May 6th @ 7:00 pm:
"A one word solution to all the problems the world is facing today is
compassion" Amma
Amma, sometimes called "the hugging saint", has embraced 27 million people
from every part of the world. Her loving compassion, inspired
wisdom, and charitable works have brought her global recognition as an
extraordinary interfaith leader, and one of the greatest humanitarians
of our time.
On Tuesday, May 6th at 7pm we will be showing the film Embracing the World,
which gives an introduction to Amma, her charitable activities,
and current interactions in the worldwide forum. Afterward we will have a
Q&A with two people who spend time at her ashram in South
India. (S. Goodmorning - 4/30/08)
Construction News
Swinging Bridge Accessibility Improvements Project
Construction for accessibility improvements at the Swinging Bridge Picnic
area will be the week of April 28, 2008. This projects is part of a larger
project effort to improve accessibility at five day-use areas throughout
the park. The contractor will fence off the areas to be improved including
several parking spaces for vehicle and material staging. Construction will
continue for the next two weeks. (J. Chisum - 4/28/08)
Park News
A workshop for the new Merced River Plan on Saturday, May 10th. The
objectives are as follows: (1) Discuss the implications of the 9th Circuit
Court of Appeals’ ruling on the Revised Merced River Plan; (2) Discuss the
new direction and scope of the new Merced River planning process; and (3)
Discuss the future of the public planning process; what is working and what
can be improved?
If you are interested in attending this, please RSVP to Elexis Mayer by
Wednesday, May 7, at the address above or at (209) 379-1377. (J. Nersesian
- 4/29/08)
Announcements
Effective April 29, Camp 4 will be staffed daily by a ranger. As a
reminder, no day-use parking is allowed in the Camp 4 parking lot (cars
must be registered in Camp 4). (M. Carter - 4/29/08)
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BID ANNOUNCEMENT - EMPLOYEE HOUSING
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK - NATIONAL PARK SERVICE - GOVERNMENT HOUSING
EL PORTAL HOUSING AREA
HOUSE #874 - 9742 ELDERBERRY LANE
3 Bedrooms – 2 Bathrooms - 1843 Sq. Ft. – Built in 1996 - $479.64 bi-weekly
– utilities not included.
DEADLINE FOR BID SUBMISSION
APRIL 30, 2008 (Close of Business)
Eligible Employees must be NPS Permanent, Term, or SCEP (Student Career
Experience Program)
Please contact the Housing Management Office for bid forms and/or
additional information. 379-1839 or 379-1879 (Y. Radanovich - 4/16/08)
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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
There will be no films this coming weekend, May 2-3.
Saturday, May 10, 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. PANGEA DAY. (FREE
ADMISSION).Pangea was the super continent that existed about 250 million
years ago, before each of the component continents were separated, and
drifted into their current configuration.
In a world where people are often divided by borders, difference, and
conflict, it's easy to lose sight of what we all have in common. Pangea Day
is a global event to bring the world together through film. Pangea Day
seeks to help people see themselves in others – through the power of film.
Locations in Cairo, Kigali, London, Los Angeles, Mumbai, and Rio de
Janeiro will be linked for a live program of powerful films, live music,
and visionary speakers. The entire program will be broadcast – in seven
languages – to millions of people worldwide through the internet,
television, and mobile phones. The 24 short films to be featured have been
selected based on their ability to inspire, transform, and allow us see
the world through another person's eyes. For more information, go to the
official Pangea Day site: http://www.pangeaday.org/ (T. Arfsten - 4/29/08)
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Two new FREE Dance Classes will be offered beginning this week, through the
Mariposa Adult School!
The Wednesday night class in El Portal will continue on the same schedule
for another 6 weeks. 6 pm Level I, & 7 pm Level II. Location: El Portal
School. First class - 4/16.
The same series, with the same schedule will be offered at Mariposa High
School - in the Gym - for 6 weeks on Thursday nights. First class - 4/17.
This Introduction To Swing series, focuses on East Coast Swing, also known
as the Jitterbug. Lori Landrin lives in Oakhurst, and has been teaching in
Oakhurst, North Fork, & Mariposa, for over two years. This will be her
second series in El Portal.
PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD!!! Though the school system is offering the class
for free, they would like to see a class of at lest 14 students.
Wear comfortable clothes - and smooth soled shoes (if you have them.) -no
flip flops or backless shoes, please. (socks are great too!) For more
information: mountaindancer@sti.net or call Lori at (559) 658-8541. (L.
Landrin - 4/15/08)
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Recycle Your E-Waste - Free electronic waste drop off at the Mariposa
County Fairgrounds. May 2 -3, from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Recycle your
old TV, monitors, computer towers, keyboards, LCD screen, laptop, printers,
copiers, faxes, calculators, speakers, cell phones, telephones, stereo
systems, DVD players, VCRs. Please no batteries, light bulbs, or household
hazardous waste. For more Information please contact the Mariposa County
Fairgrounds 209.966.2432 (C. Baker - 3/28/08)
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Argentine Tango Dance Class!! Taught by visiting instructors from
Argentina:Marcelo Molina y Carolina Vazquez
Sunday May 4th, 3:30-5:30pm, El Portal School Multi-Purpose Room
$25/person, 2 hour class, including a Dance Performance by the instructors
Bring: dance shoes with slippery soles (slippery socks work too!)
*No Partner Needed*
Sponsored by YEA and Balanced Rock Foundation - Questions? Call Myra
379-2540 (M. McKenney - 4/15/08)
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Valley School Cinco de Mayo - Please join us in front of the Valley
VisitorCenter on the 5th of May in celebrating the Cinco de Mayo with the
Yosemite Valley School. We will be serving a Mexican Lunch from 11:30 A.M
to l: 30 P.M, and the Valley School kids will be performing authentic
Mexican Dance. We will be raffling off some great Yosemite Art. All
proceeds will go to benefit the Yosemite Valley School. (W. Fontana -
4/22/08)
Acting Designation
Ansley Rothell will be the Acting Emergency Communications Center Manager
May 1-9. (N. Bissmeyer - 4/30/08)
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I will be out of the office starting 04/28/2008 and will not return until
05/05/2008. In an emergency please contact Brian Sprague at 379-1227. (L.
Sheetz - 4/29/08)
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Kristin Ramsey will be the acting Branch Chief for Interpretive Support
Services from April 22-30. (M. Kline - 4/22/08)
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I will be on Annual Leave through April 30. Please contact Deron Mills -
Acting Fire Chief at 209-379-1902 in my absence. (K. Martin - 4/21/08)
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Dave Miller is acting Supervisor for El Portal Roads & Solid Waste until
July 5th. Dave can be reached at 379-1120 or leave a message with Beth
Benitag @ 379-1057. (B.Benitag - 4//14/08)
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