Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Friday, March 28, 2008
Weather
Yosemite: TODAY...MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF SHOWERS. WINDY.
SNOW LEVEL 6500 FEET. HIGHS 54 TO 59 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...35 TO 41 IN THE
HIGH COUNTRY. GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH OVER THE CREST IN THE AFTERNOON.
TONIGHT...MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF SHOWERS. WINDY. SNOW
LEVEL 5500 FEET. LOWS 26 TO 36 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...14 TO 24 IN THE HIGH
COUNTRY.
SATURDAY...MOSTLY CLOUDY. WINDY. HIGHS 55 TO 60 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...35 TO
41 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY. GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH OVER THE CREST IN THE MORNING.
SATURDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS 25 TO 35 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...14 TO 24
IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
SUNDAY...MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS 55 TO 60 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...34 TO 40 IN THE
HIGH COUNTRY.
SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT...PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS 33 TO 40 IN
YOSEMITE VALLEY...15 TO 25 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY. HIGHS 59 TO 64 IN YOSEMITE
VALLEY...37 TO 43 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
El Portal: Today: Partly sunny, with a high near 63. Southwest wind between
5 and 10 mph.
Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a
low around 36. South wind between 3 and 5 mph.
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 65. Southeast wind at 8 mph
becoming west.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 35. West wind 5 to 8 mph
becoming north.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. East northeast wind 5 to 8 mph
becoming north northwest.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67.
Happening Today/This Weekend (Check the Community News section for other
events)
The next Open House will be on FRIDAY March 28 instead of a Wednesday.
Friday, March 28, 2008 from 1:00pm to 5:00pm in the Yosemite Valley Visitor
Center Auditorium.
Planning efforts and projects that will be represented at this Open House
are:
New Zealand Mud Snails
Find out how to avoid bringing this invasive species into the park.
Greening the operations of the park
Find out about the sustainable practices the park uses in its daily
operations
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 (P. Meierding - 3/21/08)
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Notice: Spirit of Yosemite will not be shown on Saturday, March 29 due to
YA Spring Forum activities. Regularly-scheduled showings will resume on
Sunday, March 30. Please notify visitors. (L. Rematore, Yosemite
Association - 3/28/08)
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Yosemite Association Annual Spring Forum Weekend Is Here!
YA welcomes more than 400 members to our annual Spring Forum in Yosemite
Valley this weekend. Interpretive programs will be offered – rain, snow, or
shine – for attendees on Saturday through the generous efforts of the
National Park Service, DNC Interpretive Services, Yosemite Institute,
Balanced Rock Foundation, and many dedicated volunteers and friends. An art
silent auction to benefit the free public programs offered at our Yosemite
Art and Education Center, featuring works from summer volunteer art
instructors such as Linda Mitchell and Jim Murray as well as local talent
Penny Otwell, will be conducted Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Book
signings with Tim Palmer (author and photographer for 18 books including
Luminous Mountains and California Wild), Ashley Wolff (author and
illustrator for Stella and Roy Go Camping) and Michael Ross (author of Baby
Bear Isn’t Hungry, Happy Camper, and many other titles) will be held during
the wine and cheese reception in the Valley Visitor Center Auditorium
beginning at 4:15 p.m. For more event information, please call the YA
office at 379-2317.
YA members also receive a special 20% discount on merchandise purchased at
the Valley Visitor Center Bookstore, the Museum Store, and the Yosemite Art
and Education Center on Friday through Sunday, March 28 to 30, 2008.
Members must show their valid membership card to receive the 20% discount
at YA facilities. (L. Rematore, Yosemite Association - 3/28/08)
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The Adam Burns Band will be playing on the Badger Pass Ski Lodge deck from
around 1:30-3:30 this Sunday, March 30. Acoustic music with Isaac Hayden
and Pete Stuart begins at 11:30am. (K. Ramsey - 3/26/08)
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Sunday March 30th - Join us for The 2008 Badger Pass Springfest.
Fun filled day for the entire family with Dual Slalom, Big Air Competition,
kids obstacle race, kids slalom, costume competition, but most of
all...."Build a Dummy" for the final race of the season.
Musical entertainment from 11:30AM - 1PM with acoustics featuring Pete
Stewart & Isaac Hayden and 1:30 PM - 3:30PM with "The Adam Burns Band" For
general information contact Badger Pass at 209-372-8430 See you there! (Y.
Cheley - 3/27/08)
New Today
Ruling on the 2005 Merced River Comprehensive Management Plan
The United States Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit has ruled in favor
of the Plaintiffs and against Yosemite National Park in the matter of the
2005 Merced River Plan.
The ruling can be found at
> http://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/ca9/newopinions.nsf/BCABDF4F5FB55684882574
> 180082FA48/$file/0715124.pdf?openelement
Work proceeds on schedule on the third version of the Merced River Plan, as
ordered by the US District Court. (L. Dahl - 3/28/08)
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Tree work: On Tuesday April 1st, 10:00am to Noon, The Valley Forestry Crew
will be removing hazard trees along N. Side Drive between the east and west
entrances of Yosemite Lodge. During this time the road will be closed to
traffic. Access to N. Side Drive west of Yosemite Lodge will still be
available through the Lodge loop road. (L. Castro - 3/28/08)
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TUOLUMNE MEADOWS WINTER CONDITIONS UPDATE
March 27, 2008
Weather: (March 19 to March 26)
High temp: 56° (March 23)
Low temp: 10° (March 21, 24, 26)
New Snow: 0”
Total settled snow depth: 44” as of March 27
Ski Conditions and Weather: It has been a warm and sunny week at Tuolumne,
with afternoon highs in the fifties and overnight lows in the teens the
past few days. The snow has firmed up, providing great touring conditions.
Be prepared for soft-to-slushy snow by the middle of the afternoon on sunny
days however. We are beginning to see patches of bare ground open up for
the first time, as well as stretches of open water along the river.
Caltrans has plowed the Tioga road (Highway 120) from the road closure gate
outside of Lee Vining up to the Warren Fork of Lee Vining Creek, so skiers
coming in from the east side should be prepared to walk the first 3-4 miles
of road above the gate before you hit the snow where you can begin to ski.
Skiers coming up the Snow Creek trail from the west side report that the
snow line begins just above the top of the switchbacks; the switchbacks,
and everything below them, are bare ground.
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.
Wildlife: Our second spring arrival from the avian world showed up this
past week- the Dark-eyed Junco. Their tinkling musical song can now be
heard all over the area. Other birds seen in the past week include the
American Robin, Common Raven, Mountain Chickadee, Brown Creeper,
White-breasted Nuthatch, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Townsend’s Solitaire, and
Clark’s Nutcracker. Last week also brought the first Painted Lady
butterflies of the spring to our neck of the woods; the main migration has
not yet arrived however, we are only seeing one or two of the insects per
day. Animal tracks seen in the past week include Coyote, Pine Marten,
Chickaree, Mice/Vole, and Hare. No sign of any bears yet.
Questions: If you have any ski related or weather questions feel free to
call 209-372-0450 between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm. If we are out skiing, leave
a message and a phone number so we can return your call. Please don’t call
us with questions about road conditions, as we live 20 miles from the
nearest plowed road and don’t do any driving this time of year. For current
park road conditions call 209-372-0200. (Jeff and Kathi, the Tuolumne
winter rangers - 3/28/08)
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March 30th-April4th, YNP and Yosemite Institute will be hosting this fine
group:
Lawson Middle School, Cupertino, 8th grade
Lucha Elementary, San Jose, 5th grade
Marin Primary, Larkspur, 5th grade
South Gate Middle School, South Gate, 6th-8th grades
Tres Pinos Union School District, Tres Pinos, 6th grade
Claremont Middle School, Oakland, 7th grade
If you are a graduate of any of this school or have any other connection to
the school or neighborhood, and you have any interest in speaking
informally with students from one of these schools, please contact John
DiDiego at 379-9514 ext 12, or jdidiego@yni.org to arrange a time and
place. (C. Hastings - 3/28/08)
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DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite
Yosemite Club Card
Effective December 3, 2007
Purpose:
To allow visitors of Yosemite National Park the opportunity to take
advantage of discounts in select retail and recreation facilities operated
by DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite.
Procedure:
Guests may make payment for the Yosemite Club Card at DNC P&R Cash
Operations located in Yosemite Village during normal business hours. The
Guest may then take receipt to the Learning Center (in the General Offices
building) to get their photo discount card. The cost of the card is $30.
Terms and conditions of use:
Yosemite Club Card is good for 10% DNC P&R Retail Locations.
Yosemite Club Card is good for 50% Ice Rink sessions and rentals.
Yosemite Club Card allows free admission to the Yosemite Lodge Pool.
Yosemite Club Card expires on the last day of the 12th month after
purchase.
Yosemite Club Card is non transferable.
No discounts on tobacco, alcohol, and/or other specialty items which may be
designated by DNC P&R at Yosemite.
Discounts are subject to change.
Yosemite Club Card must be presented at time of purchase to receive
discount.
An individual found to be in violation of these terms and conditions may
have their discount privileges revoked at the discretion of DNC Parks &
Resorts.
Program subject to change.
Questions:
Questions about this program may be directed to the Retail Office or Human
Resources.
Retail: 372-1227
Human Resources: 372-1234 (J. Nelson - 3/28/08)
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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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FOR RENT – Lushmeadows area. Quiet 3 bdr/2ba home with attached garage and
extra storage building on 2 acres. Living room, dining room, den and
kitchen share open floor plan. Large master bedroom has two walk-in
closets. New stove & refrigerator, carpet, tile and heater/air conditioner.
Propane heat and pellet burning stove. Use of two private lakes. No Pets
(may consider cat). $1000 per month plus utilities – to move in $1,000
security deposit and $1,000 first month rent. Available now. If
interested, call Cindy Whitten at: 742-5673 after 6:00 pm (C. Whitten -
3/28/08)
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Saturday, April 12, 2008 live music at the Yosemite Bug Hostel - Come see
the dynamic acoustic trio THICK SOUP at the Bug Hostile. An honest
acoustic mix of bluegrass, blues and jazz. Show starts at 9:00 pm, NO COVER
CHARGE.For more info call the Bug Hostel at (209) 966-6666 (G. Torres -
3/28/08)
Announcements
Campground opening: The back loops of Upper Pines, and North Pines
Campgrounds have opened for the season. Both are on the reservation
system. (M. Carter - 3/25/08)
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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)
HR Corner
Detail/Temporary Promotion Opportunity:
Parkwide Custodial and Grounds is looking for a permanent career or
career-conditional Yosemite National Park employee interested in a
temporary promotion (if qualified and eligible) or detail (if not
qualified) for up to 120 days to perform the duties of Maintenance Worker
Leader, WL-4749-05. The duties would include leading VIP groups, performing
buildings and grounds maintenance work and would require working weekends.
If you are interested please submit your resume to Irma Keheley in Human
Resources Office, El Portal, no later than close of business March 31,
2008. Please make sure to have your supervisors approval. For additional
information about the position, please contact Brian Martin at (209)
375-9508. (I. Keheley - 3/24/08)
Community News
YOSEMITE RENAISSANCE XXIII ART EXHIBIT open at the Yosemite Museum Gallery
through May 4, 2008, Fridays through Mondays, 10 - Noon and 1 - 4 PM.
TAKE SOME ART HOME! Most of the works of art are available for sale, with
one-quarter of the proceeds going to support the Renaissance non-profit
arts organization, and the rest to the artist.
This year, from a near-record number of 465 entries, 38 paintings,
photographs, sculptures and drawings by 34 artists from across the country
were selected, and six prize-winners were named and received $4000 in cash
awards. This year's exhibit is unquestionably one of the best and includes
a broad range of works from the representational to the abstract to the
conceptual. Local artists in the exhibit include: Linda R. Abbott, Susan
Bolen, Elizabeth Carmel, Michael Frye, Marian Gault, Peggy Hansen, Mark
Heliger, William Neill, Penny Otwell, Jon Shiu, and Carol Rae Shockley. (J.
Bayless & B. Beroza - 3/26/08)
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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, County Bank, Sierra Tel, the
James Irvine Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, and Mariposa
County. We are also generously supported by Iron Mountain Systems and
Stonecutter.com. 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
Upcoming Programs:
March 29 (Saturday) 7:30 p.m. TED: Technology, Education and Design... and
beer and wine. (FREE ADMISSION). - TED (which stands for Technology,
Entertainment, Design) began in 1984 as a bringing together of people from
those three worlds, but since then its scope has expanded to include
science, business, the arts and the global issues facing our world. It also
has expanded to global venues and conferences. The "main" Monterey annual
conference brings together 40 of the world's most fascinating thinkers and
doers, over four days, each of whom fill an 18-minute slot, interspersed
with many shorter pieces of music, performance and comedy. "Just be
profound" is the technical advice offered to presenters. TED attendees can
normally expect to pay upwards of $6,000, but Sixth Street Cinema (in
partnership with TED) is offering the best of the best program selections
for free, as a thank you to the community. Come and be prepared to be
wowed! Then enjoy stimulating conversations with your neighbors over a
beverage. (T. Arfsten - 3/11/08)
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Saturday March 29 9pm – Midnight: FREE - Evergreen Lodge
Join us in our tavern as we welcome Bay Area instrumental band, Little
Muddy.
With a combination of evocative and rocking original instrumentals, and
great interpretations of classic movie themes, R+B, country and rock
classics, Little Muddy has forged a unique niche in instrumental
roots-music.
For more information, call (209) 379-2606 or send us an email at
info@evergreenlodge.com (J. Gorman - 3/25/08)
Acting Designation
Skip Sheets will be Acting AO for Friday, March 28th. (L. Harris - 3/28/08)
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Bret Meldrum will be Acting Chief of Resources Management and Science from
March 28-31. (N. Nicholas - 3/28/08)
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Stuart Foster will be acting Utilities Branch Chief on Friday, March 28th,
2008. He can be reached at 379-1828. (K. Bablitch - 3/27/08)
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Dave Kari will be out of the office March 25 - April 1, returning to the
office April 2. During his absence, John Ray will be in charge of Trails
March 25 - 31. You can reach John on his cell phone: 742-8851, or by radio
#621. Jose Lopez will be in charge of Trails April 1. You can reach Jose
by cell at 742-8910, or by radio #640. (S. Baudoux - 3/25/08)
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Danny Schaible (379-1295) will acting Branch Chief for HAL on Friday, March
28th. (D. Humphrey - 3/25/08)
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In my absence during the week of March 24, Paul DePascale is acting Branch
Chief for Anthropology and Archeology. (L. Kirn - 3/24/08)
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Scott Gediman will be Acting Chief I&E Thu-Fri, March 27-28 (T. Medema -
3/24/08)
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Tim Messick will be acting Valley Utilities Supervisor on Monday 3/24/08
through Friday 3/28/08. He can be reached at 372-0560 or cell 742-8725 or
Katie Bablitch at 379-1055. (K. Bablitch - 3/24/08)
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On the following days the designated employees will be acting Branch Chief
of Wildlife Management until my return
Friday, March 28, Ryan Leahy (372-0476) (S. Thompson - 3/21/08
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Craig Anthony will be acting Safety Officer while Roger Farmer is on
Special Assignment through March 28. He can be reached at 379-1064, or you
can contact Claudine Ronay 379-1072. (C. Ronay - 3/20/08)
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Brian Martin will be the acting Buildings and Grounds Facility Manager
while Tom Darcy is out of the office from 3/24/08 thru 3/28/08. He can be
reached at either 379-1076 or 375-9508, or you may leave a message withTara
Hawksley at 379-1054. (T. Hawksley - 3/19/08)
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Dan Benitag will be acting PCO supervisor March 20th-30th while Alan
Hawksley is out of the park. Please call 209-372-0533 with any problems.(C.
Gonzales - 3/19/08)
