Yosemite Daily Report for June 14

WEATHER 
 
Yosemite Valley
Today: Sunny, with a high near 85.
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 56.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 86. 
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 80. 
El Portal   
Today: Sunny, with a high near 94.
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 58. 
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 95. 
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 90.  
 
Wawona 
Today: Sunny, with a high near 86.
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 54. 
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 87.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 82.  
 
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HAPPENING TODAY
Yosemite Forum: The Ahwiyah Point Rock Fall and Seismic Monitoring in Yosemite National Park
Please join us on today from Noon to 1:00 p.m. in the Yosemite Valley Auditorium for the Yosemite Forum, presented by guest speaker Valarie Zimmer, Graduate Student, U.C. Berkeley. On March 28, 2009, at 5:26 a.m., the Ahwiyah Point rock fall buried 300 meters of the Mirror Lake Trail, leveled hundreds of trees, and sent off seismic waves that were detected as far as 400 kilometers away. While the distant seismic stations help us to understand the size and nature of larger rock falls, a local seismic monitoring system was also in place at the rock formation known as The Brothers, in order to learn more about the progression and nature of rock falls. The seismic monitoring network recorded several rock falls over two winters; the results from these smaller rock falls as well as the large Ahwiyah Point rock fall will be presented at this forum. Please join us! (K. Dera - 6/9)

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PARK AND PARK PARTNER NEWS  
Tree Failure Advisory
With rising water levels forecast for Yosemite Valley, workers should be watchful for uprooting trees in areas where soils are saturated. Any strong winds can uproot trees in saturated soils. Please report uprooting trees to Valley District Forestry/Larry Castro, or Park Forester Brian Mattos. (B. Mattos - 6/14)

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EMPLOYEE NEWS
A Message from the Superintendent
Over the last year as Superintendent, I have noted that housing has consistently risen to the top of our employees’ list of concerns and frustrations at Yosemite National Park.  I want you to know that our Executive Leadership Team hears this too, and that we take housing and work life balance very seriously.  We understand the fundamental importance of housing, and those issues with housing often affect all divisions, programs, operations and partners.  To fully understand the scope of our complex housing issues, develop a strategy that meets our park’s housing needs and address your concerns and questions, it is vital that we hear from you.  Yes, Yosemite has challenging constraints and ongoing plans that must be considered, but we believe there are things we can do to help the current situation and manage for a better housing future for our park and employees. 
The Executive Leadership Team will be your resource as we work together through this important process.  I ask that you reach out to them with your questions and ideas.  Similarly, you will be hearing from them about where to gather information and contribute to the discussion.  In the coming months, look for more information from the team and the Superintendent’s Office.  As Superintendent, I want to thank you in advance for taking the time to help us by participating in this discussion. Together, we can tackle our housing issues and make Yosemite the best place to work and live in the National Park Service. 
Don L. Neubacher

Thank you for taking the time to complete this short housing survey.  Your feedback is important to us so that we can better improve our service.  This survey should take only about 10 minutes of your time.  You only need to answer the questions that apply to you regarding Yosemite National Park housing.   Your answers will be completely anonymous.   Any questions marked with an asterisk (*) require an answer in order to progress through the survey.  The survey can be accessed by  going to the following link:     https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/YNP2011HousingSurvey
In order to progress through this survey, please use the following navigation buttons:
 - Click the Next button to continue to the next page
 - Click the Previous button to return to the previous page
 - Click the Exit the Survey Early button if you need to exit the survey
 - Click the Submit button to submit your survey
If you have any questions about the survey, please contact Ed Walls, Chief, Facilities Management Division at (209) 379-1063. Please complete the survey by July 15th. (K. Kosick - 6/14)
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Barry Hance Memorial Award Ceremony
Please join us in celebrating the legacy of Barry Hance and the presentation of the award to our 2010 recipient.
When:  Thursday, June 16, 2011
Where: Valley Auditorium
Time:  11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
A hamburger luncheon will be served to celebrate our newest awardee. (K. Kosick - 6/14)
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Safety Stand-down
Thursday has been designated a safety stand-down day in honor of Barry Hance.  This is a great opportunity to focus on safety training with your office/shop.  Contact the Safety Office for suggestions or guidance at 379-1079. (K. Kosick - 6/14)
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Weekly Safety Topic
This week's topic is Back-country Operations.  Hopefully we will all have an opportunity to go into the back-country of this amazing place even if we have to wait until September for some areas to thaw out!  Review this topic and be sure to send your sign in sheet to our office.  The next binder of topics for July-Dec will be ready soon. (C. Roney - 6/13)

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ACTING DESIGNATIONS  
Dayna Jackson will be the Acting Administrative Officer from June 13 through June 22 while Dale St. Vincent is out of the office. Dayna can be reached at 379-1872.
Ed Walls will be the point of contact for the Tioga Road Corridor from June 13th through 17th while Tony Brochini is on leave.
Jim Roche will be acting branch chief of Physical Sciences and Landscape Ecology through August 25th.
Jay Shields will be Acting Mather District Ranger until further notice.
Brenna Lissoway (379-1283) will be the Acting Park Archivist while Paul Rogers is on a detail as the Acting Regional Archivist (PWR). If you have need to access the Archives, or have archive related questions, you can call 379-1282 or 379-1104.
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COMMUNITY NEWS
Yosemite Child Care Center Fundraiser BBQ
Yosemite National Park Child Care Center is pleased to announce the first of our summer fundraising barbecues. Join us in front of the Indian Museum on Wednesday, June 15th from 11:30-1:30 to enjoy a Hamburger, Veggieburger, or Hot dog lunch. Meals include chips, salad, and lemonade. The price is just $8 for adults, $4 for children. Baked goods and sodas will also be available. All proceeds benefit the children of the Yosemite National Park Child Care Center. (J. Friesen McCabe - 6/14)
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Sal's This Week
Come to Sal's this Thursday at the El Portal Community Hall. While you are there toasting old friends and making new ones, be sure to stop by the Yosemite Employee Association (YEA for all of us!) Bar. Meet the Board members who tend bar in order to raise money to give back to the local schools, help renovate the community hall, sponsor seasonal events, give out toothbrushes at Halloween, and more! These are the same folks who take out the trash and recycling at every Sal's, St. Patrick's Day, Oktoberfest, and the Winter Semi-formal social. Please help them out by busing your own tables and protect our bears at the same time. See you there! (M. Dale - 6/14)
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6th Street Cinema
Located upstairs in the historic Old Masonic Lodge on 6th Street, in downtown Mariposa. Entrance is $7 per film for non-members; non-member students pay $5. Monthly membership is $12 allowing film entry for $3 each.   More information is available on the website: www.sixthstreetcinema.org. This week:
June 18-19 (Friday-Saturday) 7:30 p.m.: "TRUE GRIT." The Coen brothers remake of the John Wayne classic returns the story closer to its source novel by Charles Portis, replete with stilted dialogue, authentic scenery, and black humor. Coming soon: June 24-25 (Friday-Saturday) 7:30 p.m.: THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST. (Admission: $22 general, $18 Cinema members, $15 students.)  Roundabout Theatre Company's acclaimed Broadway production of Oscar Wilde's comedy, directed by and starring Brian Bedford, filmed LIVE, in high definition, for limited screenings. (T. Arfsten - 6/14)