Daily Report for July 27

Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Wednesday, July 27, 2011      
 
WEATHER  
 
Yosemite Valley
Today: Sunny, with a high near 83. 
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 53. 
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 84. 
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. 

El Portal    
Today: Sunny and hot, with a high near 99. 
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 59. 
Thursday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 101. 
Friday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 102.  

Wawona    
Today: Sunny, with a high near 88. 
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 48. 
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 91. 
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 92. 

Tuolumne Meadows    
Today: Sunny, with a high near 70. 
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 36. 
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 73. 
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74.
 
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HAPPENING TODAY

El Portal Photovoltaic Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
All Yosemite National Park employees, partners, and friends are cordially invited to attend the El Portal Photovoltaic Project Ribbon Cutting Ceremony today at 11:00 a.m.  The ceremony will occur at the El Portal Administrative Area (just in front of the Division of Planning Trailer) and should last about 30 minutes. As most of you know, we are proud to celebrate the completion of the largest grid connected solar energy system in the National Park Service. The 2,800 solar panels are  producing about 800,000 kilowatt hours of energy per year and should reduce the park's purchased electricity by about 12%. All are welcome to attend the ceremony, and we hope to see you all next Wednesday to celebrate this landmark project! If you have any questions, please call Kari or Scott at 372-0529. (S. Gediman - 7/22)
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Open House Today
Join park staff today for Yosemite National Park’s monthly open house. The open house will feature informational posters, fact sheets, an opportunity to interact with park staff, and an update on current plans and projects. In addition to The Ahwahnee Comprehensive Rehabilitation Plan, park staff will be on hand to discuss the Half Dome Trail Stewardship Plan, the Ansel Adams Gallery Rehabilitation Plan, the Tioga Road Rehabilitation Plan, and other ongoing planning efforts. Presentations will begin at 2 pm and will last approximately one hour. The presentations will feature:

- The Half Dome Permit System
- The Ahwahnee Comprehensive Rehabilitation Plan
- Ansel Adams Gallery Comprehensive Rehabilitation Plan
- Fire Management

In addition to presentations there will be an opportunity to ask questions. The presentations will be available online via webinar at yose.webex.com. The open house is from 1 to 4 pm in the Valley Visitor Center. Park Entrance fees are waived for attendees. (J. Friesen McCabe - 7/27)
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Sendoff for Kristina Rylands
Yosemite employees and friends, after 13 years of dedicated service, Kristina Rylands is leaving the National Park Service to join Yosemite Institute as their new Executive Director.   Help us send her off in style! Join us for a celebration in her honor today from 3:00-4:00 PM in the Large Break Room in El Portal. Please bring stories and snacks to share. Let's show our appreciation and support for our esteemed colleague as she transitions from Tuolumne Wild and Scenic River Planning into her new role leading Yosemite Institute! (M. Frantz - 7/22) 

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PARK AND PARK PARTNER NEWS    

White Wolf Lodge Open
White Wolf Lodge is open for the season.  The operation is currently operating without phones or fax, so all dining reservations will need to be made in person at White Wolf Lodge.  Hours of operation include, Breakfast service 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., Dinner 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. and front desk services daily from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.  We will provide an update as phone services are made available.  (D. Evans - 7/27)
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Porcupine Flat Open
Porcupine Flat Campground has opened for the season. (M. Carter - 7/27)
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White Wolf Open
White Wolf Campground has opened for the season. (M. Carter - 7/26)

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EMPLOYEE NEWS    

New Mather District Ranger

The Protection Division is pleased to announce that Jay Shields has been hired as the Mather District Ranger. Jay has been acting in that capacity since January and has done a remarkable job. Jay's previous position was as the Crane Flat Sub-district Ranger and he has worked in Yosemite since April of 2010. (K. Killian - 7/27)

   
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CONSTRUCTION UPDATE   
 
Tree Work on Northside Drive
Starting on Monday, July 25th Valley District Forestry crew will be working along the Valley Loop roads felling and removing hazardous trees and encroaching vegetation. Traffic control will be in effect with minor delays between 7:00am and 3:30pm. Work areas will include North and South Side Drives. Estimated completion date 8/10.  (L. Castro - 7/25)

 

Valley Loop Trail Resurfacing
The Valley Loop Trail will be closed during work hours (8:00am-5:00pm) Mon through Friday, from Church Bowl to Lower Yosemite Falls loop. Detour signs are in place. This is due to trail resurfacing project. Expect closure to remain in effect through 8/22. (R. Kish - 7/12)
 
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ACTING DESIGNATIONS    

Martin Hutten will be Acting Chief of Vegetation & Ecological Restoration for Wednesday, July 27
Jun Kinoshita is Acting Branch Chief for Anthropology Programs July 25 through 29. Jun can be reached at 379-1317.
Todd Newburger (209) 379-1434 will be Acting Branch Chief for Visitor Use and Social Science from Wednesday, July 27th to Friday July 29th.
Tom Tobin will be Acting Contracting Officer starting July 20 - July 27 while Jody Auerbach is on leave. Tom can be reached at 379-1040.
 
Shawn Lingo (379-1416) will be acting Branch Chief for History, Architecture & Landscapes (HAL) from Monday, July 18 thru Friday, July 29.
 
Lou Summerfield  with be Acting Chief of Facilities Management from Monday, July 25 through Friday, July 29. He may be reached at 379-1075.
Dean Mullis will be acting Machine shop foreman from July 27th through August 5th will Ken Fipps is on leave, call 379-1155 to contact him.
 
Brian Long will be acting Valley Utilities Supervisor while Chad Thomas is out of the park from 7/14/11 to 7/30/11.
 
Dale St. Vincent has been selected as the acting Administrative Officer until the AO position is permanently filled.

Jim Roche will be acting branch chief of Physical Sciences and Landscape Ecology through September 30th.
 
Charles Cuvelier  is acting Deputy Superintendent for the month of July. Charles can be reached at 372-0211.

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  

Mariposa Farmers Market
Want to support local farmers and vendors? Come check out Mariposa's Farmers Market on Wednesdays 5-6:30 p.m. at Sixth Street parking lot on Stroming Road adjacent to the Creek Parkway. (S. Bevington - 7/27)
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Special Sal's Night This Weekend
DNC will be hosting a 1/2 off Sal's night in Yosemite Valley on Sunday July 31st.  The truck will park behind the Wellness Center at 5pm and will stay until the line is gone or the food is gone.  Come on out and get your fill! (E. Brosk - 7/27)
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Sal's This Thursday
Come join Yosemite Employee Association this Thursday at the El Portal Community Hall for another night of Sal's Taco Wagon and the YEA bar. When you buy beer or wine from the YEA bar you are supporting your community. YEA bartenders also take out your trash and do the recycling. If you are not yet a YEA member, it only costs $10 to join and you will be helping the local community. Remember to drink responsibly and avoid a night in the John Muir Hotel. Designated drivers drink (soda) for free! (M. Dale - 7/26)
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Thanks to Community Members
Thank you so much to all the fabulous off duty NPS, DNC and park partner employees who assisted with traffic control on the MVA at Ferguson yesterday! You acted quickly, found places to put the numerous cars that were blocking the road and got 2 park ambulances through the traffic when it was looking impossible. You were amazing! Many thanks from the El Portal Ambulance Crew! (R. Lund - 7/26)
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Local Artist Exhibition and Reception at the Bassett Memorial Library in Wawona in Yosemite National Park
Local artist Diane Detrick Bopp is scheduled for two "Evening with the Artist" receptions at the Wawona Bassett Memorial Library, 7 p.m. on July 28 and August 25, to talk about her works currently on exhibition at the library through August. Refreshments will be served; admission is free. (P. Sischo - 7/26)