Yosemite Daily Report for Monday, March 12

Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Monday, March 12, 2012

WEATHER
Yosemite Valley
Today: Partly sunny, with a high near 49. 
Tonight: Rain likely after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday: Rain. High near 47. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Wednesday: Showers. High near 48. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

El Portal
Today: Partly sunny, with a high near 67. 
Tonight: Rain likely after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday: Rain. High near 65. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Wednesday: Showers. High near 64. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Wawona
Today: Partly sunny, with a high near 57.
Tonight: A 50 percent chance of rain after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. 
Tuesday: Rain. High near 55. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Wednesday: Showers. High near 56. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

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NEW AND HAPPENING TODAY

Yosemite Forum Tuesday
Everyone is invited to the Valley Auditorium from Noon to 1 p.m. on March 13, 2012 for the Yosemite Forum on Reversing the Decline of the Sierra Nevada Yellow-legged Frog, presented by Dr. Roland Knapp, UC Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Lab. (D. Smith)
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Basic Wildland Fire Course
Fire Management will be hosting Basic Wildland Firefighter Training, sometimes referred to as "Basic 32". This class is entry level and required to perform arduous firefighting duties on the fire line. The class is comprised of S-110 Basic Wildland Fire Suppression, S-130 Wildland Firefighter, S-190 Intro to Wildland Fire Behavior, and I-100 Intro to the Incident Command System. These classes are mainly taken on-line but they do require a field portion, which is scheduled for May 19 and 20. In order to received certification, you must complete both the on-line and field portions of the class. The on-line portion must be completed prior to attending the field portion. After completion of these classes and completing medical/physical fitness screening, you will be eligible to obtain a "Red Card" as a wildland firefighter to assist the Yosemite Fire Management Program during the fire season. If you or an employee you supervise is interested in these classes please e-mail Bernard_Spielman@nps.gov or call 209-372-0504 for more details. Bernard will need Name, Email address, and phone number to contact students with details on this course. (B. Spielman)
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Volunteer Manager/Supervisor Training April 17-19, 2012 - Registration deadline extended to March 16
The previously announced How to Succeed with Volunteers in Parks and Yosemite Volunteer Management Training has had the registration deadline extended until March 16.  It will take place in El Portal, is free, and is open to NPS and partner staff (paid and volunteer) who work with volunteers. Yosemite If you'd like to be in this course, apply by submitting your nomination form to heather_boothe@nps.gov. Nomination forms can be found on SharePoint at http://sharepoint.yose.nps.gov/intp/vip or by requesting a form from the volunteer office at heather_boothe@nps.gov. Please contact Heather with any questions at 379-1855. (H. Boothe)
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St. Patrick's Day Celebration in El Portal
Join us for our 3rd annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration at the Canyon Bar & Grill @ Cedar Lodge and enjoy the original string band music of THE TRESPASSERS — a local favorite. Enjoy drink and food specials and enter to win a $50 gift certificate and other fun prizes. So bring your family and friends to what is sure to be a fantastic annual event. Have fun, be safe and get a room at Cedar Lodge. Call 209-379-2612 and ask about their special St. Patrick’s Day room rates. We look forward to seeing you on March 17 th at the Canyon Bar & Grill. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. / Music starts at 9:30 p.m. / $5 Cover Charge. Ride the shuttle van from El Portal to Cedar Lodge provided by Ethos and YEA. 1st run begins @ 7:00 p.m. and final run is @ 2:00 a.m. Your suggested $5 donation will directly benefit the youth of Mariposa County. El Portal Shuttle Stops: The Community Hall, Bottom of Rancheria Rd, NPS warehouse, Canyon Bar & Grill. (C. Foraker)
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El Portal Spring Fling, Saturday April 28 - Music, Crafts, Fun Run and More
On April 28, the greater Yosemite community is invited to gather at the El Portal Community Hall to celebrate spring and our fabulous community. Events include a Fun Run sponsored by the El Portal Elementary School PTA, the 4th annual Local Music Showcase, craft and food vendors, and an evening music lineup including Son of Dog featuring Kevin, Gary, and Dave of the El Portal Dogs. More bands and event details to be announced soon. Contact Rosemary at 379-2665 if you’re interested in being a vendor. Contact Todd at tnewbee@gmail.com if you’re interested in performing in the Local Music Showcase. El Portal Community Association rent@elportalca.org (M. Carr)
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For Rent
Guest house in Lushmeadows area. 1,200 sq ft, 1bd/1bath, , $650 + deposit, (209) 742-7597. (Y. Radanovich)
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Badger Pass Daily Snow Report - 3/12
Base Depth: The conditions on the slopes are great.
Snow Conditions: Spring conditions and packed powder
Temperature: High 47, Low 32
Runs Groomed: Bruin, Eagle, Chipmunk, Rabbit, Red Fox, Badger
Lifts Open: Turtle, Bruin, Eagle, Badger
Runs open: All except Beaver
XC trail snow conditions: Glacier Point Road not groomed. Teaching area groomed 3/10. Conditions on GP road are good in some areas and thin in other areas. In general, areas that are shady and protected from the wind will have good coverage. However, snow pack is thin, so areas that are in the sun a good part of the day are melting fast. Road pavement is now exposed in some of the normal sunny trouble areas: Summit Meadow, the top of the hill after the Bridal Veil Creek Bridge, just past the Mono Meadow Trailhead, along the road at Clark’s Range View area, near the Sentinel Dome parking area, and on the switchbacks down to Glacier Point. These areas will grow every day until we get more snow .
Tubing Hill: No tubing; need more snow. (S. Costello)

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ACTING DESIGNATIONS

Kevin Killian will be the acting Chief Ranger the week March 12-16. Charles will be attending the winter fire team meeting and remain available by email or cell phone.
Joe Meyer will be acting Division Chief for Resources Management and Science on Monday, March 12, 2012. He can be reached at 209-379-1185.
Paul Laymon will be Acting Chief of Facilities Management from 3/1 - 3/19. He may be reached at 379-1077.
Brian Martin will be acting Buildings & Grounds Facility Manager on Monday March 13th. He can be reached at 209-379-1061 or you may leave a message with Tara Hawksley at 209-379-1198
Sharon Miyako will be acting branch chief for Education until March 14th. She can be reached at 209-375-9503.
Todd Newburger (209-379-1434) will be Acting Branch Chief for Visitor Use and Social Science on Monday, March 12rd.
Gene Smith will be acting Roads & Trails Branch Chief 2/22/12 through 3/13/12 while Lou Summerfield is out of the park. He can be reached at 379-1120.
Madelyn Ruffner (379-1226) is on a 120-day detail as Acting Environmental Planning and Compliance Program Manager. Madelyn may be found at her regular desk location in the EPC Trailer. Elexis Mayer (379-1377) has temporarily moved to the Planning Trailer to continue her work on the Merced River Plan. For further assistance, you may also contact Jessica Zeek (379-1002), Administrative Support Assistant for Environmental Planning and Compliance.
Jack Hoeflich will be acting Valley District Ranger until further notice.
Andy Fristensky will be Acting Deputy Chief of Interpretive Operations until further notice. He may be reached at 372-0599.
Jeffrey Trust will be Acting Yosemite Valley Field Interpretation Supervisor until further notice. He may be reached at 372-0307.
Ron Watson will be the Acting Supervisory Information Technology Specialist until further notice. He may be reached at 379-1074.
Brenna Lissoway (379-1283) is on a detail as the Park Archivist. If you have need to access the Archives, or have archive related questions, you can call 379-1282 or 379-1104.