Remember, to start planning your Yosemite vacation, visit www.YosemiteThisYear.com
Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
WEATHER
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
WEATHER
Yosemite Valley
Today: Sunny, with a high near 46.
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 33.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 47.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 46.
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 33.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 47.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 46.
El Portal
Today: Sunny, with a high near 59.
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 35.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 61.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 60.
Wawona
Today: Sunny, with a high near 54.
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 28.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 56.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 55.
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 35.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 61.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 60.
Wawona
Today: Sunny, with a high near 54.
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 28.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 56.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 55.
**************************************************
HAPPENING TODAY
Employee Health Fair and FEHB Open Season Reminder
Federal Benefits Open Season runs from Monday, November 14, 2011 through Monday, December 12, 2011. Please stop by the Annual Employee Health Fair
Date: Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon
Location: Large Breakroom El Portal Administrative/Warehouse site
Federal Benefits Open Season runs from Monday, November 14, 2011 through Monday, December 12, 2011. Please stop by the Annual Employee Health Fair
Date: Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon
Location: Large Breakroom El Portal Administrative/Warehouse site
Plan representatives will be available. Plan brochures and other helpful open season information is available on-line at: www.opm.gov/insure. (A. Long - 12/2)
Yosemite Conservancy Stores to Close for Annual Inventory
All YC stores will be closing individually for annual physical inventory as follows: Tuesday, December 6th: Yosemite Museum Store will be closed all day. Wednesday, December 7th: Yosemite Bookstore in Valley Visitor Center will be closed all day. Select Bookstore items including popular maps, and the National Parks Passport books and stamping station will be functioning from the Museum Store on Wednesday. (N. Brocchini - 12/2)
All YC stores will be closing individually for annual physical inventory as follows: Tuesday, December 6th: Yosemite Museum Store will be closed all day. Wednesday, December 7th: Yosemite Bookstore in Valley Visitor Center will be closed all day. Select Bookstore items including popular maps, and the National Parks Passport books and stamping station will be functioning from the Museum Store on Wednesday. (N. Brocchini - 12/2)
El Portal Travel Series
Ever dream of Rafting the Grand Canyon? Don’t miss the next El Portal Travel Series show. You’ll be inspired to head down the river….
As always: Tuesday at 7:00pm, El Portal Community Hall
December 6th – David Greenwood “28 Days of Grand Canyon Bliss!”
Join us on a tactile journey down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. David Greenwood will share hundreds of images from his non-commercial river trips through this amazing desert wilderness. See the side canyons with their sculpted sandstone and sinuous curves. Learn about the great unconformity in the geologic layer-cake that makes up the Grand Canyon . Discover the magical sites & attractions that only the river runners know. Look over the shoulder of canyoneers as they drop into untold slots and slither, slide, swim, and rappel off waterfalls such as Deer Creek and Elves Chasm. Don a headlamp and wetsuit to venture into Thunder River Spring. Experience it all from the comfort of the folding chairs in the El Portal Community Hall; and without the ubiquitous sand that is an otherwise mandatory requirement of river exploits. (P. Amstutz - 12/2)
Ever dream of Rafting the Grand Canyon? Don’t miss the next El Portal Travel Series show. You’ll be inspired to head down the river….
As always: Tuesday at 7:00pm, El Portal Community Hall
December 6th – David Greenwood “28 Days of Grand Canyon Bliss!”
Join us on a tactile journey down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. David Greenwood will share hundreds of images from his non-commercial river trips through this amazing desert wilderness. See the side canyons with their sculpted sandstone and sinuous curves. Learn about the great unconformity in the geologic layer-cake that makes up the Grand Canyon . Discover the magical sites & attractions that only the river runners know. Look over the shoulder of canyoneers as they drop into untold slots and slither, slide, swim, and rappel off waterfalls such as Deer Creek and Elves Chasm. Don a headlamp and wetsuit to venture into Thunder River Spring. Experience it all from the comfort of the folding chairs in the El Portal Community Hall; and without the ubiquitous sand that is an otherwise mandatory requirement of river exploits. (P. Amstutz - 12/2)
**************************************************
NOT HAPPENING TODAY
NOT HAPPENING TODAY
All Supervisors Meeting Today Cancelled
The next scheduled All Supervisors Meeting will be held in February. (K. Kosick - 12/6)
The next scheduled All Supervisors Meeting will be held in February. (K. Kosick - 12/6)
**************************************************
PARK AND PARTNER NEWS
Body of Missing Man Recovered in Yosemite National Park - news release
Ninos Yacoub was One of Three Hikers Witnessed Plunging Over Vernal Fall on July 19, 2011
Scott Gediman 209-372-0248
Kari Cobb 209-372-0529
Kari Cobb 209-372-0529
Yosemite National Park has positively identified the body of Ninos Yacoub, 27 year old male, of Turlock, CA. Yacoub was found in the Merced River, approximately 100 yards below the Vernal Fall footbridge, by a Yosemite National Park Ranger at approximately 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 29, 2011. The footbridge is located approximately a half mile below the base of Vernal Fall.
Yacoub has been missing since July 19, 2011, when he, Hormiz David, 22 year old male, of Modesto, CA, and Ramina Badal, 21 year old female, of Manteca, CA , were witnessed being swept over the 317 foot waterfall. The body of David was found on August 5, 2011, by Yosemite National Park Rangers and Search and Rescue (SAR) personnel approximately 240 feet below the waterfall.
Yosemite National Park Rangers recovered another body in the same general area as Yacoub's this past Saturday, December 3rd. Positive identification has not been made, and is expected within the next several days. The park will issue a news release when the body is positively identified. (S. Gediman - 12/6)
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Wawona Tunnel Traffic Control
The High Voltage Crew will be controlling traffic at the Wawona Tunnel Wednesday, December 7, 2011 from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon to perform necessary repairs. If you have any concerns or questions, please contact Kent Summers in the High Voltage Shop at 379-1236. (M. Christiansen - 12/6)
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Yosemite Archives - Change in Research Hours
The Archives will be closed to researchers on Tuesday, December 13th. Alternative research hours are available on Monday, December 12th from 8:00am - 4:30pm. To schedule an appointment, contact Archives staff at 379-1283. (B. Lissoway - 12/5)
The Archives will be closed to researchers on Tuesday, December 13th. Alternative research hours are available on Monday, December 12th from 8:00am - 4:30pm. To schedule an appointment, contact Archives staff at 379-1283. (B. Lissoway - 12/5)
**************************************************
EMPLOYEE NEWS
Employee Holiday Party
This year's All-Employee Holiday Party will be a Hawaiian Luau held on Wednesday, December 7th from 11:30 - 1:00 pm in the Valley Auditorium. All park employees are encouraged to come out and enjoy some delicious home-cooked food and punch served to you by your Superintendent and Division Chiefs. This is a wonderful chance to celebrate the season with your colleagues and for the park's leadership to thank employees for their hard-work throughout the year. We'll be collecting donations for Toys for Tots, Coats for Kids, and non-perishable food donations for a local food bank. Happy holidays and we hope to see you all on Wednesday! (K. Kosick - 12/5)
**This is a sustainable event
This year's All-Employee Holiday Party will be a Hawaiian Luau held on Wednesday, December 7th from 11:30 - 1:00 pm in the Valley Auditorium. All park employees are encouraged to come out and enjoy some delicious home-cooked food and punch served to you by your Superintendent and Division Chiefs. This is a wonderful chance to celebrate the season with your colleagues and for the park's leadership to thank employees for their hard-work throughout the year. We'll be collecting donations for Toys for Tots, Coats for Kids, and non-perishable food donations for a local food bank. Happy holidays and we hope to see you all on Wednesday! (K. Kosick - 12/5)
**This is a sustainable event
Your Holiday Party Sustainability Reminder
Don't forget to bring your "mess kit" for the upcoming all-employee NPS holiday party to be held on December 7th at the Visitor Center Auditorium! This is a reminder for those who signed the "Bring your own" pledge offered by the Yosemite Sustainability Team at the last all-employee function. If you didn't sign the pledge, don't worry - it is actions not words that matter. It is never to late to take steps to reduce our waste stream in Yosemite. By bringing your own cutlery and dishware to employee functions, we reduce our waste stream and show our support for changing cultural expectations and providing for a more sustainable future. (B. Bryan - 12/5)
__________________________________________________________
Don't forget to bring your "mess kit" for the upcoming all-employee NPS holiday party to be held on December 7th at the Visitor Center Auditorium! This is a reminder for those who signed the "Bring your own" pledge offered by the Yosemite Sustainability Team at the last all-employee function. If you didn't sign the pledge, don't worry - it is actions not words that matter. It is never to late to take steps to reduce our waste stream in Yosemite. By bringing your own cutlery and dishware to employee functions, we reduce our waste stream and show our support for changing cultural expectations and providing for a more sustainable future. (B. Bryan - 12/5)
__________________________________________________________
New Branch Chief of Emergency Services
The Protection Division is pleased to announce the hiring of a new Branch Chief of Emergency Services. Lisa Hendy will enter on duty in late February, she has a Masters Degree in Physical Education and an extensive exemplary work history with the National Park Service, most recently as a Inner Canyon Supervisory Ranger at Grand Canyon National Park. She is known to be an excellent supervisor and an expert practitioner of technical rescue and emergency medical services as a National Registry Paramedic. Lisa is also the 2011 recipient of the Harry Yount Award, the award given annually to the ranger who most exemplifies the spirit of rangering. We are excited for her to arrive and become part of the Yosemite National Park team. (K. Killian - 12/5)
__________________________________________________________
The Protection Division is pleased to announce the hiring of a new Branch Chief of Emergency Services. Lisa Hendy will enter on duty in late February, she has a Masters Degree in Physical Education and an extensive exemplary work history with the National Park Service, most recently as a Inner Canyon Supervisory Ranger at Grand Canyon National Park. She is known to be an excellent supervisor and an expert practitioner of technical rescue and emergency medical services as a National Registry Paramedic. Lisa is also the 2011 recipient of the Harry Yount Award, the award given annually to the ranger who most exemplifies the spirit of rangering. We are excited for her to arrive and become part of the Yosemite National Park team. (K. Killian - 12/5)
__________________________________________________________
Yosemite Toy and Coat Drive Reminder
The coat deadline is coming up this Friday! If you would like to donate any new toy, a new or used coat for a boy or girl (infant to 18 years of age), please bring your toys or used coats to the Resource Management Division at the El Portal Maintenance Warehouse and see Ami Knighten (379-1011), or in Yosemite Valley on the second floor in the Admin Building and see Rhonda Soden (372-0290). We will accept coats up until December 9, 2011. We will be accepting gifts up until December 16, 2011. (R. Soden - 12/5)
The coat deadline is coming up this Friday! If you would like to donate any new toy, a new or used coat for a boy or girl (infant to 18 years of age), please bring your toys or used coats to the Resource Management Division at the El Portal Maintenance Warehouse and see Ami Knighten (379-1011), or in Yosemite Valley on the second floor in the Admin Building and see Rhonda Soden (372-0290). We will accept coats up until December 9, 2011. We will be accepting gifts up until December 16, 2011. (R. Soden - 12/5)
**************************************************
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
Foresta Road Closure - Slide Repair Between Rancheria and Old El Portal CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
Starting Monday, November 14th the Foresta Road will be closed between Rancheria and Old El Portal as crews complete a slide repair from a spring 2011 slide. The Foresta Road will be closed at 7:00 AM on November 14th and remain closed for approximately 2-3 months, while crews complete the stabilization work. The crews are planning to work 6-days per week, Monday thru Saturday, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Due to the safety concerns, it will require a hard closure, meaning that throughout the duration of the project, there will be no access for pedestrians, bicycles, passenger vehicles, trucks, etc... Access will be limited to construction crews and emergency vehicles only. Trucks will also be using middle road to access CA St. Rte. 140, so please be cautious as you are traveling thru this area of Hwy. 140. Also, crews will be bringing in equipment and materials starting Thursday, November 10th, with intermittent single lane traffic control along Foresta Road. (M. Pieper - 11/10)
*************************************************
ACTING DESIGNATIONS
Sue Vezeau will be acting Chief for Visitor Use & Social Science on Tuesday, December 6, 2011. She can be reached at 209-379-1458.
Scott Gediman will be the Acting Chief of Staff on Dec 6, 7, and 8, 2011. If you have any questions, please give him a call at 209-372-0248 or email.
Julie Byerly will be acting Deputy Chief Ranger from Saturday 12/3 through Sunday 12/18, she can be reached at 372-0243.
Todd Newburger (209-379-1434) will be the Acting Branch Chief for Visitor Use and Social Science from Monday, December 5th through Wednesday, December 7th. Bret can also be reached on his cell throughout that time while in JOTR.
Ed Dunlavey will be acting Chief Ranger Dec. 3-7
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.
Jana Friesen McCabe will be Acting Branch Chief for Public Outreach and Engagement from November 15 to December 9. She can be reached at 372-0288.
Greg Torres will be Acting Trails Supervisor 11/30 through 1/3. He can reached at 742 8811.
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.
****************************************************
COMMUNITY NEWS
Art on the River
Saturday December 10th (10am-5pm) and Sunday December 11th (10am-4pm) at the Briceburg Visitor’s Center and 5 homes in El Portal. Shop with local artists and enjoy a festive local event. Maps available at all locations. (L. Stewart - 10/7)
___________________________________________________________
Yosemite Valley & El Portal Schools Need Ski Day Volunteers
Local schools are looking for folks interested in sharing the joy of skiing with our students. You don’t have to be a great skier for this position as we need help at varying levels of proficiency. Volunteer instructors will receive a lift ticket for the day they teach as well as an additional lift ticket for use at another time (non-transferable). If you are interested please contact either YVS @ 372-4791 or EP @ 379-2382. (C. Archer - 12/2)
___________________________________________________________
Congratulations to Brian and Stevie See, the new proud parents of healthy twins (a boy and a girl). Brian is a forestry worker for Mather Forestry. I just talked to him and he said that Mom and babies and all are doing very well. They were born this morning in Sonora between 8am and 10 am. (C. Castro - 12/2)
___________________________________________________________
Lions Club Tree Sale
We have a new way to spread holiday cheer and raise funds for the Yosemite Lions Club with an online source that sells holiday trees and wreaths with FREE shipping! Dutchman Tree Farms offers the green2green fundraising program that allows non-profit organizations to benefit from sales of trees and wreaths at no cost to the organization. Dutchman starts taking orders on October 1st with a deadline of December 15th, where you choose your ship date (details with your order).
Items available:
Cut Fraser Fir 6-7 ft $64.95
Cut Table Top Tree 3-4 ft $39.95
Decorated Wreath 22" $34.95
To order, visit the Dutchman Tree Farms website at: www.dutchmantreefarms.com and use the code YLCCA on the green2green page, or use this direct link: http://www.dutchmantreefarms.com/organization/YLCCA. (K. Wright - 12/2)
