Daily Report – Yosemite National Park Tuesday January 3rd, 2017

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Daily Report – Yosemite National Park

glacier point road – Yosemite – 12.31.16

glacier point road - yosemite - 12.31.16
Do not think that the drought is over, this is the Glacier Point road

on 12/31/6 and the south facing hillsides at 8,000′ are bare.

Tuesday January 3rd, 2017
 
 
Winter Storm Warning
A Winter Storm Warning In Effect From 4pm This Afternoon until 4pm Thursday Above 7000 Feet. Expected snow accumulation of more than 2 feet. Snow levels starting out around 4500ft on Tuesday evening. Rising to 7000 feet Wednesday and continuing through Thursday. The heavy snow will make many roads impassable and may produce widespread power outages due to the weight of the snow on tree limbs and power lines. Strong winds may  lead to blowing snow, reduced visibility and additional power  outages.
 
Today: Snow likely in the morning. Snow with rain likely in the afternoon. Near the crest…snow in the afternoon. Breezy. Not as cold. Snow accumulation up to 5 inches. Snow level 5000 feet. Highs 38 to 44 at 5000 feet…30 to 35 at 8000 feet. South winds 25 to 30 mph with gusts to around 45 mph over higher elevations.
 
Tonight: Rain…snow…windy. Snow accumulation up to 16 inches. Snow level 6000 feet. Lows 31 to 38 at 5000 feet… 21 to 29 at 8000 feet. South winds around 25 mph with gusts to around 50 mph after midnight. Over higher elevations…southwest winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts to around 65 mph.
 
Tomorrow: Rain and snow…snow near the crest. Windy. Snow accumulation up to 17 inches. Snow level 7500 feet. Highs 41 to 47 at 5000 feet…33 to 39 at 8000 feet. Southwest winds around 25 mph with gusts to around 50 mph…southwest 25 to 40 mph with gusts to around 70 mph over higher elevations.
 
 
Additional Point Forecast Weather Links:
 
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NEW AND HAPPENING TODAY
 
Yosemite Valley School Speakeasy 
Please join us Saturday, January 14th at the Majestic Hotel for this 1920’s inspired fundraising event which will support the students of the Yosemite National Park Valley School. The evening includes wine, beer, special time inspired cocktails, appetizers, silent auction, gaming tables, music, friends and fun. This is an adult only event and if you are interested in childcare you can contact the Yosemite Child Care Center. Tickets are on sale now they are $25 per person until January 1st at which time they will be $30 per person, tickets include 2 drink tickets. You can purchase tickets by following this link to our website  https://squareup.com/store/yosemite-valley-school-ptg (C. Archer)
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​​Balanced Rock Community Yoga 
Classes resume after the holiday break. Bring in the New Year practicing yoga and meditation with an amazing community.
 
2017 Classes:
Monday evenings 6pm-7:15pm, El Portal,  El Portal Community Hall 
Wednesday evenings 6pm-7pm, Yosemite Valley, Employee Wellness Center
 
All classes are taught by our talented volunteer staff.  There is no charge for classes and a schedule of instructors can be found here:  http://balancedrock.org/programs/ongoing-yoga-classes For more information contact:  heather@balancedrock.org (H. Sullivan)
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Dick Ewart’s Retirement party is FRIDAY, January 6 !
Please join us in the Yosemite Valley Auditorium from 4:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Dick Ewart began his career in Yosemite in 1975 as a volunteer for the Yosemite Natural History Association and became a Ranger in 1976.  This Park Ranger Extraordinaire retired December 31, 2016.  If you would like to help us wish him all the best in his future adventures, please join us in the Yosemite Valley Auditorium on Friday, January 6, 2017 between 4:30 pm and 8:00 pm.
Mingle, meet & greet until 6:00 pm, Dinner at 6:00, Roasts and presentations 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm Lasagna, salad, garlic bread, lemonade and coffee will be provided. If you can bring an appetizer or a side dish to share, that would be greatly appreciated.  BYOB. Please bring your own mess kit to assist with zero landfill.  Plates, cups and silverware will be available for those who forget.  If you wish to contribute to a retirement gift, please contact Dean Shenk in Yosemite Valley, Heidi Edgecomb in Wawona, Sally Sprouse in Hodgdon Meadow, Mariposa: Cindy Baker/Yvonne Radanovich or Heather Boothe in El Portal. (D. Shenk)
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Housing Opportunities 
4 bedroom, 2 bath, washer, dryer, refrigerator in Jerseydale.  $1300.00 per month.
 
3 bedroom, 2 bath, all new paint, flooring, window coverings and kitchen counters. Located in Midpines $1100.00 per month. Please contact, judiebee1@mac.com for
additional information. (C. Baker)

 

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RECENT NEWs
 
Attention All
As we continue to mourn the passing of Brian Chilcott many are left wondering, “Is there anything can I do?” A close friend has created a GoFundMe page to help with surgery cost for beloved dog Axel and assist Jessi through this difficult time. If you would like more information about helping Axel and Jessi please visit: https://www.gofundme.com/fundraiser-for-axel-and-jessi (H. Bromberg)
 
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CONSTRUCTION & TRAFFIC DELAYS
 
Yosemite Valley Traffic Detour
Northside Drive and Southside Drive west of Sentinel Drive are back to one-way traffic. Sentinel Drive is open to two-way traffic.Northside Drive and Southside Drive east of Sentinel Drive are open for two-way traffic. Maps are available at:
 
 
 
LImited parking is available at the Yosemite Village Day-Use Parking Area, in the area of Camp 6. Access this parking off Sentinel Drive. No RVs or trailers please. 4-Wheel drive recommended. Parking for RVs and trailers is available at the Yosemite Falls Parking Area near Yosemite Lodge. (L. Acree)
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Cook’s Meadow Boardwalk
The Trails Crew has started preparing on-sight to replace the deck material on Cook’s boardwalk. Work typically is being performed Monday-Thursday, during which time the boardwalk will be closed to visitors. When crews are not working, the boardwalk will be left so visitors can safely use the boardwalk. This should take 3-4 weeks depending on weather and other emergencies.(A.Shapiro)
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Parkwide Communication Data Network (CDN):
During the next five weeks (Dec 23rd through Jan 20th) Abide International (Contractor) will be installing radio equipment in shelters and aligning microwave dishes on towers at eleven locations throughout the park.  This is part of the last phase of the Parkwide Communication Data Network (CDN) project, which started in the Fall 2010, with the construction of communication towers and shelters.  Yosemite’s CDN system will replace the dated/unreliable communication infrastructure (wires which run through park/wilderness areas), which dates to the 1950s, with a modern wireless system to support high speed data services and emergency communications for Yosemite National Park.  Staging of the microwave equipment is at Old El Portal parking lot.  Project is scheduled to be complete by January 20, 2017 (weather permitting). (D. Engelstad)  
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Emergency Services Complex:
Construction continues.  Structural retrofit is nearly done.  Most of the site grading, drainage improvements, utilities, and paving is done.  Work on the interior electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fire suppression, and fire alarms continue, as well as the remaining structural work.  Finish work will begin soon.  Completion is expected in winter 2017. (K. White)
 
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ACTING DESIGNATIONS
 
Billy Bryan will be acting Chief of BRM today 1/3/17. He can be reached at 209- 372-0272
 

Jim Radmacher will be acting EPWWTP Supervisor January 2th – January 4th. If you need to get in contact with him, please call 379-1828.
 
Gus Martinez will be acting Chief Ranger through Monday, January 2, 2017.  He can be reached at 209-372-0520
 
Chris Gateman will be acting Operations Supervisor until 1/3/2017. Chris may be reached at 379-1275
 
Josh Keyes will be acting Branch Chief for Buildings and Grounds through 1/3/2017 Josh may be reached at 375-9508
 
Jeff Pirog will be acting Branch Chief of Fire and Aviation Management until 01/06/2017.  He can be reached at 209-379-1902.
 
Dave Henderson will be acting Hetch Hetchy Program Manager and Yosemite Conservancy Liaison until 1/16/2017. He can be reached at 372-0600 or 372-0238.
 
Parker Davis will be acting Fee and Revenue Branch Chief until the end of February. Parker can be reached at 372-0406 or Parker_Davis@nps.gov
 
Ben Cunningham-Summerfield will be acting Branch Chief of Interpretive Field Operations until January 4. He can be reached at 372-0303
 
Michael Liang will be acting Branch Chief for Creative Media (formerly interpretive services) through February 2017. He can be reached at 372-0643
 
Sheri Ogden will be acting Division Chief of BRM until further notice. She can be reached at 209-372-0316.
 
Ron Gaunt will be acting Division Chief of Project Management until further notice. He can be reached at 379-1027.
 
Sabrina Diaz will be acting Chief of Interpretation & Education until further notice. She can be reached at 372-0291 or 347-0113.
 
R. Brad Lewis will be acting Branch Chief of Design and Construction for Project Management until further notice. He can be reached at 379-1006.
 
Billy Bryan will be acting Concessions Management Branch Chief until further notice. He can be reached at 372-0272 or william_bryan@nps.gov.
 
Erin Davenport will be acting Branch Chief of Environmental Planning and Compliance from 12/19/2016-12/23/2016.
 
Renea Kennec will be acting Branch Chief of Environmental Planning and Compliance from 12/27/2016-12/30/2016.
 
Ryan Leahy will be acting Program Manager for Human-Wildlife Conflicts  until February 13, 2017. He can be reached at 209-372-0476.
 
Rick McNeill will be acting Park Botanist until further notice. He can be reached at 379-2175.
 
Rebecca Lund will be acting Deputy Fee Manager through February 2017. She can be reached at 372-0207.

 
Katie Burnham will be acting Arch Rock Entrance Supervisor through February 2017. She can be reached at 379-2210