Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Weather
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY - HANFORD CA
440 AM PDT WED MAY 14 2008
...HOT WEATHER TO BRING POTENTIAL HAZARDS THROUGH THE WEEKEND..
STRONG HIGH PRESSURE WILL MOVE INTO CALIFORNIA THIS WEEK. THIS WILL PUSH
TEMPERATURES TO WELL ABOVE SEASONAL AVERAGES. HIGH TEMPERATURES IN THE SAN
JOAQUIN VALLEY...LOWER FOOTHILLS OF THE SOUTHERN SIERRA NEVADA...AND THE
DESERTS OF KERN COUNTY COULD REACH OR EXCEED THE 100 DEGREE MARK BEGINNING
THURSDAY AND LASTING INTO THE WEEKEND.
HERE ARE SOME TIPS TO HELP YOU COPE WITH THE HEAT.
AVOID PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO THE SUN. WHEN POSSIBLE...STAY IN THE SHADE OR
AN AIR CONDITIONED ROOM. WEAR LOOSE FITTING...LIGHT COLORED CLOTHES. DRINK
PLENTY OF NON ALCOHOLIC FLUIDS.
NEVER LEAVE CHILDREN OR PETS IN A VEHICLE...EVEN FOR SHORT PERIODS OF TIME.
TEMPERATURES INSIDE VEHICLES CAN CLIMB RAPIDLY TO LIFE THREATENING
LEVELS...EVEN WITH WINDOWS PARTIALLY OPEN.
PERIODICALLY CHECK ON CHILDREN AND THE ELDERLY. ALSO...REMEMBER THAT
ANIMALS WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE HEAT. MAKE SURE THAT PETS AND FARM ANIMALS
HAVE PLENTY OF WATER AND ACCESS TO SHADE.
IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO TRAVEL INTO THE SOUTHERN SIERRA NEVADA FOR RELIEF
FROM THE HEAT...REMEMBER THAT THE INCREASED FLOW IN MOUNTAIN
RIVERS...STREAMS AND CREEKS HAS ITS OWN HAZARDS. EVEN THOUGH A STREAM OR
RIVER LOOKS COOL AND INVITING...THE WATER IS ACTUALLY VERY COLD AND MAY BE
DANGEROUSLY FAST. OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS ARE ADVISED TO USE EXTREME CAUTION
NEAR STREAMS AND RIVERS. IF YOU ARE PLANNING ON CAMPING...REMEMBER THAT THE
HIGHEST WATER LEVELS OCCUR AT NIGHT...USUALLY WITHIN AN HOUR OR TWO EITHER
SIDE OF MIDNIGHT. A CAMPGROUND MAY LOOK DRY AND SAFE IN THE LATE
AFTERNOON...BUT CAN TAKE ON WATER AT NIGHT.
IF YOU ARE RAFTING OR BOATING ON RIVERS OR STREAMS...ALWAYS WEAR LIFE
JACKETS OR VESTS...AND KEEP OTHER FLOTATION GEAR HANDY. BE ALERT FOR THE
DANGERS OF HYPOTHERMIA IF YOU OR OTHERS FALL INTO THE WATER...GET TO SAFETY
AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO...OR YOUR FAVORITE NEWS SOURCE...FOR UPDATES
ON THIS SITUATION.
Yosemite: TODAY...SUNNY...BREEZY...WARMER. HIGHS 77 TO 87 IN YOSEMITE
VALLEY...53 TO 63 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
TONIGHT...MOSTLY CLEAR. WINDY. LOWS 45 TO 55 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY... 33 TO 43
IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
THURSDAY...SUNNY...BREEZY...WARMER. HIGHS 83 TO 93 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...59
TO 69 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
THURSDAY NIGHT...CLEAR. LOWS 46 TO 56 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...36 TO 46 IN THE
HIGH COUNTRY.
FRIDAY...SUNNY. HIGHS 85 TO 95 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...61 TO 71 IN THE HIGH
COUNTRY.
El Portal: Today: Sunny, with a high near 90. West southwest wind 6 to 11
mph becoming northeast.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 53. Breezy, with a east northeast
wind 19 to 22 mph decreasing to between 10 and 13 mph.
Thursday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 96. East northeast wind between 7
and 10 mph becoming calm.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 53. Calm wind becoming east
northeast between 11 and 14 mph.
Friday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 100. East northeast wind 5 to 11
mph becoming west.
Happening Today/This Week (Check the Community News section for other
events)
Paint striping of newly paved bike trail between Lower Falls Shuttle Stop
and Camp 6 - today between 9:00am and 5:00pm. (J. Lopez - 5/14/08)
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Tioga Road Update as of 5/13/08
Beginning Wednesday, May 14, 2008, Tioga Road will be opened to
Administrative traffic, but only for those authorized employees with
current avalanche training certification and fully equipped per "Tioga Pass
Road Opening and Closing Plan." Four avalanche zones remain and are signed
accordingly. These employees should be personnel who are essential for the
preparation of infrastructure such as Buildings and Grounds and Utilities.
All avalanche trained personnel entering the Tioga Road, where gated, will
contact the designated Access Coordinator. Ed Appling will be the
coordinator Monday thru Wednesday. Ed's radio call number is #360 or his
designee. Bob Brantley will be the coordinator Thursday thru Saturday. His
radio call number is #261 or his designee. For Sunday, the access
coordinator will be designated by the Mather District Ranger. Park
dispatch will be informed of who is the designated Access Coordinator each
day.
All personnel entering a specified Avalanche Zone will contact another
vehicle in their convoy (partner vehicle) prior to and when exiting
controlled avalanche zones.
All personnel entering the Tioga Road will adhere to the daily schedule for
exiting through the Avalanche Zones as established by the Avalanche Team
and implemented by the designated Access Coordinator. This means personnel
must exit the Tioga Road each day at the time established by the
coordinator. No exceptions. All persons granted administrative access must
be prepared for the possibility of remaining in place overnight and have
sufficient clothing, food and other equipment in the event changing
conditions prohibit return travel through the avalanche zones.
All authorized personnel need to be aware of ongoing snow removal
operations, tree removal operations, sign maintenance operations and other
administrative functions. Please drive with utmost caution. (T. Brochini/T.
Ludington/B. Benitag - 5/13/08)
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The next Croaking Toad will be on "Culture and Nature in Yosemite's
Orchards" this Thursday, May 15 at 8 am in the Large Break Room in the NPS
Administrative and Maintenance Facility in El Portal. Join Sky Skach,
Historical Landscape Architect, for an overview of cultural and natural
preservation in Yosemite's historic orchards. This presentation will
focus on the historic value and existing conditions within the park's
orchards. Each of Yosemite's 15 remaining orchards will be discussed
briefly, highlighting the historic value and natural resource concerns.
Discussion is encouraged and will be incorporated into Park Orchard
Management Guidelines. All park and park partner staff are invited. (N.
Nicholas - 5/14/08)
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An after action de-brief for the Highway 120 Incident (Bus MCI) of 5/8 will
be held at 1100 am on Thursday 5/15/08 at the Valley SAR training room.
Anyone involved in this incident is encouraged to come and participate.
For those that are unable to attend and have constructive comments they
wish to have addressed, or other comments please email them to
Michael_W_Foster@nps.gov. Thanks for a job well done. (M. Foster - 5/12/08)
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PLEASE JOIN US IN BIDDING FAREWELL TO
Joella Domingues
Joella will be leaving us after 35 years of service. Please join us as we
celebrate and remember her career in Yosemite!
We will be at the East Auditorium in Yosemite Valley on May 15th from
12:00pm to 2:00pm.
There will be cake and coffee provided by the PCO Staff. Please bring your
favorite dessert or beverage to share, as we share our memories with each
other!!! For more information you may contact Alan Hawksley at 379-1278 or
Dan Benitag at 372-0533. (T. Hawksley - 4/4/08)
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Appreciation Feed - Come to Clarks Community Center on Thursday, May 15,
2008 at about 5:00pm and have an Indian Taco served by Joella and Gilbert -
to thank you for your generous help whe Gilbert was hurt and to wish Joella
a happy retirement. This will be the last Indian Taco feed for 2008. (J.
Domingues - 5/13/08)
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Mounted Patrol Graduation Ceremony-- You're invited!
The 2008 Mounted Patrol School is finishing their six-week long training
course and you are cordially invited to attend the graduation ceremony.
Join us to learn about current and historic mounted patrol duties, and to
watch this year's class members show off their horsemanship skills.
Everyone is welcome!
Friday, May 16, 2008
10am
Arena behind the Ahwahnee Hotel (Please consider carpooling or taking the
shuttle) (A. Freeman/KJ. Maples - 5/13/08)
New Today
National Be Bear Aware and Wildlife Stewardship Month
Did you know?
Black bears live to be an average of 18 years. The oldest wild black bear
lived to be 31 and the oldest captive black bear lived to be 44. (T. Seher
- 5/14/08)
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The Property Management Office is again accepting property for disposition.
If you have any property you are no longer using, fill out a Request for
Survey form (attached below) and bring the form and property item to our
office. We highly recommend that you do not keep property you are not using
and do not need. Experience has shown that "stashed" property is frequently
forgotten and hard to find during inventory. If your unneeded item is still
usable, our office will offer it to others who may have a need. Also, the
park pays an annual IT assessment for every computer and laptop; don't
waste money by keeping computers and laptops that you are not using. TURN
THEM IN!
If you have any questions, please call Don Ramsey at 379-1024. (K. Kolbeck
- 5/14/08)
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Sister park Jiuzhaigou was impacted by the recent 7.8 magnitude in Sichuan
Province. As we learn more we will share that information. Yali Lee, Deputy
Chief of Personnel Office, who spent several months working here reports
she is doing well.
Giant pandas in breeding centers safe
Published: May 14, 2008 at 6:56 AM
BEIJING, May 14 (UPI) -- The earthquake in China's southwest Sichuan
province, which killed more than 12,000 people, appears to have spared the
breeding centers for the giant pandas.
All 86 pandas at the Wolong Giant Panda Protection and Research Center had
been transported to a safer place after the quake struck Monday, Xinhua
reported. Wolong is about 19 miles from Wenchuan, the quake's epicenter.
The animals, considered extremely endangered, include "Tuan Tuan" and "Yuan
Yuan," which are to be taken to Taiwan soon.
"At present, Wolong is still largely out of reach by roads or
telecommunications. We only had a brief telephone conversation with the
Wolong side which was soon cut off," Xiong Beirong with the provincial
forestry department told Xinhua Wednesday.
Pandas being raised at other research centers also were unharmed, the
report said.
However, the safety of the more than 1,590 pandas living in the wild in
Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu provinces, wasn't immediately known, the report
said. (© 2008 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.)
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CalTrans meetings: The California Department of Transportation wil hold two
public information meetings/open houses in May to explain how it proposes
to permanently restore the section fo State Route 140 that was damaged by
the Ferguson Slide.
May 21, 2008 4-7pm - Mariposa County Government Center, The Board of
Supervisors Chambers, 5100 Bullion Street, Mariposa
May 22, 2008 4-7pm - El Portal Community Center "Adjacent to the El Portal
Post Office", El Portal
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DNC plans to start offering the half day stables ride from Yosemite Valley
to Clark's Point on Thursday, May 15 and will open the Wawona Stables
operation for the season on Friday, May 16. (A. Catamec - 5/14/08)
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DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite
Yosemite Club Card
Effective December 3, 2007
Purpose:
To allow visitors of Yosemite National Park the opportunity to take
advantage of discounts in select retail and recreation facilities operated
by DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite.
Procedure:
Guests may make payment for the Yosemite Club Card at DNC P&R Cash
Operations located in Yosemite Village during normal business hours. The
Guest may then take receipt to the Learning Center (in the General Offices
building) to get their photo discount card. The cost of the card is $30.
Terms and conditions of use:
Yosemite Club Card is good for 10% DNC P&R Retail Locations.
Yosemite Club Card is good for 50% Ice Rink sessions and rentals.
Yosemite Club Card allows free admission to the Yosemite Lodge Pool.
Yosemite Club Card expires on the last day of the 12th month after
purchase.
Yosemite Club Card is non transferable.
No discounts on tobacco, alcohol, and/or other specialty items which may
be designated by DNC P&R at Yosemite.
Discounts are subject to change.
Yosemite Club Card must be presented at time of purchase to receive
discount.
An individual found to be in violation of these terms and conditions may
have their discount privileges revoked at the discretion of DNC Parks
& Resorts.
Program subject to change.
Questions:
Questions about this program may be directed to the Retail Office or Human
Resources.
Retail: 372-1227
Human Resources: 372-1234 (J. Nelson - 5/14/08)
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Rental: Room for rent, share bath and kitchen, $300/month Cathy's Valley.
Yarts stop 1/4 mile away. 209-374-3335. (J. Leonard - 5/14/08
Park News
Fire Season Opens - 2008 Fire Season - May 19. The coming fire season
predictions are not favorable conditions with predicted warmer than normal
summer and dryness. The opening of fire season requires residents of the
Park to use diligence in prepping of their property of all ground litter
within their property boundaries to be fire wise and safe. This includes
trimming of limbs that encroach against structures, removal of all
vegetative material from roofs and rain gutters or any other accumulations
of dead and down material. The opening of fire season curtails any further
burning of any vegetation piles by property owners. (G. Wuchner - 5/12/08)
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Comprehensive Interpretive Plan - Workshop - May 20, 2008
Yes, we just wrapped up our first workshop, but the next is just around the
corner!
We will address Audiences, Critical Issues facing Interpretation/Education,
and Delivery of Interpretive Services in the Yosemite region. Please use
the attached link to review our 2005 Visitor Study for some background. I
will be forwarding an agenda next week.
http://www.nps.gov/archive/yose/planning/documents/2005survey.pdf
Please RSVP by Friday, May 16th for this workshop. More soon! (T. Medema -
5/9/08)
Announcements
Effective May 15, 2008, the Valley Boilers will be shut off for the summer.
Expect cool mornings with warm afternoons. If an unseasonable cold spell
occurs the Valley Boilers will be relit for your comfort. Any questions,
please call Valley Buildings and Grounds at 372-0545. (T. Ford - 5/13/08)
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2009 Albright-Wirth Grant Program - New Deadline extension date - !!! May
16, 2008 !!!
The Albright-Wirth Grant program has recently experienced computer
technical problems that may have prevented or delayed applicants from
receiving supervisory approvals. As a result the deadline date for
accepting applications is extended to May 16, 2008. Those employees who
previously submitted applications need not reapply and supervisors of grant
applicants will be able to access the application for endorsement after the
May 16th deadline date.
Albright-Wirth Grant applications now accepted thru May 16, 2008
!!!! Don’t delay, Apply today!!!!
Go to the web link to read the announcement and start your application
today!
http://mylearning.nps.gov/awgrant
Grants are available up to $5,000 for individuals and $15,000 for groups of
3 or more qualifying employees.
Do you need technical assistance? Email nps_helpms@nps.gov or contact
Grant Administrator at lonnie_lowe@nps.gov or call Lonnie Lowe at
202-354-1487.
The Albright-Wirth Grant Program is managed by the Supervision, Management
& Leadership Programs, Capital Training Center, 1201 Eye St. NW,
Washington, DC 20005. Sandy Taylor, Program Manager, 202-354-1413 and
Lonnie Lowe, Employee Development Officer-202-354-1487
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Leave Share Participants
Currently, YOSE leave share participants are:
Shari Baudoux
Kevin Bowman
Kimberly Cunningham-Summerfield
You can find leave share participants Servicewide on InsideNPS at:
http://insidenps.gov/index.cfm?handler=leaveshare
If you are interested in contributing annual leave, please do so by
completing a Request to Donate Annual Leave to Leave Recipient (Within
Agency) Under the Leave Transfer Program, OPM Form 630-A. A fillable PDF
version of the OPM 630-A may be found at:
http://opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/opm630a.pdf (T. Hawkins - 1/31/07)
Community News
Lisa Domingues: Many of you may know Lisa, she has worked at the Yosemite
Valley day care for nearly 20-years. She is raising her 10-year old son
and currently lives in Midpines. Lisa was born and raised in Yosemite, has
many relatives and friends who love and appreciate her kind spirit,
gorgeous smile, and for taking excellent care of our children from diapers
through the grade school years. Lisa has recently been diagnosed with
terminal cancer (which has yet to slow her down or stop her from smiling).
She is, however, preparing for her son's future. A bank account has been
set up in her son's name at the Yosemite Bank in Mariposa. All donations
are appreciated and Lisa thanks you in advance for your kindness.
Donations can be made to: Chaska Colvin, Yosemite Bank Account number
#307005140. Contact Charity at the Yosemite Day care center for ways to
assist, 372-4819. (V. McMichael - 5/7/08)
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Today’s Date: May 8, 2008
District: 10 - Stockton
Contact: Chantel Miller
Phone: (209) 948-7176
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Traffic Advisory
State Route 140/Ferguson Rockslide Bypass in Mariposa County
Mariposa County - The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
will close State Route 140/Ferguson Rockslide Bypass (Incline Road) in
Mariposa County to through traffic in one hour intervals. Accumulated
traffic will be allowed to go through the closure at the top of the hour;
i.e.: 12:00 a.m. (midnight), 1:00 a.m., 2:00 a.m., 3:00 a.m., and 4:00 a.m.
Work will begin Sunday, May 11, 2008, through Saturday, May 17, 2008, from
11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
Emergency service vehicles will be provided access.
These closures are necessary to allow crews to construct the new interim
bridges in this location.
Motorists can expect one hour delays. Alternate routes should be taken
whenever possible. This work is scheduled to begin as listed, but is
subject to change based on weather conditions.
The contractor for this $8 million project is Teichert Construction, of
Stockton, CA. This project will install two interim bridges to allow 45
foot vehicles to utilize the temporary bypass while the Permanent
Restoration Project is developed for State Route 140. Caltrans decided to
install the new interim bridges to bypass after it was determined that the
Permanent Project would not go into construction as anticipated this
summer.
For the safety of workers and other motorist, please Slow For the Cone
Zone. www.dot.ca.gov (S. Gediman - 5/12/08)
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Attention High School Seniors
The Yosemite Scholarship Commission would like to announce the availability
of three schlarships for seniors graduating in June 2008. The Yosemite
Community Scholarships are sponsored by the Yosemite Employees Association,
the Yosemite Rotary Club, the Yosemite Lions Club, and the Yosemite Winter
Club. Two of the scholarships are for $2,000 over two years for attending a
four-year college or university. The third scholarship is $1,000 over two
years at a community college. In existence since 1934, the Yosemite
Scholarship Commission is supported by the Yosemite and El Portal
communities. Only one application is necessary to apply for all three
scholarships.
Students eligible for the scholarships are any high school graduating
senior whose parent or guardian is employed on a year round basis in
Yosemite National Park or the El Portal Administrative Site. Employment
must be for no less than six months per calendar year and for at least one
year prior to the time application is made. More than just an academic
scholarship, the following items are taken into account in making the
selection: scholastic ability, financial need, leadership ability,
community participation, and general apptitude. There is no particular
significance in the order nor does one qualification have any special
weight.
Further information and applications may be obtained from Mariposa County
High School, Yosemite High School, Tioga High School, or from Jan van
Wagtendonk, or Linda Eade. Applicants must attach a copy of their current
high school transcripts to their application and send the application and
the transcripts to the Yosemite Scholarship Commission at PO Box 313, El
Portal, CA 95318. Applications will be accepted until May 15, 2008.
Jan van Wagtendonk (209) 379-2668
Linda Eade (209) 372-0280 (L. Eade - 4/23/08)
Acting Designation
Sheri Ogden will be acting as Chief of Business and Revenue Management on
5/14/08 while Marty Nielson is out of the office. (W. Malone - 5/14/08)
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Dean Glenn will be Acting Chief of Facilities Management on Wednesday, May
14, 2008. He can be reached at 379-1075 or you can leave a message with
Rhonda Soden at 379-1059. (R. Soden - 5/14/08)
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Glen Rothell will be Acting Chief of Project Management May 16th. You may
phone Glen at his El Portal office at 379-1139 or at his Valley office at
372-0429. If he is unavailable you may leave a message with Doyle Harrison
at 379-1202. Randy Fong will be Acting Chief of Project Management May
19-23rd. You may phone Randy at his El Portal office at 379-1022. If he
is unavailable you may leave a message with Doyle Harrison at 379-1202.
(D. Harrison - 5/13/08)
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Gretchen Stromberg will be Acting Chief of Planning for Linda Dahl for the
week of May 12-16. Gretchen can be reached at 379-1006. (C. Geis - 5/12/08)
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Sueann Brown (379-1222) will be acting Branch Chief for History,
Architecture & Landscapes from May 12th through May 16th; Bret Meldrum will
be acting May 19th and 20th. (D. Humphrey - 5/12/08)
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Starting Monday, May 12th, Marshall "Glen" Taylor will be acting Sign Shop
Supervisor until further notice. He can be reached @ 379-1286 or email:
marshall_taylor@nps.gov.
Thanks to Erin Anders for holding down the Sign Shop fort for the last four
months. (B.Benitag 5/8/08)
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HR Specialist Charlotte Randolph will be out of the park from May 2 through
May 19, 2008. If you have any employee relations, classification, or
employee development issues or questions, please contact Heather Whitman
in her absence. (H. Whitman - 5/2/08)
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For the month of May, Mike and Kevin have asked me to backfill for Kevin
while he is on leave. I will continue my duties as AO from the Valley and
you can contact me there as needed. However, there will be times when I
may not be available to address some issues in Admin. During those times
please feel free to contact the following administration branch chiefs for
assistance. They have authority to make decisions and adjust
administration resources to meet your needs when I'm not available.
May 12th - 15th Dan Sohn 379-1173
May 18th - 22nd Lorene Schafer 379-1873
May 26th - 30th Skip Sheets 379-1195 (L. Harris - 5/1/08)
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