Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Weather
Yosemite: TODAY...SUNNY. HIGHS 65 TO 75 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...44 TO 54 IN
THE HIGH COUNTRY.
TONIGHT...CLEAR. LOWS 29 TO 39 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...21 TO 31 IN THE HIGH
COUNTRY.
FRIDAY...SUNNY...WINDY. HIGHS 61 TO 71 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...41 TO 51 IN THE
HIGH COUNTRY.
FRIDAY NIGHT...CLEAR...BREEZY. LOWS 30 TO 40 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY... 20 TO 30
IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
SATURDAY...SUNNY. HIGHS 65 TO 75 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...46 TO 56 IN THE HIGH
COUNTRY.
El Portal: Today: Sunny, with a high near 77. Calm wind becoming west
between 10 and 13 mph.
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 39. West wind at 9 mph becoming east.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 72. East wind 7 to 14 mph becoming west.
Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 38. West wind 6 to 11 mph becoming
north.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 77. East northeast wind 7 to 9 mph
becoming west.
Happening Today/This Week (Check the Community News section for other
events)
Wellness/Service Day TODAY! Please join the representatives from Blue
Cross/Blue Shield, Mail Handlers and GEHA in the Large Break Room in El
Portal. They will be here from 10:00am - Noon and from 1:00pm-4:pm
They will be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding you
health plan and have some fun things to do!
Get a free massage! Hope to see you there! (T. Barton - 5/8/08)
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May 8
CANCELLATION
The movie, "Bears of Sequoia" WILL NOT be shown today in El Portal as
originally scheduled. We'll reschedule soon - stay tuned!
National Be Bear Aware and Wildlife Stewardship Month
Protecting your food in the backcountry
Bear resistant food containers ("bear canisters") are required for
overnight hikers in all of the Yosemite Wilderness, except where bear-proof
food lockers are located. Counterbalance hanging of food is no longer
permitted. In Yosemite and the southern Sierra, bear canisters are the
only effective and proven method of preventing bears from getting human
food. Food lockers are available as an alternative only at Little Yosemite
Valley and all five High Sierra Camp campgrounds.
A list of approved food canisters, along with other useful bear
information, can be found at www.sierrawildbear.gov.
Employees working for DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite, National Park
Service, Yosemite Institute, and Yosemite Association can pick up free
wilderness permits and canisters from any Yosemite Wilderness Center.
Please stop by a few days ahead of your trip to ensure availability.
Did you know?
Black bears, even though they are classified as carnivores have a diet
consisting of 85 percent vegetable matter. To help get berries and leaves
off of plants as well as collect and eat insects, black bears have mobile
tongues and nimble lips.
CANCELLATION
The movie, "Bears of Sequoia" WILL NOT be shown today in El Portal as
originally scheduled. We'll reschedule soon - stay tuned! (T. Seher -
5/8/08)
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Reminder: Utility meter replacement will be occuring this week in Wawona;
Thrusday 5/8 and Friday 5/9. For any questions, please contact Katie
Bablitch at 379-1055 or Paul Laymon at 379-1077. (K. Bablitch - 5/5/08)
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Anti Virus/Spyware upgrade May 6th-8th - If you are a dial-up user please
disregard.
Please leave your computers on Tuesday May 6th thru Thursday May 8th in
order to facilitate an upgrade to the latest version of Symantec Anti
Virus/Spyware software. Upon close of business May 6th thru the 8th please
reboot your PC and turn your monitor off. Please shut down your computer
as you normally would on Friday May 9th. The upgrade will happen during
non-business hours in order to minimize impact. If a PC is turned off
during the allotted time frame the upgrade will happen when the machine is
powered on and connected to the network which may impact performance.
Please contact the Help Desk at 379-1123 or contact me directly if you have
any questions or issues. (R. Watson Jr. - 5/7/08)
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PLEASE WISH JIM ALLEN, FACILITIES OPERATIONS SPECIALIST FOR UTILITIES
BRANCH A HAPPY 40TH BIRTHDAY!
He can be reached at 379-1039 (K. Bablitch - 5/8/08)
New Today
Royal Fire - 1/2 acre fire at cliff above Royal Arches, rocks and trees -
human caused
Grey smoke visible from Valley detected 5/7/08 approximately 3:00pm
Helo 551 reconned and will insert firefighters this morning. (G. Wuchner -
5/8/08)
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Tioga Road opening operations continued Wednesday, 5/07/08
Tioga Road progress for May7, 2008:
Ending Location: Tioga Pass Entrance Station. Approximately 46 miles from
Crane Flat Gate.
Average Snow Depth: 6 Feet
8 '- 9' in the parking lot at the pass.
Snow removal operations continue including widening, utility roads and spur
roads.
Four avalanche zones remain.
Update on Mariposa Grove as of May 7, 2008
Mariposa Grove Forestry operation in progress
Forestry crews will be working on the Mariposa Grove Hazard tree removal
Today and Tomorrow May 7 th and 8th. (T. Brochini - 5/8/08)
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New Permanent Big Oak Flat Campground Supervisor - Please join the Business
and Revenue Management Division in welcoming Melissa Burnham to her new
permanent position as the Supervisor of the Big Oak Flat Campground Office.
Melissa comes to us with previous experience working for the Arizona State
Park System, and most recently as a park ranger at Adams National Historic
Park in Quincy, MA. She will be responsible for the operations of the
Crane Flat, Hodgdon Meadow, Tamarack Flat, White Wolf, Yosemite Creek, and
Porcupine Flat Campgrounds (obviously, not a small job!) Welcome Melissa!
(M. Carter - 5/8/08)
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Congrats to Valor awardees from Yosemite!
May 6, 2008
Memorandum
To: All DOI Employees
From: James E. Cason /s/
Associate Deputy Secretary
Subject: 65th Departmental Honor Awards Convocation
The 65th Departmental Honor Awards Convocation will be held May 13, 2008,
at 1:00 p.m., in the Sidney R. Yates Auditorium at the Main Interior
Building. DOI employees who have received the Distinguished Service Award,
the Valor Award, the Citizens Award for Bravery, and the Department Safety
Awards will be honored at the Convocation.
The following individuals will be honored at this year’s convocation.
List of Award Winners
Distinguished Service Award
U.S. Geological Survey Recipients
Francis H. Chapelle
Susan L. Collier
Anne F. Frondorf
Martin B. Goldhaber
Paul A. Hsieh
William G. Wilber
Bureau of Land Management
Anna F. Steele
Bureau of Reclamation
John W. McDonald
Kirk C. Rodgers
Fish and Wildlife Service
Ralph Costa
Minerals Management Service
August J Kocher III
Robert P. LaBelle
Office of Surface Mining
William Bass
Barbara Chadwick
Dennis Rice
National Park Service
David L. Barna
Dale B. Engquist
C. Bruce Sheaffer
Michael A. Soukup
Office of the Solicitor
Paul B. Smyth
Valor Award
Bureau of Land Management
Scott W. Brandt
Michael D. Hendrickson
Lester M. McDonald
Michael Sperry
Michael C. McMaster
Scott Meneely
Andrew Rishavy
Andrea Robinson
Andrew Snyder
Steven Spellberg
National Park Service
Mt. McKinley Rescue
David T. Bywater
Christopher P. Harder
Reynold G. Jackson
Steven W. Rickert
John F. McConnell
Neil McNab (Citizens Award for Bravery)
Andrew Perkins (Citizens Award for Bravery)
Yosemite
John Dill
Daniel Gleason
David A. Horne
Gregory R. Lawler
Edward Visnovske
Shawn Walters
Blue Ridge Parkway
David G. Bauer
Eduardo L. Cartaya
Yosemite - El Capitan Rescue
Jack J. Hoeflich
Keith L. Lober
Yosemite – El Capitan Rescue II
Eric J. Gabriel
Citizens Award for Bravery
Henry Phill Michael nominated by the National Park Service
Danny Keith Stanley nominated by the National Park Service
Neil McNab nominated by the National Park service
Andrew Perkins nominated by the National Park service
DOI Safety Awards
The Professional Service Award
Bureau of Land Management
Sandy Guches
The Award of Merit
National Park Service
Louis Rowe
Bureau of Reclamation
Richard Kristof
Ken Lally
Pacific Northwest Region Dive Team and the Lower Colorado Region Dive Team
Dennis Hawkins Greg Finnegan
Mark Albl James Burke
Jesse Chan Greg Clune
Jeff Foot Tim Dewey
Dave Godaire Phil Mann
Brian Hamilton Seth Ostrowski
Ryan Hedrick Rick Scott
Walt Heyder Joel Strum
Kevin Kelly Rodney Tang
Rob McAffee Caireen Ulepic
Ron Oaks
Bill Parks
Jeff Peterson
Jerry Sharman
Dana Wiegel
Minerals Management Service
Safety Policy Rewrite Team
Staci Atkins
Marriane Boucher
Rhonda Dillon
Roey Holliday
Tom Keller
U.S. Geological Survey
Large Vessel Safety Working Group
David Nichols
Timothy Cherry
Philip Bernard
Gary Hill
Ron Kuzniar
Wayne E. Martin
If you have any questions, please contact Joy Buhler, Office of Human
Resources at (202) 219-0811, or via e-mail joy_buhler@ios.doi.gov.
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Training Announcement
Date: Monday May 19, 2008
Time: 08:30-12:00 or 13:00-16:30 all topics offered twice May 19 to allow
for continuity of operations.
Location: SAR Training Room, Yosemite Valley
Topics and intended audience:
Hanta Virus Awareness* 08:30-09:00 & 13:00-13:30
All Yose employees should receive hanta virus awareness training, employees
required to assess or open seasonal buildings need this class and
respiratory protection to be properly qualified, see hanta virus policy for
specific details.
http://www.yose.nps.gov/yosenet/safety/Critical_Programs/08_Hanta_Policy...
Respiratory Protection Training* 09:00 - 10:30 & 13:30 – 15:00
All personnel exposed to respiratory hazards above the OSHA permissible
exposure limit (PEL) or employees exposed to unknown levels of respiratory
hazards need respiratory training, a medical clearance, and a fit test.
Prerequisite: Respiratory Questionnaire forms are here:
http://www.yose.nps.gov/yosenet/safety/forms.htm
Hearing Conservation Program Training* 11:00 - 12:00 & 15:30 – 16:30
All employees exposed to noise levels above the OSHA permissible exposure
limit (PEL). Affected Branches include Fire, LE, B&G, R&T, Utilities,
Vegetation, and Archeology. Includes a baseline audiogram and annual
audiograms to assess program effectiveness.
Call Claudine Ronay at 379-1072 to register for training on the 19th, only
20 training slots available for each session morning and afternoon.
*See Guide to Safety Management for policy and applicability. (R. Farmer -
5/8/08)
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New Postage Rate Increase May 12 - Its almost here! The new rate
increases.
For most of you for your personal mail you are probably mostly worried
about your First Class mailings, those never ending bills and such. Single
piece rates have only gone up a penny. 41 cents has gone up to 42 cent.
for l oz. 58 cents for 2 oz has gone up to 59 cents. 75 cents for 3 oz is
now 76 cents and 92 cents for 3.5 oz is now 93 cents. (Sorry, I can't find
a "cents" symbol on my typewriter!) However, not to worry!!! I have an
excuse to get rid of all those pennies I have been accumulated so there
will be a penny dish near the mail tubs. Just use up your left over 41
cents stamps and I will take care of the rest until you buy those new
books. (Post cards are now 27 cents, a penny increase.)
For those of you who thought ahead and bought those "Forever" stamps,
aren't you proud of yourself? It is not too late to buy Forever stamps at
todays prices!
Priority has increased from $4.60 to $4.80. Certified mail from $2.65 to
$2.70 and Return Receipt from $2.l5 to $2.20. Similiarly all other
services have gone up as well but this is more of a concern for your Mail
clerks.
By the way, many of you are STILL forgetting to put your names and/or
offices on your Certified, Insured, Signature Confirmation, and Return
Receipts. If you are missing them, they are posted on the bulletin board
in the YV mailroom, in a small box in EP. Remember, you can't "track" your
package if you don't get your tracking number back. Happy mailling!
Warmly, Your smiling, friendly Mail Clerks (D. Hales - 5/8/08)
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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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Do you know a high school student who is looking for something to do this
summer? The Yosemite Association is looking for student help consisting of
32-40 hours per week, with a starting pay of $8/hour DOE. Send an
application to Office Manager, Yosemite Association, P.O. Box 230, El
Portal, CA 95318, or by email to cking@yosemite.org. Request an
application by phone at 379-2646, or on our website at
www.yosemite.org/aboutya/yajobs. (C.King, 5/08/08)
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Please join us for Mother's Day at the Mountain Room Restaurant (5/11/08)
featuring a Special Mother's Day Brunch from 8:30 am - Noon
and a Special Prix Fixe Menu for Dinner from 5:30 to 9:00 pm
(including a flower for the first 100 Mothers) or enjoy one of our entrees
from our New Spring Menu. (K. Erikson/L. A. Rowe - 5/8/08)
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Evening of peace - SATURDAY, MAY 17th
Local group of citizens,
NEIGHBORS ACROSS BORDERS
Presents:
An evening to promote peace and healing.
Our Goal: to raise funds for medical assistance to war-injured Iraqi
children.
Dinner, Wine, Peace Poetry, Acoustic Music, Silent Auction, Kid's
Activities
Where: Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort; Bodie Room. Time: 6pm
Cost: $35/ticket (Kids 5 and under eat free)
A GREAT evening for a GREAT cause.
For Tickets, Contact: Jon Paul: 209-617-1945 or Amelia: abiagi@hotmail.com
(R. Tackaberry - 5/8/08)
Park News
POSTPONED: Merced River Plan - May, 10, 2008 - Public Planning Workshop
To all parties interested in the Merced River Comprehensive Management Plan
The new Merced River Plan public planning workshop scheduled for Saturday,
May 10, 2008, from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm in Yosemite Valley has been
POSTPONED. Park management continues to consult with the National Park
Service Pacific West Regional Director, Interior Department attorneys, and
the Department of Justice on the implications of the 9th Circuit Court of
Appeals ruling on the 2005 Revised Merced River Plan. In order to honor the
time, energy and costs borne by participants, park management wants to have
clear direction on the scope, process, and substance of the next version of
the plan before convening another workshop. The park is working hard to
stay on schedule and will have more information to the public soon.
Please check our web site for updates:
http://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/newmrp.htm
Information will be distributed once a new date for the next public
planning workshop has been determined. Thank you for your understanding. If
you have any questions, please feel free to contact Elexis Mayer, Project
Manager by phone at 209-379-1377, or by email at elexis_mayer@nps.gov, or
Linda Dahl, Yosemite National Park Chief of Planning via email at
linda_dahl@nps.gov.
The aforementioned ruling can be found at:
http://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/ca9/newopinions.nsf/BCABDF4F5FB5568488257
80082FA48/$file/0715124.pdf?openelement
and on the Yosemite National Park website at:
http://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/litigation.htm (E. Mayer - 5/5/08)
Announcements
Purchase Card Training Opportunity
Tuesday, 13 May, 0800-1000, Valley Admin Lobby. Training session to be
held on the use of the GSA Advantage website. If you use your government
card to make purchases, you can benefit from this training. There are
about 4-5 seats still available. Please contact me ASAP at 379-1873 or via
email if you would like to attend. (L. Schafer - 5/7/08)
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Drop in program: Come join the Habitat Protectors of Yosemite (HaPY)
program! Program runs Fridays from May2- October 31st. Work with park
staff to remove invasive plants and learn basic ecological principles. All
volunteers are required to wear pants and closed-toe shoes. Long sleeves,
sunscreen, water, and snacks are recommended. Meet in front of Yosemite
Valley Visitor Center at 9am. Bring a lunch and join us! (M. DeBree -
5/1/08)
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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)
HR Corner
DETAIL / TEMPORARY PROMOTION OPPORTUNITY
The Project Management Division, Environmental Planning and Compliance
Branch is offering an opportunity for a 120 day detail / temporary
promotion (if qualified) to Environmental Compliance Specialist, GS-09/11.
This opportunity will provide the opportunity to learn about the practices
and procedures used nationally by the NPS to conduct and facilitate
planning and compliance activities. The position would allow an employee to
gain experience in elements of both the National Environmental Policy Act
and the National Historic Preservation Act.
This opportunity is open to permanent career/career-conditional employees
of Yosemite National Park. This is an interdisciplinary position that can
be filled by: Geographer, GS-150, Ecologist, GS-0408 or Resource Management
Specialist, GS-0401.
If interested, please obtain your supervisor's approval, and submit a
resume to Irma Keheley, Human Resource Office, El Portal, no later than May
12, 2008. (I. Keheley - 4/30/08)
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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6th STREET CINEMA is a non-profit theater located in downtown Mariposa,
atop the historic Masonic Lodge on 6th Street. It is the presentation arm
of the Rural Media Arts and Education Project, a 501(c)(3) corporation,
and is supported by the California Arts Council, SierraTel, the James
Irvine
Foundation, Mariposa County, and the Geoff and Josie Fox Family
Foundation, a Donor Advised fund of the Silicon Valley Community
Foundation. We are also generously supported by Iron Mountain Systems and
Stonecutter.com. The views expressed by the films, in print materials, or
by discussion facilitators are not necessarily those of these funders.
This activity is funded in part by the California Arts Council, a state
agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a national agency. Monthly
membership is $12, allowing film entry for $3 each; non-members pay $7, and
non-member students pay only $5. Film/theater information: (209) 966-1333
or http://www.sixthstreetcinema.org Staff: 209 742-6666.
E-mail us: sixthstreetcinema@sti.net
There will be no films this coming weekend, May 2-3.
Saturday, May 10, 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. PANGEA DAY. (FREE
ADMISSION).Pangea was the super continent that existed about 250 million
years ago, before each of the component continents were separated, and
drifted into their current configuration.
In a world where people are often divided by borders, difference, and
conflict, it's easy to lose sight of what we all have in common. Pangea Day
is a global event to bring the world together through film. Pangea Day
seeks to help people see themselves in others – through the power of film.
Locations in Cairo, Kigali, London, Los Angeles, Mumbai, and Rio de
Janeiro will be linked for a live program of powerful films, live music,
and visionary speakers. The entire program will be broadcast – in seven
languages – to millions of people worldwide through the internet,
television, and mobile phones. The 24 short films to be featured have been
selected based on their ability to inspire, transform, and allow us see
the world through another person's eyes. For more information, go to the
official Pangea Day site: http://www.pangeaday.org/ (T. Arfsten - 4/29/08)
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YOSEMITE VALLEY SCHOOL HAMBURGER LUNCH
On May 10th, 2008 from 11:30-2:00 Yosemite Valley School will be putting on
a hamburger lunch to fund the 6th-7th grade trip to Scotland this summer.
The cost is $6.00 for a burger, salad, and chips. Veggie burgers will also
be available. This will be near the Visitors Center in the Valley. If you
are in the area please stop by have lunch. Thank you for your continued
support of our school! (S. Pence - 5/1/08)
Acting Designation
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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Acting Chief of Resource Management and Science will Laura Kirn (379-1314)
from May 6-8 and Bret Meldrum (379-1216) on May 9. (N. Nicholas - 5/7/08)
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Katy Warner will be acting RMS Division Liaison/Mgt Asst. May 5-9, she can
be reached at 379-1421 (C. Knipper - 5/5/08)
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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 5th - 9th Dayna Jackson 379-1874
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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Ansley Rothell will be the Acting Emergency Communications Center Manager
May 1-9. (N. Bissmeyer - 4/30/08)
_______________________________
The Monday and online editions of The Daily Report continue as the long
version. The Tuesday - Friday email version will be shortened to include
only new and "happening today" information. Please plan your submittals
accordingly. To view the long version please visit
http://www.yose.nps.gov/yosenet/intp/daily.htm (intranet) or
http://www.nps.gov/yose/parknews/upload/daily.pdf (internet).
We cut and paste submissions and generally do not correct submitted copy.
Entries must be in by 7:00am the day of publication. There are no weekend
or holiday editions. Submissions: email yose_daily_report@nps.gov
