Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Weather
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY - HANFORD CA
333 AM PDT THU MAR 13 2008
SNOW SHOWERS WILL MOVE INTO THE REGION TODAY WITH 1 TO 3 INCHES OF SNOW
POSSIBLE ABOVE 7000 FEET. WINDS WILL BE QUITE STRONG ACROSS THE SIERRA
TODAY AND TONIGHT AS A STRONG UPPER LEVEL JET WILL CROSS THE MOUNTAINS
PRODUCING VERY STRONG WINDS ABOVE 6000 FEET. A COLD AREA OF LOW PRESSURE
WILL MOVE INTO THE REGION ON SATURDAY PRODUCING SNOW MAINLY ABOVE 5000
FEET...BUT SNOW LEVELS WILL DROP TO AROUND 4000 FEET BY SATURDAY NIGHT AND
INTO SUNDAY AS THE LOW EXITS. MOISTURE IS LIMITED WITH THE STORM AND NO
WINTER WEATHER WARNINGS OR ADVISORIES ARE EXPECTED WITH THIS SYSTEM AT THIS
TIME.
PEOPLE PLANNING TRAVEL ACROSS THE CENTRAL CALIFORNIA INTERIOR SHOULD
MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS. STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR YOUR
FAVORITE NEWS SOURCE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.
Yosemite: TODAY...MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A 40 PERCENT CHANCE OF SHOWERS. VERY
WINDY. SNOW LEVEL 7500 FEET. HIGHS 52 TO 62 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY... 39 TO 49
IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
TONIGHT...MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF SHOWERS.
WINDY...COLDER. SNOW LEVEL 6000 FEET. LOWS 22 TO 32 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...10
TO 20 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
FRIDAY...MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF SNOW SHOWERS.
BREEZY...COLDER. SNOW LEVEL 4500 FEET. HIGHS 38 TO 48 IN YOSEMITE
VALLEY...22 TO 32 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
FRIDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF SNOW SHOWERS.
BREEZY...COLDER. SNOW LEVEL 4500 FEET. LOWS 15 TO 25 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...3
TO 13 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
SATURDAY...SNOW SHOWERS LIKELY IN THE MORNING...THEN SNOW SHOWERS LIKELY
AND CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AFTERNOON. CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION 70
PERCENT. HIGHS 36 TO 46 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...22 TO 30 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
El Portal: Today: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a
high near 61. Calm wind becoming west between 11 and 14 mph.
Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around
33. South wind between 10 and 13 mph becoming light.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 52.
Northeast wind 5 to 13 mph becoming west.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers before 11pm. Mostly cloudy,
with a low around 29. East northeast wind around 6 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near
49. Calm wind becoming west between 8 and 11 mph.
Happening Today/This Week (Check the Community News section for other
events)
Flags are to be flown at half-mast until sundown today. Robert Bey a long
time seasonal employee with the Fee Program passed away on Wed. March 5th.
Bob and his wife JoAnn began working at the Big Oak Flat entrance station
in 1998. Services will be held on Thursday March 13th 10:00 AM at The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on old Hwy 120 in Groveland.
Please send your condolences to JoAnn c/o Big Oak Flat entrance station.
(S. Ogden - 3/10/08)
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Making Friends with your Finances: Do you shrink away from terms like
“Roth IRA”, “annual percentage rate”, “certificate of deposit”, “mutual
fund”, and all of those other mysterious terms related to money? Do you
wish you knew more about money, but don’t know where to start? Do you want
to develop confidence in financial decision-making? If any of these
questions ring true for you, then come and dedicate two lunch hours to
learning the vocabulary and concepts that will help you take control of
your financial life. Thursdays, March 13 and 27 from 1-2pm in the Large
Break Room in the El Portal Warehouse Building. Classes will be taught by
Marya Carr, a self-taught financial educator and experienced teacher who
enjoys empowering others to take control of their financial lives. These
classes will not cover the specifics of the NPS retirement plan. Sponsored
by the Federal Women's Program and the Equal Opportunity Committee. (K.
Ramsey - 3/11/08)
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Yosemite Training Center is offering March classes. The Regular First Aid
is on March 13th in Mariposa. The CPR for Healthcare Providers renewal
class is March 13th in Yosemite Valley and the initial class will be Monday
March 17th at Badger Pass. We need at least 4 people to hold a class so
sign up as soon as possible at the Medical Clinic 372-4637 (B. Shoor -
2/27/08)
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Free Skiing at Badger Pass! - Support the Yosemite Winter Club and Yosemite
Ski Team by volunteering to help out at the annual Silver Ski Race March
15-16. Volunteers get a lift ticket for that day, lunch, and a lift ticket
voucher for this season or next! You can volunteer one or both days and get
vouchers for each day. Volunteers help with a variety of tasks including
gate keeping (judging kids proper turning around gates), meal distribution,
race course maintenance, and more.
Give me a call at the number below if you can help. Thank you! (T. Medema -
3/7/08)
New Today
TUOLUMNE MEADOWS WINTER CONDITIONS UPDATE
March 12, 2008
Weather: (March 5 to March 11)
High temp: 58° (March 10 and 11)
Low temp: 4° (March 6)
New Snow: 0”
Total settled snow depth: 52” as of March 12
Ski Conditions and Weather: It has been a warm and sunny week here at
Tuolumne, with daytime highs in the mid-fifties followed by overnight lows
in the single digits and teens. The snow has firmed up, providing great
touring conditions. There are even some turns to be had on south facing
slopes mid-day once the sun softens them up a bit. Be prepared for
soft-to-slushy snow by the middle of the afternoon. We are beginning to see
patches of bare ground open up for the first time, as well as stretches of
open water along the river- spring must be just around the bend. Skiers
coming in from the east side report that there are still a few inches of
snow down at the road closure gate outside of Lee Vining, but that most of
the road between the gate up to Warren Fork Creek has melted out and is
bare pavement. So be prepared to walk the first 3-4 miles above the gate
before you hit the solid snow where you can begin to ski.
Avalanche and Snowpack Conditions: For the latest avalanche advisory for
this area go to www.esavalanche.org for the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center
and click on advisory. The ESAC site is updated several times a week and
more often during weather events.
Wildlife: We are seeing a lot more sign of coyotes now that the snow has
firmed up and travelling is getting easier. Other animal tracks seen in the
past week include pine marten, chickaree, mice/vole, and hare. No sign of
any bears yet. Birds seen in the past week include Common Raven, Mountain
Chickadee, Brown Creeper, White-breasted Nuthatch, Red Crossbill, and the
always noisy Clark’s Nutcracker. We are still awaiting the arrival of our
first spring migrants; we’ve heard that Robins and Bluebirds are becoming
common at lower elevations, but we haven’t seen them up here yet.
Questions: If you have any ski related or weather questions feel free to
call 209-372-0450 between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm. If we are out skiing, leave
a message and a phone number so we can return your call. Please don’t call
us with questions about road conditions, as we live 20 miles from the
nearest plowed road and don’t do any driving this time of year. For current
park road conditions call 209-372-0200. (Jeff and Kathi, the Tuolumne
winter rangers - 3/13/08)
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GSA Auction - The General Services Administration will be conducting an
internet auction of Yosemite personal property consisting of pickup trucks,
the Mariposa Grove tram, a horse trailer, chain saws and a fork lift. The
auction opens on 03/12/2008, and closes on 03/19/2008. The sale is number
91QSI08084 #315-322. These items are located in the yard adjacent to the
warehouse in El Portal for inspection, and are marked with yellow item
number cards. Park employees are allowed to participate in the sale, with
the exception of any employee with unfair (nonpublic) detailed knowledge or
prior use of an item offered for sale. Such employees are prohibited from
bidding on that item, and the prohibition includes their immediate family
as well. Employees must view the items and bid on their own time. For
further information regarding the sale items or to register to bid, visit
the website gsaauctions.gov. (D. Ramsey - 3/13/08)
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Job announcement - Need some extra cash? The Yosemite Association is
looking for an outside contractor to clean the Art and Education Center
once a week on Sundays between 10:00am and 3:00pm. The job shouldn’t take
more than an hour, and we will pay $30 per cleaning. Please contact
Carolyn King, Administrative Coordinator, for information at 379-2646. (C.
King – YA, 03/13/08)
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Live Music at the Evergreen Lodge this Saturday! - From 9 PM to Midnight
the Horseshoes, an all-gal country/bluegrass band from San Francisco, will
be playing in the Evergreen Tavern. We’ll be serving dinner until 10 PM and
the show is free! Contact us at 379-2606. (S. Truempy - 3/13/08)
Announcements
Good-bye Luncheon for Cyndi Gonzales - Come join us on March 19, 2008 at
noon for a potluck on the top deck outside the Parkwide Custodial Office in
El Portal in saying good-bye to Cyndi Gonzales. Cyndi is leaving us for
Monterey and we want all to have the chance to wish her well. Hot Dogs and
Hamburgers will be provided. Please bring a side dish that goes with
Hamburgers and Hot Dogs. (R. Soden - 3/12/08)
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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
Yosemite National Park
Current Vacancy Announcements
UPDATED: March 13, 2008
The following is a summary of current vacancy announcements at Yosemite
National Park. Most vacancy announcements will be posted on
http://www.usajobs.gov . This website is the Office of Personnel
Management's USAJOBS internet site. If you have any questions or cannot
find the announcement on USAJOBS, please call the Park’s Human Resources
Office at (209) 379-1805.
PERMANENT -- YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK CAREER OR CAREER-CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEES
Telecommunication Specialist
Closing Date: 3/21/2008
Vacancy Ann.#: YP-167923 (DS)
Pay Plan: GS-0391-11
PERMANENT – GOVERNMENTWIDE ALL CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEES
Contract Specialist
Closing Date: 3/25/2008
Vacancy Ann.#: YP 155631 NMH 08
Pay Plan: GS-1102-07/09
Lead Dispatcher (Public Safety)
Closing Date: 3/21/2008
Vacancy Ann.#: YP-164177 (DS)
Pay Plan: GS-2151-07/08
TERM PROMOTION –YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK – PERM EMPLOYEES -
Facility Operations Specialist
Closing Date: 3/25/2008
Vacancy Ann.#: YP173535 DR
Pay Plan: GS-1640-11
TEMPORARY – STATUS NOT REQUIRED – OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Wildland Firefighter (Range or Forestry Aid/Technician)
Closing Date: 4/30/2008
Vacancy Ann.#: DOI-FIRE-2008-006
Pay Plan: GS-0455,0462-02/05 (H. Whitman/I. Keheley - 3/13/08)
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PERMANENT – STATUS NOT REQUIRED -- OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Data Manager (Interdisciplinary) GS-0401-9/11, GS-0408-9/11 or GS-2201-9/11
Vacancy Ann.#: SEKI-08-31EE
Sierra Nevada Network
GS-0401-9/11
http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/getjob.asp?JobID=69029943&AVSDM=2008%2D02%2D26+17%3A40%3A57&Logo=0&pg=2&jbf574=IN10&lid=342&FedEmp=N&sort=rv&vw=d&ss=0&brd=3876&FedPub=Y&caller=/agency_search.asp
GS-0408-9/11
http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/getjob.asp?JobID=69029945&AVSDM=2008%2D02%2D26+17%3A40%3A57&Logo=0&q=data+manager,+seki&lid=342&FedEmp=N&sort=dt&vw=b&brd=3876&ss=0&FedPub=Y&SUBMIT1.x=0&SUBMIT1.y=0
GS-2201-9/11
http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/getjob.asp?JobID=69029946&brd=3876&AVSDM=2008%2D02%2D26+17%3A40%3A57&q=data+manager%2C+seki&sort=dt&vw=b&Logo=0&FedPub=Y&lid=342&FedEmp=N&SUBMIT1.x=0&SUBMIT1.y=0&ss=0&TabNum=3&rc=2
TERM – STATUS NOT REQUIRED -- OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Biological Science Technician (Data Management), GS-0404-6/7
Vacancy Ann.#: SEKI-08-27EE
Sierra Nevada Network
http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/getjob.asp?JobID=68758005&AVSDM=2008%2D02%2D19+16%3A05%3A50&Logo=0&pg=1&jbf574=IN10&lid=342&FedEmp=N&sort=rv&vw=d&ss=0&brd=3876&FedPub=Y&caller=/agency_search.asp
(M. Rose - 3/3/08)
Community News
6th STREET CINEMA is a non-profit theater located in downtown Mariposa,
atop the historic Masonic Lodge on 6th Street. We are the presentation arm
of the Rural Media Arts and Education project, a 501(c)(3) corporation, and
are supported by the California Arts Council, County Bank, Sierra Tel, the
James Irvine Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, and Mariposa
County. We are also generously supported by Iron Mountain Systems and
Stonecutter.com. 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
This week's program:
March 14-15 (Friday-Saturday) 7:30 p.m.: INTO THE WILD. (Rated R; 140
minutes) - Directed by Sean Penn, with a sound track by Eddie Vedder (Pearl
Jam), 'Into the Wild' is based on a true story and the best selling book by
Jon Krakauer. After graduating from Emory University in 1992, top student
and athlete Christopher McCandless (Emile Hirsch) abandons his possessions,
gives all his savings to charity, and hitchhikes to Alaska to live in the
wilderness. Along the way, Christopher encounters a series of characters
that shape his life, and his destiny.
Upcoming Programs:
March 21 - 22 (Friday - Saturday) 7:30 p.m. NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN. - The
Coen brothers film adapted from Cormac McCarthy's novel with a title by
Yeats. Academy Awards. Tommy Lee Jones. Evil. Violence. Sheer brilliant
filmmaking.
March 27 (Thursday) 7:30 p.m. LIVE FROM THE NYPL: THERE YOU GO AGAIN.(FREE
ADMISSION). - Sixth Street Cinema has partnered with the New York Public
Library to broadcast exciting, thought provoking discussions of topics
relevant to our times. 60 years ago, George Orwell published "Politics and
the English Language", in which he described political speech as consisting
"largely of euphemism, question-begging and sheer cloudy vagueness." Today,
many symptoms of manipulation and propaganda diagnosed by Orwell persist on
the American political landscape, along with new disinformation techniques
enabled by modern technology. Historians, scientists, philosophers,
linguists, cognitive experts, journalists, image-makers, and public figures
will debate in three separate sessions the current state of political
discourse — and journalism's response to it — on the dawn of a bitterly
contested presidential campaign. This month, we will be screening Part I:
Propaganda Then and Now: What Orwell Did and Didn't Know, with a panel
including George Soros.
March 29 (Saturday) 7:30 p.m. TED: Technology, Education and Design... and
beer and wine. (FREE ADMISSION). - TED (which stands for Technology,
Entertainment, Design) began in 1984 as a bringing together of people from
those three worlds, but since then its scope has expanded to include
science, business, the arts and the global issues facing our world. It also
has expanded to global venues and conferences. The "main" Monterey annual
conference brings together 40 of the world's most fascinating thinkers and
doers, over four days, each of whom fill an 18-minute slot, interspersed
with many shorter pieces of music, performance and comedy. "Just be
profound" is the technical advice offered to presenters. TED attendees can
normally expect to pay upwards of $6,000, but Sixth Street Cinema (in
partnership with TED) is offering the best of the best program selections
for free, as a thank you to the community. Come and be prepared to be
wowed! Then enjoy stimulating conversations with your neighbors over a
beverage. (T. Arfsten - 3/11/08)
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YOSEMITE RENAISSANCE XXIII ART EXHIBIT open at the Yosemite Museum Gallery
through May 4, 2008. (Fridays through Mondays, 10 to Noon and 1 to 4 PM).
This year, from a near-record number of 465 entries, 38 paintings,
photographs, sculptures and drawings by 34 artists from across the
country were selected. On the evening of the opening reception,
photographer Ted Orland and print-maker Tom Killion (both former
Yosemite Renaissance award-winners) will select the artists who will
receive the $4000 in cash awards.
This year's exhibit is unquestionably one of the best ever mounted by
Yosemite Renaissance, including a broad range of works from the
representational to the abstract to the conceptual. Local artists in the
exhibit include: Linda R. Abbott, Susan Bolen, Elizabeth Carmel, Michael
Frye, Marian Gault, Peggy Hansen, Mark Heliger, William Neill, Penny
Otwell, Jon Shiu, and Carol Rae Shockley. (B. Beroza - 2/26/08)
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Fundraiser: El Portal Child Care is having a "deli day" fundraiser we will
prepare deli style sandwiches and deliver them to your home or office in El
Portal. You can order a sandwich with Hummus and veggies, or Turkey Breast
or Roast beef, chips and soda or water for $8.00 delivered. Orders forms
are floating around, ask a daycare parent for an order form or call
379-2860 and we can get you one and place your order. Order by March 14.
Help support our kids!! (C. Brocchini - 3/7/08)
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ANNUAL ST. PATRICK'S DAY DINNER!
Come join the Yosemite Employee Association at one of Johnny Clark's
favorite events: St. Patrick's Day, on Monday March 17th, 2008!
As usual, Don Fox and Chris Thorpe will be cooking the traditional Irish
Dinner. Live music will be provided as well as YEA's traditional Irish
beverage service.
Location: Clark Community Hall, El Portal
Time: Dinner from 5-7, music from 7:30-11pm.
Prices: YEA members in good standing: $9; Join YEA and attend: $14; Non
YEA members: $15; Kids: $5; Kids under 5: free.
Erin Go Braugh! (M. Carter - 3/6/08)
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Spring Fling - Spring is right around the corner and we have an awesome
community event to plan! The spring fling will be held on Saturday April
26, 2008, at the Carroll Clark Community Hall in El Portal. The events
will include but are not limited to:
A pancake breakfast sponsored by the Yosemite Lions Club
The 3rd Annual El Portal PTG Spring Run-off
Many local vendors with arts, crafts and services
Angel and Norma Ortiz = fabulous Mexican lunch
Joella's Famous Indian Fry Bread for Dinner
An amazing musical line up for the evening
If you would like vendor information or to sign up for a booth please
contact Rosemary McCallum 379-2665
If you are interested in designing this years Run-off shirt please contact
Claudine Ronay 379-2967 (C. Ronay - 2/25/08)
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Nominations are now being accepted for The Yosemite Fund Award. The
Yosemite Fund Award was created in 1991 to recognize annually the efforts
of an individual in the Yosemite Community who has done exemplary work to
significantly enhance the value of Yosemite National Park or the visitor
experience.
A committee composed of members of the Fund and its staff reviews
nominations and recommends an individual to the Fund Board of Trustees and
Council for approval. A winner will be announced in April. The recipient
is awarded a certificate of commendation and $2,500.
A one page nomination should include: the nominee’s name and contact
information (phone, mailing address and email), reasons for nomination, a
list of the nominee’s accomplishments as well as the nominator’s name and
contact information (phone, mailing address and email).
When nominating an individual, please remember the following guidelines:
The nominee must be a member of the Yosemite Community, must not have
previously received the award, and must be living. The award is made to a
single individual and members of the Award Committee and the Yosemite Fund
Staff are not eligible. If the nominee’s contribution is performed on the
job, his or her efforts must be above and beyond what is required by that
job.
The nominee’s information requested above should be submitted in writing to
Brian Thysell, The Yosemite Fund, 155 Montgomery St., Suite 1104, San
Francisco, CA 94104, or by faxing to (415) 434- 0745, or by emailing to
brian@yosemitefund.org. Nominations must be received by March 14th. (B.
Thysell - 2/1/08)
Acting Designation
I will be out of the office starting 03/07/2008 and will not return until
03/22/2008.MIke Beasley is the acting Fire Chief He can be reached at
209-375-9574 (K. Martin - 3/10/08)
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In my absence March 10-14, Jun Kinoshita is Acting Branch Chief for
Anthropology & Archeology. (L. Kirn - 3/3/08)
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George Harders will be acting supervisor until further notice at the El
Portal Wastewater Treatment Facility starting on March 3rd, 2008. He can
be reached at 379-1825 or leave a message with Katie at 379-1055
Ron Parkey will be acting superviosr until furnter notice at the Wawona
Water/Wastewater Treatment Facility effective immediately. He can be
reached at 375-9510 or leave a message with Shawnessy. (K. Bablitch -
2/26/08)
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Dave Baker has been detailed for 60 days in the position of Heavy Equipment
Lead Mechanic. He can be reached at 379-1155. (G. Tilley - 2/26/08)
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Victoria Mates will serve as acting Branch Chief for Interpretive Field
Operations Feb. 10 - May 10. (T. Medema - 2/8/08)
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From January 13, 2008 until mid-May, Tom Medema will serve as acting Chief
of Interpretation and Education while Chris Stein in on a detail to
Washington, D.C. working on a "connecting children and nature" project. (C.
Stein - 12/31/07)
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