WawonaNews.com - April 2016
You're invited! YWECS SPRING SILENT AUCTION & BBQ
Surprising cause of Yosemite rockfalls discovered
CBS News- More than four million people are expected to visit Yosemite National Park this year, and along with the park's natural beauty, they could encounter danger from its majestic granite cliffs, which experience dozens of rockfalls each season. Last year, the National Park Service says at least 25,000 tons of rock came crashing down.
Rockfalls can be caused by rain or snow, seismic activity, or the effects of freezing. But others had no obvious cause.
"Summertime rockfalls have been something of a mystery," Greg Stock, Yosemite park geologist and coauthor of the study, said in a press release.
Now research out of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reveals that summer heat can trigger rockfalls at Yosemite. The USGS examined the parks's granite cliffs over the course of three years, discovering that rockfalls were more likely to happen at the hottest time of the day, during the hottest parts of the year.
"With this work we now have a plausible explanation for why they happen," Stock said.
To study the rockfalls, the USGS and the National Park Service set up sensitive "deformation and temperature gauges" in a crack located behind a partially detached slab of granite on a Yosemite Valley cliffside. The researchers discovered that the rock surface's daily cooling and heating resulted in the crack opening and closing by almost a half an inch. Stress from these temperature shifts can destabilize the rock slabs in a process known as exfoliation, leading it to separate and crash to the ground below.
"Our research provides clear evidence that thermal effects can move large slabs of rock and that these movements, over time, can lead to rockfalls," said Brian Collins, USGS geotechnical engineer and study co-author.
The report was published in the journal Nature Geoscience.
Rockfalls are a hazard to visitors at the park, and the study can enable geologistswho work in and study the area to develop a better understanding of how to manage the potentially deadly phenomenon.
The National Park Service reports that in 2015 alone, there were 66 documented rockfalls and probably a number of others that nobody witnessed. On its website, the park service urges visitors to call 911 within the park "if you witness a rockfall of any size, encounter fresh rock debris, or hear cracking or popping sounds emanating from the cliffs."
Rockfalls can be caused by rain or snow, seismic activity, or the effects of freezing. But others had no obvious cause.
"Summertime rockfalls have been something of a mystery," Greg Stock, Yosemite park geologist and coauthor of the study, said in a press release.
Now research out of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reveals that summer heat can trigger rockfalls at Yosemite. The USGS examined the parks's granite cliffs over the course of three years, discovering that rockfalls were more likely to happen at the hottest time of the day, during the hottest parts of the year.
"With this work we now have a plausible explanation for why they happen," Stock said.
To study the rockfalls, the USGS and the National Park Service set up sensitive "deformation and temperature gauges" in a crack located behind a partially detached slab of granite on a Yosemite Valley cliffside. The researchers discovered that the rock surface's daily cooling and heating resulted in the crack opening and closing by almost a half an inch. Stress from these temperature shifts can destabilize the rock slabs in a process known as exfoliation, leading it to separate and crash to the ground below.
"Our research provides clear evidence that thermal effects can move large slabs of rock and that these movements, over time, can lead to rockfalls," said Brian Collins, USGS geotechnical engineer and study co-author.
The report was published in the journal Nature Geoscience.
Rockfalls are a hazard to visitors at the park, and the study can enable geologistswho work in and study the area to develop a better understanding of how to manage the potentially deadly phenomenon.
The National Park Service reports that in 2015 alone, there were 66 documented rockfalls and probably a number of others that nobody witnessed. On its website, the park service urges visitors to call 911 within the park "if you witness a rockfall of any size, encounter fresh rock debris, or hear cracking or popping sounds emanating from the cliffs."
YOSEMITE-WAWONA ELEMENTARY CHARTER SCHOOL - Board of Directors Meeting
YOSEMITE-WAWONA ELEMENTARY CHARTER SCHOOL
Board of Directors Meeting
March 9, 2016
Wawona Elementary School
7925 Chilnualna Falls Road
Wawona, California
AGENDA
ACTION ITEMS
contract for fiscal year 2015-16 to be filed with Madera County Office of Education.
INFORMATION ITEMS
13.1.Employee Negotiations (Gov. Code 54957.6)
13.2.Personnel (Gov. Code 54957)
Board of Directors Meeting
March 9, 2016
Wawona Elementary School
7925 Chilnualna Falls Road
Wawona, California
AGENDA
- CALL TO ORDER
- ROLL CALL
- CONSENT AGENDA
- Approval of agenda
- Approval of minutes of the regular meeting, March 2, 2016
- Financial reports
- Monthly approval of warrants (Action needed)
- Financial Report
- Payroll Report
- HEARING OF PERSONS WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
ACTION ITEMS
- Approve the 6/30/2015 audit report from Borchardt, Corona & Faeth.
contract for fiscal year 2015-16 to be filed with Madera County Office of Education.
- Approve to file waiver with the state for audit findings and corrections regarding 2014-15 school year regarding attendance.
- Approve 2nd Interim Budget Report to be submitted to Bass Lake and MCOE by March 15, 2016.
INFORMATION ITEMS
- BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
- STAFF REPORTS
- NEXT MEETING DATE
- CLOSED SESSION Personnel/Negotiations/Litigation
13.1.Employee Negotiations (Gov. Code 54957.6)
13.2.Personnel (Gov. Code 54957)
- RECOVENE IN OPEN SESSION: ANNOUNCE CLOSED SESSION ACTIONS
- ADJOURNMENT
Wawona Road Delays Around South Entrance Intersection March 8-10
Starting Tuesday, March 8th crews will be completing some geotechnical borings along Wawona Road from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM with completion scheduled for March 10th. The work will include single lane traffic control with up to 15 minute delays. The work area on Wawona Road will be from the southern Park boundary to 1/2 mile north of the South Entrance Intersection. (M. Pieper)
Message From The Yosemite Scholarship Commission
The Yosemite Scholarship Commission
Since 1934
Post Office Box 313
El Portal, California 95318
Dear Friends:
For years the Yosemite community has awarded a scholarship to one of its graduating high school seniors from the Yosemite Scholarship Fund. The Scholarship Commission of the Yosemite National Park community invites you to join us in keeping this vital tradition alive.
Since its founding by Colonel Thompson in 1934, this scholarship has helped with financial support of over 70 of Yosemite’s deserving high school seniors. The award is based on the student’s financial need, scholarship ability, leadership, personality and general aptitude. Eligibility had been limited to those students whose parents or guardians are employed in Yosemite National Park or the El Portal Administrative Site. In 2014 we expanded our scholarship eligibility criteria to include high school seniors who live in the El Portal and Wawona Elementary School enrollment areas so that students who live at Cedar Lodge or Yosemite View Lodge are now eligible.
Since 2000 The Yosemite Scolarship Commission has awarded scholarships on behalf of local community organizations including The Yosemite Employee Association, The Yosemite Lions Club, Deleware North Corporation, The Yosemite Conservancy, The Yosemite Rotary Club and The Yosemite Winter Club. For 2015 The Yosemite Scholarship Commission reimplemented a scholarship funded by donations directly from the community. The commission was able to award a $2,000 scholarship directly from the Yosemite community in 2015.
The real credit for our success goes to friends like you who have supported us financially over the years. Without the generous donations of community members, we would not be able to sustain the program, and important educational opportunities for our youth would be lost.
Won’t you help us ensure that an additional deserving high school senior will be recognized for his or her academic and other accomplishments with a scholarship this school year? Please send a contribution to the Yosemite Scholarship Commission. Every cent you donate will go directly to scholarships for young people.
Help us guarantee that young people in the Yosemite community who deserve to attend college get that opportunity by sending your donation for the Yosemite Scholarship today. It’s one of the best investments you can make in our youth, our community, and our future. See address above.
Sincerely,
Tim Ludington
Commission President
__________________________________________________________________________________
To: Yosemite Scholarship Commission
Enclosed is my contribution in the amount of $__________ to be applied to the Yosemite Scholarship Fund.
Signed____________________________________ Date__________________
Since 1934
Post Office Box 313
El Portal, California 95318
Dear Friends:
For years the Yosemite community has awarded a scholarship to one of its graduating high school seniors from the Yosemite Scholarship Fund. The Scholarship Commission of the Yosemite National Park community invites you to join us in keeping this vital tradition alive.
Since its founding by Colonel Thompson in 1934, this scholarship has helped with financial support of over 70 of Yosemite’s deserving high school seniors. The award is based on the student’s financial need, scholarship ability, leadership, personality and general aptitude. Eligibility had been limited to those students whose parents or guardians are employed in Yosemite National Park or the El Portal Administrative Site. In 2014 we expanded our scholarship eligibility criteria to include high school seniors who live in the El Portal and Wawona Elementary School enrollment areas so that students who live at Cedar Lodge or Yosemite View Lodge are now eligible.
Since 2000 The Yosemite Scolarship Commission has awarded scholarships on behalf of local community organizations including The Yosemite Employee Association, The Yosemite Lions Club, Deleware North Corporation, The Yosemite Conservancy, The Yosemite Rotary Club and The Yosemite Winter Club. For 2015 The Yosemite Scholarship Commission reimplemented a scholarship funded by donations directly from the community. The commission was able to award a $2,000 scholarship directly from the Yosemite community in 2015.
The real credit for our success goes to friends like you who have supported us financially over the years. Without the generous donations of community members, we would not be able to sustain the program, and important educational opportunities for our youth would be lost.
Won’t you help us ensure that an additional deserving high school senior will be recognized for his or her academic and other accomplishments with a scholarship this school year? Please send a contribution to the Yosemite Scholarship Commission. Every cent you donate will go directly to scholarships for young people.
Help us guarantee that young people in the Yosemite community who deserve to attend college get that opportunity by sending your donation for the Yosemite Scholarship today. It’s one of the best investments you can make in our youth, our community, and our future. See address above.
Sincerely,
Tim Ludington
Commission President
__________________________________________________________________________________
To: Yosemite Scholarship Commission
Enclosed is my contribution in the amount of $__________ to be applied to the Yosemite Scholarship Fund.
Signed____________________________________ Date__________________
New Lot For Sale - Loop Road
0 Loop Rd,Wawona, CA 95389 - 0.29 acres. Click here for more info.
YOSEMITE-WAWONA ELEMENTARY CHARTER SCHOOL METTING, MARCH 2 - 6:30 PM
Board of Directors Meeting
Wednesday, March 2, 2016, 6:30 PM
Wawona Elementary School
7925 Chilnualna Falls Road
Wawona, California
AGENDA
- CALL TO ORDER
- ROLL CALL
- CONSENT AGENDA
- Approval of agenda
- Approval of minutes of the regular meeting, February 3, 2016
- Financial reports
- Monthly approval of warrants (Action needed)
- Reimburse Ed Mee for plumbing supplies from Capitol Pipe for emergency toilet repairs in the amount of $138.56.
- Financial Report
- Payroll Report
- Monthly approval of warrants (Action needed)
- HEARING OF PERSONS WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
ACTION ITEMS
- Sign agreement for services with Borchardt, Corona and Faeth Accountants for the year ending June 30, 2016.
- Sign contract for nursing services for 2016-17 school year...due Thursday am for discounted rates
- Sign request for allowance of attendance because of emergency conditions.
- Discuss and approve funding for 7th grade marine biology trip.
- Discuss updating our uniform complaint procedures.
- Discuss adding to the CA Education Code for absences....snow parental visits, etc.
- Discussion and approval to pay Heidi for cooking and to determine amounts.
- Discuss Laptop for curriculum/teachers and additional 7th grade laptop.
- Discuss and approval to use the rest of the tech grant money for classroom use...headphones, headphone organizer, usb's.
- Discuss and approve funding to send Jess to conference
- Discuss and approve how we are going to use the extra money we receive for the free/reduced lunch kids.
- Discuss and approve funding for bookshelves and organizers for the crazy teacher room.
INFORMATION ITEMS
- BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
- STAFF REPORTS
- L CAP Update
- NEXT MEETING DATE
- CLOSED SESSION Personnel/Negotiations/Litigation
- Employee Negotiations (Gov. Code 54957.6)
- Personnel (Gov. Code 54957)
- RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION: ANNOUNCE CLOSED SESSION ACTIONS
- ADJOURNMENT
Yosemite National Park Begins New Concession Contract on March 1, 2016
Yosemite National Park will have a new primary concessioner tomorrow, March 1, 2016. Yosemite Hospitality LLC begins its 15-year contract to provide lodging, retail, recreational services, and food to over four million annual visitors to Yosemite. Yosemite Hospitality LLC was selected to be the park’s new primary concessioner in June 2015, following a competitive bid process.
“This is a new era in Yosemite and we are very excited to welcome Yosemite Hospitality LLC as the new primary concessioner in Yosemite National Park,” stated park Superintendent Don Neubacher. “We would like to thank Delaware North Companies for their exceptional service to Yosemite’s visitors over the course of their contract in Yosemite National Park.”
The National Park Service continues to work very closely with Delaware North Parks and Resorts at Yosemite and Yosemite Hospitality LLC to ensure a seamless transition for park visitors. There should be very minimal, if any, disruption to services within the park as the concession contract transition occurs. There are many moving parts in such a large concession operation and the park kindly requests patience from visitors should they encounter any disruption during this unprecedented transition.
Yosemite National Park celebrated its 125th Anniversary last year. The park welcomes over four million visitors from all over the world each year and serves as a strong economic engine for the region and local communities. Yosemite National Park generates $535 million in economic benefit to the local region and directly supports 6,261. The park is home to Yosemite Falls, the tallest waterfall in North America, and iconic rock formations such as Half Dome and El Capitan. The park also features approximately 90 different species of mammals and over 1500 species of flowering plants.
