WawonaNews.com - February 2016
New Passing Lane Construction Starts In February On CA-41
Sierra News - MADERA COUNTY – Construction is scheduled to begin in less than a month on both sides of CA-41, north of Highway 145 near the 22 Mile House, as a project eight years in the making finally gets underway.
Caltrans spokesperson Gloria Rodriguez confirms that construction will start on Monday, Feb. 22, to add passing lanes in both directions along 1.7 miles of State Route 41 just north of Highway 145 near Road 208 in Madera County, from mile posts 11.7 to 13.4. Teichert Construction has taken on the $8.7 million project, which should be completed in August of this year, if all goes as planned.
The passing lanes will be built in both northbound and southbound directions. The project also includes construction of 8-foot outside shoulders, a 4-foot soft median barrier, and rumble strips on the outside shoulders and the median. Drainage culverts will be extended to accommodate the passing lanes.
Initially, the contractor will implement clearing and grubbing operations to clear debris before they move on to blasting operations in order to remove rocks and other impediments on the shoulder. Drainage work will follow within the project limits.
Blasting will begin on the northbound side first, says Rodriguez, and that portion of the project is expected to take about two months. Once that is done, work on the southbound side will begin, and is also anticipated to last about two months.
During the blasting period, crews will work seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Traffic will be interrupted during blasting, with delays planned for a maximum of 30 minutes, provided the blast goes off as anticipated. Traffic during the blasting periods will be stopped well in advance of the area for safety reasons.
When crews are not blasting, road work will be done primarily during daylight hours with minimal delays. All scheduling is dependent upon weather conditions.
Caltrans asks drivers to add additional time to their commute during construction, which is slated for 90 working days altogether, and to please watch for contractor and Caltrans personnel and equipment.
“Slow for the cone zone,” reminds Rodriguez. Inclement weather, including rain and fog, could cause the project to be delayed.
Motorists can also choose an alternate route, using either Road 211 though Friant to Road 145 (see map below), or Road 400 west of Yosemite Lakes Park.
Contractor Teichert, Inc. has been in business since 1887, according to their website, having grown over the years into a mix of businesses, including Teichert Construction and Teichert Materials. Various agencies have been collaborating on this project for over seven years, including Caltrans, Madera County Transportation Commission, and the County Public Works Department. The project is funded by the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) and locally through Madera County.
Below is an available detour route during construction –
Yosemite National Park to change historic property names
Name changes prompted to eliminate trademark issues for new concessioner
Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016 - 1 p.m. -
Yosemite National Park Superintendent Don Neubacher announced today that the names of several buildings and facilities within the park will be renamed to eliminate potential trademark infringement issues with the current concessioner of Yosemite, DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite, Inc. (DNCY), a subsidiary of the Delaware North Companies. The name changes will impact several iconic buildings and landmarks listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The new names were chosen in order to minimize the impact on visitors and include:
● Yosemite Lodge at the Falls to become: Yosemite Valley Lodge
● The Ahwahnee to become: The Majestic Yosemite Hotel
● Curry Village to become: Half Dome Village
● Wawona Hotel to become: Big Trees Lodge
● Badger Pass Ski Area to become: Yosemite Ski & Snowboard Area
Yosemite National Park Superintendent Don Neubacher announced today that the names of several buildings and facilities within the park will be renamed to eliminate potential trademark infringement issues with the current concessioner of Yosemite, DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite, Inc. (DNCY), a subsidiary of the Delaware North Companies. The name changes will impact several iconic buildings and landmarks listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The new names were chosen in order to minimize the impact on visitors and include:
● Yosemite Lodge at the Falls to become: Yosemite Valley Lodge
● The Ahwahnee to become: The Majestic Yosemite Hotel
● Curry Village to become: Half Dome Village
● Wawona Hotel to become: Big Trees Lodge
● Badger Pass Ski Area to become: Yosemite Ski & Snowboard Area
Bus Slides In Snowy Weather Near Yosemite West
A bus with Chinese visitors went off the road yesterday (Jan. 5) near Yosemite West and was barely kept from turning over by the smallest of margins by a tree. Park personnel worked for a full hour rescuing passengers through a side window. The road was closed for several hours and was finally opened around 6 PM
Wawona Calendar 2016
April 9: WAPOA Wawona Community Center 9.a.m.
April 9: Yosemite-Wawona Elementary Charter School Silent Auction and BBQ 11:30 a.m.
June 4: WAPOA Wawona Community Center 9a.m.
June Date TBA : Pine Needle Pickup
September 3: Wawona Friends of the Library Book/Bake/Craft Sale
September 10: WAPOA Wawona Community Center 9 a.m.
September 10: Large item pickup
April 9: WAPOA Wawona Community Center 9.a.m.
April 9: Yosemite-Wawona Elementary Charter School Silent Auction and BBQ 11:30 a.m.
June 4: WAPOA Wawona Community Center 9a.m.
June Date TBA : Pine Needle Pickup
September 3: Wawona Friends of the Library Book/Bake/Craft Sale
September 10: WAPOA Wawona Community Center 9 a.m.
September 10: Large item pickup
Wawona Stagecoach in Rose Parade
If you were as frustrated as the rest of us watching the Rose Parade on TV and not getting enough of a close-up of the Yosemite contingent, here are some photos that Carol Ann Sheetz kindly provided.
Yosemite riding into the spotlight at Rose Parade
Burrel Maier, a Yosemite park ranger and stagecoach driver in Wawona, on the stagecoach. Yosemite National Park.
Park rangers from Yosemite and other national parks will be on horseback in Pasadena New Year’s Day Parade theme, ‘Find Your Adventure,’ fits with 2016 being the National Park Service’s centennial year Yosemite officials hope people are inspired to ‘find the places they connect with and take pride in them’
a
BY CARMEN GEORGE
[email protected]
Yosemite National Park rangers will be kicking off a big year on a big stage when they ride through Pasadena New Year’s Day for the 127th Rose Parade.
The National Park Service turns 100 years old in 2016, so being featured in one of the world’s largest parades – themed “Find Your Adventure” this year – will be an extra special treat.
They are expected to be among the first of 44 floats. Broadcasts, including on ABC (Channel 30.1), NBC (Channel 24.1) and Univision (Channel 21.1), begin at 8 a.m.
Representatives from Yosemite will make up more than half of a 55-person group in the parade, which includes people from Glacier, Grand Canyon and Yellowstone national parks, Point Reyes National Seashore, Cabrillo National Monument, and Golden Gate and Santa Monica Mountains national recreation areas.
They’ll be riding and walking alongside about 40 horses and mules – nearly all the from Yosemite – and two stagecoaches.
One of its drivers, Burrel Maier, is the only park ranger/stagecoach driver left in the National Park Service. He’s been educating visitors about the wonders of Yosemite and its rich history during stage rides around the Pioneer History Center in Wawona for more than 40 years. Into the early 1900s, around 400 horses and 16 wagons came through Wawona every day.
“I love working for the government,” Maier says. “I have a saying that I ride for the brand – it’s called U.S. – and I’m just lucky to be in the parade with everyone else.”
Maier will be driving a celebrated stage during the parade, hauling park superintendents from Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Santa Monica Mountains, and Frank Dean, president of nonprofit Yosemite Conservancy, funding the Yosemite group’s trip to Southern California for the parade.
Dean hopes the spotlight on the National Park Service during its centennial year draws more people to the nation’s natural treasures.
“I hope it creates more of a deeper appreciation or understanding of the parks and how important they are,” Dean says. “Everyone likes the scenic beauty and all of that, but hopefully people get a sense that these are amazing places that we have that are part of American history and tradition.”
Representing some of that history in the parade will be Yosemite park rangers Shelton Johnson, representing a “buffalo soldier,” and Jeff Ellison, portraying a cavalry officer, some of Yosemite’s earliest protectors. Yosemite Superintendent Don Neubacher and Jonathan Jarvis, director of the National Park Service, will be nearby, also riding horseback.
Justin Fey, Yosemite’s mounted patrol program manager who was selected as marshal for the Park Service’s equestrian team entry in the parade, is excited to showcase the continuing role livestock play in parks.
a
BY CARMEN GEORGE
[email protected]
Yosemite National Park rangers will be kicking off a big year on a big stage when they ride through Pasadena New Year’s Day for the 127th Rose Parade.
The National Park Service turns 100 years old in 2016, so being featured in one of the world’s largest parades – themed “Find Your Adventure” this year – will be an extra special treat.
They are expected to be among the first of 44 floats. Broadcasts, including on ABC (Channel 30.1), NBC (Channel 24.1) and Univision (Channel 21.1), begin at 8 a.m.
Representatives from Yosemite will make up more than half of a 55-person group in the parade, which includes people from Glacier, Grand Canyon and Yellowstone national parks, Point Reyes National Seashore, Cabrillo National Monument, and Golden Gate and Santa Monica Mountains national recreation areas.
They’ll be riding and walking alongside about 40 horses and mules – nearly all the from Yosemite – and two stagecoaches.
One of its drivers, Burrel Maier, is the only park ranger/stagecoach driver left in the National Park Service. He’s been educating visitors about the wonders of Yosemite and its rich history during stage rides around the Pioneer History Center in Wawona for more than 40 years. Into the early 1900s, around 400 horses and 16 wagons came through Wawona every day.
“I love working for the government,” Maier says. “I have a saying that I ride for the brand – it’s called U.S. – and I’m just lucky to be in the parade with everyone else.”
Maier will be driving a celebrated stage during the parade, hauling park superintendents from Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Santa Monica Mountains, and Frank Dean, president of nonprofit Yosemite Conservancy, funding the Yosemite group’s trip to Southern California for the parade.
Dean hopes the spotlight on the National Park Service during its centennial year draws more people to the nation’s natural treasures.
“I hope it creates more of a deeper appreciation or understanding of the parks and how important they are,” Dean says. “Everyone likes the scenic beauty and all of that, but hopefully people get a sense that these are amazing places that we have that are part of American history and tradition.”
Representing some of that history in the parade will be Yosemite park rangers Shelton Johnson, representing a “buffalo soldier,” and Jeff Ellison, portraying a cavalry officer, some of Yosemite’s earliest protectors. Yosemite Superintendent Don Neubacher and Jonathan Jarvis, director of the National Park Service, will be nearby, also riding horseback.
Justin Fey, Yosemite’s mounted patrol program manager who was selected as marshal for the Park Service’s equestrian team entry in the parade, is excited to showcase the continuing role livestock play in parks.
Justin Fey of Yosemite’s mounted patrol program manager was selected as marshal for the Park Service’s equestrian team entry in the parade. Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park has about 90 horses and mules, most used to pack supplies to backcountry trail crews. Delaware North (the park’s longtime concessionaire that was not selected this summer for another contract) has around double that number in Yosemite, Fey says.
The park’s horses will also be featured in the Tournament of Rose’s Equestfest on Dec. 29.
“Horses are an incredible natural ambassador for the Park Service,” Fey says. “There are very few things that draw people’s attention more than a ranger on a horse, it’s a very iconic image. I can’t tell you how many people I’ve engaged with (in Yosemite on horseback.)”
Sabrina Diaz, Yosemite’s deputy chief of interpretation and education, hopes that image continues to inspire people during the Rose Parade.
“We want people to just find the places they connect with and take pride in them, and visit them, and be stewards to those special places,” Diaz says. “Locally, everyone knows Yosemite, but there are over 400 places that are protected by the National Park Service.”
Maier says it’s exciting, overwhelming, and a great honor to be in the parade, but that there’s no greater joy than working in Yosemite National Park.
“I really like Wawona – that’s the best,” Maier says with a smile. “I’ll be glad when we’re back in Yosemite, hauling visitors and school kids, but I’m glad to be part of it.”
Carmen George: 559-441-6386, @CarmenGeorge
The park’s horses will also be featured in the Tournament of Rose’s Equestfest on Dec. 29.
“Horses are an incredible natural ambassador for the Park Service,” Fey says. “There are very few things that draw people’s attention more than a ranger on a horse, it’s a very iconic image. I can’t tell you how many people I’ve engaged with (in Yosemite on horseback.)”
Sabrina Diaz, Yosemite’s deputy chief of interpretation and education, hopes that image continues to inspire people during the Rose Parade.
“We want people to just find the places they connect with and take pride in them, and visit them, and be stewards to those special places,” Diaz says. “Locally, everyone knows Yosemite, but there are over 400 places that are protected by the National Park Service.”
Maier says it’s exciting, overwhelming, and a great honor to be in the parade, but that there’s no greater joy than working in Yosemite National Park.
“I really like Wawona – that’s the best,” Maier says with a smile. “I’ll be glad when we’re back in Yosemite, hauling visitors and school kids, but I’m glad to be part of it.”
Carmen George: 559-441-6386, @CarmenGeorge
Yosemite Rangers will be in the Rose Parade!
Dean Shenk ~ Supervisory Park Ranger: Division of Interpretation
Superintendent Don Neubacher, Heidi Schlichting, Shelton Johnson, Justin Fey, as well as our local Stage Driver/Park Ranger Burrel Maier (driving our local horse-drawn Wawona wagon) will be in the upcoming Rose Parade on January 1, 2016.
2016 marks the 100th Anniversary of the establishment of the National Park Service which is being celebrated with a national campaign entitled “Find Your Park.”
In recognition of this, the theme of the 2016 Tournament of Roses Parade is “Find Your Adventure.”
Alongside the magnificent floats and spirited marching bands you will find employees and horses from Yosemite National Park parading down Colorado Boulevard.
If you can’t be in Pasadena this coming New Year’s Day, as always, you can watch the parade on several television stations. The 127th Rose Parade will begin at 8:00 a.m., January 1st.
Superintendent Don Neubacher, Heidi Schlichting, Shelton Johnson, Justin Fey, as well as our local Stage Driver/Park Ranger Burrel Maier (driving our local horse-drawn Wawona wagon) will be in the upcoming Rose Parade on January 1, 2016.
2016 marks the 100th Anniversary of the establishment of the National Park Service which is being celebrated with a national campaign entitled “Find Your Park.”
In recognition of this, the theme of the 2016 Tournament of Roses Parade is “Find Your Adventure.”
Alongside the magnificent floats and spirited marching bands you will find employees and horses from Yosemite National Park parading down Colorado Boulevard.
If you can’t be in Pasadena this coming New Year’s Day, as always, you can watch the parade on several television stations. The 127th Rose Parade will begin at 8:00 a.m., January 1st.
