I & E News @GGNRA
September 2013
I know it has been a busy summer- where has it gone! Sorry for skipping July's updates but here is some information to help keep you in the know. I Also wanted to take the time to remember Terry Kreidler's mom, Betty, who recently passed away. She was a very strong supporter of the parks and known by many for her strength, resiliency and generosity. She will be missed.
Michele
SAFETY BRIEF—BE AWARE OF STAIRS
According to the National Safety Council, “slips, trips and falls” are one of the leading causes of unintentional injuries in the United States; many of these accidents – some sources say nearly half – occur on stairs.
Here are some simple ways to prevent an accident on a stairway:
- Whether going up or down stairs, always use the handrail
- Make sure stairways are clear of any obstacles
- When carrying objects up and down steps, be sure you are able to see where you are stepping and hold onto the handrail if possible
- If you are wearing footwear such as high heels or sandals, use extra caution
- Routinely check stairs for loose or worn carpeting/flooring or other hazards and report them promptly
- Report outdoor stairways if you notice water accumulation
The chance of fall accidents in stairways increases with inattention, illness, fatigue and haste. Take care when ascending and descending stairways.
RECENT SUCCESSES
Thank you Terry for setting up the Verbal Victories workshop by Dr. John Hooper. Not only is it fun, but staff always get a lot out of the class in terms of increasing their communication skills and dealing with conflict.
VIP Photography Exhibit at the Presidio Visitor Center
If you have not seen it yet, head over to Building 105 in the Presidio gaze at the amazing photos taken by our volunteer photographers. Thank you George Su and Michael Faw for organizing.
The Alcatraz Outreach Program was just unveiled online. One percent of ticket sales are allocated to youth and community organizations through several on island programs. More information about how to apply for these 15,000 free tickets is available here: http://www.nps.gov/alca/planyourvisit/alcatraz-community-access.htm.
Visitor surveys have been distributed to hundreds of visitors this month at Lands End, Presidio, Muir Woods and Alcatraz as part of our annual University of Idaho NPS Visitor Survey program. Thanks to Theresa Griggs, Jen Greene and Ally-Gregg Zeller and all the rangers and PICs for making this happen!
WELCOME NEW STAFF
Antonio Cruz, Pathways
Location: Fort Point National Historic Site, San Francisco, CA
Michelle Armijo, Seasonal
Cortney Balcer, Seasonal
Cortney Balcer earned a BA in Outdoor Recreation at Northern Michigan. In the 15 years of working seasonally for State and National Parks, she finds herself lucky enough to say her career has taken her from the Giant Sequoia's to the turquoise waters of the Virgin Islands. She has worked at Yosemite, Yellowstone, Sequoia and Kings Canyon, Glen Canyon, Virgin Islands, and Pictured Rocks.
Location: Alcatraz Island
Laura DeFelice, Seasonal
Laura DeFelice earned a Bachelors degree in Geography from San Francisco State. Upon completion, she started interning as an SCA with the GOGA trail crew. The San Francisco Maritime park has become her second home for the last three years where she worked first as an Intern and then as a Park Guide, sailor, educator, and actor! Last summer she started the seasonal life of a park ranger working at Acadia National Park in Maine and the last two months at Denali National Park & Preserve. She is very excited about being back home in the Bay. She is also looking forward to seeing the Americas Cups races from Alcatraz.
Location: Alcatraz Island, San Francisco, CA
UPCOMING EVENTS
Heritage and Education Dialogue
The evening will be moderated by Nancy Caplan, NPS Education Lead for Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
Discussion leaders Include
- Pete Hammer, Burton High School Librarian and former curriculum development facilitator for SFUSD history/social studies teachers
- Anny Ho, I-YEL (Inspiring Young Emerging Leaders) representative and recent graduate of Academy High School
- Daisy Martin, Stanford University, Director of History/Social Studies Performance Assessment, Stanford Center for Assessment, Learning, & Equity (SCALE)
- Milton Reynolds, Facing History and Ourselves, Senior Program Associate and former middle school teacher
FREE, NO RESERVATIONS REQUIRED
Wednesday, Jul 31, 2013, 07:00 PM
103 Montgomery Street on the Main Post of the Presidio
Alcatraz Anniversary Event
Sunday, Aug 11, 2013, 09:30 AM
Alcatraz Island
Civil War Day at Fort Point NHS
Join Civil War re-enactors in the Sesquicentennial commemoration of the Civil War 2011-2015, as they bring Fort Point to life with music, marching, artillery drill, musician demonstrations, and the colorful uniforms of Civil War soldiers and civilians.
Talks and demonstrations are held throughout the day. Take a tour led by a Park Volunteer to learn about California's role in the Civil War.
Saturday, Aug 17, 2013, 10:00 AM
Fort Point National Historic Site, San Francisco, CA
OTHER NEWS
- Cultural Quandaries, Coast Miwok Adapting to Cultural and Environmental Change by Nick Tipon of Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria,
- Maritime Escape—Underground Railroad by the Sea by Ranger Guy Washington
- Sailors' Lament—Sea Chanteys, Race and Class by Peter Kasin
- Filipinos at the Gate—Race Politics at the Presidio by Rene Ciria-Cruz, Elaine Elinson, and Conrad Benedicto
The Garden Conservancy will unveil a new exhibit of water color paintings of plants found on Alcatraz. The paintings were done by volunteers to showcase the natural beauty of the island. The exhibit will be in the Band Room of the Cell House starting August 29,for at least 4 months.
Also In August, the park's first accessible Topo Map will be installed at Lands End. Cast in concrete with a stainless steel base, the map will allow anyone to feel the geography of the site through sculpted wave texture, outlines of the ruins of Sutro Baths and slightly raised trails. Thanks for all your hard work Michael Faw!
On August 29, we are hosting a Facilitated Dialogue workshop with Morgan Smith, Chief of Interp at SAFR. This workshop focuses on the front-line interpreter’s role as a facilitator of dialogue and discussion, and a range of ways to incorporate these techniques into new and existing park programming.
Craig Glassner our long running Alcatraz Rangers is putting those technical skills to use for the greater good. He is currently doing a two day a week detail in IT helping to with some short staffing and moving projects forward. Thanks Craig!
In terms of projects, The Alcatraz Dock Guard Tower was just unveiled after several months under cover. The tower has been newly repainted and the rusted stairwell has been repaired. Muir Beach has been closed to the public since the beginning of July and many folks are hard at work with the realignment of the parking lot and restoration of the site. Mia, Lou and Michael have been busy developing the interpretive elements and we shall see the fruits of everyone's work at the end of November. Interviews have been completed for exhibit designer and architect for the Presidio Visitor Center. This tri-agency visitor center is scheduled to be open mid-2015.
If you liked the layout of this I&E News, it is done through smores.com. We have an account thanks to George Su and can use these templates to promote our programs through e-mail, the web and social media. Contact your supervisor for more information.
Michele Gee
Chief of Interpretation & Education
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
National Park Service
Fort Mason Building 201
San Francisco, CA 94123
Email: michele_gee@nps.gov
Website: http://share.inside.nps.gov/sites/PWR/goga/SitePages/Home.aspx
Location: San Francisco, CA 94123
Phone: (415) 561-4759