Legendary Locals of Yosemite National Park and Mariposa County


Book Description

In 1846, Thomas Larkin, American council general to the Mexican government in California, purchased a Mexican land grant, Las Mariposas, for Col. John C. Fremont. The grant consisted of 10 square leagues of grazing land located near the Merced River and west of the Sierra. In 1848, when California became the possession of the United States, the treaty called for the recognition of preexisting grants. Gold was discovered in the foothills of the Sierra that same year. Fremont floated his questionable Mexican grant into the gold discovery region. With the formation of the State of California in 1850, one of the original counties was named Mariposa, Spanish for "butterflies." Located within the county was the Fremont grant and much of the yet undiscovered Yosemite region of the Sierra. Encounters with Native Americans near the mining camps lead to the formation of the Mariposa Battalion, and a search for the natives led to the American discovery of Yosemite Valley. Thus, it was custodians and photographers such as Charles Leander Weed, Carlton E Watkins, J.J. Riley, George Fiske, Ansel Adams, and many others that interpreted and introduced Yosemite to the world.




Legendary Locals of Los Gatos


Book Description

In 1878, Charles Erskine Scott Wood, builder of the Cats Estate, wrote Good citizens are the riches of a city. From its beginning, Los Gatos has suffered no shortage of hardworking, inventive, entrepreneurial, and gifted people. Early orchardists found the land unbelievably productive, but their crops were threatened with disease and pesky infestations of gophers. John Bean and Zephyr Macabee provided solutions. Louise Van Meter was an unconventional teacher who championed the new concept of kindergarten. Neta Snook Southern defied traditional female roles to become a pilot. She taught Amelia Earhart to fly before retiring to Los Gatos, where she raised prunes, apricots, and miniature horses. John Steinbeck wrote The Grapes of Wrath during one long, hot summer in town. Steve Wozniak settled in Los Gatos and donated computers to schools. The lives presented here have contributed to the sparkling legacy of the Gem City of the Foothills.







Merced Wild and Scenic River


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Sunset


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No!


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"Today's workplace is already a tapestry comprising people of countless different backgrounds, ethnicities, age groups, regions, and more. But that diversity is just the beginning of a radical shift in the makeup--and requirements--of tomorrow's workforce. The New Workforce gives you a clear picture of the rapid changes now underway--along with the steps required to attract and retain motivated, loyal, and productive employees. Based on a wealth of statistics, research, interviews, and firsthand experience, the book pinpoints five sweeping trends: * An increasingly aging yet active population: Lifestyle changes and medical advances are keeping people alive and fit into their 90s; financial pressures and personal desire are keeping them working as well. Companies that can harness the power of these experienced and skilled employees will reap concrete financial benefits. * The decline of the nuclear family and the rise of alternative households: Once considered the unshakable norm, the traditional nuclear family now represents only a small fraction of households. Today's workforce increasingly consists of female heads of households, same-sex partners, stay-at-home dads, dual-income families, unmarried couples, and other arrangements. And the benefits programs required to support and retain them are quickly evolving to make flexibility a key component. * Four generations working side by side--with a fifth on the way: The Silent Generation, the Baby Boomers, Generation X, the Baby Boom Echo, and the newest entrants to the world--the Millennium Generation.... Each has competing needs, values, expectations, and working styles. Smart companies will mine the wisdom and experience of their older employees with the energy and stamina of the younger ones to create a powerful multi-generational workforce. * A workplace that is growing more diverse and more blended: Whether it's race, ethnicity, religion, gender, or sexual orientation, the workforce is growing more diverse at a faster rate than ever before. Truly successful companies won't just tolerate diversity; they will accept and respect their workforce in a blender. * The need for a "higher purpose" in the workplace: A paycheck is not the only thing that employees want. Studies show that they also seek a spiritual component, which includes personal growth, balance, and meaningful purpose. Organizations that champion trust, individual respect, and ethical conduct will build committed workforces and creative thinkers. In addition to mapping the path from current needs to future requirements, The New Workforce supplies powerful ideas for radically revamping HR policies, recruiting efforts, compensation and benefits, and learning and training, including advice on: flexible scheduling in-house medical support double family leave telecommuting literacy tutoring sabbatical programs digital matching aptitude testing total-rewards strategies mentoring up and much more. The New Workforce is indispensable for human resources professionals, managers and executives, and entrepreneurs. It's an all-in-one resource for peering into the immediate future and preparing for the rapidly changing face of tomorrow's workforce."




A Year in the National Parks


Book Description

On January 1 of 2016, Stefanie Payne, a creative professional working at NASA Headquarters, and Jonathan Irish, a photographer with National Geographic, left their lives in Washington, D.C. and hit the open road on an expedition to explore and document all 59 of America's national parks during the centennial celebration of the U.S. National Park Service - 59 parks in 52 weeks - the Greatest American Road Trip. Captured in more than 300,000 digital photographs, written stories, and videos shared by the national and international media, their project resulted in an incredible view of America's National Park System seen in its 100th year. 'A Year in the National Parks, The Greatest American Road Trip' is a gorgeous visual journey through our cherished public lands, detailing a rich tapestry of what makes each park special, as seen along an epic journey to visit them all within one special celebratory year.




The California Gold Country


Book Description

The saga of the early prospectors and all the others who made their mark during the Gold Rush. This historical visitor's guide includes recommended routes along Highway 49, dubbed the Mother Lode Highway, and many historical and full-color photos.