Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up — March 11-15, 2024

Latest ‘Behind the Scenery’ Podcast available

On Sunday, the latest episode of the Behind the Scenery podcast aired on Apple podcasts and the park’s website.

In this episode, Canyon Interpretation staff interview Gerald Lomaventema, an award-winning silversmith, a mentor to young Hopi artists, and a runner. He’s also the great grandson of Olympic medalist Louis Tewanima. Louis won silver in the 10,000 meters in the 1912 Olympics and set an American record that stood for decades. He was also a spiritual leader in his community.

In this episode of the Behind the Scenery podcast, Gerald talks about his art, his cultural connections to Grand Canyon, and running and Louis’s legacy in the Hopi community. This episode is available on Apple podcasts and the park website.

From Tuesday, March 19 through Thursday, March 21, Richard Graymountain, San Juan Southern Paiute Basket Maker and Samuel Masayumptewa, Hopi Kachina Carver will be back at Desert View for the start of the 2024 Cultural Demonstration series. They will be working on their crafts and share their cultural heritage with the public, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Richard has been weaving baskets since he was 13 years old. Using native plants, he creates the traditional ceremonial designs in a very tight and precise weave. His mother is both Ute and Navajo, and his father is San Juan, Paiute, and Navajo.

Samuel has been making old style Hopi Kachina Dolls since the age of 10. By using natural pigments, feathers, and fibers, he is able to keep his culture and traditions alive.

Cultural Demonstrations will take place at Desert View Watchtower through November 2024. A schedule for the next two weeks can be found in the attached flyer here or on the park website.

Employee Spotlight!

Candy Taylor

Housing Management Assistant

Hi! My name is Candy Taylor and I am a Housing Assistant at the Grand Canyon, dual-duty stationed. I started my current Housing Assistant position October, 2022 and I spend April-November at the North Rim and December-March at the South Rim. North Rim has been my home since 2017, with a year and a half break at Fort Laramie National Historic Site where I received my permanent status as a WG-07 Facilities Management Division (FMD)/Utilities position. My specialty in FMD has been housing maintenance, especially painting, I love to paint, and I am dang good at it!

NPS is my second career, I retired from an almost 30-year career in I/T software development/project management/Microsoft Certified Professional. My college degrees are in Computer Science, Business Administration, and Accounting.

I have worked a variety of positions and parks starting in 2011: Lake Mead NRA (Fees), Curecanti NRA (Resource Protection, FMD, and VIP-Campground Host), Mesa Verde (FMD), Canyonlands (FMD), Zion (Interp), Mojave National Preserve (VIP-FMD), Sequoia (FMD), Fort Laramie National Historic Site (FMD), and Grand Canyon (FMD, Housing). If you’ve never been to the North Rim, please come for a visit and stop by and see me in the NR Admin Building.

What are your hobbies and interests?

When I’m not working, my passions include travel, river paddling, camping, hanging with my dog Mango and cat Riken, Pitbull dog rescue, National Park jigsaw puzzles, and crime/drama/mystery novels and television series, especially anything PBS/BBC Masterpiece theater.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

The thing I enjoy most about my job is that I get to meet new employees, almost everyday! I get to help them get settled into park housing and to help them navigate park service life. Living and working at the Grand Canyon, especially North Rim, is quite the privilege! I am passionate about North Rim, and it is my home in paradise!

If you could instantly master any skill, what would it be and why?

Helicopter pilot! I watch the helicopters just about everyday and think how awesome it would be to pilot one of those around the canyon.

As of March 26, 2024, the ATM adjacent to the former Chase Bank near the Canyon Village Market and Post Office will be removed. Chase Bank has decided not to continue to provide ATM services at this location.

Below is a list of other ATMs located operated by Xanterra and Delaware North:

• El Tovar lodge, near the lower-level restrooms
• Bright Angel lodge, near the History Room
• Maswik lodge, near the entrance to the gift shop
• Yavapai Lodge
• Canyon Village Market
• Desert View Market

Kaibab Learning Center and Grand Canyon Rec Center to sponsor Easter Pancake Breakfast and Egg Hunt March 29

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Join the fun on Friday, March 29 at the Grand Canyon School Cafeteria for the annual KLC Pancake Breakfast fundraiser and easter egg hunt. Breakfast will begin at 9 a.m. with an easter egg hunt for all ages on the school grounds to follow.

More details, including a full flyer is available here.

South Rim

Xanterra

• Maswik Lodge Cafeteria, 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Maswik Pizza Pub, 4-9 p.m.
• Canyon Coffee House at the Bright Angel Fountain, 7-11 a.m.
• Bright Angel Fountain grab and go, 7 a.m.- 4 p.m.
• Fred Harvey Burger, Breakfast 7-10 a.m., Lunch 11 a.m.- 3 p.m., Dinner 4-8:30 p.m.
• Fred Harvey Tavern, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
• Arizona Steakhouse (at Bright Angel Lodge), Lunch 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Dinner 4:30-9 p.m., reservations are not required at this time.
• El Tovar Dining Room and Lounge – Breakfast, 7-10 a.m., Lunch, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Dinner, 4:30-9 p.m., Lounge, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. (Food until 9 p.m.), Patio closed until spring 2024.
• The Grand Canyon Kennel, 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
• Grand Canyon Rec Center, 6:30 a.m.-10 p.m. daily.

Delaware North

• Yavapai Lodge Tavern and Patio, 12-9 p.m., Yavapai Lodge Coffee Shop, 7 a.m. -2 p.m., beginning March 11, Coffee Shop/Cafe will be open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Yavapai Dining Hall: TEMPORARILY CLOSED
• Canyon Village Market, 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Deli 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Camper Services laundry and shower: 7 a.m.-6 p.m.

Other

• Grand Canyon Clinic: Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Bright Angel Bikes, Rental: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Café 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Visitor Center (GCVC): 7 days a week from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Conservancy stores: Visitor Center Plaza, Kolb Studio, Verkamps and Yavapai Geology Museum 8 a.m.-7 p.m. daily
• The Grand Canyon Community Library: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturdays from 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Food Pantry: Monday 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Wednesday 5:30-7:30 p.m., Saturday 2-4 p.m.
• Canyon Closet: Every Wednesday from 12-2 p.m., first and third Saturday of each month from 12-3 p.m. The Canyon Closet will be closed from March 11-16 due to spring break.
• Canyon Community Yoga & Wellness (at the Rec Center)- Yoga: Mondays & Wednesdays 6:30 p.m., Fitness Classes: Strength Training Sundays 9 a.m., Core Strength Thursdays 6:30 p.m. View full schedule here: https://www.canyoncommunityyoga.com/schedule

Desert View

• Desert View Trading Post Coffee and Ice Cream and Market, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Desert View Watchtower, 8 a.m.- 6 p.m. daily
• The Desert View Deli, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Please visit the Grand Canyon National Park website for a complete list of closures and available amenities.

• Duck on a Rock overlook on March 7, 2024 (Photo courtesy of Terri Attridge)
• Work of Gerald Lomaventema (Photo courtesy of artist)
• Richard Graymountain and Samuel Masayumptewa (Photos courtesy of the artists)
• Candy Taylor, Housing Management Assistant (Photo courtesy of C. Taylor)
• Easter egg hunt (Adobe stock photo)