Greetings all!
I trust you are all getting excited for this year's event like I am.? We are only 2 1/2 weeks away now.? If we can get weather on the 29th like we did this past weekend, it will be a great day.? Here is a list summarizing where we are at so far with the planning:
1.? Volunteers:? So far I have had confirmation from 11 people that they plan to come with their telescope(s), plus 3 maybes.? I also have 2 people signed up to run our greeting table.? There is plenty of room for more volunteers.? If you are interested in helping out, even for just a little bit, please contact me directly.
2.? Rio-Can:? I have been in touch with the parking lot property owner, Rio-Can.? Every year there are some hoops to jump but in the end we are good ... we have their permission to host our event again this year.
3.? Chapters:? There has been yet another store manager change, but the latest one has confirmed that they have no issues with us hosting the event next to them, and they are willing to let us plug into their 110VAC power like in previous years.
4.? Handouts:? All of our past sources for free handouts have dried up.? I have however had a solid response to my request for old astronomy magazines and calendars (thank you Richard, Mary, and Art!).? Mary Brown also gave me a stack of star finders and other miscellany.? I have printed up some fridge magnets with OAOG & RASC contact info, and made another batch of "Junior OAOG Observer" pins for the kids.? We should be good for free stuff to hand out at our greeting table.
5.? Static Displays:? I came up with a better way (I think) of setting up our static displays this year.? In the past we have set them up under the canopy at the greeting table because of the wind, but I don't think anyone actually looked at them there.? So for this year I have constructed a free standing display area made up of 4 plywood panels that we can arrange in a hollow square or zig-zag wall.? I think it will be slick.
6.? On-site Power:? We will use the same setup as last year where we borrow power from the Chapters store until they close around 8pm, then we will switch to a small generator for the rest of the evening.? The switch over will be streamlined by hooking everyone to a UPS (thanks Bojan!).
7.? BBQ:? I still have the small table-top BBQ donated by Michel last year.? I will bring it and some propane, however I don't have time to take ownership of running it or getting meat, buns, etc.? If somebody wanted to do that task, it would be great!
8.? Schedule:? I have made it a habit the handful of years that I have been co-ordinator to drive to the Chapters parking lot the night before to put up barricades.? That way we don't have to worry about somebody parking there over night who is not an event volunteer.? I plan to show up on Saturday morning, some time between 7:30 and 8:00am, to start setting up my scopes and the greeting table.? Volunteers are welcome to show up when the like, keeping in mind that we are advertising a 10am start.? Please let me know before the day of the event when you think you will be arriving so I can co-ordinate accordingly.
9.? Signage & Posters:? I have in my possession our 2' x 3' Star Party sign, but not the smaller ones.? Pierre, I believe you have the smaller signs, and that you will bring them with you on Saturday.? Is that correct?? I have uploaded posters to the photo section.? If anybody has some free time and would like to help promote the event, feel free to print out a few copies and to get them posted around the city, especially the businesses around Chapters Silver City.
10.? Weather:? Sacrifice of my first born to ensure we have clear skies on the 29th is still pending...
Cheers!
Jim Thompson
