From robhawley at earthlink.net Tue Jan 3 17:17:14 2006 From: robhawley at earthlink.net (Rob Hawley) Date: Sat Sep 30 03:57:30 2006 Subject: [SJAABoard] Gotstars gets another lease on life Message-ID: I inadvertently included the link to www.sjaa.net/gotstars in the Merc advert for Friday's star party. This time they published the link instead of truncating it. So that meant I had to update gotstars and keep it alive. Please feel free to check my work. Rob Hawley From jvn at svpal.org Wed Jan 4 14:42:35 2006 From: jvn at svpal.org (Jim Van Nuland) Date: Sat Sep 30 03:57:30 2006 Subject: [SJAABoard] Grant from Andrah Foundation -- Ephemeris article References: <3FFB7E45.194A@svpal.org> <4200A53F.1590@svpal.org> Message-ID: <43BC4F5B.1AF@svpal.org> Paul & Mary: for the Ephemeris Andrah Foundation supports SJAA As in previous years, the Andrah Foundation of Michigan, through it's local representatives, Paul and Ann Summers, have given $500 to SJAA. This grant is to promote education and public awareness of Astronomy. We thank Paul and Ann, and the Andrah Foundation, for their generosity. Clear Skies! -- Jim Van Nuland, San Jose (California) Astronomical Association JVN's web site From robhawley at earthlink.net Thu Jan 5 08:33:17 2006 From: robhawley at earthlink.net (Rob Hawley) Date: Sat Sep 30 03:57:30 2006 Subject: [SJAABoard] RE: Are we filing our annual CA Statement by Domestic Nonprofit Corporation? In-Reply-To: <43BCE3A6.80905@aenet.net> Message-ID: I wanted to put this on the remailer so there is a public record of some of the history. I think the form is now called SI-100 http://www.ss.ca.gov/business/corp/pdf/so/corp_so100.pdf There is a link that can be used to file the form online. That may be why we no longer receive a paper copy. Alternatively you can call (916) 657-5448 and ask about the missing form. We also need to look into whether we have filed all of the correct forms with the IRS, DOJ, and FTB. I can ask my accountant if necessary, but I would look in Gary's Nolo book first. Who is going to be responsible for doing this? Rob Hawley > -----Original Message----- > From: Gary Mitchell [mailto:wb6yru@aenet.net] > Sent: Thursday, January 05, 2006 1:15 AM > To: jvn@svpal.org > Cc: Rob Hawley; 'Michael Koop' > Subject: Re: Are we filing our annual CA Statement by > Domestic Nonprofit Corporation? > > Jim Van Nuland wrote: > > Correct -- Form SO-100. I fill it out, Gary writes a > check for $20, > > and mails it to the Secretary of State's office. It's > required every > > other year. It has the names and addresses of the > officers, and the > > Address of Service, which is the legal address to which a lawsuit > > would be sent. It's my address; a post office box is not > acceptable. > > > > Used to be yearly with a filing fee of $10, until 2000. > > > > They used to send it out the form about June of each year, and it > > was due the end of August. It was a nice automatic reminder. That > > has stopped (also in 2000, or so), but the requirement to > file has not > > stopped. > > > > I wrote a cover letter on Feb.7, 2003, and included the form that > > was due the previous August 31. In it I apologize for being late, > > sort of blame it on them for not sending the form, and > promise to be a > > good boy in 2004. > > > > But my present reminder is set to pop on June 20, 2007. > Gary, did I > > pass you a form in summer of 2005? Or 2004? I suppose I'd gotten > > confused and set one a year early. > > I remember there was something about sending one at the wrong > time, I think it was between the biannual filing. > > I have a copy of one signed by you and dated July 12, 2003. > That's the latest one I've got. > > > > > > > Speaking of 10-year filings -- > > > > For small potatoes like us, we are required to file a financial > > report every 10 years, to the Department of Charitable Trusts, > > California Department of Justice. It is form CT-2 and IRS > form 990EZ. > > This was sent in November of 1997. The 990EZ was not filed with the > > IRS nor the Cal. Franchise Tax Board. CT-2 is a bit > extensive, asking > > for lists of income, money spent on relevant public activities, etc. > > This sounds like the one we sent in Jan. 29, 2002. They call > it the RRF-1 form. > > Gary > > From wb6yru at aenet.net Thu Jan 5 23:33:22 2006 From: wb6yru at aenet.net (Gary Mitchell) Date: Sat Sep 30 03:57:30 2006 Subject: [SJAABoard] RE: Are we filing our annual CA Statement by Domestic Nonprofit Corporation? In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <43BE1D42.9010308@aenet.net> Rob Hawley wrote: > I wanted to put this on the remailer so there is a public record of some of > the history. > > I think the form is now called SI-100 > http://www.ss.ca.gov/business/corp/pdf/so/corp_so100.pdf > > There is a link that can be used to file the form online. That may be why we > no longer receive a paper copy. Alternatively you can call (916) 657-5448 > and ask about the missing form. > > We also need to look into whether we have filed all of the correct forms > with the IRS, DOJ, and FTB. I can ask my accountant if necessary, but I > would look in Gary's Nolo book first. > > > Who is going to be responsible for doing this? That's normally the Secretary's duty, as is anything having to do with filling out forms, writing letters, keeping records, etc. This includes the roster and minutes; however, others have been doing those two. I don't know if that arrangement was formally decided or not. If an organization gets big enough the secretary would have assistants. Sometimes the person taking minutes is called the "recording secretary" if he/she isn't *the* secretary. Gary > Rob Hawley > > >>-----Original Message----- >>From: Gary Mitchell [mailto:wb6yru@aenet.net] >>Sent: Thursday, January 05, 2006 1:15 AM >>To: jvn@svpal.org >>Cc: Rob Hawley; 'Michael Koop' >>Subject: Re: Are we filing our annual CA Statement by >>Domestic Nonprofit Corporation? >> >>Jim Van Nuland wrote: >> >>> Correct -- Form SO-100. I fill it out, Gary writes a >> >>check for $20, >> >>>and mails it to the Secretary of State's office. It's >> >>required every >> >>>other year. It has the names and addresses of the >> >>officers, and the >> >>>Address of Service, which is the legal address to which a lawsuit >>>would be sent. It's my address; a post office box is not >> >>acceptable. >> >>> Used to be yearly with a filing fee of $10, until 2000. >>> >>> They used to send it out the form about June of each year, and it >>>was due the end of August. It was a nice automatic reminder. That >>>has stopped (also in 2000, or so), but the requirement to >> >>file has not >> >>>stopped. >>> >>> I wrote a cover letter on Feb.7, 2003, and included the form that >>>was due the previous August 31. In it I apologize for being late, >>>sort of blame it on them for not sending the form, and >> >>promise to be a >> >>>good boy in 2004. >>> >>> But my present reminder is set to pop on June 20, 2007. >> >>Gary, did I >> >>>pass you a form in summer of 2005? Or 2004? I suppose I'd gotten >>>confused and set one a year early. >> >>I remember there was something about sending one at the wrong >>time, I think it was between the biannual filing. >> >>I have a copy of one signed by you and dated July 12, 2003. >>That's the latest one I've got. >> >> >>> >>> Speaking of 10-year filings -- >>> >>> For small potatoes like us, we are required to file a financial >>>report every 10 years, to the Department of Charitable Trusts, >>>California Department of Justice. It is form CT-2 and IRS >> >>form 990EZ. >> >>>This was sent in November of 1997. The 990EZ was not filed with the >>>IRS nor the Cal. Franchise Tax Board. CT-2 is a bit >> >>extensive, asking >> >>>for lists of income, money spent on relevant public activities, etc. >> >>This sounds like the one we sent in Jan. 29, 2002. They call >>it the RRF-1 form. >> >>Gary >> >> > > > > _______________________________________________ > SJAABoard mailing list > SJAABoard@sjaa.net > http://www.sjaa.net/mailman/listinfo/sjaaboard > From robhawley at earthlink.net Tue Jan 10 09:25:08 2006 From: robhawley at earthlink.net (Rob Hawley) Date: Sat Sep 30 03:57:30 2006 Subject: [SJAABoard] Agenda for Saturday meeting Message-ID: I will be running the meeting as Mike will be out chasing falling satellites. Craig and I have a very significant new business item to discuss on Saturday. Consequently we will not spend time during the meeting on our routine old business items. Please email your monthly reports to the mail list before the meeting. Please be on time to this meeting. We will need the full 2 hours. I will be at Houge about 15 minutes early to start setting up the chairs. I will be happy to answer any questions, off list. Mike, I need to get the key from you before Saturday. I may be coming up your way on Wednesday. Rob Hawley From north at znet.com Tue Jan 10 09:55:51 2006 From: north at znet.com (Dave North) Date: Sat Sep 30 03:57:30 2006 Subject: [SJAABoard] Agenda for Saturday meeting In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: On Jan 10, 2006, at 9:25 AM, Rob Hawley wrote: > Craig and I have a very significant new business item to discuss on > Saturday. Consequently we will not spend time during the meeting on > our routine old business items. A bit cryptic. For those of us not in the loop, perhaps you can give us a hint what the issues are so we can decide if attendance might be warranted? Thanks, Dave North From areopagus125 at yahoo.com Tue Jan 10 16:04:18 2006 From: areopagus125 at yahoo.com (David Smith) Date: Sat Sep 30 03:57:30 2006 Subject: [SJAABoard] Agenda for Saturday meeting In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <20060111000418.79019.qmail@web31713.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Unfortunately, I will be out of state this weekend (for my daughter's wedding reception), so I will miss this presentation. This also means I will need to have someone else introduce our speaker, Bob Garfinkle. I am very sorry to miss his presentation. -- David Smith __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com From craigus at rocketmail.com Tue Jan 10 21:12:39 2006 From: craigus at rocketmail.com (Craig Scull) Date: Sat Sep 30 03:57:30 2006 Subject: [SJAABoard] Agenda for Saturday meeting In-Reply-To: <20060111000418.79019.qmail@web31713.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <20060111051239.59184.qmail@web53801.mail.yahoo.com> No problem, one of us can fill in. Can you prepare a written introduction that we can use? --- David Smith wrote: > Unfortunately, I will be out of state this weekend > (for my daughter's wedding reception), so I will miss > this presentation. > > This also means I will need to have someone else > introduce our speaker, Bob Garfinkle. I am very sorry > to miss his presentation. > > -- David Smith > > > > __________________________________________________ > Do You Yahoo!? > Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam > protection around > http://mail.yahoo.com > > _______________________________________________ > SJAABoard mailing list > SJAABoard@sjaa.net > http://www.sjaa.net/mailman/listinfo/sjaaboard > From north at znet.com Tue Jan 10 21:37:17 2006 From: north at znet.com (Dave North) Date: Sat Sep 30 03:57:30 2006 Subject: [SJAABoard] Agenda for Saturday meeting In-Reply-To: <20060111051239.59184.qmail@web53801.mail.yahoo.com> References: <20060111051239.59184.qmail@web53801.mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <4128338f7e5d654826ad67f490f0ebd8@znet.com> So Craig, what is the agenda for Saturday's meeting? There seems to be some mysterious topic(s) of importance. Perhaps the membership could be allowed to know? Dave North From wb6yru at aenet.net Tue Jan 10 23:57:08 2006 From: wb6yru at aenet.net (Gary Mitchell) Date: Sat Sep 30 03:57:31 2006 Subject: [SJAABoard] Agenda for Saturday meeting In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <43C4BA54.8050803@aenet.net> Rob Hawley wrote: > Craig and I have a very significant new business item to discuss on > Saturday. No hints? ;) > Consequently we will not spend time during the meeting on our > routine old business items. Please email your monthly reports to the mail > list before the meeting. Treasurer's Report As planned, our 6 month CD has expired and I transferred it to a 1 year CD. The interest brought it up to $5076.34 Now the general fund has two 1-year CDs that are 6 months apart (one expires early July 2006, the other January 2007). If the check book gets significantly more than $5000, we can consider getting another $5000 CD and start it at a quarterly boundary (early April or October). (For those who need a refresher... We put our observatory fund and part of the general fund into certificates of deposit for a better interest rate.) The check book currently shows $5066.20. There's another $309.65 currently in our PayPal account that I haven't yet transferred over, so for all intents and purposes, the check book is now at $5375.85. I have renewed our IDA membership (International Dark-Sky Association). I paid our bulk mail annual fee and added $500 to our bulk mail account. With what's already in there, we should now have more than enough for mailing the Ephemeris for 2006. I'll try to have a 2005 statement by Saturday's meeting, February's board meeting at the very latest. Gary Mitchell Treasurer From jvn at svpal.org Wed Jan 11 00:17:56 2006 From: jvn at svpal.org (Jim Van Nuland) Date: Sat Sep 30 03:57:31 2006 Subject: [SJAABoard] Agenda for Saturday meeting-- School star parties References: <43C4BA54.8050803@aenet.net> Message-ID: <43C4BF34.645B@svpal.org> > Rob Hawley wrote: > > Please email your monthly reports to the mail > > list before the meeting. School star party report Three on the schedule in January, one more probable. One was cancelled due to scheduling problem at school. Six in February, plus make-up(s) if there are cloud-outs. Nine in March, but this will fill up to 15 or 20. -- Jim Van Nuland, San Jose (California) Astronomical Association JVN's web site From robhawley at earthlink.net Wed Jan 11 08:53:36 2006 From: robhawley at earthlink.net (Rob Hawley) Date: Sat Sep 30 03:57:31 2006 Subject: [SJAABoard] Who has the key? Message-ID: Mike did not tell me his plan for getting into Houge on Saturday. Rob Hawley From robhawley at earthlink.net Wed Jan 11 15:03:48 2006 From: robhawley at earthlink.net (Rob Hawley) Date: Sat Sep 30 03:57:31 2006 Subject: [SJAABoard] Who has the key? In-Reply-To: Message-ID: I now have the key. Mike needs to arraign to drop off the projector. He will probably leave it with Jim, but that is TBD. Rob Hawley > -----Original Message----- > From: sjaaboard-bounces@sjaa.net > [mailto:sjaaboard-bounces@sjaa.net] On Behalf Of Rob Hawley > Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2006 8:54 AM > To: Sjaaboard > Subject: [SJAABoard] Who has the key? > > Mike did not tell me his plan for getting into Houge on Saturday. > > > Rob Hawley > > > _______________________________________________ > SJAABoard mailing list > SJAABoard@sjaa.net > http://www.sjaa.net/mailman/listinfo/sjaaboard > From jvn at svpal.org Wed Jan 11 15:29:26 2006 From: jvn at svpal.org (Jim Van Nuland) Date: Sat Sep 30 03:57:31 2006 Subject: [SJAABoard] Pass the projector (was: Who has the key? References: Message-ID: <43C594D6.1D3E@svpal.org> Rob Hawley wrote: > I now have the key. Mike needs to arrange to drop off the projector. > He will probably leave it with Jim, but that is TBD. I plan on being at the board meeting. I have a school event on Thursday and will be away from 4:30 to perhaps 10 pm. Mike could also leave the projector with either of two neighbors, one directly north, the other directly across from that (not across from me). -- Jim Van Nuland, San Jose (California) Astronomical Association JVN's web site From robhawley at earthlink.net Wed Jan 11 16:49:22 2006 From: robhawley at earthlink.net (Rob Hawley) Date: Sat Sep 30 03:57:31 2006 Subject: [SJAABoard] Membership counts for Jan 06 Message-ID: I total of 64 people joined SJAA in 2005. That has to be balanced with 47 people who did not renew their memberships. The net gain reversed the trend of 2004. The current totals stand at 298 paid, 30 complementary, total of 328. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Membership expirations by month Report Date 1/11/2006 expired 47 Nov-05 3 Dec-05 3 Jan-06 16 Feb-06 14 Mar-06 19 Apr-06 14 May-06 23 Jun-06 64 Jul-06 18 Aug-06 26 Sep-06 23 Oct-06 19 Nov-06 17 Dec-06 19 Jan-07 13 Feb-07 5 more than 13 months 8 complementary 30 expiring 6 paid(current) 298 email delivery 13 Labels Generated 321 S&T Members 182 New Members since last meeting 9 current + complementary 328 ------------------------------------------------------------ Year members joined This how many current members joined in which year paid only 2006 2 2005 64 2004 47 2003 39 2002 20 2001 9 2000 1 < 2000 59 Specified 239 80% Not Specified 59 total 298 ---------------------------------------------------------------- When members joined who lapsed in the past year expired (not including ex-compl) 2006 0 2005 0 2004 24 2003 10 2002 4 2001 0 2000 0 < 2000 0 Specified 38 81% Not Specified 9 total 47 Rob Hawley From bhavner at sbcglobal.net Wed Jan 11 18:22:51 2006 From: bhavner at sbcglobal.net (Bob & Brenda Havner) Date: Sat Sep 30 03:57:31 2006 Subject: [SJAABoard] Pass the projector (was: Who has the key? References: <43C594D6.1D3E@svpal.org> Message-ID: <000401c6171f$17790530$60d9fea9@Turtlerock> Jim, I have the projector (overhead is what Mike asked for) and I will bring it to tomorrow nights Star party. I also have copies of the Night Sky Magazine for the Beginner Astro class. See you tomorrow Bob ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jim Van Nuland" To: "Business list for SJAA board of directors and members" Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2006 3:29 PM Subject: [SJAABoard] Pass the projector (was: Who has the key? > Rob Hawley wrote: > >> I now have the key. Mike needs to arrange to drop off the projector. >> He will probably leave it with Jim, but that is TBD. > > I plan on being at the board meeting. I have a school event on > Thursday and will be away from 4:30 to perhaps 10 pm. Mike could also > leave the projector with either of two neighbors, one directly north, > the other directly across from that (not across from me). > > -- > Jim Van Nuland, San Jose (California) Astronomical Association > JVN's web site > > _______________________________________________ > SJAABoard mailing list > SJAABoard@sjaa.net > http://www.sjaa.net/mailman/listinfo/sjaaboard > From jvn at svpal.org Wed Jan 11 21:51:45 2006 From: jvn at svpal.org (Jim Van Nuland) Date: Sat Sep 30 03:57:31 2006 Subject: [SJAABoard] Pass the projector (was: Who has the key? References: Message-ID: <43C5EE71.2535@svpal.org> Rob Hawley wrote: > > I need the VGA projector for the board meeting As far as I know, Mike has it. I have not heard from him. > > Rob Hawley > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: Jim Van Nuland [mailto:jvn@svpal.org] > > Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2006 7:50 PM > > To: Rob Hawley > > Subject: Re: [SJAABoard] Pass the projector (was: Who has the key? > > > > Rob Hawley wrote to Bob H: > > > > > You have the VGA projector right? > > > > Bob Havner wrote: > > > > I have the projector (overhead is what Mike asked for) and I > > > > > > Hi, Rob, > > Not the video projector, but the kind that takes 8.5 by 11 > > transparencies. I don't recall what Dr. Moore uses, but Mike > > is knowledgeable about this sort of stuff. -- Jim Van Nuland, San Jose (California) Astronomical Association JVN's web site From areopagus125 at yahoo.com Thu Jan 12 16:50:09 2006 From: areopagus125 at yahoo.com (David Smith) Date: Sat Sep 30 03:57:31 2006 Subject: [SJAABoard] Agenda for Saturday meeting In-Reply-To: <20060111051239.59184.qmail@web53801.mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <20060113005009.74862.qmail@web31706.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Thanks, Craig. Bob didn't give me anything detailed, but when he spoke at the Eastbay Astronomical Society, they put a pretty good bio on the front page of their newsletter, which can be seen at http://www.eastbayastro.org/2004/0406/2004-06.pdf . I think it would be fair to crib a spoken intro from that. -- David --- Craig Scull wrote: > No problem, one of us can fill in. Can you prepare a > written introduction that we can use? > > > > --- David Smith wrote: > > > Unfortunately, I will be out of state this weekend > > (for my daughter's wedding reception), so I will > miss > > this presentation. > > > > This also means I will need to have someone else > > introduce our speaker, Bob Garfinkle. I am very > sorry > > to miss his presentation. > > > > -- David Smith > > > > > > > > __________________________________________________ > > Do You Yahoo!? > > Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam > > protection around > > http://mail.yahoo.com > > > > _______________________________________________ > > SJAABoard mailing list > > SJAABoard@sjaa.net > > http://www.sjaa.net/mailman/listinfo/sjaaboard > > > > _______________________________________________ > SJAABoard mailing list > SJAABoard@sjaa.net > http://www.sjaa.net/mailman/listinfo/sjaaboard > __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com From pkohlmil at best.com Sun Jan 15 23:35:30 2006 From: pkohlmil at best.com (Paul Kohlmiller) Date: Sat Sep 30 03:57:31 2006 Subject: [SJAABoard] Proofread of Feb. Ephemeris Please Message-ID: <000601c61a6f$70070c80$0800a8c0@PKHPXPP> Greetings, the February issue of the Ephemeris is ready for proofreading at: http://ephemeris.sjaa.net/0602/EphFeb06.pdf The large chunk of white space on the front page is to add some words about Project Stardust if we get some more information in the next day or so. If the New Horizons spacecraft starts its trip to Pluto on Tuesday, we will add that somewhere. We hate to live in the past and so we apologize for the (at least) two occasions in last month's newsletter where we gave an upcoming date as being in 2005. All comments welcome. We expect to send this issue to the printer early Wednesday morning. Paul and Mary Kohlmiller -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.sjaa.net/pipermail/sjaaboard/attachments/20060115/2a2de59f/attachment.html From robhawley at earthlink.net Sun Jan 15 23:59:50 2006 From: robhawley at earthlink.net (Rob Hawley) Date: Sat Sep 30 03:57:31 2006 Subject: [SJAABoard] Proofread of Feb. Ephemeris Please In-Reply-To: <000601c61a6f$70070c80$0800a8c0@PKHPXPP> Message-ID: We have at least one open slot on the board of directors. Any chance on getting a small note in the open space on page 1? Openings on SJAA Board SJAA elects its board of directors each year during the February meeting. Long time director Jim Van Nuland informed the board at its January meeting that he will not be seeking reelection. He will continue to be active in our School Program. We will miss him on the board. Anyone interested in helping run the club can get more information at membership@sjaa.net. If there is a president@sjaa.net then use that email instead. Rob Hawley _____ From: sjaaboard-bounces@sjaa.net [mailto:sjaaboard-bounces@sjaa.net] On Behalf Of Paul Kohlmiller Sent: Sunday, January 15, 2006 11:36 PM To: Business list for SJAA board of directors and members Subject: [SJAABoard] Proofread of Feb. Ephemeris Please Greetings, the February issue of the Ephemeris is ready for proofreading at: http://ephemeris.sjaa.net/0602/EphFeb06.pdf The large chunk of white space on the front page is to add some words about Project Stardust if we get some more information in the next day or so. If the New Horizons spacecraft starts its trip to Pluto on Tuesday, we will add that somewhere. We hate to live in the past and so we apologize for the (at least) two occasions in last month's newsletter where we gave an upcoming date as being in 2005. All comments welcome. We expect to send this issue to the printer early Wednesday morning. Paul and Mary Kohlmiller -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.sjaa.net/pipermail/sjaaboard/attachments/20060115/968c9ef6/attachment.html From craigus at rocketmail.com Mon Jan 16 07:40:58 2006 From: craigus at rocketmail.com (Craig Scull) Date: Sat Sep 30 03:57:31 2006 Subject: [SJAABoard] A Stellar Re-entry In-Reply-To: <43BE1D42.9010308@aenet.net> Message-ID: <20060116154059.82818.qmail@web53808.mail.yahoo.com> Congratulations Mike! Your mission was included in an article on the Stardust mission that made it to the front page of Google news. http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/13637105.htm Peter Jenniskens is quoted.. Craig From craigus at rocketmail.com Tue Jan 17 21:30:51 2006 From: craigus at rocketmail.com (Craig Scull) Date: Sat Sep 30 03:57:31 2006 Subject: [SJAABoard] Dec 17, 2005 - Final SJAA Board Meeting Minutes Message-ID: <20060118053051.28020.qmail@web53810.mail.yahoo.com> ============================================== Dec 17, 2005 - SJAA Board Meeting Minutes - Craig Scull ============================================== For all meeting minutes Craig will print out one copy of the last month?s minutes for the upcoming board meeting and send out a final edited version the next day. --------------------- Board Members Present --------------------- Gary Mitchell Craig Scull Dave Smith Dana Crom Rob Hawley Bill O?Schaughnessy Gordon Reade Mike Koop Jim Van Nuland (not excused) --------------- Meeting minutes --------------- Minutes were approved from the last meeting. Mike passed a motion to approve the minutes, the motion was seconded. ---------------------- Treasury Report (Gary) ---------------------- $5689.15 currently showing in the checkbook No activity on all other accounts since they were last reported in the August 20 meeting minutes >1st General fund of $5,000 is in a 6 month CD (3.05% APR) >2nd General fund of $5,000 is in a 12 month CD (3.35% APR) >Observatory fund of $3,000 is in a 12 month CD (3.35% APR) >$ 401.16 was in the last savings statement (.15% APR) The 6 month CD is going to mature in January and will be rolled over to a one year CD at that time. ---------------------------------------------- Membership Report (Rob) ---------------------------------------------- A large turnover continues while the number of incoming new members is higher than years past. There was some discussion about the cause of this, but no definitive causes were identified and we?re beginning to think that this is a ?normal? pattern that we should accept. On the online membership page Rob is going to add some verbiage describing that this page can be used for both new memberships and renewals. ---------------------------------- Loaner Scope Program Report (Mike) ---------------------------------- Several scopes have recently been returned. It continues to be a light year in terms of the number of people that are taking advantage of this program. ------------------------------------------- Observational Astronomy Class Report (Mike) ------------------------------------------- Mike did last class on preparing to observe and what to bring. Also did what?s up in the sky report. No class this month because it would fall on the 23rd of the month. ---------------- ATM Class (Mike) ---------------- Gary is almost done with his mirror. Mike talked about creating a robo webcam Foucault tester. Mike turned out the lights at the last event to allow one person to observe. A policeman stopped by just as Mike was turning the lights back on, because people are not allowed in the park one hour after sunset. The discussion outcome was that we would only turn out the lights when there are several (at least 3) people outside to discourage unlawful acts and provide some supervision. Also, the next time Mike sees the local policeman he will give him a copy of our calendar of events. ------------------------------- General Meeting Programs (Mike) ------------------------------- Bob Garfinkel is doing January Jeff Moore is doing February Paul Zurakowski from Chabot may do the March program --------------------------- Observatory Committee --------------------------- At the end of the board meeting a donor approached the board to discuss the idea of donating his 40 acres of land to the club with an agreement that he could retain his 20 foot storage container on the property. The land is located in San Benito County less than 2 hours drive away and has good access via a gravel road. ---------------------------- Star Party Updates ---------------------------- A substantial number of people who attend Houge park star parties learned about the event from the Mercury news. The building at Houge park continues to be available for next year. Mike was told that the club should continue using the same facility until being told otherwise. It was decided that we should identify ?back up? locations in case we were to lose access to Houge park or if we wanted to have 3rd quarter moon star parties from some a location with less light pollution. Rob has received a confirmation for next year?s Calstar event. -------------- Calendar (Mike) -------------- Mike talked about providing a format that people could download into Outlook or their PDA. --------------------- AANC Meeting (Mike) --------------------- Not much to report. Minutes are posted on the AANC web site. --------------------- Fall Swap (Gary) --------------------- The event seemed to go fairly smoothly. There were not enough people supporting the event, it was only Mike and Gary. 3 dedicated people would be much better. More than 100 people showed up to the event. From craigus at rocketmail.com Tue Jan 17 21:38:11 2006 From: craigus at rocketmail.com (Craig Scull) Date: Sat Sep 30 03:57:31 2006 Subject: [SJAABoard] Jan 14, 2005 - Draft SJAA Board Meeting Minutes Message-ID: <20060118053811.67619.qmail@web53802.mail.yahoo.com> ============================================== Jan 14, 2006 - SJAA Board Meeting Minutes - Craig Scull ============================================== For all meeting minutes Craig will print out one copy of the last month???s minutes for the upcoming board meeting and send out a final edited version the next day. --------------------- Board Members Present --------------------- Gary Mitchell Craig Scull Dave Smith (excused) Dana Crom (not excused) Rob Hawley Bill O???Schaughnessy Gordon Reade Mike Koop (excused) Jim Van Nuland --------------- Meeting minutes --------------- Minutes were approved from the last meeting. Bill passed a motion to approve the minutes, the motion was seconded. ---------------------- Treasury Report (Gary) ---------------------- As planned, our 6 month CD has expired and I transferred it to a 1 year CD. The interest brought it up to $5076.34 Now the general fund has two 1-year CDs that are 6 months apart (one expires early July 2006, the other January 2007). If the check book gets significantly more than $5000, we can consider getting another $5000 CD and start it at a quarterly boundary (early April or October). (For those who need a refresher... We put our observatory fund and part of the general fund into certificates of deposit for a better interest rate.) The check book currently shows $5066.20. There's another $309.65 currently in our PayPal account that I haven't yet transferred over, so for all intents and purposes, the check book is now at $5375.85. I have renewed our IDA membership (International Dark-Sky Association). I paid our bulk mail annual fee and added $500 to our Bulk mail account. With what's already in there, we should now have more than enough for mailing the Ephemeris for 2006. ---------------------------------------------- Membership Report (Rob) ---------------------------------------------- I total of 64 people joined SJAA in 2005. That has to be balanced with 47 people who did not renew their memberships. The net gain reversed the trend of 2004. The current totals stand at 298 paid, 30 complementary, total of 328. I inadvertently included the link to www.sjaa.net/gotstars in the Merc advert for Friday's star party. This time they published the link instead of truncating it. So that meant I had to update gotstars and keep it alive. ---------------------------------- Loaner Scope Program Report (Mike) ---------------------------------- No updates. Mike was not present. ------------------------------------------- Observational Astronomy Class Report (Mike) ------------------------------------------- No updates. Mike was not present. ---------------- ATM Class (Mike) ---------------- No updates. Mike was not present. ------------------------------- General Meeting Programs (Mike) ------------------------------- No updates. Mike was not present. --------------------------- Observatory Committee --------------------------- PPT Slide presentation given by Rob to provide overview of the land that has been offered to the club. Need to make sure that the road easement is written into the ownership contract so that we have a guaranteed right of way to access the land. Rob proposes that the land be available to anyone who pays a due and that this not be part of club membership. This approach may not incur taxes. Craig to organize Jan 28 visit to visit property. We will announce in the March Ephemeris that we are evaluating a possible land donation. Craig or Rob to present at 1/25 Group 70 meeting. Meeting will be for information purposes only. "We cannot negotiate a MOA with them right now because of bandwidth issues right now." Agreement is to continue investigating the site. ---------------------------- Star Party Updates ---------------------------- School star part report follows. Three on the schedule in January, one more probable. One was cancelled due to scheduling problem at school. Six in February, plus make-up(s) if there are cloud-outs. Nine in March, but this will fill up to 15 or 20. -------------- Calendar (Mike) -------------- No updates. Mike was not present. From craigus at rocketmail.com Tue Jan 17 21:40:58 2006 From: craigus at rocketmail.com (Craig Scull) Date: Sat Sep 30 03:57:31 2006 Subject: [SJAABoard] Jan 14, 2005 - Draft SJAA Board Meeting Minutes In-Reply-To: <20060118053811.67619.qmail@web53802.mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <20060118054058.85810.qmail@web53808.mail.yahoo.com> Oops, make that subject line 2006! --- Craig Scull wrote: > ============================================== > Jan 14, 2006 - SJAA Board Meeting Minutes - Craig Scull > ============================================== > For all meeting minutes Craig will print out one copy > of > the last month???s minutes for the upcoming board > meeting > and send out a final edited version the next day. > > > --------------------- > Board Members Present > --------------------- > Gary Mitchell > Craig Scull > Dave Smith (excused) > Dana Crom (not excused) > Rob Hawley > Bill O???Schaughnessy > Gordon Reade > Mike Koop (excused) > Jim Van Nuland > > > --------------- > Meeting minutes > --------------- > Minutes were approved from the last meeting. Bill > passed > a motion to approve the minutes, the motion was > seconded. > > > ---------------------- > Treasury Report (Gary) > ---------------------- > As planned, our 6 month CD has expired and I > transferred > it to a 1 year CD. The interest brought it up to > $5076.34 > Now the general fund has two 1-year CDs that are 6 > months > apart (one expires early July 2006, the other January > 2007). If the check book gets significantly more than > $5000, we can consider getting another $5000 CD and > start > it at a quarterly boundary (early April or October). > > (For those who need a refresher... We put our > observatory fund and part of the general fund into > certificates of deposit for a better interest rate.) > > The check book currently shows $5066.20. There's > another > $309.65 currently in our PayPal account that I haven't > yet transferred over, so for all intents and purposes, > the check book is now at $5375.85. > > I have renewed our IDA membership (International > Dark-Sky > Association). > > I paid our bulk mail annual fee and added $500 to our > Bulk mail account. With what's already in there, we > should now have more than enough for mailing the > Ephemeris for 2006. > > > ---------------------------------------------- > Membership Report (Rob) > ---------------------------------------------- > I total of 64 people joined SJAA in 2005. That has to > be > balanced with 47 people who did not renew their > memberships. The net gain reversed the trend of 2004. > > The current totals stand at 298 paid, 30 complementary, > total of 328. > > I inadvertently included the link to > www.sjaa.net/gotstars in the Merc advert for Friday's > star party. This time they published the link instead > of > truncating it. So that meant I had to update gotstars > and keep it alive. > > > ---------------------------------- > Loaner Scope Program Report (Mike) > ---------------------------------- > No updates. Mike was not present. > > > ------------------------------------------- > Observational Astronomy Class Report (Mike) > ------------------------------------------- > No updates. Mike was not present. > > > ---------------- > ATM Class (Mike) > ---------------- > No updates. Mike was not present. > > > ------------------------------- > General Meeting Programs (Mike) > ------------------------------- > No updates. Mike was not present. > > > --------------------------- > Observatory Committee > --------------------------- > PPT Slide presentation given by Rob to provide overview > of the land that has been offered to the club. > > Need to make sure that the road easement is written > into > the ownership contract so that we have a guaranteed > right > of way to access the land. > > Rob proposes that the land be available to anyone who > pays a due and that this not be part of club > membership. > This approach may not incur taxes. > > Craig to organize Jan 28 visit to visit property. > > We will announce in the March Ephemeris that we are > evaluating a possible land donation. > > Craig or Rob to present at 1/25 Group 70 meeting. > Meeting > will be for information purposes only. "We cannot > negotiate a MOA with them right now because of > bandwidth > issues right now." > > Agreement is to continue investigating the site. > > > ---------------------------- > Star Party Updates > ---------------------------- > School star part report follows. > Three on the schedule in January, one more probable. > One was cancelled due to scheduling problem at school. > > Six in February, plus make-up(s) if there are > cloud-outs. > > Nine in March, but this will fill up to 15 or 20. > > > -------------- > Calendar (Mike) > -------------- > No updates. Mike was not present. > > > > _______________________________________________ > SJAABoard mailing list > SJAABoard@sjaa.net > http://www.sjaa.net/mailman/listinfo/sjaaboard > From north at znet.com Tue Jan 17 22:04:02 2006 From: north at znet.com (Dave North) Date: Sat Sep 30 03:57:31 2006 Subject: [SJAABoard] Jan 14, 2005 - Draft SJAA Board Meeting Minutes In-Reply-To: <20060118053811.67619.qmail@web53802.mail.yahoo.com> References: <20060118053811.67619.qmail@web53802.mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: On Jan 17, 2006, at 9:38 PM, Craig Scull wrote: > Rob proposes that the land be available to anyone who > pays a due and that this not be part of club membership. > This approach may not incur taxes. Can someone unpack this a little bit? Rather than ask elaborate questions, I'll just point out it's quite unclear. What tax issues are on the table? What fee? Etc. > Craig to organize Jan 28 visit to visit property. Can we assume it is not currently adjacent a public road? > Craig or Rob to present at 1/25 Group 70 meeting. Meeting > will be for information purposes only. "We cannot > negotiate a MOA with them right now because of bandwidth > issues right now." Very cryptic indeed. Dave North From koopm at koopm.best.vwh.net Wed Jan 18 20:15:35 2006 From: koopm at koopm.best.vwh.net (Michael Koop) Date: Sat Sep 30 03:57:31 2006 Subject: [SJAABoard] Need Key and Projector Message-ID: <20060118210924.C93940@koopm.best.vwh.net> I'll need the key for the ATM workshop tommorw, Jan 19th. We will need the projector for Rob's class on the 20th. Mike From robhawley at earthlink.net Wed Jan 18 21:24:33 2006 From: robhawley at earthlink.net (Rob Hawley) Date: Sat Sep 30 03:57:31 2006 Subject: [SJAABoard] Need Key and Projector In-Reply-To: <20060118210924.C93940@koopm.best.vwh.net> Message-ID: I guess I am going to have to meet you over there. I was hoping to make the exchange Friday. Jim I will need the VGA projector for the astro class. Rob Hawley > -----Original Message----- > From: sjaaboard-bounces@sjaa.net > [mailto:sjaaboard-bounces@sjaa.net] On Behalf Of Michael Koop > Sent: Wednesday, January 18, 2006 8:16 PM > To: sjaaboard@sjaa.net > Subject: [SJAABoard] Need Key and Projector > > I'll need the key for the ATM workshop tommorw, Jan 19th. > We will need the projector for Rob's class on the 20th. > > Mike > > _______________________________________________ > SJAABoard mailing list > SJAABoard@sjaa.net > http://www.sjaa.net/mailman/listinfo/sjaaboard > From jvn at svpal.org Wed Jan 18 22:09:46 2006 From: jvn at svpal.org (Jim Van Nuland) Date: Sat Sep 30 03:57:31 2006 Subject: [SJAABoard] Need Key and Projector References: Message-ID: <43CF2D2A.338@svpal.org> Rob Hawley wrote: > > Jim I will need the VGA projector for the astro class. I'm planning to be at the class, and will bring the projector. Who would like to store it after that? Who will take the overhead projector? Clear Skies (and living-room floors)! -- Jim Van Nuland, San Jose (California) Astronomical Association JVN's web site From robhawley at earthlink.net Thu Jan 19 08:13:34 2006 From: robhawley at earthlink.net (Rob Hawley) Date: Sat Sep 30 03:57:31 2006 Subject: [SJAABoard] Need Key and Projector In-Reply-To: <43CF2D2A.338@svpal.org> Message-ID: I can take it until we get a more permanent home. Rob Hawley From robhawley at earthlink.net Thu Jan 19 08:19:36 2006 From: robhawley at earthlink.net (Rob Hawley) Date: Sat Sep 30 03:57:31 2006 Subject: [SJAABoard] New Board Member Candidate Message-ID: I am please to announce to the board that Dr. Lee Hoglan has offered to become a member of the board replacing Jim. Lee has been a member of SJAA for over 5 years. He has been one of the resources that Craig and I have consulted concerning the Willow Springs area. I will formally place his name in nomination at the next board meeting. I urge all board members to vote in favor of his joining us on the board. Rob Hawley From koopm at koopm.best.vwh.net Thu Jan 19 08:27:05 2006 From: koopm at koopm.best.vwh.net (Michael Koop) Date: Sat Sep 30 03:57:31 2006 Subject: [SJAABoard] New Board Member Candidate In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <20060119092118.F30513@koopm.best.vwh.net> Board members are elected at the Febuary General Meeting by the membership. I can not remember the last time we had an acutal vote for Board of directors. Usually we just get just the number of canidates we need via asking (arm twisting) people. We will need to be ready for an election with ballots if someone else decides to run from the general membership. Jim, could you please post who is up for re election? Mike On Thu, 19 Jan 2006, Rob Hawley wrote: > > I am please to announce to the board that Dr. Lee Hoglan has offered to > become a member of the board replacing Jim. > > Lee has been a member of SJAA for over 5 years. He has been one of the > resources that Craig and I have consulted concerning the Willow Springs > area. > > I will formally place his name in nomination at the next board meeting. I > urge all board members to vote in favor of his joining us on the board. > > Rob Hawley > > > _______________________________________________ > SJAABoard mailing list > SJAABoard@sjaa.net > http://www.sjaa.net/mailman/listinfo/sjaaboard > From jvn at svpal.org Fri Jan 20 00:45:42 2006 From: jvn at svpal.org (Jim Van Nuland) Date: Sat Sep 30 03:57:31 2006 Subject: [SJAABoard] New Board Member Candidate References: <20060119092118.F30513@koopm.best.vwh.net> Message-ID: <43D02C62.700C@svpal.org> Michael Koop wrote: > > Board members are elected at the February General Meeting by the > membership. I can not remember the last time we had an actual vote for > Board of directors. Usually we just get just the number of candidates > we need via asking (arm twisting) people. I like it that way; else the nominating committee misses half of the speaker's presentation because they are in the back room tallying the vote. Most recent tallied vote was about 1995 or a bit earlier. It is very rare that we have more candidates than openings. > Jim, could you please post who is up for re election? Up for re-election: Mitchell, Smith, Koop, Hawley Another year: Crum, Van Nuland, Scull(s), O'Shaughnessy, Reade I wish to turn the secretary over to another and suggest Craig, who has been doing a fine job with minutes. I will continue with school star parties, building the yearly calendar, the hotline, and associated web pages. > > I am please to announce to the board that Dr. Lee Hoglan has > > offered to become a member of the board replacing Jim. > > > > Lee has been a member of SJAA for over 5 years. I'm delighted to have Dr.Hoglan! Welcome aBoard! I will officially resign my Board seat at the beginning of the February Board meeting. Craig, be sure to count the number of members at the general meeting, and record that (along with the candidates) as part of the minutes. It should also go into the Ephemeris as a news item. Clear Skies! -- Jim Van Nuland, San Jose (California) Astronomical Association JVN's web site From wb6yru at aenet.net Fri Jan 20 02:47:29 2006 From: wb6yru at aenet.net (Gary Mitchell) Date: Sat Sep 30 03:57:31 2006 Subject: [SJAABoard] New Board Member Candidate In-Reply-To: <43D02C62.700C@svpal.org> References: <20060119092118.F30513@koopm.best.vwh.net> <43D02C62.700C@svpal.org> Message-ID: <43D0BFC1.9060003@aenet.net> Jim Van Nuland wrote: > Up for re-election: Mitchell, Smith, Koop, Hawley > > Another year: Crum, Van Nuland, Scull(s), O'Shaughnessy, Reade > I will officially resign my Board seat at the beginning of the > February Board meeting. Hang on a second, Jim... If I remember correctly, Mike Koop isn't running again. That'll be two. If no one else steps forward besides Lee Hoglan, would you consider finishing out your term? (Just as a board member, not necessarily as secretary too.) Gary From craigus at rocketmail.com Fri Jan 20 09:34:48 2006 From: craigus at rocketmail.com (Craig Scull) Date: Sat Sep 30 03:57:31 2006 Subject: [SJAABoard] New Board Member Candidate In-Reply-To: <43D02C62.700C@svpal.org> Message-ID: <20060120173448.23627.qmail@web53807.mail.yahoo.com> > Craig, be sure to count the number of members > at the general meeting, and record that (along with the > candidates) as part of the minutes. It should also go into the > Ephemeris as a news item. * Members or attendees? I would assume attendees. * When the meeting starts or when the voting occurs? I assume when the voting occurs. thanks'ya --- Jim Van Nuland wrote: > Michael Koop wrote: > > > > Board members are elected at the February General > Meeting by the > > membership. I can not remember the last time we had > an actual vote for > > Board of directors. Usually we just get just the > number of candidates > > we need via asking (arm twisting) people. > > I like it that way; else the nominating committee > misses half of the > speaker's presentation because they are in the back > room tallying the > vote. Most recent tallied vote was about 1995 or a bit > earlier. > > It is very rare that we have more candidates than > openings. > > > Jim, could you please post who is up for re election? > > Up for re-election: Mitchell, Smith, Koop, Hawley > > Another year: Crum, Van Nuland, Scull(s), > O'Shaughnessy, Reade > > > I wish to turn the secretary over to another and > suggest Craig, who > has been doing a fine job with minutes. I will > continue with school > star parties, building the yearly calendar, the > hotline, and associated > web pages. > > > > > I am please to announce to the board that Dr. Lee > Hoglan has > > > offered to become a member of the board replacing > Jim. > > > > > > Lee has been a member of SJAA for over 5 years. > > I'm delighted to have Dr.Hoglan! Welcome aBoard! > > I will officially resign my Board seat at the > beginning of the > February Board meeting. Craig, be sure to count the > number of members > at the general meeting, and record that (along with the > candidates) as > part of the minutes. It should also go into the > Ephemeris as a news > item. > > Clear Skies! > -- > Jim Van Nuland, San Jose (California) Astronomical > Association > JVN's web > site > > _______________________________________________ > SJAABoard mailing list > SJAABoard@sjaa.net > http://www.sjaa.net/mailman/listinfo/sjaaboard > From jvn at svpal.org Fri Jan 20 14:09:59 2006 From: jvn at svpal.org (Jim Van Nuland) Date: Sat Sep 30 03:57:31 2006 Subject: [SJAABoard] New Board Member Candidate References: <20060120173448.23627.qmail@web53807.mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <43D15FB7.56B6@svpal.org> Craig Scull wrote: > > > Craig, be sure to count the number of members > > at the general meeting, and record that (along with the > > candidates) as part of the minutes. It should also go > > into the Ephemeris as a news item. > > * Members or attendees? I would assume attendees. At the start of the voting, the presiding officer could conduct the election, and start by asking non-member to refrain from voting. This would be a good time to ask for non-members show of hands. Meanwhile, someone counts the overall attendance. Then would come a short explanation: 4 or 5 elected; an even number of director in even-numbered years, and in odd-numbered years, we elect a number of odd directors. And the officers are elected by and from the new board, for 1-year terms. It is unusual that we have a "business" item at the general meeting, this one being the exception. It is designated as the "Annual Meeting", as the one item of business is the Election of the Board of Directors. I had not remembered that Mike will be leaving the Board. Does he / we have a candidate in mind? If not, I can stay on for a month. -- Jim Van Nuland, San Jose (California) Astronomical Association JVN's web site From robhawley at earthlink.net Mon Jan 23 09:12:20 2006 From: robhawley at earthlink.net (Rob Hawley) Date: Sat Sep 30 03:57:31 2006 Subject: [SJAABoard] Has the new SI-100 been filed? Message-ID: Rob Hawley From robhawley at earthlink.net Wed Jan 25 07:44:28 2006 From: robhawley at earthlink.net (Rob Hawley) Date: Sat Sep 30 03:57:31 2006 Subject: [SJAABoard] vacation Message-ID: I will be on vacation next week. Someone needs to send out the Wednesday email for the Houge star party. Rob Hawley From koopm at koopm.best.vwh.net Fri Jan 27 18:37:15 2006 From: koopm at koopm.best.vwh.net (Michael Koop) Date: Sat Sep 30 03:57:31 2006 Subject: [SJAABoard] LX200 for the Loaner Program? Message-ID: <20060127193358.I16295@koopm.best.vwh.net> For a while now, I have wanted to have an LX200 in the loaner program. When Scope City had its Meade day, I toyed with the idea of trading in an 8" SCT or two for an LX200. When Sam told me what they go for and what the trade in might be, I decided not to. I then thought of looking on Ebay for one. Currently, there is an 8" LX200 for sale which is located in Poway, CA. It was already listed once without any offers. It looks undervalued, but you never know what you'll get on Ebay. We have the resources here in the area to fix it if needed. I would like to make a bid on it for the club. Any comments or suggestions are appreciated. (although a no comment is a "go for it") Mike BTW, we may be selling an SCT or two at the auction. From jvn at svpal.org Fri Jan 27 19:53:30 2006 From: jvn at svpal.org (Jim Van Nuland) Date: Sat Sep 30 03:57:31 2006 Subject: [SJAABoard] LX200 for the Loaner Program? References: <20060127193358.I16295@koopm.best.vwh.net> Message-ID: <43DAEABA.27C9@svpal.org> Michael Koop wrote: > > For a while now, I have wanted to have an LX200 in the loaner program. ... > I then thought of looking on Ebay for one. Currently, there is an > 8" LX200 for sale which is located in Poway, CA. Very-long-time SJAA member Dave Ambrose lives in Poway. I wonder if he knows the seller of the scope? It's being sold through ISoldit, which is an eBay selling service. That hides the real seller. Shipping $86, Item 7584680417, min bid $850 which seems somewhat low.. I especially like the quarts drive. As opposed to a litres drive, which would be fitted if this was a European model. Clear Skies! -- Jim Van Nuland, San Jose (California) Astronomical Association JVN's web site From craigus at rocketmail.com Fri Jan 27 20:33:20 2006 From: craigus at rocketmail.com (Craig Scull) Date: Sat Sep 30 03:57:31 2006 Subject: [SJAABoard] LX200 for the Loaner Program? In-Reply-To: <43DAEABA.27C9@svpal.org> Message-ID: <20060128043320.70817.qmail@web53807.mail.yahoo.com> We had a Celestron C8 in the program. I borrowed it when I first moved out here from New York City. Has it been borrowed more so than the rest? If yes, then it would suggest that it's Meade brother would also be used. With a large inventory of loaner scopes going unused, I am not for the idea of increasing inventory unless we have serious reason to believe it will stand out above the crowd of other unused telescopes and get used. The SCT's, while more portable, are more difficult for beginners to astronomy because of the high power/long focal length and inability to sight down the tube as easily as a dob and they are just generally awkward compared to grabbing the front of a dob and swinging it around. That's my .02 --- Jim Van Nuland wrote: > Michael Koop wrote: > > > > For a while now, I have wanted to have an LX200 in > the loaner program. > ... > > I then thought of looking on Ebay for one. Currently, > there is an > > 8" LX200 for sale which is located in Poway, CA. > > Very-long-time SJAA member Dave Ambrose lives in > Poway. I wonder if > he knows the seller of the scope? It's being sold > through ISoldit, > which is an eBay selling service. That hides the real > seller. > > Shipping $86, Item 7584680417, min bid $850 which > seems somewhat low.. > > I especially like the quarts drive. As opposed to a > litres drive, > which would be fitted if this was a European model. > > Clear Skies! > -- > Jim Van Nuland, San Jose (California) Astronomical > Association > JVN's web > site > > _______________________________________________ > SJAABoard mailing list > SJAABoard@sjaa.net > http://www.sjaa.net/mailman/listinfo/sjaaboard > From craigus at rocketmail.com Fri Jan 27 20:34:09 2006 From: craigus at rocketmail.com (Craig Scull) Date: Sat Sep 30 03:57:31 2006 Subject: [SJAABoard] LX200 for the Loaner Program? In-Reply-To: <43DAEABA.27C9@svpal.org> Message-ID: <20060128043409.70368.qmail@web53808.mail.yahoo.com> We had a Celestron C8 in the program. I borrowed it when I first moved out here from New York City. Has it been borrowed more so than the rest? If yes, then it would suggest that it's Meade brother would also be used. With a large inventory of loaner scopes going unused, I am not for the idea of increasing inventory unless we have serious reason to believe it will stand out above the crowd of other unused telescopes and get used. The SCT's, while more portable, are more difficult for beginners to astronomy because of the high power/long focal length and inability to sight down the tube as easily as a dob and they are just generally awkward compared to grabbing the front of a dob and swinging it around. That's my .02 --- Jim Van Nuland wrote: > Michael Koop wrote: > > > > For a while now, I have wanted to have an LX200 in > the loaner program. > ... > > I then thought of looking on Ebay for one. Currently, > there is an > > 8" LX200 for sale which is located in Poway, CA. > > Very-long-time SJAA member Dave Ambrose lives in > Poway. I wonder if > he knows the seller of the scope? It's being sold > through ISoldit, > which is an eBay selling service. That hides the real > seller. > > Shipping $86, Item 7584680417, min bid $850 which > seems somewhat low.. > > I especially like the quarts drive. As opposed to a > litres drive, > which would be fitted if this was a European model. > > Clear Skies! > -- > Jim Van Nuland, San Jose (California) Astronomical > Association > JVN's web > site > > _______________________________________________ > SJAABoard mailing list > SJAABoard@sjaa.net > http://www.sjaa.net/mailman/listinfo/sjaaboard > --- Jim Van Nuland wrote: > Michael Koop wrote: > > > > For a while now, I have wanted to have an LX200 in > the loaner program. > ... > > I then thought of looking on Ebay for one. Currently, > there is an > > 8" LX200 for sale which is located in Poway, CA. > > Very-long-time SJAA member Dave Ambrose lives in > Poway. I wonder if > he knows the seller of the scope? It's being sold > through ISoldit, > which is an eBay selling service. That hides the real > seller. > > Shipping $86, Item 7584680417, min bid $850 which > seems somewhat low.. > > I especially like the quarts drive. As opposed to a > litres drive, > which would be fitted if this was a European model. > > Clear Skies! > -- > Jim Van Nuland, San Jose (California) Astronomical > Association > JVN's web > site > > _______________________________________________ > SJAABoard mailing list > SJAABoard@sjaa.net > http://www.sjaa.net/mailman/listinfo/sjaaboard > From north at znet.com Fri Jan 27 20:41:02 2006 From: north at znet.com (Dave North) Date: Sat Sep 30 03:57:31 2006 Subject: [SJAABoard] LX200 for the Loaner Program? In-Reply-To: <20060128043409.70368.qmail@web53808.mail.yahoo.com> References: <20060128043409.70368.qmail@web53808.mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <5f0aae29049341c414c3a9dc5c2b18a8@znet.com> On Jan 27, 2006, at 8:34 PM, Craig Scull wrote: > The SCT's, while more portable, are more difficult for > beginners to astronomy because of the high power/long > focal length and inability to sight down the tube as > easily as a dob FYI, the LX 200 is GoTo. Dave From craigus at rocketmail.com Sat Jan 28 16:34:10 2006 From: craigus at rocketmail.com (Craig Scull) Date: Sat Sep 30 03:57:31 2006 Subject: [SJAABoard] LX200 for the Loaner Program? In-Reply-To: <5f0aae29049341c414c3a9dc5c2b18a8@znet.com> Message-ID: <20060129003410.19731.qmail@web53805.mail.yahoo.com> I am "for" the purchase in that case. --- Dave North wrote: > > On Jan 27, 2006, at 8:34 PM, Craig Scull wrote: > > The SCT's, while more portable, are more difficult > for > > beginners to astronomy because of the high power/long > > focal length and inability to sight down the tube as > > easily as a dob > > FYI, the LX 200 is GoTo. > > > Dave > > _______________________________________________ > SJAABoard mailing list > SJAABoard@sjaa.net > http://www.sjaa.net/mailman/listinfo/sjaaboard > From koopm at koopm.best.vwh.net Tue Jan 31 16:55:31 2006 From: koopm at koopm.best.vwh.net (Michael Koop) Date: Sat Sep 30 03:57:31 2006 Subject: [SJAABoard] No LX200 :-( Message-ID: <20060131175227.O1941@koopm.best.vwh.net> I planed to snipe the scope but the bidding went beyond the price I was willing to pay in the last minute. There is another on Astromart in Bend, OR for $1100. I'm in no real rush to get one. Maybe we can sell two of the 4 SCT we currently have in the loaner program to fund it. Mike From north at znet.com Tue Jan 31 17:04:04 2006 From: north at znet.com (Dave North) Date: Sat Sep 30 03:57:31 2006 Subject: [SJAABoard] No LX200 :-( In-Reply-To: <20060131175227.O1941@koopm.best.vwh.net> References: <20060131175227.O1941@koopm.best.vwh.net> Message-ID: Mike: > I'm in no real rush to get one. Maybe we can sell two of the 4 SCT we > currently have in the loaner program to fund it. Have you contacted Meade and/or Celestron to see if they'd be interested in discounting a returned scope to the club? Just a thought. Dave