Update October 5, 2003

Treasury:

Bank - $2,000.09, Petty Cash - $109.00, Total - $2,109.09.

1. Still owe Marty $535 and Larry $290 for building materials for the new observatory.

2. Received an updated insurance policy.  Adding the new building and scope has increased our quarterly payment from 110 to $143.  The next payment will be made in early November.

3. Made land payment of $300, still owe another $9,000.


Observatory Director:

1. The Meade 12" LX200 hopefully is up and running after some electrical and mechanical problems have been resolved. It stills needs to be tested, but initial testing looks good.

2. Wiring was installed between the warm-up room and the new observatory.  We can now control both scopes from the warm-up room.

3. Almost all the branches located at the top of hill were chipped up a couple of weeks ago. Probably need to put some grass seed down where these were lying. A former club member, Paul Cochran, has agreed to top the trees at the top of hill for us and the timing needs to be arranged.

4. Some water entered the 16" telescope room last month.  This needs to be looked at.


Director of Observations:

For Bob’s complete observations report please visit the Monthly Sky Calendar on our website.

Observations for past month:

Observations for past month:  Not too much, because it has been very cloudy and raining lately.

Editor:

No report.

All members of CVAS and the OTAA are encouraged to contribute ideas, articles, images and observation reports for possible inclusion in future issues of this monthly update and in the quarterly editions of The Valley SkyWatcher.
 

Old Business:

1. Ian Cooper brought three plaques, at a cost of $25, to put on the telescopes that were donated to us by Denny Jefferson's family.

2. Light Pollution - The City of Mentor sent 2 letters  to two different companies that are in violation of the city's light ordinance. John Gorka met with the owner of a Pizza Hut that is being put up in Chesterland about it's lighting. Found out they were going to put in lighting which violated Chesterlands lighting ordinance.  Owner said he will look into getting it changed.

3. Recent Star Parties - Had star party at Nassau on September 20 with around 80 people showing up on a very nice, clear night. Black River OTAA convention was OK, had to dodge some clouds but got it in.


New Business:

1. Went over calendar, upcoming events - October 8th, Orange village park for Orange Christian Academ.   Aurora Club is organizing event at a new park in Twinsburg on October 24th or 25th. The Geauga Park district asked us if we are interested in trying for another star party at the Rookery in February, Cleveland Museum of Natural History is planning a program on November 8th for the eclipse of the moon and Clyde Simpson asked us if we would be interested in doing something there.

2. Had discussion on changing the length of terms from 1 year to 2 years for the club officers. All seemed to like the idea, but this will require a change to our constitution.

3. Held nominations for club officers with the following being nominated and seconded: President - Dan Rothstein, Vice-President - Larry Boros, Observatory Director - Marty Nemmi, Director of Observations - Bob Modic, Treasurer - Steve Fishman, Editor - Earl Green, and Secretary - Steve Kainec.

4. It was decided that the new observatory is to named after Keith and Shirley Richards.

5. Had small discussion on the number, size, and shape of concrete pads to put down for setting up telescopes on. A suggestion was made to also install a 3" pipe for mounting telescopes to up at top of the hill. A club member has a cement mixer that we can use.

6. A complete set of the Digitized Sky Survey (102 CD's) was donated to the club by Bill Hathaway of the Space Telescope Science Institute.

7. Ian Cooper reports that the Geauga Park District plans to get the 25" Oberle telescope in the next week or two. It will be stored at the Rookery until a new home for it is built. It is projected this will take 2 to 3 years. The park district is still evaluating different sites where to place the telescope

8. Ian Cooper and Dan Rothstein found an old, rusted out 10" Cave telescope just sitting out in the open at University School in Hunting Valley. Plans are get this telescope, restore it and have it available to use at the same site of the 25" Oberle telescope.

9. Had a discussion on doing more star parties next year and possibly doing some for private groups that are willing to pay money. Will talk to the Lake Park District about doing more than just one star party at Penitentiary Glen and we plan to do another neighbors night at the hill next year as well. Ideas that was discussed included advertising in some local magazines, such as Cleveland Magazine, and doing star parties at other places such as the Zoo and some local schools or camps.

Visitors:

Enrique Madrona & Family.

Welcome to CVAS!