Randy's Ramblings: Goings On in the SAS

By Randy Johnson, SAS President

THE SAS held its annual awards banquet on January 29. The nearly 80 attendees were treated to a pleasant evening of dining amongst friends. An interesting talk on the state of the case for life elsewhere in the universe was presented by long time friend of the SAS, Professor Woody Sullivan, of the University of Washington.

Awards Banquet Thanks
A plaque honoring their many years of service to the SAS was awarded to Karl and Judy Schroeder. They are again to be thanked for their efforts in soliciting an excellent array of door prizes for this year's banquet. I also wish to extend a special thanks to George Best for arranging Dr. Sullivan's talk and to Gerry West for his untiring efforts in making arrangements with the Yankee Grill for this year's banquet.

Messier Marathon
On other topics of general interest, an informal Messier Marathon get together at a yet to be determined site in Western or perhaps near Eastern Washington is being planned for Saturday, March 4. For those of you who have not participated in one of these Springtime observing festivals please consider joining us. There is no better way to kick off the annual observing season than with a crack at knocking off the Messier catalog. If you're interested and you have not yet touched base with me about this, please call me at (206) 772-4322 or send an e-mail to randysas@scn.org.

Science and Technology Fair
The SAS has been invited to participate in a Science and Technology fair to be held at the Bellevue Crossroads mall on February 26 and 27. The fair targets youth and family interest in science and technology. The SAS board has decided to participate in the fair with two 6x10 booths. We need your help! Volunteer support will be necessary adequately staff the SAS display booth. Please call or write Judy Schroeder, who has volunteered to head up this effort, at (206) 362-7605 or by e-mail at nieka225@aol.com if you are able to volunteer. Or you can contact me at the above phone number or e-mail address.

A 35 mm slide presentation of things astronomical as well as club star parties and events is tentatively planned. If you have slides that you can share for the project, this would also be appreciated.

February Meeting
Dr. Don Brownlee is scheduled to speak at the February 16 meeting of the SAS on the space probe Stardust. Details are located elsewhere in the Webfooted Astronomer. I hope to see you then.