August Star Party: FINAL RSVP REMINDER!

[Guest guest]

Since I will be reserving campsites on behalf of SBVS first thing Monday

morning, I MUST hear from you NO LATER than SUNDAY, AUGUST 4th, 2002 if

you are intending to participate in overnight camping the weekend of the

Star Party!

 

RSVPs accepted ONLY by leaving message at (408)410-2186! {NO e-mails!}

Please make sure to leave a contact phone number, the number of people

you will be bringing, and which of the three options you are selecting.

(See below)

 

For those planning on attending this event, please note that there are

THREE(3) possible options:

 

OPTION A: Attend Star Party ONLY on Saturday night;

show-up by 7:30 PM at the Snell camping area. Please

bring a vegan potluck item to share with others.

 

OPTION B: Attend Star Party AND camp-overnight on Saturday night(8/10);

show-up by 7:30 PM at the Snell camping area. Please bring ample food,

water, and camping supplies to last you the duration of your camping

stay. Musical instruments are a plus! (Camping fees can be paid upon

your arrival at the park).

 

OPTION C: Attend Star Party AND camp-overnight on BOTH Friday(8/9)

and Saturday(8/10) nights; show-up by 7:30 PM on FRIDAY evening at

the Snell camping area. Please bring ample food, water, and camping

supplies to last you the duration of your camping stay. Musical

instruments are a plus! (Camping fees can be paid upon your arrival

at the park).

 

THANK YOU! I'm looking forward to meeting you at the SBVS Star Party #2!

 

Phil Becker

 

--------

 

 

AUGUST STAR PARTY WEEKEND(8/9-8/11) UPDATE

 

NOTE RSVP DEADLINE IS SUNDAY, AUGUST 4th, 2002, 9:00 PM!

RSVPs ONLY accepted by telephoning to (408)410-2186! {NO e-mails!}

Please make sure to leave a contact phone number, the number of people

you will be bringing, and which of the three options you are selecting.

(See below)

 

Event Description: Whether you know a lot...a little...or nothing at all

about the night sky, this will be a great opportunity

to learn about the planets, stars and other celestial features of the Northern

hemisphere while enjoying the company of fellow

veggies for good conversation...tasty vegy snacks...and glimpses of the

Perseid meteor shower for those daring to stick around

beyond midnight!

 

Although a telescope is nice, binoculars will do just fine...and if all else

fails, we will be doing mostly " naked-eye " astronomy.

Things will get under way as soon as the sun sets. For folks who arrive

early, there are several hiking trails in the park that

can be used for a pre-star party hike. Just make sure to be back to the

camping area by sundown (while we all still can see

each other!) Star maps will be provided to all persons attending the

event...as well as instructions on how to use them.

 

DETAILS:

 

SBVS will be holding its 2nd monthly Star Party the weekend of August 10th

at JOSEPH D. GRANT COUNTY PARK, on Mount Hamilton Road, in Halls Valley--

which is about 40 minutes from the intersection of I-880 and I-280. Detailed

directions will be provided to individuals who RSVP for the event.

 

Here's some GOOD NEWS:

 

Since Grant Park has camping facilities, SBVS is permitted to have up to

24 persons camp-out at the park overnight! Bathroom, shower and public

telephone facilities are available at the park. Although recent regulations

prohibit open fires, portable stoves for cooking food are permissible.

 

Other park features include:

 

+ 40 miles of trails

+ shaded picnic areas

+ Grant Lake and several smaller ponds

+ Joseph D. Grant ranch house and rose garden

+ wildlife (including wild pigs!)

 

COSTS: $4.00 per car (parking) + $2.00 camping fee per person per night

 

For those planning on attending this event, please note that there are

THREE(3) possible options:

 

OPTION A: Attend Star Party ONLY on Saturday night;

pay ONLY parking fee; show-up by 7:30 PM

at the Snell camping area. Please bring a vegan

potluck item to share with others.

 

OPTION B: Attend Star Party AND camp-overnight on Saturday night(8/10);

pay parking fee + camping fee; show-up by 7:30 PM at the

Snell camping area. Please bring ample food, water, and

camping supplies to last you the duration of your camping

stay. Musical instruments are a plus!

 

OPTION C: Attend Star Party AND camp-overnight on BOTH Friday(8/9)

and Saturday(8/10) nights; pay parking fee + camping fee;

show-up by 7:30 PM on FRIDAY evening at the Snell camping area.

Please bring ample food, water, and camping supplies to last

you the duration of your camping stay. Musical instruments

are a plus!

 

--------

 

Here's some MORE GOOD NEWS:

 

+ For those individuals attending the 8/10 Star Party, there will be

volunteers from the HV Astronomical Group available with telescopes and

for answering any questions!

 

For those individuals staying overnight:

 

+ On SATURDAY, an optional day hike is scheduled in Grant Park

 

+ On SUNDAY, an optional trip to the Lick Observatory on Mount

Hamilton (about 20 miles from the park) will be offered. There

is no additional cost for this trip and the view is guaranteed to

be spectacular! FYI--Lick Observatory is one of the most famous

observatories in the world for providing those great photos of

various space objects!

--------

 

Recommended things to bring: portable folding chairs, a ground cloth or

tarpaulin, a blanket, two(2) flashlights, insect repellant, sweatshirt

with hood, comfortable shoes with socks, and layers of clothes to dampen

any chill from the evening air. If you bring food and/or beverages,

it is recommended that you leave them in your car to avoid attracting

nocturnal wildlife to the gathering site. Also--food storage lockers are

available for those camping overnight. Obviously--folks who are camping

overnight need to bring a sleeping bag and a tent if possible.

 

--------

 

NOTE RSVP DEADLINE IS SUNDAY, AUGUST 4th, 2002, 9:00 PM!

 

If you have any questions, or for further information,

please call Phil at (408)410-2186.

 

I'm looking forward to meeting you at the SBVS Star Party #2!

Keep looking up!