Wayne Green, president of the DAS

his month sees the “Spring Edition” of National Astronomy Day. We are holding our normal Open House that evening and are featuring the planet Saturn. Attendance at our Open Houses has been very strong, with lots of people interested in amateur astronomy. The Executive Board has decided to shift the DAS membership dues structure from an anniversary date to a due date of January 1. This will take a large load off the day-to-day operations of the treasurer. The club now has over 300 members and keeping track of all those renewals each month is more than we can expect from a volunteer position! We all owe Brad Gilman and Darrell Dodge a hearty round of applause at least! Please read the article on Page 4 for details.

I am planning to travel to the Riverside Telescope Makers Conference and, about six weeks later, to the Astronomical League National Convention in Des Moines, Iowa, July 18-19 ( www.alconexpo.com ). I am very interested in learning what we can do to bring new people into amateur astronomy. I would like your input on ways to revitalize amateur astronomy.

This month’s general meeting is going to be another round of show-and-tell. Bring those observing logs and inventions to the meeting! The weather is getting better and better. Remember, even in the city—the skies are not broken! And at the DAS Dark Sky Site they are spectacular.

- Wayne Green, DAS President