EAS Annual Dinner a Big Success

The 77th Annual Eastbay Astronomical Society Awards Dinner, held Saturday, March 3, 2001 in the Chabot Space and Science Center’s Astronomy Hall, was very well attended and a lot of fun for all present. The caterer, Harry’s Hofbrau, plied the guests with their usual panoply of culinary treats, while President Carter Roberts presided as Master of Ceremonies. The main speaker, Dr. Donald Goldsmith, gave a highly informative, educational, and sometimes even funny, talk on the latest cosmological theories on our apparently ever-expanding universe, along with a showing of his hilarious “speed-talking” cosmology professor video. Also, Jane Houston Jones received EAS’s highest honor, the Year 2001 Helen Pillans Award for her astounding contributions towards educating the public in the joys of astronomy; well done, Jane! (See Jane’s ‘thank you’ letter on Page 5, inside.) Honorable Mention goes to Ken Swagerty, who received the first (and probably only) prestigious “Brassaholics Anonymous” award, for his work restoring the Rachel, Leah, and Transit telescopes. Trouble often follows Ken, and Trouble shares the limelight in the photo to the left. (Explanation inside.)

Our April 7 meeting will be Members' Night! This ever-popular event always brings surprises. Eastbay Astronomical Society has some of the most accomplished amateur astronomers anywhere, so be prepared to learn as well as laugh. We will also have visiting some of the Bay Area's most distinguished amateur astronomers who will be here for the Amateur Astronomical Assocn of No. California's annual meeting so they may present something as well.
If you're coming to the A.A.N.C.'s event, you can have Dinner with the Speaker (you) at the Round Table Pizza Parlor at 2071 Mountain Blvd. in downtown Montclair. The phone number there is 510-339-9494 if you get lost.
Our last members' night was last May so there are sure to be lots of astrophotos, slides, and talks, and your Program Director (Me) has a few surprises for you as well; I will host a game show, "Where on Earth are We?" where I will put up a slide of some view of the Earth or some city from space and ask you to identify it! I promise that THIS time I will keep the program length under control.
Call me to reserve a slot for your presentation at 510-483-9191. Preference will be given to those who call me ahead of time . If you need a projector or other equipment, please let me know by March 30th at the very latest, so that we can discuss arrangements well ahead of the event.