[Chaos-l] [Fwd: Re: STAY HOME TONIGHT]

[Mickey Jo Sorrell]

Hi Robert and folks,
Sorry about your evening. We were having fun at FPG Elementary, but 3rd 
graders go to bed early, so we were out of there shortly after 9.

We've had minor problems with Jordan Lake - usually misunderstandings 
(especially during staff changes), but lately I've been communicating 
with Grant Gibson and he and I have a pretty easy agreement now.  We 
don't pay them for use of Ebenezer Recreation Area, but they do keep a 
ranger on duty until our closing time - so we are costing them 
something.  I believe we are considered public outreach. There are 
several rangers that seem to rotate through responsibility for us and 
some are more astronomy-friendly - sensitive to what we are doing -  
than others.

I agree with the assessment that this is probably a crackdown because of 
the nude beach issue.  The special use permit seems a reasonable path to 
take.

I would also point out that RAC has been very friendly of late and wants 
to join in our observing sessions at Jordan Lake. I believe their Big 
Woods site doesn't have a gate that gets locked at a particular hour, 
but also doesn't have such good parking - at least for public attendance.

I'm following this with interest. Let me know if I can help.


Mickey


Robert Nielsen wrote:
> Everyone,
>
> I just send a note to Mickey Sorrell (at the planetarium) asking her for 
> the name of a contact and suggestions.   I know for a fact that when the 
> planetarium does their stuff down at Ebenezer, they have a park ranger 
> THERE and he closes up afterwards.   They might even have to pay him!   
> But perhaps we can figure out a way to get usage of Farrington again.   
> I think whoever mentioned the sexual foolishness on Jordan Lake is right 
> ... that probably stepped up the ranger patrols, and they are doing 
> things according to the "letter of the law".
>
> Until we can get a permit, or this blows over, we need to find a new 
> place to congregate.   Some of our club members have pretty dark yards 
> ... and someone mentioned Bynum Bridge (which was good the other day).   
> We wouldn't necessarily have to carry everything out to the middle of 
> the bridge ... that was just for the folks in town there.   I will ask 
> the gentleman that invited us if we can use the bridge more often.
>
> Oh ... and that standing invitation with the RAC?   I've been there a 
> couple of times ... and then (a few years ago) there was some sort of 
> "tiff" between the clubs, and they stopped letting us use it (as I 
> remember) ... which is fair.  If you want to use it, you need to pay 
> dues to the RAC.   They can't use our dark site unless they pay our dues.
>
> Robert (who is always amazed at how astronomers are not considered when 
> "decisions" are made)
>
>   

-- 

Mickey Jo Sorrell
Planetarium Educator 
Morehead Planetarium & Science Center
CB #3480
University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill, NC  27599
919-962-3300