[ATM] re Anybody home etc.,

[Mel Bartels]

Frank, is that really you?  Great to hear from you, man!

Keller peak?  My wife used to do that hike all the time!

Gosh, will somebody *please* point me to where I can buy telescopes cheaper
than we can make them!  

David Davis and his friends make 8 inch scopes ruggedized and targeted for
kids that cost $75 including the eyepiece.  See
http://www.flickr.com/photos/41028395@N05/3853932211/in/set-7215762201138876
7/ and
http://www.flickr.com/photos/41028395@N05/3853933693/in/set-7215762201138876
7/.

Jacob, a college kid, finished his first scope in my mirror making class.
It's a 16 inch and I don't think he spent more than several hundred on it.

I have $110 so far into my 13 inch scope.

So, please tell me where I can buy 8 inch scopes for $75 and 16 inch scopes
for $300?

As far as interest and attendance... The Oregon Star Party had one of its
best attendances ever and many of them were teenagers and college kids.  The
local star parties are as well attended as I can ever remember.

As far as digital addictions, let's see here, what medium are we using to
dispense all of this nonsense about the hobby and interest in astronomy
fading?

Mel Bartels