BCFNS NEWSLETTER
February 2023
Issue 35
Contact us at newsletter@BlancoCountyNightSky.org
AND THE POETRY CONTEST WINNER IS…
LARA JOHNS PLOGMAN for her poem “Silence”
Silence.
“Even amid the sounds of crickets and barking dogs I can look at the night sky and soak in the silence of the stars. The chaos in my mind stands still in reverence and silence.
I try to soak in the energy of the moon wanting to somehow be more connected to the sky. The darkness of the night and the light of the moon and stars unite to highlight each other in grand harmony creating unblemished art that stretches farther than we could ever conceive.
I can find myself as whole in the silence.”
Congratulations, Lara !!!
BCFNS Board Member and contest coordinator, Bob Heinonen, reports that 90 individuals voted in this contest casting 133 votes. Thank you, poets. Thank you, voters. If you missed the poems, you can still read them at: Facebook Poetry Contest
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PRESENTATION TEAM
The Blanco County Friends of the Night Sky Presentation Team had its organizing meeting at El Charro Restaurant in Johnson City on Tuesday, February 22. The five member team will “market” and present free dark sky programs to audiences of five people or more throughout Blanco County. The program itself can be 20-40 minutes in length to meet your schedule; it can be done in most any indoor venue…even someone’s living room. The Wizard of the Night Sky kicks off the program with a little storytelling and then turns it over to Dr. Don Pitts for a dark sky PowerPoint talk and discussion.
In the Presentation Team picture taken at the meeting are (l to r):
Bernard Mollberg – Production Coordinator
Bob Heinonen – Wizard of the Night Sky
Dee Hardiman – Booking Agent
Dr. Don Pitts – Presenter
CJ Pitts – Assistant
If you would like to book a presentation, please email Dee at bookings@BlancoCountyNightSky.org
If you would like to send contact information for an organization we should touch base with, please email Dee at bookings@BlancoCountyNightSky.org with that information.
How to Generate Discussion of the Night Sky
Blanco mayor and BCFNS member, Rachel Lumpee, expresses her sentiments about light pollution during a February excursion to Big Bend National Park. There is an ongoing effort by many organizations and private citizens to keep Big Bend light pollution free. This T-shirt and other night sky themed merchandise can be found through the International Dark sky website at: Light Pollution Sucks T-shirt and Official Merchandise
AND…Don’t forget about our profit-sharing arrangement with BCFNS member, Luis Ramirez, on the sale of his line of Deep in the Dark of Texas™ night sky themed clothing which is available to order on the BCFNS website at: BCFNS Merchandise.
We know these items will generate discussion of the night sky whenever anyone sees you wearing them.
The Hill Country Land, Water, Sky, and Natural Infrastructure Plan, a major, on-going project of the Hill Country Alliance, is a collaborative effort of dozens of non-governmental organizations, businesses, universities, and governmental organizations to protect the clear flowing springs, fragile aquifers, wide open spaces, starry night skies, forests, grasslands, hills, prairies, and rivers abundant with wildlife, working farms and ranches, vibrant, close-knit communities, strong rural and small-town economies, scenic country drives and hikes, idyllic get-aways, and all the amenities that characterize this iconic landscape we call the Texas Hill Country.
HCA NATURAL INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN
The Plan lays out a unified vision for the future and presents an adaptable set of tools to assist in the preservation of the most critical natural infrastructure systems in the Hill Country
After reviewing an early draft of the Plan at a public gathering at Blanco’s Gem of the Hills some time back, several night sky advocates kicked into high gear and provided input on the importance of combatting light pollution and the interactions that darkness have on various other aspects of the environment. When we reviewed the results of that collaboration in the Final Draft of the Plan, we were delighted to find that issues relating to the night sky, darkness, and light pollution have been incorporated into almost every aspect of the Plan, a testament to the collaborative spirit and willing cooperation of the Hill Country Alliance.
We look forward to seeing the Final Plan, to be published and distributed shortly. Thank you, Hill Country Alliance!
Membership
For more information on all our membership options click here: Membership Options
Membership Sign Promotion - A membership sign is the best publicity the night sky can have. For those of you thinking of joining BCFNS or renewing your membership, we are offering a free one-year membership ($20) with the purchase of a sign ($35 tax included). Here’s the link: Membership Signs
Remember we are a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Please consult your accountant or tax adviser for details regarding deductibility for your donation.
Next Business & Brainstorming Session
Our next meeting will be Wednesday, March 15th @ 9:00AM, at El Charro Restaurant in Johnson City. If you would like to attend via Zoom, just let us know a few days ahead of time so we can make arrangements. Contact us at info@BlancoCountyNightSky.org
• BCFNS Advisory Board – Are you willing to share your expertise? We would like to include:
Volunteers Needed
A realtor, a developer, a contractor, a lighting fixture expert, a CPA and other professionals who have a passion for the night sky. Contact us at: info@BlancoCountyNightSky.org or join us at our March meeting.
• Volunteer Opportunities at Volunteers Needed
Other News
Be sure to check out our newsletter next month as we continue our series of introductions.
We started with our Board of Directors and Volunteers, which will continue as we add new volunteers. In March the series will be expanded to include members from other Hill County “Friends of the Night Sky” groups. We are looking forward to getting to know these people a little better.
Remember we are a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Please consult your accountant or tax adviser for details regarding deductibility for your donation.