BCFNS NEWSLETTER
September 2022
Issue 30
Contact us at newsletter@BlancoCountyNightSky.org
Night Sky Song Writing Contest
It’s almost here!!!! The BCFNS 2022 Night Sky Song Contest is this Saturday evening, October 1st @ 6 pm at Gem of the Hills, 2233 US-281, Blanco, Texas.
We are super excited about this event as we have at least 10 unique songs to share with you. The songwriters will be performing in person, and you’ll be able to help chose the winners!
We have 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place cash prizes. This promises to be a fun event including time for refreshments and socializing. We sure hope you can join us.
October is Hill Country Night Sky Month
Mayor Stell of Johnson City and Mayor Lumpee of Blanco proclaimed October 2022 as Hill Country Night Sky Month. Yeah!!!! The Blanco County Commissioners Court is planning to issue such a proclamation in late September as well. These proclamations help to bring awareness to the night sky and invite us to celebrate its beauty. Click the links below to read the proclamations.
Proclamation by City of Blanco
Please watch social media for more about how Hill Country Night Sky month will be celebrated. The Hill Country Alliance is the sponsor of this event; their website and calendar will have a lot of information about fun celebrations throughout the Hill Country. Here’s the link:
Hill Country Night Sky Events
The Wizard of the Night Sky DID make an appearance at the Blanco County Fair in August. Perhaps you’ve already seen his picture in the local newspapers. The BCFNS booth won First Place for the best exhibit!!! We had a good time talking to folks about the night sky and the upcoming eclipses in 2023 & 2024. Flat-bottomed 2700 Kelvin LED light bulbs were handed out for free thanks to a grant BCFNS received for just this purpose – to do public education about great outdoor lighting. We had some young children stop by to visit with the Wizard and he shared with them how we are working to “save our stars.” Best of all, we added new members to our group. We are looking forward to doing this again next year!
Blanco County Fair and Rodeo
In our continuing effort to help facilitate the formation of other night sky advocacy groups, BCFNS President, Wayne Gosnell and Board Member, Bob Heinonen made a presentation in Austin on September 17th to a group of volunteers trying to jump start the Travis County Friends of the Night Sky. Needless to say, advocating for the night sky in an urban environment is particularly challenging. Dawn Davies, Night Sky Program Manager for the Hill Country Alliance, reports that there are now 14 night sky advocacy groups at various levels of development all over the Texas Hill Country. The BCFNS will continue to help these groups wherever we can.NIGHT SKY ADVOCACY: THE MORE THE BETTER
MEET THE BCFNS VOLUNTEERS
Jerry Thompson
Jerry retired after many years marketing process equipment to the petrochemical industry. He and his wife, Janice, bought property near Sandy in 1998, finally built a house in 2010, and moved there after 42 years in Houston.
Early on, one of the things that they enjoyed about country living was the nearly complete dark sky which allowed views of the stars at night. Sadly, the sky glow from San Antonio and Austin areas have now greatly reduced that ability.
As city folks, Janice and Jerry directly benefited from the guidance and support of the Hill Country Alliance. This support raised their interest in the care of their land and surroundings. Around 2011, they attended a meeting held by Matt Lara on outdoor lighting which greatly peaked their interest in the possibility of returning night sky viewing to the south and east of their property. “That goal was and is a driving force – and not yet accomplished” according to Jerry.
A few years back Jerry communicated with Cindy Luongo Cassidy (Dripping Springs) and Wayne Gosnell (Blanco) and jointly, they “encouraged” the Hill Country Alliance to help lead a multi-county effort. They did. Jerry tells us that “Wayne got folks in the Blanco area interested and involved in saving the night sky resulting in the successful and effective formation of Blanco County Friends of the Night Sky (BCFNS). The rest is history.”
Jerry prefers to “loiter in the background” and, instead of taking on a Board position, he has been a dedicated supporter and very active volunteer for the BCFNS. Long before the formation of the BCFNS, he began working to inform county officials of the benefits of keeping the sky dark in Blanco County. He has also been involved in convincing home developers in the area to adopt night sky friendly lighting. Jerry has been an excellent and productive liaison for the BCFNS helping in any way he could. He is a great example of what folks can do if they work together!
Saving our beautiful night sky and keeping the stars shining brightly are not the only benefits of light pollution abatement. A Dark Sky can also help us save our birds! The full southern migration is in progress. You may have also noticed that the butterflies are also migrating now. These animals could sure use our help so, please “LIGHTS OUT TEXAS!”REMINDER: Other Benefits of a Dark Sky – Birds & Butterflies
We now have over 740 followers on Facebook. Are you one of them? If not, check us out and join the group at Facebook.
Facebook & Instagram
We also have 466 followers on Instagram. Check it out as well. Instagram.
Monica Anthes joined us for our September meeting; she is previously from this area. Monica and her husband, Jason, are moving back to Blanco County from Seabeck, Washington. They have become BCFNS Lifetime Members! We look forward to meeting Jason and hope they will join us at one of our meetings again soon.
Another Board Meeting Guest
You can join us too!!! Everyone is welcome to attend our meetings! No pressure to continue to attend; it can be a one-time thing or come to the meeting every month; it is an informal discussion and brainstorming session.
Next Business & Brainstorming Session
Our next meeting will be Wednesday, October 19th @ 9 am, at El Charro Restaurant in Johnson City. If you would like to attend via Zoom, just let us know ahead of time and we’ll make it happen.
Here are a few events we are working on:
Upcoming Events
• Hill Country Night Sky Song Writing Contest -- October 1 @ 6 pm at Gem of the Hills in Blanco
• Marigold Festival -- BCFNS Booth: October 28 & 29 (pending)
• October is Hill Country Night Sky Month
BCFNS Advisory Board – Are you willing to share your expertise? We would like to include:
A realtor, a developer, a contractor, a lighting fixture expert and other professionals who have a passion for the night sky. Contact us at info@BlancoCountyNightSky.org
* Set up this program from scratch, working with the Hill Country Alliance and the Chambers of Commerce in Blanco and Johnson City.
HELP!!!!
Volunteer Opportunities at Volunteers Needed. Make a difference in Blanco County. This month’s featured Volunteer Opportunity:
Night Sky Friendly Contractor Program Facilitator
* Program is to educate contractors on the benefits of night sky friendly outdoor lighting and get their cooperation in educating their clients, noting that the clients' desires will always take precedence but we want them to make an educated choice and, hopefully, choose night sky friendly outdoor lighting.
* Follow-up periodically to evaluate the success of the program and solicit suggestions for improvement.
* Attend quarterly Contractor's Breakfast hosted by the Blanco Chamber of Commerce.
Our newest members:
Courtney & Chris Curbow
Stephanie & Benjamin Smith with Board Member, Elizabeth Miller
For more information on all our membership options click here: Membership Options
Consider becoming a Member
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: BCFNS 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.