Chris,

Travvy posted a list of general jobs for this spring/summer on the club's
discussion board:

http://www.okcastroclub.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1662

Jeff


--- In CheddarRanchObservatory@yahoogroups.com, "christaylorstargazer"
<christaylorstargazer@...> wrote:
>
> Hey guys,i was just wondering aloud are we doing any work including general
matinence out there at the site.I just wanted to know....
>

Hey guys,i was just wondering aloud are we doing any work including general
matinence out there at the site.I just wanted to know....

Chris,

I would hardly call us 'beyond broke'. We have enough money to operate this year
and to do some more improvements, and to keep some money in the bank for a rainy
day. That is not what I would call 'beyond broke'.

We do not have enough money to buy a big bright shiny new scope right now, and
it will take some time to get there. We will get there. But for right now we
have some more building investments to make.

Jeff



--- In CheddarRanchObservatory@yahoogroups.com, "christaylorstargazer"
<christaylorstargazer@...> wrote:
>
> I was wondering if anyone have put on paper any perfered types of telescopes
to eventually buy for any additional additions to the main building?Does anyone
have a logical preference?And i fully understand that we are beyond broke this
year,i just decided to voice this so others can have a sayon the subject.
>

I was wondering if anyone have put on paper any perfered types of telescopes to
eventually buy for any additional additions to the main building?Does anyone
have a logical preference?And i fully understand that we are beyond broke this
year,i just decided to voice this so others can have a sayon the subject.

CHRIS, IT'S ON THE FORUM, YOU'VE POSTED TO IT YOURSELF. IT'S PRETTY EXACT AS IS.

--- In CheddarRanchObservatory@yahoogroups.com, "christaylorstargazer"
<christaylorstargazer@...> wrote:
>
> I am wondering,do we have an overall manifest of what we put in to the
building on a hourly,daily,weekly,monthly,and yearly basis.I feel than instaed
of guessing what we need everytime that we either work or have a starparty out
there,that we have a general idea of what we have to restock.Then we all take
turns on buying what is needed.This would be similar to travis's list on the
site except far more exacting in nature.Does anyone have anything to add to my
proposal?
>

I am wondering,do we have an overall manifest of what we put in to the building
on a hourly,daily,weekly,monthly,and yearly basis.I feel than instaed of
guessing what we need everytime that we either work or have a starparty out
there,that we have a general idea of what we have to restock.Then we all take
turns on buying what is needed.This would be similar to travis's list on the
site except far more exacting in nature.Does anyone have anything to add to my
proposal?

Rocky,

Are you a member of the OKCAC?




--- In CheddarRanchObservatory@yahoogroups.com, "Rocky Dezelle"
<rocky_dezelle@...> wrote:
>
> This January weather is pretty spectacular, and I have the clothes I
> need.
>
> My little 8 inch has been fun, but...
>
> When is the next open night?
>

This January weather is pretty spectacular, and I have the clothes I
need.

My little 8 inch has been fun, but...

When is the next open night?

Sounds cool...I think I am off that weekend but with Okie-Tex vacation my
schedule may change.  All I can say as a first timer is WOW.  Too bad the
weather got bad when I left and it looks like CRO might have been the better
place to be this weekend.  I will let you know of my plans.
 
R. Christian



----- Original Message ----
From: Jeff Tibb <JeffTibb@...>
To: CheddarRanchObservatory@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, October 4, 2008 3:34:10 PM
Subject: [CheddarRanchObservatory] October 11th, 2008 - Our Next Public Night


Weather permitting, members of the Oklahoma City Astronomy Club will be
at the CRO to welcome guests form the genral public to tour our
facility and look through our telescopes.

The Moon, Jupiter, and a host of deep sky objects will be our main
attractions as well as a constellation tour.

This event coincides with the Watonga Cheese Festival and we should be
manning a booth in town on Saturday which will encourage people to come
out and join us.

Jeff






[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Weather permitting, members of the Oklahoma City Astronomy Club will be
at the CRO to welcome guests form the genral public to tour our
facility and look through our telescopes.

The Moon, Jupiter, and a host of deep sky objects will be our main
attractions as well as a constellation tour.

This event coincides with the Watonga Cheese Festival and we should be
manning a booth in town on Saturday which will encourage people to come
out and join us.

Jeff

Well, we did it!

The CRO is now officially open.

I counted about 120 people at the event.

The weather even cooperated, and everyone had a great time.

Thanks to everyone who made this all happen.

Jeff

Planning on being there.  Still have to work so I may be late but I will be with
open eyes...and maybe a few flyers for our next "in-town" celebration.  All of
the workers should be proud for what they have done.  I am sorry that I was not
able to put in more time but the future should hold some opportunities that I
can participate in.  Keep watching the sky...
 
R. Christian



----- Original Message ----
From: Jeff Tibb <JeffTibb@...>
To: CheddarRanchObservatory@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, July 20, 2008 10:38:13 AM
Subject: [CheddarRanchObservatory] Grand Opening July 26th!


We are ready to go on the 26th.

The roll off roof observatory is now operational and the 12"
Cassagrain scope from OU is now in stalled.

We have some old church pews installed in the observatory and in the
main meeting room.

The water has been tested and is good for drinking.

We also have an Ozarka water dispenser on site.

We have an operational stove and microwave on site as well as a
fridge. The water to the fridge is not hooked up but Boyd is trying
to get that done for this week.

I talked to Justin McCrary last night while we were looking through
the scope and he said that we should expect a big crowd this coming
Saturday night.

I hope that those of you reading this will be able to come and join
us.

Thanks,
Jeff






[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

We are ready to go on the 26th.

The roll off roof observatory is now operational and the 12"
Cassagrain scope from OU is now in stalled.

We have some old church pews installed in the observatory and in the
main meeting room.

The water has been tested and is good for drinking.

We also have an Ozarka water dispenser on site.

We have an operational stove and microwave on site as well as a
fridge. The water to the fridge is not hooked up but Boyd is trying
to get that done for  this week.

I talked to Justin McCrary last night while we were looking through
the scope and he said that we should expect a big crowd this coming
Saturday night.

I hope that those of you reading this will be able to come and join
us.

Thanks,
Jeff

At 3:26pm of May 31st, we had a successful test of our first toilet.

Boyd tells me that both men's and women's rooms are now operational,
with only the unrinal awaiting being installed.

We are also waiting on the kitchen sink to go in.

The sheet rocking is now done as far as initial instillation (save
two
pieces inside the storage room awaiting installation of lighting for
the kitchen counter). We still have mudding to do on about 1/2 of the
sheet rock and the painting as well.

Some cleanup will need to be done, and the carpet and kitchen area
will need to be installed. We are also nearing the point where the
roll off roof observatory structure will go up.

The guys are tough and have been banging away on this project almost
every Saturday since the start of the year and everyone should be
congratulated on the amount and quality of the work done for weekend
warriors and because of their dedication.

Jeff

Continual steady progress --

This Saturday morning we installed the septic system. Tank and lateral
lines were installed.

The indoor wiring is just about complete, and the sheet rock work
continues to move steadily forward.

For a group of weekend warriors, this place is going up amazingly
smoothly and amazingly fast.

Work continues almost every weekend now on the interior as we work
towards being ready for our May 31st opening date.

A small crew of five come out this Saturday to draw electrical wiring,
finish the bathroom plumbing, and hang some of the sheet rock.

A new photo album has been added of shots I took that is made up
mostly of panoramic views of the property from just outside the
southern doorway. There are however a few shots from the interior
showing the progress being made.

Jeff

Moving and grooving...

The outer shell has been finshed for a couple of weeks now and we are
moving on the inside.

Today the inside walls were all framed, and next week the internal
wiring and the plumbing will be done.

All four walls are now erect and insulated.

Two of the three doors have been installed and there is a crew putting
on the roof today.

Hopefully that can be done in just one day.

I'll be there with BBQ bells on!

Christian


----- Original Message ----
From: Jeff Tibb <JeffTibb@...>
To: CheddarRanchObservatory@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, February 10, 2008 3:39:44 PM
Subject: [CheddarRanchObservatory] Feb 10, 2008 - Construction Update

The building now has the steel frame erected and awaits the addition of
the wall and roof panels as well as the insulation.

This should all go up next Saturday the 16th.

Thanks go to the crew who went out yesterday to get this done, and to
Bill Murrell who flew his plane over the site again in order to have
these construction photos made.

We are on course right now for our Grand Opening on May 31 thanks to
the efforts of many.

Jeff





      
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

The building now has the steel frame erected and awaits the addition of
the wall and roof panels as well as the insulation.

This should all go up next Saturday the 16th.

Thanks go to the crew who went out yesterday to get this done, and to
Bill Murrell who flew his plane over the site again in order to have
these construction photos made.

We are on course right now for our Grand Opening on May 31 thanks to
the efforts of many.

Jeff

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: "rchristianb@..." <rchristianb@...>
To: RChristianb@...
Sent: Sunday, January 27, 2008 10:19:59 PM
Subject: CRO Workday Jan. 19, 2008



If you can't see the pictures in this email, click here to see it in a web
browser:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=6yvz8iz.at3olo8n&x=0&y=-nhwfxx


Christian has shared photos with you.


CRO Workday
(1 album)

You're invited to view my online photos at the Gallery. Enjoy!


- Christian

View photos


Do more with these photos!

Buy Kodak prints Create a collage Create a mini photo book Create mugs







Questions? Visit http://www.kodakgallery.com/Help.jsp.
©Kodak, 2008. All rights reserved.


      
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know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile.  Try it now. 
http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Yesterday a crew of 15 volunteers came out and took care of the main
cement pour.

The main building, the southern roll off roof observatory, and 3 - 9'
x 9' observing pads which are lined along the southern edge of the
hilltop are now filled and drying.

We also formed out 3 additional individual observing pads which will
make a line of 6 along that hilltop each will be 12' from its
neighbor.

All went very well, and a few guys led by Larry will be going out on
Monday to finish off the drying concrete in the main building and
supervise the delivery of cement for the additional 3 pads as well as
an entrance porch in the NE corner of the building.

Thanks go to everyone that showed up.

We are on our way.

Next step is to wait about 3 weeks for the concrete to cure
completely then up goes the frame.

Over the past two weekends, our dedicated group of weekend warriors
have done a great job in creating the foundation of the building.

The footings have been poured and the slab has been formed both for the
main building and the southern roll off observatory.

The plumbing and electrical have been stubbed out and we should be
ready next weekend for the main cement delivery.

I would like to thank everyone who made it out there over the last two
weeks and the next few to finish off this phase of construction.

Jeff

Okay folks, it's finally starting to happen.

This past week we were informed by the windmill company that we have
nothing to be concerned about as far them constructing anything close
enough to us to be a problem.

That news spurred us on to meet as a small group at the CRO this
morning. We looked over the gravel that Mike Dennis had had
delivered. This is in place so that the concrete trucks will have
some footing on the sandy soil near the new top of the hill gate area.

Mike also made contact with the county road grater. He told Mike that
now that he knew about our project he would make more frequent runs
down the dirt roads leading in and out of the complex. He also
mentioned that he will try to get a load of shale delivered to the
road in front of the gate to improve the footing there.

Today we did a once over of the area to agree on the final spot for
the building as well as a pair of connex containers which we should
be having delivered within a few days.

These will go parallel to the road, near the fence, just east of the
new top of the hill gate. We will be storing the building kit in them
until we are ready for construction, and after that some other
materials which will be going into the building after completion.

The plan right now is for a couple of more small crew weekends to
prep the building site, followed by a big crew weekend on the second
weekend of January. This weekend will have us digging out and
leveling the area for the building as well as building the wooden
form for the concrete slab. We will also be trenching out the
plumbing and electrical connections at that time.

The following weekend we plan to have the cement trucks arrive and
another large crew will be working to spread and smooth out the
cement that is brought out.

Both of these tasks will require a fairly large work force of a dozen
or more. So this is a call to action for those of you who are willing
and able to schedule this time to help out.

Yes, it has been a seemingly long delay because of our concerns over
the wind turbine project interfering with our viewing, but that is
now behind us and it is time for us to build our building.

Jeff

First of all Happy Moon Landing Anniversary to everyone!

Quite a bit has been happening in terms of CRO Development that has
not been posted here yet. Most of the discussion about it has been on
the club website http://www.okcastroclub.com

So if you want the details, go there and check it out.

The CRO Use Policy Document and the supporting by-laws changes that
were necessary for their adoption all passed unanimously at the June
meeting.

We also had a motion to authorize us to use up to $17,000
of combined club funds to build our first building.

We have proposed a 30' x 40' steel building with two 15' x 15' roll
off roof observatories attached to them. One to the south and one to
the west of the building.

The OU 12" Cassagrain is now refurbished as is it's mount and once
the building is ready it can be installed in one of the roll off roof
buildings.

Either this week or next we should actually 'break ground' and have a
dozer out there to scrape the top of the hill flat. We decided to
move the extra dirt to the east as that is the most gently sloping
away area from the top. The way we can both flatten the top of the
hill and expand it a bit to the east for future building requirements.

The plans for the building have also been modified quite a bit and I
believe that Travis has those posted on the club site as well.

I just thought that I would update everyone on this site as to what
has been happening as there is progress it just hadn't been posted
here yet.

Jeff

Sorry about that Don.

I didn't see your pending note until Monday.

My answer to your inquiry about attending would have
been "Certainly. Visiting astronomers would like to drop in on one
of our club parties are certainly welcome."

Jeff



--- In CheddarRanchObservatory@yahoogroups.com, "Don" <peepsnet@...>
wrote:
>
> Hello group,
>
> I am the VP of another astronomy club in S. Florida and am up here
> attending FAA training. I was looking for a group to join for the
2
> months I am here.
>
> I saw there is a CRO trip tonight. I also noted the wording on the
> OKCA website for star parties stating
> "Weather permitting, the club holds monthly dark sky star parties
at
> sights a short drive from Oklahoma City and urban star parties and
> novice sessions within the city.  The public is welcome at all of
> our star parties."
>
> but the policies of the CRO on the CRO website state:
> "General Access and Use Policies
> a. Access to and use of the CRO is limited to:
> i. OKCAC members in good standing and their invited guests.
> ii. Visiting groups invited by the club as a whole under CRO Member
> supervision.
> iii. CRO Research Fellows.
> b. Under no circumstances shall guests be allowed access to the
> premises without
> accompaniment of the inviting member."
>
> SO I was wondering if the star party this evening at CRO was still
a
> go could I join your group and if so when should I show up.
>
> Thanks,
> Don E.
> VP/Observatory Director
> www.SFAAA.com
>

Hello group,

I am the VP of another astronomy club in S. Florida and am up here
attending FAA training. I was looking for a group to join for the 2
months I am here.

I saw there is a CRO trip tonight. I also noted the wording on the
OKCA website for star parties stating
"Weather permitting, the club holds monthly dark sky star parties at
sights a short drive from Oklahoma City and urban star parties and
novice sessions within the city.  The public is welcome at all of
our star parties."

but the policies of the CRO on the CRO website state:
"General Access and Use Policies
a. Access to and use of the CRO is limited to:
i. OKCAC members in good standing and their invited guests.
ii. Visiting groups invited by the club as a whole under CRO Member
supervision.
iii. CRO Research Fellows.
b. Under no circumstances shall guests be allowed access to the
premises without
accompaniment of the inviting member."

SO I was wondering if the star party this evening at CRO was still a
go could I join your group and if so when should I show up.

Thanks,
Don E.
VP/Observatory Director
www.SFAAA.com

This Friday night I will be introducing a proposed set of use policies
for the CRO.

They will not go into effect until everyone has had a chance to look
them over and vote on them as a club a month from now.

Please follow the link below and read my itroductory comments which
also constitute my newsletter article for this month, and follow the
link at the very bottom to read the actual document.

http://www.okcastroclub.com/CRO/policies.php

Hopefully some of you will have a chance to study this document before
Friday night and we can spend some time answering questions and
discussing what this is all about.

Thanks,
Jeff

I see that we have a number of new members to this discussion group now.

I would like to say hello to everyone, and post a short update on what
is going on at the ranch right now.

We have been sucessful in raising enough money this past summer and
fall to begin construction on our warm up building. We are out pricing
steel buildings and concrete right now and gathering up the skills that
will be necessary to get this first phase completed within a few weeks.

I am very excited about this process moving forward right now.

We also have been issued a generous challenge matching grant from the
Kerr Foundation. We have a year to raise some money (or pledges to
raise it over the next 3 years) and that money will be matched. I feel
that this is do-able and would encourage those of you who are
interested in making a pledge to this project.

Brad will be sending out letters to the OKCAC membership shortly
outlining the program.

We will also be meeting shortly to outline the use policies at CRO for
those of you who would like to have your own concrete pad or even build
your own observatory there.

After a certain amount of quiet time in this group, we are about to
start moving again.

Jeff

Dan, do you have an updated layout of phase 1, and the sighting that
was done for the pads/personal observatories? I think it would be
great if we could update our files section.

I will try to get some more pictures posted as well.