Dear RTMC Astronomy Expo Board:


I have been attending RTMC for 30 years and very much enjoy the
opportunity to see old friends, make new ones, and share our common
interest in astronomy. I was disheartened to hear about the format
change for future RTMC Astronomy Expo events. I believe that the format
change will be detrimental to the future of the event.


Many of my friends who I see each year at RTMC said they will not be
able to come next year if the event does not fall on Memorial Day
weekend. They have family and work commitments which make it difficult
to to attend on anything other than a 3 day holiday weekend. Some of the
vendors with whom I spoke also will not be able to attend because of
schedule conflicts. Please don't underestimate the value of holding the
RTMC Astronomy Expo on a set holiday weekend. This allows much easier
planning. Myself and others in my group always hold Memorial Day weekend
open to attend.


While holding the RTMC Astronomy Expo to coincide with a new moon may be
of interest to deep sky observers it is a the cost of everyone wishing
to attend on Memorial Day weekend. There has been concern about getting
new people into the hobby of amateur astronomy. Encouraging families to
attend events like RTMC is a good way expose children to the hobby. The
parents of families with whom I spoke said that they will not be able to
attend unless the event is held on a three day weekend. They are
unwilling to take their children out of school near the end of the
school year.


RTMC is a unique astronomy event in that it is held the same weekend
every year. If I want to attend a 5 day star party Big Bear would not be
my first choice due to the infamously turbulent atmosphere. Every new
moon presents deep sky observers with the opportunity to attend
impromptu star parties at such venues as Mt. Pinos, Bristlecone Pine
Forest, and many sites throughout the deserts of California, not to
mention the annual Nightfall star party. If I want to take the time to
attend a 5 day star party I would likely choose a venue such as the
Oregon Star Party rather than attend RTMC in Big Bear.


Please recognize that holding RTMC on Memorial Day weekend allows people
who have a variety of interests including astronomy to get together on a
major holiday weekend in a controlled peaceful environment to share in
their common interest in astronomy and explore other common interests.
This year there were a number of people in my area of the camp who
brought guitars and held an impromptu jam session on Sunday afternoon.
Sure the moon may not always be in a favorable phase for deep sky
observing but those years would be a good opportunity to explore other
common shared interests of the people brought together on the weekend
through their love of amateur astronomy.


The full reasoning behind the format change is difficult to comprehend.
If the true intent is to reduce the scope or possibly end the event
please be up front with it. Based on my conservations with people this
year at the event it is certain that the attendance for next year's
event will be much smaller with fewer vendors.


It is unfortunate that an event which has meant a great deal to many
people for a long time has come to an end as we knew it. I wish you well
with the format change and hope that it meets your expectations. I will
be unlikely that I will be attending any future events.


Sincerely,

Bruce Berger
Tehachapi, CA