FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SIDEWALK ASTRONOMERS PARTICIPATE IN 100 HOURS OF ASTRONOMY
(Falmouth, MA, March 25, 2009) – Weather permitting, the Falmouth Sidewalk Astronomers will be participating in the 100 Hours of Astronomy event, a cornerstone project of the International Year of Astronomy, to be held Thursday, April 2 through Sunday, April 5.
As part of the event, the Falmouth Sidewalk Astronomers will be holding public viewing sessions from 6pm to 9pm, near the Katherine Lee Bates statue on the Falmouth Public Library lawn. A key goal of the 100 Hours of Astronomy is to get as many people as possible to look through a telescope, which coincides with the club's goal of sharing the night sky with the public. Everyone is welcome to come and get free views of the moon, planets and stars through telescopes, and if they have them, to bring their own telescopes and binoculars.
“We try to meet at the library every month around the time of the first quarter moon,” said Peter Cook, one of the founders of the Falmouth Sidewalk Astronomers, “but the sky has to be reasonably clear, with less than 50 percent cloud cover, and the winds less than 10 mph.” Cook noted that the weather hasn't cooperated over the past few months, but he is hoping it will this time, given the significance of the event.
Declared by the United Nations, and sponsored by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) and the United Nation's Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the International Year of Astronomy marks the 400th anniversary of 1609, in which significant advances were made in astronomy. In that year, Galileo was the first to use a telescope for astronomy, and Johannes Kepler published the "Astronomia nova", in which he proved that the Earth orbits the Sun, a theory originally proposed in 1543 by Nicolaus Copernicus.
For additional information, contact Brent Putnam or go online to www.100hoursofastronomy.org or astronomy2009.us.
About the Falmouth Sidewalk Astronomers:
The Falmouth Sidewalk Astronomers are an informal group of amateur astronomers dedicated to sharing the night sky with the public. Instead of seeking out dark sky locations to practice the hobby, sidewalk astronomers bring their telescopes and knowledge to where the people are.
Showing posts with label Press Releases. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Press Releases. Show all posts
Friday, March 27, 2009
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Sidewalk Astronomers canceled this week
Due to current weather conditions, the Sidewalk Astronomers will not be out this evening.
While the sky is clear, the National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory until 5 am EST Sunday. West winds of 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph are predicted. This, coupled with lows in the lower 20s could mean wind chills in the single digits.
Weather permitting, we'll be out again the weekend of January 30-31 - if not sooner.
Stay tuned.
While the sky is clear, the National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory until 5 am EST Sunday. West winds of 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph are predicted. This, coupled with lows in the lower 20s could mean wind chills in the single digits.
Weather permitting, we'll be out again the weekend of January 30-31 - if not sooner.
Stay tuned.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
More sidewalk astronomy
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SIDEWALK ASTRONOMY AT HOLIDAYS-BY-THE-SEA CELEBRATION
(Falmouth, MA, December 1, 2008) – Weather permitting, the Falmouth Sidewalk Astronomers will hold their second monthly outing this Friday, December 5, from 6pm to 9pm near the Katherine Lee Bates statue on the Falmouth Public Library lawn.
“Our first event, back in November, was a huge success,” noted one organizer, Falmouth Selectman Brent Putnam, “not only did people come for the event, but many just walked up to see what we were doing. We're hoping that with the Annual Holidays-by-the-Sea celebration, this will be even bigger.”
The public is welcome to come and get free views of the night sky through telescopes. Individuals who own telescopes or binoculars can bring their own to share, or get advice on how to use them. This month's viewing targets will include the first quarter moon and the planets Jupiter and Venus.
The Falmouth Sidewalk Astronomers are an informal group of amateur astronomers dedicated to sharing the night sky with the public. Instead of seeking out dark sky locations to practice the hobby, sidewalk astronomers bring their telescopes and knowledge to where the people are.
Contact:
Brent Putnam
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Sidewalk Astronomy
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SIDEWALK ASTRONOMERS SHARE THE NIGHT SKY
(Falmouth, MA, October 27, 2008) – Weather permitting, the Falmouth Sidewalk Astronomers will hold their first outing this Saturday, November 1, from 6pm to 9pm near the Katherine Lee Bates statue on the Falmouth Public Library lawn. The public is welcome to come and get free views of the moon, planets and stars through telescopes.
The Falmouth Sidewalk Astronomers are an informal group of amateur astronomers dedicated to sharing the night sky with the public. Instead of seeking out dark sky locations to practice the hobby, sidewalk astronomers bring their telescopes and knowledge to where the people are.
“This is something I've been wanting to do for many years,” stated one organizer, Falmouth Selectman Brent Putnam, “and things were finally set in motion by a series of recent events.”
Those events included an inquiry by fellow organizer Peter Cook, Chief Creative Officer & Videographer of Explorations Unlimited and a veteran of many star parties when he lived in the Philadelphia suburbs. After learning that Mr. Putnam was also an amateur astronomer, Mr. Cook asked about good dark sky locations in Falmouth, which led to a discussion about sidewalk astronomy.
The other catalyst was concern about local light pollution. Putnam noted that during his campaigns for selectman, “several individuals expressed concerns about light pollution and light trespass.” By going where the people are, sidewalk astronomers draw attention to poorly designed lighting and light fixtures which can interfere with our ability to see the night sky.
Mr. Putnam approached the Trustees of the Falmouth Public Library and they gave permission to use the library lawn for the event. He hopes other amateur astronomers will bring their telescopes and binoculars and come and share the sky.
Contact:
Brent Putnam
SIDEWALK ASTRONOMERS SHARE THE NIGHT SKY
(Falmouth, MA, October 27, 2008) – Weather permitting, the Falmouth Sidewalk Astronomers will hold their first outing this Saturday, November 1, from 6pm to 9pm near the Katherine Lee Bates statue on the Falmouth Public Library lawn. The public is welcome to come and get free views of the moon, planets and stars through telescopes.
The Falmouth Sidewalk Astronomers are an informal group of amateur astronomers dedicated to sharing the night sky with the public. Instead of seeking out dark sky locations to practice the hobby, sidewalk astronomers bring their telescopes and knowledge to where the people are.
“This is something I've been wanting to do for many years,” stated one organizer, Falmouth Selectman Brent Putnam, “and things were finally set in motion by a series of recent events.”
Those events included an inquiry by fellow organizer Peter Cook, Chief Creative Officer & Videographer of Explorations Unlimited and a veteran of many star parties when he lived in the Philadelphia suburbs. After learning that Mr. Putnam was also an amateur astronomer, Mr. Cook asked about good dark sky locations in Falmouth, which led to a discussion about sidewalk astronomy.
The other catalyst was concern about local light pollution. Putnam noted that during his campaigns for selectman, “several individuals expressed concerns about light pollution and light trespass.” By going where the people are, sidewalk astronomers draw attention to poorly designed lighting and light fixtures which can interfere with our ability to see the night sky.
Mr. Putnam approached the Trustees of the Falmouth Public Library and they gave permission to use the library lawn for the event. He hopes other amateur astronomers will bring their telescopes and binoculars and come and share the sky.
Contact:
Brent Putnam
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Coffee with YOUR Candidate
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
“COFFEE WITH YOUR CANDIDATE” WITH CANDIDATE FOR FALMOUTH SELECTMAN BRENT PUTNAM
(Falmouth, MA, May 4, 2008) – Candidate for Falmouth Selectman Brent Putnam will be holding a “Coffee with YOUR Candidate” meet and greet Friday, May 9 from 7am to 9am at Betsy's Diner, 457 Main Street, downtown Falmouth.
“We've done evening gatherings and weekend gatherings just like everyone else,” stated Carol Murphy, Mr. Putnam's campaign manager, “but to our knowledge, no one has done anything in the morning. This could be a first in a local campaign, but it's not unusual for Brent to lead the way.”
Ms. Murphy referred to things like Putnam's blog, www.FalmouthLocal.com, where he posts his town meeting votes – something no other town meeting representative does. She also mentioned his door-to-door campaigning, which has received a warm reception from the voters.
“There are people who have lived in Falmouth for decades – if not their entire lives – and Brent is the first person to knock on their door and ask for their opinion,” noted Murphy. “No one has brought local government to the people like Brent has.”
When asked about how he feels his campaign is going, Putnam was upbeat, “The support for my campaign is amazing; there's been a very positive response to my message of open, accountable government.”
Contact:
Brent Putnam, Chair
Carol Murphy, Manager
Vote Putnam Committee
P.O. Box 2031
North Falmouth, MA 02556
(508) 444-0222
Brent@FalmouthLocal.com
www.FalmouthLocal.com
###
“COFFEE WITH YOUR CANDIDATE” WITH CANDIDATE FOR FALMOUTH SELECTMAN BRENT PUTNAM
(Falmouth, MA, May 4, 2008) – Candidate for Falmouth Selectman Brent Putnam will be holding a “Coffee with YOUR Candidate” meet and greet Friday, May 9 from 7am to 9am at Betsy's Diner, 457 Main Street, downtown Falmouth.
“We've done evening gatherings and weekend gatherings just like everyone else,” stated Carol Murphy, Mr. Putnam's campaign manager, “but to our knowledge, no one has done anything in the morning. This could be a first in a local campaign, but it's not unusual for Brent to lead the way.”
Ms. Murphy referred to things like Putnam's blog, www.FalmouthLocal.com, where he posts his town meeting votes – something no other town meeting representative does. She also mentioned his door-to-door campaigning, which has received a warm reception from the voters.
“There are people who have lived in Falmouth for decades – if not their entire lives – and Brent is the first person to knock on their door and ask for their opinion,” noted Murphy. “No one has brought local government to the people like Brent has.”
When asked about how he feels his campaign is going, Putnam was upbeat, “The support for my campaign is amazing; there's been a very positive response to my message of open, accountable government.”
Contact:
Brent Putnam, Chair
Carol Murphy, Manager
Vote Putnam Committee
P.O. Box 2031
North Falmouth, MA 02556
(508) 444-0222
Brent@FalmouthLocal.com
www.FalmouthLocal.com
###
Monday, March 24, 2008
Putnam seeks correction of his voting record
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PUTNAM SEEKS CORRECTION OF HIS VOTING RECORD
(Falmouth, MA, March 22, 2008) – Candidate for Falmouth Selectman Brent Putnam has called on the Cape Cod Times to report all of the facts relating to his personal voting record, labeling their March 16 article, “Political candidates have spotty voting records,” “misleading.”
In a sidebar associated with the article, the Times wrote, “Brent Putnam voted 21 times since 1996, missing a host of elections including the state and presidential primaries in 2004.” The Times failed to report that all but one of the “host of elections” Putnam missed were primaries.
The one local election that Putnam missed was ten years ago and due to a last minute business trip to Chicago. He noted that because of a daily commute to Boston and the haste to make travel arrangements, he overlooked the idea of getting an absentee ballot.
“I consider voting to be a responsibility,” Putnam stated, “but I'm not Superman. Occasionally, the responsibilities we have as individuals trump the responsibilities we have as citizens.” He added that he has changed jobs since then, to one with less commuting and travel.
As for the primaries he missed, Putnam was unapologetic, “Primaries are party elections.” An unenrolled voter, he observed that local elections – such as that for selectman – are completely non-partisan, “If I'd missed a host of local elections, I'd probably agree with the point the Times was trying to make.”
Rather than investigate whether candidates vote in general elections, Putnam stressed that more attention needs to be paid to how they voted while in office. Putnam noted, “there are 246 representatives in Falmouth Town Meeting, yet I am the only one to publicly and voluntarily post my votes.” Putnam started a blog in late 2006 and began posting his town meeting votes the following spring.
During a controversial vote last all, Precinct 1 representative Peter Clark exclaimed that his constituents could toss him out of office if they disagreed with his vote. Putnam said that everyone knows how Mr. Clark voted on that particular article, but there is no record of how the other representatives of town meeting voted. For that matter, there is no record of how the selectmen – past and present – voted on any of the articles over the years.
“How do you keep elected representatives accountable if you don't know how they voted?” Putnam asked, “That's where the light needs to shine.”
Contact:
Brent Putnam, Chair
Vote Putnam Committee
P.O. Box 2031
North Falmouth, MA 02556
(508) 444-0222
Brent@FalmouthLocal.com
www.FalmouthLocal.com
###
PUTNAM SEEKS CORRECTION OF HIS VOTING RECORD
(Falmouth, MA, March 22, 2008) – Candidate for Falmouth Selectman Brent Putnam has called on the Cape Cod Times to report all of the facts relating to his personal voting record, labeling their March 16 article, “Political candidates have spotty voting records,” “misleading.”
In a sidebar associated with the article, the Times wrote, “Brent Putnam voted 21 times since 1996, missing a host of elections including the state and presidential primaries in 2004.” The Times failed to report that all but one of the “host of elections” Putnam missed were primaries.
The one local election that Putnam missed was ten years ago and due to a last minute business trip to Chicago. He noted that because of a daily commute to Boston and the haste to make travel arrangements, he overlooked the idea of getting an absentee ballot.
“I consider voting to be a responsibility,” Putnam stated, “but I'm not Superman. Occasionally, the responsibilities we have as individuals trump the responsibilities we have as citizens.” He added that he has changed jobs since then, to one with less commuting and travel.
As for the primaries he missed, Putnam was unapologetic, “Primaries are party elections.” An unenrolled voter, he observed that local elections – such as that for selectman – are completely non-partisan, “If I'd missed a host of local elections, I'd probably agree with the point the Times was trying to make.”
Rather than investigate whether candidates vote in general elections, Putnam stressed that more attention needs to be paid to how they voted while in office. Putnam noted, “there are 246 representatives in Falmouth Town Meeting, yet I am the only one to publicly and voluntarily post my votes.” Putnam started a blog in late 2006 and began posting his town meeting votes the following spring.
During a controversial vote last all, Precinct 1 representative Peter Clark exclaimed that his constituents could toss him out of office if they disagreed with his vote. Putnam said that everyone knows how Mr. Clark voted on that particular article, but there is no record of how the other representatives of town meeting voted. For that matter, there is no record of how the selectmen – past and present – voted on any of the articles over the years.
“How do you keep elected representatives accountable if you don't know how they voted?” Putnam asked, “That's where the light needs to shine.”
Contact:
Brent Putnam, Chair
Vote Putnam Committee
P.O. Box 2031
North Falmouth, MA 02556
(508) 444-0222
Brent@FalmouthLocal.com
www.FalmouthLocal.com
###
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)