Wednesday (March 1st) is rapidly approaching.  Everyone receiving this E-mail message is joining us for dinner at the Horseshoe Cafe in Benson.  I already have received your selections for food.  Thank-you.  (By the way, does anyone need a vegetarian meal ???) 

We hope to begin at 5:30 PM promptly so that we can finish in time to get to the telescopes before the Moon sets.  (Sunset is at  6:19 PM;  Moonset is a  8:35 PM - - - a small beautiful crescent, 5% illuminated - - - only about 2 days "old".)

BRING WARM CLOTHES.

There will be music: Mariachis.  But do not tell Pat Vega because it is to be a surprise for her. 

If any of you have any memorable stories about Eddy or Pat, particularly regarding IDA activities, please let me know so that you can share them with all of us !!!

The cost is $20.00 per person which includes a salad, a main dish, desert, and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as gratuity for the staff. It would help me if each of you could bring exact change.

I will include directions to the Horseshoe cafe, below, near the end.

Currently, there is no extra space at the restaurant for any more people, but, of course, there is lots of space at the Observatory for our meeting and Star Party.  Feel free to invite friends. 

At the Observatory, there will be cookies and hot beverages. 

And, I am including directions to the Observatory, also below, near the end.  But, from the Horseshoe Cafe, there is
a "short-cut", and of course, we will travel together in a large caravan !!!


Unfortunately, there are no extra rooms at the Skywatchers' Inn to spend the night, but if anyone wants to observe late into the night, there are lots of reasonably priced rooms available at the Holiday Inn Express Motel in Benson.  Then, you can return to the Inn for Breakfast ($10.00 per person).

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me (I have included my telephone numbers at the end). 

This should be a most festive event, and I am looking forward to seeing everyone of you there.  Thanks for coming !!!


Yours,
John Polacheck

**********************************************************************

Directions to the Horseshoe Cafe

                 154 E 4th St.
                  Benson, AZ 

1. Take I-10 East from Tucson (towards El Paso) about 60 miles

2. Get off at the first Benson Exit, #303

3. Go down the hill and go straight about 2 miles, continuing East. 
    Follow the main road, that will be 4th St. 
          (The railroad will be on your left.)

4. Go about 2 miles (or perhaps a bit more).
    You will see a Mobile Gas Station on your right.

5. There is a large parking lot between that gas station
    and the Horseshoe Cafe.  Park there.

Note:  The Horseshoe Cafe has a large neon sign,
          of course, with a "horseshoe" !!!
      
If you get lost, telephone for help:  520-586-3303 

****************************************************************
And, here are directions to Skywatcher's Inn: 

· Take 1-10 going East to El Paso

· Exit at #306 (Pomerene Road exit)

· At the stop sign, turn right

· At the next stop sign, turn left (frontage road and/or 4th Street)

· Turn right at first road to your right (Benson Airport Road)

· Go over railroad tracks.  The road makes a sharp turn to the left about ½ mile down the road.

· The road then makes a sharp turn to the right at about ¼ of a mile down the road.

· You will cross a cattle guard and then directly in front of you will be a gravel road (S. Astronomer’s

             Road) and you will see the Inn on the hill.

·  Follow the gravel road for ½ mile until you come to a white gate with our sign on the gate.  On either side of the gate, are two bright yellow metal poles.  There is a door bell button on the poles, press the button to open the gate.

If you get lost, here is the telephone number:  520-586-7906

Note:  From the Horseshoe Cafe, there is a "short-cut", but

          of course, we will travel together in a large caravan !!!