One of the joys of my job over here at CMAP is producing a
program called
”
Our Town,
”
where we feature stories on the three cities we serve.
It’s a time-intensive project, but a the results are always
satisfying.
One of the joys of my job over here at CMAP is producing a program called “Our Town,” where we feature stories on the three cities we serve.
It’s a time-intensive project, but a the results are always satisfying.
The episode you’ll see this weekend features stories on the Fremont Peak Observatory Association and the Pinnacles. My husband and I took a tour of the observatory a few months ago, with FPOA Board Member Rick Morales.
If you haven’t been up there, it’s a delightful spot where amateur and pro astronomers alike meet on “non-full moon” evenings to gaze at the constellations.
The video you’ll see includes footage of the unique observatory building with a retractable roof, as well as some choice photos captured by patrons of the observatory.
You’ll also learn the proper etiquette that must be observed when going star gazing at FPOA. No bright lights, and if you’re going to set up your own equipment, wait until the end of the evening to breakdown. It sounds like a sacred space for those who are into astronomy.
The FPOA is made up of volunteers who manage the observatory and serve on its board of directors. The organization is always looking for volunteers to help out, so all of you amateur astronomers out there, give them a call!
Thanks to San Juan Bautista Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Halina Kleinsmith for introducing this segment on Our Town.
The second segment features Pinnacles National Monument.
I received a tour with Brooks White, a volunteer from Friends of the Pinnacles, an organization whose mission is to work directly with the National Park Service to preserve rock climbing and the environment at Pinnacles National Monument. I was a little concerned about hiking in my eighth month of pregnancy (!), but the weather cooperated quite nicely on our two-mile trek.
While we didn’t see any condors on the hike, we did run into a genuine rattlesnake that makes it on the video.
Viewers will also hear a few folktales about the park, and learn about the rock climbing culture of the Pinnacles. Having never been there before, I was thoroughly taken by the sights, sounds and smells of the park.
To end at the reservoir was a surprising treat, to say the least. While I was tempted to jump in for a swim, getting taken away by the park rangers on my first visit wasn’t how I wanted to end my day, or the video segment, for that matter … lol …
Many thanks to Hollister Recreation Commission Chair Robert Baumgartner for introducing the Pinnacles video for “Our Town.”
To catch this episode of Our Town, tune in to Public Access Channel 20 on Saturday at 7:40 p.m. or 9 p.m. Other repeats are listed on our programming schedule at www.mycmap.org.
Suzanne St. John-Crane is the director of CMAP. She writes a regular column for publication in The Dispatch highlighting the news from our local television station. She can be reached at 846-4983. CMAP is on the Web at www.mycmap.org
