Wow. I signed up for this list as a way to get local information on what has been a low budget foray into Atsronomy. I do not have the money for any fancy gear. I have a Wal-mart special Meade telescope and a pair of 10x70 Binoculars that I bought on the recomendation of the folks on this list. I don't claim to have much skill in finding my way around the sky, but I enjoy the hunt. As someone new to the hobby I must admit that the tone of some of the posts lately have not made me eager to embrace the local community. Chuck Hards:
"From your own statement it is clear that the star party itself and social interaction is the primary motivation here, not increasing one's working knowledge of the sky. May as well be in a philatetic society or book club."
I don't know about you, but it isn't much of a star party without social interaction.