As you may have noticed from email news, the project has been renamed to Combined Sciences Center the better reflect our purpose and goals. We are rapidly becoming an effective and aggressive advocate for the sciences and gaining some notice among similar local and national groups. 
For instance, we are in the final stages of concluding an agreement with UCLA Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics to obtain a magnetometer unit. This would add substantially to the Earth Sciences program at the center and we are excited about the possibility.
In other news:
• Mike Maselli has identified a potential donor for a weather station. That is excellent news for us as we need an automated weather report system for the bacon network. Bruce Jones is finalizing plans for the beacon system.
• The ARRL has a grant program to support and encourage wireless technology (i.e., radios) training in schools. They are open to holding their 2009 conference at the Center and so we are working with the Canon City and Pueblo Ham Radio Club to see if we can jointly sponsor the conference.
• The Pueblo Ham Radio Club is willing to provide a 60’ self-supporting tower for our beacon and weather systems. We need a moving company to relocate it to the Center, but we are hoping to have the tower on-site sometime in May or June of this year.
• Dr Brown is working with Dr Brian Sanders and CSU-Pueblo
officials to finalize arrangements for use of the 3 meter (steerable) antenna to track satellites launched by the Colorado Space Grant Consortium. CubeSats are space research picosatellite with dimensions of 10×10×10 centimeters (i.e., a volume of exactly one litre). We initially suggested the 10 meter dish but it is not steerable and therefore cannot slew to the satellite orbital specifications. The 3 meter antenna will need to be moved to the Center as will the 60’ tower.
• A project update briefing was given to the CSU-Pueblo Astronomy Club Monday evening. This briefing was also provided to potential grantors and supporting agencies.
• The web site now has a Donation button.
As summer approaches, the Center will continue to outreach to foundations, organizations, groups, and businesses to build and sustain the Center. We have obtained significant support from several large institutions and universities and we will continue our efforts to finalize equipment and facility deliveries. This is an exciting time for our Center, Pueblo science education, and for the people involved as we move forward with this project. The Center includes experts and professionals from related sciences; math, earth sciences, computer science, space and radio experts, and experts from other basic sciences are welcome and invited. 
Don’t forget the Star Party on 24th March, 2008. If the weather is poor, the date will slip to the 25th. The Observatory will open at 6:00pm. Remember to bring your youngster as we will view the heavens through the high quality big ‘scope. Experts (Walter Russell on Monday Frank Lopez on Tuesday) will be on-hand to answer questions and provide assistance.
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