National Philharmonic Orchestra Concert Oct. 20, 2007
http://www.comara.org/social/strathmore.htm
There are a grand total of 45 COMARA members and spouses etc. who are joining us for this concert, at Strathmore, collocated at the Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro station off Tuckerman Lane in Bethesda, on Saturday, October 20 at 8 p.m. I am absolutely delighted at the interest, and so are Joel Alper and the orchestra President. Thank you!
You can get information on location, driving directions, parking (park at
the Metro station; free! use the covered walkway to Strathmore), food
service before the concert (excellent!), etc., here:
http://www.strathmore.org/planyourvisit - then click on "Plan Your Visit."
We will have the exclusive use of the "Comcast Circles Lounge" for our group both before the concert, starting at 7:30 p.m., and during intermission - light finger foods provided gratis, cash bar.
Tickets - Meet Jack Hannon at the Strathmore Box Office between 7:15 and 7:30 p.m. that evening. You will need to show your ticket to gain access to the lounge, which is just off the concert hall. If you arrive after 7:30, pick up your tickets at the Box Office
__________________________________________________________________________Pictures from 2007 COMARA Social
http://www.comara.org/social/DinnerPix07.htm
Some pictures from the 2007 Social. If you think any picture is especially bad and would like it removed from the collection, send an email to the webmaster.
__________________________________________________________________________Marion Timmons in Hospice Care at Sunrise of Arlington
From Chuck Timmons
Marion didn't respond well to a really strong dose of chemotherapy meant to combat her Liver Cancer. She spent approximately 3 weeks at the Virginia Hospital Center (formerly Arlington Hospital) flat on her back trying to recover. She has since been moved to Hospice Care at the Sunrise house on Glebe Road in Arlington VA.
Her phone number there is 703-284-8970. I'm sure she'd loved to hear from her longtime friends from Comsat.
Chuck Timmons
__________________________________________________________________________Death of Anne Elwood
From William Elwood
I regret to advise our many friends from my years at Comsat that we lost my wife Anne last Thursday. She went while sleeping from complications that had their beginning in surgery at the end of March.
We now have details for the final arrangements. Interment will be on Friday, November 2, at Arlington National Cemetery. I am sorry that the date is so long from now, but that is the first that Arlington can do the interment (apparently because of Iraq and Afghanistan there is a major back up in interments - - what a sad commentary). There will be a memorial service that day before interment at noon at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Alexandria (228 South Pitt Street), followed by the interment ceremony at Arlington at 2 p.m. and a reception afterwards at Belle Haven Country Club.
We have advised those who have inquired about possible memorial donations to send their contributions to MetroStage (which is a 501(c)(3) organization at 1201 North royal Street, Alexandria, VA 22314, ATTN: Carolyn Griffith and marked as being in memory of Anne Elwood.
William E. Elwood
__________________________________________________________________________Reach to Space Conference
From Joe Pelton
This space commericalization conference that celebrates 50 years of space activities will be held at the Jack Morton Auditorium at GW University (805 21st ST NW) on November 12-13, 2007 with many outstanding speakers from NASA, FAA, CEOs and highlevel executives from Intelsat, SES Americom, Terrestar, Mobile Satellite Ventures, Orbital Sciences, Boeing, the X-Prize, etc.
Details are available at the website: http://www.reachtospace.org/
Comara members should be able to register for this two
day conference at the special discount rate of $175.00. Anyone with questions can
call Joe Pelton at 703 536-6985
Permanent Hall of Fame for Satellite Communications
From Joe Pelton
The Permanent Hall of Fame for Satellite Communications Project is being undertaken under the umbrella of the Society of Satellite Professional International. We would like volunteers to make this permanet display on the history of satellite communications a reality. At this point Steven Teller, Ellen Hoff, Ed Martin, Peggy Slye are helping out with this undertaking. If you think you could help us in our approach to the satellite industry or museums and universities we would very much like to hear from you. So far we have initial indications of support from Intelsat, SES Americom, and Orbital Sciences and have other feelers out.
Please call Joe Pelton 703 536-6985 or contact jpelton@gwu.edu or any other member of the committee. Many thanks. Joe Pelton
__________________________________________________________________________FIRST WEDNESDAY IN DECEMBER (Dec 5)
From Ron Johnson
Well folks, it's about that time of the year again. I'm talking about
the annual 1st Wednesday in December COMSAT "oldtimers" get-to-gether
at Roy's Place(2 E. Diamond Ave [301-948-5548]) in Gaithersburg, MD
(6:30ish). [visit the COMARA.org web site for more information]
It is a completely unofficial and informal event. Last year we had a
great turn out, reminiscing and seeing old friends. Traditionally it's
been an event attended by members and spouses of the Microwave Lab at
COMSAT Labs but that has expanded over the years, so that all are
welcome. An RSVP is requested (but not required).
http://www.comara.org/social/firstWednesday.htm
Thanks to the Social Committee
From Jack Hannon
I think we all had a very good time at the COMARA Social last Sunday, and that is entirely due to you guys and the job that you did.
Walt and Irv, thanks for getting the arrangements pinned down, and getting us the use of the full room downstairs for our affair. The food was great and the bar setup worked very well. The name tags were a big success.
Dick and Tom, thank you for keeping close tabs on the attendance - from 11 to 74 in nine days is really quite something, and how we needed those updates. And for holding down the "Welcome" table at the event.
Ron, thanks for putting the story of the Social up, and then reminding our members often enough that "they will (and did) come."
Everybody did their part, and the result was terrific, in my view. Thanks again to you all!
Jack
__________________________________________________________________________COMARA - Comsat Alumni and Retirees Association
http://www.comara.org/
PO Box 34594
Bethesda, MD 20827