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[magic612]

The documentary "The City Dark" by Ian Cheney will be at the Gene Siskel Film Center in early February. I can't make it for the 8th or 9th showings, but there is a Saturday, Feb 4th showing at 8:00.

www.siskelfilmcenter.org/citydark

Shall we go as a group? Light pollution is the biggest problem for all of us - especially when we set up at Adler. The more we learn about this and how we can combat it, the better prepared we will be to discuss it with others.

Who's in? Should we meet beforehand for some food? Looks like the film center is at 164 North State Street right in the Loop, so we'd have plenty of options.

Thoughts?

[magic612]

So far I have Patrick as a "let me know where and when," Audrey Fischer will be coming, looks like Dragan Nikin from Dark Skies Apparel should be joining us. And when Robb checks with his wi.... errr - calendar, hopefully he can be there too.

Anyone else? We are in one of the worst areas for light pollution in the U.S. Let's support this effort highlighting a problem we all face every time we do outreach at Adler.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

I'm in.

[magic612]

Jan 18, 2012 21:03:50 GMT -6 Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe said:

I'm in.

[RobbW]

Okay, all. My wif..... er, calendar says I'm free that evening. I'm in. Food beforehand would be fine with me. Any suggestions? Also, how do we get tickets for the screening? Since this will be one of only a few showings in all of Chicago, I have no idea how popular it will be. I don't want to risk it selling out before we get there. The Gene Siskel Film Center website states that it sells tickets on Ticketmaster. However, on Ticketmaster.com, the list of events at the GS Film Center jumps from Feb. 2 straight to Feb. 22. There is no listing for The City Dark on Feb. 4.

[Paulie pchris00]

I want to say I'm in, but February 4 is raising a red flag in my brain. I might have committed myself elsewhere that night, but I have no idea where or what.

Figured it out. One my my friends in my atheist meet-up group invited me to a private party at B-Dubs for the UFC fights. I had thought about going even though I don't care about the fighting, but I'd rather check out this film.

I'm in.

[magic612]

Here's the info about their box office hours:

www.siskelfilmcenter.org/content/visitorinfo#boxoffice

Looks like on Saturdays they open at 2. A couple options; we can plan on arriving early - 4:30 or 5:00 - and try and grab some tickets then go get dinner. Or if someone wants to volunteer to be there at 2:00 and buy a bunch of tickets with everyone else paying that person back later, that's a possibility.

There's some time - let's see all who may be coming and decide when it gets closer.

[erikruud]

I would really like to go, but I can't make it on the 4th.

[RobbW]

I think my wife is coming along on the 4th. Have we settled on a dining venue prior to the film? if anyone is interested in joining us, my wife and I are heading to Jake Melnick's after the film so that I can take their XXX hot wing challenge. I've been wanting to do a hot wing challenge lately and figured this would be a good chance to try out Jake's since we'll already be downtown. Any other takers?!

[magic612]

I say Giordano's. I think it's pretty close to the Film Center, and everyone likes pizza, it seems.

[patrickm]

Any chance on picking a time so I can make arrangements around it? That would be awesome.
Thanks,
p

[magic612]

My thoughts were to meet at the Film Center around 4:00, that way we can all get tickets, then we can head out to eat at our leisure as the film doesn't start til 8:00.

How does that work for everyone?

[Paulie pchris00]

Works for me.

And I second Robb on the hot wings. Haven't met a hot sauce I can't handle. Yet.

[RobbW]

Works for me. Meet at 4pm at the film center. Buy tickets. Have dinner. See film at 8pm. Chicago's hottest hot wings after the show for anyone brave enough to attempt. Or anyone who just wants to point and laugh at me while I attempt!!!

[magic612]

Audrey is trying to get a larger group together. Do any of you know other people (local clubs, other amateurs) interested in going? Environmentally-oriented folks? She's going to try and get some Cook County Commissioners to come, and she'll pay for their tickets. Also, she asked me (YIKES!) to lead a Q&A afterwards.

But IMPORTANTLY for us CA'ers, she asked about bringing some scopes for some possible sidewalk astronomy for the commissioners. Can we bring some scopes to do that? I don't know where we'd set up, but she asked. I know I could bring my Astroscan which is an easy set up.

[RobbW]

While I would normally be happy to break my scope out of its winter moth balls for such an event, I do have a couple concerns that give me pause:

1. The current forecast for Saturday is showing rain and a rain/snow mix all day and night (basically the same for the whole weekend).
2. Those who set up their scopes would most likely miss the actually film. That's the main event for which I'm coming downtown.

I'm not trying to poo-poo the idea. I think it would be a great adjunct to the film. If I had already seen the film, I would have no problem volunteering to man the scopes outside while everyone else enjoyed the film inside.

As for you leading a Q&A afterwards, WooHoo! You go! I'm sure they will be plenty of us in attendance who can call out your lines to you if you get stuck, or even offer additional info if needed.

I can't wait for this! And don't forget the wings challenge afterwards!!!

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

I concur with Robb.

Great idea, but logistically, difficult.

Just a show for me, thanks.

[Paulie pchris00]

I don't think we're going to be doing any viewing Saturday because of the weather. I was going to take public transit downtown, which rules out bringing a telescope, but if the forecast dramatically improves, I'll drive so I can my my Dob. But I have a feeling I'll be riding the rails.

And I'm looking forward to the wing challenge.

[magic612]

I looked at the forecast after I posted that, and realized there's not much point. Also, looks like no Q&A as I'm told there is no time between screenings for one to happen. So we'll go, get tickets, eat, see the film, and those that want to see Robb (and anyone else) sweat out some seriously hot wings afterwards can do so - at least that's the plan as I understand it.

[Paulie pchris00]

I'm in on the wings all the way. Buffalo Wild Wings should be embarrassed by their "Blazing" wings. They're not even a challenge.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

I'm in, but 4pm is too early to juggle for me.

Maria and I will arrive about 6-ish and call yous (sic) when I arrive. If not then we will just wait outside of the theater 1/2 hour to.

There are also some Adler crew joining in on this as well.

[patrickm]

I'll call Paulie when I get down there around 5:45. Looking forward to it!

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

In my adventures last night, I was in the area of the theater and got my two tickets...

...just in case of unavailability.

No need.

As of 8pm, last evening, there were 178 tickets left to sell on this film.

[magic612]

And I think that theater holds 191 people. At least we'll probably double current ticket sales!

[barbarai]

I am in!!! which Giordono's are you planning to go to? I may be late and ask that someone save me a seat at the restaurant...thanks...

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Audrey has tickets for $8.00...a three dollar savings.

There are two different, yet similar crews going to this.

The Chicago Astronomer crew and then the Adler crew....both with different ideas on where to go for eats.

I'm out of the decision making on this outing, as some want Giodanos and others want to go to a friends Indian restaurant and then somewhere else afterwards.

Either way... I'll see both groups in front of the theater area....

[RobbW]

I thought someone had mentioned Giordanos before the film. We good with anything. We just need to know where to show up.

[magic612]

Showing up at the Film Center at 4:00 to collect / buy tickets (last I knew, though Audrey Fischer apparently has a bunch, but the Film Center still makes a good central gathering place).

I was thinking the Giordano's at 310 W. Randolph for food after we first meet, hang out and eat, then back to the Film Center close to 8:00. Then for those who want to watch Robb and others eat really hot spicy food can do so after the film.

That's the plan as I understand it from the CA side of things.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Here's is the latest from Audrey...

Today i was told by the manager that our group's reserved tickets can be picked up at the box office.
They will be held under the name chicago astronomical society/ audreyfischer. or she said i can pick them all up at once and distribute them myself.
I told her that i will have folks pick up their tickets individually.

So, if you are going down early anyway, you can still go to the film center and pick up the tickets for your group just to be on the safe side. I will be working... and likely not get down there until 7PM. Greg may come and the winery closes at 6PM.

call me at work if there are any issues right now, 20 tickets were purchased and 16 spoken for. Bob & Claire Gadbois are coming, but they already purchased tickets. I believe Joe Guzman is coming but already purchased tickets.

ticket 8PM

robb & Amy Walker,
Dave Fuller,
Ken Plecki,
Audrey & Greg,
Drew and wife,
Ivy,
Mark Kuba,
Coleen and Tony,
Rich Wagner and friend,
Linda Laso-Saucedo
... maybe Peter Birren.... maybe Joe Glynn ... maybe Joe Mayer

See all later somewhere...be prepared for a group shot.

[patrickm]

Yum, pizza. I will be there around 5:30. Please save me a chair and couple of slices.
p