ANNUAL MEETING 1996

Spring is just around the corner! Budget battles nothwithstanding, the DDA Annual meeting WILL be held in Washington DC April 15-17. The U.S. Naval Observatory is the site and the host institution. This historical site, an isolated farm when we arrived just over 100 years ago, is the current home of oldest scientific institution in the Navy. It is also now host to the official residence of the Vice President of the United States.

The meeting starts a week after Easter, and at the conclusion of the annual Cherry Blossom Festival. The Festival parade will be Saturday April 13, for those who wish to come in early on the weekend. It's the most beautiful time of year in the nation's capital, usually the time when cherry trees, dogwoods, and azaleas are in full bloom, and there will be many things to see and do.

The hotel for the meeting is The Savoy Suites, the closest hotel to the main entrance of the Observatory. On Wisconsin Avenue just north of Georgetown and south of the National Cathedral, it is about a half-mile walk from there to the meeting room. Many rooms have views over the city from on high. Some rooms have jacuzzis OR king-sized beds available. Transportation to airports and metro is available. There is a fine restaurant in the hotel and many other restaurants, delis, and groceries in all price ranges within a short distance; Georgetown's shopping and night life is just a short walk or bus ride away as well.

We have reserved a block of 50 rooms at the academic rate (less than government): single $94/night; two people 104.00/night.

* * *  THIS BLOCK EXPIRED March 14 * * *

This is also peak tourist season, so if you miss this block you may have difficulty finding other hotel space nearby. Please call the hotel directly at 202-337-9700. The group name is Division on Dynamical Astronomy.

For the meeting, a program of invited speakers on very exciting current topics is planned; Brian Marsden will deliver the Brouwer Award lecture. The banquet speaker is Gerald Hawkins. And, MAYBE the Observatory's most noteable current resident, Al Gore, will make a brief appearance at the meeting.

The banquet will be held Tuesday evening at the award-winning Old Europe restaurant, just outside the Observatory and near the hotel. We have reserved the meeting room of the German Club, and it promises to be a memorable evening. A cash bar starts the gemutlichheit.

For dinner, there are three menu selections, and any special diet requests can also be accommodated.

Old Fashioned Sauerbraten with potato dumplings and red cabbage. (Marinated beef smothered in sweet and sour sauce.)
Wiener Schnitzel with home-fried potatoes and vegetable. (Veal steak lightly breaded and sauteed.)
Poached filet of salmon with Riseling sauce, parsley potato, veg.

All include green salad w/ German dressing, apple strudel, coffee, etc. Fine wines by the bottle, beer, etc will be available for purchase.

There will be an arrival reception with heavy hors d'oevres at the Observatory on Sunday evening. If the weather is clear, we may be able to observe the new Comet 1996 B2 (Hyakutake).

The program committee chair is Chris Hunter the LOC Chair is Alan Fiala (202-653-1274)