Public outreach is so important to us all: afterall, todays' children are tomorrows architects of the future.
Public outreach is so important to us all: afterall, todays' children are tomorrows architects of the future.
Public outreach is so important to us all: afterall, todays' children are tomorrows architects of the future. by Owen Phairis aka Professor Fantastic

This is going to become the HPA Mantra going forward, with full quote credit to Prof. Fantastic. It hit home that the future is in giving, not hoarding, in a recent incident I have captured with the following true story from 2 weeks ago!

I was squirming in Church two Sundays ago. The topic was money .. giving .. and I knew I had issues. Who doesn't? Alot of people don't. But apparently far more do. Like me. The pastor, an eloquent imposing man over 6 foot 4 in height, had implored the congregation that by giving you received more than you could imagine. A special envelope was included in the program. Now I give a 25 dollar check each and every Sunday. I recently completed a 2 year pledge to help build several new campus childrens centers. That was expected. But this was beyond. I fidgeted... finally with a supreme shrug, not believing a word of it, I forced myself to remove my wallet, take out my last bill, a 10, and put it in the envelope. I just made the plate as it went round. I left church vaguely thinking maybe I should be more cynical.

Two days later Im working at my Sprint Store. Over 5 years I cannot but help size customers up - form judgements that are sometimes spot on, sometimes grossly mistaken or unfair. I do not let this affect my job performance, but its a human thing I tell myself. In hobbled a little old man - with an oxygen tank.. he slowly plodded towards me and I saw that I needed to help him. No hiding in the backroom, no putting him on the list and hoping someone else would get him. I had him. He literally had to gather breath before he could speak .. he needed another phone activated, his ancient cellphone wouldnt work anymore, almost like his body I couldnt help thinking .. as I put onto his line his equally ancient spare phone, he smiled at me .. a crooked smile. I told him about new phones, I couldnt be sure he heard me. But as he slowly began to leave, he held out an almost clawlike, limp hand to shake mine. I forced myself to shake it, and helped him to the door. And resumed trying to make money, my way..

After he had left I returned to my station, and before I could wait on the next customer, I noticed something crumpled up beside my keyboard. It was a ball of paper, or something.... Picking it up, I unwrapped it..

It was a 10 dollar bill.

Had the old man tipped me? Tips were unheard of in my line of work. No I came to realize .. the 10 I had given came back to me.. in a way not only proving the point, but in a way I would examine my preconceived notions about alot of others things too. And alot of other people.

I put the 10 back in the plate last Sunday. Without a single regret. g

the birth of Cakebox Productions

How did I get interested in Home Planetariums? With a cakebox ..

In 1967 on Holly Court in Villa Park, outside Chicago, I took a cakebox from the old Topps Department store up on North Avenue and punched star holes into it. Then I took a flashlight bulb on a board, hooked it up to 2 D cell batteries, and carried this contraption to my friend Alan's house.

In a darkened bedroom, Alan first said 'I see nothing'... After fiddling with the wires however, Alan then proclaimed ... I SEE STARS! I was hooked for life but this interest lay dormant until the 90s, when I purchased a Dick Emmons starglobe and HPA was born.

A recreation of that first cakebox may be seen on HPAs website www.planetariumsathome.com

Traction

Traction

I keep thinking of certain famous bands I used to read about - before a long tour, they'd rehearse just like the real thing .. they'd play full sets, full energy, bring in people (like movie test screenings).. full lights .. effects... sleep in hotels (like NFL football teams do even at home before games) ...

Theyd be like a car revving at floored speed, but with the rear wheels lifted off the ground

So when the very first people came to see them for real .. it wouldnt be like they were starting out .. it would be like they were already in mid tour glory .. and people would assume this .. they would wonder .. wow.. where did all this come from.. it must have always been here!

When those rear wheels hit the pavement for whatever we do .. Im thinking it will be like that for us ... wow look at this planetarium museum .. look at this thing this guy has on his farm .. its been here for YEARS ..

before it finally got TRACTION .

The Bygone Parade

The Bygone Brigade

Theaters and Popcorn Machines. Tessla Coils and Waffle Irons .. what do they have to do with Planetariums? Everything and nothing... they do far different things, or do they? Picture a fantasy parade .. all of humanity's creations perhaps marching down Pasadena Blvd .. the Rose Parade of Progress.. there are people in the crowd that appreciate the basics .. they applaud Alec ... Alec-tricity... they applaud Steam.. and King Coal .. and Iron and the older crowd (much older) digs Bronze .. the Romans are out in force for Marble.. why arent marbles made of marble, or were they? In our parade of the Progress. many in the crowd squeal approval for Henry Ford.. Thomas Edison .. Einstein .. Michelangelo . All inventions parade down the boulevard, but there are a few in the huddled masses that look for stranger marchers ... here they come! Dumb-bell shaped Star Machines! They roll on carriages, they lead a strange menagerie of zoolike machines that most people know but few .. appreciate ... Carmel Apple makers .. Sno Coners.. Cotton Candy Blowers .. and here come the carnival rides ... A Tilt a Whirl rolls by .. Ferris Wheels also careen down the boulevard .. and bringing up the rear a literal zoo of yard sale refugees... Wood burning kits .. Bedazzlers .. a Slide Rule Marching Band, followed closely by a band of all the instruments nobody plays .. Bass Flutes and Clarinets .. Saxophones and Sousaphones, neither of which make calls as phones normally do .. And so the parade passes .. the icons of progress .. the staples of every era of life .. and lastly the bygone brigade.. planetariums .. phone booths .. ringer washers .. hand cranked pencil sharpeners .. model trains of all gauges

At last the Icons and the Bygones have passed .. the crowd fills the streets behind it as it passes .. wondering what next will join the neverending march. And wondering what is now among us that we cant see .. we take for granted .. that tomorrow will suddenly turn charming, and join the Brigade.