If you look at the sky from Monrovia right now, you'll see thick heavy 
clouds snuggling up to the the San Gabriel Mountains, with a few shafts 
of sunlight piercing through.  But the conditions should turn from poor 
to below average by 8 p.m.  - that means partly cloudy with
wobbly views through the telescope.
That being said, if you are nearby and want to see the moon, and 
possibly a poor view of Saturn, come on down to Library Park - we should 
be there from 8- nearly 10 p.m., unless it continues to be completely 
cloudy. Even a poor view of Saturn (from the eyes of this jaded 
long-time telescope wrangler) is still better than no view of the ringed 
beauty.
We'll be showing Saturn for many months now, as it gets higher in the 
sky, so there will be more chances to see Saturn. A couple dark sky 
public events coming up will feature Saturn in a dark sky location.
Join us (you'll have to RSVP for a camp site) at Mojave National 
Preserve on the evening of April 23.  I know the 24th is Easter, but you 
can go on a desert tortoise photo hike, and maybe see some jackrabbits 
and spring blossoms on Sunday instead.  :-)   Maps, directions, and 
information about Mojave National Preserve will be found soon (not yet 
unfortunately) at the Conservancy's  website 
http://www.preservethemojave.org/events.html.  You need to contact David 
Lamfrom to RSVP for a campsite or ask questions at dlamfrom(a)npca.org 
<mailto:dlamfrom@npca.org> .  The event is free, but it is being 
sponsored by the Mojave National Preserve Conservancy, and they will 
welcome your membership! Bring a potluck item, there will be a group 
potluck dinner before stargazing on Saturday night.  If you plan to 
bring a telescope, you can let me know, but be sure to RSVP for a 
campsite with David too.
Then in August, Mojo and I and other members of the San Jose 
Astronomical Society will be bringing telescopes to share with the 
public at Glacier Point, Yosemite.  Only members of this club can bring 
telescopes, but all visitors to the National Park can partake of the 
views.  Our weekend is August 26-27, 2011, but there is a different 
Northern California Astronomy club presenting weekend star parties at 
Glacier Point every weekend from July 4th to labor day, excepting full 
moon weekends, and subject to snow clearing the roads. So if your 
visiting the park this summer, check it out!
Finally, check out my April podcast - it features Saturn this month :-)  
There are stunning views of Saturn in the video!
YouTubehttp://www.youtube.com/profile?user=JPLnews#p/u/1/pBUkTMk-Icw
More formats and educational links: 
http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/news/whatsup-view.cfm?WUID=804
-- 
Jane Houston Jones
Monrovia, CA
My What's Up Podcast for April: Saturn
NASA podcast: 
http://1.usa.gov/ggypW3
Youtube site:  
http://bit.ly/hXVHK7
Twitter: 
http://twitter.com/jhjones /CassiniSaturn /otastro
My Blog: 
http://jane.whiteoaks.com/