Greetings to all of you!  This month The On Ramp contains articles about space for a theme of  "Beyond the Stars".   I enjoy getting out my telescope occasionally and taking a look at the night sky.  When I do that, I am always amazed to realize that we actually have  exploration vehicles out there taking photographs and samples, sending them back to earth for review and testing.  I recently went to see the new Disney/Pixar  movie titled Wall-E, and it was a cute depiction of earth hundreds of years in the future. 
     There is a lonely little robot on earth...working feverishly to sort through all the garbage left on earth.  He tries to sort through and categorize it...when he runs across one of those Fast Food Sporks" and he cannot decide if it is a spoon or a fork.  That is just one of many funny moments poking fun at the human race in the movie. 
  So, if you are like me and enjoy a good Disney/Pixar G-rated family movie...this is for you! 
     I hope you enjoy this edition of The On Ramp, and as always, I welcome your comments and additions to the newsletter!

"Did NASA really land a man on the moon?"
"Did our Apollo astronauts ever leave low-earth-orbit?"
"If we were in a race to the moon with the Russians, why didn't they follow us there?"
"Were the photographs faked?"

     "Do you remember closing your eyes real tight and making a wish on the first star you saw in the night sky?"

     I do and to be honest, I still do it.

Congratulations to James C. of College Place, WA for winning the drawing for the July 2008 Crossword! He received a $25.00 credit on his BMI account!

     ANNOOUNCEMENT:  In keeping with the theme of this month's newsletter...it appears that our crossword puzzle program has been invaded by aliens from another planet.  We are experiencing a blackhole that is preventing us from being able to publish a crossword puzzle this month.  We hope to have this issue resolved in time for next month's newsletter!  Thank you for your patience and may the force be with us all! 

Did you ever think the price of gas would ever get this high?

"Michelle has been a great help to me and she follows up on things. I asked her to tell you she could have the rest of the day off and to give her a raise . .I know she didnt, so please do."
-Ed P., Kennewick, WA

Star Fruit is a juicy tropical fruit grown in Thailand and throughout Southeast Asia, Australia, South America, but also in Hawaii and Florida, so they' are an easy fruit to find at your local grocery store or market.

Beyond the Stars