StarHaven

StarHaven is a small, family‑owned business founded in 2026 with a simple goal: create meaningful experiences that connect people to the night sky. Through education, consultation, and community outreach, StarHaven helps residents and visitors understand the value of natural darkness and the role it plays in our shared landscape. By building a sense of connection and curiosity, StarHaven works to strengthen community support for protecting this resource.

StarHaven offers astronomy programs that bring the universe directly to you and your guests. Each experience is designed to inspire a sense of place, wonder, and awe, whether you are seeing a constellation for the first time or learning how natural darkness supports wildlife, human health, and cultural heritage.

StarHaven operates under Tomas Trades, a family‑run business built on the unique skills of the Tomas family. Tomas Trades includes Tomas Photography, Splinter & Spouse woodworking, and StarHaven astronomy and dark‑sky outreach. Together, these branches reflect a shared commitment to craftsmanship, creativity, and community service.

Paul Tomas is one of North Central Washington’s leading voices in astronomy and dark sky stewardship. As the founder of StarHaven, he has become a trusted local expert who helps communities reconnect with natural darkness through public presentations, hands‑on programs, and practical guidance. His approach blends clear science with a calm, welcoming style that makes the night sky feel accessible to everyone.

Paul’s path to astronomy outreach is shaped by a lifetime of service. He is a combat veteran, a former law enforcement officer, a park ranger, a wildland firefighter, and a previously EMS‑certified responder. These roles taught him how to protect people and landscapes and gave him a deep respect for the natural world. Astronomy became the place where all of that experience converged. It offered a way to connect science, safety, and community wellness in a single shared moment of looking up.

Through StarHaven and the Wenatchee Valley Astronomy Club, Paul has become a regional leader in dark sky education. He advises parks, nonprofits, and community groups on lighting practices, resource protection, and the economic value of natural darkness. His presentations emphasize sensory connection, cultural sky stories, and the simple joy of experiencing the night sky as it truly is.

Paul is also a dedicated family man. With two daughters, one son, and a wife who shares his love for mountain adventures, he spends much of his time exploring Washington’s backcountry. The Tomas family has backpacked across the state and experienced every kind of night sky it has to offer. Paul’s connection to wild places runs even deeper. He once made a solo, unguided attempt of Aconcagua in Argentina, carrying his love of the night sky to one of the highest vantage points on Earth.

At the heart of everything he does is a simple mission. Paul wants people to feel the beauty, joy, and grounding presence of the cosmos. StarHaven is his way of giving more to the community. He shares his passion openly and works to make the night sky meaningful and accessible to everyone.