In february I began my Mars observations. I have seen the same 1997 martian face, with the presence of very clouds.
  Here in my geographic region, the rainy season don't finished (El nino effect) and the clouds confound the continuous observation.
  I have receiving the Communications in Mars Observations, our Mars newspaper. For us, Mars observers, it is a wonderful newspaper.
  I am eager to see Mars, in your great size in late april. I also want to see that reddish dark band we saw in 1997 in Tharsis region. In 1997 this dark band was seen crossing the regions of Tharsis and Memnonia, separating like a valley, the Tharsis ridge (Ascraeus, Arsia and Pavonis Mons) from the Olympus Mons and Alba Patera. We will be attentive when this region is seen in afternoon, when the orographic clouds over the volcanos of Tharsis accentuate your contrast. On March 17, 2h00m UT, I thought that I saw the dark band again.
  Unhappy the Meade 16 inch LX200 telescope can't be installed and in this manner I don't can use it for Mars observation this year. I will be using my old newtonian 200mm f6.5 telescope for this season.

  I have a site in the web, explaining the Mars observation for 1999, in Portuguese language, made by myself:
          http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/9355/marte99.htm

  On March 5 and 6, I could see evidently Syrtis Blue Cloud over the point of Syrtis Major. Without filters (integral light) I saw a unusual clearing in the point of Syrtis Major. Using blue filter, the clearing was bright. The Mars Global Surveyor and the Donald C. Parker images shown a strong blue cloud over the observed region. This event stamped the beginning of high definition observation of the red planet.
  For all Mars observers: success!