I did check out the Venus Pleadies conjunction on the night of the 3rd, and even brought my binocs along to the Fest Bldg. when our Legion helped pack up the Bloodmobile. The Red Cross workers liked the sight, but they liked the Moon better and one lady from the RC kept asking me about the "alignment". (The Mayan Doomsday thing again.) Sheeesh!
Jeff is right about Mars being better to view. I too, have been getting better reslution on the Red Planet. For me, I think it has been due to the winds. The air seems to be more stable. Watch the movement of Mars with regards to Regulus and Gamma Leonis. The western retrograde movement of Mars is nearly done and it will soon resume its march to the east.