Dream sky

Unless you were going for that grainy look (which I do not think really adds to this photo) you might consider manually turning your ISO speed down to 100 or lower and using a good tripod for the longer exposure that will result. This should give you less grain in the final photo. Barring that, you might try Noise Ninja or some other product to reduce the noise in your final image.

Is the streak some sort of lens flare or is it someone with an LED swinging it around on the end of a string?

You're right the grain is a consistant problem with my photos...It makes me crazy! I'm a huge amature and I haven't quite figured out what it is that causes that..I'll try your suggestion though. My ISO was on auto at the time.

I think I posted this in digital alterations..(if I didn't I meant to) and the streaks are from an effect...I thought it looked cool....I'm taking it you didn't!?? :-)

Thanks for taking the time to critique!

Laurie