Conucopia Infobot News - 12-Mar-1999 Conucopia, c/o SCIFI, PO Box 8442, Van Nuys CA 91409. Conucopia is dedicated to the memory of Gary Louie, fan and friend. The Conucopia Infobot News is a service of the Conucopia Web Site, http://www.99.nasfic.org/ . If you know someone who'd like to subscribe, tell 'em to go to our web site at http://www.99.nasfic.org/ and enter their e-mail address. If your e-mail address changes, or if you wish to be removed from the Conucopia Infobot News mailing list, or if you don't have web access and want to be added to the list, please write to listmaster@99.nasfic.org. In this issue: Anaheim Marriott LOWERS our Hotel Rates On the Programming Side Film and Video Contest Blood Drive Art Show: Artists So Far Masquerade Gary Louie, 1957-1999 Conucopia Discussion Mailing List: NASFIC99-CHAT Hotel Reservation Form Membership Rates - join now and save $25 Anaheim Marriott LOWERS our Hotel Rates * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * The Marriott has just lowered our convention rate to just $99 a night (plus tax), for singles, doubles, triples, and quads. Team up with your friends - four of you can stay for just $24.75 plus tax per night, each! We have a place for you to post a message if you're looking for a roommate. If you've already reserved your room, you will automatically receive the lower rate. If you haven't, the reservation form now shows the new rate - print it out and reserve your room today! FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Anaheim Marriott Lowers NASFiC Room Rates Fans coming to Conucopia, the 1999 NASFiC, will find staying at the Anaheim Marriott has just become even less expensive. The Anaheim Marriott has agreed to reduce NASFiC's sleeping room rates to $99 for single, double, triple and quad rooms. This is a significant saving over the original rates that ranged from $104 for single/double to $124 for quad. The Marriott is making this voluntary change because their forecasts predict the a $104 rate is too high to attract transient business to the hot el over the convention weekend. Sleeping rooms not blocked for the NASFiC may only be rented for less than $104 if the same rate is extended to convention members, under terms of the hotel contract. Conucopia Hotel Liaison Bobbi Armbruster said, "It is good to work with a hotel that likes your business and wants you to come back in the future." Conucopia, the 1999 NASFiC (North American Science Fiction Convention), takes place August 26-29 at the Anaheim Marriott. For more information, look up the NASFiC web page at http://www.99.nasfic.org, or write to NASFiC, c/o SCIFI Inc., P.O. Box 8442, Van Nuys, CA 91409. #30# The Anaheim Marriott boasts 1033 guest rooms & suites as well as 54,000 square feet of meeting space - almost all of it on one floor and opening on to a large foyer, ensuring easy traffic flow from programming to Dealer's Room to Art Show. It's one of the best convention facilities on the West Coast. As home to the 1989 Westercon as well as co-host to both the 1984 and 1996 WorldCons, the Anaheim Marriott staff is well acquainted with science fiction conventions and thinks we are just spiffy and is eager to have us back. It has a complete business center (for preparing those last minute bid or party announcements), a Hertz desk (for making transportation arrangements), a concierge, gift shop, hair salon. Sleeping Rooms Single (1 person, 1 bed), double (2 people, 1 bed), double double (2 people, 2 beds), triple (3 people 2 beds), and quad (4 people, 2 beds) rooms are available at special convention rates ($99 single/double/triple/quad). Rollaway beds are available complimentary from the hotel up to the number they have in inventory (we suggest you reserve a rollaway bed in the "Special requests or keyword" section when reserving your room). Each room has individual climate controls, remote-control cable TV with free and pay movies, AM/FM radio, two telephones, voice mail system, and an in-room safe. Suites The Anaheim Marriott has several different types of suites including bilevels and some with fireplaces and balconies. Because there are a limited number of each type of suite, reservations requests must be made through the convention rather than directly with the hotel. The NASFiC Suite Czar, Ben Yalow, is monitoring the suite inventory and any reservations or questions/requests for information should be made through him. Ben can be reached at NASFiC SUITES, c/o SCIFI, Inc., P.O. Box 8442, Van Nuys, CA 91409 or suites@99.nasfic.org. Suite prices start at $104 and bedrooms are generally not included. Special Blocking For people who wish to have their rooms close to one another (i.e. blocked together), the procedure is easy. First, decide on a key word - either a single person's name or a group name. Next, complete a housing form for each room you want to reserve and in the "Special request or keyword" area in the type of room section, write "please block with [keyword]". Important: while all of the rooms in your block need not be reserved at the same time, each room must be reserved separately. Airport Shuttle The Anaheim Marriott is located approximately 20 minutes from John Wayne/Orange County Airport, 45 minutes from Los Angeles International Airport, and 45 minutes from Ontario Airport. Both Supper Shuttle and Airport Coach offer service from these facilities to the Anaheim Marriott. Costs (currently) are $10 from John Wayne, $13 - $14 from LAX, and $34 from Ontario. Driving Directions and Parking Ample parking is available at the Marriott for $9 per day for self parking and $13 per day for valet (current rates as of January 1999 - subject to change). From points south, take the I-5 North, exit Katella Avenue and turn left. Turn left on Harbor Blvd, then right on Convention Way. The hotel is on the left. From LAX and points north, take the I-405 south to the 22 East. Exit Harbor Blvd. North. Travel 4 miles to convention Way and turn left. The hotel is on the left. NASFiC Room Reservation Form Our Room Reservation Form is now online in PDF (44K), GIF (13K), and Text (see end of this message) formats. You can make your sleeping room reservations for NASFiC by one of the following three methods: * You can call the hotel direct to make a reservation at 714/750-8000 or the Marriott Reservation Center toll-free in the United States and Canada at 800/228-9290 (credit card guarantees only). Please note that suite reservations will not be taken over the telephone. * You can complete the form and fax it to 714/703-3193 (credit card guarantees only) * You can complete the form and mail it to the Anaheim Marriott, 700 West Convention Way, Anaheim, CA 92802 (credit card, check or money order guarantee). ** The Marriott will send you a confirmation ** ** after it receives your reservation ** Suite Requirements Please complete the form and attached a note outlining your room requirements and send them to NASFiC SUITES, c/o SCIFI, P.O. Box 8442, Van Nuys, CA 91409. Or email suites@99.nasfic.org for more information. On the Programming Side * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Noel Wolfman, prog@99.nasfic.org It's 1999 and we're hard at work on the program for Conucopia. It's still a little early for us to have decided on any specific program items but not too early for us to begin planning who and what and how many. We're always on the look out for good ideas. We have a team of people who will be working together to come up with a schedule of programs we think is interesting and different from the programs you see at every convention. Our program will include panels, speakers, and readings, but we also want to try other types and "shapes" of program items. At the World Science Fiction Convention in 1996, we tried out George R.R. Martin's suggestion of semi-formal debates as a program style, with quite good results. But we need more suggestions. If you have any ideas for types of programs or for specific program items, please write to us at the convention address. If there's something you haven't seen at a convention and don't know why it hasn't been on the program before, it may be because no one has thought of it or figured out how to make it work. Give us the benefit of your knowledge and ideas. We don't promise to use them all but we'd like to hear them. Despite being the "_North American_ Science Fiction Convention," our philosophy is that Conucopia is for science fiction from around the world and all the worlds of science fiction. We intend to have program items in as many areas as possible and appropriate, including the literary aspects of science fiction, fantasy, and horror; how to break in and survive as a writer; science and space; movies and television; comics; and, of course, fandom. Letters will be going out to potential program participants in the near future. Because our attendance will be smaller than a Worldcon's, we aren't going to have as many program items as you'd find at one. That means we won't be having as many people on programs, but we'll still need a lot. If you want to volunteer to be one of them, you can contact us at the convention postal and e-mail addresses. In selecting the people who we'll be inviting to participate, we're not very concerned with how many stories or novels someone has sold. What matters to us is in what subjects you have an expertise and on what topics you can speak interestingly. When you write to us, that's what we want you to tell us. Film and Video Contest * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Genny Dazzo, fan.films@99.nasfic.org This close to Hollywood, how could we not want to see what's in the creative minds of fandom's budding filmmakers. George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, and many other top directors, writers, and actors started out by making amateur and student films. Why shouldn't you? And the way a lot of aspiring directors, writers, and actors get noticed today is through short films entered into film contests and festivals. Starting on 15 April 1999, we'll be accepting films in 16mm and on VHS video tape (NTSC format only), to be judged by a panel of working television and motion picture producers, writers, and directors, with prizes and screenings at the convention for the winners. First prize is $150. Names of the judges and other prizes to be announced. Rules: Films must arrive no earlier than 15 April and no later than 30 June 1999 to be eligible. Films must be no more than 30 minutes in length and, in keeping with the nature of Conucopia, either science fiction, fantasy, or horror in theme. Comedy or drama, it still must be of the appropriate genre. An entry fee of $15 must be included (make checks out to Conucopia), along with the filmmaker's name, address, and phone number. Please include a brief description of the film, its title, and main cast and crew credits. Films and related materials should be shipped to Conucopia Film Contest; c/o G.M. Dazzo; 9027 Larke Ellen Circle; Los Angeles CA 90035-4222. Write for information on entering 35mm films. Small Print: The decision of the Judges is final. Entrants agree to allow Conucopia to show entered films for purposes of judging and to exhibit them at the convention without additional approval or payment. Films cannot be returned unless Entrant provides entry fee and correct mailing information with entry. Contents may settle during shipping. Blood Drive * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mike Sheffield, blood@99.nasfic.org ATTENTION ALL BLOOD DONORS Heads up! And arms extended. We are planning to have a blood drive at Conucopia, and we hope you'll be along for the ride. We'll have more information for you in future progress reports, and we'll be attempting to get a head count prior to the con to let the Red Cross know we're serious so that we won't get short-changed on nurses. Send questions and suggestions about the blood drive to: Mike Sheffield 4572 Keever Ave. Long Beach CA 90807-1819 Art Show - Artists So Far * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * The Art Show has starting filling up - artists have already reserved 27% of the space in the room. If you'd like to exhibit your art at Conucopia, please see the web page for full artists' rules or write to art.show@99.nasfic.org. These artists have reserved space as of 07-Mar-1999. If your art will be in the art show, and you have a web page, please write to web99@99.nasfic.org and I'll put in a link to your page. * Blanchard, N. Taylor * Bollerud, R. Merrill * Borkowski, Janet * Dawe, Sue * Douglass, John * Dowling, Lela * Freas, Frank Kelly * Freas, Laura Brodian * Hardin, Richard * Hawes, Leslie * Hudson, Heather * Innis, Matthew * Johnson, K.A. * Jones, Angela * Mather, Theresa * Michaud, Juanne * Miklis, Franz * Mott, Betsy * Perenne, Luise * Powell, Mary * Roland, Mark * Roller, Jennie * Ross, Robert * Ryan, Ralph * Satter, Denise * Stelnicki, John * Treat, Elizabeth * Wappel, James * Williams, Ronita * Wolfman, Noel * Wu, Frank Masquerade * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Kathy Sanders, masq@99.nasfic.org Greetings and welcome to the NASFiC Masque! We hope you will use this opportunity to let your imagination loose, to re-create your favorite character or do the wildly original. The masquerade will be held Saturday night. Please remember we are one week before the Australian Worldcon, so you can stop off at NASFiC and show your stuff before heading off to Australia. While there will be on site registration for the NASFiC Masquerade, contestants are encouraged to preregister. The more information we have ahead of time, the better we can prepare. While we wish everyone can and will enjoy themselves, there are some restrictions we feel are necesssary to ensure the safety of all participants. The following is a list of no-nos. * No smoking back stage. * No costumes made from food products or other items which may rub off on other costumes. * No live steel or real weapons. * No microphones. * No winning costume from a previous Worldcon may compete, nor any professionally made costume (purchased or rented) or any costume which has been worn as a Hall Costume at NASFiC prior to Saturday night. * No CO2 cartridges can be used. * When in doubt, please use common sense. Don't do injury to your fellow costumers. Please remember that this is a visual medium. In order to keep things short, sweet and non-verbal, the following time limits will apply: * 1-4 people may use up to 60 seconds. * 5 or more people may use up to 90 seconds. The MC will announce the entry number, division, class and title. Any additional narration will be limited to 25 words or less. Participant and construction details will be listed in a souvenir (program) book. For a complete set of rules and entry form, check in at our web site or send an S.A.S.E to the convention address. Gary Louie, 1957-1999 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * "John and I are both in shock." (Ruth Sachter) Conucopia is dedicated to the memory of Gary Louie, fan and friend. "My deepest sympathies to LA fandom. Gary was a treasure of the first water. I will miss him greatly." (Kim Campbell) Gary Louie, L.A.-area fan and Lego enthusiast, passed away Tuesday night 02-Feb-1999 of a heart attack at his home. "When I first came to LASFS, Gary was the first person who said hello to me and called me by name. I didn't feel so out of place then. He was one of the "real" people at the club. Gary was one of those people who gave a damn - a real open handed individual that I will truly miss. I will always remember him tapping away on his laptop in the clubhouse, and being the ultimate giving person." (Frank Waller) Gary had been active in local and national fandom for over fifteen years, including overseeing exhibits at L.A.con III. "Fred and I are both very saddened by the news about Gary. He always was willing to lend a hand when asked. He shared his knowledge with us at many conventions. The loss of Gary will be felt not only by fans on the West Coast but worldwide." (Karen Meschke and Fred Duarte) Reminiscences and other bio material solicited for a memorial page on www.99.nasfic.org, please e-mail to web99@99.nasfic.org. "I was very saddened to hear of Gary's untimely death. He was a familiar face at conventions and I only had the chance to get to know him better when we worked together last year at Bucconeer. He made a big contribution to fandom and I won't forget his enthusiasm, drive and friendliness." (Vincent Docherty, 09-Feb-1999) So far we've received comments from: Berni Phillips, Alan Winston, Matthew B. Tepper, Ruth Sachter, Craig Miller, Janice Gelb, Kim Campbell, Laurie D. T. Mann, Ben Yalow, Patty Wells, Teresa Nielsen Hayden, Robert E Sacks, William Sadorus, Joyce Scrivner, Stuart C. Hellinger, Shaun Lyon, Glenn Glazer, Mike Donahue, Eve Ackerman, Karen Meschke and Fred Duarte, Saul Jaffe, Kevin Standlee, Lew Wolkoff, Sally Woehrle, Ingrid Oliansky, Vincent Docherty, Kurt C. Siegel, Lynn Gold, Allison Hershey, Sharon Sbarsky, Joyce Scrivner, Chris Cooper, Mike Stern, Nola Frame-Gray, Therri Moore, and Frank Waller. "Gary was a very hard-working, helpful fan. I really only ever saw him at Worldcons, but he was always someone I looked forward to seeing." (Laurie D. T. Mann) Conucopia Discussion Mailing List: NASFIC99-CHAT * * * * * * * * * * * Chaz Boston Baden, listmaster@99.nasfic.org We now have a mailing list for talking about Conucopia. This is a two-way list. If you subscribe to the Infobot News, you just receive these announcements; if you join NASFIC99-CHAT, you can write to the list as well as read it. To sign up for NASFIC99-CHAT, go to the web page and fill in the form - you can go straight to the signup page at http://www.99.nasfic.org/web/lists.htm - or, if you don't have web access, write to listmaster@99.nasfic.org and I'll add you by hand. Once you're on the mailing list, send your comments to nasfic99-chat@99.nasfic.org and everyone who's on the list will see them. This is one way to ask questions, post comments about the convention, and so forth. Hotel Reservation Form * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * You can cut, paste, and print out this form, or you can go to the web site and print out the GIF or PDF version. The choice is yours. - - - - - CUT HERE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - CUT HERE - - - - NASFiC ROOM RESERVATION FORM www.99.nasfic.org You can make your sleeping room reservations for NASFiC by one of the three following methods: * You can call the hotel direct to make a reservation at 714/750-8000 or the Marriott Reservation Center toll-free in the United States & Canada at 800/228-9290 (credit card guarantees only). Please note that Suite reservations will not be taken over the telephone. * You can complete this form and fax it to 714/750-9100 (credit card guarantees only). * You can complete this form and mail it to the Anaheim Marriott, 700 West Convention Way, Anaheim CA 92802 (credit card, check or money order guaranteee). The Marriott will send you a confirmation after it receives your reservation. NAME:_________________________________ ARRIVAL DATE:____________________ ADDRESS:______________________________ DEPARTURE DATE:__________________ CITY/STATE/PROVINCE:__________________ MEMBERSHIP NUMBER:_______________ COUNTRY:______________________________ ZIP/POSTAL CODE:_________________ EMAIL ADDRESS:________________________ DAYTIME PHONE:( )______________ ROOMMATE #1 NAME:_____________________ CHILD? Yes/No CHILD'S AGE:_______ ROOMMATE #2 NAME:_____________________ CHILD? Yes/No CHILD'S AGE:_______ ROOMMATE #3 NAME:_____________________ CHILD? Yes/No CHILD'S AGE:_______ MARRIOTT HONORED GUEST FREQUENT STAY CARD #:____________________________ TYPE OF ROOM DESIRED: [_] SINGLE ($99) [_] DOUBLE ($99) [_] DOUBLE DOUBLE ($99) (1 Person, 1 bed) (2 People, 1 bed) (2 people, 2 beds) [_] TRIPLE ($99) [_] QUAD ($99) (3 people, 2 beds) (4 people, 2 beds) ** All rooms are subject to applicable taxes in the ** ** amount of 15% plus a $.15 per night commerce fee ** [_] HANDICAP ACCESS REQUIRED [_] NON-SMOKING ROOM REQUESTED [_] PARTY FLOOR [_] QUIET FLOOR ** If you do not designate a party or quiet floor, we will ** ** assign you to whichever floor is appropriate to our block. ** Special requests or keyword: ___________________________________________ ROOM DEPOSIT/GUARANTEE PAYMENT (Circle One): Check Money Order Visa MC AmEx DC CB Discover CARD NUMBER #_______________________ EXPIRATION DATE:_____________ SIGNATURE:_________________________________________________________ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - SUITE REQUESTS: Please copy and complete this form and attach a note outlining your room requirements and send them to NASFiC SUITES, c/o SCIFI, PO Box 8442, Van Nuys CA 91409. Or email suites@99.nasfic.org. - - - - - CUT HERE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - CUT HERE - - - - Membership Rates * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Children 5-12 may pre-register for $50. Kids 13 and up are $100, same as adults. Kids-in-tow 0-4 are free. Attending Membership (No Vote, no Patronage or support)...... $100 Conversion: if you voted at LoneStarCon 2, you need to pay .. $80 Kids 5-12 ................................................... $50 born on or after 27-Aug-1986, and on or before 26-Aug-1994. Kids-in-tow up to 4 years old are free. Supporting Membership (Must pay conversion fee to attend) $20 Make Checks Payable To: Conucopia/NASFIC '99 c/o S.C.I.F.I. Inc. PO Box 8442 Van Nuys CA 91409 Deadline for pre-registration: 06-Jul-1999. At the Door ................................................. $125 Daily (Available at Convention ONLY) ........................ $65 Service Mark Notice * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Service Mark Notice: "World Science Fiction Society", "WSFS", "World Science Fiction Convention", "Worldcon", "NASFiC" and "Hugo Award" are registered service marks of the World Science Fiction Society, an unincorporated literary society. 19990312.txt sent to 322 subscribers of NASFIC99-NEWS.