Conucopia Infobot News - 08-Jul-1999 Conucopia, NASFiC '99, 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, or write to listmaster@99.nasfic.org. 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: Ellen Datlow, Editor Guest of Honor From the Chair Programming Update Chesley Awards Kaffeeklatsches Science Fiction Playhouse '99 Gift Shop Parties Flyers Travelling by Train Travelling by Bus Handicapped Access Mailing Lists and Message Boards Web Page News Membership Rates Ellen Datlow, Editor Guest of Honor * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Bruce Pelz, Bruce.Pelz@99.nasfic.org (Continued from a previous edition) At Omni Internet, she marshaled her international contacts and expertise to create one of the world's top interactive literary forums through her `Salon,' a digital meeting place that enables renowned authors to produce collaborative fiction online and gives fans a venue for one-on-one contact with their favorite writers. As chief producer of the weekly show, Flashpoint, sponsored by Event Horizon: SF, Fantasy, Horror, she continues to deliver top-quality net programming to a wide audience. Ellen is currently editing Event Horizon an sf/f/h webzine with Rob Killheffer, who is in charge of the nonfiction. She is also working on various web projects with her former OMNI partners for Event Horizon Web Productions. In addition to this, she is in the process of editing various anthologies. The Year's Best Fantasy and Horror #12 will be coming out shortly. The final volume in the adult fairy tale anthology, Black Heart, Ivory Bones will debut in the spring of 2000, as will A Wolf at the Door, a fairy tale anthology for children. There is also an untitled science fiction anthology on the theme of "endangered species" that will be in production by then. From the Chair * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * (From Progress Report 3) It's summer! I spent 4 hours late on 18 May in line for a movie. The conversation was completely dedicated to only one thing: Conucopia. I've seen that same movie 2 more times (I feel so inadequate) and the little convention we're closing August with remained in the fore. I am down to one topic for any occasion. Sitting for 3 days at a table in the Bay area selling memberships like hotcakes. It must be the dish of Altoids and the sack of lemons from the LASFS tree. Pressing the flesh, answering more questions, overhearing some poor get-a-lifer complain to the occupants at a bid table next to me that they didn't include all the details on the local airport. The reprimand was for their failure to list the comparative safety of two different airports. Sure, that's my reason for making a decision to attend a convention. Then again, I carp on whom shouldn't be allowed to run the dances for a convention 2 years from now. It's a speaker placement issue. Ok, I guess air safety stats are just as valid. The party that night was surprisingly well attended for being dry. I will take my secret of keeping them in the room to my early grave. It was a different crowd. Night people are never functional enough to visit fan tables. It helped when a revered pro sat down in a corner and a BNF rested in another. They were active circles that kept drawing in the nosers who won't enter a party unless it's already packed. More memberships sold. I will eternally be personally offended that they didn't buy it cheaper forever ago. A walk on the beach, thousands of young and very unfannish (you know what I mean) bodies exposed to the sun. We couldn't care less. Our tongues tickled the air with words of hotel, logistics, publications, space allocation, ops. The joy of the summer of '99. I show up to the club for 5 minutes, my purpose to help schlep equipment on someone else's convention; the extra 30 minutes are spent answering questions, approving text for a press release, and authorizing the expenditure of an unanticipated $100.00 that makes another nervous to spend. It's relaxing to have a moment volunteering for another. Moving boxes, stuffing bags, these are easy relaxing activities. The people I stuffed bags with actually discuss that damn movie. I'm personally pissed of about this Midichlorian bullshit anyway. Dinner afterwards is back in the action. These guests have said yes. These others will do science programming. And another person suffering 80 e-mails of unsolicited program participants. Culling the list. The PhD who works as a profiler for LA sheriffs, yes! The accountant with an unpublished 1200 page anthro space opera that he's been writing for 16 years, no! None of this my decision, but shared for the fun of it and the recognition of progress. Oh, and a copy of an increasingly filled grid with a question about what another person is doing with a room at a certain time. Then morning and back at work early to read the nights e-mails. That proves to be a cornucopia of questions, replies, FYI's, and referrals from the website that wended their way to me. The first of which is a quiet note from the PR editor asking why the last thing for PR 3 is the message from the chair? I have been sharing what has been happening to me as this convention has grown in order to communicate the process of chairing a convention from my skewed point of view. This certainly isn't a map or instruction manual. Those are for others. This is for insight into the mind of one convention running guy. From here to the first day of Conucopia is less than 60 days. I am looking forward to each, and its individual touch, taste and smell. I will be limited to sharing them with the committee and staff of the NASFiC. My excitement feeds them as their energy feeds me. A good loop that will spiral ever thicker and wider until the base upon which the convention will rest is complete. I look forward to your joining us at the top where the foundation meets the stairs. We can ascend together into the heart of this creation, Conucopia, the 1999 North American Science Fiction Convention. Programming Update * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Noel Wolfman, prog@99.nasfic.org (from Progress Report 3) Using my double bladed light saber I have been able to cut through most of the huge pile of replies we received to our invitations to participate in NASFiC programming. The response has been great. In addition to our wonderful Guests of Honor, I can now confirm many other guests. Harlan Ellison will be attending convention on Saturday only and will be speaking and autographing in the afternoon. J. Michael Straczynski will be attending and participating in panels as well as doing a program on B5. David Brin, Larry Niven, Harry Turtledove, Warner Books editor Betsy Mitchell and many more will be participating in panels during the convention. Science programming is really filling up fast. We have some very interesting presentations for you. There will, of course, be the Y2K panel. We also have a set of costuming panels in the works as well as Fan panels. And, though I haven't heard what or when, I feel relatively comfortable in saying a hoax panel is in the works....right, gang? Two film/video rooms are being programmed and the evening events are shaping up nicely. Bring your dancing shoes because there are 3 dances on the schedule already. In addition to a rock dance, there is also a wonderful dance that will start with music from the 1930's and work forward decade by decade to the present. The Regency Dance is also on the schedule so pack your costumes! We are looking forward to seeing you all in Anaheim and I just want to say thank you to all our guests for agreeing to participate! Tentative Schedule Programming is tentatively planned to run in 90 minute slots, giving you up to half an hour to get from one panel to another. Tentative schedule for daytime program: * 1 pm to 5:30 pm Thursday * 10 am to 5:30 pm Friday and Saturday * 10 am to 4 pm Sunday. There will be evening programming, too, times TBD. More specific information about the program -- what panels, who exactly will be on them, what times and in which rooms will they be held -- will come much closer to the convention. Check back here a week before the convention, there's a good chance we'll have that information for you then. Program Participants This is a partial list of Program Participants - i.e. people who will be on the program, usually on panels - as of 28-Jun-1999. More will be added (and one or two may drop out) before the convention starts - check back later to see how things develop. Webmaster's note: if you spot any typos, or if you know of a home page for any of these, please write to web99@99.nasfic.org, and not our hard-working Programming Dept. Allen, Roger MacBride Mars Society, The Barnes, Steven Mitchell, Betsy Blaker, Father John Moscoe, Mike Blanchard, N. Taylor Murphy, Pat Blevins, Tippi Nazarian, Vera Boyett, Steven Niven, Larry Breen, Jon Pendill, Kathrine Brin, David Pini, Wendy Burt, Andrew Pournelle, Jerry (Our GOH) Casper, Susan Powers, Tim Cassutt, Michael Roberson, Jennifer Chilson, Rob Robins, Madeleine Clement, Hal Rogow, Roberta Collins, Steve Rusch, Kristine Kathryn Dozois, Gardner Satava, Richard MD Duncan, Kate Schulman, Eric Effinger, George Alec Smeds, Dave Ellison, Harlan (Saturday only) Smith, Dean Wesley Ernoehazy, Dr. William Smith, Kristine Euler, Debra Smith, Sherwood Finch, Shelia Stirling, S. M. Fontana, D.C. Straczynski, J. Michael Frankos, Laura Tiggre, Don Fry, Susan Trimble, Bjo Gerrold, David Trimble, John Gilden, Mel Turtledove, Harry Goldstein, Lisa Valada, Christine Grayson, Ashley Waitman, Katie Grime, Stephanie Bedwell Warren, Bill Hambly, Barbara Weber, Chris Hartman, Keith Wein, Len Hendrix, Howard Wentworth, K.D. Howe, Steve White, Mel James, Warren Whiteside, Lee Johnson, Les Williams, Sheila Killus, James Willson, Karen Kroupa, Susan Wolfman, Marv Landry, Bridget Wu, William F. Lettow, Donna York, Christina Lichtenberg, Jacqueline York, J. Steven Lilley, Ernest Young, Janine Ellen Lorrah, Jean Zettel, Sarah Chesley Awards * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * The nominees for the fourteenth annual Chesley awards, given each year by the Association of Science Fiction and Fantasy Artists (ASFA) for outstanding work in the field, have been announced. The Chesleys, named for the great astronomical artist Chesley Bonestell, began in 1985 as a means for the Science Fiction and Fantasy art community to recognize individual works and achievements during a given year. This year's awards are for works and achievements in the period from January 1 to December 31, 1998. The awards will be presented at ceremonies held at Conucopia, the 1999 North American Science Fiction Convention (NASFiC) on Friday, 27-Aug-1999 at 6:30 PM in Salon G and H of the Ballroom of the Anaheim Marriott. The reception will be in the Art Show beginning at 8:00 PM. ASFA is a non-profit, educational organization dedicated to serving the visual arts of Science Fiction, Fantasy and related topics. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in the art of the genre, and includes an international population of artists, collectors, management, publishers and the general public. By Category, the nominees are as follows: Best Cover Illustration: Hardback Book * Jim Burns for Darwinia by Robert Charles Wilson (Tor Books, July 1998) * Kinuko Y. Craft for Song for the Basilisk by Patricia A. McKillip (Ace, September 1998) * Donato Giancola for Icefalcon's Quest by Barbara Hambly (Del Rey, February 1998) * Bob Eggleton for The Last Dragon Lord by Joanne Bertin (Tor Books, December 1998) * Michael Whelan for Otherland: River of Blue Fire by Tad Williams (DAW, June 1998) Best Cover Illustration: Paperback Book * Michael Dashow for The Boss in the Wall by Avram Davidson and Grania Davis (Tachycon, June 1998) * Donato Giancola for Five Worlds #3: Return by Al Sarrantino (Roc, March 1998) * Stephen Hickman for Star Child by James P. Hogan (Baen Books, June 1998) * Pamela Lee for Dreaming in Smoke by Tricia Sullivan (Bantam Spectra, June 1998) * John Jude Palencar for Tales of the Cthulhu Mythos by H.P. Lovecraft and Others (Del Rey, Oct. 1998) * Walter Velez for The Flying Sorcerers edited by Peter Haining (Ace Books, November 1998) Best Cover Illustration: Magazine * Jill Bauman for The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, July 1998 * Brom for Dungeon #70, 1998 Jim Burns for Analog, April 1998 * Bob Eggleton for The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, May 1998 * Chris Moore for Science Fiction Age, March 1998 * Wojtek Siudmak for Asimov's Science Fiction, April 1998 Best Interior Illustration * Jill Bauman for Darker Than You Think by Jack Williamson (Easton Press, 1998) * Kinuko Y. Craft for Pegasus by Marianna Mayer (William Morrow and Co., April 1998 * Bob Eggleton for The Book of Sea Monsters by Bob Eggleton and Nigel Suckling (Overlook Press, November 1998) * Brian Froud for Good Faeries/Bad Faeries by Brian Froud and Terri Windling (Simon and Schuster, October 1998) * Chris Moore for "Founding Fathers" (Science Fiction Age, March 1998, Page 67) Best Monochrome Work: Unpublished * Beryl Bush for Bottom and Titania (black chalk) * H. Ed Cox for A Hard Act to Follow (acrylic) * Stephen Daniele for Griffon Rider (acrylic and oil) * Joy Marie Ledet for Aisling (pencil) Best Color Work: Unpublished * Bob Eggleton for Rage and Despair (acrylic) * Marc Fishman for Salvation (oil) * Stephen Hickman for Pharazar (oil) * Jael for Family Personalitrees (acrylic) * Charles Lang for Sol at Sunset (acrylic) * Don Maitz for Far From Home (oil) * John Jude Palencar for Storm Worship/The Storm Twins (oil) Best Three-Dimensional Art * Randy Bowen for Bionica (resin) * Halla Fleischer for Basil the Basilisk Tries a Breathmint * Barsom Manashian for Miss Muffet [based on a painting by Brom] (coldcast resin) * Laura Reynolds for Isengrim (mixed media) * Lisa Snellings for Short Trip to October (mixed media) Best Art Director * Arnie Fenner and Cathy Fenner for Spectrum Design and Underwood Books * Irene Gall for Tor Books * Don Puckey for Time Warner * David Stevenson for Del Rey Books * Jamie Warren Youll for Bantam Books Award for Artistic Achievement * Jill Bauman * Brom * Alan M. Clark * Bob Eggleton * Jeff Jones * Moebius Award for Contribution to ASFA * Tomas L. Ryan de Heredia for donation of time and expertise to finalize ASFA's non-profit status * Kim Ann Innes for editorship of the ASFA Quarterly * Jael, Thea Glas, Ingrid Neilson and John Torrico and Jeff Watson for coordination/production of last year's Chesleys * Morgana for management of ASFA suite at Bucconeer * Jeff Watson for creation and maintenance of the ASFA website Best Gaming and Related Illustration * Brom Plainscape: The Inner Plains * Todd Lockwood Dragonlance Classics 15th Anniversary Game Module * Terese Nielsen "Ertai, Wizard Adept," Magic card * r.k. post Alternity: Player's Handbook and Game Guide cover Best Product Illustration * Donato Giancola for Archangel (Magic card package art) * Todd Lockwood for Dragonlance 5th Age Calendar (cover art) * John Jude Palencar for The Truth About Myths and Monsters (promotional billboard art [Europe/Asia] for the National Geographic Channel) * Pixar Studios for A Bug's Life (movie poster) * Blizzard Entertainment for Starcraft (computer game box cover art) Kaffeeklatsches * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Noel Wolfman, kaffee@99.nasfic.org Here is your opportunity to spend an hour or so with your favorite author in an intimate group discussion. The groups will be small, so sign up early at the Con. This is a great way to really meet that author whose work you've always loved. (Authors, please contact us ahead of time and let us know if you are interested in hosting a discussion group - contact Noel Wolfman, Conucopia Programming or indicate on your program participant information sheet that you will host a Kaffeeklatsch.) Science Fiction Playhouse '99 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Scott and Catherine Beckstead, plays@99.nasfic.org Come to Conucopia's evening at the theatre, Friday night, where we will be presenting two science fiction one-act plays. The first is "The Demolished Fan," a satirical look at fandom. Will Harry Trufan sell his fannish soul to the demon Microstopholes? What will Harry have to sacrifice to attain the fannish prominence he so desires? The second, is a radio play entitled "The Man Who Travelled in Elephants," based on the short story by Robert Heinlein, written by Brad Linaweaver with permission of Mrs. Virginia Heinlein. Come back with us to the Golden Age of Radio and enter the theatre of the mind. Mr. John Watts, a retired salesman, has always loved the circus. He even spent some time selling elephants, just so he could see as many circuses as possible. It seems now he is on a bus to the greatest circus of them all. Gift Shop * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Joe Zeff, gift.shop@99.nasfic.org As is the tradition with many conventions, Conucopia will be having a store where we will be selling memorabilia of the convention. At this time we are planning on opening the store on Thursday and running it through the convention or until we sell out. Our hours will be from 10-6 Thu-Sat, 10-4 Sunday. If you would like us to set aside an order for you, send e-mail to gift.shop@99.nasfic.org and be sure to pick it up by Saturday morning or we'll put it back into the rest of our stock. If you have cashier experience and/or sales experience, have we got a job for you. I need volunteers to help run this place. Please contact our head of volunteers and tell him that you want to volunteer for the merchandising gift shop. Your help will be greatly appreciated. Parties * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Anastasia Hunter, party@99.nasfic.org How to Throw a Party Planning to throw a party at Conucopia? Coming from out of town? Don't have the slightest idea of where to find things? We may be able to help you. Write to Anastasia Hunter, our Party Demigoddess, at party@99.nasfic.org and tell her what kind of things you'll be looking for. If you're holding your party in your room, make sure you specify "Party Floor" when you make your reservation. If you want to reserve a suite, write to Ben Yalow at suites@99.nasfic.org right away. Suites are limited. A note about Party Signs We have five or six locations for you to post your signs, as there will be a "Blue Board" for this purpose next to each Daily Newszine distribution board. Anyone running an event occurring during the convention may place a notice on the Blue Boards. Party Planners This is an incomplete list of parties that various fans plan to hold at Conucopia. If you're planning on having a party, write to the Webmaster at web99@99.nasfic.org and he will add you to the this list. * Bay Area in 2002 + "We're definitely holding parties, on Thursday-Friday-Saturday nights." * Loscon XXVI + "saturday night - nuclear winter wonderland." * Toronto in 2003 (Worldcon Bid) + "We will be throwing at least two parties at nasfic." Flyers * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Arlene Satin, flyers@99.nasfic.org NASFiC flyers at your place * PDF flyer online - see http://www.99.nasfic.org/pdf/ Conucopia flyers are produced by Tony Benoun, and mailed out to conventions and bookstores and so forth by Arlene Satin. If you would like to see one, you can even print it out yourself, assuming you have Adobe Acrobat Reader , see above. If you would like to have a bunch of flyers sent to your event, bookstore, or just a bunch for you to hand out yourself, write to Arlene Satin at flyers@99.nasfic.org. Your flyers at NASFiC If you want to bring flyers to put out at Conucopia, your best bet is to bring them yourself. We will have flyer boards (pegboards with string) set out. Please find the appropriate place to put your flyers, and put them in one pocket. If you have too many to fit into a pocket, keep the extras in your room until the pile goes down. Please don't leave them on the tables and flat surfaces - they're impossible to keep neat and tidy, and the hotel throws away when they clean up. If you have to ship them ahead of time, send them to * Arlene Satin * 1135 No. Ogden Dr. #5 * West Hollywood CA 90046. They will need to arrive in West Hollywood by 21-Aug-1999. Please don't send them before 01-Aug-1999. Travelling by Train * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * See also: * Amtrak , Amtrak Intercity + Amtrak California San Diegans and other Amtrak services within California + Amtrak Coast Starlight from Seattle to Los Angeles + Amtrak Southwest Chief from Chicago to Los Angeles + Amtrak Sunset Limited from Orlando to Los Angeles * Metrolink * SCAG Bus/Rail Travel Planner The American passenger railroad, Amtrak (no 'c' in Amtrak) offers short and long-distance service. It is important to note that taking the train will not necessarily be cheaper than flying or faster than driving/taking the bus, but it may be less stressful, and probably more scenic. You will need to educate yourself on how Amtrak works, and/or get yourself a travel agent that is experienced in booking train tickets. Anaheim-area Train Stations If you call Amtrak, (800-USA-RAIL, or 800-762-7245) and ask how to get to Disneyland, they will tell you to take the train to Fullerton. The Anaheim Stadium (Edison Field) station is actually closer to Disneyland, but getting off at Fullerton may save you a dollar on the railfare. Both stations are served by Amtrak (also known as the National Rail Passenger Corporation) and Metrolink (aka the Southern California Regional Rail Authority). The Anaheim Stadium (Edison Field) Amtrak/Metrolink Station is at 2150 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim CA, at St. College. The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) bus route 50 runs down Katella Avenue outside the stadium parking lot, and will take you straight to the hotel for $1. The Fullerton Amtrak/Metrolink Station is at 120 E. Santa Fe Ave., Fullerton CA, one block south of Harbor & Commonwealth. Again, one $1 OCTA bus (Route 43) will take you down Harbor Blvd. to the hotel (but it will be a longer bus ride). Shuttle Service to Anaheim Hilton/Disneyland area is available from either train station, but it's not a regular run. See our Shuttles page for shuttle service phone numbers. A taxi ride from the Anaheim Stadium (Edison Field) Station would be a short one, so that's an option to consider. Or if you're renting a car in Anaheim, ask the agency if they'll pick you up at Amtrak. (The hotel won't - it's too far out.) Also the OCTA bus routes - route 43 (Harbor Blvd., for Fullerton) and route 50 (Katella Ave., for Anaheim) might be the way to go, if you don't have too much luggage. Their phone number is 714-636-7433 (RIDE), or see the OCTA web page . What trains run to Anaheim/Fullerton? * Fullerton: San Diegan, Southwest Chief (also Metrolink trains) * Anaheim: San Diegan (also Metrolink trains) * Los Angeles: San Diegan, Coast Starlight, Southwest Chief, Sunset Limited There are no long-distance trains to Anaheim. All short-distance trains through Anaheim originate at either Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Oceanside, or San Diego. The long-distance trains through Fullerton originate in Chicago (the Desert Wind and the Southwest Chief) and running through to Los Angeles. Long-distance service to Los Angeles is available on trains originating in Miami, Chicago, and Seattle. Rail Pass Amtrak offers a "USA Rail Pass" to foreigners visiting the USA, much the same way an American tourist may buy a Eurailpass when visiting Europe. You have to buy it before you leave home; they're not for sale in America. Check at your local American Consulate, or go to the web site and ask them to send you the USA Rail Pass order form. Amtrak and Rail Canada offers a combined "North America Rail Pass" for $895, unlimited stopovers over a 30-day period, all over the USA and Canada. See their web site for more details. Travelling by Bus * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * See also: * Greyhound Bus Lines * Orange County Transportation Authority * Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority * SCAG Bus/Rail Travel Planner * Adobe Acrobat Reader Cross-Country by Bus Greyhound Bus Lines is still in operation. At last report, they were running a special fare - "If you buy your ticket 21 days in advance of travel, you can go anywhere Greyhound travels in the U.S. for no more than $119 round-trip" through 31-Aug-1999. Their Anaheim bus depot is no longer on Harbor Blvd., though; it's moved a block over and a few blocks up and across the freeway. You should be able to get the hotel to send a van to pick you up, though. Orange County The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA, formerly OCTD) operates busses in Orange County, including Anaheim. We'll be near the intersection of Harbor Blvd. and Katella Ave. The Harbor Blvd. bus (north-south) is Route 43; the Katella bus (east-west) is Route 50. Other routes are also available. As it happens, you can take the bus to/from both local Amtrak stations. Route 43 serves the Fullerton station, and Route 50 serves Anaheim Stadium (Edison Field). As of July 11, bus fare is $1 per ride. No transfers are sold anymore, however you can get a day pass. Day passes are $2 now (they'll go up in a year or so to $2.50). You just hand over $2 when you get on the bus instad of $1, and the driver will issue you a day pass. Please note that Orange County's bus service doesn't run all night, and some routes only run during rush hour on weekdays. Check the schedule before you go, to make sure you can come back. Some of the graphics on their web site leave much to be desired, but they do have all of their bus schedules available in PDF form. Print out Route 43 or Route 50, and figure out cross-routes from there. Or use their point-to-point routing gizmo. Those people with wheels - bicycles, wheelchairs - will no doubt be pleased to know that OCTA busses have bike racks and wheelchair lifts. Los Angeles County Some routes operated by Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA, formerly SCRTD) stretch down into Anaheim. In particular, MTA route 460 comes right by our hotel, at Harbor and Convention Way. Please note that not every OCTA bus stop will also be an MTA bus stop. Also, Anaheim now has scads of brand-spanking new green metal bus benches - in the Disneyland area, they have a shade shelter over them, but they're all over the city - and not all of them are OCTA/MTA bus stops at all. Check the signs before sitting down and waiting. The MTA fares start at $1.35, $1.85 for the first zone on freeway express routes; see their web site or call them at 800-266-6883 (800-COMMUTE) for more info on fares and routes. Planning Your Bus Rides You should check out the Southern California Association of Governments Bus/Rail Travel Planner . You can give it "Disneyland" and "Union Station" and it'll show you the times and fares to take Route 43 to the Fullerton Amtrak station, and the train into Los Angeles Union Station. Or, in other words, it's the transit equivalent of all those street-mapping web sites out there. You may get wildly differing results depending on whether you opt for fastest itinerary, fewest transfers, or minimal walking; the above route was for "fewest transfers, leaving tomorrow at noon." "Fastest itinerary" takes you on a mix of OCTA, MTA, and Metro Rail (L.A.'s new subway line). There are other options for telling it when you want to leave or arrive or whatever. Miscellaneous Bus Options Remember I mentioned all those bus benches all over town, especially all over the Anaheim resort district? There are various shuttle services, some operated by the hotels (for example, our hotel runs a dark red "Trolley"-shaped bus between the hotel and Disneyland), some by the usual airport shuttle companies, and some just focus on getting you from Anaheim to the malls and other area attractions. I'll discuss those later when I've rounded up some information on them. Handicapped Access * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Lee Wygand, access@99.nasfic.org Yes, folks, there will be Handicapped Access at ConuCopia. I expect to have (at least) Access Seating at Events, First in Room entry, and Audio Tape of the Programming Schedule. Any other special requests are possible. Please contact the convention to forward your requests to me. Lee Wygand Mailing Lists and Message Boards * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * You probably already know about our two mailing lists - this one, and NASFIC99-CHAT (our public discussion forum). If you don't have web access, send e-mail to listmaster@99.nasfic.org to get on NASFIC99-CHAT. We also have two Message Boards for Conucopia. 1. The Conucopia Roommates Message Board is set up for posting notices. If you're looking for someone to share a hotel room with, post a message there. We can't arrange roommates for you -- you posts your message and you takes your chances. 2. All-Purpose NASFiC Message Board. If you'd like to post a message to the general public, you can post it here. You can get to either of these Message Boards from our "Mailing Lists and Message Boards" page. http://www.99.nasfic.org/web/lists.htm Web Page News * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * In addition to the research on traveling to Anaheim by bus or train, and everything else you've heard about, we also now have our list of Amusement Parks and Attractions, and another list of Museums, Zoos, and Aquariums. The Museums list is growing slightly as we add more Orange County museums to the list. Both are, of course, available on the web page. You may have noticed a slight increase lately in the amount of activity on the web site. This is due to two factors - one, so many departments are ready to announce their plans; and two, I just finished serving a term as PTA president. The previous 10 months were a bit slow for my webmastering duties, as I was spending a lot of time down at the middle school. Now that it's over, I'm getting back in the swing of things. You can expect one of these long Infobot News messages about once a week up until the convention. Membership Rates * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 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. Kids 13 and up are $100, same as adults. 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 At the Door ................................................. $100 Daily (Available at Convention ONLY) ........................ $50 Note that at-the-door rates have been lowered, to $100 for a full membership or $50 for one day. If you join at the door for $50 for one day, you can come back the next day and pay the other $50 to get the rest of the convention. 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. 19990708.txt sent to 426 subscribers of NASFIC99-NEWS.