Kronos pt. 1
December Kronos
Newsletter of the Middle Tennessee Science Fiction Society
The next meeting is December the 9th (next Wednesday)
At the Green Hills Public Library
which is located at Green Hills Mall but not in the Mall.
At Hillsboro Rd & Crestmoor (a Krystal is on the corner)
Turn go down Crestmoor
and the drive to the library is to the left past F. Scott's.
Or call the library at: 615 - 862- 5863
Anita Feller president
Ray Jones Treasurer
Robert Edwards , Pat James programming..with Lee Billings and cast of ones..
Bemscribe as zathras...
Want to contact the bemscribe
e-mail bemscribe_too@hotmail.com
Check out my web page at http://www.oocities.org/area51/dimension/4242/
(ps by the way.. a bem is a bug-eyed monster and a name of one of the former SF clubs here..
I used to be one the newsletter editors.. thus bemscribe)
The program will be planning for the Holiday Party
on Saturday December 19th.
The party will start at 6pm with real food served at 7pm.
(If you want to come early and help decorate
please let us know ahead of time)
We will be providing a ham and turkey plus other food
and some non-alcoholic drinks.
So if you else, you need to bring it.
Cost is just $5 per person.
The Chattacon Hotel may or may not be sold out
Several people called a couple of weeks ago
and were told that it was sold out.
Anita went and talked to some of the Chattacon people
at ConCat and was told there had been a mix-up
on the part of the hotel.
So she called back and now has a room.
But by the time this goes out it could be sold out for real;
For further information,
you may contact Mike Dillson or Zanny Leach at(770)578-8461.
No collect calls please!
email atchattacon.info@mindspring.com.:
The last meeting
Barbara Harmon dropped by to talk about
the SF reading group that is meeting at Davis Kidd.
Lee Billings told us that she would be moving
to Houston Texas sometime after Thanksgiving.
We talked a lot about various plans for a New Years party.
A couple of them had to do with places
were there would be a dance ( Anita’s schemes)
(and of course we laughed.. we who cannot dance..
Anita would bluster and make mock threats..
which mostly didn’t work.. because we are not too afraid of her..
most of the time..)
Charlie Williams also mentioned renting a hotel room
since his house is still in need of repair.
All in all we decided we didn’t have enough info to make a decision..
But it looks like Anita and Tom have..(maybe we will crash he he)
RJ has had unusual problems with the computer
for the fuel injector of his car..
Of course the dash of the car looks like the shuttle cockpit.
I got the chance to finally go to
the Sherlock Holmes group here in Nashville..
They go by the moniker of Scholars of the Three Pipe Problem.
The meeting was a special one held at the University Club at Vanderbilt.
We had a buffet style dinner and then on to the meeting.
Each meeting the group is assigned a case to read
and this one was the "Stockbrokers Clerk".
After dinner a small quiz was handed out but this wasn’t to bad since you weren’t graded.
Instead as each question was read aloud people
would chime in with answers and commentary.
The consensus seemed to be the story was not one
of Doyle’s greatest efforts and slightly derivative
of the Red Headed League.
Jim Hawkins featured their home page (see below)
Everyone at the meeting were very friendly
and I am really looking forward to going back again.
We have invited the Holmes group to the party
and I am really looking forward to seeing some of them again.
For now Gael Stahl is going to be forwarding the newsletter
to members of the Holmes group.
So Hi You all..
Contact me if you if you wish..at bemscribe_too@hotmail.com
Oh yeah.. I told Gael that in the spring
I would be willing to do a program on how Holmes as effected science fiction.
___________________________________
_______________________
This news is from their web master Jim Hawkins..
"FELLOW SHERLOCKIAN & DOYLE DEVOTEES:"
"On this occasion of Halloween I am taking this opportunity to announce
The Newly Created SHERLOCKIANS ONLINE Community, a place where Sherlock
Holmes will be celebrated in word and picture.
This will be a gathering
place for your best thoughts about Holmes, Doyle, The Queen Mother, the
Victorian Era in general, our old friend Watson, Professor Moriarty,
Jeremy Brett, or any of the stories and characters that fill our lives
with fun and enjoyment."
Please visit and leave us your best! The NEW game is afoot!
http://mycomm.excite.com/mycomm/browse.asp?cid=.nXWrj5hLOnF
______________________________________________________
JimHawkins@thehawk.net
http://www.thehawk.net/3ppEZ.ht
_______
_________________
________________________
Calendar
December
9th
Middle TN SF Society
_______________________________________________
10th
Last day to prereg for 12th night at Camp Easter Seal.
Mt. Juliet, TN
Twelfth Night will be January 8 -10,1999
Sponsored by SCA Shire of Glaedenfeld
To stay in the cabin for weekend w) feast $21 per person.
SCA members may deduct $3 w) proof of membership.
Make checks payable to SCA, Inc. Shire of Glaedenfeld
POB 41416
Nashville, TN. 37204
For more info e-mail the autocrat Steve Heydell
sheydel@bellsouth.net or call 449 -9072
A couple of notes:
The site is very nice and sits overlooking Old Hickory Lake.
There is a large hall with smaller room and kitchen.
The cabins are group halls with mostly single non bunked beds.
The only draw back seems to be that you will have
to unload your stuff but then drive your car back near the entrance
To park in a field. No problem with balmy weather
like this but could be interesting if an another snowstorm hit like several years ago
Which temporarily stranded people at 12th night and Musiccon respectively.
_______________________________________________
12th
2:00 PM Michael Jackson (another one)
Ultimate Beer
Signing Bosco's Brewing Co.
with beer tasting 1805 21st Ave S. (901-685-5104)
Also 12th
Public Star Party at Long Hunter State Park
7-9pm
Cosponsored by Barnard- Seyfert Astronomical Society,
Sudekum Planetarium and the park staff
___________________________________________
15th
SF Reading Group at the Book Gallery
Hickory Hollow area 7-9pm
17th
West Nashville SF Readers' Group , ?
in the Second Story Cafe of Davis Kid 7:oo p.m.
________________________________________
15th
GaFilk1 Attending memberships $20 through today,
$40 after 12/15/98
Ga Filk 1 date is Jan. 8-10, 1999
The Guest of Honor: Juanita Coulson!.
The ToastBeing:
( Nashville native soon to be Houston citizen Lee Billings )
According to their info Lee prefers the term ToastBeing over ToastMistress,
so that's what they are calling her officially.
The Interfilk Guest: Glenn Simser
The Hotel: The Ramada Inn Atlanta Airport South
1551 Phoenix Boulevard
Atlanta, GA 30349
National reservation # is 800-2-RAMADA (272-5232)
The room rate is $69.00 + 12% tax for up to 4 people in the room
(bringing the nightly total to $77.28).
For more information about GaFilk, e-mail Michael Liebmann
___________________________________________
19th
Middle Tennessee Science Fiction Holiday Party
$ 5 per person.
Party starts at 6pm with snack food served.
Major food served at 7pm.
_____________________________________________________
20th
last day to prereg for Shadow Con and get to eat feast
___________________________________________________________
December 30th
$30 until January 1, 1999 and $35 at the door
Chattacon dates Jan. 15- 17 1999
Clarion Hotel in downtown Chattanooga
And the hotel is sold out
.maybe see note above
And Ken seems to be the only person who has a room..
(well at least I know one person pays attention to the flyer.)
(Make your checks payable to Chattacon 24
Contact information:
For further information
,
you may contact Mike Dillson or Zanny Leach at(770)578-8461.
No collect calls please!
email atchattacon.info@mindspring.com.:
Chattacon 24
PO Box 23908
Chattanooga, TN 37422-3908
_________________________________
31st Party somewhere
prereg memberships for the
1999 North American SF Convention are $ 85 until today.
The con will be at the Anaheim Marriott Hotel
August 26 - 29, 1999
ConuCopia
C/o SCIFI
POB 8442
Van Nuys, Ca. 91409
-----------------------------
Your Concave room reservation lottery form needs to be turned
in by now.
The lottery form is on the back of the ConCave flyer.
Do not contact the hotel.
______________________________________________________________________-
January 1999
SHADOWCON 3
Their Graces Sir Kane & Ilissa
along with House Shadow Legion present
Shadow Legions 12th Night Celebration
Holiday Inn Holidrome (I-55 @ Ingram Bvld.)
in West Memphis, Arkansas.
Events: RPGaming, Movie Room, SCA-esque fighting,
Live-Action Dark Ages Vampire,
Auction, SCA & mundane merchanting,
Masquerade Ball, Fencing, Costume Contest,
Open/Pick-up Gaming, Revelry & Fun!
Admission between Dec. 1-Dec. 20 is $26 and includes Feast.
After Dec 20 admission is $26 and does NOT include Feast.
Daytrip (no Feast): $15,
Children under 12: 1/2 price, Babes in Arms:FREE
PER STATE LAW & HOTEL POLICY: 10 PM CURFEW FOR ALL MINORS
ALL MINORS MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN
Con Rate is $59/night. Call the hotel at (870) 735-4055
and request the special rate for ShadowCon attendies.
hotel reservation by Dec. 20 to be guaranteed room.
Send registrations to:
Barbara Easley care/of Bruce's Imports 5310 Hungerford Road,
Memphis, TN 38118
Kane1Lissa@aol.com
NOTE: ShadowCon 3 is NOT an SCA sanctioned/sponsored/recognized event!!!
_____________________
_______________________________________________________
5th
IKAV Dragon's Heart Modified Voodieh Class Battleship
Klingon Assault Vessel
Media Play
______________
_____________
Jan. 8-10, _ Ga Filk
GoH Juanita Coulson!. The ToastBeing Lee Billings
The Interfilk Guest: Glenn Simser
The Hotel: The Ramada Inn Atlanta Airport South
1551 Phoenix Boulevard
Atlanta, GA
-----------------------
Twelfth Night
Camp Easter Seal
_______________________________________________________
13th
Middle Tennessee Science Fiction Society Meeting
Program: SF writers you should have read but never heard of.
_________________________________________
15 - 17th
Chattacon
See special news from Irv Koch below
about why you might want to consider going to Chattacon
_________________________________
February
2nd IKAV Dragon's Heart Modified Voodieh Class Battleship
Klingon Assault Vessel
Media Play
___________________________________________________
10th
MiddleTn. Science Fiction Society
13th
Last day to preregister for Concave
The 20th anniversary of Concave/
Uppersouth Clave 24 will be Feb. 26 - 28th, 1999
Park Mammoth Resort
Park City, Ky.
Prereg $20. At the Door $30
See room lottery info above.
Art Show Info
Pat Molloy
POB 9135
Huntsville, Al. 35812
Send reservations to:
Concave
POB 3221
Kingsport, Tn. 37664
Eamil grrobe@preferred.com
___________________________
26 - 28th
ConCave
GOH will be Green Bay Packer fan Tom Feller.
________________________________________
March
1st
Last day to prereg for Mid South Con 17.
$25 now.. after today and at the door $ 30.
Also rooms must be reserved before March 1st.
(yeah ..don’t listen..just remember Chattacon)
Sheraton Four Points, at Airways and Democrat in Memphis.
Room rates are $ 69 flat. Phone 901- 332 -1130.
Mid South Science and Fiction Conventions, Inc.
POB 11446
Memphis, Tn. 38111
Mid South will be March 26 - 28,1999
_____________________________
Kronos part 2
____________________________
Con News past:
Dan and John made the journey north to Windy Con.
John with great forbearance did not kill Dan
even after Dan dragged in through Chicago
on a journey to a very large bookstore..
With their luggage in tow on mass transit ..
John showed great restraint while Dan went wild .
They met up with James Fulkerson and Kathy Horning.
One of the tidbits of news was that James
came very close to selling a SF story.
This news has so invigorated Dan
that he has gone back to work on the novel
They ran into Allen Steele who told them of his recent
experience at the Space Frontier Foundation conference.
On Thanksgiving weekend Nashville fandom split once again
to attend conventions..
We are starting to sound like some type of ameba .
_______________________________
ConCat
Anita and Tom Feller went to Concat.
The atmosphere report was mixed.
Anita said the smoke level was more tolerable,
while Tom had a little difficulty.
Anita raved and raved about how the con suite was set up.
______________________________
Chambanancon..
The good news is this was not the rumored last year
.
The bad news was that the attendance was even smaller.
The better news is that they have adjusted
their budget and came out in the black.
As usual it drew more Nashville fen
since this is one of the first cons some of them ever went to.
Ken Moore, John Hollis, Lee Billings and Dan Caldwell
all made the long trek north.
For once the weather was exceptionally pretty..
the first time I went we went up in a ice storm.
There were a lot of filkers and even Moonwulf showed up for awhile.
Friday night was not to lively because it seems several people
took naps Friday afternoon that turned into all night slumber.
Saturday night was reported to far much livelier..
A good time was had by all.
________________________________________________
This is some news from Irv Koch
and has to do with something special that will be happening
at Chattacon.
I'm getting married Dec 28, 1998.
My wife-to-be, Kay Pinckney, is a notable
Atlanta Sherlock Holmes (not sf&f) fan.
She's related to what seems like half
of GA between Atlanta and Macon,
not to mention the Carolinas.
We can't
invite everyone I know from sf&f fandom.
So ... I've made a deal to take over
the ChattaCon Dead Dog Party ...
sometime about 7pm Sunday Jan 17, 1999, until
"the last dog dies."
This is at the Clarion Hotel, 4th and Chestnut St,
Chattanooga, TN.
That should take care of anyone who couldn't make it or we
couldn't invite.
If you're going to be a member of that convention,
just show up with your badge.
If not, to get in, you must contact me via email
(at
irvkoch@sprintmail.com) by Jan 3., 1999,
or postmarked by Jan 3., 1999
via
snail mail to Irv Koch,
1623 White Oak Rd,
Chattanooga, TN 37415.
People whose names I put on a list
and hand over to the ChattaCon ConSuite staff, get
in without a badge.
(I'm paying ....)
Any questions: email or snail mail to me at the above addresses.
______________________________________
Really Big Convention News
Seattle Withdraws Worldcon Bid
Seattle has withdrawn its bid to hold the 2002 World Con
due to not being able to obtain the necessary hotel rooms.
Without the hotel room night commitments they would not be able
to obtain the Washington State Trade and Convention Center.
Seattle's only rival, the San Francisco in 2002 Worldcon Bid Committee
is the likely default winner.
It would be real difficult for another bid in a different city
to organize and acquire reservations for the needed function space
and hotel rooms.
"Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is the owner or operator
of many major downtown Seattle hotels,
including the Sheraton Seattle Hotel and Towers,
Westin Hotel Seattle, Days Inn Town Center,
the Edward Meany Hotel, Sixth Avenue Inn,
as well as the new Group W Hotel and the proposed hotel
to be built at the Convention Center.
Starwood has declined to provide the Bid Committee with a room block.
It is not possible to obtain the required minimum
of 1,000 rooms per night in downtown Seattle
that the King County Convention
and Visitors Bureau requires to book the Convention Center
without one or more of the Starwood hotels.
The Bid Committee has made repeated attempts,
by phone and by mail, to address whatever concerns Starwood
might have with a Seattle Worldcon.
To date there has been no response to its queries
or any explanation for Starwood's decision.
The Bid Committee does not know why the Regional Manager of Starwood,
Yogi Hudson, or any of his representatives would not meet with the Bid Committee.
Starwood's de facto control over which groups
can reserve the Convention Center is lamentable,
but is not something the Bid Committee can overcome.
San Francisco is now left as the only other Worldcon bidder for 2002.
Their primary hotel will be a Marriott, Starwood's biggest competitor."
Several people I have heard from have been very disappointed by this turn of events.
Some people were unhappy with the previous
San Fran WC especially the distance between various sites .
From this statement I found on the web it does make one group of people happy.
At least a little.
San Francisco chair Kevin Standlee issued a statement that read in part
,
"While we are obviously relieved to see such a powerful opponent leave the field,
we are also saddened by the loss,
and regret that we will now never know what the choice of the voters would have been."
San Francisco has also announced
that pre-supporting members of the Seattle bid can apply
the value of their memberships toward a pre-supporting membership
in the San Francisco in 2002 bid.
____________________________________________________
Fan News
Lee Billings ( Van Deest) is moving to Houston Texas later this month..
We are planning to go out for dinner either
Saturday the 12th or Sunday the 13th probably at the Calypso Café.
Drop me a line if you are interested in coming.
_______________________________________-
http://www.drcasey.com/comics/dexter/index.shtml
Dexter's World was a creation from the Warped Minds
of Alan M. Clark, Randy Fox, and Peteso and
it can be found temporarily at the address above.
It’s based on Alan’s artwork with captions..
I think the one with the game on the lawn is my favorite.
Supposedly October was to be the last month the comic would be there.
. but for now it is still there.
So while you can read about Dexter and the Demon Worm Tinky Butt.
_________________________---
Also if you are looking for that last minute holiday gift
you can consider ordering a copy of "Imagination Fully Dilated",
published by Cemetery Dance Publications,
is a limited edition hardbound edited
by Elizabeth Engstrom and Alan M. Clark for that special someone.
To order from Cemetery Dance Publications:
Cemetery Dance Publications
P.O. Box 943
Abingdon MD 21009
by phone: (410) 569-5683 noon 'til 10:00 PM
by fax: (410)569-2449 twenty-four hours a day
________________
also this very special game to brighten up those holiday parties.
Pain Doctors -
The Game of Recreational Surgery is or should be available soon.
Either pick one up at your local gaming store or
send a check or money order for $29.95 + $6 shipping to:
PAIN DOCTORS Game
Dreamsville Publishing
P.O. Box 451127
Atlanta, GA 31145-112
____________
Or for the Holidays order a copy of Allen Steele’s new collection
"Sex and Violence in Zero-G".
ISBN: 0-9658345-9-X /Trade 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" $16.00 US +$4.00 P&H.
Meisha Merlin Publishing
PO Box 7, Decatur, GA 30031
Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery
Dealer Inquiries are welcome /
meisha.merlin@usa.net
_______________________________________________________________________-
-
Randy Fox who has a Rockbilly show on WRVU
just a full-page article published in the December 3 issue of the Nashville Scene.
He tells of a little known side of Nashville music
of the " Female Elvis" Janet Martin.
______________________________________
___________________
Anita and Tom Feller bought back some interesting info
from their trip to ConCat.
They met Tom McGee, who is the president of Soul Wave, Publishers, Inc.
Souls Wave was the publisher of a signed, numbered,
hardcover limited editions of
The Terminal Experiment and Golden Fleece by Robert Sawyer.
The book is now sold out.
" Terminal Experiment" was the winner
of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America Nebula Award for Best Novel.
Tom McGee and Larry Woods formed SoulWave Publishers, Inc.,
in 1997; they are using the name "SoulWave" --
a term from The Terminal Experiment --
with Robert J. Sawyer's permission.
Any questions?
Email Tom McGee of SoulWave Publishers, Inc.,
at TMcGee@BellSouth.net.
Or write to him at:
SoulWave Publishers, Inc.
631 Second Ave. South, Suite 1R
P.O. Box 24727
Nashville, TN 37202-4727
__________________________
_____
Some news from Tony Ubelhor
One other bit of news: I've just completed the listings on Hugo Gernsback
and Robert Heinlein for "The St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture."
I'm not sure when the encyclopedia will be released, but I think sometime
next year."
Tony also had a paper accepted at the
1999 Conference of the International Association of the Fantastic in Art.
The conference is going to be in Ft Lauderdale, Fl. next spring.
Soon on the web page.. will be more about the conference .
___________________________________________________________
Some news about L. Sprague de Camp that I received thanks to Uncle Timmy.
From: L. Sprague and Catherine de Camp
Subject: L. Sprague de Camp broken hip
Hi Tim and Linda:
Catherine and I wanted you to know, Sprague tripped and fell Wednesday
evening,
November 4. He was taken by ambulance to the Plano Hospital. X-rays
revealed a broken hip.
Sprague had hip replacement surgery on Friday. A new
ball joint was put in plus a lot of super glue and wires.
He was transferred
to the rehab unit yesterday.
We pray for a complete and speedy recovery. I
have always said that Sprague is a trooper and a survivor, but I wish he
wouldn't keep putting himself to the test!
If you or any of his friends and
fans would like to send a get well card, they can send it to him
c/o Medical
Center of Plano, Skilled Nursing Unit, 3901 West 15th Street, Plano, TX
75075-7799.
Catherine celebrated her birthday on Friday, Nov. 6 without
Sprague here.
She is a beautiful as ever and in good health.
She is
naturally quite concerned about Sprague and visits him every day.
We all
hope that Sprague will be home by November 27th to celebrate his 91st
birthday.
Catherine sends her love. I hope all is well on your end.
Kindest regards, Sandy Chicoskie [Secr.]"
___________________________________________________________________-
More Book News
The American Booksellers Association has issued the following official
statement (available on the ABA BookWeb site at http://www.bookweb.org):
"The American Booksellers Association (ABA) considers the purchase of
Ingram Book Company by Barnes and Noble, Inc., to be a devastating
development that threatens the viability of competition in the book
industry, and limits the diversity and availability of books to consumers.
The Board of Directors of the ABA call on the Antitrust Division of the
U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission to investigate
the proposed acquisition and to take prompt and decisive action to stop
this blatantly anti-competitive combination."
ABA President Richard Howorth has asked member bookstores to write to
Attorney General of the United States Janet Reno and Federal Trade
Commission Chairman Robert Pitofsky to protest the acquisition, and the ABA
is providing a model letter (echoing the positions in the statement above)
on its BookWeb site:
http://www.bookweb.org/news/pressroom/1477.html
This is an issue, which really touches home.
As you can see from the address below Ingram
is located just outside of Nashville and is one of the areas
signature companies.
Ingram itself has been split from a much larger entity that has been partly
split
apart since the death of E. Bronson Ingram.
The Ingram family and entities have had
a dramatic impact on Nashville and the surrounding area.
It is almost doubtful if we would still have a symphony orchestra without the Ingrams.
It was just announced this week that Vanderbilt University
will receive 340 million worth of stock of Ingram Micro Inc. (NYSE:IM - news)
The money is coming from the Ingram Charitable Fund,
which was created by Martha and E. Bronson Ingram,
a Vandy alum before his death.
So I have to wonder if this does pass the scrutiny of the government,
as it looks into anti trust factors the questions are..
Is this going to affect the area and the main office..
How will it affect the independent bookstore such as Barnes and Noble plus Amamzon?
(there is some speculation that competition
and the perceived threat of Amazon spurred on this deal.)
by the way the address for Ingram is..
Ingram Book Group · One Ingram Boulevard · LaVergne, TN 37086-3650
this issue of the newsletter is in memory of Bob Kane
creator of my favorite comic book hero Batman
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