KaCSFFS Meeting March 16, 2013

Of Little Green Men and other Matters

March is the Month of Mars

(Our President Diana Bailey contributed a meditation upon the month):

March is named for Mars, the Roman God
of War and for the planet Mars. That leads naturally to thinking about little green men from Mars and maybe even leprechauns. 

Now, I am not suggesting that leprechauns came from Mars or that they are an alien race or anything. But don't you think that celebrating all these little green men in March is more than a mere accident? I wonder what type of green card they carry with them. 

What: KaCSFFS Monthly Meeting

When: Saturday, March 16, 2013, at 6:30 p.m. (Board meets 5:30)

Where: The Writers Place, 3607 Pennsylvania Ave., Kansas City, MO 64111

Food Fit for Little Green Men and Friends?

Food theme for the Month: Show us what you should feed these little green men that may or may not be from Mars? Categories will be: 

Best Creative Dish

 Food that Best Fits the Theme (that is, Mars, Martians, or Leprechauns)

Best Green Food

Decision 2013 Looms!

We need additional self-nominations for the Executive Board.  As you may know, KaCSFFS Board Members must nominate themselves.  Currently we have the following self-nominations from February:

President: Cindy Norton (contingent upon Diana Bailey's self-nomination for Treasurer)

Treasurer: (none so far)

Secretary: (none so far)

Communications Officer: Jan S. Gephardt

ConQuesT Con Chair: Jesi Pershing

Balloting will be held online via Absentee Ballot, or in person at the April Meeting (dues-paid members may vote ONCE, by either means).

This is Membership Month!

Diana Bailey and Cindy Norton processed memberships at the February meeting.

If you have not paid your 2013 membership dues, your membership expires this month.  

If you allow your membership to expire, you will stop receiving information via the KAXFEN Yahoo Group, and you will no longer be eligible to vote on official KaCSFFS business questions, elections, etc.

You also will no longer continue to receive discounts with our cooperating merchants, just when we have gotten a new one!  See below!

Renew online (see PayPal button at right on this blog), or via cash or check (made payable to KaCSFFS) at the meeting.  Cindy and Diana, our Membership Mavens, will make sure you receive a laminated membership card when you pay your dues.

Return of a Popular Panel

Ken Keller and  associates will present a panel discussion of Kansas City's science fiction and fantasy authors.  There have been a lot of them, and the stories are often colorful.

Food Bank Items and Pet Food Coupons

We will also be doing the quarterly collection of canned and dry goods for food banks, along with a new pet food coupon exchange for some members who have four-legged furry family members.

Fund-Raiser for Jerry Gelb

Jerry Gelb was the Special Guest at ConQuesT a few years ago (2009).  You may remember his performances on blues harp at RoomCon on two occasions, as well.

We have learned that Jerry is in need of surgery to relieve pressure on his spine, which is causing random paralysis, among other issues. A fundraiser has been started to help him cover the expenses (and time off afterward). There will be a get well card to sign and a jar for donations. 

KaCSFFS Discounts Expand!

Sosa's 39th Street Diner is our newest source of discounts in midtown Kansas City! All card carrying KaCSFFS members in good standing need only show their membership card to receive  a 10% discount!

THANKS FOR THE IMAGES: We first used the beautiful image of Mars (titled "mars-planet-water-nasa") for the March 2011 meeting preview.  The webpage from which we retrieved it is no longer available, and neither TinEye nor a manual search revealed the original source.  It shall have to remain as mysterious as the Red Planet itself, at least for now.  The Ballot Box image is from the blog, “The Nev Filter." The photo of Diana and Cindy is by Jan S. Gephardt, and may be used without alteration for the price of a link back and attribution.  The Food Bank Graphic is from the New Haven Food Bank web page. The photo of the banner in front of Sosa's is from the Midtown KC Post.
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More than Plenty's in Store at KaCSFFS Thanksgiving Meeting!

November 19 Meeting is Packed with Special Features

Come to The Writers Place for the November meeting with a Food Pantry donation; cash or your checkbook, in case you see artwork you can't resist; and a side dish or dessert to share for the potluck Thanksgiving dinner!

Bring non-perishable food items for
the KaCSFFS Food Drive!

Food Pantry Donations
Before you feed yourself, give some thought to feeding others! KaCSFFS continues its three-month food drive. Any non-perishable food item is appreciated! Some popular and healthy suggestions include canned fruit, vegetables, soup, meat (such as tuna or ham), etc., or peanut butter, beans, rice, pasta, and baby food. Disposable diapers and wipes, as well as toiletry items also are usually welcome!

Thanksgiving Visual Feast
Talented local and regional artists who work in the science fiction, fantasy, horror, and/or Steampunk genres will display their work for your viewing pleasure and purchase--just in time for the holidays! This display will be set up on the Mezzanine and second floor. It will be available for viewing all evening. Don't miss it!

This is some of the artwork displayed for last August's "Art Night." See what
our talented artist friends have in store for Thanksgiving!

Earline Beebe and Jan Gephardt enjoyed a good visit
at the 2010 KaCSFFS Thanksgiving Dinner. 

Thanksgiving Dinner
After a short meeting starting at 6:00, it will be time to eat. Enjoy the talents of the best cooks in KaCSFFS, and relax for a pleasant conversation at the table. 

If you plan to bring a side dish or dessert to complement the KaCSFFS-furnished turkey and gravy, please contact Diana Bailey so she can coordinate. Bring your own drinks, if you have something particular in mind. 

KaCSFFS provides plastic tableware and disposable cups, as well as the turkey and gravy.

John Tibbetts will read from
his new book after dinner.

After-Dinner Reading by John Tibbetts

A special treat awaits us after dinner, when the noted local film critic, writer, interviewer, and KU professor of film, John Tibbetts, presents a reading from his new book, The Gothic Imagination: Conversations on Fantasy, Horror and Science Fiction in the Media. 

This book was only published last month. It includes an interview with KaCSFFS friend and Honorary Member Wilson Tucker.

Tibbetts is a charming and entertaining speaker. We think you will enjoy his presentation!

PHOTO CREDITS: The food pantry illustration is courtesy of the First Baptist Church of Medford, WI. The photo of the "August Art Night" display is by Neelix (Tracy Majkol), and is used with his permission. The photo from the November 20, 2010 Thanksgiving Dinner is by Ty Gephardt, and is used with his permission. The cover illustration for The Gothic Imagination was provided by Barnes & Noble Booksellers. Many thanks to all of them!