Meeting Follow-up

KaCSFFS' 46th Birthday Party is now part of history, but it needs a few follow-ups. The July meeting was held 7/15/2017 in our usual venue, The Writers Place, in midtown Kansas City, MO.

Third-place
"Out of This World" cake.

The pastry chefs of KaCSFFS rock!
We had a nice assortment of cakes for this birthday party, which were formally presented before the tasting. Then we tasted, voted, and here are the winners:

Second-place
"Artificial Gravity"
cake.

Third place: The Means Family, for their "Out of This World" cake (lemon cake with dark chocolate frosting).
Their prize: A copy of the Rocket Jockey card game.

Second place: Liz Gooch and Luke Plumb, for their "Artificial Gravity" cake (Banana with coconut and walnut topping, "adjusted for the spin"--i.e., sort of lopsided. But tasty!)
Their prize: A DVD of Aeon Flux, a movie from 2005.

First-place
"Rum-Soaked Fruitcake"--
Not a crumb left behind!

First place: Beth Moscato, for her runaway favorite, the adults-only "Rum-Soaked Fruitcake."
Her prize: a pair of tickets to the historic Screenland Armour Theatre (films), plus a coupon for popcorn.

These bested a field of other entries that ranged from an imaginatively-decorated cake featuring a rocket surrounded by little green (gummy bears) men, to a package of Fig Newtons ("It's not a cookie--it's fruit and CAKE!")

Special thanks go to Earline Beebe, and David and Marisa Means, who secured the prize donations.

Puerto Rico NASFiC presentation
Jan and Ty Gephardt put together a photographic presentation about their trip to NorthAmeriCon '17, the 2017 North American Science Fiction Convention, held July 6-9 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. We've included it below, for your potential enjoyment:



Great stories from KaCSFFS' past!
We capped the evening with a funny and enlightening panel discussion by four longtime KAXFEN, Ken Keller (one of the co-founders), Robin Wayne Bailey, James "Jim" Murray (AKA Dr. Paisley), and Paula Helm Murray.

L-R: Ken Keller, Robin Wayne Bailey, Jim Murray, and Paula Helm Murray told some great stories from KaCSFFS' past.

They regaled us with stories of how the club was founded, friendships and a mutually-supportive community established, and also some humorous and/or hair-raising tales from the rich history of BYOB-Cons, ConQuesTs, and other notable events through more than four-and-a-half decades.

Members! Check your emails!
The summer 2017 selection for the Reviewers' Reading Circle, Stupid Humans by V. R. Craft, is now available for free download as a reviewer's copy.

This offer is open for all dues-paid KaCSFFS members. We are featuring this book starting with the July meeting through a live author interview with V.R. Craft at the August meeting, and concluding with the September meeting.

IMAGES: All the photos on this web page, and at least half of those in the NASFiC presentation, are by Jan S. Gephardt. Most of the remaining photos in the presentation are by Tyrell E. Gephardt; the remaining photos (credited at the end of the NASFiC presentation) are from the official website of the Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino, where the NASFiC was held. The Stupid Humans book cover image is from Amazon. Many thanks to all!

2016 KaCSFFS Thanksgiving

The KaCSFFS tradition of having a Thanksgiving dinner together each year was started so no KaXFAN would ever have to go through the season without Thanksgiving dinner (even if it was a bit time-shifted). We made sure of it yet again this year, at The Writers Place. Here are some photos.

We opened with a short business meeting, conducted by Margene Bahm.

While waiting for other diners to take their turn, we enjoyed good conversations.

Feasters began with the drinks and turkey meat.

From there, they moved on to the side dishes.

The dessert table offered a variety to finish things off. 

Then everyone dug in. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

After the meal, one group went upstairs to play a tabletop game. Others sat around and chatted, or participated in an informal beer-tasting. A good time was had by all.

IMAGES: All photos are by Jan S. Gephardt.

Join us at the Holiday Meeting and Book-Signing 12/19/15

What: KaCSFFS Holiday Meeting and Book-Signing

Jim Murray, David Means, and Tracy Majkol
enjoy holiday treats at last year's Meeting.

Where: The WritersPlace

3607 Pennsylvania Ave., Kansas City, MO 64111

When: Saturday, December 19, 2015
Update: NO BoD meeting.

6:00 Doors open for setup and pre-meeting socializing.
7:00 Let the Party begin!

Join us for the Holiday Meeting!
Our holiday gatherings are a great place to relax with friends, share holiday treats, and warm up in the glow of the holiday season.

The food theme is HOLIDAY TREATS! If you have a favorite, please bring it to share. Some KaXFEN also bring small gifts or cards to exchange.

Book-Signing Attracts Six Local Authors!
Bring your own books, or buy from the authors at the meeting! 

L-R: Holly Messinger, Bryan Thomas Schmidt, and Robin W. Bailey

Robin W. Bailey is a bestselling author and editor of several dozen fantasy novels, short stories, and collections, and former president of SFWA, the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. Many of his recent collaborations have been with Bryan Thomas Schmidt. 

Holly Messinger's debut novel, The Curse of Jacob Tracy, was published December 1. The advance reviews, in publications such as Publishers Weekly, have been very positive. Meet this rising star of our region! UNFORTUNATE UPDATE: due to unexpected circumstances, Holly will not be able to attend, after all.

Bryan Thomas Schmidt is an author and Hugo-nominated editor of adult and children's speculative fiction. His most recent published project is Mission: Tomorrow. His debut novel, The Worker Prince, received an Honorable Mention on the Barnes & Noble Book Club's Year's Best Science Fiction Releases. 

L-R: Susan Satterfield, Mary Chambers, and Dora Furlong

MC Chambers most recently has had a short story published in a Hadley Rille Books anthology, Ruins Excavation. She also is the author of the novels Shaper's Veil and Silk and Velvet.

Susan Satterfield is a Professor in the English Department at the Metropolitan Community Colleges-Longview, in Lee's Summit. She is the author of Mirror Images, a fantasy novel, and has written short stories for Yard Dog Press collections, including I Should Have Stayed in Oz.UNFORTUNATE UPDATE: due to unexpected circumstances, Susan will not be able to attend, after all.

Dora Furlong's debut novel One of Our Own debuted last summer, and has been selling well on Amazon ever since. She is a frequent Savvy Authors teacher, with a background in the military and emergency services.

IMAGES: The photo of Jim, David and Tracy at the 2014 food table is by Jan S. Gephardt. The photos of Holly Messinger and Dora Furlong are from their Amazon Author Pages. The photos of Bryan Thomas Schmidt, Robin W. Bailey, and MC Chambers are from their author websites. The photo of Susan Satterfield is courtesy of the Lee's Summit Tribune. Many thanks to all!

John Carter and St. Patrick--Plus Important Decisions

Introducing a new "Reviews and Commentary" Tab!

Check the tabs above this post, and notice there's a new one available. We've been wanting to start a page such as this, featuring comments about, and reviews of, works in our spectrum of genres for a while, now!

The page will feature opinions on books, artwork, theatrical productions, music . . . any art form that our readers care to write about. The page debuts with commentary and a brief review of the movie John Carter, written by KAXFEN Ken Keller and David Sooby.

Green Men of All Sizes--and Friends--Are Welcome and NEEDED at the March 17 Meeting!

Bring St. Pat's goodies to share!

Come early to The Writers Place, if you want to park within easy walking distance! We'll be competing with The Hoolie (featuring The Elders) at the Uptown Theater at the other end of the block that night.

We have many important pieces of business and several pleasant diversions in store.

You don't have to be green (it's never easy), but please do WEAR green! And bring green food, too! Check out the recipes on the "Lehigh Valley Live" website, if you need inspiration! 

Readings!

SF and F authors reading at the March 17, 2012 meeting, L-R: Bryan Thomas Schmidt, Sarah Frost, and Sherri Dean.

Jim Murray, A.K.A. Dr. Paisley, will
be on hand to read from vintage issues
of the KaCSFFS 'zine, Cacophony. 

Remember your delight as a little kid, when the wise adults in your home offered to tell or read a story? (If you have no such memories, we offer our sincere condolences for missing one of life's delights).

Recapture childhood glee with our program on Saturday!

KaCSFFS' own Bryan Schmidt, Sherri Dean, and Sarah Frost will read for about 15-20 minutes each, from one of their recent works of science fiction or fantasy.

Jim Murray also will read from one or more vintage issues of Cacophony, a fanzine/newsletter that he edited, and which was published by KaCSFFS for several years in the 1980s and 1990s.


Dues!
No one particularly likes to pay dues, but annual dues are DUE in March. When you pay your dues, either online via the sidebar to the right, or in person at the meeting Saturday, they do three very important things for KaCSFFS members:
(1) They make us members-in-good-standing, when they are paid on time.
(2) They thereby allow us to run for, and vote for, our Board of Directors.
(3) They also thereby make us eligible for member-discounts at ConQuesT 43, both locations of Prospero's Books, Aquarius Books, Vulcan's Forge, and The Marrakech Cafe, when we show our current membership card.

Memberships for New Members and Renewals
We will have a separate room upstairs where members can pay dues and receive laminated membership cards for the current KaCSFFS fiscal year. Members who already have paid, either online or at the February meeting, also may pick up their cards.

YOU MUST BE A CARD-CARRYING CURRENT KACSFFS MEMBER TO VOTE FOR OFFICERS IN APRIL. No "voter fraud" allowed--show your card for a ballot!

This meeting also will be the next-to-last chance to buy a ConQuesT 43 membership in person, and get the club discount (We will sell discounted memberships at the April meeting, too). Online club discounts will be available through April 30

Last Chance to Declare Your Self-Nomination for the KaCSFFS Board!
In KaCSFFS, no one can nominate you but yourself--and the last chance to do so for the 2012 Election is Satuday's meeting! This is because of an Absentee Ballot provision being introduced with the new Bylaws that are required for the 501(c)3 application.

Under the new Bylaws, the five elective offices on the KaCSFFS Board of Directors are President (under the old Bylaws, this office was called Director), Secretary, Treasurer, Communications Officer (formerly Editor), and ConQuesT Chairperson for the planning year (in this case, that means the ConQuesT 44 Chairperson. John Platt IV will serve out the final month his Chairpersonship of ConQuesT 43, without having to run for the office he has been filling all year).

And About Those Bylaws:
The Provisional Draft of the 2012 KaCSFFS Bylaws, which will bring the club into compliance with the Legal Code of the State of Missouri for its 501(c)3 application will be presented for commentary and voting. The version provisionally approved (or not) will be subject to further modification, pending a review of the Provisional Draft by the KaCSFFS membership.

We have a Bylaws Committee that has been working on this draft since last year. Any member in good standing who wishes to join this committee for the Final Drafting process should speak to Committee Chairperson Jan S. Gephardt Saturday, and all suggestions for revisions that come up in the discussion before voting on provisional approval will be noted and acted upon during the Final Drafting process.

A final version, titled Bylaws of the Kansas City Science Fiction and Fantasy Society, Inc., and dated 2012, will be the subject of a straight up-or-down vote by the members at the May meeting.

Other Notes:

Help Robin W. Bailey clean out
his bookshelves!

We will have "get well" cards available at the meeting to sign for Alex Boyd and Suzette Haden Elgin. Diana Bailey will have them upstairs at the membership table.

Robin W. Bailey will be clearing out bookshelf and garage space by setting up a book sales table near the refreshment area, and selling books from 5:15 until the business meeting starts at 6:30. 


He says, "come a little early, check out what I've got on the table, and maybe find a few bargains. I'll have a selection of my own books and anthologies, as well."  

PHOTO CREDITS: The St. Pat's Day party cupcake image came from Lehigh Valley Live. The recipe is there, too, along with several others that look fabulous. The photo of Bryan Thomas Schmidt came from the bio page on his website. The photo of Sarah Frost is from her Writertopia profile. The photo of Sherri Dean is her Profile Picture on Facebook. Jim Murray's photo came from his profile on GooglePlus. The "candidate" image is from the Dixie County elections web page, for Dixie County, FL. The "Bylaws Book" image is from the A.J. Whittenberg Elementary School of Engineering "ByLaws/Standing Rules" page. The "Book Sale image is from the Friends of the Batesville (IN) Memorial Library news page. Many thanks to all these sources for the use of these images!

Attention Artists! Call for Entries!

Thanksgiving Visual Feast is November 19

Here’s an opportunity to display your artwork and offer it for sale at the usually well attended KaCSFFS Thanksgiving Dinner and Meeting—just in time for the holidays!

WHAT’S HAPPENING: 
     * Hosted by KaCSFFS (the parent organization for ConQuesT).
     * A one-evening art display and sale in conjunction with the Thanksgiving Dinner Meeting, and a reading by John Tibbetts.
     * Show date: Saturday, November 19:
          * Setup starts 5:15 p.m.
          * Show runs 6:30-8:30.
          * Teardown must wrap up by 9.

The Visual Feast will be run like the highly successful August Art Night.
Shown here are partial displays by Allison Stein, Jan Gephardt, Lucy A. Synk,
and Rachael Mayo. Jim Murray observes at right. Photo by Neelix.
Also participating in the show were jewelers Bev Hale and Signy Gephardt.

BUSINESS DETAILS:
     * This show is open to local and regional artists who work in the science fiction, fantasy, horror, and Steampunk genres.
     * Space preference goes to those who can attend or send an agent.
     * Reservations must be received by November 16. Space is limited, so sign up early! Contact Jan Gephardt to reserve space.
     * There is NO charge for displaying artwork at this event.
     * There is NO commission on sales.
     * Buyers will pay artists directly, via cash or check only, unless an artist can take credit cards on his/her own.
     * Vertical displays will use the 2-ft.-wide-by-6-ft.-tall wire grid panels used at ConQuesT (see the photo above).
     * The Writers Place has tables similar to the 3-ft.-by-6-ft. tables used at ConQuesT for horizontal space, but they mostly will be used for eating—so we may have to use alternate arrangements. If you have your own tables, bring them!
     * You or your agent will set up your display. Prices should be visible. We have created “Visual Feast” piece ID tags and Control Sheets, if you wish to use them. Contact Jan Gephardt for them.

The Nov. 19 event will be at
The WritersPlace in Kansas City, MO.

LOCATION: 
     * The event will be held at The Writers Place, 3607 Pennsylvania, Kansas City, MO.
     * Do NOT ship artwork to The Writers Place!! If you need a shipping address, contact Jan Gephardt.

We hope to see you and your artwork there!
     Sincerely,
     Jan Sherrell Gephardt
     Visual Feast Art Show Director


PHOTO CREDITS: The photo from August Art Night is used by permission from photographer Neelix (AKA Tracy Majkol).  The photo of The Writers Place is from their website.

What to Expect at the 40th Anniversary

By Robin W. Bailey

The Writers Place: 3607 Pennsylvania, KCMO

In honor of the 40th anniversary of KaCSFFS, the Writers Place will transform into a museum as we celebrate the many accomplishments and highlights of Kansas City fandom.  Along with LASFS (Los Angeles SF Society), NESFA (New England SF Association) and only a few others, KaCSFFS now standsas one of the oldest, continuously operating science fiction fan clubs in the country.  

We think that’s worth honoring.

Your ticket down memory lane!

Memory Lane Awaits! 

Take a trip down Memory Lane.  Attendees can look forward to a number of special displays and collections.  

We’ll have a nearly complete collection of ConQuesT tee shirts through the years, as well as badges and KaCSFFS newsletters.  Look for a display of the many terrific fanzines published right here in Kansas City during the great heyday of fan publishing.  Check out the numerous gubernatorial and mayoral proclamations honoring our Nebula Awards weekends, and see the original Science Fiction Hall of Fame plaque and trophy once again.

  

In keeping with this museum theme, be sure to check out the KaCSFFS Facebook page where, under the heading of “Countdown to the 40th Anniversary,” Robin Bailey has spent the past month posting many interesting photographs and bits of KaCSFFS history.

Special Awards and Swag!

But that’s not all!  Jim Murray is producing a commemorative 40th anniversary fanzine.  Tracy Majkol is preparing a special slide show highlighting members and events.  Joyce Downing, a longtime member and terrific musician, will entertain us with several songs.  We’ll make the evening special in other ways, too, and we’ll offer a few surprises.  Among them, a very special surprise autographing event.  You won’t want to miss it.

 But that’s not all!  One of the highlights of the anniversary will come when Ken Keller, who along with Gary Mattingly co-founded our club, is honored with an award and lifetime honorary membership to recognize his achievement.  This is an overdue and much-deserved recognition, and we’re very happy to make it on this special night.

And that’s still not all!  The anniversary will also feature the launch and first-time presentation of a brand new, board-approved KaCSFFS honor -- The Tom Reamy Award for Excellence in Science Fiction Endeavors.  We’ll explain the origin and purpose of the award as we name its first recipient.  We think everyone will be pleased.

Food!

Don’t forget that the Marrakech Café is catering our event.  Expect an array of appetizers, hors douerves and desserts, along with coffee and tea.  Attendees are also encouraged to bring any additional beverages of your choice.  Hey, BYOB is always in vogue in this group!  By the way, we’re very pleased that we’ve been able to finance this entire evening with advance ticket sales and contributions without dipping directly into the club’s treasury.  

Your Master and Mistress of Ceremonies for the evening: Robin Wayne Bailey and Sherri Dean.

PHOTO/IMAGE CREDITS:

The photo of the Writers Place is from their website.

The 40th Anniversary Ticket SAMPLE was compiled by Jan S. Gephardt.

The 1971 "K.C.S.F.F.S."  organizational flier is from the collection of Robin W. Bailey.