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!

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.

Spotlight's on AboutSF at Saturday's meeting

A preview of the program for Saturday, April 16, 6:30 at the Writers Place:


"Saving the World through Science Fiction" is the motto of the educational resource center AboutSF.  How could a KaCSFFan do anything but cheer?

L-R: Benjamin Cartwright, Samantha Bishop Simmons, and Nick Bishop Simmons

Once the cheering subsides, however, we can learn more about it from Saturday night's program, presented by Benjamin Cartwright, Samantha Bishop Simmons, and Nick Bishop Simmons.  Ben is a new member of KaCSFFS.

On its website, AboutSF describes itself as "a resource center for speculative literature, science fiction, and education." It is headquartered at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, jointly sponsored by KU, SFWA, and SFRA.  It also is supported by Tor Books, the Heinlein Prize Trust, and individual donors.

Ray Bradbury, by Ed Emshwiller
Saturday's program will feature a
never-before-heard excerpt from an
interview of the sf master by
film historian John Tibbetts.

The program Saturday night will offer a broad overview of resources available through AboutSF, including the Speculative Speakers database, the podcast, and more.  It also will include an excerpt from a never-before-heard interview of Ray Bradbury, and a preview of AboutSF ConQuesT programming.

Ben is the current volunteer coordinator for AboutSF, overseeing various AboutSF projects and initiatives. He also produces the AboutSF audio podcast, designed as a way for fans, scholars, and authors to share stories and commentary with SF communities around the world. And if that wasn't enough, he also produces the Kansas Blotter Audio podcast, collecting recordings of Lawrence KS-area writers.

Samantha is currently in charge of communications at the Hall Center for the Humanities at KU.  She formerly held Ben's job at AboutSF, and also has worked in public education through public and university libraries.

Nick is a Ph.D. candidate at KU, working on a dissertation about philosophical issues regarding consciousness and our understanding of the physical world.

PHOTO CREDITS: Photos of Ben, Samantha, and Nick were provided by Ben; Ed Emshwiller's portrait of Ray Bradbury is the cover painting for Bradbury: An Illustrated Life, published by Donald M. Grant.