The Adventures of the Stilyagi Air Corps
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| Wednesday, April 29th, 2009 | 12:17 pm
[jeffreyab]
 |
FROM THE INFAMOUS ATTIC, GARAGE, CUBBY HOLES AND BOOK SHELVES OF BIG HEARTED HOWARD DeVORE!
USED BOOK SALE (For those who didn’t know Howard, he was a lifelong SF collector and huckster, BNF, member of First Fandom, frequent convention GoH, Hugo nominee, and 2006 Worldcon Fan GoH.) COMPLETE LIQUIDATION OF ALL PAPERBACKS (10,000+ being sold by the box – 80-100 per box) BOOKCLUB EDITIONS (about 200-300) DIGESTS (2-300), ACE DOUBLES, SELF=PUB BOOKS, APRILL PRESS ASSORTED ODDS & ENDS & MAYBE SOME OTHER SPECIAL THINGS! Sale will be held at Howard’s old house, a 10 minute drive from the Penguicon hotel. Load up a van and bring your friends. It is about ½ mile off I-94, and very easy to find. 4705 Weddel St Dearborn. So…when you’re ready to take a break, or are going out to eat, drop by and pick up some bargain reading material. Many books are like new, many are old but in good condition. May 1-3: Friday 3 to 7, Saturday 11 to 5, Sunday 11 to 5 SECOND CHANCE SALE DATE: MAY 16 & 17 11am to 4pm Questions/directions: Cheryl 1-248-953-3034 or Karol 1-734-788-7204 Driving directions to 4705 Weddell St, Dearborn Heights, MI 48125, USA 8.1 mi – about 11 mins Marriott Detroit Metro Airport Romulus 7800-Merriman Road Romulus, MI 48174, USA (734) 467-7601 1. Head south on Merriman Rd toward Smith Rd 0.6 mi 2. Take the ramp onto I-94 E 6.1 mi 3. Take exit 204 for MI-39/Southfield Fwy 0.2 mi 4. Keep right at the fork, follow signs for Pelham Rd 0.3 mi 5. Turn left at Pelham Rd 0.7 mi 6. Turn left at Eton Ave 0.2 mi 7. Turn right at Weddell St 131 ft 4705 Weddell St Dearborn Heights, MI 48125, USA | | Tuesday, April 14th, 2009 | 4:31 pm
[jeffreyab]
|
GenreCon 2009
GenreCon, a free literary convention featuring several notable editors and authors, returns to Sarnia Library on Saturday, April 25, 2009. Providing fans and local authors with the opportunity to talk with other genre fans and authors, GenreCon presents a wide range of panels on writing, reading and publishing genre fiction, including mystery, horror, fantasy and science fiction. There will also be book signings and sales. This we will also have anime movies playing in the full sized library theatre. “GenreCon provides a unique opportunity to talk with and learn from experienced authors and other fans of genre fiction,” said Jeffrey Beeler, Reference Librarian. “Our past participants speak highly of their experiences.” This year we have horror author and editor Gord Rollo; mystery authors Vicki Delany, Dennis Collins and Jean Rae Baxter; romance author Sylvia Hubbard; science fiction author Eric Choi; fantasy author Doug Smith and author and reviewer Jeff DeLuzio planning to attend. GenreCon is hosted by the Sarnia Library at 124 Christina Street South, Sarnia, Ontario. Sarnia is one hour north of Detroit and across the Bluewater Bridge and then take the first or Front Street, exit then south on Front Street to Wellington and then one block east to Christina. Free parking is available on the street or in the back of the library. Panels will run from 10 AM to 5 PM with a reception from 11 AM to 12 Noon. Afterwards we will go for dinner at Ups and Downs pub. | 1:44 pm
[cannibal]
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Poll on selling Howard's books
Please check out the poll in my LJ if you can help Howard DeVore's family figure out how to sell the majority of his garage full of books to deserving fans for a low price.... One time Howard found me two or three boxes of old prozines for cheap and I loved them, because I always had something to stuff in my bag when I went on a trip, and wouldn't care if I left one on a plane. | | Monday, April 13th, 2009 | 1:01 pm
[jeffreyab]
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| | Wednesday, April 1st, 2009 | 12:01 am
[jeffreyab]
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| | Monday, March 30th, 2009 | 10:43 am
[jeffreyab]
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The Golden Anniversary of Detention the 17th Worldcon in Detroit MI September 4 to 7, 1959
I got to thinking about how this is the 50th Anniversary Year of the only worldcon hosted in Detroit Michigan my science fiction hometown. Here are some facts and memories I found on the net and as the year goes on I will probably post more. The 17th World Science Fiction Convention, also known as Detention, was held 4–7 September 1959 at the Pick-Fort Shelby Hotel in Detroit, Michigan, USA. Here is a picture of the banquet:  http://www.smithway.org/hugos/detroit_59/detroit_59.htmThe chairmen were: Roger Sims “And it is my considered opinion that this loss to Eisenhower, who became President for the next eight years, was the cause of the poor turn out for Detention, the 1959 Worldcon! Because it was Eisenhower's economic policies that were responsible for the dismal job outlook at the end of the 1950s.” Fred Prophet. Howard Devore was Head of Publicity. "There will be a Worldcon in Detroit over my dead body." They charged $2.00 admission for the weekend. The guests of honor were: Poul Anderson (pro) paid his own way to and at the convention John Berry (fan) was brought to North America by a special fan fund. The toastmaster was Isaac Asimov "...with the assistance of Robert Bloch". Isaac Asimov had been listed as the Toastmaster in all promotional material prior to the convention. At the convention the program book added "...with the assistance of Robert Bloch" who acted as Asimov's foil at the banquet. Total attendance was 371. * The 1958 Hugo Awards were presented: o Best Novel: A Case of Conscience by James Blish o Best Novelette: "The Big Front Yard" by Clifford D. Simak Commentary from http://thefix-online.com/features/rocket-science-1958-1959/When I think of Clifford D. Simak (1904 – 1988), two novels leap to mind: Way Station and City. “The Big Front Yard” has much in common with Way Station, which also won a Hugo (Best Novel, 1964). The gorgeous Frank Kelly Freas cover of Astounding Science Fiction, Oct. 1958, shows Hiram Taine holding a paint can while talking to an alien that looks remarkably like Kelsey Grammar in X-Men 3. Hiram calls himself a “handyman” and an “antiques salesman,” but his most prized title is “Yankee trader.” He buys things, he sells things, and he talks people in and out of stuff daily. One day, someone brings him a TV to fix. He puts it in the basement, where he plans to get to it, only he never does because something beats him to it. Not only does the TV appear to fix itself, but it’s improved in the repair, displaying vibrant color instead of black and white. From there, things change every day in Hiram’s home, until a whole alien world opens for him to explore. Simak’s prose is crystal clear and it flows easily. If faced with contact with a new world, the Earth would have no better representative than Hiram Taine—government bureaucrats may step out of the way, please. Like I said earlier, Simak returns to this theme in a (slightly) larger fashion in Way Station, but I wouldn’t hesitate to say that he’s at his very best with this one. o Best Short Story: "That Hell-Bound Train" by Robert Bloch Commentary from http://thefix-online.com/features/rocket-science-1958-1959/I’m not certain when fantasy and science fiction got grouped together as sister genres, but this fantasy story by Robert Bloch (1917 – 1994) clearly shows that the Hugo Award from its earliest years was not an award given exclusively to science fiction. Bloch is known for lots of great horror fiction, and he’s also known for lots of great television scripts. “That Hell-Bound Train” was awarded the Hugo in the same year that Bloch published Psycho, the novel that was adapted by Alfred Hitchcock into the famous film in 1960. The story is a “deal-with-the-devil” story, not an unfamiliar formula even in 1959. What makes this story transcendent (and it is) is the exploration of what the definition of “a good life” is. Could you pinpoint a moment of happiness while it’s happening? Read this story! It’s brilliant. o Best Professional Artist: Frank Kelly Freas o Best Professional Magazine: F&SF More information on the Pick-Fort Shelby Hotel http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Shelby_HotelThe DoubleTree Guest Suites Fort Shelby/Detroit Downtown opened its doors in 1916. In 1951 it was renamed the "Pick Fort Shelby" when it was bought out by the Albert Pick Hotels Company. It stands at the corner of 1st Street and West Lafayette Boulevard. Its address is 525 West Lafayette Boulevard. It stands at 22 stories in height, with one basement floor, for a total of 23. It was designed in the Beaux-Arts architectural style. The original 1916 building was designed by Schmidt, Garden & Martin and the 1927 addition by Albert Kahn. It has just reopened as a suites hotel and conference centre. Fan David Kyle also attended and had this to say: “The best drinking party I ever enjoyed took place at the Detention, the 1959 Detroit Worldcon. The invitation read: '10pm Cass Room, Bheer Party. Bring your Bheer Credits. Meet your favorite authors. Light Bheer, Dark Bheer, Rhoot Bheer. The Detention Committee is host -- if you can still read this, go find a party.' After the masquerade -- which unlike today's affairs was simple, brief, and over with before eleven o'clock -- pitchers of beer were placed on tables. Ruth began a bridge game with Detention co-chairmen Roger Sims and Fred Prophet, and (probably) Carolyn Hickman while I kibitzed. About eleven o'clock, a panel began in the next room, which may well have been the longest-running worldcon panel of all time. It went on hour after hour into the night... and so did the card game. Various persons would wander in from the panel and report its progress to the bheer drinking players, then wander back. The panel members were in a perpetual state of flux. Several times I rotated in and out as a panel member or spectator, catching Ruth's score and trying to slake my unquenchable thirst. The pitchers of beer seemed unending. It was the best dark beer -- dark bheer, that is -- I have ever drunk (and I speak as a veteran resident of England). That night is memorable -- ask anyone who was there!” from http://jophan.org/mimosa/m15/kyle.htm | | Tuesday, January 27th, 2009 | 9:41 pm
[jeffreyab]
|
| | Friday, January 23rd, 2009 | 1:30 pm
[blastedbill]
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Confusion Traffic Warning
Hey all, they are working on the bridge just west of the hotel. They have big beaver down to 1 lane and it's back up the off ramp and big beaver to livernois and it's only 1:30. I suggest every one get off at Rochester and take 15 mile(maple) west to crocks and come back east and you can go straight through the west bound lane into the hotel. Else you could be stuck in a line up for some time. No clue if they are closing down to one lane on Saturday or not. | | Wednesday, January 21st, 2009 | 12:47 pm
[netmouse]
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Suites!! For Parties! Still Available!
The economy being what it is, we still have a few suites available in the hotel for parties - on both Friday and Saturday night! Please let ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) rikhei know (as soon as possible!) if you're interested or planning to have a party at ConFusion (even if you don't want a suite). If you do want a suite, this is your opportunity! Suites are $150/night and can be reserved one night at a time - you do not have to take the whole weekend. Email the party goddess at parties09@stilyagi.org. | | Friday, January 16th, 2009 | 6:42 pm
[netmouse]
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Artists Alley! Amazing Authors! Steampunk Costuming! Wheeeeee!
Did you know we're doing an Artist Alley this year? Stop by Saturday 11 am - 6pm to talk one-on-one with artists. Artists participating in that and the art show as a whole are now listed hereThe Masquerade is having a special Steampunk category and all contestants will get a special steampunk gear charm made by local bead and tile artist Melanie Brooks! Costumers should check out her LJ, earthenwood, for steampunk inspiration.  We also have short bios of many of the authors who will be on programming up on the web and the programs for gaming and the b-movie rooms are posted via google calendar here (scroll to the bottom) and here. The Dealer's room is scheduled to open at 3 pm Friday and Gaming demos start at 4, so there will be something to do right away whenever you get to ConFusion. We're sorry we don't have the whole program posted yet. We promise to have it online by Monday night at the latest. But check out the front page of the web site for exciting announcements. Don't forget that you'll be able to nominate Guests of Honor for 2011 at ConFusion, so before you come out take a look at your bookshelves, fanzines, and old convention programs, and think about what authors, artists, scientists and fans you'd love to see on our docket two years from now - the sky's the limit! cheers, --Anne Murphy, ConFusion ConChair. | | Wednesday, January 7th, 2009 | 5:56 am
[netmouse]
 |
Pre-order your ConFusion T-Shirts!
 Offworld Designs has done the T-Shirt design for Cryptic ConFusion, with artwork by Artist GoH Diana Harlan Stein. They're $20 each and can be pre-ordered now at Offworld's web site for pick-up at the con. Since you'll get it at the con, they won't charge you for shipping. Make sure you get exactly the style and size that you want! Pre-order now! BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE! due to requests, Offworld is now offering two T-shirt styles for this shirt, a men's typical T-shirt style with the tan background and a ladies cut with a light blue background that has a scoop neck instead of the crew neck. Here is the link for the men's style: http://www.offworlddesigns.com/p-443-cryptic-confusion-2009.aspx Here is the link for the ladies style: http://www.offworlddesigns.com/p-446-cryptic-confusion-2009-ladies-t.aspx For the ladies, the color is Light Blue, not the blue in the picture. They run 1 size smaller than a men's shirt so please take that into consideration. | | Sunday, January 4th, 2009 | 3:53 pm
[jeffreyab]
 |
What is the Stilyagi Air Corps to you?
Is it a group of science fiction fans who: Meet Tuesdays at Tios to socialize? Hold parties twice a month in SE Michigan? Form the convention committee of a convention named ConFusion? Vote on potential guests of honour for ConFusion? Host an annual picnic in June? Talk on an email discussion list? Have a science fiction book discussion club? Publish a magazine called TANSTAAFL? Which of the above activities have you participated in in the last 12 months? | | Wednesday, December 31st, 2008 | 9:09 am
[netmouse]
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Pre-reg and reserve your room for Cryptic ConFusion!
Alert! Alert! The pre-registration deadline for Cryptic ConFusion is Tonight! Remind all your friends! We did not send out a second paper mailer this winter so we must rely on the internets to spread the word! Today you can yet get an adult membership for Cryptic ConFusion for the low low price of $35, and a student membership for $25, Kids 12 and under for $20. At the door prices are $45/$35/$25 adult/student/kid. pre-register today at http://www.stilyagi.org/cons/2009or mail in your registration (postmarked by Jan 2) to: ConFusion, P.O. Box 8284 Ann Arbor, MI 48107 Cryptic ConFusion will be held January 23-25, 2009 at the Detroit-Troy Marriott. Reserve your Hotel Room Now! Our room block will be released in a week! Quick! Call 1-877-757-7131 to reserve a room at the fabulous group rate of $89/night. I'm *really* sorry this notice is going out so late. I've been sick, am in the middle of selling my house and moving, and then there were these, what-do-you-call-em?--Holidays--distract ing me. I apologize. But enough about me! In case you haven't heard, our Cryptic ConFusion Guests of Honor are as follows: Cat Rambo - Pro Guest of Honor Diana Harlan Stein - Artist Guest of Honor David “Davroz” Rozian - Raconteur of Honor Michael “Freon” Andaluz - Fan Guest of Honor Ralph D. Lorenz, Elizabeth P. Turtle - Scientist Guests of Honor Cory Doctorow - Cryptic Guest of Honor And there will be a Masquerade! an Art show and Artists Alley! Gaming! Filk! Dancing! DDR! Anime! B-Movies! And our wonderful Hucksters room and usual variety of programming on science fiction and fantasy, writing, science, society, art, costuming, technology, movies, and more! You can find out more on the website, http://www.stilyagi.org/cons/2009We will be having a food drive this year, so bring your canned goods and other non-perishable food items to the registration desk with you to donate. There will be a prize for the person who brings the most! See you there! --Anne Murphy, ConChair | | Friday, December 19th, 2008 | 4:07 pm
[netmouse]
 |
Important Notice: Snow emergency in Livonia cancels concom meeting and party for tonight
Randy writes: The city of Livonia has declared a snow emergency until tomorrow, which
means that if you show up at our house and park on the street (which
most of you will have to), your car will likely be towed. I don't think
that is precisely the outcome we're looking for.
We will be happy to host the rescheduled meeting, and we will let you
know when Anne has given us a good date. | | Saturday, December 6th, 2008 | 5:44 pm
[twoofdtm]
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Success!
Thanks to the hospitality of Randy and Sheryl ConFusion is now able to have a December meeting (AND PARTY!!!11!!11!11!!!) on the 19th. What does this mean for you? That I want You and all of your friends to be there! I'm going to be spending the next few days getting a progress report from all the Heads of Departments, putting an agenda together (with the help of Jer), getting us all really psyched up, and hopefully getting all of them to show up to the meeting. *nodnod* You should make it a point to show up and have a fantastic time at the meeting and stay for the after party. The meeting starts at 7, food will be provided but donations will not be turned away. Current Mood:  chipper | | Thursday, November 6th, 2008 | 4:44 pm
[jeffreyab]
|
Darby Shaw's Stilyagi Birthday Party!
Sharon Shaw is hosting a birthday party for her husband Darby. Saturday November 15th, 2008 8 PM 330 Silman Ferndale MI 1-249-399-3225 Take I-696 east or west to Woodward South Take the last Michigan left before 8 Mile Silman is between Ed Schmid Ford and Fresard GMC Share in spirits, hor'derves, and chat before the fire ... or in the hottub! BYOB or better yet bring something to share. Bringing interesting food is good too. | | Monday, October 27th, 2008 | 6:59 pm
[netmouse]
 |
Pre-register before Oct 31st for lowest rates for Cryptic ConFusion
Pre-register for ConFusion now! Low low rate of $30 for adults, $20 for students of any age (will need student ID to pick up your badge) and $15 for KidFusion. After Friday, October 31st, rates go up to $35/$25/$20, and at-the-door (after Dec 31st) will be $45/$35/$25. Register online at http://www.stilyagi.org/cons/2009/registration.htmlThe early reg rate period originally was scheduled to end at the beginning of October, but we got the first mailer out late so we extended it. Now is the time! Pass it on! Note that you can also earn reimbursement of your membership by volunteering: with just 8 hours of volunteer work (and only 6 hours if you're a student!). You earn gopher bucks as you go that you can spend on hotel food concessions or in the dealer's room, and the volunteer with the most hours will also be awarded a $25 gas card! Just a reminder, our guests of honor are: - Cory Doctorow — Cryptic Guest of Honor
- Cat Rambo — Pro Guest of Honor
- Diana Harlan Stein — Artist Guest of Honor
- Elizabeth Turtle — Scientist Guest of Honor
- Ralph D. Lorenz — Scientist Guest of Honor
- Davroz (David Rozian) — Raconteur of Honor
- Freon (Michael Andaluz) — Fan Guest of Honor
We will be at the Detroit-Troy Marriott again, January 23-25, 2009, with all the usual wonderful things, such as our fabulous programming, dances, huckster's room, art show and artist alley, and 24-hour gaming, consuite, and pool and hot tub access! Call 1-877-757-7131 to reserve your room at the $89/night ConFusion rate. The special category for the Masquerade will be Steampunk this year. The ConChair may or may not be appearing as a character from the Foglios' steampunk comic Girl Genius. Come and find out! | | Saturday, October 25th, 2008 | 3:46 pm
[jer_]
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Halloween Party, Tonight!!
How has this not made it here? Stilyagi Halloween Party on Saturday the 25th. We'll be serving chicken wings, smoked pork loin, black bean chili (thanks Andy), scratch made pumpkin pie and the chocolate fountain will be there as well. We'll also be serving punch and some snack foods, please feel free to bring additional munchies and beverages, we'll have coolers and ice available. Important Details
Party starts around 7 PM, ends whenever
Please bring yourselves, friends, family, guests, etc.
Please bring games, cards, etc. to share, we will set up a gaming space again this year
If you're willing to help with setup, cleanup, or you have other questions please contact me off list at bradley_d_atwell@yahoo.com There aren't any Stilyagi or AASFA elections this year, so we'll have the whole evening for the party. The party will be in the Common House at
Great Oak Cohousing
500 Little Lake Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48103 The link below gives directions and maps from the Great Oak website
http://www.gocoho.org/location/directions/ Also, please remember to park along Little Lake Drive, as parking in the lot is very limited. There is handicapped parking available for those who need it closer to the common house. Looking forward to seeing you all there!
The Bradaki, Ger and I will all be out there, and we hope to see you as well. Who knows, perhaps I'll do something entertaining, and then you'll only HEAR about it, and not get to witness it firsthand...and really, who wants THAT, eh? Current Mood: dorky | | Monday, September 22nd, 2008 | 1:21 pm
[jeffreyab]
|
Press Release YOUNG ADULT WRITERS at Oak Park Library
For Immediate Release For Further Information Contact: Colleen Kammer (248) 968-1190 YOUNG ADULT AUTHORS JUSTINE LARBALESTIER, KATHE KOJA AND MICHAEL SPRADLIN READING AND SIGNING AT OAK PARK PUBLIC LIBRARY The Book Beat and Oak Park Public Library are pleased to present young adult authors Justine Larbalestier, Kathe Koja and Michael Spradlin at the Oak Park Public Library on Thursday, October 2, 2008, from 7:00 - 8:30 PM. All three authors have delivered exciting new separate works of fiction that should appeal to a diverse group of readers. The Oak Park Library is located at 14200 Oak Park Blvd. in Oak Park. For more information please call 248-968-1190. ( Read more... ) | | Saturday, September 20th, 2008 | 11:05 am
[jeffreyab]
|
Stilyagi Party Alert:
Saturday September the 27th 2009 Sharon and Darby Shaw are hosting a hot tub christening party at 330 Silman Street Ferndale, Michigan 248-399-3225 Starting at 8 PM and going until whenever BYOB, a bathing suit and a towel and bring something to share if you can. Poll #1263679
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: AllAre you coming to the party? |
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