Mars Today - Oct 2001

Greetings, all!

Well, summer has literally flown by, and it's time to gear up for the holidays and a lovely, white winter. Thanks to all who partied with us at CONvergence, Gateway, Diversicon and Valleycon! We managed to get an award for our Enchanted Forest theme party at Valleycon this year. Thank you so much, guys!!! North Dakota rocks! And a few of us will be partying (and snacking) this coming weekend at the Munchiecon. Yum. 8-9 Hope to see you there! There's so much to say, so many things to share... so without further delay, here's the latest:

Dude, Where's My Con?!? / Hotel Update
By far the biggest news is that we are switching hotels for MarsCon 2002. Same town and state, Bloomington, Minnesota... Same dates, March 1-3, 2002... just a different hotel. Our new home, the Hilton Minneapolis / St. Paul Airport Hotel features a gorgeous pool area with two whirlpools and a sauna, a fitness room, and two restaurants Cafe Carabella which offers American cuisine and a daily breakfast buffet, and Biscayne Bay which specializes in fresh seafood, lamb chops, pastas, homemade soups, chili, and wonderful desserts as well as a Lobby Bar situated amidst tropical plants and a waterfall. The hotel is six blocks away from the Mall of America, three miles away from the airport, and offers complimentary shuttles to both locations. We hope you like the new hotel as much as we do. Here's a link to their web site for more info and to reserve your rooms.

And then ... speaking of rooms ... Sleeping Room Rates
Our special convention rate for sleeping rooms will be $95/night + tax for 1 - 4 persons. Mention MarsCon or the group code (soon to be posted on our web site) when reserving your rooms in order to get the special rate (and help us make our room block). If you're on our mailing list, watch your mailbox for additional information in Progress Report 2. If you're not on our mailing list, tell us, and we can fix that. You may reserve sleeping rooms now by contacting the hotel via their web site (above) or via telephone at 1-952-854-2100 or 1-800-637-7453. Reserving a room early may earn you "special treats."

Come To MarsCon And Throw A Party!
Party rooms will be grouped together on the 11th and 12th floor of the hotel, close to the Con Suite and overlooking the Minnesota River Valley. Please contact the convention directly via email at 2002info@marscon.org or any of the other methods listed below to reserve your party room. The rates are cheaper than usual for 2002. All party rooms will cost$115 / night + tax and must be reserved through the convention.

And then ... Programming News
Programming is hopping with planned activities already, but there's still room for more, so ...

Come And Lend Your Talents To Programming
Anybody, even YOU can facilitate programming at MarsCon! You can expect to see programming featuring our Guests of Honor Lyda Morehouse, Robin Wood, John Levene, and Peter Woodward, our Featured Guest Craig Lang, and also numerous returning talents such as Joan Marie Verba, Paula Fleming, Eleanor Arnason, P. M. F. Johnson, Sandra Rector, Pam Keesey, Ruth Berman, Lisa Getto, Andrei Sterling, and Harry LeBlanc. Lots of fan clubs also contribute greatly to programming. But MarsCon programming truly is open to everyone. That means if you think of a topic or event which you believe would appeal to others at the convention, you can add it to the evergrowing list-o-ideas, and you can actually facilitate the event at MarsCon. How can you find out more about programming? Call, email, write - whatever you need to do to get your message to Christine, our Programming Chair. Programming is run by volunteers, and there are many ways in which you can help. Thanks to everyone who has helped with programming in the past and to all who plan to help in 2002!!

Musical Programming
In addition to the Dance, Drum Jam, Filking, and Karaoke at MarsCon, we are happy to feature live concerts by such talented performers as The Nick Atoms and Tri-Destiny. Here is more info:

The Nick Atoms wowed us with their debut performance at MarsCon 2001, and we are ecstatic to have them back. They are a music force beyond all comprehension! Together, they will be lost in space, ending up in the 25th century, hoping that Doctor Who can send them a six million dollar man to defeat Bigfoot and Wildboy to escape from New York and leave the land of the lost behind. This is no ordinary band. This is no ordinary show. Don't miss your chance to be atomized!

Tri-Destiny is an all-female vocal trio from Salt Lake City, Utah. They offer a combination of enchanting music and unforgettable emotions. Travel through time...from medieval knights in "A Rover," to the bittersweet "Love Lies" of the '90's...and beyond...in a concert of all-original, soft rock, romance music.

And then ... Masquerade!
Ladies and Gentlemen - start your sewing machines! Our Masquerade offers a chance to express your creativity and impress your fellow fen with your prowess with needle and thread or a hot glue gun. If you are interested in entering, you may do so through our web site, or by contacting the Mistress of Masque, Anna Everling, by email, annaeverling(at)hotmail.com, or phone, 651-688-3158. Say you're too shy to get up on stage and show off your costume? Well, we will also be giving out Hall Costume Awards, so don't let your shyness stop you from strutting your stuff at MarsCon. Just wear your costume and our Hall Costume Judges will find you!

And then... Charity Auction For Camp Heartland
Our Charity Auction was very successful and raised a lot of money for Camp Heartland last year. We already have a head start on our next auction thanks to very generous donations from Donna Madera of Crystal, MN, and Sybil Smith of Minneapolis, MN. Additional donations are still welcome and needed. Auction donations thus far include:

• Assorted items & collectibles: A "100 Cats" hat, Friendship bracelets, Gold Pokemon cards, Wallet, Baby sunshade boat, Umbrella, 2 Santa Bear plates, Boys shirt with Dino on it, Super art set, CONvergence t-shirt (size L/autographed by Michael Sheard & Peter Mayhew), Ghosts of Mars cards
• Books: Little Golden Book - A Collection of Stories, Jackie book (very collectible), Short Cuts to Better Living book, The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss
• Decorations: Indoor/outdoor lights, Blue Bird lights, Tree ornaments from Poland
• Harry Potter: Harry Potter lights, Christmas Stocking, Harry Potter ornament
• Sports: Vikings t-shirt, Boys Vikings vest (size XL), Mens Vikings sweat shirt (size L),Vikings Beanie, Twins shirt
• Star Trek: 2 baseball caps
• Toys: 2 wooden animal puzzles, 2 Rat Fink die cast with figure, Little owl stuffed animal, 2 small stuffed owls, 3 race cars, 2 small stuffed owls, Millennium bear, 8 Beanie Babies, Snowman beanie, Angel bear, White bear with outfit
• Twin Peaks: "Diane..." The Twin Peaks Tapes of Agent Cooper (audio tape)
• Videos: Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea: The Collector's Edition (5 tapes), A Dangerous Man: Lawrence After Arabia (features Ralph Fiennes)

And then ... Registration Rate Increase Is Imminent!
The next rate increase will happen on October 31st, so please register now to take advantage of our lower rates. Adult pre-registrations are currently $30; Children (6-12 years old) may register for $15; and Supporting registrations are $15 now with an additional $25 to be paid when you arrive at the convention. There is also a group discount of $5 off each registration when you register as part of a group of ten or more. You may pre-register via snail mail or with Visa or Master Card via the MarsCon web site. Please do register soon. We'd love to see you at MarsCon!!

And then ... Concom Meeting Schedule
MarsCon ConCom meetings are open to all interested parties. If you want to find out what we're planning, show up. If you want to volunteer, please show up. The schedule:
Sunday, Oct. 21st, 1pm, Airport Hilton
Sunday, Nov. 18th, 1pm, Airport Hilton
Sunday, Dec. 16th, 1pm, Airport Hilton
(Happy New Year!)
Sunday, Jan. 20th, 1pm, Location TBA
Sunday, Feb. 3rd, 17th, & 24th (as needed), 1pm, Location TBA
March 1st-3rd MARSCON HAPPENS!!!

Hope to see you there!

MarsCon 2002:The Magic of Fantasy
Hilton Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport
Bloomington, Minnesota
March 1-3, 2002

HOW TO CONTACT MARSCON
E-Mail Address: 2002info@marscon.org
Snail Mail: MarsCon, P.O. Box 600458, St. Paul, MN 55106
Web Site Address: http://www.marscon.org
Phone: 612-724-0687 (no collect calls, please)

... ... join us, and help us unlock the mysteries of the continuum transfunctioner ...

(c) 2001 FenSF, Inc. All rights reserved. No "and then..."

This page last revised January 12, 2006 at 01:46 PM