Art Show Docent Tours - John Hertz
These have been popular and fun at recent cons. Some people call them
Art Walks.
In the museum world, a docent is a volunteer who knows art and is good at pointing things out. Docents lead tours, answering questions or even asking them.
At Westercon there should be two or three docent tours each day. They usually take half an hour to an hour. Our docents will be a mixture of fans and pros, graphic artists and writers; I'll lead a tour myself. As of mid-June we have
Alan ClarkLook for a schedule near the Art Show entrance.
Ctein
Mark Ferrari
John Hertz
Frank Lurz
Margaret Organ-Kean
Geri Sullivan
Children and Child Care
Children must be accompanied by an adult in order to purchase a
membership, and all children must be registered with the convention.
Those five and under will receive a hospital-type ID bracelet. At all
times, these children must be under the supervision of an adult, or in
child care. If a young child is found unattended, that child will be
delivered to child care and the parents billed. Children five and under
will still be admitted free to the convention. Children six to 12 are
admitted at half the adult price, and may operate independently as long
as they cause no problems. However, if they are not capable of
independence, then they must be under adult supervision or in child
care. Regardless, all children under the age of 12 must be under direct
adult supervision after 8PM. Additionally, no one under the age of 12
may work as a volunteer for more than four hours a day. (Six hours a
day for ages 12 through 16.)
Child Care will be in the Mt. Hood Suite in the Columbia River DoubleTree. Hours are 2-10pm Thursday, 9am-10pm Friday and Saturday, and 9am-2pm Sunday (subject to change). Price is $6.00 per hour, six hours for $30, or $1.00 per hour for those children wishing to take part in the activities or view the videos who are accompanied by their parents during their entire stay. We are not providing meals for the children; that is the parent or responsible adult's responsibility.
Unscheduled activites such as painting, coloring, and building (as well as others) will be available at most times. Story time will be available whenever the children want it.
Activities: Each activity will take approximately one hour with a half-hour break in between.
Paper airplanesSchedule: We will start each day with a video so that there is enough time to set up and get ready each morning. Films will be of the supervisor's choosing. There will also be videos at midday so that the nannies and supervisor have time to eat lunch, and another at the end of the day to allow for clean up time. Titles will include My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service, Titan A.E., Wallace & Gromit, and Yellow Submarine. Adults must be accompied by children to view videos. If you would like to come just to watch with your children, there is no fee. Unaccompanied children, even if only there to view the movie, must pay the childcare fee.
Flying saucers
Alien antenna
Rain sticks
Bubble mix
Handprint butterflies
Crowns
Wands
Finger puppets
Do your own bedtime story
Time capsules
Masks
Necklaces/bracelets/etc.
Dream map
Solar system/star map
Game time
Club House - Dick Pilz, Roz Malin, and Evan Pilz
The Club House is a quiet Hospitality. We will be serving high quality
food and beverages. Either Friday or Saturday, there will be a
"tasting" of main courses and beverages. There will be a small fee for
those who attend the "tasting" (similar to the "When in Doubt..."
chocolate tasting).
As with all of the other departments, we will need volunteers. Those volunteers that spend five hours helping in the Club House will receive a copy of our new cookbook! The cookbook will showcase some of the recipes that will be served over the course of the Westercon weekend. Those who volunteer to help us with the "tasting" will also receive a limited edition chef's apron!
For those fans who enjoy puttering in the kitchen, please come help in the Club House. We would be honored to work with you. Contact us at: dickpilz@gurudyne.com.
Dealers' Room - Paul Wrigley
Information packages will be mailed out to all Dealers who requested one
by the August 15th deadline. If you haven't received one yet, please
contact me by email at
wrigcros@teleport.com or call me
during the evenings (5:30 - 7p) or the weekend at Wrigley-Cross Books
(503-281-9449). All Dealer Forms received by October 15th will receive
the same priority.
If you have any questions, please don't hestiate to contact me.
Wrigley-Cross BooksBack to the top
1809 N.E 39th Avenue
Portland OR 97212Email wrigcros@teleport.com
Phone (503) 281-9449
Toll Free (877) 694-1467
Disability Liaison - Page Fuller
Westercon in Portland will be in two hotels, and for those with walking
problems we will have a shuttle system in place to handle ambulatory,
wheelchair or mobie transportation between the two hotels.
What else can I do to help? If you have any special needs, please send me an email at page@prodigy.net or call me at 503-254-0552.
Gaming - Simone Cooper
The preliminary gaming schedule is now
available. If you have any comments or questions, please do contact me,
Simone Cooper, at 503-283-0542 or
simone@wyrdrune.com.
Hospitality
Food. Drink. Cameraderie. As with OryCons and Westercons past, we will
have an excellent Hospitality Suite. At this time, it is too early for
specifics, but this department eats volunteers for lunch. Like "Soylent
Green", Hospitality IS people and we will need many volunteers to make
it successful. If you are interested in working this department, please
contact the Westercon Chairs.
Locus Awards Banquet
We're pleased that Westercon 54 will continue the tradition of hosting
the Locus Banquet and Awards Presentation Friday evening, July 6th. It
was a sold-out event this year at Conolulu -- David Hartwell's selection
of Hawaiian shirts alone was worth the price. We'll have all the
necessary information: time, menu, and cost in Progress Report #3, and
on our webpage.
Masquerade/Variety Show - Janet Borkowski and Barbara Hoffert
Westercon 54 is proud to present the first ever combined
Masquerade/Variety Show in the history of Westercon. While the
Masquerade will be a formal presentation with an illustrious panel of
judges, the variety acts will take the stage to amaze and amuse you when
the judges are out.
All the usual rules will apply for the Masquerade. Awards will be given in categories ranging from novice to master and of course children's entries are always welcome. If you have a costume that you want to share, but do not wish to have judged, please feel to enter it in our Variety Show which will follow the Masquerade.
Speaking of the Variety Show, it's time to dust off that forgotten flute or drum set. How about that tap dance routine you did in junior high? Or do you feel the burning desire to perform that belly dance in public? And we'd really love to see your astounding costumes from years gone by. And no, we're not forgetting the kids -- can little Bobby sing opera? Does little Suzie need to spread her acting wings? Put them on the Variety Show stage and watch their stars rise!
The best part? No judging!
Dealers are welcome to give shameless plugs for their wares that are for sale. What's a good show without commercials?
Yes! We need you all for a great Masquerade and Variety Show! For more information or for pre-registration for either event, contact Barbara Hoffert at 503-649-2744 or at barbarahoffert@home.com or Janet Borkowski at norcia@spiritone.com.
We have also provided a colorful flyer/registration form that you can print out and mail in.
Programming - Ruth Sachter
A preliminary version of the program is now available:
Kids' Programming - Ariel Shattan
Children's Programming will run during the daytime hours for all four
days of the convention. Our target age group is kids 13 and younger.
Most kids' programming will be in the Columbia River Hotel on the lower
level. We have an open space that allows for physical activity. We are
planning entry-level fantasy gaming so that kids can learn in a friendly
environment. One room will be dedicated to general and specific crafts,
arts, and assembly projects. Panels of interest to children and parents
will also be offered. In addition, you will have an opportunity at
various times during the con to meet with other families and set up play
dates that suit your child's interests.
Here are just some of the activities to expect at Westercon 54. As you can see, some of these items will be improved if you come prepared.
Crafts and Building Activities:
A note to parents: Children's Programming is not babysitting. All Children's Programming events will require either a certain level of maturity and ability to listen and participate constructively, or a parent in attendance with the child. Children who disrupt an event will, depending on age, be asked to leave or escorted to Child Care, and the parent will be responsible for fees incurred. Back to the top
Progress Report Ad Rates and Deadlines
Rates: Full Page $60.00, Half Page $40.00
Deadlines:
Please notice that the deadlines have changed from Progess Report 1. Each page will be in "half size" - 5 1/2 by 8 1/2 inches. Ad rates for the program book will be decided at a later date. Due to Post Office requirements, we are only accepting ads from non-profit groups (for the Progress Reports only).
Content/Ad Deadline Mailing Deadline PR 3 December 10, 2001 January 30, 2001 PR 4 March 18, 2001 May 1, 2001
Publications
The following publications are currently available on-line:
Volunteers
Blood. Sweat. Volunteers. Hey, you knew that was coming, didn't you?
I mean, it wouldn't be a true convention without uttering that
predictable yet oh-so-important plea. All conventions are successful
due to the tireless efforts and sacrifices of volunteers, both on
committees as well as on site at the convention itself. There are
several committee positions for Westercon 54 still open. If you are
interested in contributing your time and talents for the convention,
please contact Dean Koenig at
w54info@spiritone.com,
or attend a future Westercon meeting.
Writers' Workshop - Mary Rosenblum
This year the Westercon Writers Workshop will include a novel section, a
short story section, and a youth section. Participants may submit to
either the novel or the short story section, but not both. The youth
section is open to any writer under the age of 18. You may submit
either a novel synopsis and chapters, or a short story. Page limits are
the same as for the adult sections.. You may not participate in both
the youth and adult sections. All participants, adult and youth, will
receive analysis and critiques from professional writers. You will also
have the opportunity to critique the manuscripts submitted by the other
participants in your section, and receive their critiques.
The postage-and-copy fee for the adult workshop is $10.00. The fee for the youth workshop is $5.00. Make checks payable to Westercon 54. Payment must accompany the manuscript and all participants must be registered members of Westercon 54.
The immutable deadline is May 21. Any manuscripts received after that date are not guaranteed inclusion in the workshop. No kidding!
The short story section is limited to one manuscript of up to 30 pages or 7500 words.
The novel section requires a synopsis of your novel, along with the first chapter or two or three, up to 30 pages total for both parts. This is your opportunity to write the synopsis and opening that would sell your novel to an editor. Go for it!
We are not taking electronic submissions this year. Sorry. All manuscripts must be typed in a clear 12 point font, double spaced, with 1 inch margins. Use a page header on each page that includes your last name, a title keyword, and the page number. Include a separate and brief autobiographical note about your writing experience. Is this your first story attempt, or your fiftieth? Do you belong to a workshop? Are you a Clarion grad? Have you had something published? If you're in the youth section, how old are you? Also list your intended markets for your story or novel.
Send your fee and manuscript to:
Mary RosenblumThe workshops will be conducted Clarion style, and we will provide refreshments. It should be a lot of fun. Hopefully you will get wonderful input from our pros and your peers, and we look forward to seeing you there!
Westercon 54 Writers Workshop
9100 SE 152nd Ave.
Portland, OR 97236-5708
If you have any questions you can contact Mary Rosenblum at mrosenbl@earthlink.net.