ANNOUNCING: STARMAN FAMILY-CON 2014 * SEPT. 26-28!

ANNOUNCING: STARMAN FAMILY-CON 2014 * SEPT. 26-28! A message related to STARMAN FAMILY-CON 2014 (SFC’14) and the Wild Horse Sanctuary (WHS)

SFC -- a biennial “Family Reunion” of those who created/appreciate STARMAN -- is an international convention of STARMAN’s
cast/crew/staff/fans/supporters, hosted by Spotlight Starman International (SSI).

Originally posted by Vicki Werkley for Liz Turner and the rest of the Con Crew on MAR 23, 2014 at around 2:30pm PDT

NOTE: If you REPLY to this message, please do so OFF-LIST (starwerk@gmail.com), unless you -want- to share your message/details with
             EVERYONE on the List. ;-)
Make sure SFC is somewhere in the subject line so it goes to the right file. You may not get an acknowledgment right away.

Apologies if you receive this more than once.

<>StarStaffer or Staffer = a member of STARMAN's
      cast, crew or staff
<>VIP = not strictly a Staffer but an important supporter
<>Spotlighter = member of Spotlight Starman International
     (SSI), which formed when the show was cancelled in May, 1987
<>StarFolk = any and all of the above
<>Extra-Statesider = person residing outside the USA
<>(NCA) (SCA) = U.S. States are abbreviated to show members’ residence
       These two differentiate between Northern & Southern CA (California)
       Extra-Stateside countries also have abbreviations . . . (CAN) = Canada

Greetings, All -- and Welcome, Newbies!

Though both I and my hubby Tom continue to juggle a number of medical challenges (I repeat: “This aging . . . it ain’t for sissies!”), and -- since “our” hotel had changed hands and my main contact was no longer there -- I’d feared we wouldn’t be able to find an appropriate SFC venue we could afford in the L.A. area . . . especially if there weren’t enough paying attendees to cover the costs.
But -- thanks to those of you who’ve expressed an intention/hope to attend and the generosity/cooperative spirit of our hotel -- we’re now pleased to officially announce:

STARMAN FAMILY-CON 2014 *** El Segundo, CA *** Sept. 26-28
including the “STARMAN Family Reunion” Party on Saturday, September 27
and “STARMAN BookNight” the evening of Sunday, September 28
Hosted by Spotlight Starman International (SSI), this 13th biennial convention expects the attendance
of numerous StarStaffers, as well as many of our members,
both “veteran” and “newbie” from all over the States and beyond our borders.
YOU are invited to come celebrate STARMAN
with those who created/appreciate this remarkable TV series
(and the movie on which it was based)!

And I’m thrilled to say: All five of the series Main Cast ---

Robert Hays, Michael Cavanaugh, Christopher Barnes, Patrick Culliton, Erin Gray,

along with Series Stand-in Stephanie Rose (who was also on-screen in Episodes #12 & 21) ---
have told me: “I’ll be there if I can!”

There are never guarantees of which Staffers will be able to attend -- and changes often occur at the last minute. As always, work, health and family responsibilities take priority. Because of their own schedules, these folks can’t always get to our “Main Event,” the Family Reunion Party with cast & crew, but they often attend other parts of the convention or visit us during informal gatherings on the days before/afterward. Bob, Michael, Patrick, and Stephanie have only missed 1 SFC entirely. Erin has attended 5 events, including 2 BookNights. Patrick’s joined us for 4 BookNights as well as 11 Parties, and Stephanie always spends as much time as she can with Spotlighters. Chris Barnes, who now works for the U.S. Navy, has managed 5 gatherings with us. We’re hoping he’ll be bringing at least one guest: his wife Rebecca! Those of you who attended SFC 2006 (the 20-year anniversary of the series debut) met -- and were charmed by -- his companion Rebecca Guyaden at the Malibou Lake picnic. Well, I’m pleased to announce that on June 16, 2012, Chris and Rebecca were married in front of the fairytale castle at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Rebecca had teased, “I always wanted to marry Prince Eric.” (Chris voiced, among other projects, Prince Eric in THE LITTLE MERMAID and Prince Charming in CINDERELLA 2 & 3). There’s even a possibility Chris may attend his first BookNight -- as an author! In his e-book THE WARRIOR (also available in paperback, which can be autographed), he tackles the timeless challenge of war veterans trying to return to the world they left. Chris does caution potential readers that the rating is “definitely NC-17.”

Other guest cast, crew and staff hope to join us for 2014!

As for the Con itself, we’re still making some decisions, and I’m crafting a comprehensive informational email, but -- since a number of details still aren’t available -- I’ll just give you the basics. Liz Turner (SCA) and I (NCA) are, again, the Co-Organizers, assisted by “our Jean pool” Jean Ensling (CT) and Jean Laidig (NJ). Sharon Herden (IL) will, for the 10th time, serve as our Auction Coordinator. Bruce Jividen (OR) will continue as part of the Crew, especially in the areas of art and electronics, but -- after 7 consecutive stints as co-creator of STARMAN Con T-shirts, he’s retired from that role. Fortunately, Sandra Ragan (NCA), who attended her 1st SFC last time (and ended up as part of the Crew!) will step in to partner with Vicki Werkley for the design and production of the SFC 2014 commemorative T-shirts.

Stay tuned to hear about other/new additions to the Con Crew (TBA).

As is traditional, we’ll have official CON COLORS (some shade of BLUE plus one or two other hues). We haven’t chosen those yet.
We have to find a new T-shirt vendor, so we’ve been unable to get a 2014 “swatchcard” of available colors — including all the exciting new options.

Nor have we chosen all our official CON THEMES for what we’re celebrating. We do know TWO of them:
<>Celebrating the 30th anniversary of STARMAN (the movie debuted in DEC. 1984)
<>Celebrating “The Chinese Year of the Horse”

Represented especially by Cachuma Star, the rescued mustang SSI sponsors at the Wild Horse Sanctuary (WHS). Much more about him, his name and the Charity Auction that’ll continue his sponsorship for another two years, in upcoming posts (with color photos!).

If YOU hear of a special designation for 2014, such as International Year of Space Travel, please let me know ASAP, and we may be able to include that in our official celebrations. Thanks!

As I mentioned, my main trepidation about the possibility of an SFC’14 involved the costs:

room rates for attendees
event space
food for the Party
what Con Fee we’d have to charge to cover our costs

I feared we’d have no “in” at the inn, so to speak, because we hadn’t been there under the new ownership. It was reasonable to expect rates for all of the first 3 above elements would be increased, since we’ve been allowed to pay the same lodging fees (and only very small increases for catering) since 2008!

I’m thrilled -- and relieved! -- to announce:

Room rates have only increased $3/night
They’re giving us the same fee for the huge event space we’ve been enjoying
The food cost has increased less than I’d guessed
SO, the Con Fee only needs to rise $5/person over last time (which was the same as 2010)!

We've always tried to hold the price of SFC to a bare minimum (we usually only just cover the expenses of putting on the convention), but our costs will be even higher again this year, primarily because of the catering. We expect to meet our obligations charging:

*** $125 per person
*** $210 for two adult family members (^a couple or
              ^a parent with a child 18 yr./older or ^other adult relatives)
*** “Teen” 12-17 years (with paying adult): $30
*** Kids under 12: FREE

Fees may be prorated for those attending only a portion of events, but, since our main expenses involve the Party . . .
  ***Reunion Party Only (All day Saturday): $90 per adult; $155 per family pair; $30 per “Teen” (12-17yrs)

This fee covers food/beverages for the Saturday party attendees (including all Staffers and their guests); light refreshments twice on Sunday; StarStaffer parking; a frugal decorations budget; necessary audio-visual equipment; the hotel meeting space; and other expenses we have to meet. It goes without saying that we gladly accept donations above-and-beyond, no matter how small. (Any money left in the SFC account when all bills are paid remains there until next Con and serves as “Start-up Funds.” We’ve already had to pay a non-refundable $250 deposit for our Party.)

ALL SFC EVENTS WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE SAME LOCATION -- OUR HOTEL:

HACIENDA HOTEL & Convention Center at LAX

525 N. Sepulveda Blvd.
El Segundo, CA 90245
<=> 310-615-0015
<=> 800-421-5900

Please don’t book your room yet. Give me a little time to finish the detailed SFC-related info you’ll need, but . . .
Feel free to browse their website to see photos and info about the amenities:
<http://www.haciendahotel.com>

However: You CANNOT ACCESS THE STARMAN ROOM RATE ONLINE.
You MUST book thru one of the above two phone numbers (marked <=>) to get our group rate
=== $92/night ($99.96/night TOTAL INCLUDING TAXES) up to 4 people ====
.
[It’s POSSIBLE you may be able to get an even lower rate in a package with your flight/rail fare.
Feel free to do so, but be sure to let Vicki know that you’re booked at our hotel.]

.

HH is one mile south of LAX (Los Angeles International Airport).
There’s still a FREE, 24-hour SHUTTLE to-and-from airport/hotel.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________
***********************************************************************************************************************

BARE-BONES SFC 2014 EVENTS CALENDAR:

FRI Sept. 26 (All Day) Arrival / Enrollment Day
FRI Sept. 26 (Approx. 6–10pm) Traditional Get-Acquainted PIZZA PARTY
SAT Sept. 27 (Approx. 11am–6pm) 13th biennial Family Reunion Party with Cast & Crew
SUN Sept. 28 (Morning) TBA
SUN Sept. 28 (Afternoon) Charity Auction, Raffles
SUN Sept. 28 (Approx. 5–7pm) optional group dinner across the street at the SIZZLER
SUN Sept. 28 (Approx. 7:30–10pm) 9th biennial STARMAN BOOKNIGHT

********************************************************************************

Well, that’s the basic info. More to come soon.
If you need certain details before I provide them, please contact me by email or phone (catch me if you can).

ALSO, this is the time I ask you all to assist with our planning by helping us estimate attendance.
Please SEND me an EMAIL WITH SFC in the SUBJECT LINE saying YES, NO, or MAYBE. There’s never any commitment here; you can always change your mind. People sometimes have to cancel; others, who thought they wouldn’t be able to attend, find they can.
(There’s even a subcategory called DEFINITE MAYBE, which means “If I can possibly make it, I will!”) If you’re even FANTASIZING about joining us, please send at least a MAYBE so I can keep you in the loop. We have some financial aid available, and several people like to cut costs by sharing a room. Details to come. Don’t count yourself out yet. We bend over backwards to help people share the unique SFC experience.

If you’ve ever attended or have tried to get to an SFC, you’ll be on my mind as I wonder who might be interested, so . . .
PLEASE let me hear your YES, NO, or MAYBE!

OFF-LIST at starwerk@gmail.com
707-995-1228

Sure hope YOU can make it!
Vicki and the Con Crew

°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°
     STARMAN FAMILY-CON 2014 (SFC’14)
         13th biennial "Family Reunion" of
  those who created/appreciate STARMAN
                    September 26–28, 2014
                     El Segundo, California
                      (1 mile south of LAX)
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   Co-organizers: Vicki Werkley & Liz Turner
     Contact Vicki:     starwerk@gmail.com
        or STARMAN.Family@gmail.com
16563 Ellen Springs Rd / Lower Lake CA 95457-9477
    707-995-1228 (any day: 7am–10pm Pacific Time)
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
                 Official 2014 Con Crew Members (so far):
         Vicki Werkley (NCA) *** Liz Turner (currently SCA)
Jean Ensling (CT) *** Sandra Ragan (NCA) *** Jean Laidig (NJ)
                 Sharon Herden, Auction Coordinator (IL)
                                    T-shirt / Arts Team:
            Sandra Ragan, Vicki Werkley, Bruce Jividen (OR)

°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°
                         Spotlight Starman International:
                                "We're not history yet!"
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