SFC STARMAN FAMILY-CON 2014 UPDATE! :RESERVE your room by AUG 24 to get our special rate
A Time-Sensitive update related to STARMAN FAMILY-CON 2014 and/or The WILD HORSE SANCTUARY (WHS) Originally posted by Vicki Werkley for Liz Turner and the rest of the Con Crew on AUG 11, 2014 around 7:00am PDT
- Apologies if you receive this more than once.
- HUGE APOLOGIES for how long it¹s taken to get this much info tacked down and
TO you.
- and HUMONGOUS APOLOGIES to those who¹ve actually emailed me, but haven¹t
heard back from me because I¹ve kept thinking ³If I just can get this info post together, EVERYONE¹s questions will be answered.² SORRY!
<>NOTE: If you want to REPLY to just Vicki about this message,
please do so OFF-LIST at <starwerk@gmail.com>.If you just hit REPLY, your message may post to all of STARMANET.
<> STARMAN FAMILY-CON (SFC) -- a biennial (in even-numbered years) ³Family Reunion² of those who created/appreciate STARMAN -- is an international convention of STARMAN¹s cast/ crew/staff/fans, hosted by Spotlight Starman International (SSI). <>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 members¹ residences
These two differentiate between Northern & Southern CA (California)
Greetings, All -- and Welcome, Newbies!
BIG NEWS! You may now book your room for . . . .
*** STARMAN FAMILY-CON 2014 *** El Segundo, CA *** Sept. 26-28
including the ³STARMAN Family Reunion² Party on Saturday, September 27 and ³STARMAN BookNight² 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 ³veteran² and ³newbie² 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)!
************ALL SFC EVENTS WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE SAME LOCATION: OUR HOTEL . . .
The HACIENDA HOTEL & Convention Center at LAX
525 N. Sepulveda Blvd. El Segundo, CA 90245 <=> 310-615-0015 HH is one mile south of LAX (Los Angeles International Airport). <=> 800-421-5900 There¹s a FREE, 24-hour SHUTTLE to-and-from airport/hotel. You not only may, but should book your room right away!
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 ==== This rate guaranteed if booked by AUGUST 24 [see details below] Ask to be booked in the STARMAN FAMILY BLOCK at the STARMAN ROOM RATE. Keep track of your Confirmation Number.
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[It¹s POSSIBLE you may be able to get an even lower rate in a package with your flight / rail fare. Please feel free to do so, but be sure to let Vicki know that you¹re booked at our hotel.]
There are four kinds of rooms available at our rate:
One king-size bed.Two double beds (these are really limited; please only book if youexpect / are seeking roommate(s). 3. Two single beds plus a comfy pull-out single (room sleeps up to 3 singles). These rooms include small refrigerators. 4. One queen-size bed; includes small refrigerator.
Both refrigerators and rollaway beds are available for $10/each per night. Ask for item(s) when booking.
Scroll down for additional important details about the hotel itself; your bookings, sharing costs with a roommate, and MORE. If you have ANY difficulty making a reservation, just go ahead and book the room to secure a confirmation number. Then contact Vicki ASAP so she can get it straightened out for you. Browse the HH website to see photos and info about the amenities: http://www.haciendahotel.com
*********** STARSTAFFER ATTENDANCE **********************
There are never any guarantees, but-- 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: ³I¹ll be there if I can!²Other members of the guest casts, crew and staff hope to join us.
*********** 2014 CON FEES: *********************************
> > *** $125 per person > *** $210 for two adult family members (^a couple or > ^a parent with a child 18 yr./older or ^other adult > relatives) > *** ³Teen² 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 ³Teen² (12-17yrs) >
Some financial aid is available through the ³In-Your-Pocket² Fund (started by the Hays family in 1993), which allows some people to pay certain expenses at a later date, interest-free (cannot cover hotel or transportation). This works on a first-come, first-served basis, so speak up if you may need assistance (contact Vicki OFF-LIST).
BARE-BONES SFC 2014 EVENTS CALENDAR:FRI Sept. 26 (All Day) Arrival / Enrollment Day / Get-Acquainted Pizza Party FRI Sept. 26 (Approx. 610pm) Traditional Get-Acquainted PIZZA PARTY SAT Sept. 27 (Approx. 11am6pm) 13th biennial Family Reunion Party with Cast & Crew SUN Sept. 28 (Morning) TBA SUN Sept. 28 (Afternoon) Charity Auction, Raffles SUN Sept. 28 (Approx. 57pm) optional Group Dinner SUN Sept. 28 (Approx. 7:3010pm) 9th biennial STARMAN BOOKNIGHT
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*********** MORE DETAILED HOTEL INFO ***********
The HACIENDA HOTEL fills an entire block, bounded by Mariposa on the north, Sepulveda Blvd. on the east, Holly on the south, and Indiana on the west. Parking lots are on the north and south; entrances are on the east and west sides.
Parking fees: Hotel guests pay $8/night; those-sleeping-elsewhere / locals pay $4/day (these fees are VERY reasonable in the L.A. area).
We have secured a block of rooms, but you will book your own -- unless you need help (e.g., Extra-Statesiders or those seeking roommates). Be sure to mention STARMAN to get our group rate of $92 plus 8.065% ³bed tax,² making the total only $99.96 per night for up to four people. [If you have any difficulty making a reservation, contact Vicki. This rate is absolute until Aug. 24. This hotel¹s been very good to us (2008, 2010, 2012), offering us benefits beyond the necessary.
You should make a reservation NOW, even though it may seem early; it¹s a good idea, no matter how tentative your plans. You can always cancel later (without charge if at least 24 hours in advance) in case you¹re unable to attend. If you think you may be staying extra days -- before and/or after -- it's better to reserve your room for all the nights you might possibly use and then cancel the ones you don't need when you¹re sure. Otherwise, the hotel may be filled, and you may not be able to stay in the same room -- or you may even have to find another hotel at a regular rate. The $92 rate is secured for all the nights you book in conjunction with SFC.
And if you DO book a room and later decide to cancel, please inform Vicki (contact info at bottom of post) BEFORE you free up the room so we can ensure it will be returned to our block, even after the August 24 cut-off. On that date, we¹re supposed to release any rooms in our block that haven¹t been reserved. HH has the right to then charge full price for any later reservations. However -- since there are always emergencies/changes in plans, and some people don¹t know until the very last minute if/when they¹ll be able to attend -- Vicki always books some rooms in her own name to transfer, as needed, so no one has to be left out. (³But,² Vicki says, ³if you CAN book for yourself, please do so well ahead of time, so my¹ rooms are available for truly urgent needs -- and so I can get any unneeded rooms cancelled before the 24-hour cut-off and don¹t have to pay for them out of Con funds.²)
If you¹re hoping to share hotel costs, Vicki, as usual, can help people find appropriate roommates. And she¹s glad to help those who may have difficulty booking for themselves (those with no major credit card or those living outside the USA). Again, contact her as soon as possible so she knows who¹s looking for roommates and who needs help.
As its name implies, the Hacienda is a large, lovely Spanish-style facility (very California!), beautifully landscaped with two courtyards graced by tiled fountains. Lots of space to sit and chat -- indoors and out. Wander around to view the handsome murals hand-painted by an artist-in-residence, whom we hosted at our pizza party in 2008. Other notable HH features include:
**Outdoor, heated POOL just outside the Con Crew Suite (CCS) **Complimentary High-speed Internet / Wi-Fi **Cable/Satellite TV **Besides the free airport shuttle, there¹s a FREE SHUTTLE to/from several shopping locations. **On-premises conveniences include: *Gift Shop *Barber/Beauty Shop *Coin-operated laundry facilities (as well as same-day laundry/dry cleaning) *Tour Office (if staying extra days, you can book tours to Hollywood, Studios, Amusement Parks, Museums, etc.) *Discovery Rent-a-Car office (if you plan to rent a car at all, ask Vicki why this choice might save you money)
As for the Con itself, Liz Turner and I are, again, the Co-Organizers, Some of you may remember that Liz lived in (SCA) and I, way up in NCA. Well, last spring, Liz moved up here to a new home very close to us, partially so she could help me -- especially with the Con and with managing my life as a visually impaired person caring for a cognitively impaired hubby (Tom no longer feels confident driving out of the county, so Liz has already served a number of times as our chauffeur).
Ironically, Sandra Ragan (who attended her 1st SFC last time -- and ended up as part of the Crew!) was living at the time in NCA but late this spring, left there and moved back to her childhood home in SCA (where she & I were buddies in the late 50s-early 60s!). Sandra (a graphic designer) consulted with the 2012 T-shirt team, and this year has stepped up to the major role, partnering with me (Vicki) for the creation and production of the SFC 2014 Commemorative T-shirts -- assisted by consultants Liz Turner and Bruce Jividen.(OR). Incidentally, Bruce, after 7 consecutive stints as co-creator (with Vicki) of STARMAN Con T-shirts, has retired from that role. He¹ll continue as part of the Crew, especially in the areas of art and electronics. Other 2014 Con Crew members include Diane Roe (SCA) and Jean Ensling (CT). Jean Laidig (NJ) still hopes to be able to make it. Sharon Herden (IL) will, for the 10th time, serve as our Charity Auction Coordinator.
Liz & I are still making some decisions and smoothing out details (having to go through everything with yet-another change of catering/sales staff), but we (Liz & I) did round up a great new T-shirt vendor (details next time), and we DO have our other Con THEMES:
- Celebrating the number 13.
This SFC is the 13th biennial FAMILY-CON. That¹s right! It¹s been twenty-four years since the first Reunion Party at Patrick Culliton¹s home in 1990. [The very first STARMAN convention was organized by Annemarie Schomaker in San Diego in 1987, and there¹ve been numerous other international conventions, but SFC refers to just Family Reunion Parties in the L.A. area.]
- Celebrating the 30th anniversary of the debut of the STARMAN movie in
December 1984.
- Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the debut of the Ford Mustang in
April 1964 (remember the ³souped-up orange Mustang² that took Starman and Jenny to Meteor Crater in the Movie?).
- Celebrating the Chinese Year of the Horse, represented especially by
Cachuma Star, the rescued ³orange (sorrel) Mustang² SSI sponsors at the Wild Horse Sanctuary in Shingletown (Northern) CA. See 2 photos of him at: <tinyurl/CachumaStar>
As is traditional, we¹ll also have two official CON COLORS (including one that¹s some shade of BLUE) plus probably an accent color.
Watch for upcoming posts with more about those COLORS; T-SHIRTS; DÉCOR; FOOD (including PIZZA); fundraising CHARITY AUCTION & RAFFLES; BOOKNIGHT & MERCHANDISE (if you have books or stuff to sell, contact Vicki ASAP); and STARSTAFFER ATTENDANCE UPDATES.
If you need other specific details before I provide them, please contact me (Vicki) by email or phone (see below).
ALSO, this is the time I ask again that you please assist our planning by helping us estimate attendance to see if we¹ll meet our goals. Please SEND me an EMAIL WITH SFC in the SUBJECT LINE saying YES, NO, or MAYBE. There¹s never any commitment here; you can always change your mind. People sometimes have to cancel (if possible we can refund any payments you¹ve made); others, who thought they wouldn¹t be able to attend, find they can after all. (There¹s even a subcategory called DEFINITE MAYBE, which means ³If I can possibly make it, I will!²). If you¹re even FANTASIZING about joining us, please send at least a MAYBE so I can put/keep you on the SFC Mailing List (which will post some info / details to only its list so we won¹t be bothering those who haven¹t expressed interest). We have some financial aid available, and several people like to cut costs by sharing a room. Details to come. Don¹t count yourself out yet. We bend over backwards to help people share the unique SFC experience.
If you¹ve ever attended or have tried to get to an SFC, you¹ll be on my mind as I wonder who might be interested, so . . .
PLEASE let Vicki hear your YES, NO, or MAYBE!
And, if you¹re sending a YES or MAYBE, please answer any of these questions that isn¹t a NO:
- Is this your 1st SFC?_____
- Are you disabled? Need special accommodations (such as handicap
room)?__________________________
- Are you vegan? Dairy/Eggs Vegetarian? Have special dietary
plan?__________________________________
- Allergic to:________________________________Can't/Don't
eat/drink:___________________________________
- Want to ³buy into² our FRI night group Pizza
order?_________________________________________________
- Do you want to participate in BOOKNIGHT or sell
Merchandise?______________________________________
- If so, do you need info/details immediately in order to
prepare?____________________________________
Hurry your responses (emails with SFC in SUBJECT LINE) to Vicki Werkley:
> * OFF-LIST at: starwerk@gmail.com > * PHONE: 707-995-1228
*By Monday, August 18 I hope to post TWO Forms (fill out one or the other, as applicable):
- PA = for the ³Plan-to, Probably-will, or Possibly-may Attend² folks
(corresponds to YES / MAYBE)
- NA = for the ³Not Attending² folks who want to purchase / donate
something (corresponds to NO)
Please HOLD any PAYMENTS until you have the appropriate (PA / NA) FORM.
Sure hope YOU can make it! Vicki and the Con Crew
°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*° STARMAN FAMILY-CON 2014 (SFC¹14) SEPTEMBER 26-28, 2014 13th biennial "Family Reunion" of those who created/appreciate STARMAN including: Reunion Party with Cast/Crew/Staff El Segundo, California *** (1 mile south of LAX)
`````` 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)
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Official 2014 Con Crew Members (so far): Vicki Werkley (NCA) *** Liz Turner (now NCA) Jean Ensling (CT) *** Sandra Ragan (now SCA) Diane Roe (SCA) *** 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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Vicki Hessel Werkley