MadCon 2010's Policy Regarding Children:
MadCon 2010 is an all-ages event, and we will endeavor to have programming that is fun for everybody, although parents should be cautioned that our Guest of Honor is known for being very, ahem, frank in expressing his views.
Memberships for children will be charged as follows:
Children 6 and under - Free
Children 7 to 13 - 1/2 of the Adult Membership rate
Children 14 and up - Adult Membership rate
Children 6 and under must be with their parents at all times in the convention programming areas.
Parents are welcome to bring their children to MadCon's Saturday Night Banquet with the Guests, but they will need to purchase a banquet ticket for each child attending as the hotel will be charging us the same rate per attendee.
THE MADCON 2010 ART SHOW AND AUCTION:
Madcon has decided to add an art show and auction to our
already-packed programming, and we are delighted that
Peri Charlifu has consented to be MadCon 2010's Special
Artist Guest. We hope that some of you will also decide to
participate in the art show and auction, so anybody who
wants to join us should contact our art show/auction manager,
Stephanie, at slgtyger@gmail.com for details as they become
available.
MadCon 2010 - GAMING ROOM!
Hey, we're bringing in a great bunch of authors and artists for what we expect will be a fun weekend, but if GAMING is what you're
really interested in, we've got what you want!
PEGASUS GAMES, Madison's premier Gaming Shop, will be running a gaming room at MadCon 2010 all three days of the convention.
We've even got a special rate for "Gaming Only" memberships (includes access to the Gaming Room and the Dealer's Room) for only
$10 per day, $25 for the whole weekend! Call PEGASUS GAMES at (608) 833-4263 for details, or visit PEGASUS GAMES at 6640 Odana
Road, Madison, WI, 53719, or email them at pegasusgames@pegasusgames.com .
PEGASUS GAMES - GAMES YOU NEVER OUTGROW.
The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund
About the CBLDF...
The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund was officially incorporated as a non-profit charitable organization in January of 1990 from the money left over from donations raised to defend Friendly Frank's arrest for selling "obscene comics" in Lansing, IL in 1986. Since then, the CBLDF has helped over a dozen comic book retailers and professionals fend off the censors, some successfully, some not.
The CBLDF exists to fight censorship and defend the first amendment rights of comic book professionals throughout the United States. In the past five years, the CBLDF has raised over $200,000 to pay expenses related to defending freedom of speech and expression, and the battle continues. As new waves of conservatism flood the publishing industry and the country, the CBLDF continues to raise the money and awareness needed to fight the censors every step of the way.
In recent years, police and prosecutors around the country have decided to crack down on comics. For cartoonists and their readers, it's a dire threat. The work accused of being allegedly "harmful to adults" includes comics by the best cartoonists of our time: Robert Crumb, Frank Thorne, Jaime & Gilbert Hernandez, Reed Waller, and many others.
Is there really a need for the CBLDF? The answer, unfortunately, is yes. 1996 and 1997 were busy years at the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. The Planet Comics Case in Oklahoma City saw many tribulations between the bust in September of 1995 and the unfortunate end as the defendants accepted a plea to end their ordeal. Michael Diana lost his appeal to have his conviction as an "distribution of obscenity" overturned. Joe Lansdale, Tim Truman and Sam Glanzman found themselves having to defend against a suit by the Winter brothers for defamation and invasion of privacy .
The CBLDF's guiding principle is that comics should be accorded the same constitutional rights as literature, film, or any other form of expression.
Authorities around the country are increasingly taking the opposite view. The censors and the "politically correct" tend to pick on the comic industry because they regard comics as products for kids and thus view adult/mature comics as inappropriate, or even illegal.
The CBLDF intends to fight these attacks and we hope you will help. We ask everyone who cares about comics and free speech to support us.
The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund
271 Madison Ave., Suite 1400
New York, NY 10016
212.679.7151
info at cbldf dot org
The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research.
Our mission:
To eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.
Our vision:
A world without Alzheimer's disease.
We provide information, education and support
*
If you need to talk, our toll-free 24/7 Helpline provides reliable information, referrals and support in multiple languages. Call us anytime at 1.800.272.3900.
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From coast to coast, our local chapters are in your community, providing core services to families and professionals, including information and referral, support groups, care consultation, education and safety services.
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Our message boards connect people from all across the country who share their experiences and find support and friendship with others living with Alzheimer's.
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MedicAlert® + Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return® is our 24-hour nationwide emergency response service for individuals with Alzheimer’s or related dementia that wander or who have a medical emergency.
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We operate the Alzheimer's Association Green-Field Library, the nation's largest library dedicated to Alzheimer's disease. The library provides a wide variety of free information services to the public.
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Alzheimer’s Association CareSource™ is our online suite of resources that will help coordinate assistance from family and friends, locate senior housing, receive customized care recommendations and enhance caregiving skills.
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Our annual International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease (ICAD) brings together the world's best scientists to exchange ideas and present breakthrough research.
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We are advancing Alzheimer research through our peer-reviewed research grants program. Since funding our first research grants in 1982, the Alzheimer's Association has awarded more than $265 million to scientists investigating the causes, treatment and prevention of Alzheimer's disease.
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Our journal, Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, presents the latest original, peer-reviewed, basic and clinical research advances in the field, including early detection, prevention and treatment.
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The Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk® is the nations' largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer's care, support and research.
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We educate consumers about brain health and the steps they can take to potentially reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.
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Our advocates educate Congress on critical Alzheimer policy issues and work to increase federal funding for research and care programs.
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We are leading the way in making sure that dementia care is safe, respectful and meaningful for every individual through our Campaign for Quality Care.
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As part of our Early-Stage Initiative, we've enlisted an advocacy group of individuals with early-stage dementia who are guiding our efforts in raising awareness of the disease and changing perceptions. A national dialogue on Alzheimer's began in 2007 through a series of Town Hall Meetings hosted by the Association.
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Our consumer awareness campaign urges Americans to become Alzheimer's Champions and move our cause forward.
Our beginning
The Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Association was incorporated on April 10, 1980, with a budget of $75,000 and businessman Jerome Stone as founding president. The seven founding chapters were Boston, Columbus, Minneapolis, New York City, Pittsburgh, San Francisco and Seattle.
In 1980, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) invested only $13 million in Alzheimer research. Then, in 1982, President Ronald Reagan designated the first National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Week. The Association founded more chapters and started its own research program. Things were beginning to happen.
The Alzheimer’s Association, today a multimillion-dollar organization, has been the catalyst and leader for a generation of advancements in Alzheimer research and care. Our organization’s achievements and progress in the field have given thousands of people a better quality of life and brought hope for millions more.
Dealer Room Info:
MadCon 2010 - Dealers' Room
MadCon 2010 is looking for Dealers for our event. The cost for one (1) table in the Dealers' Room is $100, which includes one (1) membership for MadCon. If you want a second table, the cost is an additional $60 (this does not include a second membership). Anybody working in the Dealers' Room must have a convention membership.
If you're interested in joining us for MadCon 2010 next month as a Dealer, you can contact our Dealers' Room Coordinator, Greg Ketter, via email at dream@dreamhavenbooks.com with any questions or to make a reservation. Payment for tables can be made by check (payable to MadCon 2010) or through MadCon 2010's Paypal account.
We expect that we will have room for 20-25 tables in our Dealers' Room, so don't wait too long, as we expect tables to go fast.
MadCon 2010
September 24-26, 2010
Crowne Plaza Hotel
Madison, WI
Subjetct: Only 23 days to go until MadCon 2010!
Hi Everybody,
If you're getting this email, that means that either you have a membership with MadCon or that you've sent an email inquiry to us at some point. In any event, with less than a month left to go until MadCon 2010, I thought I'd get an update out to everybody. So, here goes...
GUESTS: All of our Guests remain confirmed to attend MadCon. That Guest List includes Harlan Ellison, Sophie Aldred, Gene Wolfe, Peri Charlifu, Allen Steele, Pat Rothfuss, Peter David, John Krewson, James Frenkel and Lisa Snellings. Several of you have also asked to be panelists for the various panels that we have (and several of which were suggested by you). We will also be hosting a Sunday afternoon panel of contributors to the new book, CHICKS DIG TIME LORDS, which will include Sophie Aldred, Carole Barrowman, Kathryn Sullivan, Lynne Thomas, Jennifer Adams Kelley, Tara O'Shea, and one or two others.
SATURDAY NIGHT BANQUET WITH THE GUESTS: This, for the moment, is SOLD OUT, and we have 3 people on the waiting list. However, due to the number of Guests we have, we may be opening up one more table, so we may have room for a few more people at the banquet. It will be served buffet-style, and the entrees will be fried chicken, BBQ ribs, and pasta, with some vegetable sides. Dessert will be a choice of cheesecake and chocolate cake. Coffee and iced tea will be available, as well as a cash bar. Dinner will be followed by an exclusive talk by our Guest of Honor, Harlan Ellison.
PROGRAMMING: We are still putting this together, but we're getting close to finishing. Thank you to everybody who offered suggestions and who volunteered to be on panels; we don't need any more panel suggestions, but if anybody still wants to be a panelist, send me an email and I'll let you know which panels still have a slot or two open.
COOL ITEM: We are publishing a special book for MadCon 2010. Unrepentant is a limited edition hardcover book, celebrating the work of our Guest of Honor. Edited by Robert Garcia, this book features several articles about Harlan Ellison, a retrospective of some of the artwork done by Leo & Diane Dillon that have graced Harlan's work over the years, and will include an essay and two short stories by Harlan, including the very first hardcover appearance of Harlan's most recently published short story, "How Interesting: A Tiny Man." This book will be limited to only 300 copies, the first 100 of which will be signed by Harlan and numbered. We expect these to go quickly, and when they're gone, they're gone. The pricing on the two versions is still being determined.
THE CROWNE PLAZA: Remember, if you are staying at the Crown Plaza Hotel for any overnights during MadCon, make sure you mention the convention when making your reservation. This will make sure you get the best possible rate of $99 for 1-2 people and $109 for 3-4 people.
VOLUNTEERS: Yeah, we're still looking for a few volunteers to help out during MadCon. Please drop me an email if you have any questions. And if you live outside the area and still want to volunteer when you get here in September, that will be great too.
GETTING THE WORD OUT: I'll be honest, membership sales are a bit on the slow side, so anything you can do to get the word out would be greatly appreciated. If any of you are willing to get copies of our flyer out to bookstores, comic shops, libraries, wherever you think would be a good spot, send me an email and I'll send you the PDF of the most recent flyer. Harlan has been rather emphatic in his determination that this will be his last convention appearance as a Guest, so we really want to make sure to do what we can to pack the place.
I think that about covers the update. Any questions, just drop me a line. See you in 23 days...
Jon C. Manzo
MadCon 2010 Co-Chair
The Crowne Plaza Hotel, located at 4402 E. Washington Ave., Madison, WI, is the home of MadCon 2010. It's located less than 1 mile from Interstate 90/94/39, and less than 10 minutes' drive from the Dane County Regional Airport, as well as being right across the street from the East Towne Mall, Madison's largest indoor shopping mall, and with more than a dozen dining establishments (such as Red Lobster, Country Buffet, IHOP, Wendy's, Arby's, McDonald's, to name just a few) in walking distance.
Renovated in 2005, The Crowne Plaza features an indoor pool, a health & fitness center, beautiful public spaces and excellent convention facilities. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, and very affordable at $99 per night for 1-2 people, $109 for 3-4, the MadCon rate. They also have suites available if you want considerably more space (or if you want to run a room party at MadCon) as well as a limited number of whirlpool suites. Check with Hotel Registration for availability of the suites and whirlpool suites, and always remember to mention MadCon when booking your room to make sure you get the best available rate.
*MadCon 2010 is a production of MadCon 2010, LLC, a Wisconsin corporation.
*"Robot Holding Flower" by PANDA. ©2009 A.S.I.B.E.M. Records