Noreascon Four

Words, We Want Words

As part of our exhibits design for Noreascon 4, we want to collect SF and fannish "Familiar Quotations". We'd like them to be about SF, Fantasy, or Fandom and, as much as possible, also be by people in the field.

Examples include the obvious ("The Golden Age of SF is 12", Sturgeon's Law), book or story first lines ("Once upon a time there was a Martian named Valentine Michael Smith"), well-known media phrases ("He's dead, Jim"), fannish quotes ("No costume is no costume"), and so forth.

So please send us some quotes that you think deserve to be recognized. If possible, point to where they've been published so we can check the wording and attribution.

We'll use selected quotes at the convention, and try to post the full set of submissions on the net eventually.

Highlights from the April 15 Meeting

There was an error in the original Retro Hugo nomination list, concerning the eligibility of one of the nominees. The corrected listing is available here.

Retrospective Hugo Award tophy designer Patrick J. O'Connor shipped the trophy bases for the Retros. The beautiful design will not be made public until the Retro Hugo award ceremony Friday night at Noreascon Four. A sample trophy will be on display in the ConCourse following the ceremony.

We are delighted that our Master of Ceremonies for the 2004 Hugo Awards will be Neil Gaiman. We previously noted that Bob Eggleton will be the MC fo the Retrospective Hugo Awards. (It is not known if Godzilla will attend.) And we are also pretty excited with the Masquerade intermission entertainment: Charles Ross's One-Man Star Wars Trilogy

SlashDot featured the N4 Hugo nominations on its main page. The hit differential to our web pages in the wake of the SlashDot announcement: Sunday: 10,572; Monday (post-/.): 84,526.

We now have a message board available for people looking for rides, hotel shares, memberships, etc.

We will not offer the Installment Plan to new members after May; new members are currently on a $60-$60-$60 plan.

Scooter rental will be available at N4. Anyone who has not yet told Handicapped Services that they're interested in scooter rental at N4 should please fill out the online form.

NASA Liaison Pat Molloy has been talking to NASA about plans for several exhibits,including a full-scale model of Robert Goddard's first liquid=fuel rocket.

The Art Show is already 1/3 booked, and that artists' tables (for demos and such) are selling out fast.

First Night is looking for fannish volunteers with interesting talents who would be willing to perform them at First Night. The team will be contacting various fannish groups and organizations to solicit their participation in the First Night festival.

We have about 300 confirmed program participants at this point. A list of confirmed program participants will appear in PR6 and will be posted to the web and updated periodically.

Hugo and Retro Hugo Nominations

The 2004 Hugos and Retro Hugo nominations are now available here.

We're walking...

Ready for some exercise?
Boston is America’s walking city, and we certainly like our walking tours.

Walk Into History - Costumed Guided Walking Tours
Guided walking tours of the Freedom Trail with a costumed character. A standard tour begins at the Boston Common Visitor’s Center on Tremont Street and ends at Quincy Market, covering the following sites: Boston Common, New State House, Park Street Church, Granary Burying Grounds, King’s Chapel, the first public school site, the Old Corner Bookstore, Old South Meeting House, Old State House, Boston Massacre Site and Faneuil Hall. Daily at 11am & 1pm. Costs: $12 for adults; $6 for children. For more information go to: www.thefreedomtrail.org/groups.htm

Discover Boston - Historical Walking Tour
A personalized tour of Boston’s history with Audio-Mate. Using Audio-Mate's innovative technology, customers hear a version of the tour in the language of their choice; Japanese, German, French, Italian, Spanish, or English. Those guests for whom English is not their first language, Audio-Mates can be utilized on their trolley tours as well as on their walking tours. Handsets can be acquired at 73 Tremont Street. Costs: More information is available at: www.discoverbostontours.com

Boston by Little Feet
This child's-eye view of the Freedom Trail's architecture and history is especially designed for young walkers of 6 to 12 years. A free Explorer's Map and Guide is included. Times: Mon 10am, Sat 10am, Sun 2pm, Cost: $6.00. For more information go to: www.bostonbyfoot.com

One if by Land, Two if by Sea

(Tours by Land and Sea)

Old Town Trolley Tours - Historic Tours of America.
17 stops throughout the city including: the New England Aquarium, U.S.S. Constitution Museum, the Trolley Stop Store on the corner of S. Charles & Boylston Streets and most major hotels (see your concierge). Enjoy a 100 minute, fully narrated sightseeing tour with more than 100 points of interest guaranteed aboard our authentic, all weather trolley! You can purchase tickets at any of the stops, many area hotels and attractions throughout Boston or you can purchase them online! FREE admission for all children 12 years and under when accompanied by a paying adult guest. Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; Sat & Sun 9am-6pm. 1 Day Pass: $25.00, 2 Day Pass: $35.00. Passes are discounted if you purchase them online. For more information/discount tickets go to: www.historictours.com/boston

Boston Duck Tours - “One big splash and the rest is history!”
A fully narrated land and water tour, takes place in authentic WWII amphibious vehicles through the streets of Boston and into the Charles River! Seven days a week, starting at 9 a.m. until an hour before sunset. Two departure locations: Museum of Science - front driveway - tickets sold inside Museum and (after May 1, 2003) Prudential Center - Huntington Ave. across from Marriott Copley. Rain or Shine! Costs: Adult $24, Senior/Student/Military $21, Child (3 to 11) $15, Child (under 3) $3.00, Special Needs $10.00, Group rates available. For additional information go to: www.bostonducktours.com.

Boston Harbor Cruises - Whale Watch
Boston's only three-hour whale watch cruise on a high-speed catamarans. They will get you to and from the whales in half the time, which allows you more time to watch the whales. Their catamarans feature 3 outside decks for optimum viewing capability as you visit Stellwagen Bank, the East Coast's most famous whale watching destination. They guarantee WHALE SIGHTINGS or you will receive a free ticket to cruise with them again. Costs: Adult $30, Senior $27, Child $25. For more information go to: www.bostonharborcruises.com

Beantown Whale Watch
Beantown Whale Watch offers 4-hour tours. They guarantee WHALE SIGHTINGS or you will receive a free ticket to cruise with them again. Free child admission with each paying adult. For more information go to: www.beantownwhalewatch.com

Locus April 1 Special Report

The Locus Magazine April 1 Special Report features a surprise announcement by Noreascon Four. (It's a surprise even to us!)

"In a surprise move, the Hugo Award Fair Competition Committee for Noreascon 4 has decided to forcibly retire several perennial Hugo winners by naming the awards after them.

Those who have had a Hugo named after them will be permanently barred from winning further Hugos, even in categories not named after them. 'You hear that Langford? You're gone! Outta here! No more Hugos for you! Ever!' "