Random Thoughts for the End of October




The end of the month of October brings with it several things … Halloween, the start of the Holiday season, too much junk food, and cooler weather. Have you ever wondered what the point of Halloween is?



Ok, so Halloween started as a ritual to ward off evil spirits and prevent your soul from being stolen. Now it is an excuse to party and dress up in silly costumes. Personally, I think we need more excuses to dress up and escape ourselves for a while… but then that’s why I go to sci-fi and fantasy conventions. Well, that and an excuse to go on vacation and hang out with friends.



Don’t get me wrong, I love Halloween – almost as much as I love Christmas. I don’t know if it’s the costumes, the fall weather, the decorations, or just that I’m a big kid at heart but I love this time of year.



What I DON’T like about Halloween is the scary movies. I’ve never been into horror movies much unless they are comedies or just suspenseful rather than gory. It’s all good fun to watch The Addams Family, Young Frankenstein, or The Mummy, but I can’t stand even the thought of watching Halloween, Child’s Play or movies of that nature.



As for ghost hunting: I personally prefer not to provoke any spirits that might be around. I’ve got enough issues with life as it is without inviting any evil into my home, though I wouldn’t be too upset at a benign haunting.



Whatever your preferences for this fall season, I hope you have a Happy Halloween.

Foo Fighters concert SLC 2011

This week I need to talk about attending the Foo Fighters concert last Tuesday night at the Maverick Center in Salt Lake City, UT last Tuesday (Ok, technically it was West Valley City, but that's a suburb of SLC so ... close enough).

My experience with this concert was a little different than most as I won an awesome prize package from a 101.9 The End (in my opinion the best station on the SLC airwaves).


Winning Tickets:
I was listening to The End last Saturday and heard the DJ announce that tickets were up for grabs, so I thought I'd call in and try for them. Well, I won the pair of tickets which I think were for regular seats and immediately contacted my brother (nicknamed "Schwaboy") to see if he wanted to come. Imagine my surprise the following Monday when the morning DJs (Chunga and Tysen) announce my name as the winner of the big prize package. When I let my brother know that we also had a limo, dinner, and access to the suite at the concert he was just as floored as I was.


The Extras:
Arrangements were made for the limo to arrive at my home at 5:30 and take my brother & I downtown to P. F. Chang's and to the concert afterwards. Schwaboy arrives at my place just before the limo is scheduled to take us, and we climb into the car. Now I've never traveled "in style" like this before, but my brother travels a lot and to him it's old hat. I kick back in the rear seat and what does he do? Lays down for a 15 minute snooze. We eventually arrive at the downtown restaurant. What's funny here is that my brother lives downtown and the restaurant is within walking distance of his house.

We do the dinner thing which I pay for with a gift card that was part of the package, and then hop back in the limo for our ride to the concert. The limousine comes into the driveway and the driver says he's dropping off VIPs. How cool is that... I'm a VIP! It’ll probably never happen again.

Anyway, we pull up in front of the stadium right across from the radio station's tent and climb out. I wave over to the tent, and one of the guys (sorry, I forget his name) brings over two Foo Fighters t-shirts which were also part of the prize package. This is extremely cool as concert shirts are usually about $25 - $50 a pop. I’d have bought one anyway, but I’m glad I didn’t have to.

Next we climb up the steps to the mezzanine level and find our concert suite. The radio station hosted a party there, so we were hanging with the afternoon DJ at The End (Cuzzin Brad) as well as other winners of suite tickets. There is food in the suite also which is great for those who won the suite tickets, but of course Schwaboy & I are rather full after P. F. Chang’s

The Actual Concert:
The concert was advertised as a Foo Fighters concert with Cage the Elephant as the opening act. What I didn't expect when I arrived was a third band by the name of Mariachi Del Bronx. Mariachi Del Bronx? Come on!

At first I just sort of laughed at the name, but then I actually started to listen to the music. It was ... mariachi music. Not my favorite style of tune, but I have to admit that they were good. And let's face it; they'd have to be good to open for Cage the Elephant and for Foo Fighters.
After Mariachi finished there was a short break before Cage the Elephant was prepared to come on stage. As soon as they did, the lead singer (forgive me if I don't know his name) announced that their drummer had an appendicitis the previous night. They had a roadie come and play a couple of songs and then a guest drummer. Most of the audience was cheering when they saw who it was, but I'm embarrassed to admit that I didn't recognize the name or the face of the guest drummer. I could tell he was famous by the reaction of the crowd. Yeah... it was Dave Grohl - lead singer of the Foo Fighters (and former drummer for Nirvana).
Here's the thing with me ... I know the songs and bands I like, but I don't always know the names of the band members.

Anyway, Dave played drums for a few Cage the Elephant songs. Cage was good, but I've decided that they sound better on the radio than live. Don't get me wrong - the band has lots of energy and some very awesome songs. I just think they need a little more touring experience.

Another break before Foo Fighters comes on. (I'm guessing Dave needed a break as well as the band stage handlers needing to get the equipment on stage.) Can I just say that the Foos were AWESOME! They played several of their popular songs before going off stage. Then Dave Grohl came out to do a set of acoustic songs for the encore before being joined by the rest of the band.

By the end of the night I was tired and my ears were ringing (as they must do after attending a rock concert), but I had a blast. Then the limo ride home and finally it was time to pass out before having to work the next morning.

Maybe I should have tried to take the next day off of work…

Here I go again

I haven't actually blogged anything in several years, and I thought I should start again. The goal is to blog about once per week. Let's see how I do.
So ... this post is to announce that I'm blogging again and the next one will be my first "real" post.

Graduation!

It seems like it's taken forever, but I have finally completed everything I need for my Bachelor's of Science in Business Administration (with an E-Business focus).
I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with Kaplan University Online, and hope that all of my professors and classmates have the best of luck in the future.
Thank you to everyone who has made this possible, including my wonderful husband George and all my friends.

Reddiculously fun Mountain-Con 4 (i.e. "Saturday's report")

Here's something cool from Mountain-Con 4's second day (Saturday Sept. 20, 2008)...

Several clubs tend to throw what is known as a "room party" at conventions. The idea is to have a fun, relaxed atmosphere in which to meet the club. Our Artist Guest of Honor, Mr. David Reddick (of The Trek Life, Legend of Bill and others) came to a room party I attended. Also attending was Mr. Carl Stark of the U.S.S. Ticonderoga ... a long time Star Trek fan. For those that follow The Trek Life you will understand when I say that our convention's Carl purchased a caricature of himself meeting David's "Carl". (See below.)

I asked David and Carl if they would somewhat re-enact that pose. Here is what I got...

The little girl looking up at Mr. Reddick is Carl's daughter Aurora. Although the pose with David and Carl was planned, Aurora's participation was not ... and that is what makes this a GREAT photo. (Cute, isn't she?)

Report on Mountain-Con 4

It's Sunday evening after the convention, and all the staff are either cleaning up those last pesky stains...um, leftovers of convention life, traveling home, or passed out from exhaustion.

I wanted to share something cool that happened on our first day ...

Friday (Sept. 19, 2008) at the Davis Conference Center saw not only Mountain-Con 4, but Hill Air Force Base's annual ball ... a very formal affair. Several soldiers and officers were staying at the connected Hilton Garden Inn/Layton and had to travel through Mountain-Con to get to their own event...and several were interested in attending Mountain-Con.

Here's what's REALLY cool about Friday ...



Pictured here are several personnel stationed at Hill AFB. They are (in no particular order): SrA Eric Alexander, SrA Shawnya Alexander, SSgt LaDonna Gardner, Tsgt Erick Gardner, MSgt Tina M. Samaniego, AlC Matthew Tsarj, Amn Aaron Sabin, SSgt Glenn Jajliardo, and Tsgt Marcul Demil.
(My apologies if I have misspelled any of these names.)

Perhaps you should see the wider view of this picture:

Air Force personnel under a Stargate. How cool is that?



More reports about Mountain-Con 4 later.
It has been a lot of fun (and a lot of work), and we are looking forward to Mountain-Con 5.

Reason #26 to attend Mountain-Con: It's STILL that cool! (Because of you)

Reason #26 to attend Mountain-Con: It's STILL that cool! (Because of You)

As we said at the beginning of these "Reasons", Mountain-Con is just that COOL ... and it still is. The reason behind Mountain-Con's cool-ness? YOU!

Conventions such as Mountain-Con are just more fun when more people attend. In our four years of doing conventions we have seen our membership grow from just about 150 attendees (for our first, one-day only convention) to over 500 (last year).

Mountain-Con was started by a group of fans that wanted to share their fandom with like-minded people. The greatest thing about this whole adventure is that the more people that attend the convention, the greater the diversity and the greater the possibility that you (or I) will find a new fandom to fall in love with.

So spread the word, get your friends to share the gas & hotel room, and join us tomorrow (we already know you're coming). Who knows... you might just find yourself on the following podcasts:

• Brandon Sanderson (Mountain-Con guest)
• Kerry Jackson (X-96 DJ & Mountain-Con Emcee)
• I-Sci-Fi (Mountain-Con supporter since before it existed)

... and to quote one of our regular attendees from Wyoming, "Because you will regret it for the rest of your life if you don't come! Mwha ha ha!"

Note: Mountain-Con wishes to thank Mr. Kevin Sorbo and Mr. Mark Goddard for sending autographed photos for us to sell at Mountain-Con this year, even though they were unable to attend.

 

Final recap:

Reason #1 to attend Mountain-Con: "Because it's just that COOL!"

Reason #2 to attend Mountain-Con: Brandon Sanderson

Reason #3 to attend Mountain-Con: KidCon

Reason #4 to attend Mountain-Con: "Location, location, location!"

Reason #5 to attend Mountain-Con: Kevin Sorbo*

Reason #6 to attend Mountain-Con: Cool props

Reason #7 to attend Mountain-Con: Club Fahrenheit 451

Reason #8 to attend Mountain-Con: Sarah Douglas

Reason #9 to attend Mountain-Con: Star Trek: Of Gods and Men

Reason #10 to attend Mountain-Con: "We are YOUR people!"

Reason #11 to attend Mountain-Con: Herb Jefferson Jr.

Reason #12 to attend Mountain-Con: Banquet with the Stars

Reason #13 to attend Mountain-Con: Fan Film Festival

Reason #14 to attend Mountain-Con: "Starfleet Academy" classes at the Wasatch Campus

Reason #15 to attend Mountain-Con: Costume Contest & Masquerade

Reason #16 to attend Mountain-Con: Brandon Mull

Reason #17 to attend Mountain-Con: Mark Goddard*

Reason #18 to attend Mountain-Con: Richard Herd

Reason #19 to attend Mountain-Con: Scott Schwartz

Reason #20 to attend Mountain-Con: Victor Brandt

Reason #21 to attend Mountain-Con: SHINY! (New Stuff)

Reason #22 to attend Mountain-Con: David Reddick

Reason #23 to attend Mountain-Con: Penny Johnson Jerald

Reason #24 to attend Mountain-Con: Klingons and Hobbits and Pirates, Oh My!

Reason #25 to attend Mountain-Con: Local guests and Friendships (old & new)

Reason #26 to attend Mountain-Con: It's STILL that cool! (Because of You)

* Due to professional commitments, Mr. Kevin Sorbo is no longer able to attend Mountain-Con. Also, Mr. Mark Goddard has a personal conflict with our convention dates.

Reason #25 to attend Mountain-Con: Local guests and Friendships (old & new)

Reason #25 to attend Mountain-Con:
Local guests and Friendships (old & new)

Never attended a convention? Try Mountain-Con!

As evidenced by our previous "Reasons to Attend Mountain-Con", we'll have a variety of people, props, and professionals. Whether it is acting, model making, costuming, producing, or something entirely alien you can probably find it with us. And who knows, you may just be introduced to some new friends along the way.

Mountain-Con is a place for friendships. It is a place to meet new friends and to renew old acquaintences that you see only on the convention circuit. Whether it is meeting interesting people,finding that perfect club who shares your enjoyment of a particular genre, or getting to know a star of a favorite show, Mountain-Con has it.

 

We've spoken so much about the guests who are coming from out-of town in our previous "Reasons" that we've left out a whole group of our guests. Let's speak about guests who are local to Utah.

In addition to the two local guest authors we've already spoken of (Brandon Mull and Brandon Sanderson), Mountain-Con has invited several other local guests.

• Paul Genesse is a registered nurse at a local hospital as well as an author. He has written several short stories published for anthologies and his first novel "The Golden Chord" was published this past April. Look for Book 2 soon!
• JoSelle Vanderhooft's poetry tends to be on the macabre side. Her poetry and fiction have appeared in print and online in several publications. She has also been nominated for the Bram Stoker Award, the Rhysling Award and short listed for the Gaylaxtic Spectrum Award for her anthology "Sleeping Beauty, Indeed".
• Rebecca Shelly is the author of the Red Dragon Codex and the Brass Dragon Codex. Look for Rebecca in several of our panels including "Twisting the Knife", "Foreshadowing", "Evil Overlords" and "How to Write Fanfic that Doesn't Suck".
• Larry Correia, an "admitted B-movie nerd", is the author of "Monster Hunter International". Mountain-Con will be Mr. Correia's very first convention (at least as a guest), so do your best to help him feel welcome!
• Eric James Stone is a science fiction enthusiast and political science major who loves creative writing. He has had several short stories published by "Analog" and "Phobos Books".
• Anna del C. Dye is the author of "The Elf and the Princess". Anna will be on several panels at this year's Mountain-Con.

One last thing...

Mountain-Con begins in one week ... September 19, 2008. That date also happens to be "International Talk Like a Pirate Day".

If you decide to wear a costume that day, think about doing a pirate version ... you never know who will be watching.

To recap:

Reason #1 to attend Mountain-Con: "Because it's just that COOL!"

Reason #2 to attend Mountain-Con: Brandon Sanderson

Reason #3 to attend Mountain-Con: KidCon

Reason #4 to attend Mountain-Con: "Location, location, location!"

Reason #5 to attend Mountain-Con: Kevin Sorbo*

Reason #6 to attend Mountain-Con: Cool props

Reason #7 to attend Mountain-Con: Club Fahrenheit 451

Reason #8 to attend Mountain-Con: Sarah Douglas

Reason #9 to attend Mountain-Con: Star Trek: Of Gods and Men

Reason #10 to attend Mountain-Con: "We are YOUR people!"

Reason #11 to attend Mountain-Con: Herb Jefferson Jr.

Reason #12 to attend Mountain-Con: Banquet with the Stars

Reason #13 to attend Mountain-Con: Fan Film Festival

Reason #14 to attend Mountain-Con: "Starfleet Academy" classes at the Wasatch Campus

Reason #15 to attend Mountain-Con: Costume Contest & Masquerade

Reason #16 to attend Mountain-Con: Brandon Mull

Reason #17 to attend Mountain-Con: Mark Goddard*

Reason #18 to attend Mountain-Con: Richard Herd

Reason #19 to attend Mountain-Con: Scott Schwartz

Reason #20 to attend Mountain-Con: Victor Brandt

Reason #21 to attend Mountain-Con: SHINY! (New Stuff)

Reason #22 to attend Mountain-Con: David Reddick

Reason #23 to attend Mountain-Con: Penny Johnson Jerald

Reason #24 to attend Mountain-Con: Klingons and Hobbits and Pirates, Oh My!

Reason #25 to attend Mountain-Con:
Local guests and Friendships (old & new)

* Due to professional commitments, Mr. Kevin Sorbo is no longer able to attend Mountain-Con. Also, Mr. Mark Goddard has a personal conflict with our convention dates.

Official Mountain-Con 4 T-shirt is Hot Off The (Cafe) Press!

Greetings all fans, friends and attendees of Mountain-Con!

This year we've decided to do our t-shirts a little differently and have put them up on Cafe Press. This way our out-of-town fans who can't make it to the convention this year will still have the opportunity to support the convention.

The shirts are only $19.99 and can be shipped directly to your quarters, abode, dormitory, home, domecile, workplace, hotel, or wherever you choose. There is time enough to order them to wear at the convention on the 19th.

The art on the front was designed by Mr. David Reddick (known for "Trek Life" among other noteworthy web comics) and the back lists all of our guests this year. This art will also be used for our program cover.

Click here to view the t-shirt and place your order: http://www.cafepress.com/mountaincon.245158607

Once again a HUGE "thank you" to Mountain-Con 4 guest David Reddick for desigining the art for this year's t-shirt and program book.

Note: There is a LIMITED RUN on both the t-shirts and the program books, so get yours now!

Reason #24 to attend Mountain-Con: Klingons and Hobbits and Pirates, Oh My!

Reason #24 to attend Mountain-Con:
Klingons and Hobbits and Pirates, Oh My!

If the title feels a little bit like "The Wizard of Oz", there is a reason (pun intended). It's that we have so much going on during our event! But before we get to that, here are a few announcements:

• Extended Deadline: Mountain-Con's latest discounted rate ($40 per adult/$20 per child for the 3-day admission) has been extended until September 12, 2008. Visit http://www.mountaincon.org/NOW to get your discounted tickets. (Prices increase at the door.)
  
• Banquet Price Reduced: We have decided to drop the price of our popular "Banquet With The Stars" from $100 per person to $85 per person. Remember, the Banquet includes a mix & mingle as well as a photo with the stars.


• Auditions Class: Richard Herd, who has been a working actor for decades, is offering a 90-minute class on how to audition for jobs. This exciting opportunity to learn from a "name" in the industry is just $25 per person (with paid admission to Mountain-Con). The class will be held Sunday, September 21, 2008 at 11:00 a.m.


• Salt Lake Area billboards: Mountain-Con has finally caught up with 21st Century advertising ideas and has purchased time on two electronic billboards this year. Because of the nature of these billboards, you can actually see our ads by going to the Digital Advertising Company's website: http://dacsigns.com/ ... one in downtown Salt Lake City, the other in Sandy. (Just click the appropriate link.)

Now back to the Klingons...and the Hobbits...and the Pirates... and the Vampires... and Wookies... and the Justice League... etc.

Mountain-Con has a wide variety of things to see and do...things that will fit every taste. The schedule includes Question & Answer sessions from all of our guests, panels on everything from writing to film-making to world-building (for gaming and/or for writing) to games, and miniature contests.

Some of the panel titles include "I Need a Hiro" (a discussion of NBC Television's Heroes), "Pirates in Science Fiction" (enjoying pirate-based stories in the science fiction genre), "How to Write Fanfic That Doesn't Suck", "Sci-Fi Jeopardy" (a Jeopardy-like game with science fiction based answers), "What the Filk Is Going On?" (a discussion of filking), and "POTCO and DDO and W-O-W, Oh My!" (a discussion of massively online multi-player role playing games and their appeal).

Additionally there are Photo Ops with the individual stars, special screenings of "Star Trek: Of Gods and Men" and "InAlienable", the Banquet with the Stars, Sarah Douglas's special event "Resident Alien" and Richard Herd's auditions class.

None of the aforementioned titles includes our gaming schedule, our media room or our anime room, each of which is running without a break from open until close. This year our gaming chairs are proud to offer some special gaming tournaments, including a "Magic: The Gathering" tournament and "Living Forgotten Realms". (See our website for scheduling information under "About Mountain-Con" and then the appropriately named tab.)

We'll also have our costume contest/masquerade, dealer's room, a "meet the clubs" section, KidCon (for the under-twelves), and either a dance or karaoke.

If tradition holds out, many of the attending clubs will be throwing "room parties". This will be a time to get to know the individual clubs in and around the area. It is also a time to meet new friends and renew old acquaintances. It is also another reason to reserve a hotel room. (wink, wink)

To recap:

Reason #1 to attend Mountain-Con: "Because it's just that COOL!"

Reason #2 to attend Mountain-Con: Brandon Sanderson

Reason #3 to attend Mountain-Con: KidCon

Reason #4 to attend Mountain-Con: "Location, location, location!"

Reason #5 to attend Mountain-Con: Kevin Sorbo*

Reason #6 to attend Mountain-Con: Cool props

Reason #7 to attend Mountain-Con: Club Fahrenheit 451

Reason #8 to attend Mountain-Con: Sarah Douglas

Reason #9 to attend Mountain-Con: Star Trek: Of Gods and Men

Reason #10 to attend Mountain-Con: "We are YOUR people!"

Reason #11 to attend Mountain-Con: Herb Jefferson Jr.

Reason #12 to attend Mountain-Con: Banquet with the Stars

Reason #13 to attend Mountain-Con: Fan Film Festival

Reason #14 to attend Mountain-Con: "Starfleet Academy" classes at the Wasatch Campus

Reason #15 to attend Mountain-Con: Costume Contest & Masquerade

Reason #16 to attend Mountain-Con: Brandon Mull

Reason #17 to attend Mountain-Con: Mark Goddard*

Reason #18 to attend Mountain-Con: Richard Herd

Reason #19 to attend Mountain-Con: Scott Schwartz

Reason #20 to attend Mountain-Con: Victor Brandt

Reason #21 to attend Mountain-Con: SHINY! (New Stuff)

Reason #22 to attend Mountain-Con: David Reddick

Reason #23 to attend Mountain-Con: Penny Johnson Jerald

Reason #24 to attend Mountain-Con:
Klingons and Hobbits and Pirates, Oh My!

* Due to professional commitments, Mr. Kevin Sorbo is no longer able to attend Mountain-Con. Also, Mr. Mark Goddard has a personal conflict with our convention dates. Please stay tuned to our Web site for up-to-date information on replacements.

Reason #23 to attend Mountain-Con: Penny Johnson Jerald

Reason #23 to attend Mountain-Con:
Penny Johnson Jerald

Mountain-Con is excited to announce two brand-new guests to our convention... Penny Johnson Jerald and her talented husband Gralin Jerald.

PENNY JOHNSON JERALD’s biography describes her as a “nasty piece of work, Penny’s from heaven, hell on wheels, powerful, and just plain talented.” She played the scheming, conniving, JR of television character, Sherry Palmer, on the Fox television hit, 24. Ms. Jerald won critical acclaim for her role as Sherry and made the list of television’s “50 Most Powerful Divas.” She recently completed two seasons as Dean Etwood on ABC’s drama series, October Road.

Ms. Jerald has also recurred on the sitcom, Eve, as the sassy, sexy, and outspoken mother of the young star. She was nominated for both a Cable Ace Award and NAACP Image Award for best actress in a comedy series while creating the quick-witted assistant, Beverly, on the Larry Sanders Show for HBO. Ms. Jerald spent four seasons on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine as Captain Kasidy Yates, Commander Sisko’s love interest and then loving bride. (She also did a single guest role on TNG’s “Homeward.”) She is proud to have a huge Trekkie following and honored to add her incorrigible role in the hit sci-fi series, The 4400. Penny Johnson Jerald has had the pleasure of portraying the most powerful African-American woman in U.S. politics, Dr. Condoleezza Rice, in both Showtime’s and ABC’s reenactment of September 11.

When not shooting film or television, Ms. Jerald can be found working side by side with husband Gralin for the couple’s theatre group, OCTC (Outreach Christian Theatre Company). She may be directing a play, teaching a class, producing vocals with her manager/husband in their recording studio, Behind the World Productions (http://www.behindtheworld.net/), or imparting knowledge in areas of strength to those who seek it. She continues to do public speaking engagements, personal appearances, and charities close to her heart. Ms. Jerald is currently producing a documentary, Women in Power, a story about an historical political event in Baltimore, Maryland, Penny’s hometown. For the first time in history, Baltimore’s top government positions are filled by African-American women: mayor, city council president, city states attorney, and city comptroller.

GRALIN JERALD is the “behind the scenes tour de force” of the hard-working husband and wife duo at Behind the World Productions, Inc. Mr. Jerald is CEO of BTWPROD and heads all engineering at BTWPROD Recording Studio. He is the silent leader of the company, making final decisions in budgets, projects, travel engagements, and scheduling. He serves as the musical director and producer of OCTC (Outreach Christian Theater Company) in Los Angeles. The company is a non-union corporation specializing in projects that present moral issues using original works from up-and-coming playwrights and innovative music.

Mr. & Mrs. Jerald founded the company in 1994. Having written songs for Renee Geyer and Billy Davis & Marilyn McCoo early on, Mr. Jerald felt a certain freedom and passion for what a career in music would afford him. However, marriage and fatherhood had plans of their own. He would end up managing his wife’s career while extending his talents outside of the home by teaching.

Gralin Jerald holds a BA in classical guitar and an MM in commercial music, and has served on staff at various colleges in the Los Angeles area, teaching voice, all genres of guitar, arranging, songwriting, and music business for the past 20 years. With over 100 songs written and having engineered other artists’ ideas and efforts, Gralin Jerald is ready to hang up his professorship and give us an idea about what the “real” Gralin Jerald is all about. He is now geared up to showcase his own talent in BTWPROD’s newly released “400 YEARS REMEMBERED.” Partial to the music of the oppressed Black American, Mr. Jerald has intertwined his musicianship, ancestral background, rich-rooted voice, and quest for equality to create a body of work that should be heard and embraced throughout this country.

We look forward to meeting Gralin and Penny in person at Mountain-Con 4 in (can you believe it) three short weeks! Please visit their table as well for special Mountain-Con rates on their CDs.

To recap:

Reason #1 to attend Mountain-Con: "Because it's just that COOL!"

Reason #2 to attend Mountain-Con: Brandon Sanderson

Reason #3 to attend Mountain-Con: KidCon

Reason #4 to attend Mountain-Con: "Location, location, location!"

Reason #5 to attend Mountain-Con: Kevin Sorbo*

Reason #6 to attend Mountain-Con: Cool props

Reason #7 to attend Mountain-Con: Club Fahrenheit 451

Reason #8 to attend Mountain-Con: Sarah Douglas

Reason #9 to attend Mountain-Con: Star Trek: Of Gods and Men

Reason #10 to attend Mountain-Con: "We are YOUR people!"

Reason #11 to attend Mountain-Con: Herb Jefferson Jr.

Reason #12 to attend Mountain-Con: Banquet with the Stars

Reason #13 to attend Mountain-Con: Fan Film Festival

Reason #14 to attend Mountain-Con: "Starfleet Academy" classes at the Wasatch Campus

Reason #15 to attend Mountain-Con: Costume Contest & Masquerade

Reason #16 to attend Mountain-Con: Brandon Mull

Reason #17 to attend Mountain-Con: Mark Goddard*

Reason #18 to attend Mountain-Con: Richard Herd

Reason #19 to attend Mountain-Con: Scott Schwartz

Reason #20 to attend Mountain-Con: Victor Brandt

Reason #21 to attend Mountain-Con: SHINY! (New Stuff)

Reason #22 to attend Mountain-Con: David Reddick

Reason #23 to attend Mountain-Con:
Penny Johnson Jerald

* Due to professional commitments, Mr. Kevin Sorbo is no longer able to attend Mountain-Con. Also, Mr. Mark Goddard has a personal conflict with our convention dates. Please stay tuned to our Web site for up-to-date information on replacements.

Reason #22 to attend Mountain-Con: David Reddick

Reason #22 to attend Mountain-Con:
David Reddick

Hello, True Believers:

We are proud to announce that Mountain-Con will be graced with the presence of Mr. David Reddick.

Although perhaps best known to our audience as the creator behind The Trek Life web comic on www.startrek.com, Mr. Reddick has been creating comics for a very long time.

To paraphrase from "David's Reddickulous Blog", Mr. Reddick is a professional cartoonist who not only created "The Trek Life" but the "Legend of Bill" (located at LegendofBill.com, presented by the SoulGeek.com network), "Gene's Journal" and "Rod & Barry" comic strips. He is also a full-time cartoonist for "Garfield", does editorial cartoons and single-panel cartoons for national newspapers, comics and cartoons for magazines, for comic books, and for web sites. Mr. Reddick has also done product designs for several companies including: Paramount Pictures/CBS Studios, Roddenberry Productions, the NCAA. His acrylic abstract and pop art paintings have also been exhibited in galleries and museums all over the world including England and France (and some U.S. locations like Indiana, Florida and Michigan).

In addition to gracing us with his presence, Mr. Reddick has agreed to do the cover art for our program book this year. This will be a unique, one-of-a-kind piece of artwork that you can only get through Mountain-Con (and, perhaps, directly from Mr. Reddick himself).

For more information about Mr. David Reddick including his convention appearances, photos, and his different art work visit his online studio at www.davidreddickstudio.com.

(Note:
THIS IS THE FINAL WEEK FOR THE PRE-SALE DISCOUNT PRICES!
Pre-sale tickets for an adult, 3-day Mountain-Con VI pass are $40. After August 31st, we will discontinue the pre-sale registration and sell tickets at the door for $45. Single-day rates are also available at the door.)

To recap:

Reason #1 to attend Mountain-Con: "Because it's just that COOL!"

Reason #2 to attend Mountain-Con: Brandon Sanderson

Reason #3 to attend Mountain-Con: KidCon

Reason #4 to attend Mountain-Con: "Location, location, location!"

Reason #5 to attend Mountain-Con: Kevin Sorbo*

Reason #6 to attend Mountain-Con: Cool props

Reason #7 to attend Mountain-Con: Club Fahrenheit 451

Reason #8 to attend Mountain-Con: Sarah Douglas

Reason #9 to attend Mountain-Con: Star Trek: Of Gods and Men

Reason #10 to attend Mountain-Con: "We are YOUR people!"

Reason #11 to attend Mountain-Con: Herb Jefferson Jr.

Reason #12 to attend Mountain-Con: Banquet with the Stars

Reason #13 to attend Mountain-Con: Fan Film Festival

Reason #14 to attend Mountain-Con: "Starfleet Academy" classes at the Wasatch Campus

Reason #15 to attend Mountain-Con: Costume Contest & Masquerade

Reason #16 to attend Mountain-Con: Brandon Mull

Reason #17 to attend Mountain-Con: Mark Goddard*

Reason #18 to attend Mountain-Con: Richard Herd

Reason #19 to attend Mountain-Con: Scott Schwartz

Reason #20 to attend Mountain-Con: Victor Brandt

Reason #21 to attend Mountain-Con: SHINY! (New Stuff)

Reason #22 to attend Mountain-Con:
David Reddick

* Due to professional commitments, Mr. Kevin Sorbo is no longer able to attend Mountain-Con. Also, Mr. Mark Goddard has a personal conflict with our convention dates. Please stay tuned to our Web site for up-to-date information on replacements. As soon as we know ... you'll know!

Reason #21 to attend Mountain-Con: SHINY! (New stuff)

Reason #21 to attend Mountain-Con:
SHINY! (New Stuff)

Nothing is as permanent as change ... and don't we know it!

Our Web site has gone through a major revamp, and went live this week. We not only have a brand new look, but new forums, "Mountain-Con TV" (courtesy of hulu.com), and a list of up-to-the-minute announcements. Navigating the new site is also a little bit different from getting around on the old one

For example:

• The "News" link takes you to our up-to-date news ... which right now is pretty empty because the site went live just this week.
• Clicking the "Home" tab takes you to the home page ... and changes the photo of the guest featured on the page. This is also where you find "Mountain-Con TV" (provided through hulu.com), announcements of special events (like Richard Herd's auditions class and Sarah Douglas's "Resident Alien"), and so forth.
• "About Mountain-Con" takes you to several different sections. These include general information and a FAQ page as well as a history of Mountain-Con's past guest lineups. This section also has our programming schedule, gaming schedule, KidCon schedule, Media Room and Anime Room schedules (as soon as these get published), information about our Banquet With the Stars, the Mountain-Con Film Festival rules & entry form, and has a place to show off props.
  • Yes, there IS a gaming schedule up right now!
• The "Guests" tab has guest information. Just click on the individual guest's name. A window will pop up with information about that particular Mountain-Con guest.
  • This is also where we will announce changes to our guest lineup. Please keep in mind that all guest appearances are subject to professional commitment and may be canceled or changed at a moment's notice. Mountain-Con is not responsible for any such changes, but will endeavor to substitute another guest if a scheduled guest becomes unavailable.
• "Links" takes you to our friends' Web sites. There are tabs for clubs, other conventions, former guests' pages, online comics sites, and stuff we couldn't fit under other tabs.
  • Note: The "Links" tab is also where you can find information on prices for advertising in our program book.
• The "Forum" tab, of course, takes you to our brand new, redesigned forums. Unfortunately you'll have to sign up again, since this new forum is in a completely different format than the previous forums page. (Guess that means we start the trivia round robin over once again! LOL)
• Finally, the "Contact Us" tab shows the e-mails for all of the positions at Mountain-Con, including who holds the current position. If you have a question about Mountain-Con, THIS is where you go to find out who to ask!

We hope you enjoyed the tutorial and, most of all, that you like our new Web site. To quote the crew of the Firefly-class transport vessel Serenity... Shiny!

One final thing...
Please keep in mind that all guest appearances are subject to professional commitment and may be canceled or changed at a moment's notice. Mountain-Con is not responsible for any such changes, but will endeavor to substitute another guest if a scheduled guest becomes unavailable.

(Reminder: Pre-sale tickets for an adult, 3-day Mountain-Con VI pass are $40. After August 31st, we will discontinue the pre-sale registration and sell tickets at the door for $45. Single-day rates are also available at the door.)

To recap:

Reason #1 to attend Mountain-Con: "Because it's just that COOL!"

Reason #2 to attend Mountain-Con: Brandon Sanderson

Reason #3 to attend Mountain-Con: KidCon

Reason #4 to attend Mountain-Con: "Location, location, location!"

Reason #5 to attend Mountain-Con: Kevin Sorbo*

Reason #6 to attend Mountain-Con: Cool props

Reason #7 to attend Mountain-Con: Club Fahrenheit 451

Reason #8 to attend Mountain-Con: Sarah Douglas

Reason #9 to attend Mountain-Con: Star Trek: Of Gods and Men

Reason #10 to attend Mountain-Con: "We are YOUR people!"

Reason #11 to attend Mountain-Con: Herb Jefferson Jr.

Reason #12 to attend Mountain-Con: Banquet with the Stars

Reason #13 to attend Mountain-Con: Fan Film Festival

Reason #14 to attend Mountain-Con: "Starfleet Academy" classes at the Wasatch Campus

Reason #15 to attend Mountain-Con: Costume Contest & Masquerade

Reason #16 to attend Mountain-Con: Brandon Mull

Reason #17 to attend Mountain-Con: Mark Goddard*

Reason #18 to attend Mountain-Con: Richard Herd

Reason #19 to attend Mountain-Con: Scott Schwartz

Reason #20 to attend Mountain-Con: Victor Brandt

Reason #21 to attend Mountain-Con:
SHINY! (New Stuff)

* Due to professional commitments, Mr. Kevin Sorbo is no longer able to attend Mountain-Con. Also, Mr. Mark Goddard has a personal conflict with our convention dates. Please stay tuned to our Web site for up-to-date information on replacements. As soon as we know ... you'll know!

Mountain-Con Special Announcement: Gaming

Mountain-Con's Gaming Chairs are excited to bring you several exciting features at Mountain-Con 4...

RPGA:

Living Forgotten Realms (or LFR for short) is a new regionalized RPGA Living campaign, and the first to utilize the new 4th Edition Dungeons & Dragons rules. Players create characters and assign them to a specific region set in the Forgotten Realms. Characters can be played in any LFR adventure that supports their levels of play, anywhere. All non-special LFR adventures will be available for play no matter where you live in the world. As your character plays adventures, it earns experience points, gold, and magic items which stay with you from game to game. There are dozens of unique adventures each year!

For the LFR event at Mountain-Con 4, please sign up by visiting the special Web site: http://www.warhorn.net/MountainCon4. (Please note that the URL is case sensitive.)

The RPGA is the roleplaying arm of organized play at Wizards of the Coast dedicated to providing play opportunities and support for Dungeons & Dragons and other d20 System games. All around the world, on any given weekend, fans of these games play in RPGA-sanctioned events. These events take place at large conventions, midsize gamedays, retail stores, and even private home gatherings.
To participate, you must be an RPGA member. Membership is free, and you don't have to worry about continually renewing - it's good forever. Just show up at an event, fill out a membership card, and start playing.

Camarilla:

The Camarilla is an international roleplaying organization and fan club dedicated to the enjoyment of White Wolf's World of Darkness®. It supports global chronicles set in the World of Darkness - in both live-action (using the Mind's Eye Theatre™ system) and tabletop roleplaying (using the Storytelling System™). The Camarilla is one of the world's largest roleplaying groups, with thousands of members across six continents. Members create characters using White Wolf's game books and play those characters in games organized by their local chapters. Many members also travel to games and events hosted by the hundreds of other domains and chapters, use some of the numerous "in character" e-mail lists and attend larger regional, national and international events. All the while, members get to develop their characters and get to know thousands of other World of Darkness fans. The Domain of Salt Lake Live Action group will be offering 3 Games - Mage the Awakening, Changeling the Lost, and Vampire the Requiem.

Judges and Gamemasters Needed:

We are looking for Judges for Magic: the Gathering and GMs for Battletek games.

Tired of your favorite game not being represented at conventions, or do you run a not standard game? We are looking for you. Contact Gaming@mountaincon.org to get details on running a game session.

Reason #20 to attend Mountain-Con 4

Reason #20 to attend Mountain-Con:
Victor Brandt

We are very lucky to have Mr. Victor Brandt with us this year. Not only is he a talented voice actor, but he has agreed to be one of Mountain-Con's emcees.

Mr. Brandt has been in everything from "Saved By The Bell: Hawaiian Style" and "Murder She Wrote" to voicing parts in "Men In Black: The Game" (video game) and "Avatar: The Last Airbender". He also voiced the narration in "Dr. Seuess' The Cat In The Hat" starring Mike Myers. (See his IMDB page for additional information.)

So...visit www.mountaincon.org for your tickets, links to the hotel, and scheduling information...and be on the lookout for additional "Reasons" to be announced over the next few weeks.

(Reminder: Pre-sale tickets for an adult, 3-day Mountain-Con VI pass are $40. After August 31st, we will discontinue the pre-sale registration and sell tickets at the door for $45. Single-day rates are also available at the door.)

To recap:

Reason #1 to attend Mountain-Con: "Because it's just that COOL!"

Reason #2 to attend Mountain-Con: Brandon Sanderson

Reason #3 to attend Mountain-Con: KidCon

Reason #4 to attend Mountain-Con: "Location, location, location!"

Reason #5 to attend Mountain-Con: Kevin Sorbo

Reason #6 to attend Mountain-Con: Cool props

Reason #7 to attend Mountain-Con: Club Fahrenheit 451

Reason #8 to attend Mountain-Con: Sarah Douglas

Reason #9 to attend Mountain-Con: Star Trek: Of Gods and Men

Reason #10 to attend Mountain-Con: "We are YOUR people!"

Reason #11 to attend Mountain-Con: Herb Jefferson Jr.

Reason #12 to attend Mountain-Con: Banquet with the Stars

Reason #13 to attend Mountain-Con: Fan Film Festival

Reason #14 to attend Mountain-Con: "Starfleet Academy" classes at the Wasatch Campus

Reason #15 to attend Mountain-Con: Costume Contest & Masquerade

Reason #16 to attend Mountain-Con: Brandon Mull

Reason #17 to attend Mountain-Con: Mark Goddard

Reason #18 to attend Mountain-Con: Richard Herd

Reason #19 to attend Mountain-Con: Scott Schwartz

Reason #20 to attend Mountain-Con:
Victor Brandt

Reason #19 to attend Mountain-Con 4

Reason #19 to attend Mountain-Con:
Scott Schwartz

At Mountain-Con, we just love announcing our guests! This week, we have reason to celebrate one of the largest talents in Hollywood ... literally and figuratively ... Mr. Scott Schwartz.

Mr. Schwartz is 6' 10" tall and about 300 lbs (according to information from his Web site). Combined with his athletic ability, Mr. Schwartz certainly is an imposing figure. No wonder he touts himself as "The Ultimate Bad Guy". Now this Ultimate Bad Guy will give us the ultimate thrill of hanging out with us in person!

In his varied career, Mr. Scott Schwartz has been a professional wrestler as well as an actor. Known as "Joshua Ben-Gurion, the Israeli Commando", Mr. Schwartz has wrestling credits from 1979 all the way through 1990.

Mr. Schwartz has appeared in a few movies you may or may not recognize, such as:

• Ocean's Eleven (Bulldog, the Bruiser a.k.a. the guy who beat up George Clooney's character)
• Ocean's Twelve
• Ocean's Thirteen
• Starsky & Hutch (the 2004 movie)
• Spider-Man (the screaming wrestler who was defeated by "Bone Saw")
• The Scorpion King
• Fun With Dick and Jane
• The Flinstones in Viva Rock Vegas

Mr. Schwartz also guest-starred in these television series, among others:

• Buffy, the Vampire Slayer
• Angel
• Star Trek: Enterprise
• V.I.P. (remember that show with Pamela Anderson?)
• Black Scorpion (anyone remember this show?)
• Nash Bridges

(Thanks to IMDB and the official Scott Schwartz Web Site (http://www.ultimatebadguy.com) for Scott's credits.)

So...visit www.mountaincon.org for your tickets, links to the hotel, and scheduling information...and be on the lookout for additional "Reasons" to be announced over the next few weeks.

(Reminder: Pre-sale tickets for an adult, 3-day Mountain-Con VI pass are $40. After August 31st, we will discontinue the pre-sale registration and sell tickets at the door for $45. Single-day rates are also available at the door.)

Please note:
In last week's reason, the author erroneously stated that August 31st was in a few short days. That is incorrect.
August 31, 2008 is a Sunday...in approximately four weeks.

To recap:

Reason #1 to attend Mountain-Con: "Because it's just that COOL!"

Reason #2 to attend Mountain-Con: Brandon Sanderson

Reason #3 to attend Mountain-Con: KidCon

Reason #4 to attend Mountain-Con: "Location, location, location!"

Reason #5 to attend Mountain-Con: Kevin Sorbo

Reason #6 to attend Mountain-Con: Cool props

Reason #7 to attend Mountain-Con: Club Fahrenheit 451

Reason #8 to attend Mountain-Con: Sarah Douglas

Reason #9 to attend Mountain-Con: Star Trek: Of Gods and Men

Reason #10 to attend Mountain-Con: "We are YOUR people!"

Reason #11 to attend Mountain-Con: Herb Jefferson Jr.

Reason #12 to attend Mountain-Con: Banquet with the Stars

Reason #13 to attend Mountain-Con: Fan Film Festival

Reason #14 to attend Mountain-Con: "Starfleet Academy" classes at the Wasatch Campus

Reason #15 to attend Mountain-Con: Costume Contest & Masquerade

Reason #16 to attend Mountain-Con: Brandon Mull

Reason #17 to attend Mountain-Con: Mark Goddard

Reason #18 to attend Mountain-Con: Richard Herd

Reason #19 to attend Mountain-Con:
Scott Schwartz

Reason #18 to attend Mountain-Con 4

Reason #18 to attend Mountain-Con:
Richard Herd

This week, we have the pleasure of announcing one of our guests... Mr. Richard Herd.

Mr. Herd is a prolific actor. Just look at some of the shows he's been in:

• The China Syndrome
• V (the original miniseries)
• V: The Final Battle (also starring Ms. Sarah Douglas - another of this year's wonderful guests)
• T.J. Hooker, in which he played William Shatner's boss
• Simon & Simon
• Knott's Landing
• Star Trek (both The Next Generation and Voyager)
• SeaQuest DSV
• Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman
• Seinfeld
• Scarecrow & Mrs. King
  

Mr. Herd also was also in the movie "InAlienable" (completed just this year), written by Walter Koenig and starring Richard Hatch, both of whom are former guests of Mountain-Con. (Note: We will have the rare opportunity to view InAlienable during our convention this year.)

(For more information, check out Mr. Herd's page on IMDB and the official Richard Herd Web site.)

While attending Mountain-Con, Mr. Herd will conduct an auditions class for all those wishing to learn more about the auditions process. There is a fee for this class, and seating is limited. (Please see our Web site for details.)

The multi-talented Mr. Herd is also part of The Enterprise Blues Band, a group of former Star Trek actors and behind-the-scenes people. Check out the Enterprise Blues Band Web page here.

So...visit www.mountaincon.org for your tickets, links to the hotel, and scheduling information...and be on the lookout for additional guests to be announced over the next few weeks.

(Reminder: Pre-sale tickets for an adult, 3-day Mountain-Con VI pass are $40. After August 31st (which is THIS FRIDAY), we will discontinue the pre-sale registration and sell tickets at the door for $45. Single-day rates are also available at the door.)

To recap:

Reason #1 to attend Mountain-Con: "Because it's just that COOL!"

Reason #2 to attend Mountain-Con: Brandon Sanderson

Reason #3 to attend Mountain-Con: KidCon

Reason #4 to attend Mountain-Con: "Location, location, location!"

Reason #5 to attend Mountain-Con: Kevin Sorbo

Reason #6 to attend Mountain-Con: Cool props

Reason #7 to attend Mountain-Con: Club Fahrenheit 451

Reason #8 to attend Mountain-Con: Sarah Douglas

Reason #9 to attend Mountain-Con: Star Trek: Of Gods and Men

Reason #10 to attend Mountain-Con: "We are YOUR people!"

Reason #11 to attend Mountain-Con: Herb Jefferson Jr.

Reason #12 to attend Mountain-Con: Banquet with the Stars

Reason #13 to attend Mountain-Con: Fan Film Festival

Reason #14 to attend Mountain-Con: "Starfleet Academy" classes at the Wasatch Campus

Reason #15 to attend Mountain-Con: Costume Contest & Masquerade

Reason #16 to attend Mountain-Con: Brandon Mull

Reason #17 to attend Mountain-Con: Mark Goddard

Reason #18 to attend Mountain-Con:
Richard Herd

Reason #17 to attend Mountain-Con 4

Reason #17 to attend Mountain-Con:
Mark Goddard

Wow! Mountain-Con is only about two months away, and here we are announcing another of our major guests... Mr. Mark Goddard, famous for his role as Major Don West in the original "Lost In Space" television series. He also played a General in the "Lost In Space" movie (with Heather Graham, Matt LeBlanc, and William Hurt).

We mentioned back in "Reason #6" that a few of the B-9 robots from "Lost In Space" would be attending Mountain-Con...and we've decided to place them near Mr. Goddard's table. (Remember...the robots are cool to look at, but no touching!)

Mr. Goddard has also appeared in several soap operas, including One Life to Live, General Hospital, and more. In addition, Mr. Goddard appeared in several television western series including "Gunsmoke", "The Rifleman", and "The Virginian". According to IMDB, his most recent role is Steve in the soon-to-be released film "Soupernatural".

So...visit www.mountaincon.org for your tickets, links to the hotel, and scheduling information...and be on the lookout for additional guests to be announced over the next few weeks.

(Reminder: Pre-sale tickets for an adult, 3-day Mountain-Con VI pass are $40. After August 31st, we will discontinue the pre-sale registration and sell tickets at the door for $45. Single-day rates are also available at the door.)

To recap:

Reason #1 to attend Mountain-Con: "Because it's just that COOL!"

Reason #2 to attend Mountain-Con: Brandon Sanderson

Reason #3 to attend Mountain-Con: KidCon

Reason #4 to attend Mountain-Con: "Location, location, location!"

Reason #5 to attend Mountain-Con: Kevin Sorbo

Reason #6 to attend Mountain-Con: Cool props

Reason #7 to attend Mountain-Con: Club Fahrenheit 451

Reason #8 to attend Mountain-Con: Sarah Douglas

Reason #9 to attend Mountain-Con: Star Trek: Of Gods and Men

Reason #10 to attend Mountain-Con: "We are YOUR people!"

Reason #11 to attend Mountain-Con: Herb Jefferson Jr.

Reason #12 to attend Mountain-Con: Banquet with the Stars

Reason #13 to attend Mountain-Con: Fan Film Festival

Reason #14 to attend Mountain-Con: "Starfleet Academy" classes at the Wasatch Campus

Reason #15 to attend Mountain-Con: Costume Contest & Masquerade

Reason #16 to attend Mountain-Con: Brandon Mull

Reason #17 to attend Mountain-Con:
Mark Goddard

Reason #16 to attend Mountain-Con 4

Reason #16 to attend Mountain-Con:
Brandon Mull, author of the Fablehaven book series

We at Mountain-Con are constantly working to bring you the best convention this side of ... well, anywhere. You never know who will be on the guest list next. This week we have the pleasure of announcing that Brandon Mull, author of "The Candy Shop War" and the "Fablehaven" series will join us at Mountain-Con. (Thanks to brandonmull.com for the image.)

Fablehaven is about a couple of children who discover that their grandfather is the caretaker of a nature preserve for magical creatures. (Check out fablehaven.com for more information.) These novels have been so popular that the third Fablehaven book, "Grip of the Shadow Plague", debuted on the New York Times Best Seller list at #3, and knocked off J. K. Rowling's final Harry Potter novel, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" off in the process (after 180 weeks). (Additional information available at www.meridian magazine.com, www.brandonmull.com, and www.fablehaven.com.)
The fourth Fablehaven book is due for release April 2009.

According to Mr. Mull's Web site, the Fablehaven book series has been optioned (for movie rights) by Mr. Avi Arad...the director behind the Spiderman and X-Men movies. As with everything in Hollywood, you never know until it happens...and we wish Mr. Mull good luck. ("The Candy Shop War" has also been optioned.)

Because of his (understandably) busy schedule, Mr. Brandon Mull is able to be with us only for one full day: Saturday, September 20th. He will do a Question & Answer session and will sign his books at that time. Mr. Mull has also agreed to attend our "Banquet with the Stars" on Friday evening.

So...get your tickets now by visiting www.mountaincon.org, and be on the lookout for additional guests to be announced over the next few weeks.

(Reminder: Pre-sale tickets for an adult, 3-day Mountain-Con VI pass are $40. After August 31st, we will discontinue the pre-sale registration and sell tickets at the door for $45. Single-day rates are also available at the door.)

To recap:

Reason #1 to attend Mountain-Con: "Because it's just that COOL!"

Reason #2 to attend Mountain-Con: Brandon Sanderson

Reason #3 to attend Mountain-Con: KidCon

Reason #4 to attend Mountain-Con: "Location, location, location!"

Reason #5 to attend Mountain-Con: Kevin Sorbo

Reason #6 to attend Mountain-Con: Cool props

Reason #7 to attend Mountain-Con: Club Fahrenheit 451

Reason #8 to attend Mountain-Con: Sarah Douglas

Reason #9 to attend Mountain-Con: Star Trek: Of Gods and Men

Reason #10 to attend Mountain-Con: "We are YOUR people!"

Reason #11 to attend Mountain-Con: Herb Jefferson Jr.

Reason #12 to attend Mountain-Con: Banquet with the Stars

Reason #13 to attend Mountain-Con: Fan Film Festival

Reason #14 to attend Mountain-Con: "Starfleet Academy" classes at the Wasatch Campus

Reason #15 to attend Mountain-Con: Costume Contest & Masquerade

Reason #16 to attend Mountain-Con:
Brandon Mull, author of the Fablehaven book series

Reason #15 to attend Mountain-Con 4

Reason #15 to attend Mountain-Con:
Costume Contest and Masquerade

You never know who you will meet at Mountain-Con. We've been visited by the Ghost Rider, Green Lantern, the Borg, Professors Snape and McGonigal, several Stormtroopers, Starfleet officers, and Hogwarts students, Captain Jack Sparrow and the entire family of The Incredibles.

As per usual, Mountain-Con will hold a costume contest and masquerade. All participants win some sort of prize/recognition. Last year, we had our guests judge the contest, and they decided that one of our contestants deserved the "Bravest in Utah" award for his "Dr. Frank N. Furter" costume. (If you don't know who that is...you're probably too young to find out.) Other awards included "Best Choreographed", and "Best Child's Costume". Everyone involved had a great time. (Thanks to the folks at CONduit for helping us run the masquerade this year.)

So, get those creative juices flowing and get your costume together this September 19th through 21st. Who knows...maybe YOU'LL get the "Bravest in Utah" award this time.

(Reminder: Pre-sale tickets for an adult, 3-day Mountain-Con VI pass are $40. After August 31st, we will discontinue the pre-sale registration and sell tickets at the door for $45.)

To recap:

Reason #1 to attend Mountain-Con: "Because it's just that COOL!"

Reason #2 to attend Mountain-Con: Brandon Sanderson

Reason #3 to attend Mountain-Con: KidCon

Reason #4 to attend Mountain-Con: "Location, location, location!"

Reason #5 to attend Mountain-Con: Kevin Sorbo

Reason #6 to attend Mountain-Con: Cool props

Reason #7 to attend Mountain-Con: Club Fahrenheit 451

Reason #8 to attend Mountain-Con: Sarah Douglas

Reason #9 to attend Mountain-Con: Star Trek: Of Gods and Men

Reason #10 to attend Mountain-Con: "We are YOUR people!"

Reason #11 to attend Mountain-Con: Herb Jefferson Jr.

Reason #12 to attend Mountain-Con: Banquet with the Stars

Reason #13 to attend Mountain-Con: Fan Film Festival

Reason #14 to attend Mountain-Con: "Starfleet Academy" classes at the Wasatch Campus

Reason #15 to attend Mountain-Con:
Costume Contest and Masquerade