1991 - 06/1991 Meeting

Page Created: 09/25/10. Last Updated: 10/27/10. Last Google Group Page Update: 01/25/08.

NO MEETING

Informal Gathering

Dinner at Khan's Mongolian Bar-B-Q

Browse at Cooper Square Books

Browse at Forbidden Planet

Browse at Pageant Book and Print Shop

Browse at Star Magic

Browse at The Strand

Dessert at Venieros

MEETING SUMMARY:

Meeting Date: June 8, 1991.

Meeting Site:

Official Attendance: 13.

Meeting Program:

Notes:

Meeting Memories:

Newsletter Account:

The Science Fiction Association of Bergen County was originally scheduled to hae a picnic barbecue on Saturday, June 8, 1991. Unfortunately, el presidente, Philip De Parto never got around to making reservations with the Parks Department until it was too late. This blunder was compounded by the loss of our contingency site. A gaming convention, a Scottish Festival, and a number of other conflicts were also scheduled against the picnic, so Phil decided to bow to the inevitable.

Word of the preemption went out, along with the message that anyone interested was welcome to join Philip De Parto at Khan's Mongolian Barbecue. Yes, this is the same place that last issue's EXPRESS had reported out of business. It's back. The address is 27 Third Avenue, between East 9th Street & St Marks Place.

For a spur-of-the-moment, last minute, throw-together, we did pretty good. Past guest speaker Constance Ash joined us for 1:00 PM dinner and conversation and we probably drew more people than would have shown if we'd gone ahead with the picnic.

There were lots of interesting conversations. Constance Ash has taken a summer leave-of-absence from her job at NAL and is busy writing a whole batch of stuff. Thomas Purdy and Bobbie Smith spent some time conversing. Thom's brother, David, deals with Bobbie's company and has since taken a job there. Mark Blackman, John Upton, and the other Lunarians discussed Lunarian-type stuff.

After a few hours of gab and grub, we went stalking our favorite prey: wild books. Cooper Square Books, at 21 Astor Place, 212 - 533 - 2595 was our first stop. We paused at a street fair which lay between us and our next stop, Star Magic, at 743 Broadway. From there we journeyed to Pageant Book and Print Shop, 109 East 9th Street, 212 - 674 - 5296. This is a used bookstore which represented virgin territory to me. It's worth visiting when you're in the area.

The last time I led a dinner group to Khan's, I couldn't interest anyone in dessert. I was prepared this time and bullied the group to Venieros at 342 East 11th Street. Gordon Van Gelder had recommended this place and it lived up to its billing. Not only were the cakes and pastries fabulous, but the prices were less than expected.

We had been losing people along the way, but there were still about 8 of us left for the final push to Forbidden Planet (821 Broadway at 12th Street) and The Strand bookstore across the street. The wallets got lighter and the backpacks got heavier.

Everyone said they'd had a grand time and that we ought to do it again.