Probably more appropriate to a topic we don't have (movie news?), here's an article from the LA Times about the future of animated features. It has an interesting flavor because it was written in November, so it's both timely enough to point out the future and dated enough to see if the predictions are coming true.

There has been plenty of bad reports on Furries and Fursuiters, but for once, a reporter from the Omaha World-Herald appears to have gotten it right with an interview with their local fur, SnapE Tiger. This positive article not only shows the positive side to furrydom, but doesn't seem to get bogged down in the tabloid sensationalism.

Confurence 12. I decided I might as well write up my impressions of it.Overall, I wasn't too disappointed at the con. It could've been better, but it was enjoyable.Specifics first, then more general observations.

A very Watership Downish sort of book form what I can tell so far. I'll try and do a book review once I am done. Found it at MediaPlay this week and it is available on Amazon

The 24th Northwest Science Fiction Convention (NorWesCon) was a lot of fun. The annual Tai-Pan furry party was also a success. This is my 15th year in a row to attend this Seattle-Tacoma area convention, and among the group I usually room-share with are a couple of people who have been attending this con for twenty years, so I am a teeny bit biased.

Yerf.com is accepting applications.

Please please please read the uploading guidelines. We're *already* getting applications with stuff that breaks the rules on the application page. o_O

From SciFi.com's fiction e-zine:



http://www.scifi.com/scifiction

-----------

What happens when a device is developed that enables elephant-human
communication? Find out in M. Shayne Bell's powerful story
"Refugees From Nulongwe." Also, read James Tiptree, Jr.'s
classic on alien lifestyles, "Love is the Plan, the Plan is Death."

Here's what Nexus has written to artists and visitors who've signed up for the Furnation news listserv:

All you furry fans seeking to make a positive contribution in the name of Furry - here's your chance.



The Dream Catcher Farm Horse Sanctuary is an organization based on the premise that all creatures should live free of cruelty...

I added two book reviews from Jeff Eddy of Sofawolf Press. Check them out. Also, if you're an RPG fan, you really have no excuse not to pick up a copy of World Tree. I'm not an RPG fan, but the book has consumed most of my weekend. We had an interview with the creators not too long ago.

The Montreal Mirror has a feature story about furry fandom in their recent edition. It's a 'fan reaction' to the Vanity Fair article from three different Montreal furry fans.

This story is near and dear to my heart, as I am a fan of big cats:

In my wanderings I have discovered that Rosamond, California, is the home to the Exotic Feline Breeding Compound's Feline Conservation Center (or the 'EFBC/FCC Cat House'). This non-profit organization, which is dedicated to protecting and preserving endangered feline species, has struck deals with the folks at Igive so that when you purchase from any of the participants at the virtual "mall" such as PETsMART.com or Amazon, the Cat House gets a percentage of the purchase at no additional cost to the customer! Now that's just a great deal: You get what you want, and get the added warm fuzzy feeling of knowing you were helping out a great cause.

If you're a fan of Anne McCaffrey's "Pern" series you'll be pleased to know that her latest Pern saga, Skies of Pern, has been released by Ballantine Books. If you have cable and get the Sci-Fi network you may have seen some of the commercials airing for it.

From Scott Malcomson on alt.fan.furry: "ZonieCon will launch a new program in October, awarding an engraved plaque on an annual basis to a notable person within the fandom for Conspicuous Integrity. Bearing Mike's name and Zonie's likeness, it will serve in some way to help keep alive his memory and his spirit, while also serving to recognize those worthies in the fandom who manage to achieve the difficult task of earning their spurs without selling their ideals."

I've finished mailing out the Anthrocon Art Show info packets with reservation forms to everyone on my mailing list, and will shortly finish sending them to those who asked for Art Show info when they pre-registered for Anthrocon. If you're an artist and wish to receive one, please send me your full (legal) name and postal address. The Anthrocon web page will be updated with Art Show info in a week or so, but I still prefer to send the reservation forms by postal mail, as this allows more time to sort out any address difficulties before mailing the paperwork you'll need at the con, as well as your payment check afterwards.