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April 2001

New book series and television program from Redwall creator Brian Jacques

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Brian Jacques, author of the popular Redwall series, has debuted a new series of books aimed at the young adult reader called "Castaways of the Flying Dutchman". The series follows the adventures of Ben, the only survivor of the cursed Flying Dutchman. Aided by his telepathic dog Ned and directed by divine intervention, he travels across the world and through time helping those in need.
Diehard fans of the Redwall books will also be pleased to hear that an animated Redwall television series is slated to run on a number of U.S. public television stations beginning in April.
Read the full article from the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel here.

Pern TV Show Nixed!

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Not much information is available about the cancellation of the Pern show, but what there is can be found at SF Wire.

NPR show to receive Bradbury Award

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Paul Levinson, president of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA), has announced the the National Public Radio series, 2000X - Tales of the Next Millennia will be this year's recipient of the Bradbury award.

Michael Scott McMurry in Coma

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Michael Scott McMurry, longtime furry fan and founder of ZonieCon was diagnosed with stomach cancer last year. Despite an aggressive treatment, he is currently in a coma, and is not expected to recover. The following update was recieved through Mel. White via the Curtis family.

Michael-Scot McMurry Has Passed Away

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4 am Wednesday the 4th of April,Phoenix Arizona. With his father in attendance Michael Scot McMurry died.

Chicago Tribune article about online comics

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A recent article in the Chicago Tribune discusses online comic strips (yes, we're a bit slow on the uptake; the article ran Feb. 22). Among those mentioned are Kevin and Kell and Newshounds.

China Failing to Protect Panda Preserve

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From CNN.com: "While U.S. and Chinese government officials square off over an incident involving a U.S. spy plane and a Chinese jet fighter, a joint U.S.-Chinese research team is faulting China's efforts to save the giant panda from possible extinction." Read the full story.

More downtime for Furnation

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Contrary to an earlier rumor posted to several mailing lists, Furnation is not being shut down for good, but does have some downtime in its future. Here's the official word, as posted by Nexxus to alt.fan.furry:

Norway wolf hunt over--one survivor

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Some of you may recall our earlier mention of the Norwegian wolf hunt. CNN has a follow-up story. Nine wolves were culled, and a tenth looks to have eluded the hunters.

Cyantia Comic Strips Expanding!

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From the comic strip site that brings you Satin & Silk, Campus Safari and numerous other titles, one of the titles is increasing its frequency this week to begin updating three times a week.

Tai-Pan party at NorWesCon

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The Northwest Science Fiction Convention (NorWesCon) is this weekend, April 12-15, and the Tai-Pan Literary & Arts Project is hosting their annual room party once again.

This party will mark the thirteenth anniversary of the founding of the Tai-Pan Project, which produces a science fiction zine set in a shared anthropomorphic universe. In recent years the Tai-Pan party has been virtually the only furry event happening at this convention, but we're too stubborn to stop doing it. Look for posters at all the normal bulletin locations to find the room number. The party usually starts at about 3:00 on Saturday afternoon. There'll be food, sketch books, a lot of conversation, and probably some Cheapass games to join in. We'll have back issues available.

So if you're in the Seattle area this weekend, drop in and say hello.

Further Confusion 2001 Wrap Up Report

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David Cooksey posted the Further Confusion final report on a.f.f.: "Well its time for our final wrapup report, a tradition we were determined to encourage by publicizing as much of our figures as possible.

"First and again, thank you to all of the staffers, panelists, artists,
writers, publishers, dealers, and attendees who made it another success."