Friday night (March 11th), around midnight, Fred Patten had a stroke that left the right side of his body paralyzed. He managed to call 911 and was taken to Daniel Freeman Hospital in Marina Del Rey.

We visited Fred briefly Saturday but got shooed out when he got tired. His vision is blurred, and he keeps his eyes closed since his eyes keep going in and out of focus -- like a roller coaster ride you can't get off. His speech is also blurred, but pretty understandable. Right now there's no point in bringing him books. He does welcome visitors, and the ICU doesn't insist that only relatives may come -- but may be busy with doctors running tests on him or get tired.

As of today, there is little change, which is actually a good thing - any radical change at this point would almost certainly be bad news, so slow, steady improvements are the best things to hope for at the moment.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Rocket

Version 3.14

Edition 1.02

RCFM 3.14 is on the Launch Pad and the countdown has begun! We will
begin on
the 27th of May, 2005.

Ground Control Huntsville Is in the beginning stages of Launch as
performers
and artists of the highest caliber such as 2 The Ranting Gryphon,
Stick
Devil, and Babs Bunny are even now in final preparation for launch.
Our
Ship the Mighty Radisson Suites with its all suite crew quarters is
staffed
and ready for launch. The galley crew is in already working hard to
stock
up on all the needed supplies for our voyage. Security forces are
trained
and ready for any situation. All we need is YOU!

SO, Visit us at www.rcfm.net and register for the Best Furmeet in
the south!

Pre-registration: Visit our webpage for full details

http://www.rcfm.net/

$10 - Single day membership

$10 - Non-attending, support level membership

$30 - Attending level membership, all three days

$40 - Sponsor level membership

$70 - Super sponsor level membership

Registration at the door

$15 - Single day membership

$40 - Attending level membership, all three days

$50 - Sponsor level membership

$90 - Super sponsor level membership

Are you An Artist? The RCFM conbook staff is searching for Story
submissions and original artwork.

Do you like to dance???? WE will be offering Dances on our Voyage
this year,
Heros will dazzle you with his creations and Music, Amber `n Alex
will host
an ALL Request dance, so you can let loose. Come and Dance your
Tails off
this year and yes we will have Fursuit friendly dance time.

Our Dealers Den is filling up, if you are a dealer and want a table,
Please
hurry.

WE are looking for furs to host discussion panels this year. Do you
have an
Idea for a good panel? Contact Draconis draconis@k... and let him
know
your Idea.
http://www.rcfm.net/schedule.htm

START YOUR PLANS TO ATTEND TODAY!!!!!!!!

Hello!

We've received a decent response to our informal requests for assistance for Conifur 2005. We do indeed need help for we've had several retirements in our staff and need new blood, new ideas, new strong backs to help shoulder the burdens. While we always need generalized help during the event, we especially need help in Registration (Registration Lead, staffers, etc), Events (organizing events to fill space available), Dance, Charity Auction/Fundraiser, Security, Gaming and more. If you want to update your job resume, participating in a nonprofit organization like Conifur can really help out for it shows outside activities that deal with managing a trade show environment. Job skills learned in helping to run a convention can and do apply directly to many jobs in the real world. Here's a break down:

Morphicon 2005 "Growing Pains": May 6-8, 2005
Radisson Columbus-Worthington, OH
http://www.morphicon.org/

In this issue:

* Early Registration and Art Contest Deadlines
* Conbook and Advertising Notice
* Oodles of Programming Panels and Events
* New: Morphicon's Gaming Track!
* Donations Needed for Charity Events

Anthrocon, the world's largest furry convention, is once again looking for talented artists and writers to provide material for its convention book. The Anthrocon conbook offers a fantastic forum for artists and writers to showcase their talents to their peers.