BASFA minutes for September 1

[melchar]

Minutes of Meeting #1824
Monday, September 1, 2025

Trey Haddad, President
Ken Patterson, Vice President
Dave Gallaher, Treasurer
Galen Tripp & Laser Pistol Packin’ Mama, Sergeants at Arms
Barbara Johnson-Haddad, Secretary
meeting held online AND meeting live at Parktown Pizza [at Meridian & Hillsdale in SJ]
https://www.parktownpizza.com

And online via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83807383506?pwd=VnNNTXJ1YXlLS0RQVVB2VERXUTQ2dz09

> Called to order at 8:02 pm
>
> 12 in person and one (Hi, Bruce!) attended remotely.
>
> The minutes of meeting #1823 were approved as "Hour Minutes" & taken by Rick
>
> President's report, VP's report, & Treasurer report didn't happen for
> lack of those worthies' presence. Committees also did not report.

> ANNOUNCEMENTS:
>
> Cliff regretted to announce that Chelsea Quinn Yarbro died August 31st,
> as a result of complications from shingles, leading to meningitis.
>
> Cliff cited the San Jose Symphonic Choir schedule (at
> sjsymphonicchoir.org), which will be holding public performances and (in
> particular) free performances.
>
> Local fan and costumer Christina O'Halloran has, sadly, also passed.
> Our profound condolences to John, and to their many friends.
>
> Evergreen Valley College 50th Anniversary is tomorrow! It/s a public
> event.
>
> Cliff says Kepler's Books in Menlo Park will have an anniversary block
> party on Sept. 20th.
> https://www.keplers.org/upcoming-events-internal/70th-block-party

> REVIEWS:
>
> Yochanan reviewed the book "First Light: Maiden Voyages in Space and
> Time", a 1963 anthology of stories, edited by Damon Knight, comprising
> the first published stories by ten later-famous authors -- as amazing
> and fun, (This was published by 1960s paperback publisher Lancer Books.
> As note-taker, I will add that Martin H. Greenberg and Joseph D. Olander
> published a new, expanded version of this work in 1981, retaining
> Knight's introduction and adding the initial stories of ten additional
> authors, as "First Voyages" (Avon Books).)
>
> Lisa Harrigan reviewed a group that did a "Hamilton" sing-along at
> Oddfellows, where audience members were encouraged to, well, sing along,
> as a lot of fun and worth the $15,.
>
> Cliff reviewed SV Pride Parade, 50th Anniversary, as a sort of
> small-town parade for pride, with a local focus and vibe. Delightful
> and fun. Local politicos were in attendance, Yochanan as follow-up says
> he's come to enjoy events with a small-town feel.
>
> Yochanan reviewed the 1981 TV miniseries The Day of the Triffids (BBC)
> as very faithful to the 1951 John Wyndham novel, airing in 6 half-hour
> episodes,
> https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKcPxdey-jv0e4wjNNOlp8YnpgbUjLPXK .,
> There is also a 3-hour movie version. (Note-taker comments: This
> was a 1982 remix to single-piece movie format, 2 hours, 26 minutes, by
> Australia's ABC Television, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QWI4o3-sIU .)
> Much more faithful than the other versions. However, it's dated and
> has a Tom Baker-era Doctor Who vibe. Definitely A+ for effort, worth
> full price, and it's on YouTube. Cliff's follow-on: Wyndham's sequel
> novel "The Kraken Wakes" (circa 1952) is superb. (Note-taker comments:
> It's not a sequel so much as a work in the same vein, an encounter with
> aliens deep in the ocean. Three other UK authors did write sequels, the
> best-regarded of which seems to be Simon Clark's 2001 "The Night of the
> Triffids", also adapted by Big Finish Productions as an audio play.)
>
> Marc P.. reviewed the most recent "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" episode
> "Four and a Half Vulcans". Plot device has bridge crew turned into
> Vulcans: ridiculous, but in a delightful way. Light-hearted, and he
> loved it. Yochanan agrees, but said he could understands why it's
> polarizing. Pay attention to the post-credits scene with Patton Oswalt.
> Rick concurred, but says the strong start doesn't carry through to the
> end very well, and Oswalt's Vulcan character "Doug" was presumably a lot
> funnier in the script room than on-screen. Cliff added: Reminded of a
> musical entitled "Four Jews in a Room Bitching". (Note-taker comments:
> It's on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_gvxE9e50U, as a
> number from the 1981 musical "March of the Falsettos".)
>
> Yochanan reviewed the movie "Freakier Friday" with Jamie Lee Curtis and
> Lindsay Lohan, as light and a lot of fun. Worth at least matinee, full
> price if you're a big fan of the original.
>
> Cliff: In preparation for watching the series "Alien: Earth", he
> watched "Alien 3", a directors-ish "assembly cut". Different choice of
> scenes makes a difference, most of the changes improve the film, Runs
> about 30 minutes longer, more character development. Not available on
> streaming, Comes with the "quadrology collection". Yochanan commented:
> He saw "Aliens 3" first and then 1 and 2, He found this order
> enjoyable. Cliff mentioned that a William Gibson script for Aliens 3 was
> turned into an excellent Pat Cadigan novel.
>
> Rick reviewed "Foundation" season 3, episode 8, as moving plot pieces into
> place for the final two episodes of the season, but with the usual
> strong performances from a great cast. Yochanan says the crazy robot
> cult was great, and he remains interested in what'll happen next,
> Roxanne Dawson (Voyager's B'Ellana Torres) directed.
>
> Cliff reviewed this week's reviews by saying we had some pretty good
> reviews, this week.
>
> And the rumor of the week was: We had some pretty good reviews, this
> week.
>
> We adjourned about 9 pm.
>
> There wasn't an auction.