Sponsor Letter, January 2nd 2019

Happy New Year!

I hope that 2019 is treating you all very well thus far.  For me the end of the year was almost unprecedented -- I took four days off and did nothing at all. It was exciting in only the way that napping, reading, and watching TV can be (i.e. not exciting in the slightest and all the more lovely for that).  But now I'm back in the saddle and ready to dive into 2019.  (Or at least ready to slowly-go-down-the-steps-at-the-shallow-end of 2019.)

One of the first pieces of business this year is to let you all know that it's that time again -- we're ready, willing and able to process your sponsorship renewals.  Operators are standing by!  Email programs are checking for new mail every 15 seconds.  Our mail-carrier is wondering who still sends checks in the post.  And our on-line form is ready to go at https://borderlands-books.com/buysponsorship19.html  Feel free to renew in the fashion that suits you best -- do it on-line, send a check, call up and do it with a credit card, or stop by the shop and pass us a fresh Franklin.  We like the last option the best because that way we get to see you and say Thank You in person.

All joking aside, if you'd like to continue to support Borderlands through 2019, I would deeply appreciate it.  However, if for any of the million reasons that might not make sense for you this year, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support in 2018.  This thing that we've done is really remarkable and I'm very pleased you came along for the ride.

As usual, I'll keep sending you these notes until March.  If you haven't renewed by then, I'll remove you from this mailing list.  Regardless of whether you renew this year, please do feel free to come to the sponsor social in February.  Likewise, if you'd like to come to the general meeting on March 31st, I'd love to see you there.

In closing, I wish you all a calm and peaceful year that brings you everything you hope for and much more.

All Best,
Alan

PS  Thank you to all the folks who pre-renewed your sponsorships.  They've all been processed and you should be seeing credit card charges appearing shortly.

Pygmy Jerboa Version:

(1) Friday, January 18th, 8:00 pm - Movie night and sing-a-long with pizza at Borderlands Cafe.

(2) Saturday, February 16th, 7:00 pm - Sponsor Social, Borderlands Cafe.

(3) Saturday, March 9th - Meet up at FOGCon 9, Walnut Creek Marriott, 2355 North Main Street, Walnut Creek, CA 94596

(4) Sunday, March 31st, 7:00 pm - Sponsors' General Meeting, Borderlands Cafe.

(5) Friday, April 26th, 8:00 pm - Roller Skating at Church of 8 Wheels, 554 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94117

Capybara Version:

(1) Friday, January 18th, 8:00 pm - Movie night and sing-a-long with pizza at Borderlands Cafe.  Need a little escapist fun?  Bring your favorite sleeping bag and pillow or camping chair for our first-ever Borderlands movie night.  We are screening the 1975 classic, "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" and, for the opening act, we'll be singing along to "Once More, With Feeling", the famous musical episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, both presented on our larger-than-life movie screen in the cafe.  We're going to need a head-count so please RSVP by replying to this email.

If you're interested in partaking in pizza (which will arrive around 8:45 or so), please mention it when you RSVP _and_ let us know if you're into meat or not.  Pizza will be five bucks (on the honor system) and payable the night of the show.

(2) Saturday, February 16th, 7:00 pm - Sponsor Social, Borderlands Cafe.  Food and Drink and Books; what more does one need?

(3) Saturday, March 9th - Meet up at FOGCon 9, Walnut Creek Marriott, 2355 North Main Street, Walnut Creek, CA 94596.  FOGCon is one of the more intimate of the genre-focused conventions, but they always pull off a great weekend of talks, readings, and local vendors selling their wares.  This year's guests of honor include Karen Joy Fowler and Becky Chambers.  More details to come as we confirm them.

(4) Sunday, March 31st, 7:00 pm - Sponsors' General Meeting, Borderlands Cafe.  If you've never attended, the General Meeting is sort of like a cross between a share-holders meeting and a big advisory board.  Alan will outline where Borderlands and the Sponsor Program stand, and then ask for comments, opinions and ideas.  We hope to see as many of you there as possible, because this is where we get guidance on where we should go with the sponsor program, and Alan would love to hear your thoughts.  If you can't attend in person, feel free to email us with your comments; we'll email a report on the meeting a week or two afterwards.

(5) Friday, April 26th, 8:00 pm - Roller Skating at Church of 8 Wheels, 554 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94117.  As you may have guessed, we have LOVED our past two outings to the Church of 8 Wheels.  We're back again and we'll be renting the private corner in the rear so we will have a place to congregate and leave our belongings. Housed in the 119-year-old former location of Sacred Heart Church, The Church of 8 Wheels welcomes anyone over the age of 18 to Friday night disco.  Admission is $10.00 and skate rentals are an additional $5.00.  Personal skates and roller blades are allowed and should weather dictate layering, there is a coat check at the door.  There is also a snack bar within the Church.  Please feel free to bring as many friends as you would like.   http://www.churchof8wheels.com/.