melchar: bucky katt making a statement (bucky)
melchar ([personal profile] melchar) wrote in [community profile] basfa2025-12-15 09:22 pm

Dec 15 BASFA minutes

Minutes of Meeting #1839
Monday, December 15, 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 8:01 pm
10live/6online beings attended the meeting

The minutes of meeting 1838 were accepted 'the usual suspects'

Proxy Treasurer's report = Regular: $15,805.32
Party: $230.58
Money can be sent to salve guilt via PayPal - sent to: dwgallaher@gmail.com
Though we have accrued $161.34 since the resumption of live meetings.

the VP had nothing fannish to report

the President had nothing fannish to report but warned that he & the secretary will not be at next week's meeting

There were no committee reports

no old or new business

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Ken announced that Marty DiBergi, documentary film maker of This is Spinal Tap and Spinal Tap II: The End Continues died, as well as the announced murders of Rob Reiner & his wife. John Varley also died this last week.

Yochanan announced that there were at least 15 Jewish Hannukah celebrants murdered in Bondi by a murdering thug using a bolt-action rifle
see = https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/14/australia/australia-bondi-attack-what-we-know-intl-hnk

Reviews:

Ken reviewed 'Wake up Dead Man', the 3rd Benoit Blanc murder mystery (aka A Knives Out mystery) that he saw on Netflix as enjoyable & that it's showing at 3Below for the next week. He rates it as 'definitely worth having Netflix to see it'
see = https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wake_Up_Dead_Man

Yochanan reviewed 'Five Nights at Freddie's 2' - based on the video game - as he enjoyed it. His nephew plays the game and says it follows the game well & comments that reviewers who savage the film don't play the game. He recommends either playing the game, or being aware of it before seeing the movie since it is information dense.
see = https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Nights_at_Freddy%27s_2_(film)
Yochanan also reviewed an aid to viewing 'Star Trek Deep Space 9' in a more condensed version as 'it helps to see the series that way and skip all the junk'. He has really enjoyed watching the show again and rates it as worth full price - but Paramount Plus needs to work on their programming. Gerry followed, recommended getting a 'Goldberg Whoopie cushion' & Trey is happy that someone is a '10 Forward thinker'
see = https://mashable.com/article/star-trek-deep-space-nine-condensed-how-to-watch-the-most-story-driven-trek-1613741

Valerie reviewed attending the Santa Clara City Hall menorah lighting tonight as she found it to be very nice. There was free junk food and sugared up kids with lots of fun had by many. The rabbi fire juggled, break danced, somersaulted ... and accidentally lit a tree on fire. The fire dept was fortunately in attendance & the mayor was dancing by the end.
see = https://www.facebook.com/events/1348376373060976/
Valerie also reviewed this year's Hallmark Hannukah/Christmas Special, 'Oy to the World', as it got some basic visual information wrong [it sounds cringe-inducing]. She reports that the principle actors had little to no chemistry and overall sounds like it isn't very good.
see = https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/oy-to-the-world

Geri reviewed the Winchester Mystery House as currently being a bit spooky and 'Ren Faire like' and you can get your picture taken with Krampus. It's lots of fun
see = https://winchestermysteryhouse.com/holidays/
also see = https://www.themenagerieodditiesmarket.com/

Gerald reviewed their 2016 Prius-V as it drives well, has a lot of cargo space and is a new-to-him vehicle that he is very pleased with'

Trey reviewed 'Red One' as a delightful holiday movie and it's kid friendly and recommends it
see = https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_One_(film)

we adjourned at = 8:45pm

Rumor of the Week: 'Enjoy lighting menorahs and get lit'

there were no auctions
melchar: bucky katt making a statement (bucky)
melchar ([personal profile] melchar) wrote in [community profile] basfa2025-12-09 05:02 am

BASFA minutes for meeting #1838

Minutes of Meeting #1838
Monday, December 8, 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 20:00
Total of 7/4 in attendance

Secretary = The minutes of meeting 1837 were posted online, and were accepted as Lawful Orders

Proxy Treasurer's report = Regular: $15,805.32
Party: $230.58
Money can be sent to salve guilt via PayPal - sent to: dwgallaher@gmail.com
Though we have accrued $161.09 since the resumption of live meetings.

Vice President = Nothing fannish to report.

President = Not present

Committees: None.

New Business: None.

Announcements:

Yochanan: Star Fleet Academy (Jan 13, Paramount+) A new poster has been released, which looks a bit “Star Fleet 90210”. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek:_Starfleet_Academy_(TV_series)

Reviews

Yochanan: Eternity (A24, theatres) Fantasy with Elizabeth Olsen, of a soul who has to decide to spend eternity with her first (long deceased) husband, or her most recent. Cute and charming, and light for a serious subject. Zero CGI. Refreshing. B+ Definitely matinee, maybe full price.

This reminded Gerald of a story. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eternity_(2025_film)

Yochanan also reviewed = Dr. Seuses’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (back in theatres) Lots of practical effects, but a little dated. Followed the original cartoon, with extra padding. Characters follow the dimensions of the Whos in Horton Hears a Who (aka tiny). en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_the_Grinch_Stole_Christmas_(2000_film)
Jerry watched recently, and amazed by the acting level of Jim Carey.
Yochanan also reviewed = Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. His second book, written in his 20s (??) the first third was best, bogged down in the middle, and resolved too quickly. Not the nicest portrayal of a Jewish character (Fagan). Oliver is a little too noble. He prefers David Copperfield and a Tale of Two Cities. Solid B, even if a bit long. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oliver_Twist
Gerald suggests Hard Times by Charles Dickens: industrial Capitalism in 19th-century Coketown, following Thomas Gradgrind's children, Louisa and Tom, as their utilitarian upbringing leads to emotional emptiness and moral ruin, culminating in Tom's bank robbery, Louisa's loveless marriage to the wealthy Bounderby, and the false accusation and tragic death of the worker Stephen Blackpool; ultimately, the novel shows the dehumanizing effects of industrialization, exposing Bounderby's lies and prompting Gradgrind to embrace compassion and imagination, with Louisa finding meaning in helping others en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hard_Times_(novel)

Rick: The War Between the Land and the Sea (BBC, and D+ eventually) Five part series. UNIT heavy, no Doctor (mentioned). Disney money has been used to great effect. Very winning everyman person, coping with elevated importance. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_War_Between_the_Land_and_the_Sea

Gerald: Won an art print in a a raffle at Los Con of an art deco rocket (from the Fritz Lang film Frau im Mond). Has fallen in love with it. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woman_in_the_Moon

Lisa: LosCon (in LA) Harold enjoyed the gaming room (with a small computer room). She enjoyed the panels, including ones with Gerald. Worth the hassle of driving down. New hotel Hilton LAX, smaller but a good size (and closer to other food items). loscon.org

Ken = Frackham Hall (theatres) Poking fun at those Upstairs Downton Abbey type programs. Orphan boy joins staff at manor that is in danger of being lost by current family. Funny. Does not have the LPM (laugh per minute) of Airplane!, but still enjoyable. There are some visual jokes that might require some more attention (as in, I didn’t catch it this time). BritCom fans: full price, Everyone else: Matinee. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fackham_Hall
Fantastic 4: First Steps (Disney+) Finally got around to watching this. Great world building – an alternate ‘60s, with a retro mid-century futurism. Not the greatest Marvel film, but definitely enjoyable. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fantastic_Four%3A_First_Steps

Rumor of the Week: Nude business is for adults only.

Adjourned at: 20:45
There was no auction