Attention Fellow Duesers,

DS CONVENTION NEWS

We have only six weeks to go before rivCON is upon us!

My doesn't time fly? It seems only yesterday that we announced rivCON, the
convention being held in the UK at the Novotel, Preston from 26th-28th May,
2000, to the Due South community and now, there are just over six weeks to go.
The committee has been busy during the last few months, putting together a
special event for everyone to enjoy. We've listened to your comments and tried
to take everyone's views on board. Fandom is about fun and fellowship and these
two elements - together with the ideal of raising money for several worthy
causes around the world - are what our convention is all about.

GUESTS

We have been in contact with all the cast and crew and are delighted to announce
that Ramona Milano, Tony Craig, David Marciano and Dean McDermott have all said
they are interested in attending the event. We are hoping to get at least two
over and would love to have each of them - but it's up to you guys to get your
registrations in! More registrations = more guests. Unlike previous events in
Toronto, we can't expect the actors just to turn up if they have an hour free,
so please, if you want a chance to meet these people, sign up now! With no
future RCW conventions planned, this may be your last chance. (Obviously all
guests appear subject to work committments and negotiation.)

CHARITY AUCTION

As well as asking if they would like to join us, we have also been looking for
auction items from cast and crew members. Gordon Pinsent has donated a couple
of items and has also kindly sent us an EXCLUSIVE audio tape message for the
convention attendees. We have signed items from Paul Gross and are hoping to
receive further stuff from Stratford.

Among what we have so far are autographed scripts, photos, CDs, a number of the
PG-signed 3rd season prop ducks (courtesy of RCW), some of which will be put in
our raffle, and DS and Canadian memorabilia. We have already included some rare
items and hope to receive more in the coming weeks.

We will be holding the charity auction over the weekend with lots of exclusive
and some fun items. You need to be attending the convention or have
non-attending status in order to bid, but ALL members will be able to bid on ALL
items (other than any on-the-day additions that we don't know about in advance).
Please check our web page soon for more details of what's available.

FUN! FUN! FUN!

As mentioned previously, one of our goals is to make this fun. We have loads of
games and competitions you can enter, including several on the website that are
open to all fans whether you sign up for rivCON or not. There's a Fan Fiction
competition, plus a monthly Caption competition, Name the Wolf and a virtual
Hunt the Furry Night Crawler (the real thing will take place at rivCON itself) -
all up at the web page. More competitions will take place throughout the
weekend and we even expect to include one in our Convention Booklet!

Please register for the convention asap so we can start booking flights for more
guests! RivCON is being held to celebrate all actors and all seasons of DS and
to help build bridges in our fandom. It's gonna be fun!

For further details you can contact us at rivcon@... or visit our
website at www.geocities.com/Area51/Quark/2321/

Thank you kindly for your attention.

Felicity, Ann, Elaine, Juli, Vicky, Robin, Kate and Leona
The rivCON committee