Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, May 9, 1995 TAG: 9505090055
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Ian Spelling
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
``I admire Siddig and the character very much, and I love the show,'' says Verba, 41, a free-lance writer who runs the club with Stephanie Amato and Gayle Stever. ``This is my way of helping promote Bashir, Siddig and `DS9,''' she adds.
In addition to providing the usual fan-club trinkets and newsletters, the Exchange sponsors activities designed to raise money for El Fadil's favorite cause, Amnesty International.
Verba clicks on the computer at her home in Minnetonka, Minn., and proudly reports that $4,150 has been raised so far.
Most actors from the four ``Trek'' series sanction clubs as a means of thanking their fans. Since ``How do I write to so and so?'' is the question most often posed to this column, a list of some of the sanctioned clubs follows:
The Doctor's Exchange (Siddig El Fadil)
c/o Stephanie Amato
P.O. Box 12254
La Crescenta, Calif. 91224
($20 for one year; monthly newsletter, membership
booklet, autographed photo.)
ENVY (Nana Visitor Fan Club)
c/o Kimberly Junius
P.O. Box 1926
Upland, Calif. 91785
($36 for six months; monthly newsletter,
photos.)
The Leonard Nimoy Fan Club
c/o Barbara Walker
17 Gateway Drive
Batavia, N.Y. 14020
($15 for one year; three newsletters, yearbook,
ID card, club pin.)
International Audience Alliance for Patrick Stewart (IAAPS)
IAAPS Membership
P.O. Box 352
Berryville, Va. 22611
($25 for one year; color photo, newsletter,
four issues of ``The Stargazer,'' which chronicles
Stewart's career.)
The Fan Club of Garrett Wang
Vulcan Insiders (Tim Russ Fan Club)
c/o Insiders
P.O. Box 8248
Long Beach, Calif. 90808
(Both clubs are run by same group. $6 for one year per club; seasonal newsletter, autographed photo.)
Fans who need another club's address can write to the Star Trek Welcommittee, P.O. Box 12, Saranac, Mich. 48881 (include a stamped, self-addressed envelope).
It should be noted that most of the actors who receive mail at home or at the offices of their agents, managers or publicists consider it an invasion of privacy. Such letters are usually thrown out.
Those who want to send their favorite actor a letter or request an autographed photo should write the actor care of Paramount. The studio forwards mail, even for ``Star Trek'' and ``Next Generation'' cast members.
Address mail to the actor (including show name), care of Paramount Pictures Corp., 5555 Melrose Ave., Hollywood, Calif. 90038.
Remember, the actors receive stacks of mail. A response, if it comes, will take time.
``I love hearing from fans,'' says ``Voyager's'' Robert Picardo. ``I get everything that comes to me at Paramount, and I try answering all of it.''
The actor points to a tower of photos he's just finished autographing. Then he eyes three freshly delivered crates crammed with more fan mail.
``I'll get to those too,'' he promises, smiling.
And he will.
TREK SPECS
A UPN promotion invites fans to write in with questions for the ``Voyager'' cast and crew. Those asking the best questions will get to pose the questions on camera in spots airing this month. Send questions to ``Voyager's'' World Wide Web site (http://voyager.paramount.com) or mail them to: UPN, ``Voyager Q & A,'' 5555 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, Calif. 90038). ... ``Next Gen'' episodes 57-62, ``The Vengeance Factor,'' ``The Defector,'' ``The Hunted,'' ``The High Ground,'' ``Deja Q'' and ``A Matter of Perspective,'' will be available on video May 23 from Paramount Home Video.
CON CALENDAR
May 19-21|
Creation at the Convention Center in Austin, Texas, featuring William Shatner. (May 20 only; call 818-409-0960.)
by CNB