friedman@uiucdcs.UUCP (11/29/84)
A friend sent me a letter from Susan Sackett (come on, if you don't know who she is, why are you reading this file?). It begins with a clipping from Daily Variety of November 2, 1984, headlined "Roddenberry First Writer Nominated For H'wood Star", by Will Tusher. (If the clipping bores you, skip past it; Susan's message is more important.) "Gene Roddenberry, creator of 'Star Trek,' the tv series that found a second life as a trilogy of theatrical features, is the first writer nominated for a sidewalk star in the 24-year history of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. "His name, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has confirmed, was submitted last January but will not be considered by the selection committee until late January 1985. "Chamber president Bill Welsh said the year's delay between submission and consideration is because of the vast number of applications for stars and the fact that the selection committee meets only a 'couple of times' a year. "Meanwhile, the number of sidewalk stars has risen to 1790 -- the last conferred on Eva Gabor -- without recognition for a writer. "When the WGA made an issue of the oversight (Daily Variety, Sept. 19), Welsh contended that no writer's name had ever been submitted. He said yester- day that he 'couldn't recall' that Roddenberry's name had been offered. Roddenberry is a hyphenate writer-producer. "The Writers Guild has yet to make its own recommendations for sidewalk stars, but it is working on the matter. "Stephen Lord, a board member who blew the whistle on the asserted slight, has been appointed chairman of a subcommittee that will suggest WGA- sponsored honorees and explore methods of funding the $3000 processing fee required by the Chamber for each star on the Walk of Fame. "His panel, including Frank Tarloff and Allen Rivkin, has come up with three candidates who would be posthumously honored with stars. Formal approval was tabled until the next board meeting." Susan's letter follows the clipping: "Dear Friends, "At last -- the dream is coming true! "When I submitted Gene's name in nomination for a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame almost a year ago, I was told that there would be a long wait. Therefore, I vowed that I would personally put up the $3000 needed if his Star were approved before I had a chance to collect from his fans. Now it seems a virtual certainty that Gene _w_i_l_l be receiving his well-deserved Star some time in 1985. "We're all aware that without Gene Roddenberry there would have been _N_o STAR TREK, _N_o Mr. Spock, _N_o Captain Kirk, _N_o U.S.S. Enterprise. His mind created the spark that ignited life in our beloved program and its characters. "NOW IS THE TIME TO SHOW YOUR APPRECIATION! Let's get behind Gene's _o_w_n _S_t_a_r Trek! "If only 3000 fans each send $1.00, we'll have the full cost of his Star. Please be sure to include your name and address with any contribution you send. This is important for two reasons. When Gene receives his Star, we'll be givng him a giant card with the names of _a_l_l donors on it. Also, in the remote chance that the Star is _n_o_t approved (not likely, however), we will want to return your money. Any money collected in excess of the $3000 will be donated to a charity of Gene's choosing. And once the $3000 goal is reached, we'll be sending out the word. "Please send your contributions (payable to GR STAR) to: GR STAR P. O. Box 3168 North Hollywood, CA 91609 USA "With thanks and appreciation for your help, "Live Long and Prosper! "Susan Sackett "Assistant to Gene Roddenberry"