2012 Pegasus Nominating Ballot Only Up For Another Week

billroper reminds us that, if you want to be heard regarding the 2012 Pegasus Awards Nominating Ballot, you have to do so by 12:01 PDT, July 30, 2012.

He also reminds us that Juanita Coulson's superb but little-heard song "Chess" would be a great Classic Filk Song for this year. I quite agree. If you haven't heard it, here are the lyrics (as you can see, it's been nominated several times -- "Uplift", anyone?), and here's an audio excerpt.

And, to those who think this is all just a popularity contest -- hell yes, it's a popularity contest. And a way to appreciate those we love, and the incredible works they've given us. I'm privileged to be part of the filk community, and to have got a few of these awards myself, and let me tell you, ain't nothin' like the respect and admiration of your peers. Juanita deserves so much more than this, but I agree with Bill that she, and "Chess", really deserve this.

Okay! That said, what other songs and writers/composers/performers should we keep in mind for the ballot?

Farewell, Sally Ride

Great sadness. Sally Ride, the first woman from the U.S. to reach space, has passed away at the age of 61.

Ms. Ride was a hero to little girls everywhere, and to little boys, too, and she was everything you could want in a spokesperson for the space program, and she spent her life promoting science and breaking down walls, and she will be missed. Condolences and songs (many, many songs) go out to her family and friends, especially her lifelong friend and partner, Dr. Tam E. O'Shaughnessy.

You might want to check out her web site, Sally Ride Science.

Farewell, Ginny Tyler

Again, great sadness. Disney Legend Ginny Tyler has passed away at the age of 86. She was an official storyteller at Disneyland; she was a stellar voice actress, doing everything from the singing of the animals in "Jolly Holiday" in Mary Poppins to Jan in Space Ghost to Polynesia the Parrot in the Rex Harrison Doctor Doolittle. She made the world happier, and she will be missed.

Possible Severe Weather Tomorrow

Love having a little advance notice. Weatherdude's got the 411. Stay alert, stay safe. We'll have a check-in post tomorrow.