The Alpha Centura Communicator

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Zine
Title: The Alpha Centura Communicator
Publisher: a fan club (founded in 1976) out of the University of New Mexico called Alpha Centura
Editor(s): beginning in 1978: Owen K. Laurion
Date(s): 1978 at least the late 1980s
Frequency: monthly
Medium: print
Size: 7 x 8 1/2
Fandom: multimedia
Language: English
External Links:
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The Alpha Centura Communicator is a gen zine of multimedia non-fiction, a clubzine out of the University of New Mexico. There are at least 111 issues and it was published monthly.

Some issues contain media science fiction material such as Star Trek: TOS, Darkover, Star Wars...

General Reactions and Reviews

1976

This is an excellent example of what a club zine should be, of special interest to fans in the southwest. It carries notices of upcoming Star Trek and Science Fiction activities in the area; reports of recent celebrity visits and interviews, even reports of interesting books and movies. There are short-short stories, brain-teaser puzzles, cartoons, and some of the most outrageous jokes ever perpetrated by an editor. They are also interested in trading zines with any interested clubs. [1]

1979

It is obtainable as a swap for other reading matter, preferably fanzines.

Although not very big it has quite a variety of articles. Eg. No. 3 has a comic strip, though not a regular feature. There is some fiction, a fanzine listing and reviews, monthly dates of importance, such as the births and deaths of S.F. authors. And, three apparently regular features, which are merely a disguise for some of the most atrocious puns ever perpetuated since Isaac Asimov. There is also in No.s 4 & 5 an article summing up the seeming messages in the Star Trek episodes. Oh yes, and an experiment for ESP buffs in No. 5, in trying tb divert Skylab's orbit into a stabler pattern. (We all know what happened, don't we.?)

All in all a very entertaining club newsletter, 'zine.[2]

Many zine reviews (fortunately, the only unrealistic review they do, is the one on themselves). Also includes some art and a short story or article on Star Wars, Star Trek, or whatever. For the pittance, it's well worth it. [3]

ALPHA CENTURA COMMUNICATOR #5: This is a UofNM club zine, and contains such things as you might expect: poetry, intelligent analyses, reviews, and horrible story/puns! Definitely worth the price. ($4/12 issues ((monthly)), 7x8½ offset, 12pp: O.K. Laurion, [Albuquerque, NM])[4]

1985

Reduced, offset, digest-sized club newsletter (membership not necessary).

Alpha Centura Communicator is a bimonthly club newsletter chockful of sf/fantasy news (including TV/movie), science news, movie & book reviews, an occasional interview and bits of fiction, a wide variety of good art, and about a page of club news. Well worth subscribing to if you like to get such fun things in the mail, The club news would tempt me to join if I lived in Albuquerque -- despite my hatred to clubs. [5]

Issue V.1 N.1

Issue V.3 N.4

The Alpha Centura Communicator V.3 N.4 was published in April 1978 and contains 12 pages. The size: digest. The artwork is by Nick Cutshall, Reg Foil, and Craig Chrissinger.

cover of v.3 n.4
  • Announcements (2)
  • Letter to the Editor by Jack Speer (4)
  • Significant Stardates (6)
  • Science Fliction (6)
  • Fiction: Shadows of Another World by bibeau (7)
  • Science Article: Solar Eclipses by Lee Graham (11)
  • Poetry: Darth Vader by Karen Osman (12)
  • Fiction: Father to the Man by Jack Speer (13)
  • Fiction: Owen's Fable by Owen K. Laurion (15)
  • Fiction: Rumored Treasure by Craig Chrissenger (15)
  • Book Reviews by James E. Wenger Jr., Robert Osman (books reviewed: "The Best of Trek" by Irwin and Love, "Splinter of the Mind's Eye") (16)
  • Aliens Anonymous by Nick Cutshall (18)
  • Ask Amanda, fictional advice column by "Amanda Grayson" (19)

Issue V.3 N.5

The Alpha Centura Communicator V.3 N.5 was published in May 1978 and contains 19 pages. The size: digest. It was edited by Owen K. Laurion. The art is by Reg Foil and Nick Cutshall.

cover of v.3 n.5
  • June Announcements (2)
  • Albuquerque SF Directory (3)
  • 1977 Hugo Award Nominees (4)
  • Significant Stardates (5)
  • Science Fiction (5)
  • Perspective: The Hynek Encounter, about hearing J. Allen Hynek speak, by Wendy King (6)
  • Fiction: Magic Ninth by James Wenger (7)
  • Perspective: An Interview with Glenn Kuller (Lt. Kuller worked at the Space Radiation Environmental Section at the Kirtland Air Force Base) by James Wenger (11)
  • Letter to the Editor by Mary Lou Dodge, the subject is a review of the tie-in book Splinter of the Mind's Eye (14)
  • Fiction: Owen's Fables by Owen K. (15)
  • Fiction: Other Fables by Gait Johnson (15)
  • Play Review: Wake Up to the Stars by James Wenger, includes photos (16)
  • Recipe for Moonrock Cookies by Arlene Johnson (18)
  • Science Article: Comets by Lee Graham (18)
  • Ask Amanda, fictional advice column by "Amanda Grayson" (19)
  • Alien's Anonymous (19)

Issue V.3 N.6

The Alpha Centura Communicator V.3 N.6 was published in June 1978 and contains 15 pages. The size: digest. It was edited by Owen K. Laurion. It has illos by Carlene Craft, Michelle Peterson, David Rusilko, and Randy Clark.

cover of v.3 n.6
  • some announcements, including about the club's next meeting which includes some launching of rockets at the high school sports fields at Sandia High School
  • a movie review by James Wenger of "Capricorn I"
  • Dust to Dust: an Astronomer's View, article by Wendy King
  • Twenty-Two Star Trek Clerihews, poems by William E. Dunning
  • a Star Wars caption contest
  • book reviews for "Time Storm" by Gordon Dickson, "A Spell for Chemelon" by Piers Anthony
  • Chiron Mystery Deepens, article by James Wenger
  • Astronomy, article by Lee Graham
  • You Are Not Alone, poem by Moriah Caesonia/Michelle Peterson
  • Owen's Fables, part four, by Owen K. Laurion
  • Ask Amanda, fictional advice column by "Amanda Grayson"
  • Other's Fables, part three, by Craig Chrissinger
  • Aliens Anonymous, a column, this one about the ozone layer

Issue V.3 N.12

The Alpha Centura Communicator V.3 N.12 was published in December 1978 and contains 13 pages. The size: 7X9.

cover of v.3 n.12
  • there are several LoCs, some highlights: a fan who says the Nova Scotian fandom is heating up, another who is glad to trade zines and apologizes because her small child has ripped them all up, another who is hesitant to write a stranger as a fan's mom called her to berate her in the mistaken assumption that her Darkover club (Kirian Council) was a cult in Guyana, a letter from the head of the Avarra Council (Darkover), a letter from Roberta Rogow asking for help with the Trexindex and touting the "largest fanzine collection in a public library" -- the Paterson Fanzine Library
  • a review of the Bakshi movie "The Lord of the Rings" -- "beautifully filmed" and "a triumph for Bakshi"
  • The Captain, fiction by Galt Johnson
  • part five of the graphic story, Leira and the Dragon by Carlene Craft
  • On Property, poem by Wayne Leavitt
  • Owen's Fables, part XIV by Owen K.
  • Other's Fables by Craig Ghrissinger
  • Amanda Asks, a fictional advice column by "Amanda Grayson"
  • general club news for Albuquerque Science Fiction Society

Issue V.4 N.3

The Alpha Centura Communicator V.4 N.3 was published in March 1979 and contains 12 pages. The size: 7X9. The art is by Jeff Remmer, George Bates, Lynne Foster Joseph, David Forbes, Michelle Lindsey Peterson, David Rusilko, and Nick Cutshall.

The editor's grading system for zines received in trade:

I'll be using the same ABCD system Craig uses, but since he and I are not the same, we'll probably seldom give the same grades. I'll also be grading content (CON) and layout (LAY) separately. By content, I mean both the type and quality of material (I prefer fiction and editorial comment, am apathetic about most lettercols and book reviews, and anathematize publicity blurbs disguised as text) and also it's quantity. Thus an 8 page zine with top quality material will still only pull a C+, while a 90 pager would have to be awfully bad to get below a C-, Anything C or above is readable. Layout covers artwork, quality of reproduction, number of typos, and other factors of esthetic [sic] effects. If the only artwork is on the cover, a D+ is maximum grade I'll give in this category.

Alpha Centurans: These zines are all in the club library.

Solariansi Address and price for sample copy are provided. Most also go for the usual.

cover of v.4 n.3, Jeff Remmer
  • Duel in the Temple, fiction by Wendy King
  • The Report Card, update on the "fanzine trading program," this zine is now being read on three continents, and the editor begins reviewing some of the zines he has received in trade; he includes his explanation of his grading system
  • Leira and the Dragon, graphic story by Carlene Craft
  • this zine has a listing of the club's zine library holdings
  • a review of the science fiction zine "Anomaly" published in Florida
  • a review of Grip #3, see that page
  • Owen's Fables, fiction by Owen K.
  • Ask Amanda, fictional advice column by "Amanda Grayson"
  • Other's Fables, part three, by Craig Chrissinger
  • from v.4 n.3, page from the graphic story

    from v.4 n.3, page from the graphic story

  • from v.4 n.3, sample inside page

    from v.4 n.3, sample inside page

Issue V.4 N.4

cover of v.4 n.4, Jerome Nelson

The Alpha Centura Communicator V.4 N.4 was published in 1979 and contains 28 pages. The size: 7X9.

  • club news: thank you to managers of "the Eastdale Theatre for giving members of Alpha a free showing of Galactica and the Highland Theatre for the free showing of Alien. These two gentlemen also allowed us to set up a recruiting booth in their lobbies each night," and a report on the club's presentation at the Presbyterian Hospital the previous month: "Unfortunately, few kids were sick that day, and the audience wasn't large, but the show was extremely well put together."
  • a description about the upcoming Bubonicon 11, sponsored by the Albuquerque Science Fiction Society -- some highlights:
    • the costume parade excludes Star Trek and Star Wars costumes: "It's not that we have anything against such things, but it would be goring for the audience if we did allow those type of costumes. I mean, really, boys and girls, just how many Mr. Spocks and Princess Leias can you really take at one sitting especially since it will take place just before the movie on Friday night?"
    • Orson Scott Card will be the Guest of Honor
    • two films will be shown: The Mysterians and Phantom Planet
  • long blurb about 15th Annual Propulsion Conference in Las Vegas June 18-20, 1979 (among other things, James Doohan will speak)
  • Nebula Awards winners announced
  • Hugo Award nominations announced
  • several LoCs praising and picking at previous issues: one says the paper needs to be folded better, one discusses the Paterson Fanzine Library and its science fiction programming...
  • Beyond Tomorrow, an article by Zoe Kirk about an exhibit at the International Space Hall of Fame in Alamogordo, New Mexico
  • Message, Part III, Jack Speer's article about hidden messages in Star Trek episodes
  • movie review of The Rocky Horror Picture Show
  • book review of "Dark Wing" by Carl West and Katherine MacLean
  • Cobalt Blue (A Death Mass), poem thing by Wayne A. Leavitt
  • Other Eyes, a con report by Darlene J. Rutherford for Worldcon
  • The Report Card, the editor gives grades to the zines he has received in trade
  • a review of Enterprise Incidents #6, see that page
  • Another "Other's" Fable, fiction by Scott Walker and David Gasser
  • Flesop's Fables, fiction by Galt Johnson
  • My Stories, fiction by Harriet Montilluer
  • Owen's Fables, fiction by Owen K.
  • inside page from v.4 n.4, Jeff Renner

    inside page from v.4 n.4, Jeff Renner

  • inside page from v.4 n.4

    inside page from v.4 n.4

  • inside page from v.4 n.4

    inside page from v.4 n.4

  • inside page from v.4 n.4

    inside page from v.4 n.4

Reactions and Reviews: V.4 N.4

Definitely Alpha's best effort to date. The cover is highly imaginative and excellently drawn. Other artwork is well done and a few good cartoons appear throughout.

This issue contains announcements, star-dates, a letter from the S.T. Welcommittee, a Star Trek article on episode messages, a fanzine checklist 4 reviews, and Amanda Asks. The highlight of this issue has to be the two shaggy-dog stories; "Fleasop's Fables #14" (Craig Chrissinger) and "Mythstories #2" (Harriet Montilluer). They both show high creativity, as well as warped minds at work. The worst piece was the "Blurb". There were two mistakes! Meshiginah butterflies was misspelled and besides that they don't even originate from Monty Python. White cover and pages, 12 pp. A folky type fanzine that deserves credit for trying harder.

Rating: B [6]

Issue V.4 N.5

The Alpha Centura Communicator V.4 N.5 was published in May 1979 and contains 14 pages. The size: 7X9. The art is by David Forbes, Nicclai "Nasty" Alenikov, Michelle Lindsey Peterson, Scott Walker.

cover of v.4 n.5, David Forbes
zines received and graded

From the Skylab article, a national visualization experiment:

PK SKYLAB EXPERIMENT. TIME 1 pm Eastern 11 am Mountain Daylight, Friday, May 25th.

One of your local radio stations may be linked in the nationwide meditation broadcast at 1 pm Eastern or 10 am Western time. If not, ask one to be a link. Coordinated by WFTL in Ft. Lauderdale, organized by The Institute for PsychoEnergetics... GENERAL GUIDELINES--SHIFTING TO AN ALTERNATE REALITY: Psychokinesis is connected with the nature of time. There is not one time, there are many times. You and all of us are at a point in times. From this point many futures exist, not just one. We have the freedoms to choose which future to manifest out of many possible ones. In our daily lives we sometimes exercise free will and sometimes not. If not, we generally are moved into the future already predetermined by our past choices or the choices of others. Free will is not free, it takes energy. Skylab is now circling the earth in a descending spiral. In one future it will crash into the planet. In another future it moves in a stable orbit. Take a quiet and deliberate moment now to make the choice to move into that future where Skylab is in a stable and secure orbit.

SPECIFIC DIRECTIONS (If you are not listening to the radio. And, of course, you may prefer to do your own process.): Look at the picture of Skylab. It is floating in the sky 160 miles above Earth. Get a sense of what this means.

Take a few minutes to become quiet and relaxed. Meditate or do whatever works best for you to quiet your mind, body, and emotions.

Now move your consciousness out to Skylab. Be a part of it out there high above Earth where the air ends and the stars reign. See the planet flowing beneath you, clouds whirling masses of fluff. It is a beautiful spring day on May 25, 1979.

Tune into the Universe around you. Locate the Sun and moon which are right next to each other today. Knowing that a million are with you in heart and mind and spirit, let go of planet Earth and let the power of the Sun move you and Skylab out and out and out... Feel the joy and love in your heart as this happens.

When you feel ready let Skylab be there safe and secure and come fully back to Earth.

Thank you.

  • Suzy McKee Charnas will be the guest speaker at the June meeting in the Eldorado High School cafeteria: the subject will be "Feminism in Science Fiction"
  • Ode from a Harassed Paladin, poem by Harriet Montilluer
  • Message: Part Two by Jack Speer, second in a "series of articles on the messages embodied in nearly every episode of Star Trek. As Gene Roddenberry himself has stated, the science fiction of ST was often used as a camoflage for social commentary during the Vietnam War."
  • an article about psychokinesis and directing Skylab to a safe place
  • The Yellow Plague of Neptune (filk to the tune of "The Yellow Rose of Texas") by Greg Lay ("This dazzling ditty was composed for Alpha members to sing at Shakey's after meetings.")
  • a list of zines received in trade, reviewed and grades are given
  • a review of Menagerie #14, see that page
  • a review of Spock #14, see that page
  • a review of The Alpha Centura Communicator v.4 n.4 (yes, this zine, see this page)
  • Myth-Story, fiction by Harriet Montilluer
  • Ask Amanda, fictional advice column by "Amanda Grayson"

Issue V.6 N.12

cover of issue #70

The Alpha Centura Communicator V.6 N.12 (whole number 70) was published in December 1981 and contains 12 pages.


Issue 92

The Alpha Centura Communicator (whole number 92) was published in November/December 1984.

Issue 108

cover of #108

The Alpha Centura Communicator 108 was published in 1986 and contains 8 pages.

This issue contains new, reviews and letters, plus artwork by David Heath, Jr. (four drawings), joan hanke-woods (Yoda), David Walkes, Ray Nelsor and Dan Durar.

Issue 110

cover of #110

The Alpha Centura Communicator 110 was published in 1987 and contains 8 pages.

Issue 111 (v.33 n.1)

The Alpha Centura Communicator 111 was published in 1988 and contains 8 pages. It was edited by Jack F. Speer.

This issue contains news, a Star Trek convention review, and more. Artwork by Mori (Mr. Spock cover), William Rotsler, Dave Garcia and Laura Beckley.

cover of #111

Issue 113

cover of #113

The Alpha Centura Communicator 108 was published in 1988 and contains 12 pages.

This issue contains news, reviews, a piece on creationism, and more. Artwork by Dave Garcia, Randy Clark, v, Rich Arnold, Debbie Stark, Laurel Beckley, Cathy Howard and Linda Leach.

References

  1. ^ from Scuttlebutt #11
  2. ^ from Spock #16/17
  3. ^ from Captain's Log #2 (1979?)
  4. ^ Hola! #4, November 1979. (PDF online)
  5. ^ from The Clipper Trade Ship #48
  6. ^ from "The Alpha Centura Communicator" v.4 n.5
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