<p align="right"><font size="2" color="#FFFFFF" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">April
26, 2002</font>
 When
we took over Bill's fan club last year, one
of the first things that he wondered was whether
we would be willing to continue putting together
an annual gathering of fans called a "Weekend."
We were delighted to continue the tradition.
<p align="left"><font size="2" color="#FFFFFF" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Bill
thought it would be a great idea to hold the
event in conjunction with the Hollywood
Charity Horse Show, so we chose the weekend
prior and were joined by an intimate group of
Bill's fans from near and far for this year's
gathering April 19-21, 2002.</font>
<p align="left"><font color="#FFFFFF" size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">We
originally planned to visit with Bill at the
Sportsmen's Lodge Hotel in Studio City, California
and journey to his local horse training facility
to watch him prepare for his upcoming competition.
But as fate would have it, the Del Mar National
Horse Show was scheduled for the same weekend
and Bill thought it would be interesting to
bring everyone down to Del Mar to watch him
compete. Thus, the Weekend evolved into something
a little different but no less special than
we originally planned. It was actually quite
magical.</font>
<p align="left"><font color="#FFFFFF" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2"> The
Weekend started on Friday night with a light
dinner and auction to raise money for the Hollywood
Charity Horse Show. It was then that we broke
the full news of the change in venue to the
members and the early morning departures. In
order to catch as much of Bill's competition
as possible, we would be leaving at 7:30am on
Saturday morning and 6:30am on Sunday morning!
Surprisingly, everyone took the news in good
stride, especially when we mentioned that the
luxury bus we had hired would have video capability
and a restroom. </font>
<p align="left"><font size="2" color="#FFFFFF" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> </font>
<p align="left"><font size="2" color="#FFFFFF" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Our
bus driver, Sergio, made good time on the 100
mile journey south to Del Mar, and everyone
enjoyed watching a variety of videos along with
the beautiful scenery. We arrived in time to
watch Bill compete in three classes Saturday
morning, then retired to his barn area. Bill
introduced us to his horse, Cassie, and explained
some of the principles and technique involved
in reining. He was warm, gracious and engaging.
</font>
<p align="left"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2" color="#FFFFFF"> We
journeyed back to Los Angeles with a quick stop
in Hollywood which allowed members to see Bill's
star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the "Star
Trek" cast's handprints in front of Mann's
Chinese Theatre. We rounded out the evening
with a private screening of Bill's new movie
"Shoot
or Be Shot" at Raleigh Studios.</font>
<p align="left"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2" color="#FFFFFF">On
Sunday, we made the journey to Del Mar once
again and actually got to see Bill compete five
times. He had a great cheering section and came
away with several top ribbons. At the conclusion
of one particularly good ride, he even tipped
his hat to the audience.</font>
<p align="left"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2" color="#FFFFFF">Then,
he joined us for lunch on the patio at the Del
Mar Hilton. Bill ate, table hopped and gave
everyone an update on some of the projects he's
working on including the upcoming Spplat
paintball charity competition scheduled for
August 31st, and the first showing of his movie,
"Groom
Lake" in May. </font>
<p align="left"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2" color="#FFFFFF">Everyone
had a marvelous time. We raised $3,500 for the
Hollywood Charity Horse Show, and another several
hundred dollars for Ahead With Horses. Our thanks
for Bill for being so giving of his time and
making it a memorable experience for everyone.
And our thanks to the members for their understanding
and patience with last minute changes in plans.
The smiles on their faces made it all worthwhile.</font>
<p align="center">
<p align="left"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2" color="#FFFFFF">If
you're going to be in the Los Angeles area this
weekend, stop by the Hollywood Charity Horse
Show. Saturday's activities raise much needed
funds for Ahead
With Horses, a therapeutic riding organization
that helps severely disabled kids, and LA's
BEST, an acclaimed after-school enrichment
program that works with thousands of children
in local schools.</font>
<p align="right"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2" color="#FFFFFF">Contributed
by Sandy Moruzzi and Jane Singer</font>
<blockquote>
<hr size="4" />
</blockquote>
<font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" color="" size="2"><font color="#FFFFFF"> Shatner
& Friends International is William Shatner's
official fan club. We are a community of friends
drawn together by an appreciation of William
Shatner, the actor and the man. </font></font>
<font color="#FFFFFF" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">O</font><font color="#FFFFFF" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">ur
first newsletter, The
Best of Times, is posted online. Each issue
features the latest news about Bill and his
activities, exclusive interviews, articles,
lots of candid photos, charity updates and much
more. The next one will be published in the
end of March.</font>
<font color="#FFFFFF" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
We will post time sensitive information concerning
Bill's appearance schedule within Bill's online
calendar. It's updated regularly, so keep
checking back. </font>
<p align="left"><font color="#FFFFFF" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2"> <font size="-1">If
you're interested in joining the Club, annual
membership includes a beautiful autographed
8x10 photograph of William Shatner as Captain
Kirk, a copy of Bill's credits, a short biography,
a subscription to The
Best of Times and the opportunity to participate
in our annual Shatner Weekend. Membership also
grants access to the Captain's Club, an exclusive
members-only part of WilliamShatner.com which
includes a bulletin board and Club merchandise.
Click here to join.</font></font>
<font color="#FFFFFF" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">We
are excited to be part of WilliamShatner.com
and will be making regular contributions to
the website.</font> |
