Science Fiction

Ray BradburyBradbury writes unlike other science fiction writers in that he steers away from writing about technology.Once, after Bradbury had made a strong name for himself, he, on the day before his wedding day, burned a million of his words that he felt were not good enough.Bradbury is well-known for his volume of short stories, "The Martian Chronicles," and also for "Fahrenheit 451," which projects the future's government as banning and burning books. Bradbury is considered America's best science fiction writer.

Charles Sheffield, 67, a physicist and science fiction author, died of brain cancer Nov. 2 at a hospice near his home in Silver Spring. A native of Britain, he had a doctorate in physics from American University. He was a consultant to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and later chief scientist of Earth Satellite Corp., a Washington-based company specializing in natural-resource management. He was author or co-author of more than two dozen novels, a winner of the genre's Nebula and Hugo awards, and since 1997 the husband of science fiction writer Nancy Kress.

Joachim-Ernst Berendt, 77, known as the "Pope of Jazz" for his leading role promoting the American-rooted music in Germany, died yesterday in Hamburg, a day after he was hit by a car. He was struck Thursday evening as he was walking to an event to promote his new book "Nur Gehen," or "Only Walking," his version of experiences with nature. A.E. van Vogt, 87, an award-winning science fiction writer who wrote more than 85 books, died in Los Angeles on Jan. 26 of pneumonia. The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America in 1976 named him a "grand master" for life achievement, the group's highest honor.

Judith Merril, 74, one of the first women to gain prominence as a science fiction writer, died Sept. 12 in Toronto. Her collection of more than 5,000 books and periodicals forms the basis of one of the world's largest science fiction collections,now at the Toronto Public Library.Jimmy "Spoon" Witherspoon, 74, a Grammy-nominated blues singer whose trademark was his deep, smoky voice, died Thursday in Los Angeles. He recorded dozens of albums and fronted small bands and large orchestras. His hits included "Blues Around the Clock," "Some of My Best Friends are the Blues," "Blue Spoon" and "Ain't Nobody's Business."

Science fiction is not religion.Final week at the General Assembly: the state's greatest shell game, where the deals are struck and no one knows what's in them.Hammonds will lead the club in homers this year with 43, Coppinger will win 19 and Cal will take the Golden Glove at 3b. You saw it here first.Opening Day on April 1? April Fool!Pub Date: 4/02/97

Patrick Joseph Kelly Jr., a retired computer analyst and active science fiction fan, died Tuesday of a heart attack at his Lutherville home. He was 57. Born in Baltimore and raised on Wickham Road, he was a 1964 graduate of Mount St. Joseph High School. He earned an associate's degree from the former Baltimore Junior College, where he ran a science fiction radio show. He studied at what is now Towson University and earned a Naval War College degree. He founded a printing business, Kelly Associates, in East Baltimore before joining the Social Security Administration in Woodlawn as a mail clerk.

Jack L. Chalker faced plenty of reality as he was growing up in northwest Baltimore's Howard Park.So when he began writing stories, it was a natural diversion for him to create worlds in which horned demons and mystical Storm Princesses wielded immense powers."

Standing in a hotel hallway just off the lobby of the Marriott Inn at Hunt Valley, Dan Luxenberg, the Cat Shaman from the planet Elven, was doing some serious talking with Jonah Cohen, his spiritual adviser."

Vacationers visiting the Hyatt Regency this weekend may get a little more Baltimore charm than they bargained for, as "Balticon 28," the 28th annual Baltimore regional science-fiction and fantasy convention, plays itself out.About 1,500 people are expected. Some will be costumed, some won't be. Highlights include a talk by author Fredrik Pohl ("The Space Merchants") at 3 p.m. today.To outsiders, hundreds of people in pirate suits, wizard's robes, tight black denim, and sci-fi garb may look odd. But to conventioneers, it's the others who are out of place.