Murder’s a Beach Newsletter: March 3, 2020

Dear Left Coast Crime 2020 Attendees:

LCC Statement Regarding the Covid-19 Virus

Some of you have expressed concern about the COVID-19 virus and how it might impact our convention. First, we would like to assure you that we are proactively monitoring the situation and will continue to do so from now throughout the convention, and we will keep you informed of any new developments.

Left Coast Crime 2020 will take place as scheduled. We are working with our partners at the Marriott to ensure that enhanced cleaning and sanitation measures will take place, including the use of disinfectants recommended by the CDC as effective against the virus. There will be hand sanitizer stations throughout the hotel, and frequent cleaning and disinfecting of commonly touched objects such as door handles.

The California Department of Public Health “is not recommending the cancellation of public events. There is no evidence of sustained person-to-person transmission of the virus in the United States. The health risk from COVID-19 to the general public remains low at this time. ... California has a limited number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 and we don’t have indication of it spreading widely in our communities at this time.”

San Diego County has had two confirmed cases of COVID-19, both in evacuees from China quarantined at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.

How can you protect yourself? Practice everyday precautions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Sneeze into your elbow, not into your hand
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Limit handshakes and hugs; maintain social distancing.

For more information on COVID-19, please refer to the following links:

Optional Tours for Wednesday Still Open

Please sign up for the Beach Tour or Ghost Tour for Wednesday through the LCC 2020 website as soon as possible so we can get a proper head count.

Please note: Tours are Rain or Shine. Both tours have some walking on uneven ground so if you are in a wheelchair or limited mobility you must contact Kim at kim.lcc2020@gmail.com so she can make sure that you will be properly able to enjoy the tour and that wheelchair access is made available for you.

If we do not get enough registrations, we will have to cancel the tours and all participants will be notified (but we don't expect this to be an issue). If you need to cancel and get a refund, the deadline is March 6. Please contact Kim at kim.lcc2020@gmail.com if you must cancel.

All registered participants will receive an email before the tour giving you information about the pickup and confirming your registration. Thank you!

Shipping: ZIP Code Error in Last Newsletter

We apologize but we transposed two numbers in the address for the hotel in our last newsletter. Here is the correct information for the address label:
         Hold for Guest arriving (Your Arrival Date: Your Name)
         Marriott Mission Valley: LCC 2020
         8757 Rio San Diego Dr.
         San Diego, CA 92108
Hotel Disclaimer: Packages shipped to the San Diego Marriott Mission Valley should not arrive more than three days prior to your arrival. Packages left behind will be disposed if not claimed in five days. The San Diego Marriott Mission Valley is not responsible for the safe or timely arrival of any packages sent to the hotel.

Packing for San Diego Weather

There are some forecasts calling for rain at least the first few days before our event although it is too far out to be certain if we will have rain on the actual days. We hope that it will clear up but are looking into options if we have to move our outdoor events from the West Lawn.

You may want to pack at least a light jacket or sweater and/or a small umbrella if the forecast continues to predict wetter weather. None of the current weather predictions seem to indicate anything beyond light showers so we remain hopeful that nothing will stand in the way of having a criminally fun time. There are covered walkways between almost every conference area and heaters in many of the outdoor areas.

We’re looking forward to a wonderful convention, and we can’t wait to see all of you!

The Left Coast Crime 2020 Committee
Lisa Brackmann
Kim Keeline
Maryelizabeth Yturralde

Sponsorship

Name Tag Holders
Our thanks to Sisters in Crime for sponsoring the convention Name Tag Holders. Please stop by the Sisters in Crime table to thank them in person!

A Murderous Vision
Our thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for sponsoring A Murderous Vision: An Interactive Murder Mystery.

Books for Book Bags
Our thanks these generous publishers and authors for donating books for the book bags.
Publishers: Ballantine Bantam Dell, Brash Books, Forge Books, HarperCollins, Alfred A. Knopf, Mystery Scene Magazine, Oceanview Publishing, Poisoned Pen Press, Restless Books, Soho Press
Authors: Lisa Brackmann, Teresa Burrell, A.J. Devlin, Sherri Leigh James, J. Michael Orenduff

Left Coast Crime 2021: Albuquerque, New Mexico

Visit the LCC 2021 Table near registration to meet the Southwest Sleuths, learn more about New Mexico, and sign up for next year!

When: April 8–11, 2021
Where: Hyatt Regency Albuquerque
Guest of Honor: Mick Herron
Guest of Honor: Catriona McPherson
Fan Guest of Honor: Kristopher Zgorski
Toastmaster: Kellye Garrett
Ghost of Honor: Tony Hillerman
Visit the LCC 2021 website for more details and to register.