Welcome to the Jane Austen Society of North America, Southwest (JASNA-SW).

WHAT'S NEW

---

SPECIAL ELECTION ANNOUNCEMENT

JASNA-SW has a new coordinator

An election was held at the Winter Meeting, Saturday, December 13, 2008. The JASNA-SW nominating committee nominated Nancy Gallagher as the new coordinator, and the membership elected her to a two-year term.

Nancy is a past regional coordinator and was most recently the recording secretary. She is resigning that post to devote herself to her new position as regional coordinator.

The JASNA-SW board will appoint an interim recording secretary until the next election a year from now.

Retiring co-coordinators Claire Bellanti and Mimi Dudley have kindly agreed to remain active on the Board as ex-officio members. Many thanks to Claire and Mimi for their four years of service as co-coordinators of JASNA-SW and for their continued devotion to our Region.

---

Treat yourselves to a performance of
Jane Austen Unscripted
presented by Impro Theatre, directed by Dan O'Connor and Paul Rogan
produced by Matthew Quinn
Fri, Sat 8pm ; Sunday 7pm
(No Shows Thanksgiving Weekend 11/28-11/30)

Theatre Asylum
6320 Santa Monica Blvd.
(one block west of Vine St.)
Los Angeles, CA 90038
contact (323) 960-7753
www.improtheatre.com

Reservations: Tickets: $20
Call (323) 960-7753 or go to www.plays411.com

Review Excerpt:
"Company members take a couple of suggestions from the audience and spin an entire Jane Austen styled original play. One hundred percent improvised, the complex plot unfolds, hearts are won, witticisms flung and poetry recited, all in perfect synchronicity. Yes, amazingly enough, the actors are making up the entire dialogue right under your very eyes. It's like watching a Jane Austen movie that delivers a clever wink to the audience. The accomplished actors also gently acknowledge the occasional transgressions in ad-libbing, turning funny situations into even more humorous turns. The time flies by and when you are transported back to your modern era, you will want to come back for more. Consummate professionals... a brilliant troupe." - KateWestReviews.com

---

JASNA-SW has a new email announcement service

Jana Bickel, our email coordinator, has just sent out the first set of announcements to all JASNA-SW members who have provided us with their email addresses. These announcements include a monthly calendar of events, including the latest on reading group meetings, special screenings, and other events that you won't want to miss. If you'd like to be in the loop, please contact Jana and provide her with your email address. (Click on Join/Contact above to contact Jana.)

---

The Jane Austen Survey Results Are In
Ever wonder if our community fits the popular stereotypes of Janeites – or not? Find out here.

---

ABOUT JASNA-SW:

We are a region of the Jane Austen Society of North America.

JASNA-SW is a non-profit organization with a diverse membership: From admirers to aficionados, students to scholars, book purists to film fans, what brings us together is our love of Jane Austen.

Through local reading groups and events that are both entertaining and informative, we celebrate ­the work and life of Jane Austen, the world of her books, and her influence in popular culture.

We have two yearly events with imaginative programs that include a variety of speakers on Austen-related topics; entertainment such as music, readings, or plays; contests; a delicious meal; and lots of laughter.

* Our Spring Meeting takes place in May.

* Our Winter Meeting takes place in December, which is our way of celebrating Jane Austen's birthday and ushering in the holiday season.

We have several active book groups located throughout the region. Our region includes Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and Ventura counties.

Members receive two newsletters a year, which include news about our local reading groups, reports on the fascinating programs at JASNA-SW meetings and JASNA Annual General Meetings, news of Jane Austen in popular culture, Austen-related book reviews, and more.

---

Why You Should Join JASNA-SW (it's only $15)

In addition to discounted admission to our already affordable Spring and Winter Events, your $15 membership:

* allows our Region to contribute to the restoration of Jane Austen's house and church at Chawton.

* provides food and drink to our holiday season reading group teas.

* allows us to keep our biannual meetings affordable. For example, our last two meetings cost 30% and 55% more, respectively, than what they brought in. Therefore, your $15 membership helped cover the cost of bringing in speakers, the food, and the venues.

* helps cover miscellaneous costs, such as printing and mailing out our newsletters and web hosting for this site.

In addition, members are the first to hear about special screenings and other Austen-related events. Some of these events are open to JASNA-SW members only.

Membership in JASNA-SW is only $15 per year. Please consider joining today.

---

All roads lead to Austen. (photo by Diana Birchall)