Anthrocon adds new safety features!
The health and well-being of our attendees is of the absolute highest importance to us. After all, Anthrocon is all about having fun, and nothing spoils that fun more than a twisted ankle or an overheated fursuit or "I'm too old to dance like that anymore!"
The Dorsai Irregulars are the finest Safety and Security crew that the world has to offer, but as Anthrocon grows even those tireless heroes need a sidekick to help out in a pinch. With the cooperation of the David L. Lawrence Convention Center and the City of Pittsburgh, we have arranged to have some folks hanging out with us whose sole job will be to come a-runnin' when we need a hand.
(+) THE ROOFTOP TERRACE WILL BE OPEN TO ANTHROCON ATTENDEES! Hours will be posted on the doors or nearby. There will be some helpful DLCC staffers stationed up there to make sure that nobody runs into any trouble and they will be happy to point out some of the features of the city and the surrounding scenery.
(+) Our beloved Allegheny County Deputy Kisner will be joining us as always in the Westin lobby to help fend off any Blue Meanies, and this year he's bringing along a colleague that has been eager to come see Anthrocon for himself. He'll be hanging out in the DLCC during the dances in case any Blue Meanies get past Mr. Kisner. We asked him if he's allowed to dance while in uniform. His reply: "Long as there are no pictures." Cameras off, then, if he starts feeling the beat! The Allegheny County Sheriffs have always been very fun and furry-friendly and Anthrocon is grateful to them for coming in during their off-hours to help us keep things safe.
(+) Pittsburgh city paramedics will be on station to patch up any booboos or to get out the ice packs if that fursuit zipper gets stuck. There will also be a fully-equipped ambulance standing by just in case that zipper really gets stuck. Our chairman, who has been involved for many years in emergency services, subscribes to the belief that "if you are prepared for something, it will not happen" and since we want everyone who attends our convention to go home with happy memories, we are going to great lengths to ensure that we're prepared.
A reference to the animated movie "Yellow Submarine", featuring the songs, (but not the voices), of the Beatles. They do make a cameo appearance at the very end.
But I don't want to report to Carrousel.
I just watched this movie not 2 days ago... RUN RUNNER!!!
I recognized the name, but having never seen YS, forgot the reference.
Per Wiki:
The majority are furry, six-clawed creatures, but some are humanoid -
albeit with blue faces, and a taller stature.
Hmm, not only do they seem like they'd belong at AC, but they sound familiar...
Bravo. Glad to see what steps the AC board is taking to keep the attendees safe. Thank you.
Last year we had a special phone number that connected you directly to con-ops, and I thought that it was an awesome idea!
Are we going to do that again?
Although I don't volunteer/staff at AC, (FurFright is my "working" con), this will be my seventh furry-con, and I know what to look out for!
Soggy Otter
hopefully we won't have a reaccurance of the infamous "Mr. H" incident like last year. my friends and i got a chance to be up there for just a little bit (and notice a broken window next to the elevator), and I can't remember if it was a few hours later, or the next day that access was cut off 
NOBODY, not even Mr. H, would be stupid enough to repeat that incident.
I really, really hope for humanity's sake that no second person would be that stupid, at least. I've already been let down once.
I hope you're right, Protocollie, but I remember Robert Heinlein's axiom, "Never underestimate the power of human stupidity."
even better, if they make it idiot proof, the world will make a better idiot
Hey, what exactly did happen with that incident? I was at AC last year, I may not have noticed it or forgot it.
Hey, what was that Mr. H incident by the way? I was at AC last year, but I probably did not notice this or forgot it. I know it happened sometime Saturday since thats when I found the rooftop closed. Things like this amuse me =P *looked at posts below* Ahh so it's one of those guys attempting parkour is it? =P
It happened Thursday afternoon/evening and all that anyone has been told was that someone (Mr. H) did something both incredibly stupid and dangerous on the roof of the DLCC. This caused the DLCC to ban us from the roof for the duration of the con.
from what i remember, i think the person in question had jumped the fence around the edge of the roof, and crawled out on a strut or something that was sticking out from the edge. not sure if this is 100% of the facts about the situation but for the most part all we can really do is speculate about the entirety of the situation
Trying to speculate on what exactly happened is pointless as most of the speculation will be incorrect. The jist of the story is that Mr. H, while on the roof, did something very stupid and completely against any form of common sense which not only caused the roof to be closed to thousands of furs but also caused a lot of trouble for the AC board and staff. I think it would be best to leave it at that as there is really no reason or purpose in discussing it further. The important lesson to learn is to just follow the rules and use some common sense. Failing to do so can not only cause a lot of trouble for others but can also cut your AC experience short.
That incident had nothing to do with Parkour. Parkour is not to be associated with that incident. Kthxbai :3
no, more like a juggalo trying to get attention.
I am so glad the roof is open this year, the blue lights make for great photographs. ^.^
I was worried do to the incident on the roof last year, they wouldnt ever open it again. I am so happy to hear that its been reopened to us. :3
The DLCC responds to good treatment. When problems arise, Anthrocon - the staff, concom, security, and attendess - all react quickly and effectively. This in turn keeps the DLCC flexible. It's a win-win sorta thing. Hence their willingness to work with us on getting the terrace access again.
Hmm . . . should I tell this story here? Nah, lets make a separate post of it: Your DLCC in Action.
The rooftop is open this year.....except, have any of you checked the weather forecast for the week AC is? it's supposed to be thuderstorming almost the whole weekend.
http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/Pittsburgh+PA+USPA1290
I checked the weather and it only wants to rain for Friday into Saturday morning 
60% chance. But the weather can change at a moment's notice so it might be good ^^ but at least it won't be as hot as last year so that's good news especially for suiters.
Worry not. It is still far enough away that the weather forecast is likely to change. Either for the better or the worse.
If it gets worse, well it was already going to rain in the first place. If it gets better, then its something to celebrate!
So from where I stand, I can only see it staying the same or getting better.
Ok, so you have ice packs for when the zipper sticks, ambulance for when it really sticks...
Did you call in the Jaws of Life when the zipper does not budge at all?
First we call BigBlueFox with his excellent video rig and prompt YouTube uploading.
Then about ten minutes later, the Jaws of Life.
--Chi
So, um...in the context of the convention, what is a blue meanie? I know what it is in a Beatles context.
Someone engaging in less-than-savory behavior in public that would endanger other convention-goers or put the con at risk.
If you simply don't do anything to hurt anyone else and don't break the law, you don't need to worry about being classified as one.
That's good to hear! We REALLY don't need another Mister H incident!
Xenia Onatopp , she's all woman 
Okay, forgive my ignorance, but what exactly is Mr. H? Now you've got me curious to know 
Dude who went over the railing last year on the Convention center roof? Causing its closure for the whole lenght of the con.
Kage wanted to say his name but was cut off by other people at the table and finally only gave the first letter.
hence , mister H.
Also , in our local group we kept this as some sort of inside joke-name for annoying furries who ruin fun for everyone else.
Xenia Onatopp , she's all woman
Ugh, I am guilty of something I hate... I came into a conversation, and didn't read the posts above me thoroughly, and then asked a question that had already been posed. Take me away! *whimper*
Ugh. That sort of idiocy disgusts me. I hope he didn't go over like the edge of the building? Suicide at Anthrocon probably would dampen our public support.
No. He was either showing off or just making a fool of himself. Basically, he did something extremely stupid and/or self-serving and got everyone else banned from the convention center roof last year. I am certain Kage had to use all of his powers of persuasion to get us permitted back on the roof this year.
I offered them Grandma Kage's homemade chocolate-chunk butter cookies.
I would imagine they were one of his most powerful forms of persuassions.
-Mr Mutt
Mr. H's behavior was extremely stupid, definitely, but more a case of "What do you mean, it's not safe?" My understanding was that he saw a shot he really wanted to get with his camera and decided that the best way to get it would be to climb outside the railing on the roof.
I'm not sure if i'm at liberty to speak of just what consequences were drawn up for the gentleman, so i won't go into specifics. It suffices to say that they were both stern and fitting the specific situation, and i doubt we'll be seeing him at anthrocon anytime soon.
Please keep all arms, legs, and heads inside the con at all times.
Should you choose to disembark the convention, please use the marked exits provided on the ground floor or the skybridge.
Trained Dorsai will be standing by to help you in exitting, should you need assistance.
And as anyone who has ever visited the Jersey shore knows all to well, Watch the Tram Car Please!.
I bet all this cost an arm and a leg. o.O
What are "blue meanies"? I don't know the reference, if that's supposed to be a joke.
-The two saddest words in the English language are "Good bye"