Stores Where Make-Believe Comes to Life

GAMING CONTACTS & SUPPLIES

The Society for Creative Anachronism: Aims for historically accurate re-creations of life in Western Europe during the Middle Ages (circa 1066-1600). The North County branch meets in Escondido the third Monday of every month. There are frequent Sunday fights and tournaments. Joint national-local membership is $25. Contact Francena Sherburne, 747-2071. For information on the Oceanside-Pendleton branch, call Ted Simmons, 287-3483.

The Paintball Connection: 7936 Miramar Road (695-1994; 1-800-PBALL-94) sells equipment and organizes games of Paintball, a live-action field sport. Paintball guns range from $90-$650; paintballs, 90 cents for 10; goggles cost $25-$90. Equipment can be rented for the day for $15.

The Conflict Simulation Club: Camp Pendleton club meets twice a month. Contact Bill Howard, 439-6782. The Conflict Simulation Club at San Diego State University meets every Friday during the school year. Contact Gary Richard, 264-0416.

Electronic gaming: The Officer’s Club of GAME BBS, (818) 249-8579. The $5 monthly fee helps participants find new opponents and game clubs, participate in on-line conferences and round-table discussions.

Game Towne, 2933 Roosevelt, Carlsbad (720-1555). Carries strategy game modules and equipment, has bulletin board and separate room set aside for gaming. Game club membership $10 a year.

House of Armand Bookstore, 406 Mission Ave., Oceanside (722-2284). Half the merchandise is for gaming, the other half is comic books. Fantasy miniatures (knights, dragons, robots and beasts of various sorts), role-play books, dice and other game supplies.

The Gamekeeper, North County Fair, Escondido (745-0296) and University Town Center, La Jolla (453-5663). In Escondido, Thursday night is game night with varying role-play games accommodating up to 40 players. Both stores carry strategy games and supplies.

SPECIAL EVENTS

May 23-24: North County branch of the Society for Creative Anachronism is holding a war (a large group event, as distinguished from a tournament of one-to-one battles) at Potrero Park on California 94 near Campo. There will be merchant and craft displays, as well as a Bardic Circle of music, dance and storytelling. Open to the public. For information, call 747-2071.

May 22-25: At the Los Angeles Airport Hyatt, GAMEX 1992, the Western Regional Strategy, Family and Adventure Gaming Convention and Exposition. Seventy-two hours of gaming, including board games, role play, miniatures. Ongoing tournaments, seminars, auctions and product displays. Registration fees range from $5-$30. Contact Strategicon at 310-326-9440, P.O. Box 3849, Torrance, CA 90510-3849.

Oct. 10-11, 17-18: San Marcos Chamber of Commerce Renaissance Faire. In its ninth year, the largest event of its kind in North County has been expanded to two weekends, and set in a new venue, Walnut Grove Park in San Marcos. The fair will feature medieval dress, equestrian events, mock combat, arts and crafts and other thematic events. There will be about 2,000 participants; 20,000 visitors are expected. For information or to become involved call 744-1270.