THE ANVIL U.S.S. Hephaestus: NCC-2004
ALWAYS ONWARD A MEMBER OF STARFLEET INTERNATIONAL
April 2014
THE ANVIL
NCC-2004
INSIDE THIS ISSUE From the Ready Room
1
XO Briefing
1
Ship’s Log
2
Starfleet Marine Corps
2
Quotable Quotes
2
Treasury Report
3
Starfleet Renewal Reminders
3
Away Team and Activity Schedule
4
Star Trek News
5
Reviews
6
Area Conventions
7
Command Structure
HEPHAESTUS is the Greek name for the Roman god of the forge, Vulcan. Birmingham has the world’s largest iron statue, that of the Roman god, Vulcan. We named our Starfleet chapter the Hephaestus to give us ties to our city and to Star Trek, which has had its own Vulcan since 1966. Hephaestus forged armor and weapons for the gods. We create our own “armor and weapons” here, in our newsletter, so it is called The Anvil.
About the Cover Photo: This is one of many Star Trek ships that Scott Crawford (USS Haise) has designed and built from Lego bricks. These are NOT kits.
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WEB LINKS Starfleet www.sfi.org Region 2 www.region2.org USS Hephaestus www.usssheph.org
Editor
MarkAdam Miller
Layout, Graphics and Publishing
Brenda A. Miller
Marine Reporting
Neil Yawn
Treasury Reporting
MarkAdam Miller
The Anvil, Issue 271, is the monthly newsletter of the USS Hephaestus, NCC-2004, of Starfleet, The International Star Trek Fan Association. All terms and phrases from Star Trek are owned by Paramount Pictures Corporation, a division of Paramount Communications and all rights are reserved.
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F r o m t h e R ea d y R o o m This moth is the April Cookout. Because of that, I selected pictures that have a picnic theme for this issue of the Anvil. Keep an eye out in future issues for announcements about next years Region 2 Summit. It will be at the production studios that do the Webisodes of Star Trek. We will be able to be on the sets for Classic Star Trek scenes. Check out our Facebook group at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Hephaestus2004/ I am always looking for people who want to write a Trek news article or a movie/television review, or even a short story they might want to share. I am also always looking for Star Trek pictures to post in The Anvil. If you have a costume you want to show off or a meeting you attended, please send me pictures to include in The Anvil as well. I’m always looking for interesting items to include in our newsletter. As always see you around the ship, Capt. MarkAdam Miller cohephaestus@bellsouth.net P.S. Please note that we are changing the dates for the May and June Poker and social because of Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. They will be the third weekends instead of the second weekend.
XO Briefing I was reading the latest edition of the Starfleet Communiqué and came across some interesting information in the Operations Report. According to Operations (as of September, 2013) there are 4,860 members in Starfleet, 630 of which are in Region 2. Region 1 has the most members with 974 but Region 2 is a close second. There are 35 chapters in Region 2. The statistics were not broken down by zones, but most are probably in Alabama and Florida. The article goes on to welcome new chapters and say goodbye to several others. It then discusses the Starfleet Shuttlecraft Program. But I thought the membership numbers were interesting. And remember this large organization is run by volunteers. Now for ship’s business. The Spring Cookout is upon us, and our next major social is The Captain’s Cookout. (Can you tell we like to eat?) I don’t have the exact date handy, but it is in July. You can consult the list of meetings and socials in The Anvil to find the date. And Pete will post details on the list serve later. That’s all this time. See you round the ship. Pat Hicks booklady44@charter.net USS HEPHAESTUS
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Ship’s Log March 15, 2014 Social At the social we had Pizza, Chips and Pop. We watch the latest “Agents of S.H.E.I.L.D.” We also had six people play Klingon Monopoly which Pete won. Brenda showed off her 3rd place trophy that she won in poker at the Summit. We also watch part of an episode of Big Valley which had William Shatner. .
Attendance: 10 people.
Personnel Updates: No personnel updates to report for this month If you have any news or accomplishments you would like to share with the group please email them to me at: cohephaestus@bellsouth.net. Also your personal updates can give your Captain added info to help get you recognition and an award at summit for your accomplishments.
Starfleet Marine Corps Greetings, BDR Roy Green attended the USS Hephaestus Spring cook out. MGen Neil Yawn preformed 16 hours volunteer service with Brookside Fire Rescue. The 654th MSG is looking for members. There is a completely different set of Academy schools for those trying to get the Boothby awards. There is no pressure in joining. There are two categories: Active which means all ranks will be Marine ranks, and Reserve which mean you stay primarily Fleet and only use Marine ranks when doing marine stuff. Contact Major General Neil Yawn if you are interested or have questions. Looking to boost your Boothby Awards? The Starfleet Marines Academy may be your answer. Check out what SFMC Academy has for you. Major General Neil Yawn, OIC 1 BN, 2BDE, OIC 654 MSG
Quotable Quotes Starfleet captains are like children. They want everything right now and they want it their way. But the secret is to give them only what they need, not what they want. A good crew... and a fine ship - a credit to her name. But I've always found that a ship is only as good as the engineer who takes care of her. Scotty, "Star Trek: The Next Generation: Relics” (#6.4)" (1992) USS HEPHAESTUS
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Treasury Report March Description
Payments
Deposits
Beginning Balance Donation
$
Ending Balance
7.26
Balance $
162.74
$
170.00
$
170.00
$
7.90
7.9
STARFLEET RENEWAL REMINDERS Potts Family Mohney Family Green Mangina Hicks family
USS HEPHAESTUS
03/05/14 03/08/14 04/26/14 05/10/14 05/29/14
Lindsay Miller Family Robinson Arnold Youngblood-Yawn
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06/18/14 08/26/14 09/15/14 11/30/14 11/30/14
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Away Team and Activity Schedule DATE April 5, 2014 April,11, 2014 April 12, 2014 May 3, 2014 May 10, 2014 May,16, 2014 May 17, 2014 May 10, 2014 May 30- June 1, 2014 June 6, 2014 June 20, 2014 June 21,2014
EVENT/TIME Anvil Deadline Poker – 7 pm Social – 7 pm Free Comic Book Day Anvil Deadline Poker – 7 pm Social – 7 pm Anvil Deadline Alabama Phoenix Festival Anvil Deadline Poker – 7 pm Social – 7 pm
LOCATION/ACTIVITY cohephaestus@bellsouth.net Pete Mohney’s House Mohney’s House Kingdom Comics cohephaestus@bellsouth.net Paul Mohney’s House Mohney’s House cohephaestus@bellsouth.net Sheriton in Birmingham, AL cohephaestus@bellsouth.net Dennis Evan’s House Mohney’s House
ALL EVENTS AND TIMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE, PLEASE REFER TO THIS SECTION FOR UP TO DATE INFORMATION
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Star Trek News Enterprise to move at Smithsonian The model of the Starship Enterprise from the Star Trek Classic has been in the Smithsonian’s Gift shop for a number of years. It is moving to its new home come summer of 2016 which will be the Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall. The new renovation of the Milestones of Flight Hall is being done by Boeing to the amount of 30 million dollars. The milestones of flight include the Wright brothers plane (the 1903 Wright Flyer), Charles Lindbergh’s Plane (Spirit of St. Louis) and John Glenn’s Capsule (Friendship 7). I saw the model when I was young and it hung from the ceiling outside a part of the museum that was dedicated to air and space on television and movies. (startrek.com)
Wil Wheaton Fans Wil Wheaton appeared on “The Big Bang Theory” again. His appearance was on April 3, 2014 in the episode “The Indecision Amalgamation.” This makes 8 appearances as on “The Big Bang Theory” playing himself. Spoiler alert---- He appears in a bikini (LOL). “The Big Bang Theory “has also had LeVar Burton (Geordi La Forge from TNG), Brent Spinner (Data from TNG) and the voice of Leonard Nimoy (Spock From Classic) in past episodes. For the “Star Wars” fans the voice of Darth Vader (James Earl Jones) has also put in an appearance. “The Big Bang Theory “is trying to get a lot of the SCi-Fi stars to appear on their show which is so cool. (trektoday.com)
The Real History of Science Fiction on the BBC BBC America is showing a four part miniseries on “The Real History of Science Fiction.” The show will look behind the driving force of Science fiction genre. The program is narrated by Mark Gatiss who is writer of Doctor Who, actor and one of the creators of the BBC series Sherlock (which stars Benedict Cummberbatch who was Khan in Star Trek into Darkness). The four parts are: Robots, Space, Invasion and Time. People you might see are: William Shatner (Star Trek), Nathan Fillion (Firefly), Zoe Saldana (Avatar, Star Trek), Steven Moffat (Doctor Who), Richard Dreyfuss (Close Encounters of the Third Kind), Chris Carter (The X-Files), Ronald D Moore (Battlestar Galactica), John Landis (An American Werewolf in London, Schlock), David Tennant (Doctor Who), Christopher Lloyd (Back to the Future), Rutger Hauer (Blade Runner), John Carpenter (Dark Star, The Thing), Karen Gillan (Doctor Who), Neil Gaiman (The Sandman, Stardust), Kim Stanley Robinson (Mars Trilogy), Scott Bakula (Quantum Leap, Star Trek: Enterprise), Ursula K Le Guin (The Left Hand of Darkness), Syd Mead (Blade Runner), Kenny Baker (Star Wars), Anthony Daniels (Star Wars), Nichelle Nichols (Star Trek), Peter Weller (Robocop), Edward James Olmos (Blade Runner, Battlestar Galactica), and many more. The series start Saturday April 19, 2014 at 10pm/9 central on BBC America (bbcamerica.com) (Did I miss something? You have an interesting news item from Star Trek? Then send me your suggestions and articles at cohephaestus@bellsouth.net)
Act, and you shall have dinner; wait, and you shall be dinner -- Gowron, Klingon proverb, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine USS HEPHAESTUS
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Reviews The 100 (on CW Wednesday after Arrow) (Spoiler Alert – May be spoilers in the article) The 100 is a science Fiction Story set 97 years after a nuclear holocaust. The people of earth are living on a space station with the death penalty being the punishment for all crimes. The exception is if you’re under 18 then you’re held in detention till your 18th birthday then put to death. The rulers of the space station have realized the station is dying and want to see if Earth is ready for repopulation. They take 100 18-year olds that are in detention and send them down Earth. I have watched three episodes and I have lost interest. The program does show what is happening with the 100 that are down on the planet and what the rulers are doing on the station. The problem is that the rulers can not communicate with the 100 so they don’t know what the teenagers are doing on the planet. They are monitoring the teenager’s vitals through a wrist band that the teenagers are wearing. If the wrist band is no longer sending a signal to the station the rulers don’t know if it got broken, the teenager is dead or just the teen took it off. All told this is Lord of the Flies told with a Science Fiction back ground. I just don’t care for this program. The whole plot is wrong. These teenagers have no loyalty to the space station since they have been locked up for several years. Therefore they will do their best to make sure they give false information back to the station. The space station bureaucracy is causing most of the problems since they are killing off there smartest people for speaking out against problems. Also locking a kid up because he is too young to die and then killing him once he is 18 doesn’t allow for innocent stupidity. Also one of the teenagers was locked up just for being born. I understand that the station population has to be controlled but you can not kill a child for the parents’ screw up. Even punishing the parents might not be right if the birth control didn’t work. In a case like, this once the parents had the allotted number of kids then the parents should be sterilized. So, for me there are too many plot holes for this to be worth watching. Neil Yawn commented that he has not seen the show, but has read the book( The 100 by Kass Morgan). He feels the book is well written. He also mentioned that a sequel is in the works and look forward to reading it.
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Area Conventions For additional Cons please go to http://www.southernfan.com/calendar.htm
MARCH March 20-23 – MegaCon – Orlando, FL http://www.megaconvention.com MegaCon, short for Mega Convention, is a rather large convention that includes many genres, ranging from scifi and comic books to anime and fantasy. It happens annually between late February and early March at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. There are over 150,000 square feet of exhibitors and merchandise. Events include Indy Film Festival, annual cosplay/costume contest, all genre costume contest, panels, and rave dances. MegaCon guests include Patrick Stewart, Levar Burton, Michael Dorn, Dean Cain, and from comics book area Neal Adams, Josh Adams, Mark Bagley, Allen Bellman.
APRIL April 4-6 – 221B Con – Atlanta, GA http://221bcon.com An event focused on Sherlock Holmes April 12-13 – ALT*Con Florida – Tallahassee, FL http://www.tallahassee.altconflorida.com ALT*Con Florida 2014, a cosplay and sci-fi convention, is happening on April 12-13, 2014, and will take place at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center in Tallahassee, FL. ALT*Con seeks to bridge the great expanse of fandoms, and bring a little harmony to geeks across the universe. With vendors ranging from comic book dealers to handmade crafts and t-shirts, this is a place where the more different you are, the more normal you'll seem! The only thing we won't have is hate, so, suit up, and let your geek and/or freak flag fly at ALT*Con: Tallahassee 2014.
April 25-27 – Trek Trax – Atlanta, GA http://trektrax.org TrekTrax Atlanta (TXA), now in its fourth year, is an annual science fiction convention based in Atlanta, Georgia, dedicated to space opera in general and "Star Trek" in particular, that places special emphasis on fanbased events, activities, programming and productions. TXA 2014 will present two tracks of concurrent programming, one devoted to "Star Trek" and one devoted to all other space opera TV shows and movies; a gaming room for role-playing, board and card games; a VIP champagne reception; a science fiction costume USS HEPHAESTUS
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contest; video programming room; dealers room; con suite; and the 15th annual Miss Klingon Empire Beauty Pageant. Guests of Honor Our confirmed guests for 2014 are Felix Silla ("Star Trek," "Battlestar Galactica," "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century," "Return of the Jedi"), Arlene Martel ("Star Trek," "Battlestar Galactica," "The Outer Limits," "The Twilight Zone"), Jeremy Roberts ("Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country," "Star Trek: Voyager") and Keith R. A. DeCandido (author of dozens of "Star Trek" stories, novels and comics). **
MAY May 23-25 -- Mobicon XVII -- Mobile, AL http://www.mobicon.org A three-day convention for fantasy, science fiction, horror, comic book, anime, and gaming fans. May 23-25 – Timegate – Atlanta, GA http://www.timegatecon.org A convention for Doctor Who, Stargate and everything in between. Guests include :Paul Mcgillion (Dr. Beckett, Stargate Atlantis) and Paul Kasey (various aliens, Doctor Who, Sarah Jane, Torchwood) May 30-June 1 – Wizard World Atlanta Comic Con – Atlanta, GA http://www.wizardworld.com/home-atlanta.html Where POP Culture comes to life. May 30-June 1, 2014 – Alabama Phoenix Festival – Birmingham, AL http://alabamaphoenixfestival.com The Alabama Phoenix Festival is a family-friendly, multi-genre, fan convention featuring celebrity guests, authors, comic book writers and artists, vendors, and much more. We have activities for people of all ages and welcome you to come join us in the fun.
JUNE June 26-29 – Play On Con – Birmingham, AL http://www.playoncon.com/ Play On Con (POC) is a family-friendly four day fantasy and science fiction fandom convention held each year in Birmingham, Alabama--the Magic City!
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June 27-29 – LibertyCon 27 – Chattanooga, TN http://www.libertycon.org Sci-Fi and Fantasy.
June 28-29 – Con Kasterborous – Huntsville, AL http://conkasterborous.com/ North Alabama Dr Who Convention. We have a huge surprise for you…that’s right, the 7th Doctor – Sylvester McCoy – will be our guest of honor for Con Kasterborous 2014! Check out the flyer below, and feel free to spread it around!
Nichelle Nichols with President Obama USS HEPHAESTUS
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Alabama Phoenix Festival May 30 – June 1, 2014 http://www.alabamaphoenixfestival.com
IS PROUD TO SUPPORT STARFLEET Please use us for all Your Trek Fantasy Comic & Gaming Needs!!! (205) 978-0600 www.kingdomcomics.net
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USS HEPHAESTUS COMMAND STRUCTURE COMMAND STAFF
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
MarkAdam Miller, Captain – Commanding Officer Pat Hicks, Fleet Captain – 1st Officer Brenda Miller, Lt Cmdr – Second Officer
SueEllen Mohney, Captain Denby Potts, Rear Admiral Danny Potts, Rear Admiral
SCIENCES
NAVIGATION
Roy Green, Brigadier, SFMC – Archaeology and Anthropology
Pete Mohney, Admiral
COMPUTER SCIENCES
ENGINEERING
Danny Potts, Rear Admiral
Flo Hurst, Commander
COMMUNICATIONS
SECURITY
Brenda A. Miller, Lt Cmdr Pat Simmons, Lt Cmdr Melissa Boartfield, Crewman
Roy Green, Brigadier– Security Intelligence, Chief
OPERATIONS
MARINES
SueEllen Mohney, Captain – Chief of Operations and Counselor Shelia Benton, Lt Col – Stampede Coordinator, SFMC Brenda A. Miller, Lt Cmdr – Ships Stores Officer and Secretary Lynnette Yawn, Lt. – Ships Galley Officer
Neil Yawn, Major General, SFMC Roy Green, Brigadier ,SFMC Shelia Benton, Lt Col
MEDICAL
UNASSIGNED CREW AND CIVILIANS
Shelia Benton, Lt Commander – Chief Medical Officer, SFMD
Gloria Greening, Lt Edward deGruy, Lt Cmdr Renee Gainer, Lt JG Donald Arnold, Ensign Diedra Robinson, Crewmen Haley Youngblood, Crewmen
CADET TRAINING Matthew Potts, Petty Officer Katrina Mohney, Cadet Crewman Tara Mohney, Cadet Athena Youngblood, Cadet
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