Anvil November 2016

The Anvil U.S.S. Hephaestus: NCC-2004

November 2016

HAPPY THANKSGIVING ALWAYS ONWARD A MEMBER OF STARFLEET INTERNATIONAL

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From the Ready Room

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XO Briefing

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Science Officers

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Quotable Quotes

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While on an Away Mission

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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.

Name the Scientist

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Cover: TNG: Sins of the Father, S3E17

Reviews

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Web Links

Recommendations

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Star Trek News & More

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The Captain’s Top 10

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Hunt for the Icon

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Inside This Issue

Ship’s Log

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Crew Happenings

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The Scientists of Star Trek Poster

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Exploring Trek

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STARFLEET Academy

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STARFLEET Marine Corps

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Treasury Report

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STARFLEET Renewal Reminders

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Anvil Focus Schedule

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Do You Know this Alien…

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Away Team and Activity Schedule

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USS Hephaestus Events for 2017

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Name the Episode Answers

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Area Conventions & Exhibits

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Command Structure

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STARFLEET www.sfi.org Region 2 www.region2.org USS Hephaestus - Group www.facebook.com/groups/Hephaestus2004/ USS Hephaestus – Page www.facebook.com/USSHephaestus/ Twitter www.twitter.com/Hephaestus2004 Anvil Back Issues www.issuu.com/ncc2004 Note: All Non Star Trek Quotes are from www.brainyquote.com

Editor

MarkAdam Miller

Layout, Graphics and Publishing

Brenda A. Miller

Marine Reporting

Neil Yawn

Treasury Reporting

MarkAdam Miller

The Anvil, Issue 303 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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From the Ready Room Greetings from your Captain, This is the month where we take time to think about what we are thankful for. Check out my top ten (pg. 9) to see what I am thankful for. If you think I missed something, then please let me know and I will put your thoughts in the December issue.

Changes to the Anvil: I will be dropping the Anvil Challenge and Feedback column. I created these topics to get an idea of what the members are looking at in the newsletter. Since I have not been getting any response on these I feel it is no longer necessary to have them. For this newsletter to be at its best I need people to be involved in reading and adding their thoughts.

My thanks to Matt Boyd, James Davis, Donald Arnold and Carly Strickland for their contributions of articles and art. I will continue to write on articles that are of interest to me but if you want this to be more of what the membership is thinking and not just my thoughts then I need more contributions from you the membership.

If you don’t know what to write about, then look at the help wanted item on page 17.

See you around the ship, Fleet Captain MarkAdam Miller cohephaestus@bellsouth.net, www.facebook.com/groups/Hephaestus2004/

XO Briefing Hello crew, It's that time of the year which the weather is getting cooler and Thanksgiving and Christmas are around the corner. I have been trying to play Star Trek online again. If you are a PlayStation owner the PlayStation VR is out and in March or May a new Star Trek game is coming for that system.

If you need me, I’ll be with Section 31, Lt. Phillip Mangina, phillip3056@charter.net USS Hephaestus

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Science Officers

By Fleet Captain MarkAdam Miller When exploring space your objective is to explore strange new worlds, seek out new life, new civilizations and to boldly go where no one has gone before. By definition, that is what a scientist is. If we are going to explore the universe, then our starship will need to be filled with scientists. Because of the broad spectrum of the sciences, you would need several scientists or someone with many different interests. One may ask, why do you need a scientist if you have a tricorder or the ships computer to do the analysis for you? These items may be able to analysis the substances you come upon but if it is not in the database then the computer could not give you an accurate result. The scientist would be able to use the available tricorder data to come up with ideas of what the substance could be to see if it was harmful, nutritious or maybe a good source of power.

Again, Data was not the only scientist, as Picard seemed to also have a scientific background. This was best seen in TNG: Tapestry (S6E15) where we see Lt. Picard in a blue uniform that designates science officer. Captain Picard mostly is an anthropologist/archeologist. (e.g. TNG: The Chase, S6E20; TNG: Captain’s Holiday, S3E19) Deep Space Nine gives us the best example of a Science Officer in Jadzia Dax. Many times, Jadzia is called on for analysis that range over several sciences.

In Dax (DS9, S1E8) we learn that Jadzia, the host, holds degrees in astrophysics, exoarchaeology, exobiology and zoology. These degrees plus the experience of the Dax symbiont gives Jadzia Dax many ways to learn what is needed, both on Bajor and the planets on the other side of the wormhole. Dr. Bashir needs to be mentioned here as well. He may be the station’s Doctor but he has been called on to look at things from a scientist’s perspective (e.g. DS9: Armageddon Game, S2:13; DS9: A Man Alone, S1E4). A Doctor is a scientist which Deep Space Nine showed through Dr. Bashir.

Star Trek gave us many examples of scientists that worked on the ship. The most famous is Mr. Spock from TOS. Even though he was known as the first officer he was also the Chief Science Officer aboard the Enterprise. His knowledge expands most fields including chemistry, physics, biology and anthropology. Also, with his understanding of computer science he enhanced the Enterprise computers which were used in the many studies that they were called upon to do. But he was not the only scientist on the ship, Sulu demonstrated an interest in biology as well as anthropology and Chekov seem to be as well versed as Spock in many of the sciences.

Chekov’s only downfall was his inaccuracy of history in naming Russian scientists as the discoverers of scientific accomplishments when they were not.

When we get to Voyager, the scientist in the group is Captain Janeway. This is good and bad. The good part is that Janeway leads by thinking through all options so that the best response is given in any situation. The bad part is she doesn’t trust her gut enough to decide when a quick response is needed.

Voyager was the best series to show the exploration that Star Trek promised. It really was exploring the galaxy even though their mission was to get home. It does shows off what scientists can do in exploring.

The problem is they did not have a true science officer to make the discoveries. When Seven-of-Nine came in she did picked up some of the slack but again she was not a true scientist.

When we come to Next Generation there was not a designated Science Officer but Data seem to fill in as he could do most of the analysis and then come to the conclusions of the unknown. Only fault with Data seemed that he would need another crew member to suggest another line of thinking which gave Data a different path to come to the needed conclusion.

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The final series, Enterprise, did have a science officer, T’Pol, but she was more a Vulcan observer than doing scientific work. She had her moments but 2

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still seemed to have the answer already instead of having to come up with the answers.

science officer in Star Trek. I have been on more away missions with Spock. I have seen Spock grow to understand what it is to be human. I have learned more about his past and his relationship with his father, Sarek. I have found that I like the characters that are on a journey to figure out what humanity is.

One of my favorite moments with Spock is in the episode, Amok Time (S2E05) at the end when Mr. Spock finds out Kirk is still alive and he expresses his emotion for his friend. – Ensign Matt Boyd

These are just a few examples that Star Trek gives us to inspire us to become a scientist: To explore not only this world but the worlds beyond.

Others’ Thoughts: My favorite Science officer is Spock. I feel I have spent more time with Mr. Spock than with any other

Darling, you remain as aesthetically pleasing as the first day we met.

I believe I am the most fortunate sentient in this sector of the galaxy.

– Lt. Cmdr. Data, TNG: In Theory, S4E25 USS Hephaestus

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Quotable Quotes Research is what I'm doing when I don't know what I'm doing.

– Wernher von Braun

Science is a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge.

– Carl Sagan

Most people say that it is the intellect which makes a great scientist.

They are wrong: it is character.

– Albert Einstein

A scientist in his laboratory is not a mere technician: he is also a child confronting natural phenomena that impress him as though they were fairy tales.

– Marie Curie

The scientist is not a person who gives the right answers, he is one who asks the right questions.

– Claude Levi-Strauss (French anthropologist and ethnologist whose work was key in the development of the theory of structuralism and structural anthropology) USS Hephaestus

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While on an Away Mission

By Fleet Captain MarkAdam Miller Captain’s Log: I hate time travel. I once worked for Temporal Investigations. Now every time there seems to be a temporal problem they send me to look into it. This time was no different. We hadn’t even reach Region 2 Starbase when they redirected my ship to Vulcan because a Vulcan spelunking group found the body of a young Amanda Grayson.

Temporal Investigations were called in because Amanda Grayson had die many years ago at very ripe old age. Now I am called to see how the timeline is screwed up… I never should have written that Academy paper on “The fall out of James Kirk’s time travel missions and the ramification on the Federation today.” I don’t think the ship’s medical officer Neil Yawn is going to have enough pain killers for this headache.

years they still will not acknowledge all the reports of time travel that Starfleet has done.

I called Phillip, my 1st Officer, into to my office to set up what we needed to look into it and what departments needed to be involved.

1. Have geologist and physicist scan the caves and surrounding area for any type of time anomalies.

2. Exam Amanda Grayson’s history to see if she or Ambassador Serek did any time travel.

3. Contact Captain Picard to see if he can contact Ambassador Spock for any information he may have.

4. Have Medical try to determine the approximate age of Young Amanda to narrow down our search of Amanda Grayson’s history and why the body looked like it just died.

****** It took several days for the Hephaestus to reach Vulcan. By the time we reach orbit the Vulcan Science Academy had determined that it was Amanda Grayson, mother to Ambassador Spock. The problem is that Ambassador Spock’s mother’s remains are in the family crypt here on Vulcan. Therefore, Temporal Investigations were called. The only way that a young and old Amanda Grayson would be in the same area is a time paradox. The Vulcan Science Academy had changed their stance on time travel back in the days of Captain Archer but they still held strong beliefs that if time travel happened it was through a logical flow of time and therefore was rare.

Talk about your stubborn Vulcans: after almost 400

5. Contact the curators of the Guardian of Forever to see if they can look and see if they had anyone going back in time when young Amanda would have lived.

6. Also, get the paper work started to get approval to go back to the possible time riff to see what happened…

I hate time travel…

(To Be Continued)

Worf: I have a sense of humor.

On the Enterprise, I was considered to be quite amusing.

Jadzia Dax: That must've been one dull ship.

Worf: That is a joke. I get it. It is not funny, but I get it.

– DS9: Change of Heart, S6E16 USS Hephaestus

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Name the Scientist

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Reviews Conventions Hoover Library SciFi/Fantasy Festival Review by FCapt MarkAdam Miller This is the second year that Hoover Library put on a festival for people who love Science Fiction and Fantasy genre. Last year it was just on Saturday. This year because of last year’s the turn out Hoover Library with help from the Alabama Phoenix Festival they expanded the weekend to including Friday evening and Sunday afternoon. The Festival included not only literature but comics, cosplay, movies and television.

Even though I was on several panels myself I was able to catch several other panels in my other interests outside of Star Trek. One panel I attended was a chain maille panel that has given me some ideas to make a sash like Worf’s in Next Gen. The panels were well attended and the audience was not afraid to participation in the discussions. Since restaurants were not in walkinng distance the library contracted with three food trucks to set up so that people did not have to leave the library campus to go eat.

I only saw two problems with the festival. The first: was that the program gave the titles of the panels but no explanation of what they were. Some of the titles did not give a good sense of what the panel was about. The second problem was that where the panels where was unclear on the map. The Library layout is not clear and it is hard to navigate. They also used a Senior Center that was across the road and was not clear what panels were over there versus what was at the Library. Both these problems can be addressed with a better layout for their program.

In all the festival was fun and was able to make new contacts not only for the Hephaestus but new friends as well.

Rate: AAAAa

Recommendations

By Fleet Captain MarkAdam Miller Pies for Thanksgiving anyone?

Pumpkin USS Hephaestus

Pecan

Apple Streusel 7

Chocolate Cream Always Onward

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Star Trek News & More Anton Yelchin's Photo Exhibit Did you know that Anton Yelchin was also an amateur photographer? As a tribute to his artistic photography, The Other Gallery in Los Angeles is showing forty images of Mr. Yelchin’s work. Chris Pine, John Cho and J.J.Abrams went to a pre-opening on Saturday Nov 5th. The Anton Yelchin Photography Exhibit was open to the public on the following Monday. The proceeds of the exhibit will fund Anton Yelchin’s Foundation, which empowers children and filmmaking students. The photos have been called "experimental, provocative and surrealist." Mr. Yelchin passed away from a car accident on June 19, 2016. (www.eonline.com)

Star Trek Discovery update Bryan Fuller is stepping down a s the show runner for CBS/Paramount’s new Star Trek, Star Trek Discovery.

He is giving the reins to Gretchen Berg and Aaron Harberts who have work with Mr. Fuller on the shows Wonderfalls and Pushing up Daisies. Bothe Ms. Berg and Mr. Harberts have been on the project from the beginning so Mr. Fuller feels it is in good hands.

Mr. Fuller will still have some involvement but because of two other projects, Neil Gaiman’s American Gods and a new Amazing Stories for NBC, he felt that he had to step back from Discovery.

Since Discovery has been delayed till May, Mr. Fuller felt if he continued as head then the show would have to be delay more for him to give it the attention he wanted to give it and that would not be fair to the Trekkies that are waiting for the show. (www.treknews.net)

Never Forget…

Don Marshall – October 30, 2016 (age 80) Known to Star Trek fans as Lt. Boma in TOS: The Galileo Seven (S1E16), Don Marshall’s character questioned Mr. Spock’s logic in protecting the Galileo Seven crew against the environment that they had crashed land in. Some may better know him as Dan Erickson in the Irwin Allen show Land of the Giants. There was no cause given for his death.

(Did I miss a news item or news item that might be of interest to your fellow crew members?

Then write it up and send it to cohephaestus@bellsouth.net)

An entity which feeds on fear and terror would find a perfect hunting ground on Argelius, a planet without violence, where the inhabitants are as peaceful as sheep. The entity would be as a hungry wolf in that fold.

– Mr. Spock, TOS: Wolf in the Fold, S2E14 USS Hephaestus

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The Captain’s Top 10 Top Ten things I am Thankful for: 1. Loving Wife 2. Family 3. Friends 4. Home 5. Food 6. Clothing 7. Dependable Car 8. Living in Freedom 9. Books to read 10. Star Trek

Hunt for the Icon Did you find the five cats they were:

that escape from the crew’s quarters? last month? If you did not find them all

1. Contents page second column, after USS Hephaestus – Page 2. Pg. 2, 2nd column, End of the Title after other thoughts 3. Pg. 7, middle of the 2nd paragraph 4. Pg. 10, after attendance for September 8th 5. Pg. 18, Alabama Theater after December – various dates I hope you found them all. Admiral Pete needs help rounding up the Fall Feast turkeys. There are five turkeys hidden in the Anvil. The five doesn’t include the example above. When you find them, send me an email and the first one who sends me the right answers will be given credit in the newsletter and in the Facebook Group.

I guess you boys from temporal investigations are always on time!

– Jadzia Dax, DS9: Trials and Tribble-ations, S5E06 USS Hephaestus

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Ship’s Log October 8, 2016 – Social

October 27, 2016 – Exploring Trek

The social went great. The Ship’s Captain presented Andi Boyd and Matt Boyd with their Ensign certificates. We watched Captain America Civil War. Carly Strickland brought homemade oatmeal cookies…yum (I lost track of how many I had). Snacks and drinks were available. Also, pizza for a small donation. Great social in all.

The recruitment program, Exploring Trek, which is held at Kingdom Comics went well. We had two new participants who came because of our involvement in the Hoover Library SciFi/ Fantasy Festival. Welcome to Jeremy and Miranda Manning. We discussed DS9: In the Pale Moonlight. It went very well. We have set a dinner for November 17th to close out the year.

Attendance: 15 people

Attendance: 8 people October 21-22, 2016 – Hoover Library SciFi/Fantasy Festival The ship’s Captain was responsible for three panels on Star Trek. The captain was also on a Game of Thrones panel as well as participating as a celebrity on the Match Game (Saturday Evening entertainment). Met several people who were interested and handed out several ship info cards as well as The Anvil newsletters. This is the second year that we have participated in the festival and most likely will be invited back again next year.

October 29, 2016 - Kingdom Comics Halloween Kingdom Comics had its annual Halloween celebration. Free Halloween Comics and candy were available. Several people showed up in costumes. Also, local artists were available with many of their creations to sell.

Attendance: 5 members (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 awards at Summit for your accomplishments).

Attendance: 5 Hephaestus members

Science is a wonderful thing if one does not have to earn one's living at it.

– Albert Einstein

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Crew Happenings

Social

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The Scientists of Star Trek

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Exploring Trek The last Exploring Trek for the year was a discussion of DS9: In the Pale Moonlight. This episode was similar to the September discussion in that we discussed more the theme of the episode and what we can take from it to live our lives. The theme for this episode: Does the end justify the means. This was a Sisko episode that showed the acting range of Avery Brooks. It also held up to the Star Trek trope of not only being entertaining but making you think.

The follow-up question to work on your own was: 1. How would In the Pale Moonlight play out if it were written for: A. Captain Kirk B. Captain Picard C. Captain Janeway A dinner to finish out the year is planned for 6:30PM, November 17th, 2016 at Makarios Kabob & Grill and The Ranch House in Vestavia. We will discuss topics for next year (2017). There is no meeting for December.

Thank you to Kingdom Comics and Albert Marsh for letting us use their Store.

{ ------------------------------------------------------------ U

STARFLEET Academy We didn’t have anybody take any courses in the month of October. A lot of things were going on so I can see how it might be hard to get a course done. If you haven’t taken an Academy courses, then you are missing out on learning some interesting things that you might not have learned otherwise. Academy courses are a good spring board for you to start exploring many diverse subjects If you are interested in STARFLEET Academy all you have to do is head over to www.acad.sfi.org, look at the course catalog to find something you are interested in and then send an email to the instructor to get the course. For most of the courses you can find the information on line. If you need other material, then the course will tell you what books you need or it will come with a PDF that you will need to download to take the course.

As Dwayne Pride (Scott Bakula), an ancestor of Captain Archer says, “Go learn Things!”

And have fun.

As Dwayne Pride (Scott Bakula), an ancestor of Captain Archer says, “Go learn Things!”

And have fun.

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STARFLEET Marine Corps Our Marines are headed up by Lt. General Neil Yawn. The Marines are part of STARFLEET but are for those who want a more military aspect to STARFLEET. There are two categories of Marines: Active which means all ranks will be Marine ranks, and Reserve which means you stay primarily STARFLEET and only use Marine ranks when doing marine activities. If you are interested or have questions about the Marines, then contact Lt. General Neil Yawn at the654msgwho@aol.com.

Also check out the Marine Academy for some interesting courses to take to help you achieve your Boothby Awards.

Anvil Focus Schedule

Treasury Report

November: Science Officers (Spock, Data, Dax, Kim, T’Pol) December: Helm/Navigation (Sulu/Chekov, LaForge/Crusher, Dax, Paris, Mayweather) January: Klingons

October Beginning Balance

$

24.00

$

24.00

Payments Deposits Ending Balance

(Feel free to send me an article on any of these topics.

Your fellow crew members would love to know your thoughts on these.)

STARFLEET Renewal Reminders Tiner Youngblood-Yawn Arnold Potts Family Mohney Family Mangina Holsey Green Lindsay Family Davis Family Miller Family Boyd Family Carr Family Baxter Hicks Family USS Hephaestus

Do you know this alien?

09/13/16 11/30/16 11/30/16 03/05/17 04/21/17 05/15/17 05/30/17 06/27/17 07/08/17 08/31/17 08/26/17 09/17/17 09/19/17 09/24/17 10/03/17 14

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Away Team and Activity Schedule Date Nov 5, 2016 Nov 12, 2016 Nov 18, 2016 Nov - TBD Dec 3, 2016 Dec 10, 2016 Dec 16, 2016 Dec Jan 7, 2017 Jan 14, 2017 Jan 20, 2017 Jan 26, 2017

Event/Time Anvil Deadline Fall Feast – 2 pm Poker – 7 pm Exploring Trek Anvil Deadline Social – 7 pm Poker – 7 pm Exploring Trek Anvil Deadline Social – 7 pm Poker – 7 pm Exploring Trek – 7pm

Location cohephaestus@bellsouth.net Pete Mohney’s House Pete Mohney’s House Dinner Out cohephaestus@bellsouth.net Pete Mohney’s House (date change) MarkAdam Miller’s House Not Meeting cohephaestus@bellsouth.net Pete Mohney’s House (date change) Mike Burtyk’s House Kingdom Comics

ALL EVENTS AND TIMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE, PLEASE REFER TO THIS SECTION FOR UP TO DATE INFORMATION

USS HEPHAESTUS EVENTS FOR 2017 Below is the tentative schedule for the Socials, Poker and Exploring Trek meetings. Please look it over. If you see something that may be a conflict, please let me know.

Jan 14, Social Jan 20, Poker – Burtyk Jan 26, Exploring Trek Feb 11, Social Feb 17, Poker – Mohney Feb 23, Exploring Trek Mar 18, Social Mar 17, Poker – Evans Mar 23, Exploring Trek Apr 08, Social – Spring Cookout Apr 14, Poker – Miller Apr 27, Exploring Trek

May 19, Poker – Potts May 20, Social May 25, Exploring Trek Jun 10, Social Jun 16, Poker – Burtyk Jun 22, Exploring Trek Jul 08, Social – Summer cookout Jul 14, Poker – Mohney Jul 27, Exploring Trek Aug 11, Poker – Evans Aug 12, Social Aug 24, Exploring Trek

Sep 09, Social Sep 15, Poker – Miller Sep 28, Exploring Trek Oct 14, Social Oct 20, Poker – Potts Oct 26, Exploring Trek Nov 11, Social – Fall Feast Nov 17, Poker – Burtyk Nov, TBA Exploring Trek Dinner Dec 09, Social Dec 15, Poker – Mohney

Always pass on what you have learned.

– Yoda USS Hephaestus

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Name the Episode Answers Ensign Rizzo, Jerry Ayres, TOS: Obsession Yeoman Leslie Thompson, Julie Cobb, TOS: By Any Other Name Hendorff, Mal Friedman, TOS: The Apple Engineer Olson, Greg Ellis, Star Trek (2009) Ensign Paul Gordon, Joseph Fuqua, DS9: Rocks and Shoals

Lt. Stadi, Alicia Coppola, VOY: Caretaker Lt. Tasha Yar, Denise Crosby, TNG: Skin of Evil Lieutenant Leslie, Eddie Paskey, TOS: Obsession Ensign Nell Chilton, Alison Brooks, TNG: All Good Things Ensign Haskel, Charles Douglass, TNG: Where Silence Has Lease

If you have suggestions for new challenges or questions, then send them to cohephaestus@bellsouth.net Answer to Do you know this alien? (pg. 14) Draysik, a Skagaran (ENT: North Star, S3E09) played by Steven Klein

Area Conventions & Exhibits For additional Cons please go to http://www.southernfan.com/calendar.htm

Local Attractions Alabama Theater – Birmingham, AL - http://alabamatheatre.com December – various dates Alabama Theater has released their movie schedule for the Christmas season. http://alabamatheatre.com/events/2016-12/ Birmingham Zoo – Birmingham, AL - https://www.birminghamzoo.com December – Various dates: ZooLight Safari Presented by Wells Fargo Watch as the Zoo comes alive for 17 nights of holiday-centric fun at ZooLight Safari presented by Wells Fargo! Be amazed by over one million lights, listen to holiday music and delight in festive snowfalls every night! Enjoy a ride on the Candy Cane Train*, go for a spin on the Jingle Bell Carousel*, experience the thrill of the over 100-foot Yuletide Slide*, ride the Santa Rollers* and so much more. Take in the beauty of a decorated tree reaching nearly 30 feet tall in Trails of Africa as you dance and boogie to special entertainment each night! Be sure not to miss a special appearance and photos with Santa through December 23. *Requires ride ticket or wristband.

If you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.

– Spock, Star Trek (2009) USS Hephaestus

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McWane Center – Birmingham, AL - http://www.mcwane.org/ November 19 @ 8:00 am - December 31 @ 5:00 pm - Winter Wonderland And The Magic Of Model Trains It’s the most wonderful time of the year at McWane Science Center! The Magic of Model Trains and Winter Wonderland is back to delight families throughout the holiday season. Coast down the Ice Slide and take a whirl across the room on the extended zip line. Climb aboard the McWane Train and go for a ride before checking out the Magic of Model Trains exhibit.

Back for its 9th year in a row, the Magic of Model Trains has returned to spread some holiday cheer and amaze guests. Discover trains of every shape and size inside this popular exhibit of train displays. Every set in the exhibit is designed to scale with the size of the trains. The meticulous detail of the scenery includes covered bridges, downtown storefronts and, of course, several train stations that will keep your family entertained for hours!

Southern Museum of Flight – Birmingham, AL - http://www.southernmuseumofflight.org/ No Events were schooled at the time of printing.

U.S. Space and Rocket Center – Huntsville, AL - http://rocketcenter.com / December 11 - 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM Cosmic Cocoa and Magic Show What better way to enjoy the magical holiday season than with a holiday magic show! Join us from 1 - 4 p.m. in the National Geographic Theater at the Davidson Center for Space Exploration on Sunday, Dec 11th for Cosmic Cocoa & Magic Show!

Beginning at 1 p.m., grab a cup of hot cocoa, decorate out-of-this-world cookies and create festive holiday crafts.

At 2 p.m., The Magical Mad Scientist, Dr. Osborn, will present “Search for Santa’s Secrets!” The show is funny, zany and full of holiday magic! For more information on Dr. Osborn follow this link: www.afterdinnermagic.com Does The Anvil cover stuff that you are interested in? Did you disagree with a review or point of view in one of the articles? Did we miss some news article that you think should have been covered? The staff is looking for your feedback so that we are sending out something that you are interested in.

Send your feedback to: cohephaestus@bellsouth.net Reviewers: Books Movies Games Conventions

Looking for the following people to help with the Anvil: Reporters for the Following: Star Wars News Dr. Who News Firefly News NASA News Latest Sci-Fi/Fantasy books coming out USS Hephaestus

Convention Scouts: Someone to find conventions in a 2 3 hr driving distance of Birmingham.

Write a short synopsis and give possible websites 17

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USS HEPHAESTUS COMMAND STRUCTURE

Command Staff

Executive Committee

MarkAdam Miller, Fleet Captain – Commanding Officer Phillip Mangina, 1Lt – 1st Officer Brenda Miller, Lt Cmdr – 2nd Officer

Sue Ellen Mohney, Captain Denby Potts, Rear Admiral Danny Potts, Admiral

Navigation

Sciences

Pete Mohney, Admiral

Roy Green, Brigadier, SFMC – Archaeology and Anthropology

Computer Sciences

Engineering

Danny Potts, Admiral

MarkAdam Miller, Fleet Captain

Operations

Security

Sue Ellen Mohney, Captain – Chief of Ops and Counselor Brenda A. Miller, Lt Cmdr – Ship Admin Assistant Lynnette Yawn, Lt – Ships Galley Officer

Roy Green, Brigadier, SFMC – Chief of Security Intelligence Sandra Hosley, Lt JG

Communications

Marines

Brenda A. Miller, Lt Cmdr Matthew Boyd, Ensign Donald Arnold, Ensign 1st Class

Neil Yawn, Lt General, SFMC Roy Green, Brigadier, SFMC (Reserves) James Davis, 2Lt SFMC (Reserves)

Unassigned Crew and Civilians

Cadet Training

Mark Lindsay, Captain Pamela Lindsay, Cmdr Andrew Boyd, Ensign Brenda Tiner, Crewman 3rd Class Gabrielle Davis, Crewman Michelle L. Lindsay, Crewman Matthew Potts, Crewman Haley Youngblood, Crewman Kendra Baxter, Crewman Carly Strickland, Civilian

Katrina Mohney, Crewman Recruit Tara Mohney, Cadet 2nd Class Athena Youngblood, Cadet 1st Class Kimberly Davis, Cadet in Training

Ambassadors

Retired

Mike Burtyk Shirley Burton

Dennis Evans, Fleet Captain Pat Hicks, Fleet Captain Flo Hurst, Cmdr Pat Simmons, Lt Cmdr

USS Hephaestus

19

Always Onward

For More Information Contact: Fleet Captain MarkAdam Miller 1204 Southwind Dr. Helena, Al 35080 cohephaestus@bellsouth.net

Lt. Phillip Mangina 3056 Fox Trail Fultondale, AL 35068 phillip3056@charter.net