Grin and Behr’Ak
The
Official Newsletter of the U.S.S. Behr’Ak
September
2001 St. Paul MN Volume 13 Issue 9
See you at the STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE Premiere Party!
See you at the STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE Premiere Party!
Captain
Steve Erickson 763-784-6235
First Officer
Jan Cummins 651-714-0737
Chief Science Officer
Sarah Siegel 952-835-2583
Chief Engineering Officer
Sarah Tesch 612-871-9017
Chief Security Officer
Dan Zimlich 651-748-8382
Chief Medical Officer
Ginger Revoir 651-771-9100
Chief Communications Officer
Irene Raun 612-822-0451
Chief General Services Officer
Doug Norton 952-858-8243
Cooking With The Star Fleet Assassin
By Paul Woida
This month's recipe will keep
for a long time in the freezer. It also seems to develop a stronger taste in
the freezer.
Frozen Brandy Alexander Pie
1 9" graham cracker crust
pie shell
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup whipping cream (whipped)
2 Tbsp. creme de cacao
2 Tbsp. brandy (2 oz.)
Shaved chocolate
In a large bowl, combine the
sweetened condensed milk, whipped cream, creme de cacao and brandy. Pour into
crust and freeze 4-6 hours. Garnish with shaved chocolate. Return any leftovers
to the freezer.
The deadline for submissions to the Grin and Behr’Ak is the 24th
of the previous month.
The preferred method of submission is e-mail. We will also accept
computer disk, handwritten or voice submissions.
E-mail: realitychallenged@fireopal.org
Note new e-mail address
USPS: 3928 11th
Avenue South,
Minneapolis, MN 55407
Voice: 612-822-0451
Star Trek, Start Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,
and Star Trek: Voyager are registered trademarks of Paramount Pictures
Corporation. All various trademarks and copyrights mentioned (or missed) in
this newsletter remain the property of their registered owners. No intent to
sell, rebroadcast, or use the names and pictures in a manner inconsistent with
law is intended.
Recent Deaths
Reported by Dee Sullivan
08/08/01 Maureen Reagan dies of cancer.
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Maureen
Reagan, the outspoken presidential daughter who became a crusader for
Alzheimer's disease awareness after her father fell ill, died Wednesday. She
was 60 and had suffered from skin cancer.
Ms. Reagan, the first child
of Ronald Reagan's first marriage, to actress Jane Wyman, died at her home in
the Sacramento area, said her husband, Dennis C. Revell. She lived with Revell
and their 16-year-old daughter, Rita, a Ugandan girl they adopted in 1995.
08/04/01 TV'S MR. BELVEDERE, CHRISTOPHER HEWETT, DIES AT 80
08/02/01 AUTHOR POUL ANDERSON DIES
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Master
science fiction writer Poul Anderson, author of futuristic tales of human
courage, died of complications related to prostate cancer. He was 74.
Anderson died Tuesday at his
home in Orinda, about 15 miles east of San Francisco.
Anderson was a former
president of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America and a winner of
three Nebula Awards and seven Hugo Awards.
CAPTAIN’S LOG
As predicted August was a very busy month. At the
beginning of the month we had a full weekend with KTCA and Mini-Golf.
As you have probly have heard Channel 2 is in a lot of trouble right now. The weeks of the pledge drive they went through some layoffs and canceled most of there in house programming. The pledge drive itself was not very successful. The weekend we helped out they were still down $550,000. Since most of us grew up with Channel 2 I think I can say we would really hate to see it go off the air. So at the next pledge drive they will be looking for a lot of extra help. So please consider helping with a couple nights at that time. Or if you have not ever done one this would be a great time to get involved.
But I would like to thank Teri Miller, Keith Crabtree, Marie Listopad, and Lois Olson. Thanks for your help working at this last pledge drive. A special thanks to Lois and Teri for pulling a double shift. The staff at Channel 2 was very appreciative.
On a sad note the Behr'ak lost another one of its coveted trophies. The golf trophy is no longer in our position. With an average stroke of 1 we lost to the Shuttle St. George. A new off shout of the Czar'ak. There combined average was 59.7. The Behr'ak combined average was 60,7. The Czar'ak combined average was 67.
There is a bright side to this. Next year we are not responsible for planning either the Bowling or the Golf outing. There will be three teams competing for the trophies. So we will need to practice a little harder at the bowling alley and on the golf course.
Thanks for the great effort by the following Ralph Krantz, Carol Taylor, Sarah Tesch, Teri Miller, Sarah Siegel, Larry Lura, Ivan Rosen, Paul Woida and Casey, Doug Norton, Dee Sullivan, and Lois Olson. Thanks all for the valiant effort.
Camp Snoopy we had to cancel. But I would like to thank the following: Lois Olson, Teri Miller, Marie Listopad, Doug Norton, Ginger Revoir, Sarah Tesch, Sarah Siegel, Larry Lura, and Keith Crabtree, for all the help you put in and the commitment to be there for this event.
Double check Janet's log for all the up coming events. The next meeting is at the Roseville Library on Hamline and County B. Start time will be 2pm.
That's it for this month. See you at the next meeting.
Captain
Steve Erickson
Greetings earthlings!
September will be a month to remember-we hope, with the premiere of Enterprise. Call Sara Siegel for details regarding the September 26th Enterprise premiere party. And don't forget the general meeting being held at the Ramsey County Library. I foresee some big changes coming up for our group and we need your input.
I want to thank Doug Norton for doing his job as chairperson of General Services. It is that department's responsibility to do the planning to raise funds for our group. Doug did his job by attempting to make the Beagle Boosters a success.
I want to thank all of you who wished me well following my foot surgery by means of cards and phone calls. I especially would like to thank Ralph and Carol for the rides they gave me to the doctor, for groceries, and yahoo - to the movies so I wouldn't go out of my mind while waiting for my foot to heal. If anyone wants to know my summer was lame! The doctor shattered the bone by mistake, my body is rejecting the internal sutures, and to top it off this was the foot I drive with. But I shall mend.
I did have some good news from the Mall of America Wizards of the Coast store. I won the Monopoly Collector's Edition give away! This edition is personally autographed by William Shatner.
While spending two weeks in Michigan, my sister saw to it that we visited the Van Andel Museum in Grand Rapids which was hosting the Star Trek: Federation's Science Exhibit. I have pictures - another time. It was better than we thought it would be.
If you haven't seen the hilarious movie American Pie 2 check out the beach scenes and the main street scenes. Some of those were filmed in my home town.
Hope to see you at some of the September events!
First Officer Jan Cummins
COMMUNICATIONS LOG
We
just returned from a trip to Buffalo, New York to visit Scott’s brother’s
family. Three generations (Scott’s mom rented the van), seven states in two
days each way. What were we thinking? Katie and Monica went with us to meet
their new cousins. Katie lost a beloved stuffed animal at the motel in Indiana
and received a minor concussion at Six Flags. I plan on sleeping two days to
recover from the vacation.
Irene
Raun
Chief
Communications Officer
September will be a busy month for the Lupus Foundation of Minnesota, and they have requested our help. September 15 is the 4th annual Walk For Hope at Minnehaha Park. This is a major fundraiser for the foundation and lots of fun - ask someone who has volunteered before!
Another
opportunity to help out (indoors this time) is at the ASID sale at
International Market Square September 20, 21 & 22. To volunteer, or for
more information about these events, call Michelle Guion at the Lupus
Foundation at 612-375-1131, or check their website www.lupusmn.org.
On
a personal note, I accepted a new job with QWest on August 13 that has been
keeping me very busy. Because my schedule varies from week to week I may miss
some activities but I'll be there in spirit. I hope everyone has a happy and
healthy autumn.
Ginger
Revoir
Chief
Medical Officer
ENGINEERING LOG
Greetings,
everyone!
I had hoped to have an
article or two in the last newsletter but the humid weather and high
temperatures did not make for a savory time to accomplish this task. Couple
that with migraines partly due to the first mentioned reason and adjusting to a
major change in my duties at work.
The
club can be proud of itself and its presence at the recent Convergence weekend.
Of the 20 club badges I had made, and subsequently handed out at the
convention, two were left over by the end of the weekend – so at least 18 of us
went and volunteered at events and/or attended. We were all over the place all
weekend! If any number of us were badgering, we were also doing Fan Faire,
working the Misfits room, etc.
Of
special note here I would like to mention that Sarah Siegel put in 15 hours
volunteering at the con. That’s a lot of hours! And speaking of creativity!
Terry Miller, who attended the con in a wheelchair due to a sudden injury, used
the dilemma to make it appear like an Indiana Jones scenario complete with
“snake bite.” Until I discovered the real cause behind Terry’s temporary mode
of transportation – I thought mostly it was a costuming idea. After all, you
see a lot of unusual things at a con – and by Saturday morning, such is the
norm! Hats off to creativity, but, Terry, I hope that doesn’t happen to you
again, the accident that is!
As
was shown on the front cover of the last newsletter, the ship for the upcoming
new Star Trek series is “ship-shape and Bristol-fashion” to head out of
dry-dock and onto the TV screen this fall. The July 14 – 20 TV Guide had a
major article on the new series along with a fold-out diagram of the ship; on
the back of that, there is a depiction of all the TV Guide covers made over the
years with a Star Trek theme. And to think TV Guide was $.25 an issue at one
time…
Anyways,
this month of August is a busy time for our club with the fund raiser at Camp
Snoopy coming up, the KCTA fund drive, and the annual miniature golf
competition with the USS Czar’ak’s. Time to enjoy!
Hailing
frequencies closed,
Sarah
J. Tesch
Chief
Engineer
SECURITY LOG
Dear Club,
I would like to finish the last little bit from the bridge project when I return from Italy. When I last check, some people were working on the screens. Hopefully, everything will be done when I come back and we will finish this project with the new sections once for all. The new sections are almost done. Just the screens need filling and couple of other minor details, besides that we are pretty much done with the new sections. So, when I return, I'll be setting-up one or two work days, which will be placed in the newsletter. Once this project is done, we will move to the next project. Also, when I'm in Italy, I'm going to carve the U.S.S. Behr'Ak on some rock face like I did in Hawaii and Germany. So when people see our club logo, then they know the Behr'Ak has conquered another foreign land.
Sincerely,
Dan Zimlich
Chief of Security
Recommendation:
Adventures in the Liaden Universe
By Scott Raun
"The man who was not Terrence O'Grady came quietly."
Thus,
on a fateful day in 1988, I was introduced to Steve Miller and Sharon Lee's
Liaden Universe. The quote is the first sentence in Agent of Change.
Over the next year or so, two additional novels were published - Conflict of
Honors and Carpe Diem.
And
then nothing happened. Carpe Diem ended on at least three cliff-hangers,
so there was obviously another novel - but it didn't come out.
Seven
or eight years later, I find the authors on the Internet. I've been an active
participant on their mailing list ever since. I heard about the rights to the
first three books reverting to the authors. I heard about - and bought! - a
number of chapbooks self-published by the authors, and a number of magazines
with Liaden Universe short stories. But none of these advanced the plot from
the original three books. Finally, in February 1999, Meisha Merlin published Plan
B - the fourth novel in the original story cycle. In February 2000, Meisha
Merlin published Partners in Necessity - an omnibus volume of the first
three novels. In February 2001, along came Pilots Choice - which tells
us the stories of our hero's fathers' romances.
In
February 2002, we will get I Dare, which finishes the story started 13
or more years ago. I have had the honor to see an Advanced Readers Copy of I
Dare - and I love it, just as I have loved all the other Liaden Universe
stories.
And,
as Walter Boyd, one of H. Beam Piper's character's, said in Four Day Planet,
"Stories die, and nothing in the world is deader than a dead news story.
But before they do, they hatch a flock of little ones, and some of them grow
into bigger stories still." This isn't the end of the Liaden Universe,
merely the completion of a chapter in the lives of many characters I've come to
love.
Val
Con yos Phelium, Clan Korval. Shan yos Galan, Clan Korval. Nova and Anthora yos
Galan. Miri Robertson. Edger and Sheather, Turtles. Priscilla Mendoza. The
Juntavas. The Department of the Interior. Jelaza Kazone. Heroes and villains,
yes - but also people, trying to survive and wring some joy out of life in very
difficult times. And, mostly, succeeding against incredible odds. Some of the
stories are space opera, some have the flavor of regency romances - but they
are all about people you can believe in.
These
are, first and foremost, novels about people! Yes, there is a rich
universe to back them up - but the riches of the universe are the people who
populate it.
These
are books that other authors pick up to read. Anne McCaffrey, Susan
Krinard, L. E. Modesitt, Andre Norton, and a host of others. I invite you to
come join them.
Attack of the Killer
Tomatoes!
By Dave Morem
Star
Wars: Episode II: Attack of the Clones IMHO, this title alone makes Episode II
sound like it will be even worse than Plan 9 from Outer Space. But, gosh darn
it; I can hardly wait until next spring!
I
find it VERY interesting that the title announcement comes on the very same day
that some "mad scientists" announced that they are "ready"
to clone humans.
Makes
you go hmmmm.
First 'Trek' Voyages to
DVD
Relayed by Jim KevinsBy Scott HettrickHOLLYWOOD (Variety) - The first movie in the ``Star Trek'' franchise will become the first in the series to get special edition treatment on DVD. Academy Award-winning director Robert Wise has revisited the movie for the first time since he hand-carried a rushed print of the film with him to the premiere in 1979. With extensive tweaks to the sound mix and digital enhancements to more than 90 shots, the 86-year-old Wise says, ''I'm happy with it now. This is the film that I really wanted.'' Paramount Home Entertainment will release ``Star Trek: the Motion Picture -- the Director's Edition'' on Nov. 6. Although no new scenes were added, the revised edition of the 22-year-old G-rated movie earned a PG rating this time around. Special edition producer David Fein attributes that to a more intense sound mix that makes everything, including the central V'ger satellite probe character, ``more menacing.''As for the visual effects, Fein said the intent was to improve them without making it look like anything that could not have been done 20 years ago if there had been time. ``Nothing takes you out of the experience,'' he said. In addition to the new 136-minute cut of the movie, the two-disc set ($29.99) will feature two hours of bonus programming, including group commentary by Wise, special photographics director Douglas Trumbull, special photographic effects supervisor John Dykstra, music composer Jerry Goldsmith and actor Stephen Collins Also included will be three new retrospective documentaries with cast and crew interviews, five additional scenes (from the 1979 theatrical version) plus trims and outtakes, as well as 11 deleted scenes (from the 1983 TV version).The movie will also be presented for the first time in widescreen form on VHS, which will also include a bonus featurette with new interviews of the cast and crew.Paramount senior VP of marketing Michael Arkin said that since the studio released standard DVD versions of the ``Star Trek'' movies in reverse order of their theatrical release, the studio is considering working its way back through the series in chronological order with special DVD editions of each.
With
over 2,000 visual effects shots to complete for Attack of the Clones, it's no
wonder the post-production process will cover nearly two years. George Lucas'
visits to Industrial Light & Magic have become more frequent, as he meets
with the effects supervisors and makes decisions about nearly every element of
each shot as it moves from concept to final.
Moving
throughout the facility from tables covered with concepts on paper, to computer
terminal screens, to the seats of ILM's screening theater, Animation Director
Rob Coleman and Visual Effects Supervisors John Knoll and Pablo Helman consult
with the director, gathering feedback for their teams comprised of dozens of
artists working on hundreds of shots at a time at various stages of completion.
With
digital tools created for The Phantom Menace and perfected in subsequent
ground-breaking ILM projects, Lucas and the ILM team's focus is not on
technology, but on getting the best possible performance from their creations,
be they locations, ships, creatures or characters. Attention to detail beyond
the focal point of the action can be key to making the audience believe in the
fantasy being presented. The slight skid of a ship turning a corner, the
shadows cast by digitally created furniture, the short attention span of a
walnut-sized-brained monster and the growing discomfort of a guard as tension
builds in the room are all observed through preliminary positioning, refinement
of articulation and eventually final rendering critiqued on a theatrical-sized
screen.
Coleman,
who jokingly claims that he has the longest list of items to review because he
"has the most interesting stuff", delights in finalizing an animated
performance and passing it off to the group responsible for the automated
simulation of real-world physics including movement of armor, material, wings
and floppy ears.
"Excellent.
I'll send that off to the clothing team," smiles Coleman in what has
become a familiar refrain.
©
2001 Lucasfilm Ltd.
Science Fiction Movie...a
Return.
Relayed by Ralph Krantz
Dis
adding video game, DVD to 'Tron' revival mix, by John Gaudiosi
LOS
ANGELES (The Hollywood Reporter) --- Two decades after it introduced
computer-generated imagery to feature films in "Tron," the Walt
Disney Co. is reviving the heroic security system with a new video game and a
20th anniversary DVD, in addition to the previously reported
theatrical sequel, tentatively titled "Tron 2.0" (HR 1/3).
Steven
Lisberger, the director and co-writer of the 1982 film, said he is working on a
third draft of the sequel's script, after Richard Jeffries wrote a draft.
As
in the original film, Lisberger will blend live-action with CGI in the sequel.
"I
have several characters that will be completely digital creations, but I'm not
trying to replace actors," Lisberger said. "I'd like the sequel to
retain the artistic look of the original, while employing more cutting-edge
technology and introducing a new cast of characters. We could do a movie that
looks like the original today for $200,000."
Lisberger
has several ideas for the "Tron" film, which he believes could be
revived as a new franchise for Disney. He said the light cycles will definitely
be back.
"When
we created (the character) Tron, there were no PCs. We were looking at a
possible future," Lisberger said. "I'd like to bring Tron into
today's world and look at how cyberspace will be 20 years from now because it's
still in its infancy."
Since
computer software is updated all the time, the actors in "Tron"
wouldn't need to be consistent from film to film.
"Tron's
been updated, and he could be completely different from when we saw him
before," Lisberger said.
The
20th anniversary "Tron" DVD from Buena Vista Home Entertainment will
be on store shelves next year.
"I
recorded over four hours of commentary for the new 'Tron' DVD, which will ship
Jan. 15, 20 years after it debuted theatrically," Lisberger said.
"The DVD will include the 30-second deleted love scene and an extensive
documentary tracing the creation of this film, as well as other extras."
Disney
Interactive is readying a "Tron" PC video game for a 2003 release,
according to sources close to the project, who are hoping the theatrical sequel
will tie in to the release. The first-person-perspective action game, being
developed by Monolith, is expected to be the first teen-rated game for Disney's
video game division. The game is set within the "Tron" universe and
will incorporate online gameplay. This "Tron" game is expected also
to appear on Microsoft's Xbox (news - web sites) video game system.
"
'Tron' is ripe for multiple videogame franchises, since the movies are set within
the video game arena," Lisberger said. "You can see the vanishing
point ahead with the advent of digital films and the development of digital
video games with amazing graphics. 'Tron' is the perfect synergy of these two
worlds.
"It's
exciting that this is all happening," he added. "Everyone involved
wants to make a 'Tron' sequel, and we have lots of directions we could go. It's
just a matter of waiting for a green light."
Movie Review
By Irene Raun
Planet of the Apes was a very entertaining movie. It definitely
wasn't just a remake of the original movie. The apes were more ape-like in
motivation as well as behavior. The explanation for why the apes evolved to
being able to talk is better than the original movie and even the book on which
it was based. However, the ending screamed "sequel" as in "why
the heck did that last scene occur?
Convergence Update
From
Windy Merrill
Convergence 2001 was a smash! Thank you to everyone who helped make Convergence 2001 a great success, including convention committee, our volunteers and our fabulous guests. And big thanks to the more than 1,730 of you who registered for Convergence this year! Convergence is a convention for fans of science fiction and fantasy in all media. Photos and stories from our 2001 convention will be appearing on our web site soon (www.convergence-con.org). If you have pictures or feedback to share, or would like to get involved in helping produce future conventions, we want to hear from you! Please see the back page of this newsletter for our contact information. Convergence 2002 will be held at the Radisson Hotel South, in Bloomington, MN, July 5, 6, 7, 2002. Registration Rates:
Until December 31, 2001 $25
January 1 - May 15, 2002 $35
At the Door: $50
Kids Ages 6-12 $15
Children 5 and under Free
Supporting memberships are available until May 15 for $15, which can be upgraded to a full membership at the door for only $20.
Guests scheduled to appear include:
Mark Altman and Robert Meyer Burnett Co-writers/Director of Free Enterprise, Assoc. Producers of The Specials
Nene Thomas Popular and award-winning fantasy artist Phil Hester Comic book writer/artist and penciller of Green Arrow for DC Comics
I Am Thankful
Relayed by Scott Raun from
the Internet
I am thankful ...
for
the spouse who complains when dinner is not on time because he is home with me,
not with someone else.
for
the teenager who is complaining about doing dishes, because that means she is
at home & not on the streets.
for
the taxes that I pay, because it means that I am employed.
for
the mess to clean after a party, because it means that I have been surrounded
by friends.
for
the clothes that fit a little too snug, because it means I have more than
enough to eat.
for
my shadow that watches me work, because it means that i am out in the sunshine
for
a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning, and gutters that need
fixing, because it means I have a home.
for
all the complaining I hear about the government, because it means that we have
freedom of speech.
for
the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot, because it means I
am capable of walking and that I have been blessed with transportation.
for
my huge heating bill, because it means I am warm.
for
the lady behind me in church that sings off key, because it means that I can
hear.
for
the pile of laundry and ironing, because it means I have clothes to wear.
for
weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day, because it means I have
been capable of working hard.
for
the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours, because it means that I am
alive.
and
finally.......for too much e-mail, because it means I have friends who are
thinking of me.
MAPS AND DIRECTIONS
Jan Cummins’ (651-714-0737)
7245 Guider Drive, Apartment #315, Woodbury, MN
From
I94, exit south on I494 to Valley Creek Road exit. Left onto Valley Creek Road
(over the bridge). Left onto Queens Drive. Left at the T intersection onto
Guider, apartment complex is on your left.
General Meeting
Ramsey County Library,
Hamline and Cty Rd. B, Roseville
From Hwy 36: Exit south on
Snelling Avenue, east (left) onto County Road B to Hamline Avenue
Enterprise Premiere Party
Sarah Siegel’s
(952-835-2583)
Party Room, 7220 York Ave S. # 505.
Edina MN
From 494: Go north on France Ave., east
(right) onto Hazelton Rd, south (right) onto York Ave., apartment complex in on
the right.
From 62: Go south on Xerxes, it swerves
over to become York Ave.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
|
9/5 |
7pm. |
Board Meeting @ Jan
Cummins’, |
|
9/16 |
2pm |
General Meeting @ Ramsey
County Library, Hamline and Cty Rd. B, Roseville. |
|
9/26 |
7pm |
Enterprise Premiere Party,
Sarah Siegel’s |
|
9/30 |
|
Renaissance Festival |
|
9/? |
|
Lupus Event |
|
10/? |
|
ZooBoo |
|
12/08 |
|
Holidays Party, hosted by
U.S.S. Nokomis |
USS Behr’Ak
Captain Steve Erickson
3017 Ardmore Ave.
Mounds View, MN 55112
There are always possibilities…
For those who dare.