Region 2 "Best Electronic Newsletter" Award 2009
Volume I, Number 46  •  January 2012
CONTENTS

UPCOMING EVENTS
•  Saturday, January 21: TXA Chattacon Room Party
•  Sunday, February 12: Valentine's Day Lonely Hearts Dinner
•  Saturday, February 18: TXA Con Nooga Room Party
•  Saturday, February 25: TXA AnachroCon Room Party
•  Saturday, March 17: 130th Atlanta St. Patrick's Parade
•  Friday-Sunday, April 20-22: TrekTrax Atlanta

SAVE THE DATES:  DETAILS TO BE ANNOUNCED

•  Sunday, April 29: Spring Dinner & Business Meeting
•  Friday-Sunday, May 4-6: Outlantacon
•  Saturday, May 5: Away Mission to The Avengers
•  Friday-Sunday, May 25-27: TimeGate
•  Friday-Sunday, June 8-10: Sci-Fi Summer Con
•  Saturday, July 7: Away Mission to The Amazing Spider-Man
•  Saturday, July 21: Away Mission to The Dark Knight Rises


NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
•  Ensign Barry Bynum receives 2011 Member of the Year Award
•  USS Republic kicks off its "Year of the Phoenix" campaign
•  STARFLEET and KAG membership discounts still available
•  Personnel Records
•  Library Computer
•  Recent Chapter Event Photos

SIDEBAR
•  January Birthdays
•  Welcome Aboard!
•  Member Reenlistments
• 
Upcoming Membership Renewals
•  About the Republic
•  For More Information
•  USS Republic Online
•  Our Member Benefits Program Partners
•  USS Republic & USS Atlanta Crew Rosters
•  News from the Los Angeles Times
   — Star Trek sequel: A cosmic cast reunion on the Sony lot

UPCOMING EVENTS
TrekTrax Atlanta Room Parties
Saturday, January 21: Chattacon
Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel & Convention Center
1400 Market St, Chattanooga TN  37402
1-800-872-2529

Saturday, February 18: Con Nooga
Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel & Convention Center
1400 Market St, Chattanooga TN  37402
1-800-872-2529

Saturday, February 25: AnachroCon
Holiday Inn Atlanta Perimeter
4386 Chamblee-Dunwoody Rd, Atlanta GA  30341
(770) 457-6363
The USS Republic, host of TrekTrax Atlanta, will be hosting room parties on Saturday evening at no less than three upcoming regional conventions in order to promote ours.  CO Capt Eric L. Watts will be travelling to Chattanooga, Tennessee, in January for Chattacon and in February for Con Nooga, as well as staying here in town for our sister convention, AnachroCon, also in February.  If you are planning to attend or are considering attending any of these conventions, we would very much appreciate your support.  In addition to marketing materials, decorations, party supplies, light snacks and a selection of adult beverages, we also need assistance simply talking to folks about TrekTrax Atlanta and encouraging them to purchase a membership.  Donations of these items, or funds to help us purchase them, would be greatly appreciated.  If you can help us in any way, either by attending these conventions with us or donating items or funds for them, please contact the Captain.  Thank you!
Valentine's Day Lonely Hearts Dinner
A JOINT CHAPTER EVENT WITH THE USS ATLANTA


7:00 p.m. Sunday, February 12, 2012
Location TBA
Not Just For Lovers: Members and friends of the USS Republic---singles and couples alike---met for a barbecue dinner on Valentine's Day in 2010.
Single and alone on Valentine's Day (or at least, on the weekend just before)?  Don't be!  Save the date and make plans now to join the USS Republic and USS Atlanta for an evening of fun and friendship at the Republic's third Valentine's Day Lonely Hearts Dinner. (Yes, you can bring a date, and yes, couples and families are also welcome!)

Suggestions for a moderately priced restaurant in the greater Atlanta area are welcomed.  
Please contact the Captain with your recommendation!  The location will be announced next issue.

130th Atlanta St. Patrick's Parade
A JOINT CHAPTER EVENT WITH THE USS ATLANTA

Saturday, March 17, 2012
Line-up begins at 10:00 a.m.; step-off is at 12:00 p.m.
Peachtree Street at Ralph McGill Boulevard
Atlanta GA  30308

Republic and IKAV Nemesis members last marched together in the 2010 Atlanta St. Patrick's Parade.

For the third year since 2009, the USS Republic will march in Atlanta's St. Patrick's Parade.  Always held on Saturday, this year's parade will actually be held on the traditional date of St. Patrick's Day, March 17.  This year, we'll be joined by members of the USS Atlanta behind our awesome parade banner in a strong showing of Star Trek solidarity!

2012 will be the largest, best-attended St. Patrick's Parade & Festival since the first Atlanta St. Patrick's Parade held 154 years ago, in 1858.  The parade begins at 12:00 noon, runs 1.1 miles starting from Peachtree Street and Ralph McGill Boulevard, proceeding down Peachtree past Woodruff Park, then left on Decatur Street to Pryor Street and right on Pryor through Underground Atlanta and the huge Underground Atlanta Festival where there will be free entertainment and vendors.

The 2012 Atlanta St. Patrick's Parade will have over 200 units, including clowns, floats, bands of every kind, military units, bagpipe and drum corps, thousands of children, Irish dancers, clowns, high-tech firefighting equipment, police units, drill teams, dogs, horses, antique cars, dignitaries from Ireland and our own government leaders.  Join us for a great day and for a grand time as we celebrate Atlanta and her Irish Heritage in 2012.

Please contact the Captain as soon as possible if you're planning to join us so we can have a reasonably accurate idea of how many to expect.  This is a costume-encouraged event, so please plan to wear your Republic chapter sport shirt, chapter t-shirt or your best Star Trek costume.  If you don't care to march with us, consider coming out with your camera and cheering for us as we go by!

ATLANTA ST. PATRICK'S PARADE WEB SITE

NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Ensign Barry Bynum receives 2011 Member of the Year Award
At the USS Republic's Awards Ceremony, held during our joint STARFLEET Holiday Potluck Party with the USS Atlanta on December 17, 2011, Commanding Officer Capt Eric L. Watts presented the Republic's 2011 Member of the Year Award to Ensign Barry Bynum.
The USS Republic is pleased to recognize Ensign Barry Bynum (left) for his outstanding service with the 2011 Member of the Year Award.
Ensign Bynum has been a member of the USS Republic since 2009 and was one of the seven folks who, in February 2010, encouraged Captain Watts to launch a new Star Trek convention in Atlanta.  Over the course of the next year, Barry served as a key member of TrekTrax Atlanta's Executive Committee and, more importantly, as TXA's Director of Convention Operations.  In that position, he negotiated a phenomenal deal with our host hotel, established a discount program with AirTran, administrated our Dealers Room, served as liaison with hotel management, and managed Convention Operations during the convention.  Ensign Bynum's service to TrekTrax Atlanta---an event officially hosted by the USS Republic---far exceeded the efforts and contributions of any other staff member and were undeniably essential to the success of our first convention.  In the ten months since then, Ensign Barry has continued to distinguish himself in his ongoing work for the TXA Executive Committee and as Director of Con Ops.

Congratulations to Barry for having earned this most prestigious award from the USS Republic.
USS Republic kicks off its year-long "Year of the Phoenix" campaign

At the USS Republic's and USS Atlanta's joint STARFLEET Holiday Potluck Party in December, Republic CO Capt Eric L. Watts presented a brief overview of the chapter's year-long Year of the Phoenix campaign for 2012.  The mission and the goal of the campaign is simply this:  Reenlist.
Recommit.  Reunite.


The first stage of this campaign was announced here last issue: for a limited time, all former members of the Republic whose STARFLEET dues have expired can renew their STARFLEET membership for only $15, with a one-time waiver of their $10 annual chapter dues, by submitting their dues payment directly to the Republic (e.g., not to STARFLEET).  Please review last issue for additional details.

The second stage of our Year of the Phoenix campaign is a recommitment by you, the membership, to the Republic.  The Republic, in turn, commits to offering you a rewarding membership experience by planning and organizing a robust schedule of events and activities to entertain, educate and celebrate Star Trek fans of all ages.

We're keeping the explicit details of the third stage of our Year of the Phoenix campaign quiet for now... but if you'll look closely at this and future issues of this newsletter, you'll find a few not-so-subtle hints sprinkled around the page.  And here's another one: Family reunion.

USS Republic: Boldly Going, Boldly Doing!
STARFLEET and KAG membership discounts for TXA still available
TrekTrax Atlanta (TXA), hosted by the USS Republic NCC-1371, the STARFLEET International chapter in Atlanta and endorsed by the Klingon Assault Group (KAG) as the National Klingon Konvention, will be held April 20-22, 2012.

In the event there was any confusion about the membership discount being offered to members of STARFLEET and KAG... those discounts are still being offered.  The $5 discount being offered to both groups applies to the current regular Adult membership rate... which increased to $45 on January 1.  As a result, the price for a STARFLEET or KAG discounted membership is now $40... still $5 less than the regular Adult rate.  These discounts are available on our STARFLEET Discount and KAG Discount web pages.  Why not purchase your membership now, before the rate increases again?

When you purchase your discounted membership, you can also purchase your VIP Champagne Reception ticket (available only in advance; not available at the door) and your souvenir convention t-shirt.  And while you're at it, why not go ahead and make your hotel room reservation? Remember, the earlier you buy your membership, not only do you get the lowest price possible, but you help us make it possible to advertise and promote the convention to as many Star Trek fans as possible so we can have a well-attended and successful event.
  Visit the TrekTrax Atlanta web site to learn more about the convention and everything we've got planned for this extraordinary Star Trek fan experience.

Valid STARFLEET and KAG memberships will be verified prior to processing payments.  One discount per person.  See respective web pages for additional details.
Personnel Records
Congratulations to Cmdr Masibindi Mother Courage Miller, who received a grade of DISTINCTION for the STARFLEET Academy exam SOA 107: BERMUDA, THE BAHAMAS from the School of IOLEE College of World Wide Law Enforcement Agencies completed on December 26, 2011.
Congratulations to Cmdr Masibindi Mother Courage Miller, who received a grade of DISTINCTION for the STARFLEET Academy exam SFRT 101: JAWS OF LIFE from the School of IOLEE College of Firefighting & Rescue, completed on January 9, 2012.
STARFLEET Academy is a special collection of correspondence courses available to every STARFLEET member.  Over 60 Academy Colleges offer courses spanning all aspects of Star Trek and science fiction; some courses even cover non-sci-fi real world topics.  Each college offers dozens of different courses at varying levels of challenge from super-easy to really hard.  In total, there are nearly 1,000 different courses available.  Take a course today!
Something special going on in your life?  Submit your Personnel Record for publication in the next issue of The Republiqué!
Library Computer
Recent Chapter Event Photos
CLICK ANY PHOTO TO ENLARGE
STARFLEET Holiday Potluck Party & USS Republic Awards Ceremony  ||  December 17, 2011
Above Left: USS Republic CO Capt Eric L. Watts cooked a feast, including a 20-lb. turkey, green bean casserole, stuffing, rice, gravy and biscuits.
Above Right: Capt Bernadette Ackley, USS
Atlanta CO Adm Mike Henigan.  Capt Ackley hosted the Republic/Atlanta joint event in her home in Douglasville.
Above Left, counter-clockwise from bottom left: Cmdr Dawn Benton, Comm Tonya Spanks, Ens Ken Cribbs, Cmdr Dave Slaughter, Capt Bernadette Ackley, Adm Mike Henigan, Capt Matt Ebeling, CRR Brian Ackley, Ens Barry Bynum.
Above Right, counter-clockwise from bottom right: Ens Barry Bynum, CRR Brian Ackley, Ens Ken Cribbs, Capt Bernadette Ackley, Cmdr Dave Slaughter, Capt Matt Ebeling, Adm Mike Henigan.
Front Row, seated: USS Atlanta CO Adm Mike Henigan, Comm Tonya Spanks, Ens Ken Cribbs.
Back Row, standing:
USS
Republic CO Capt Eric L. Watts, Capt Matt Ebeling, Ens Barry Bynum, Cmdr Dave Slaughter, Cmdr Dawn Benton, CRR Brian Ackley, Capt Bernadette Ackley.

JANUARY BIRTHDAYS

Thursday, January 19
ENS3 Tasheka Gipson

WELCOME ABOARD!
2 New Members in December!


Cmdr Masibindi Miller
Ens Leslie Williamson

MEMBER REENLISTMENTS
These members renewed their SFI and chapter dues in December


ENS3 Rob Gilliam
ENS1 Mark A. Ozanick

UPCOMING MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS
No current membership dues expirations until April!

Previously expired membership dues can be renewed here!

ABOUT THE REPUBLIC
The USS Republic NCC-1371 was originally commissioned as a chapter of STARFLEET International on May 14, 1988, at the Dixie-Trek convention in Atlanta, Georgia.  As of January 15, 2012, the Republic crew includes 31 members who are active members of STARFLEET in good standing.
The Republic plans and coordinates an active schedule of events for its members, frequently partnering with other local science fiction groups in the Atlanta area for joint activities, but does not hold meetings on a consistently fixed date each month.
Because the USS Republic is a duly commissioned chapter of STARFLEET International and is bound and governed by its Constitution and By-Laws, membership in STARFLEET is a prerequisite for membership in the Republic.  Combined annual dues for both groups are $25 per person and is collected by the chapter (family discounts are available with certain conditions and restrictions).  Membership in the Republic includes access to our YahooGroups message board, voting privileges in chapter elections and a personalized laminated membership card which entitles the member to discounts and rebates on products and services offered by our Member Benefits Program Partners.  Additional information on Republic membership and how to join and reenlist is on our award-winning web site.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

USS REPUBLIC ONLINE

OUR MEMBER BENEFITS PROGRAM PARTNERS

CREW ROSTER
AS OF JANUARY 15, 2012
USS ATLANTA CREW ROSTER
CRR Brian Ackley
Cheris Courtney*
Ens JG Roderick Jennings*
Mike Smith*
* STARFLEET DUES EXPIRED

NEWS from
Star Trek sequel: A cosmic cast reunion on the Sony lot
By Geoff Boucher
January 13, 2012
The Star Trek sequel is still way off in deep space---it won't reach theaters until May 2013---but there was a cosmic cast reunion Monday on the sidewalk in front of the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf over at the Sony lot in Culver City.
Throughout the morning, the crew members of the Starship Enterprise were scheduled for fittings with the wardrobe department and the atmosphere was a bit like the first day of school with big grins, backslaps, hugs and handshakes.  There was Simon Pegg (Scotty) and John Cho (Mr. Sulu) ducking into the coffee shop just before lunchtime and, on the patio out front, Bruce Greenwood (Capt. Christopher Pike) and cast newcomer Peter Weller discussing their golf swings and the enduring allure of John Le Carre novels. Pegg, with a toothy grin, stopped by Greenwood's table to pay his respects: "Nice to see you!" Greenwood responded with a "My man!"
Bruce Geenwood
Sipping Red Bull and waiting for a lunchtime session with the cast and director J. J. Abrams, Greenwood said the "Trek" experience has been a true highlight in his career and he quickly added that he wasn't referring to the box office receipts or strong reviews.  He pointed instead to the friendships he has now with people such as Chris Pine (Capt. James T. Kirk) and Anton Yelchin (Mr. Chekov).
"The family deal that happened was just amazing," Greenwood said.  "I loved the first one and I loved making it. too.  Usually, when you work on a job and you love the experience, it's rare that the film matches the experience.   You get one or the other but this was one of the few where it was all there.  It was just great.  I was talking to Anton the other day and he was saying that they all got together on the bridge a few weeks ago and it was just like no time had passed at all.  None.  I had dinner with Chris a few months ago and he said he couldn't wait to get back with the gang of people that makes this work.  The same with me.  They're wonderful people and the show is like the icing.  What's great is the family.  I know it's an overused term, but it really feels that way to me."
The Trek sequel was aimed for a 2012 release at one point, but Abrams became caught up in Super 8, a passion project that was relatively small in its budget and shooting schedule but loomed large in the writer-director's personal history.  Screenwriters Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci and Damon Lindelof were in a sort of holding pattern waiting for Abrams to return to Federation space.
Greenwood said it's clear already that the project has been worth the wait:  Everybody's got their script---all printed on red paper with every actor's name stamped across every page---and their brown bag and we've all signed these releases that are as long as your leg.  The script is good, as you would expect.  You won't be given anything by anybody when it comes to the movie.  It's easier to push the building than get anything out of anyone.  We have a huge stage here,  I haven't seen it.  It's exciting."
About half an hour later, it was as if the entire coffee shop had been transported to Federation space; there was Pine, Zoe Saldana (Lt. Uhura), Karl Urban (Dr. "Bones" McCoy), Yelchin and Cho all parading by out front.  "Hey man, you're back!" Pine said to Greenwood, wrapping an arm around his shoulders.  Saldana chimed in with a "Welcome back!"
A moment later, Greenwood came back to the seat on the patio with a big smile.  "Who wouldn't want to be part of that?"
A few days earlier, on Saturday night, J. J. Abrams hosted a party on the rooftop of Bad Robot, his production offices on Olympic Boulevard in Santa Monica, and at one end of the chilly patio there was an orchestra in scarves and winter coats sitting shoulder-to-shoulder.  The reason?  The event was a salute to composer Michael Giacchino with a special emphasis on his work on Super 8.
J. J. Abrams
The starry sky party was attended by some of the top filmmakers in the Comic-Con sector of Hollywood (Jon Favreau, Brad Bird, Joss Whedon, Frank Darabont and Kevin Smith) and actors with Abrams connections (Urban, Jennifer Garner and Elle Fanning among them) and when the orchestra played the themes of Lost and Super 8, there were plenty of smiles.  When Giacchino conducted the musicians during the soaring theme from Star Trek, though, there were even more grins and Abrams bobbed his chin with a faraway expression.
Principal photography started on the Trek sequel on Thursday.  That day, by email, Lindelof answered a question I had asked him about the pressure and possibilities of this next voyage.  His response was funny and revealing: "I have had the good fortune to once again step upon the Enterprise bridge, surrounded by the primary colors worn by, in my humble opinion, one of the greatest casts ever assembled.  Every single person involved with this movie has the same ambition---to do everything they can to justify the long wait... to live up to the lofty expectations of 40-year Trek fans and those who are coming to the party for the first time.  The energy is crackling.  The warp core is primed.  And we are, at long last, ready to boldly go once again.  I hope to God we don't screw it up."
REPRINTED FROM LATIMES.COM
© 2012 The Los Angeles Times
USS Republic NCC-1371
B O L D L Y    G O I N G 
 B O L D L Y    D O I N G™
2902 Aspen Woods Entry
  Atlanta, Georgia  30360-2759
  www.USSRepublic.com
Commanding Officer, USS Republic
  Captain Eric L. Watts
Executive Officer, USS Republic
  Commander Dave Churvis
Commanding Officer, USS Atlanta
  Admiral W. Michael Henigan

The Republiqué Volume I, Number 46, January 2012.
Published monthly by and Copyright © 2012 USS Republic NCC-1371.
Captain Eric L. Watts, Editor.

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