Author: Mary Pucel

Yes folks, here's your first reminder that yearly dues are due in September. The cost remains the same - as it has for many years - at $15 for an individual and $20 for a family. You can submit your dues now via PayPal. We also accept checks through the mail and are exploring other options for payment. Remind your friends that may not see the newsletter that they can join the fun, too!!

Grilled Steak with Avocado Sauce
Serves 2-4

Ingredients:
1 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1 1/2 pounds flat iron steak
1 avocado, skin and pit removed, diced
1/3 cup chopped cilantro
2 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
juice from 1 lime

Instructions:
1 Combine first 5 ingredients in a bowl. Rub all over the steak.
2 Preheat grill to medium heat.
3 Place remaining ingredients in a food processor and process until smooth. Place in the refrigerator until ready to use.
4 Cook steak about 5 minutes per side for medium rare. Transfer to a plate and allow to rest for 10 minutes.
5 Slice steak and spoon avocado sauce over the top.

To quote Emma, "YUMMY YUMMY YUMMY!"

Would you like a little Trek reading for the summer? There are several great options right now, and they're noted in the article from StarTrek.com HERE 

From comics - both new and continuing series - and to books, there are choices for everyone. There are also other options not listed in this article, including novels from TOS to Picard. I'm reading The Higher Frontier right now, and it's pretty good! Check these out HERE

Happy reading!

We hope everyone has time to have a little fun this weekend, doing whatever makes you happy!

If you're missing your favorite Star Trek stars, there are multiple chances to indulge yourself in the next weeks. There are live stream Q&A sessions and one-on-one Chats. You can also purchase video shoutouts, personalized autographs and video recordings.

For example, Star Trek doctors Gates McFadden, John Billingsley, Alexander Siddig, Robert Picardo, and Wilson Cruz unite for a session on July 5th at 2pm ET. There are also sessions with Klingons J.G. Hertzler and Robert O'Reilly, and William Shatner, plus stars from other franchises.

You can find details and register HERE

Virtual Trek Con, a larger convergence (no pun intended!) of Star Trek folk, takes place from July 15 to 20. There will be cast and crew interviews, fan interactions and special performances. There are several fun chances for fans to send in your own videos. These include tributes to Aron Eisenberg and Rene Auberjonois, a virtual Trek Pool Party, cosplay video, shout out to medical/essential professionals, and more.

Virtual Trek Con details can be found HERE

Last week's picture stumped most of you, and there were lots of guesses! Thanks to everyone that dropped a line to guess or just to say hi. Please keep them coming - it's great to hear from you!

The one correct guess came from Timara U. There were seven incorrect guesses. The confusion for most contestants came from the age of the picture and the fact that the person didn't live in Minnesota at the time, while Hubert Humphrey did. Does that clue give it away? Yes, it was Phill Goldman!

Here's this week's picture. Who is this with Santa? Send me an email to guess at

Greetings, Crew!

I have exciting news to share (and if you were at the meeting on June 13th, you already know)! We are moving ahead with our 20th Annual CONvergence Blood Drive, even though there isn't going to be a CONvergence! How are we going to do this, you may ask???? We're looking now for a site for the drive, and we'll work on contacting as many people as possible to come. Even though we may not get 90 people to sign up, like we've done in the last few years, we should still be able to make our usual big impact on the summer blood supply. Save the date - it's August 22nd. We'll share more information about how you can help with the blood drive by spreading the word.

We're also going to have another fun event on the 22nd of August, since we don't have to be in a party room all night long. Yes, it's the return of the annual movie night! Mark your calendars and plan to join us as we watch Star Trek and enjoy a great meal (all with appropriate social distancing, of course). Naturally, if the situation changes so will we, but for now it's a plan!

Now a word to those of you that haven't checked in since our last in-person meeting: Hey, we miss you! Shoot us a message by email or Facebook, or give a phone call. We'd like to know that you're OK and hear if anything new has happened in your lives in the last months. Yes, that means you!

See you around the Galaxy!

Mary

Guess who this little guy with Hubert Humphrey is - go ahead, guess! Let Mary know by email at if you think you know.

Do you need some diversion? Something to read? Your daily dose of Trek? If you haven't been looking at startrek.com lately, now is a good time. There is a lot of excellent content being published right now, for several reasons.

First, there's a lot going on in the world. We know that our favorite show has taken on some tough topics over the years, and they are pretty relevant right now. Check out articles like "8 Reasons to Watch DS9 During Pride Month", "Star Trek's Space Scoundrels Ranked", "10 Women in Command Who Paved the Way for Kathryn", "The Next Generation's Call for Equality", and more.

Second, there's a lot going on in Star Trek. Various stars are sharing their thoughts on current and past shows. Authors are sharing things about their books. And yes, there are still scheduled Trek events that are being advertised, plus updates on the production of the current Star Trek shows.

Also, there's a also a call for Star Trek stories. Yes, you can write for Star Trek! Here are some examples - they are always interested in pitches on specific, timely issues and the following evergreen topics:

• Timely responses to recent Star Trek episodes
• Interviews with one-off Star Trek guest stars
• Trek related essays
• Personal essays that relate back to Trek
• Any reported work that ties current events back into Trek, including...
  • Reported pieces about current space exploration (NASA, SpaceX, ISSA, etc.)
  • Reported pieces about technology relevant to Trek. (ie, Do you know of someone developing an EpiPen that operates like a hypospray?)
  • Deep dives (Did you reread Planet X and find some revelatory detail that warrants 1500-2000 words?)
  • Listicles (i.e. Your top 10 Class M Planets)
  • Interviews with and profiles of interesting Star Trek fans
  • Pieces that center voices from marginalized communities
  • Recurring columns on Trek-centered content

Much more detail, plus a cool store, is on the site. Check it out!

Does anybody remember the 2018 announcements of a Star Trek parody film called Unbelievable!!!!!? Well, you might actually get to see it soon!

A statement on Unbelievable!!!!!’s Facebook page says, “As promised, we said we would let you all know when UNBELIEVABLE!!!!! would be coming out, and no, it’s not 2034. [...] We can’t wait to show it to you and hope you enjoy the show. Meanwhile stay safe, stay well.” In response to one fan who sought clarification on when the film might actually be released digitally in the United States, they said, “This is actually coming super-soon! [...] We're over here popping out of our skin wanting to release it. But we should still be on lockdown-ish by the time it's shown.”

Indie Rights has acquired domestic distribution rights to Unbelievable!!!!!, the Steven L. Fawcette-helmed sci-fi film that stars Snoop Dogg and over forty former Star Trek cast members from the movies and TV series. The company will also launch foreign sales at the Virtual Cannes Film Market today, June 24.

According to Deadline, "the pic stars Kirk Stillwood, a puppet created by the Chiodo Brothers. It follows the crazy exploits of four off-beat astronauts (one is a marionette) who travel to the Moon on a rescue mission to determine the fate of two Space Agency comrades who have not been heard from in several days. The individuals they find at the Lunar Base are not who they appear to be and, through acts of trickery and deception, nearly succeed in killing them. Soon the astronauts find themselves trying to save the Earth from Plant Aliens!"

Here are some of the 40-plus Star Trek actors who appear: Garrett Wang, Chase Masterson Tim Russ, Armin Shimerman, Vaughn Armstrong, Gary Graham, Anthony Montgomery, Linda Park, Robert Picardo, Marina Sirtis, Nana Visitor, Walter Koenig, Michael Dorn, Julie Warner, Dina Meyer, Olivia d’Abo, Jeffrey Combs, John Billingsley, Max Grodenchik, Casey Biggs, Gary Lockwood, Michael Forest, Jack Donner, Connor Trinneer, Manu Intiraymi, Dominic Keating, Brenda Bakke, Patti Yasutake, Steve Rankin, Michael Dante, Sean Kenney, BarBara Luna, Beverly Washburn, Celeste Yarnall, Bobby Clark, Jasmine Anthony, Menina Fortunato, McKenzie Westmore, Crystal Allen and Christopher Doohan

Check out the trailer for Unbelievable!!!!! HERE