Category: News

Current Events, Announcements, and Timely Useful information

Star Trek Night on Fox’s The Masked Singer, March 18`

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The fourteenth season of Fox’s popular, Emmy-nominated singing competition series The Masked Singer has been celebrating “fan-favorite worlds,” which will bring us a “Star Trek Night” episode coming on March 18. TrekMovie has exclusive details and a first look reveal of the panelists in their Star Trek costumes.

The Masked Trek

The premise of The Masked Singer is a “whosungit” competition with celebrities hiding their identities and performing in elaborate costumes. A panel of celebrity detectives judges the masked singers in an attempt to identify them. This season, the celebrity panelists are dressing up too. For “Star Trek Night,” they head to the final frontier.

Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg, Ken Jeong, and Rita Ora on The Masked Singer Star Trek episode (Michael Becker/FOX)

The event is tied into the celebration of Star Trek’s 60th anniversary. Paramount coordinated with Fox on the costumes for the panelists as well as set elements to add to the whole Star Trek look of the episode.

For the “Star Trek Night” episode, Masked Singer panelist Robin Thicke is dressed as Captain Pike from Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.  Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg is dressed as Yeoman Janice Rand from Star Trek: The Original Series. Rita Ora on The Masked Singer Star Trek episode (Michael Becker/FOX) Finally, Ken Jeong is dressed as Mr. Spock, complete with wig, pointed ears, and a Star Trek: Strange New Worlds costume.

The “Star Trek Night” episode features the contestants singing on-theme songs, including “Starboy” by The Weeknd and “Starships” by Nicki Minaj.

The “Star Trek Night” episode airs on Wednesday, March 18.

For photos and more details, see TrekMovie's Article, The Masked Singer Wiki

Starfleet Academy Watch Party, at Lynne and Phill’s

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Starfleet Academy makes an even dozen versions of Star Trek.  We always think these premieres are a good occasion to get together, and this one is no different.  We're making a couple of simplifications this time. First, we're viewing on Friday evening January 16th to avoid the work-night choices.  Second, we're meeting at Phill and Lynne's home to skip the conflicts with football and other sport this time of year.  I know, a lot of folks will have watched it at the night before premiere, but who is going to watch it just once anyway? Phill will set up the big screen, and we'll watch BOTH episodes that night.

Lynne and Phill will take care of getting the pizzas, that's why we need to know if you're coming by the 14th. We'll have a mix of Papa Murphy's, some Heggie's as extra and make them as needed (Sorry, it's January - no pizza oven this time).  If you plan on coming, please sign up on USS Nokomis site, at the January meeting, or let Phill or Lynne know by Wednesday, January 14, so we can plan quantities. You can call or email us, or just use the sign-up sheet directly.  We'll supply the plates, napkins, and utensils as well.  If you feel joyful, we'd accept a $5 contribution to help out with costs.

Basic drinks (lemonade, iced tea) available. You're welcome and encouraged to bring your favorite preferred beverage, and we'll supply the cups and ice for you.

  • Feel free to arrive at our home anytime 6:00 p.m. or after on Friday, January 16.
  • We will watch the PREMIERE show at 7:00 p.m, and take a break before launching right into the second episode.

Now, it is January and weather is changeable.  Use your best judgement rather than calling for 'status'.  Lynne and I will be present no matter what, and we'll welcome folks that make it but Star Trek isn't worth risking life, limb, and health (and car).

We look forward to seeing you!

Twin Cities Regional Science Fair, March 1st and 3rd

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Join us at the Twin Cities Regional Science Fair!  Let's pitch in to help in our 31st year involved with the Fair.

Setting Up

We don't have to move tables and chairs in and out of trucks like before, but we do have to cover the the tables and mark the competition spaces;  we need to add the numbers to the table locations.   We also need to set up the IT systems (easily 12 PCs, several large-size displays, and three printers).  Finally, a fair like this with sponsors has a lot of signs to put up  around the area.  More hands make light work, please come along and help on March 1st starting about 7-8AM.   Breakfast snacks and coffee are usually provided, along with a lunch prior to the students' arrival.

Judging

The main judging is on March 1st starting at about 4PM. The Fair needs "judges to judge both within their expertise and educated judges to judge outside their field of expertise so that the students will have to clearly present their projects to scientists who may not know the jargon of the project." They ask that judges for the complicated high school projects have experience, and this is defined on their website. However, don't let the lack of a science background stop you if you'd like to participate, as there are also middle school projects to judge. It's super fun to chat with students who dissolve teeth in Coke and lemon juice, or grow plants under various colors of light, or experiment with bugs or worms. You're guarteed to learn something!

Logistics

In a fair this big there are definitely a lot of moving pieces and a lot of data.  We need people to help check kids in, to record data during the event, and hospitality.   If you have time to help keep the main show moving, please consider joining in from about 2PM until judging is complete.

Award Ceremony and Take Down

We get a Saturday off, then return at about 9AM on Sunday March 3rd for the award ceremony, thene we undo a lot of what we did on Friday starting at 11:30.

Both parking and a light supper & snacks are provided (catered) for judges and volunteers.  Naturally, we'll go out to eat as a group after the judging is over, because we do that.

Go to www.tcrsf.net to sign up and find out all the info you need.

Lower Decks to Start Again on August 25th

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Paramount+ announced that season three of its hit original half-hour animated comedy series Star Trek: Lower Decks will premiere on Thursday, August 25, exclusively on Paramount+ in the U.S. Following the premiere, the remaining nine episodes of the 10-episode long season will be available to stream weekly on Thursdays.

https://deadline.com/2022/07/star-trek-lower-decks-paramount-reveals-1235063125/

Website User List Pared Down

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Image result for locked out star trek

The user list for this website has been pared down to those whose dues were paid.  It's the first completely comprehensive cleanup in three years.  The work is complete as of 2 Nov 2019.

For those of us that paid our dues, please log in to the website at least once before the end of calendar 2019, to be sure you are still a registered user and that Phill didn't make a mistake.  If you did pay your dues and are having difficulty, don't hesitate to contact Phill () and get it straightened out.

If your username doesn't work and you know in your heart that you didn't pay this year's dues, you can contact Pam () and pay your dues, or use the Join Us link to use online payments.

And if you hear of someone who didn't get their newsletter, please refer them to this article on the website.

Thanks for your help!

Bowling Party and September 2019 meeting

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Once again the USS Nokomis general meeting for September will be followed by bowling(as much as you want! it's covered!) at St. Francis Bowling Center, 426 Osceola Ave S, St. Paul MN. 55102.

First we have our meeting and make sure we've paid our membership dues for September 2019 to August 2020. Second we take a break and do yoga. Third we bowl.  Fourth we eat, at a restaurant, because that is a thing we do after meetings! Just kidding, we don't do yoga!  The September meeting is for going over the recommended activities for the next year, getting more ideas and reviewing the fun things we've done in the past year.

The bowling is for fun and our first 2019-2020 activity.  After our meeting is over the lanes are turned on and you can bowl until 4 pm or your arms give out!  Whichever comes first!  You may bring your own ball and kit or use the bowling centers supplies.  All members are welcome and we always welcome members of other science fiction groups.  If you are not a Nokomis member (or + 1) please email the to give us an estimate on numbers to expect.

So see you on Saturday September 14 at noon.

Roxanne Hill

Donations for the Silent Auction, at the Chuckwagon Dinner, March 31, 2019

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Now that you have collected all those cool items that we need to auction, what do you do next?

You can wrap or carefully package the item and set it aside to bring to the auction itself (remember to buy your dinner ticket by the March general membership meeting).  If you are not able to come to the dinner but still have a super cool something to add to the inventory you can bring it to the March USS Nokomis meeting on March 9, 2019.  If you can't get to our meeting you can make arrangements with me to deliver it to my house  before Saturday, March 30.

No matter when or how the item gets to the auction site, I need specific information to print the bidding sheets, sale tags and prize tags. Please mail the following info to me at Roxanne Hill, 2301 Pearson Parkway, Brooklyn Park, MN. 55444,  or email it to me at , or text me at 763-222-8234 (because of my weird work schedule my phone is almost never answered but a text with your name on it is GREAT), or write it down and give it to me at MARScon, at dinner, or take me out for beer and give it to me then (really I'm not picky so long as I can read the writing!)

Thank you in advance for both your auction donations and your help getting this put together. Trust me, no one wants to read my personal handwriting/printing on 50 bid slips.

The following info is needed before March 28 (I have to type and print everything before the dinner!):

  1. Item's name and description
  2. Item's donator
  3. Item's purpose-1,2, and 3 should always be listed, 4 and 5 are 'as needed' info
    1. auction item,
      1. provide the general value of item
      2. suggested minimum bid (unless forbidden we may drop it towards end of auction)
      3. quick sale price (not all items require them, but we will occasionally assign one unless forbidden)
      4. note any special handling required i.e. refrigeration, scheduling or details to be provided
      5. please note if this requires a legal adult only purchaser for any:
        1. alcohol included in item
        2. firearms involved in activity for the item
    2. cash'n'carry (or sale item)
      1. provide general value of item
      2. any necessary directions for handling
      3. adult only purchaser notices as noted above
    3. door prize
      1. provide general value of item
      2. any necessary directions for handling.

2019 January Dinner Dance

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Time to put the Dance into your calendar!

I know you've all been waiting to get the info for the USS Nokomis' formal dinner dance on Saturday, January 19.  We will once again be at the Dan Patch American Legion, 12375 Princeton Ave., Savage, MN.  Because of the great turn outs and hard work from all our members at our annual auctions, the Nokomis will be supporting more of the costs this time.  Instead of $35, the 2019 Dance will be $25 per person.  This is a big "Thank You!" for all the effort put forth and donations received to make our fundraisers a success.

IMPORTANT:  Your deadline to pay is January 12  at 2 p.m.  This deadline is firm because of commitments and contracts with the restaurant.  You may pay on line through our website by PayPal or by check or cash to our Chief Financial Officer (and fundraising queen) Pam Kline, again no later than the end of the general membership meeting, January 12, 2019.

When you sign up please note your choice of New York Strip steak with mushrooms (steak), or Chicken (chicken) at 6 p.m., dinner service at 7 p.m., and once again our favorite DJ-Rob Stafford will start the music for our dancing pleasure at 8 p.m.

For our theme this year we've decided to take (or borrow) a page from Dr. Seuss and his story The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins.

How does this tie in with us? Well, we are pretty well known for our costumes at conventions, dances, parties, get togethers and movie premiers.  Well, now you can find your favorite costume and add a charming chapeau, a top hat to your tails, a sequined band and feather for your beaded flapper dress or even a helmet for your space suit.  Top your favorite dressy outfit with a derby, cowboy hat, cloche, pill box or beanie.  This is your chance to wear your favorite hat and dress up at the same time.

This event is open, so you can invite family and friends, not just other Nokomis members.  This is one of our few age restricted events, however, so please remember 21 is the minimum age.  And, yes, the $25 ticket holds for our guests not just our members.

So now I must go and find that fez, tam, beret, fedora, bowler, cap, trilby, Panama hat, fascinator, bucket hat, turban, pith helmet, newsboy cap, ascot cap, pork pie hat, sun hat, toque, gambler hat, sombrero cordobes, Homburg, duck bill cap, kettle brim hat, driver cap, outback or Aussie hat or Kentucky Derby Photo Hat. Hmmmm?!

Or maybe a pilos, petasos, chupalla, church hat, Kofia, cappella Romano, busby, caubeen, deerstalker, selakot, berretina or Hardee hat....

A bonnet, a cowl, crown, tiara, mariachi sombrero...

Looking for the Journey to Babble? It’s a week later.

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Well, it's the weekend of the 6th of May, and you're expecting the Journey to Babble Tour.  You might have also figured that we've moved it to one week later, after the meeting on the 13th.

This is the third year of the Journey to Babble Tour.  The third installment is just a little different than the first two.  First, we’re having after the General Membership meeting, so we’re reducing it from four stops to three.   Second, Babble isn’t just for beer any more.

We’re starting with a food and brew at a brewpub, next cocktails at a local distillery, and then creative drinks and fun at an artist-drive venue with more than just food and drink.    Enjoy!

The monthly meeting is at the Mounds View Public Library, where we'll start out at around 2:00PM if all goes well.

 

Town Hall Brewery
1430 S. Washington Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Phone: (612) 339-8696
www.townhallbrewery.com		 Cozy, brick-walled brewpub & restaurant with house &
guest taps, patio seating and eclectic bar bites.		 2:30 PM - 4: 00 PM
Tattersall Distilling
1620 Central Ave NE #150
Minneapolis, MN 55413
Phone: (612) 584-4152
tattersalldistilling.com 		Located in the Historic Thorp Building. Built in 1902, the Thorp Building
was originally home to Thorp Doors. During World War II, General Mills
Mechanical Division occupied the building to secretly manufacture
highly classified military equipment — namely the Norden Bomb Sight.		 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Can Can Wonderland
755 Prior Ave N
St Paul, MN 55104
Phone: (651) 925-2261
cancanwonderland.com		 We offer a truly unique, 18-hole artist designed, indoor mini golf course.
We have a couple bars…we might have a secret bar! We have noshes! We even have
a few unicorns. Try cocktails named  “Old Fashioned Mastadon”,
“Wonder Mary”, ”Strip & Go Naked”, and of course, “That Carrot Drink”Mini golf is $12 for 18 really creative holes.		 6:00 PM - whenever