Category: Uncategorized

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

TCRSF ’26 was Out-Standing!

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This year's Regional Science Fair(s) went off as planned, even with a great many changes in the last month.   The most notable were new, nicer but smaller location, and resulting two fairs in one.

There were two sessions this year, one for the middle school in the morning, a second for High School at the regular time. It made for a longer day, but certainly warmer and easier to hear.

Did you ever wonder how to see nerve damage in a mouse?  Restart muscle motor reaction in injury patient?  Did you need to figure how to use AI to spot AI deepfake (with an app)? How do the Magnetic Brakes work in Roller Coasters?  Well, a lot of kids wondered about these and even more, with research, experiments, and real data to back them up, not just Internet opinions and memes.  I found it refreshing to see students get their ideas from pop culture, but test them with scientific method and in many cases learn the facts vs believing the hype.

Finally, let me thank all the Nokomis folks who I spotted at the event, and who responded with grace and enthusiasm when things changed under our feet:  Jim (AM and PM), Mary (AM and PM), Rich (PM) , Lynne (AM and PM), Phill (AM, PM and Sunday Awards), and Grover (AM).  I was happy to see you!

Mark your calendar - the event will be back on last Friday in February, 2027 and back in the larger, single event Coliseum.

MN Loons at Allianz Field – Group Outing

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Phill G is looking to set up a group outing to the MN Loons MLS Soccer Team.  We're looking at a weekday night in the summertime, in July or August.  The 2026 FIFA World Cup takes place this year, greatly reducing the number of games and forcing most of the remaining ones to the weekend.  That makes our best bet, pending Club agreement, August 19th at 7:30 PM vs Atlanta.

The pre-game activities are fun as well, so plan on arriving about 6PM.  Parking is street or lot parking in the area, there isn't a lot (pun intended) at Allianz park. The food and drink selection are excellent, no need to rush a dinner before heading to the game.

To keep stair climbing to a minimum, we'd like to sit in the lower level (closer to the field) as close to midfield as we can.  Tickets in that range are about $85 each.  Phill has set up a signup sheet for all interested.  On or about the May meeting, Phill will ask for final commitments and then reserve tickets for the group.

Changes at TCRSF – Please Read Carefully!

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The 2026 Twin Cities Regional Science Fairs have made some stunning changes fairly late in the Game.

The Location:  The event has moved from Coliseum to the North End Event Center, on Murphy Avenue between Cooper and Cosgrove. 

Second:  The Fair is now split into two events, with the Middle School kids' fair in the Morning of Friday, Feb 27th and the High School Fair in the evening.

For all the details, see TCRSF's Fair Weekend Details  The highlights:

Middle school

  • Volunteers arrive at 7:30 AM, with kids check-in starting at 8:30 AM.
  • Judging from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM
  • Kids will remove all projects on Friday to make room for the High School Fair, to be completed by 1:30 PM

High School

  • Later Volunteers arrive at 1:30 PM
  • Students check in and set up 2:00 PM to 3:45 PM
  • Judging from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM (or later if needed)
  • Tentatively 8:30 PM the high school kids will remove their projects.

Reminder: parking for our event is free. For 2026, we are at the North End Event Center at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds (while the coliseum is being renovated). Judges and volunteers are treated to a catered dinner buffet on Friday, February 27, 2026, 4 pm to close.

Sunday, March 1 is the Award Ceremony, back at the Event Center

  • 11:00 Am - 12:00 PM Students arrive, pick up packets and ribbons
  • 12:00 PM to about 2:00 PM - Award Ceremony and Final Cleanup

Please make note of questions or comments and we'll do our best to find answers.

  • Phill

Polar Plunge – Help our Members Help Special Olympics

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The Polar Plunge is a series of events where people go to the extreme to support Special Olympics Minnesota. It's is the biggest fundraiser for Special Olympics Minnesota. All funds raised by Plungers help Special Olympics Minnesota provide year-round training and services to thousands of athletes with intellectual disabilities across the state.

The Polar Plunge is presented by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, a movement of volunteers dedicated to increasing awareness and funds for Special Olympics Minnesota athletes across the state.

At least two of our members led by Scott Hill under the team name USS Nokomis Away Team will be testing their mettle in St Peter, MN on February 7th.  They'll jump through a hole in the ice to help Special Olympics.  You can add your support in a couple of ways

  1. Plunge yourself.  Go to reg.plungemn.org/team/ussnokomisawayteam to join the team
  2. Donate to the team at reg.plungemn.org/team/ussnokomisawayteam.
  3. Either way, Show up in St Peter that day to support the Away Team!

Let's all help our team help the Special Oympics Kids.

Feed My Starving Children in Coon Rapids on January 28th

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For more than 15 years we've been packing food for needy people at Feed My Starving Children's Coon Rapids location.   This January we'll be at the Coon Rapids packing location, serving from 5:00PM to 6:30 PM, earlier than we've typically done.  Their address is 401 93rd Ave NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55433 .

We've promised 10 people and, along with extended friends, would love to have even more. Please go right ahead and sign up, you don't need to call Mary separately.   To go directly to our group, click this link to the Nokomis group. If that fails, go to FMSC.ORG's volunteer page and type NOKOMIS in the "Looking for a Specific Group?" box.  We're committed to 10 spots but more will certainly be welcome - they are still more than 60 slots available as of the beginning of December.

You don't have to be a member to join us - bring family and friends too, it's fun!

After the session, we'll linger in the area for a Happy Hour meal at The Muddy Cow, less than 1 mile from the packing site.

Dec 13th – Club Holiday Gathering at Jax

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We're planning a holiday dinner outing to Jax Cafe on December 13th.  We we lucky to get the reservations - just a few days later Jax Cafe, a Northeast Minneapolis institution, wins "Restaurant Legends" bracket contest. Not bad for a place with a 90+ year track record, and recently reopened after some major repairs.  I'm looking forward to seeing the space. Dinner is set earlier that most times - see Mary for all the details.

Reservations are now closed. See the 25 folks who signed up on Saturday!

Country Holiday Roundup – 50/50 Cash Draw Results

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The Nokomis held a 50/50 Cash Draw at the October 26th Country Holiday Roundup.  Charitable Proceeds went to Christmas for Veterans, an assistance program that helps our Vets have the holiday they couldn't on their own.  This year's total tickets raised the highest amount we've ever had - thank you to all how participated and donated.

Our lucky winners in 2026 were Lynne Tauer and Phill Goldman, longtime members of the Nokomis and part of the team that puts on this event every year.  Congratulations!