Hello Colonials!

I have a few announcements that I think will be of great interest to you all.

First of all, I need to reinforce a policy that we have always had in place here at the Battlestar Galactica Fan Club. This has never been an issue, but I felt a need to restate our position on this...specifically membership in this organization.

The position of the Battlestar Galactica Fan Club is this: We do not & never will discriminate against any potential or current member based upon: Race, Sex, Religion, Ethnicity, Country of National Origin, Handicap, Age or Sexual Orientation.

The only requirement we are looking for is that YOU be a fan of Battlestar Galactica...and not a spammer...now those we can do without.

The next announcement is in regards to the new Battlestar Galactica film project...and no I'm not about to announce a green light on it just yet either!

There have been many stories floating around for the past year or so in particular about the film taking off, about to go into production, hiring this writer, that writer, this director etc. It appears...in other words...that it's in what is quaintly put as "development hell".

A couple of years ago & working with Richard Hatch this Fan Club initiated a series of letter writing campaigns to get the so called "Powers That Be" to get off their collective asses and do something for the fans.

Obviously, Richard Hatch was the torch that everyone followed and he was the catalyst...and through his efforts and the obvious passion of the fans...said powers gave the world a new Battlestar Galactica.

That wouldn't have happened without the energy & belief of the fans. 'It seems that now we have reached the point once again when the fans need to get Universal's attention (how quickly they forget!).

In short...we are going to call for a new letter writing campaign! We are simply going to state that the fans support the idea of a film project (any project for that matter) but that we 1) Want to see action on this front 2)We want it to embrace the mythology of the franchise...this has to be recognizable as Battlestar Galactica in order to BE Battlestar Galactica.

In the next week or so we are going to roll out a form letter & an example envelope that you will be able download. We are going to ask ALL OF YOU once the ball that gets rolling to simply send a letter a week to the address specified. The letter will not change & it's only going to one place...to the desk of the CEO of Universal Studios.

All you will have to do aside from mailing that weekly letter is sign it. More on that once we have the letter and sample envelope available. Bear in mind there may be weeks when we double up on mailings as well...but believe me, good old fashioned mail gets attention...email doesn't come in the form of bags and bags of mail being delivered saying one thing.

It gets attention & it gets results...Bjo Trimble proved that years ago with Star Trek...just as we did with Battlestar Galactica and WILL DO again! Please be watching for this, we really need your collective support...and remember that YOU can make a difference! Something else I will have to say, in light of Richard Hatch's recent passing...that I believe his fondest wish was for Battlestar Galactica to continue...this was something he constantly stated...either in word and/or action.

He understood that BSG is bigger than one person & really the sum of it's parts...and the fans are a very, very important part of all this.

More on that as details are available, so stay tuned to this Bat Channel!

The next announcement...speaking of Richard...is something that all of you will really be able to sink your teeth into...literally.

I knew Richard for 18 years or so and one thing I found out rather quickly is that he really loved Japanese Steak Houses...and Sake! No, really...and I think more than one of you out there have been with Richard at one of these outings.

So, I thought...let's all have dinner, shall we not? May 21st is Richard's birthday, so in celebration of his birth and his life...I suggest we all go to a Japanese Steak House and have some Sake in his honor!

Specifically, here is the plan: I need to hear back from people who are willing to organize a dinner in their particular locality...once we have that established we will make those names available to the membership here.

For instance, we'll say John Smith in Erie PA is going to organize a local dinner...if you are in the general area and can attend, you email John Smith on his BFC account so he can get a head count of guests. John Smith makes the reservation at his local eatery and everyone meets there!

Simple?

Richard Hatch - Celebration Day on May 20th (one day before his Birthday) and you are all invited.

Bear in mind this is not for profit (except for the eatery in question of course) & you pay for your own dinner. You KNOW you are going to be eating dinner at night anyway, right?

It will give everyone a chance to break bread with each other and share stories...or in the parlance, talk story...and remember Richard in a way that he would have liked.

I will be organizing the dinner in Los Angeles...and everyone can reach me here who live in L.A. & the surrounding area who think they can make it...folks, lets make that at 7pm Saturday May 20th!

Just remember Japanese Steak House (your choice!) and the Sake (except you who will be driving...sorry no Sake for you!).

It doesn't matter if the gathering's area 5 people, 15 people or 50 people...it is the thought and spirit behind it.

And think of all those great pictures to share! OK, so I'm wanting to hear back from the L.A. crowd...let me know how many I need to make reservations for...and let me hear back from ALL of you who want to host in your area... Keep the Faith!

So Say We All!

Shawn O'Donnell

President

Battlestar Galactica Fan Club