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Colonials,

Two new convention Banners will be making its debut next week that will be representing not only Battlestar Raven, but the mother club ,  Battlestar Galactica Fan Club. These two new convention banners of course will be accompanied by the Raven's original banner as well.  The two banners will also become what I call "the Traveling Banners".  It means, where the Raven is being represented by other members of Battlestar Raven other than myself, these banners will be there.  The original Raven banner if far too important and precious to be shipped around as it contains signatures from cast members of both the TOS BSG Series and RDM Series.  Those signatures were obtained by those Raven Members who were with me at Galacticon 3, as a gift to me which I dedicate to my whole Staff and Crew.  Without them, there is NO Raven.  I am approaching my second year as her Commanding Officer this coming August 1, 2014. And I will say this, it has been such an honor and such a pleasure so far, leading a group that is full of class act and talented members.  The Raven has truely indeed evolve!  And as I stated early this year, it will be THE YEAR OF THE RAVEN!

So Say We All!

DragonLady

BFC Vice President

Commanding Officer-Battlestar Raven-BFC 002

Hello Colonials!
I bid you a good day or evening...depending on when you read this!
Though it took a little playing catch up, with these two Hero awards we are now currently up to date with them.
Without further ado, (and with all thanks to the Battlestar Wiki in this regard)...our TWO newest Hero's!).

Arlene Martel is an American actress whose TV career stretches as early as 1958, starring in many popular (now considered "classic") shows such as Death Valley Days,' The Twilight Zone, Bewitched, and Columbo.
Many science fiction fans may remember Ms. Martel best as the betrothed, scheming Vulcan wife of Mr. Spock, T'Pring, in the episode "Amok Time" from the original Star Trek series.
Ms. Martel guest-starred as Adulteress 58 in the Original Series episode, "The Long Patrol."

Larry Cedar is the actor who played Cadet Shields in the Original Series episode, "The Gun on Ice Planet Zero, Part I".

His work in the Star Trek franchise includes the roles of Nydrom in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's "Armageddon Game", Jal Tersa in Star Trek: Voyager's "Alliances", and Tessic in Star Trek: Enterprise's "Marauders".
He has also appeared in Stargate SG-1 as Prior #2 in the Brad Turner-directed episode, "Origin".

Now you may wonder WHY I called this message "Dinner with a friend"...well, let me tell you (and from personal experience too!)...conventions are a GREAT way to bond and find fellowship while you break bread with someone...over the years I've had some very interesting dinner companions in the atmosphere of conventions...some famous, some not...but ALL were people I would sit down to dinner with again.

For instance, the aforementioned Arlene Martel....yup, I had lunch with T'Pring!

Last year as matter of fact...actually with Arlene, Richard Hatch, Kate Vernon & her Personal Assistant Lynda King...NOW don't get me wrong, I'm not personally boasting about who I have meals with, have had or will have...I AM trying to say that YOU all have (when you go to a Con) the opportunity to do the same...in this case share a table with fellow fans (and friends) & some of those people you see on television or film.

There is also Sci-Con in beautiful Tampa Florida...and I AM looking forward to spending some time in Florida for this one!

Something a little different...though not a Con but an acting workshop is Columbia Gorge Acting Intensive

later this year...

Of course the big Kahuna in all this is of course Galacticon IV

The biggest Battlestar Galactica event at any time....and while next years event will include guests from other shows...the overriding premise is based upon Battlestar Galactica and it's stars...and OF COURSE I will be at this one!

So get out there and have dinner!

Bon Appetit!

So Say We All!

Shawn O'Donnell

President

Battlestar Galactica Fan Club

Fellow Colonials!
Hello to all & welcome as always to our newest members...we are always moving forward!
Finally able to get "caught up" from the whirlwind of activity that has been going on and as promised we are going to be catching up with our Hero's at last.
Without further ado, here we go:

Samuel Stewart "Sam" Witwer  is an American actor and musician. He has portrayed Lt. Crashdown in Battlestar Galactica, Davis Bloome in Smallville, and vampire Aidan Waite of the US/Canadian remake of BBC's supernatural drama series Being Human on Syfy in the US and Space in Canada. He also voiced main protagonist Galen Marek/Starkiller in the successful multimedia project Star Wars: The Force Unleashed as well as The Son & Darth Maul for Cartoon Network's Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008 TV series).

Kerry Norton is an English Actress & former gymnast.Kerry had a small part on the American TV series, Sabrina the Teenage Witch in 1996. The episode, entitled "A Girl and Her Cat", saw Norton putting her years of gymnast training to the test. Norton played the part of Lulu, a very flexible gymnastic witch, who was engaged to Sabrina's second cousin.
She has made several guest appearances on Battlestar Galactica as paramedic Layne Ishay (with her real-life husband as Major Lee 'Apollo' Adama). Ishay saves Commander Adama's life when shot by Sharon "Boomer" Valerii. She was in the first three episodes of season 2, "Scattered", "Valley of Darkness" and "Fragged", and a later episode entitled "Downloaded". She also appeared in the season 3 episode "Taking a Break from All Your Worries", and the season 4 episodes "A Disquiet Follows My Soul", "No Exit", "Islanded in a Stream of Stars" and "Daybreak, Parts 1 and 2".
She also played the leading role of Anne Alstein in The Screwfly Solution. She played the part of Maxi Purvis in Bad Girls' third and fourth series and was a member of the original cast of the touring play Seven Deadly Sins Four Deadly Sinners.
She also appeared in a Fairy Liquid television advertisement in 2010.

Colm Feore is a Canadian-American actor born in Boston, Massachusetts. Within the Galactica universe, Feore appears on-screen as Richard Adar, the President of the Twelve Colonies at the time of the Cylon attack.
Feore graduated from Ridly College in St. Catherines, Ontario, and attended the National Theater School in Montreal, Quebec. He became a member of the Acting Company at the famous Stratford Festival of Canada, where he performed such roles as Oberon in A Midsummer Night's Dream, Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew and the title characters in Richard III and Hamlet.
While not performing at Stratford, Feore appeared in minor roles in American and Canadian film and television productions. He shot to fame in Canada by portraying former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau in a 2002 CBC miniseries. The actress portraying Trudeau's then-wife Margaret, Polly Shannon, is the real-life girlfriend of Callum Keith Rennie, better known in Battlestar Galactica as Leoben Conoy, a Humanoid Cylon.
Feore is perhaps best-known internationally for his intelligent portrayals of varying characters as diverse as pianist Glenn Gould and Marcus Andronicus in the 1999 remake of Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus. He also portrayed the Necromongers' Lord Marshal in The Chronicles of Riddick. He recently appeared in the film Bon Cop, Bad Cop, which has become one of the highest-grossing Canadian films of all time.

And there you have it!

Major thanks to the resources of both wikipedia & the battlestar wikipeidia on all that!

Tomorrow a major announcement from Galacticon IV so stay TUNED!

So Say We All!

Shawn O'Donnell

President

Battlestar Galactica Fan Club

Colonials!
I bid you all a fond hello & a welcome to all our newest members as always.
Bear with us a bit, I was planning on kicking of this week with a bunch of hero awards but as it sometimes happens things tend to intervene (in this case Cons, news & scheduling)...but I do promise that in the near future though we will resume the hero's in an expanded version.
Sooo...having said all that, I will give all of you a short report regards the Anaheim WonderCon that the BFC recently attended (with yours truly).

Firstly, it was actually Battlestar Galactica "heavy"...Richard Hatch, Herb Jefferson, Kate Vernon & Kandyse McClure were all in attendance and though there wasn't any big "news" per se (the proposed movie being the 800 pound gorilla in the room), Richard was talking about Axanar, the newest Trek project that he is working on (albeit as a KLINGON!)
My good buddy Noel Guglielmi was also in attendance (The Walking Dead, Fast & The Furious, Training Day).
Always good to visit with him..and other friends.

Alicia Hollinger was a guest at the Battlestar Galactica Fan Club table with me (check out her art!), having just been featured in Heavy Metal magazine & putting out her newest book...I would say she is an artist on the rise!
Fan Club....and what I like to call BFC Team L.A. members Cliff Gardner & Herb Brunner came down along with my good friend and photographer supreme Chris Loomis.
I think if you everyone recalls from both Chris' site and Luciana Carro's Facebook page a few months back Chris did a fantastic photo shoot with Luciana in Hollywood..anyway, check out his site and her FB page.
There is always a different kind of vibe at Cons, which you all get...those of you who have been to one knows what I mean, but always fun.

This year there are several events that the Battlestar Galactica Fan Club will be present at...notably in Tulsa OK, Houston TX & Tampa FL.
Especially looking forward to Sci-Con in Tampa...gives me a chance to not only to visit Florida, but again to see friends.
That's what it's all about.
If I can distill it down to one basic thing...that thing that serves as the glue to all of this...(and I'm talking here about the collective fan support for Battlestar Galactica specifically while also taking into account the whole spectrum of Cons, networking and mutual support), I would have to say it all boils down to friendship.
I have been involved with Battlestar Galactica for the past 15 years and over that time, I have made lifelong friends in and out of the (entertainment) business...fans of Battlestar Galactica & other shows (and mind you, some of THOSE fans are actors & writers etc.), while some just have an abiding love for the show(s)....and THEY too are talented people in whatever path they follow.
I'm blessed to know those fans and direct participants (people like Richard Hatch, Bear McCreary and of course, etc)...so while you might say I'm on both sides of the fence...I find there is NO fence...get to a Con & you will see how quickly that perceived "fence" disappears!
Having said that I'm going to give two special shout outs...one for next years Galacticon IV (can't help it, I'm one of the Executive Producers!) & Gene Haggerty & Co's Sci-Con...really how much fun can one person have...?
(Well, many people having fun, but it's a personal perspective!).
Before I close...two things...DO NOT FORGET THIS: To ALL Battlestar Galactica fans, your deep and abiding love & faith keeps the franchise alive, your determination, your belief and your support keeps it going...any day and everyday you move mountains...and once again you have moved that mountain, the talk of the upcoming film has proved that, don't for one minute forget that it was YOU who directly influenced that decision so keep on pushing...don't sit back, shout LOUDER!
The other is that over the next several weeks we will be featuring the special Galaction IV spotlight on the stars interview series featuring our upcoming guests next year in Seattle...so you may learn a thing or two you didn't know before...and you'll see that as much as you go to a Con to see them, they are there just as much to see you!
Always remember to:
Keep The Faith!
So Say We All!

Shawn O'Donnell
President
Battlestar Galactica Fan Club

Photo's of Kate Vernon & Noel Guglielmi by Chris Loomis

Photo of Yasu Tano (Na'vi) by Shawn O'Donnell

Mr. Jack Stauffer will be appearing this weekend at the The Lousiana Science Fiction and Film Festival

in Baton Rouge Louisiana April 25th-27th.

Everyone knows Jack as Bojay from Battlestar Galactica, but his credit list goes a lot deeper...all the way from appearances on The Partridge Family to The Streets of San Francisco and Lois & Clark.

That is only scratching the surface & I haven't even mentioned his time on stage.

I WILL tell you this, having known Stauffer the past 15 years or so...you will NEVER find a more entertaining moment talking story & film with anybody else.

That being said, not because he is my friend, but because it's true...as far as Battlestar Galactica is concerned he is a piece of the legend and the real deal.

DO NOT MISS THE CHANCE to meet him...you'll be thrilled that you did!

Battlestar Galactica Forever!

So Say We All!

Good news, Battlestar Galactica fans: Universal is resurrecting plans for a film reimagining of the sci-fi franchise.

The project will be produced by series creator Glen Larson, according to Variety.

Battlestar Galactica previously had two lives on television. The first was in an ABC series that lasted from 1978 to 1979; the show, while low-rated, developed a cult following. In 2003, Ronald D. Moore and David Eick reimagined Battlestar Galactica as a three-hour miniseries; its success led to an acclaimed sci-fi series that ran from 2004 to 2009.

In Battlestar Galactica, humans (living on planets known as the Twelve Colonies) are engaged in a war against the Cylons, a cybernetic race that wants to exterminate the human race. A major attack devastates the Colonies, and leaves only one ship in the Colonial battle fleet — the Battlestar Galactica — intact. The survivors go off in search of a fabled thirteenth colony known as Earth.

Rumors of a Battlestar Galactica film have persisted for years, including speculation in 2009 that Bryan Singer was attached to direct. John Orloff was hired to write a script in 2011, according to Deadline.

The latest writer attached to the project is Jack Paglen. Paglen is also writing the screenplay for the Prometheus sequel, which starts shooting this fall, Variety reported.

Rather than using characteristics from the 1978 or 2004 series, the new film is supposed to be another reboot of the Battlestar Galactica world, but with a similar premise. The original plan back in 2009 was to keep characters such as Apollo, Starbuck and Baltar, albeit with different actors (and potentially different genders).

From Mashable by Christine Warren

Great audio message from Richard Hatch about #scicontampa http://scicontampa.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/richard-hatch-sct2-audio.mp3 — with Richard Hatch and 3 others.

Check out Sci-Con's Facebook Page at: https://www.facebook.com/SciConTampa and online at: http://scicontampa.com/

Battlestar Galatica Movie
April 7, 2014 | 02:20PM PT
Film Reporter
Dave McNary
Film Reporter @Variety_DMcNary

Universal is ramping up a movie version of the sci-fi franchise “Battlestar Galactica,” aiming to develop the film as a complete reimagining of the story.

“Transcendence” writer Jack Paglen has signed on to write the screenplay. Paglen has also committed to Ridley Scott’s “Prometheus” sequel for Fox that will start production this fall.

Original series creator Glen Larson will produce the “Battlestar Galactica” film.

There have been three “Galactica” TV series (including the brief “Galactica 1980″). The first, starring Lorne Greene and Richard Hatch, ran during the 1978-79 season and was centered on humans engaged in a lengthy war against a cybernetic race known as the Cylons while searching for Earth.

In 2003, a reimagined “Battlestar Galactica” miniseries aired on Sci Fi Channel. The second series, starring Edward James Olmos and Mary McDonnell, went on to run for four seasons.

In 2009, speculation emerged that Bryan Singer was attached to direct a “Battlestar Galactica” movie.

Universal’s exec VP of production Scott Bernstein and director of development Jay Polidoro are overseeing the latest version of “Battlestar Galactica” for the studio.

Warner Bros. will open “Transcendence,” starring Johnny Depp, on April 18.

Paglen is represented by ICM Partners and Lichter Grossman Nichols Adler and Feldman. Larson is represented by the Lichtman Group, manager Denny Bond of Management 3 as well as attorneys Neville Johnson, Douglas Johnson and James Ryan of Johnson & Johnson.

Ravens, Colonials and Friends, lend me your ears! ;-) :-)

Today, the Battlestar Raven (The Flagship Chapter of Battlestar Galactica Fan Club) is three years old! Looking back at where and how she got started, I cannot believe how far she has really come along. And this is really made possible because of her current Command Staff Members and Crew. The Raven has truely become more than just a Battlestar Chapter group when a CO can sit back from time to time without worry and watch your group run herself from the distance with efficiency as your other leaders knows when to step in and run things . When you see something like that, you know you have done your job guiding it to be the best it can be. With that said, we have a few things to announce and reveal.

First announcement! As you all know, the Battlestar Raven Battle Group has been recently established. With that said, we would like to introduce to all of you, Battlestar Raven's First Gunstar Escort:

The Trireme derives its name from its three rows of oars, manned with one man per oar. In modern languages the number in a word or phrase describing an arrangement of oars indicates the number in all. It was an ancient vessel and a type of galley that was used by the ancient maritime civilizations of the Mediterranean, especially the Phoenicians, ancient Greeks and Romans.

Gunstar Trireme is currently in dry dock waiting to be commissioned as it gathers her Command Staff Members and Crew. Her Command Staff Members will be revealed in due time. So if you think you have what it takes to be a Command Staff Member of the Raven's First Gunstar Escort, email me at the following email address to be considered:

battlestarraven002@gmail.com

The following positions on Gunstar Trireme has been filled already: Commanding Officer and Executive Officer. The other Command Staff positions are still opened as applications are being reviewed by me along with the Gunstar Trireme Commanding Officer.

Please keep in mind the current Fleet SOP's the Raven have to follow by set forth by the BFC Fleet Admiral when applying for a Command Staff Position on the Trireme:

http://battlestarfanclub.com/forum/topics/bfc-fleet-standard-operating-procedures-sop-and-guidance-pg-4

Our second announcement is very dear to all of us here on the Raven for we are a very TIGHT knit family here. When one is in need of help, we all pull together to help each other out. We do not leave anyone behind. There are a lot of us here that are parents and will do anything and everything for our children for they are our life. They are the continuation of our legacy in life.

On February 22, 2014, Zoe "Blossom" James, the four year old daugther of one of my Viper Pilots on the Raven (Justin "Hotwire" James), was diagnose with leukemia. Even though I have not met her in person, when I found out about it, it broke my heart. As a mother of three boys, I know it would be very hard for me to watch as a parent, if one of my children is suffering from leukemia. For me, the day I became a parent, is the day I stop living for myself. Everything from here on out, I do for my family. That is what being a parent is all about. And the same goes for the parents of Zoe "Blossom" James. She is a brave little girl and I love looking at the pictures her father includes me in and his other crewmates on the Raven. We are a family here on the Raven, so we do things as a family.

In Zoe's honor, the Command Staff Member of Battlestar Raven put their heads together to help the James Family. We came up with the following patch design, which we hope to turn this to an actual patch that will be avaible for purchase by anyone who so desires. All profits made from the patch sales, will go towards the James Family for their daughter Zoe. So without further ado, we would like to share with you the patch design for Team Zoe:

                                                                        Patch without the ribbon

                                                                       Patch with the ribbon

This patch was designed by our very own Interim Executive Officer on the Raven, Steve Tweed. And with the blessing of the Battlestar Galactica Fan Club President, Shawn O'Donnell, the Team Zoe Project has now also become a BFC Sponsored project. And we thank our mother site for that.  As the Flagship Chapter of Battlestar Galactica Fan Club, we personify what our mother site is all about. We are just more than a fan club but a loving community of family and friends, hailing from all corners of the world. No child at such a young age should have to endure the effects of leukemia. But leukemia has NO boundaries. Leukemia can affect people at any age: both young and old. So, we here on the Raven along with our mother site, dedicated this patch design not only to Zoe, but to those who are suffering from leukemia, to remain strong and keep the faith. The faith in "FIGHTING LEUKEMIA!" And we hope that you, our Families and Friends in the Battlestar Galactica Community, would join us in this
fight. 

And lastly, as the Commanding Officer of Battletar Raven, I would like to present this plaque to Zoe "Blossom" James, making her an Honorary Member on the Raven.  Your Raven Family loves you very much Zoe.  And we are all here for you:

With that said:  "ALL HANDS, THIS IS RAVEN ACTUAL! INITIATE PROJECT TEAM ZOE AND SHARE THEM TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS!"

HAPPY 3RD YEAR CHAPTER ANNIVERSARY RAVENS! KEEP LEADING THE WAY IN THE FLEET!  

FEEL THE BEAT OF THE RAVEN BATTLE GROUP AT : 

http://www.battlestarraven-bfc-002.com/

ALL RAVEN ADMINS, YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO!  

SO SAY WE ALL!

Regards,

Cherry "DragonLady"

BFC Vice President

Commanding Officer-Battlestar Raven-BFC 002

              PARTNERS IN CRIME FOREVER FROM THE START!  THERE IS NO TWO WAYS ABOUT IT!

I do not know what to give someone that already has everything on his birthday especially when it comes to science fiction.  Someone that constantly loves to text me everytime he is able to get his hands on a rare science fiction prop to add to his already enormous collection because he knows how much I drool over those rare props . One of these days like I told him on the side, I will visit his HQ and maybe "borrow" some for my collection ;-) :-)

Well before I get to the point of my post here, I just want to say something here first.  No formality here ( I am not speaking as the Battlestar Galactica Fan Club Vice President or CO of the Raven).  Just speaking to a friend one on one.  And for those that knows me, I DO NOT call everyone a friend unless they have earned my friendship!   

First off, I wanted to thank you Miguel in public for being there for me the moment my grandmother died.  You were the first person I spoke over the phone outside my immediate family when she died.  And that is the first time I have shed tears over the phone because I could not hold back my tears of sorrow anymore.  You know how much my grandmother meant to me because she raise me.  Just being a good friend who was there to listen was what I needed at that time.  That is why I am honored that you have made me your adopted sister.  Something I never imagine our friendship would evolve too.  The only thing I can give you back in return for being the friend that you have been to me, is my everlasting friendship.  Someone that will be there to always watch your back like a little sister would ;-)  There are lot of things money can buy!  And there are also a lot things money cannot buy!  And one of them is TRUE FRIENDSHIP!   And that is what I promise to give you!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KRASH!  And you know I will get you back for calling me "old " over the phone today  because I called you old too. Hey,  I am younger than you still and with more hair! Don't ever forget that! HAHAH!  ;-) :-)  I hope you enjoyed your flight on Cessna for your birthday!  Be safe and see you around the BFC site!  And like I told you over the phone today, I owe you dinner the next time we see each other whenever or wherever it will be.  And you owe your version of ambrosia like the one we didn't get the chance to do during Galacticon 3. ;-)

Your friend forever,

Cherry "DragonLady"

Good Evening Ravens and Friends of Battlestar Raven,

I just wanted to take a moment to quickly thank my crew on the Raven especially my Command Staff, for taking care of the young lady for me while I was gone on a personal leave of absense due to losing the very person that raise me since I was a small child:  my grandmother!  It is never an easy thing losing a love one especially the very person that instilled in me my family oriented personality that I have.  Whatever family values I adhere to and who I am as a person in real life, is all because of my grandmother.  She was everything to me! 

And to my Ravens, you have really proven yourself that you have really come a long way as a group by sticking together in the absense of your Commanding Officer!  Not only have you come a long way, but you have also shown that you are more than just a Battlestar Chapter Group.  You have also shown that you are a Family of Friends!  It is the "Evolution" I was very happy to see happen from the distance!  For those that has been with the Raven from the very beginning since she was known as the Tiger Claw, you know what I am talking about what she was like and where she use to stand status wise as a group!

I would also like to thank all my Ravens, for the video salute you made for the Raven and dedicating it to me!  To my Interim Executive Officer on the Raven, Steve "Kreios" Tweed, thank you for putting the video together.  When I saw the final message at the end of the video, it help lifted my spirits so I can make the journey to pay my last respect to my grandmother!  I could not have ask for a better crew than the ones I have on the Raven!  The Year 2014 will INDEED be THE YEAR OF THE RAVEN as she is already off to such a great start by her "Evolution" to being more than just a Battlestar Chapter Group that her members can be proud off!

Kreios will remain in command of the Raven until I am ready to return to the helm!  I still have a few more things I need to catch up to and just want some time to myself!  But, I will be working behind the scene and watching out for the Raven and getting things lined up for her as fast as I can for her upcoming 3rd Year Chapter Anniversary in March!  I know one person on the Raven is dying to tell me stories about his Vipers not being returned to him without a scratch  ( Senior Chief Petty Officer Ronald "Cueball" Beaton) and just wants for me to listen to him scream and vent.  Until that time I return to the helm of the Raven, Chief Beaton, you can scream at Kreios in the meantime if you have a complaint about your Vipers LOL!  ;-) :-)

Regards,

DragonLady

Battlestar Galactica Fanclub Vice President

Commanding Officer-Battlestar Raven-BFC 002

2014 is almost upon us regardless of where one is here in the US.  It is already 2014 in some parts of the country.  I just wanted to quickly take this moment, to wish my wonderful crew here aboard Battlestar Raven, a very Happy New Year.  I want to thank all of you for an awesome year.  You guys make my job as Commander, an easy one.  Although it is still an untested and young crew, but in that short period of time, her crew came together, both old and new, to make her the shining star in the fleet (Colonial Alliance). 

And to my Interim XO, Steve Tweed, I read what you wrote finally in details.  Thank you for your kind words.  I appreciate all the support you guys have given me.  The Raven’s success is not due to me, it is because of ALL OF YOU, her loyal and supportive members.  I was quite surprise at what I read.  I never expected that one.  I smiled when I read it because looking back, I never wanted to command a battlestar chapter.  I was always satisfied just being the person behind the scene making things happen.  But looking at it now, I guess I can honestly say, I am glad I did accept command of the Raven for I would not have it any other way anymore.  The best part about being a battlestar chapter commander is helping ones chapter become successful and meet lots of new friends along the way.  You become a family of friends.

And lastly, I had to really ponder what to say to this person for he really made me speechless at what he wrote and revealed.  To my very good friend of many years now, Miguel Rivera, what are you trying to do?  Make me cry this past Christmas Eve?  I wish you would have told me.  I had no clue you were responding to that BSG Hero Award you received in that manner until you text me and told me to look.  I was eating some icecream (cookies and cream which you and I both like) in a cone for dessert.  Miguel, I did not really know what to say on your revelation other than, I am very happy and shocked at the same time.  I mean looking at the trials and tribulations our friendship went through, one cannot help and be thankful that we both found the way to make our once fragile friendship survive, re-forge, and made it even stronger and evolve to something totally unexpected!  The way you put how our friendship was forge, is strange but very unique and true!  Through those trials and tribulations, we learned from our mistakes and took those mistakes to help make things better for our members and to never repeat the same error that cause us to nearly went our separate ways. And you are right, there are just those people whose goal in life is to just suck the fun out in a fan club because they are selfish and only think of themselves.  They are motivated by jealousy and always have a hidden agenda!  NOTHING ELSE!  Those kind of people I really don't have any respect for at all, until they make an effort to change for the better. And you know me by now, that I will NOT hesitate to tell those people off.   One thing I will tell you Miguel, I WILL ALWAYS be there for you wherever the both of us will be in the future, just as you have for me!  And happiness will indeed reign again when we see each other at whatever convention we will end up being there together.  Adopted sister huh? Well that means you have to share your toys with your younger one so she doesn’t have to kidnap them (well maybe some) when she comes for a visit ;-) :-)   The feeling is mutual Miguel! And I am VERY PROUD to be that adopted sister. :-)  And that I freely admit out in the open!

In closing, to my wonderful crew here on Battlestar Raven,  this I promise to all of you as your Commanding Officer, that in 2014, I will work further harder to help make the Raven truly the brightest star of them all in the Colonial Fleet (Colonial Alliance).  A blessed HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!!!!!  Battlestar Raven will resume normal operations on JANUARY 2, 2014.  I want all Department Heads to give me a SITREP on your departments upon resuming normal operations.  THAT IS ALL!   

THANK YOU FOR A WONDERFUL 2013!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And I am very proud of all of you here on the Raven and truly an honor to be your Commander!

So Say We All!

Cherry "DragonLady"

Battlestar Galactica Fan Club Vice President

Commanding Officer-Battlestar Raven-BFC 002

http://www.battlestarfanclub.com

http://www.battlestarraven-bfc-002.com

Greetings Fellow Members,

            I wanted to take a moment and say a few words here to everyone here.  First I want to salute all the members of the Battlestar Fan Club, Colonial Defense Forces and Colonial Cylon Alliance as well as members from other communities.  Over the course of this year we have had great success and made just as great strives in all areas.  Whether it is recruiting new members, making new friends or sharing adventures at conventions.  WE AS A WHOLE have done exceptional and deserve a handshake as well as hearty HELL YEAH!! all around great job to ALL OF YOU! The Colonial Alliance is a great success because of you the members who have joined us from around the world, thank you.

            Attention to my fellow Colonial Officers and Crews serving on BFC Ships here.  I want to say thank you for your continued support in everything i do.  I greatly appreciate you all for being very supportive to your individual ships.  It is vitally important that you all continue to help your chapters grow and be successful.  It is about conviction, dedication and being humble.  I am very proud all you all from the guy at the CIC manning Helm Control,  to the Snipe down in Engineering,  to the Deck Hand performing maintenance,  to the Colonial Marines who stand the watch!  The list goes on and you know who you are and if you forget I am here to remind you.  You are a FAN OF BATTLESTAR GALACTICA…  In your hearts and soul we all carry the LEGACY which guides every COLONIAL WARRIOR in the FLEET!   Keep up the great work and as the new year quickly approaches.  We say farewell to 2013 and embrace 2014 as a new beginning to live and enjoy with families and friends.  Regardless if you are here in the United States or in a different country around the Globe the mission is the same.  Bringing and sharing Battlestar Galactica with fellow Fans and introducing it to new one, so they can join us!  

            Let us all remember and cherish these words which still continue to echo through time and remain timeless for all eternity.  Spoken by none other then Lorne Greene, (Commander Adama),  “There are those who believe...that life here began out there, far across the Universe...with tribes of humans...who may have been the forefathers of the Egyptians...or the Toltecs...or the Mayans...that they may have been the architects of the Great Pyramids...or the lost civilizations of Lemuria...or Atlantis.   

           Some believe that there may yet be brothers of man...who even now fight to survive—somewhere beyond the heavens!”

           May the Lords of Kobol Bless every one of you as we come together to celebrate a wonderful Merry Christmas and Happy New Years with your Family and Friends around the world.  Also please take a moment to say a prayer for those who are less fortunate, but continue to do their BEST!!  Especially those hard hit by natural disasters that still need our prayers and support.  Please post and share your random acts of kindness here.  Thank you all and be safe  ~SALUTES~.

Colonials and Crew of Battlestar Raven,

Greetings from our Nations Capital!  Christmas is just right around the corner so I  and just wanted to quickly take my time and wish each and everyone of you especially my wonderful crew on Battlestar Raven and your families,  HAPPY HOLIDAYS and a Merry Christmas to all of you regardless of where you are located in the world. 

I also wanted to personally thank my crew on Battlestar Raven, for a wonderful year.  December 1, 2013, mark my 16 months of being the Raven Commander.  I will never get tired of saying, the Raven has really come a long way and this is because of each and everyone of you serving on board the Raven.  Your dedication, hard work and loyalty made all her success possible.  NOT ME!  I was just there to guide the Raven back to the right path to be where she needed to be.  I would also like to thank all members of the Raven Friends and Family Circle for all the support you have all given to the Raven.  Her success would not have been possible if it weren't for all of your support as well.

As the new year fast approaches, 2014 will be another YEAR OF THE RAVEN!  She has a lot of good things going on for her and her crew this coming year.  I wish I can say more, but I don't want let the cat out of the bag so to speak :-)  The Raven Crew will just have to wait patiently.  ;-) :-) 

With the holidays upon us, I want my crew on the Raven to have some down time for themselves which they have earned it.  So effectively immediately, BATTLESTAR RAVEN IS HEREBY ORDERED TO STAND DOWN!  Please use this time to relax, be with your love ones just like I am doing for the holidays or however you want to spend you Christmas holiday. I want all of you to be safe while you are on leave because I need all of you back on the Raven to help me tackle a big year ahead of us.  I cannot do it without each and everyone of your help and support for I am only but one person.   Business on the Raven will resume on January 2, 2014.  Also, I encourage all of you to share any photos you might take of yourself and your love ones showing how you celebrate your holidays on the Raven Facebook page.  At least, this will allow all your other fellow Raven Members from all around the globe, to get a glimpse of what you are like as a person.  This way, they will at least get to know you a bit even though you might not have met in person just yet. 

I wish you all the best and once again, HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU AND YOUR LOVE ONES! 

Regards,

Cherry "DragonLady and Family

Battlestar Galactica Fan Club Vice President

Commanding Officer-Battlestar Raven-BFC 002

PROMOTION LIST:  RAVEN HALL OF PROMOTION

To All Colonials and Ravens,

As I get back into the swing of things from my R & R, December is the month where I wanted to recognize the following Ravens on this promotion cycle, for their loyal and continued service to the Raven especially while I was on my R & R.  It really does help having quality members because it makes it easier for a Commander to take a break and do the things one needs from time to time in real life with ones family and love ones.  I believe in having quality members rather than quantity.  Any chapter can have so many members but if only a few are active, I would personally rather have those those small amount of good people rather than just bodies as I have seen from experience. And the Raven has been blessed with so many good members from all around the world. And this month promotion list are some of those members that have really proven themselves they are just not here for the ficticious rank or position they are given and assigned to but rather they are here for the fun, friendship and comraderie the Raven gives them as members.  There is an old saying that what you put into your membership is what you get out of it. I took into consideration the following things:

1.  Time in service

2.  The amount of participation  (whether it be on the Raven media outlets such as FB, Twitter or the BFC website)

3.  Loyalty to ones group

4.  The effort one puts into the group no matter how little they can put in ( I don't ask anyone to do what they do 24/7.  Remember, real life comes first and we ALL do this for fun only in the spirit of BSG)

So without further ado, please JOIN ME in congratulating these individuals for their loyal and continued service. The promotion is effective immediately.   I look forward to announcing the list of names again on the next promotion cycle. 

To the following Ravens on the this promotion list, A BIG CONGRATULATIONS to all of you from yours truely, your Commander.  And thank you for everything!  I already have the bartender on the ship lounge bring out the finest ambrosia there is aboard the Raven for all of you.  

But I better not see anyone of you come close to the lounge until you are ALL OFF DUTY.  No drinking on the job!  I hope I made myself clear.  I will also bring some of my very own homemade "HOOCH".  It is something I have learned to make while spending those times down in Engineering as  CEO of Battlestar Aries.  ;-)  :-)   I had to keep myself occupied whenever I was off duty while Admiral Rivera sits on his comfortable office and I am sweating down in Engineering when I was on the Aries ;-) 

Regards,

~Raven Actual

PS.  I would like to note that there are more people who deserve to be promoted but are not eligible on this promotion cycle.

Wizard World:  Austin Texas was a blast!  But before I start, I would like to say a very BIG THANK YOU, to all those that were able to come and help out at the Raven table:

-Honorary Raven Member:  Robert Ybarra

-Honorary Member:  Ruth Anne

-Raven Colonial Marine NEW NCOIC- Corporal Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

- Jr and Little Eddie (Little Ravens)

I could not have done it without their help.  Wizard World was so busy with lines of people trying to get in.  I ran into several familiar faces especially two people I did not expect to see there from the Paintball Community I belong too.  When I saw both of them at the table and Robert Ybarra was talking to the both of them, this gentleman looked over towards me and said "DragonLady???? What are you doing here?"  I looked at him and said "Oh no!!!  Oh geez!"  And we just gave each other a hug!  I said to him "Fallout, what are you doing here?  I never figured you to be a science fiction type person!"  Well apparently he is!  We got him to join BFC!  But before we parted, I told him on the side, "You did not see me here and I won't tell your secret either!"  And we both laughed!  In the paintball community, I am someone that is known and had developed a reputation for being a player that plays hard and someone you don't want to mess with but a fair player.  In this sport, the way you command yourself, is what determines how people see you as a player.  And I have worked hard maintaining my good and well respected reputation.  So it was really good to see people from my paintball community and loves science fiction like I do at Wizard World in Austin this weekend!  This was a total surprise.  We gave this individual his callsign "Fallout" because during one of his first game at our old homefield (122 acres in size) he suffered a heat stroke in front his son.  His son was shouting loud asking someone to help his father out!  Robert and I happened to be right there close by them so we came to his rescue and helped him out.  He was with our group of people defending the location we were at.   We helped him out until the field doctor arrived and got him to his clinic.  He had to be helped off the field.  We checked on him after we all came off the field for a break.  From then on, the rest was history........ :-)

I also would like to thank our Raven Member and Model builder:  Phillip Cocking, for representing the Raven and BSG as a whole, at a memorabilia exhibition in Birmingham, United Kingdom, this past weekend as well.  Just check these beautiful photos of the Raven in the TOS version that he send me with her own rag-tag fleet:

Thank you Phillip for representing us and BSG as a whole.  It goes to show you everyone, that no matter where you are at, you can represent the group you belong too and show your love for BSG as a whole in your own little way and we will be behind you and support you.

Lastly, I wanted to say a special thank you to our very own Raven Colonial Marine Member and NEW Raven Marine NCOIC:  Corporal Paul "Iceworm" Oakley!  He was there with me the whole entire duration that I was there at the convention.  He helped me carry things that I brought with me  for the Raven and set up the table.  We tag teamed talking to fans that came by the table and promote not only the Raven, but BFC and Galacticon 4.  We accomplished a lot of things that day and at the same time, enjoy doing it. I have to honestly say, he went above and beyond the mission the Raven Marine OIC gave him.  And for that, I thank him!  Now, I have to make some more flyers, sign up sheets, business cards , ready for whenever the next convention appearance the Raven will be showing up to.

SO SAY WE ALL!

Regards,

~Raven Actual

RAVEN MARINES AND FELLOW RAVENS,

There is a change of personnel within the Marine Ranks!  After pondering for some time now and watching from the distance, I made the decision to select this individual to be my second right hand person and in charge of the Raven Marines when I am not around.  This individual has done a lot of great things for the Raven since joining the Raven this past May.  He has a great attitude and knows how to deal and speak to people from my observation.  They say a great leader will surround oneself with good people that they can trust and rely and will communicate with them.  And I feel I can trust and rely on this person to help me build the Raven Marine rank!  After speaking with the Raven Command (Raven Commander and current Interim-XO), to see whether they have any objections of my selection of him, I have decided to make his selection official today.

So without further ado, I would like to announce the selection of Corporal Paul "Iceworm" Oakley, as the new Raven Marine NCOIC.  So please join me in CONGRATULATING Corporal Oakley in his new position.

Also, thank you for a job well done during the Wizard World Convention in Austin, Texas.  You have done well providing security for our Commander and let her accomplished the mission she was set out to do!  TEAM WORK is the key to a successful mission!

SEMPER FI MARINE! :-)

-Major Eduardo "Enforcer"

Raven Marine OIC

Colonials,

It is now time for another BSG Hero Award this week.  But before that, just a reminder to everyone, please do not forget that we have two cons happening this weekend at the same time where we will have  BFC represented.  One is the Long Beach Comic Con headed by our very own BFC President Shawn O’Donnell.    He will be sharing a space with Herb Jefferson Jr.  and also President O'Donnell buddy Noel  Gugliemi  from the Walking Dead.  He has been talking to him a lot about this convention so he is very thrilled to be meeting the fans there.  They will be talking about Battlestar Galactica, Galacticon 4, the Walking Dead or it could be anything if our BFC President has his way :-)

That same weekend down South, Battlestar Raven will be representing Battlestar Galactica Fan Club at Wizard World in Austin, Texas  headed personally by yours truly.  We will be there to meet and greet the fans and talk about the club and the Raven and also to help promote Galacticon 4.   So whether you are down South or over at the West Coast, don’t hesitate stop by at anyone of the tables we will have there.

Also, if anybody is not familiar with the Rockethut, it is a crowdfunding site that allows events, shows or even movies to be financed.  This is one of the ways that we want to help finance Galacticon IV aside from ticket sales.  It allows each and everyone of you to not only be a vital part of the campaign but you can get awesome cool stuff in the process.  So please do not hesitate to come and check out the site at:

http://www.rockethub.com/projects/29125-galacticon-iv

You can participate on it for as little as $10.00 dollars and be a part of the action.

Now, for the BSG Hero Award of the Week!

The recipient of the BSG Hero Award this week is no stranger to the BSG Community but also in the fandom community as a whole.  He has been a long time science fiction fan since he was a young child.  His love for science fiction can only be match by his golden heart and tireless effort  in not only promoting BSG but helping others in the fandom community as a whole. He always makes time for anyone that needs help.

My love for cosplay really took off because of this person when I became his Chief Engineering Officer aboard Battlestar Aries in the Colonial Defense Forces.  The things he does for the fans fascinated me and started learning from him.  And he was always there to guide me.  Little did we know that my love for science fiction/cosplay will take off the way it did because of him.  We would at times spend hours chatting and just talking about anything when it comes to science fiction.  I guess you can all call it that we were having “geek moments”.  ;-)  :-)   We both have also been through the good and bad times together where our friendship was tested and at one point, we thought it was going to break apart because of some science fiction BS.  But it survived and in time, it healed and even became stronger with a better understanding, that we both should not let some science fiction BS, affect our friendship and that whatever we do from then on, is truly only for our fans and members enjoyment.  For without the fans and members, we will not all be here today.  I am also proud to call this person my brother-at-arms in the arm forces because he also serves and help protect the very freedom which this great country of ours was founded on just like myself.

So without further ado, I would like to present this BSG Hero Award to none other than someone I consider not only as a mentor in the science fiction community but also a very good friend.  And he is one of the few that has earned my true friendship which I rarely give out.  The BSG Hero Award for this week goes to none other than Battlestar Galactica Fan Club’s very own  Fleet Admiral,  Miguel “Krash” Rivera.

And I thank President Shawn O’Donnell  for giving me the honor of presenting this award to Miguel Rivera tonight!  And I hope President O'Donnell is feeling much better today.  He has been sick for the last two or three days.  But according to him, he is ready for the Long Beach Comic Con.  So don't hesitate to stop by his table tomorrow.  And if you are down South, you know where to find me  and the Battlestar Raven table :-)

SO SAY WE ALL!

Cherry "DragonLady"

Battlestar Galactica Fan Club Vice President

http://www.battlestarfanclub.com

http://www.battlestarraven-bfc-002.com

My fellow Colonials,

The Oklahoma Contingent of the Battlestar Raven has been given the Greenlight and the Blessing of our Commander herself to represent the Raven at three new conventions in Oklahoma. The Raven will also be Mother Club (Battlestar Galctica Fanclub) at these events.

1.  Soonercon, June 27-29 2014, Oklahoma City Area, Ok

2. Tokyo in Tulsa, July 11-13 2014, Tulsa, OK

3. Wizard World Tulsa, November 7-9 2014, Tulsa, OK

The Raven will be Represented by Chief Engineering Officer and Minotaur Squadron Leader Lt. Jeff "Gambit" Phillips and 

Myself , Hammers Squadron Leader Lt. j.g. Shane "Ogre" Coble.

The following is still up in the air pending approval from Raven Actual for the San Antonio Contingent of the Battlestar Raven. The Mother Club will also be represented as well.

Wizard World San Antonio, Aug 1-3, 2014, San antonio, Tx

So Ladies and Gentleman, lets Spool up the drives. The Battlestar Raven is Hitting the FTL drives in 2014 and not stopping til we hit Galacticon 4 on Earth!

Members of the BFC Fleet,

              First i want to say thank you for your service and continued support means a great deal to me.  I also wanted to say have a great and wonderful holiday season which is quickly approaching us all.  As of late i have been hiding behind the scenes.  Monitoring how the Fleet and its members are doing as well as they conduct themselves throughout their service aboard BFC Chapters.  For the most part everyone is doing very well and going good.  However with good also goes a little bad.  Which i have been tracking thinking the problem would ultimately correct itself, but has not.  I am here to correct the problems and make the corrections needed to keep us on course as we grow steadily and firmly.

             I will start with the Standard Operating Procedures or SOPs which are posted on the forum section.  The link is provided below so no one has issues finding it.  This is a growing library of instruction and guidelines i am releasing so everyone serving Officers, Enlisted as well as Civilians assigned to chapters can read and be up to speed.  The goal is to make sure everyone is properly informed and know what is going on.  This will help keep everyone honest and on the same page in order to avoid issues, headaches, morale and above all else uniformity within the BFC Fleet.

SOP’s::

http://battlestarfanclub.com/forum/categories/bfc-fleet-standard-operating-procedures-sop-and-guidance/listForCategory

           It has become apparent BFC Members military or civilian have not either been reading or, directed to read the SOPs.  As such i have seen several issues come to light which should not be happening if folks took some time to read over the SOPs i have provided and many more to come covering different areas / topics. Problems which i will list below which i intend to correct in the next 96 hours no exceptions. I have duties to perform and have been granted full authority to do in the best interest of BFC Fleet.

Problems::

1- Members going from one ship to another without serving a full 6 months onboard.  Once the 6 months is up a member can in fact request to transfer to a different command whether a ship here in the BFC or the CDF.  However a person can not just jump ship on their own accord there is proper procedure and protocol to follow. Also bribing members with promise of promotions to lure them to a ship or ship not commission is pouching. Which is not allowed nor tolerated here in the BFC or CDF you can lose your title as Commanding Officer and ship for that violation.

2- Members can not serve on two ships at the same time. It is impossible and i will NOT allow it. You must serve on one ship only regardless if it is a BFC or CDF ship regardless of its classification.  Let be real folks we all serve as real life assets on the chapters we are assigned too.  There is no way you can be on two ships at the same time.  Also remember we are one large Fleet with in the Colonial Alliance.  Crash lesson for those not aware.  The Colonial Defense Forces is the Primary and designated head of all Military Colonial Assets.  Even though BFC has a Fleet which i am developing as per agreement BFC also falls under the prevue of the CDF as again stated Military Assets.

3- Rank.  Folks getting promoted is a privilege and NOT a right.  You only get out of it what you put into your chapter.  It is about promoting Battlestar Galactica out to fellow fans.  While also helping to promote your chapter at conventions and other venues.  You wanted to get promote then get out there and do it right.  I am all about promoting people who deserve to get promoted.  I just don’t go and through rank around like it really doesn't mean anything.  There is a sense of pride in there unless you are hear for just RANK ONLY and don’t give a hoot about Battlestar Galactica and the ETHOS it truly represents.

4- Launching and commissioning a new ship. There are guidelines to follow and I like to talk to new perspective COs to brief them properly so they know what the expectations are as well as the Do’s and Don’ts in order to avoid problems and serious infractions.  Any new ships all crew start out as Ensigns the only exception being the CO and XO. Which I will discuss in an upcoming to be released soon SOP.  Although I have a complete database of personnel some ranks will stay in place if they have earned it and carried it over from the CDF or a BFC Chapter.  Again these items will be discussed in the SOPS as well with the perspective new CO with me personally.  I can not overemphasize the importance of launching a chapter correctly. I am personally involved with a Perspective CO until the commissioning process is complete.

           There are a few members out there i noted with given ranks they are calling themselves by which I DID NOT AUTHORIZE.  You know who you are i am not going to get into naming names.  If you are carrying the rank b/c you are following some role playing story and its part of that persona fine i am good with it.  However,  I will not acknowledge a rank nor promotion which i did not know about nor approve.  The only RANK i will recognize is that of those members who are and have been serving on the BFC and CDF Ships ONLY.  People appointing their own ranks/promotions is UNACCEPTABLE.  It’s like a free for all, however as i stated your rank will not be acknowledged unless you earned as i stated.  If anyone feelings are hurt or they feel unjust about it. I am not going to apologize for carrying out my duties b/c i also have folks i have to answer too as well.  I am keeping it fair for everyone else doing it right and performing their duties.

            For the record i am not angry nor upset however i can not let this go on either.  I need to correct this.  I do not want it getting worst.  If you have any questions you can contact me at here via BFC email or you can call me directly at 360-929-9427.  Be advised i am not going to argue with you via email or over the phone.  I am here to serve everyone and the Fleet i have been charged with i am fair and impartial i have too be.  Many here and CDF have worked with me and they know what i am all about my name and creditability in the BSG community is solid.

             In closing i want to say thank you to all.  I look forward to working with you and getting to know you as well.  During this week please keep an eye out for postings from me. Whether its a Blog section or the BFC Fleet forum sections. Please keep an eye out i will be releasing new news as well as more SOPs to help us all along.  Again i appreciate your support throughout the Fleet! ~Salutes!~