Volume I, Number 18  •  Late September/Early October 2009 
CONTENTS

UPCOMING EVENTS
•  Sunday, Oct. 11:  Centennial Park Picnic & Republic Brick Hunt
•  Saturday, October 31:  Fourth Annual Halloween Spooktacular

•  Saturday, November 14: Fall Sci-Fi Charity Putt-Putt Challenge
•  Saturday, November 21: Fall Dinner & Business Meeting

NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
•  USS Republic to be featured in STARFLEET Communiqué...?
•  USS Exeter files activity report for July
•  Visit the USS Republic Ship's Store today!
•  Recent Chapter Event Photos

SIDEBAR
•  September
Birthdays
•  Welcome Aboard!
•  September Membership Renewals
•  Member Reenlistments
  Wish List
•  About the Republic
•  For More Information
•  USS Republic Online
•  Related Sites
•  Our Member Benefits Program Partners
 
News from TrekMovie.com
    —
Star Trek Finishes Theatrical Run with $385M

UPCOMING EVENTS
Centennial Olympic Park Picnic
& USS Republic Brick Hunt
A Joint Event with the USS Atlanta

Sunday, October 11, 2009

1:00 p.m. at CNN Center Food Court
190 Marietta St, Atlanta GA  30303

1:30 p.m. at The Fountain of Rings
Bordered by Andrew Young International Blvd NW, Marietta St NW, and Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW
Atlanta, GA  30313

Fifteen years ago, the USS Republic purchased a personalized, inscribed brick for the brand new Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta.  We have a certificate in our chapter archives confirming its ownership and placement, but we do not have a photo of the brick itself.  On Sunday, October 11, members of the Republic and the USS Atlanta—many of whom were members of the Republic in the mid-1990s—will come together—our first official joint event—for an afternoon picnic in the park, a "brick hunt" (it won't be hard... we have a map indicating where it's located), and a group photo opportunity.

Members, former members and Friends of the Republic are encouraged to wear current or past Republic shirts and join us for this soon-to-be-historic afternoon.  Current and former members are invited to join us for a group opportunity around our brick.

GETTING THERE
MARTA is highly recommended.  From your starting point, take the train to MARTA's longest-named station, the Georgia Dome/Georgia World Congress Center/Philips Arena/CNN Center Station (W1 on the east/west Blue Line)
Park in the Georgia World Congress Center's Green Lot, located on Marietta Street across the street from the Embassy Suites Hotel, at a daily rate of $8.00
Park in a variety of privately owned lots near the intersection of Marietta Street and Centennial Olympic Park Drive (near the CNN Center and Philips Arena); rates vary

SCHEDULE
1:00 p.m. Meet in the CNN Center Food Court to buy lunch
1:30 p.m. Picnic at The Fountain of Rings; locate brick
2:00 p.m. Assemble for group photo around brick

You are welcome to bring a box lunch from home and join us for an old-fashioned picnic in the park; otherwise, please meet in the CNN Center Food Court at 1:00 p.m. to order a lunch from one of several restaurants, including Arby's, Blimpie, Chick-fil-A, China Breeze, Dunkin' Donuts, Fuji Express, Great Wraps, Gorin's Homemade Sandwiches, Natural's Ice Cream, Yogurt & Smoothies, Moe's Southwest Grill, Roman Delight, Salad Sensations, Starbucks, Taco Bell and Wendy's.  Around 1:30, weather permitting, we'll then walk across Marietta Street to the Fountain of Rings to enjoy our lunch during what will hopefully be a beautiful autumn afternoon.  At 2:00, we'll locate and gather around the USS Republic's commemorative brick, located in the southeast corner of Centennial Plaza near the intersection of Centennial Olympic Park Drive and Luckie Street, for group photos of this historic occasion.

The Republic has no specific plans immediately after the group photos, but there are plenty of nearby attractions to visit and enjoy, including the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coca-Cola, the CNN Center Studios Tour, the Imagine It Children's Museum of Atlanta and much more.  Members and friends of the Republic are encouraged to visit a local attraction after our group picnic and brick photos.

Please plan to join us for an afternoon of food, fun and friendship!
Fourth Annual Halloween Spooktacular

Saturday, October 31, 2009
Time and Location to Be Announced
The Republic's Third Annual Halloween Spooktacular
October 2008
The USS Republic's Fourth Annual Halloween Spooktacular is scheduled for Saturday, October 31, but we have not yet confirmed a location for the event.  Any member or friend of the Republic who would be willing to host this event in their home should contact the Captain as soon as possible!

This will, of course, be a costume-encouraged event—and not necessarily Star Trek or science fiction costumes!  Save the date now!  Depending on where the event is held, it may be a potluck dinner and BYOB event... or maybe not!  Additional details to be announced.
Fall Sci-Fi Charity Putt-Putt Challenge
Sponsored by KAG Atlanta and Sci-Fi Summer Con
A charity event benefitting Bread of Life Food Ministry


12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday, November 14, 2009
Malibu Grand Prix Theme Park
5400 Brook Hollow Parkway, Norcross GA 30071
(770) 416-7630

Let's join our Klingon friends from KAG Atlanta at the Malibu Grand Prix Theme Park in Norcross for this fun-filled fundraiser benefitting Bread of Life Food Ministry, a community food bank in Lawrenceville.  We had a lot of fun at this event the last two years and have been challenged by KAG Atlanta to do it again!

Malibu Grand Prix is on Brook Hollow Parkway in Norcross, just west of I-85 at Indian Trail-Lilburn Road
Bring at least two canned food donations per person for a free 18-hole round of putt-putt per person (a $6.99 value)!
All other attractions at group rate prices!
Prizes to the winner and person donating the most canned goods!
Republic shirts or Star Trek costumes encouraged but not required!
All local fan clubs and fan groups are challenged and welcomed to attend and participate!
This is a "family-friendly" event!
There may be some fun semi-fabulous prizes for the winner!

For more information, please contact
Sci-Fi Summer Con chairman and KAG Atlanta Quadrant Commander Chris Jones.  On behalf of the command and crew of the USS Republic NCC-1371, we hope to see you there!  Q'pla!

MAP AND DIRECTIONS
Fall Dinner & Business Meeting

6:00 p.m. Saturday, November 21, 2009
Location to be announced
The Republic's 2008 Fall Dinner & Business Meeting
The Republic typically holds two business meetings a year, one in the spring and one in the fall, to set the chapter's course for the following six months.  At this meeting, we'll be making specific plans for chapter activities from December through next May.  Members who wish to be more involved in the Republic's operations are especially encouraged to attend.  As always, the Republic's many friends and guests are invited to join us.

Restaurant or Potluck?  Any member who would like to host this meeting in their home as a potluck event is encouraged to contact the Captain.  Otherwise, a family-style restaurant will be chosen and announced next month.

Dinner will begin at 6:00 p.m.  The business meeting is scheduled to begin around 7:00 and will likely last between a half-hour to an hour.  If this event is a potluck, following the business meeting, we'll have a variety of entertainments available: a variety of Star Trek board games to play, a selection of Star Trek videos to watch, or just hang around and chat with your fellow members!
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
USS Republic to be featured in STARFLEET Communiqué front-page story...?

Already the largest chapter in STARFLEET, the USS Republic is on the brink of an extraordinary achievement—surpassing one hundred members!  As of this issue, the Republic is 91 members strong and reaching triple digits in our membership roster at this point almost seems inevitable.  If and when the Republic finally reaches that historic number, we have been promised by STARFLEET Chief Communications Officer Commodore Jonathan Lane a front-page story and feature article in the following issue of the STARFLEET Communiqué, the bimonthly newsletter of our parent organization that all STARFLEET members receive as part of their membership.

The Republic will, of course, continue to recruit new members, but this goal could be easily reached by the end of this month if only half of our members whose STARFLEET dues have expired would simply renew their membership dues.  We currently have 18 members on our roster whose dues have lapsed and are no longer considered members in good standing in STARFLEET.  If you are one of those folks, please consider renewing your dues today!  Simply click the "Click Here to Renew" button or the "How to Join" link in the sidebar for easy online payment processing by PayPal.  Payments by cash or check are also welcomed.  If finances are tight, the Republic also offers an easy 90-day installment plan... contact the Captain for details.  Please remember that your total dues obligation is $25 per year for individuals, which includes both STARFLEET ($15) and chapter ($10) dues.  If you recently renewed your STARFLEET dues online, you may still owe chapter dues!  Please contact the Captain if you think this may apply to you.

The Republic has worked hard for more than three years to build our membership to the admirable strength it is today, and is deserving of the recognition a feature article in the Communiqué would provide.  Longtime friends of the Republic who have not yet officially joined the chapter are also encouraged to help us achieve this membership goal.  Thank you for your support!

USS Exeter files activity report for August
The USS Exeter NCC-1706, based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a shuttle of the USS Republic.  Commander John R. Sims, Commanding Officer of the Exeter, submitted the following report for August 2009:

The command and crew of the USS
Exeter met at the Sweet Tomatoes restaurant on August 15th.  We had three new guests attend and hopefully, they will join our band of travelers!  Thanks to Chris, Hiedi and son and Mary for attending.  I hope to see you folks at the next meeting.  Loved having you attend.  Our chapter was also in full swing preparing for our landing party to Dragon*Con in Atlanta.   Phasers, tricorders and communicators were issued and our shuttle was prepped for this event.

We also discussed our involvement with a Huntington's Disease Society of America fundraising event here in Jacksonville on September 19, 2009, being organized by local representative Tina Hellum.  We all look forward to helping find a cure for this devastating condition.

We, the crew of the USS
Exeter, are very much looking forward to finally meeting our support ship's commanding officer, Captain Eric L. Watts, and plan on having a bonnie time indeed at Dragon*Con!

As of September 7, the USS Exeter crew included twelve STARFLEET members in good standing.  Visit the Exeter's web site here.
Visit the USS Republic Ship's Store today!
The USS Republic's Ship's Store has plenty of merchandise still available.  Help stimulate your chapter's economy by purchasing one or more of these exclusive, custom-made, Republic-branded items!

Our very own custom-designed chapter comm badges, designed and created by Capt Michael Cowart, feature the Republic's "Delta Shield/Capital R" logo rendered in a Deep Space Nine/Voyager-style comm badge that can be worn with your Next Generation-era style uniform.  Each badge is individually cast in urethane resin and painted by hand to closely resemble the silver and bronze colors of comm badges actually used on the modern Star Trek series.  Available in your choice of traditional butterfly clutch (most secure) for $10.00 each or magnetic backing (won't harm fabric) for $12.00 each, these unique chapter comm badges will be a perfect addition to your uniform for all future chapter events.  Show your pride in the Republic and visit the Ship's Store to order yours now!

The Calendars That Would Not Go Away!  Still Available at Half-Price!  Printed in full color and on heavyweight card stock, drilled and comb-bound for easy wall-hanging, the USS Republic's 2009 calendars feature twelve photos from the Republic's highest-profile events and activities from 2008, as well as member birthdays, federal holidays, major religious and seasonal observances, and most Atlanta-area science fiction convention dates.  THE calendar for all your fannish needs, this full-sized (10¾" x 17"), limited edition calendar, regularly priced at $10.00, can now be yours for only $5.00 postpaid.  Visit the Ship's Store to order yours now!

GPB Pledge Drive DVDs: We came, we answered phones, we conquered!  Twenty-one members and friends of the USS Republic answered phones for two hours during Georgia Public Broadcasting's live semi-annual Pledge Drive on Saturday, December 6... and we've got it on DVD!  See Capt Eric L. Watts be interviewed on live TV!  See Ens Eddie Hines ham it up for the cameras!  See two fully ridged Klingons try to hold phones to their heads!  See it all for only $5.00 per each postpaid DVD!  In addition to 40 minutes of televised Republic samaritanism, this four-hour DVD also includes the last half-hour of Celtic Woman–The Greatest Journey: Essential Collection; Victor Borge: 100 Years of Music & Laughter! (1½ hrs); Yanni Voices (30 min.) and the first hour of My Music: My Generation–The 60s, hosted by Michelle Phillips.  Visit the Ship's Store to order yours now!
Recent Chapter Event Photos
Dragon*Con Planning Meeting  ||  August 2, 2009
Seated: Ens Kenneth Cribbs.  Standing: CO Capt Eric L. Watts, Capt Michael Cowart, Ens Julianne Trew, Ens "Wolfy," Ens Joanne Trew, Ens Chris Seckinger, Ens Barry Bynum, Ens John Stump, Beth Miller with daughter Alex, Ens Mark A. Ozanick, Ens Audra Diaha, Ens Eddie Hines, Ens Victoria A. White.

SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS

Tuesday, September 1
Ensign Pamela C. Richards

Tuesday, September 15
Crewman Elizabeth Hurst

Sunday, September 20
Crewman Connor Sollie
Crewman Aaron Taylor

Sunday, September 27
Ensign Kenneth Cribbs

Tuesday, September 29
Ensign Richard H. Beall

WELCOME ABOARD!
2 New Members in August!


Ensign Elizabeth Michelle Miller
Crewman Jessica Anne Curtiss

SEPTEMBER MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS
These members' SFI and chapter dues expire in September


Ensign Joel Tyler Anderson
Ensign Richard H. Beall
Crewman Cody Harner
Ensign Joseph M. Harner
Ensign Darrell R. Ortiz
Ensign Christopher W. Smith
Ensign Philip Patron
Crewman Connor Sollie
Ensign Mike Sollie
Ensign Jamie Sweat
Ensign Jonathan W. Thomas
Ensign Jose A. Torres

MEMBER REENLISTMENTS
These members renewed their SFI and chapter dues in August


Ensign 2nd Class Chadd Franklin
Ensign 3rd Class Eric L.
Ensign 2nd Class Sue Lin L.
Ensign 3rd Class John Stump
Ensign 3rd Class "Wolfy"

WISH LIST
The Republic needs certain items on a continuing basis to operate.  To help keep our expenses and membership dues as low as possible, donations of the following items would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you for your support!

CRITICAL NEED: HP 10 black, cyan, magenta and yellow ink cartridges and print heads

Also:
Wi-fi enabled Windows XP laptop with remote mouse
postage stamps
Avery 8160 or compatible address labels
9 x 12 manila clasp envelopes
8½ x 11 90-lb. white index card stock (Springhill 15101)
clear packing tape

ABOUT THE REPUBLIC
Commissioned on May 14, 1988 at Dixie-Trek in Atlanta, Georgia, the USS Republic NCC-1371 is a chapter of STARFLEET International (SFI) and a member of STARFLEET Region 2.  The Republic currently has 91 active members (as of October 4) and is the largest chapter of STARFLEET in the world.

The Republic plans and coordinates an active schedule of events for its members, frequently partnering with other local science fiction groups in the Atlanta area for joint activities, but does not hold meetings on a consistently fixed date each month.

Membership in the Republic includes membership in STARFLEET International.  Annual dues are $25 per person for both groups (family discounts are available with certain conditions and restrictions).  Membership in the Republic includes a subscription to our award-winning quarterly magazine, The Sovereign Star, access to our YahooGroups message board, voting privileges in chapter elections and a personalized laminated membership card which entitles the member to discounts and rebates on products and services offered by our Member Benefits Program partners.  Additional information on Republic membership and how to join is on our award-winning web site.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

USS REPUBLIC ONLINE

RELATED SITES
XBox Live Gamertag:
"USS Republic"

OUR MEMBER BENEFITS PROGRAM PARTNERS

NEWS
from
Star Trek Finishes Theatrical Run with $385M – Full Box Office Analysis
by Anthony Pascale
After a long life of 21 weeks in theaters, J. J. Abrams new Star Trek movie has officially ended its run.  The film is still in a handful of theaters, but distributors will no longer be tracking performance.  The final tally, as of last Thursday, brings the film a few thousand short of $385 million worldwide, which is certainly a big success, especially for a franchise that was given up for dead by some just a few years ago.

Star Trek is Back
According to Box Office Mojo, Star Trek’s domestic tally is $257.7 over the 147-day theatrical run.  This includes $28.1 million for IMAX (or around 11%).  This makes it the highest-grossing and highest-attended film in the Trek franchise.

Star Trek’s performance makes it the 47th highest-grossing film of all time (180th when adjusting for inflation).  More importantly, Star Trek ended up beating expectations, by outperforming its two primary May 2009 competitors, X-Men Wolverine ($179.9M) and Terminator Salvation ($125.3).  The film is currently the 5th-ranked film for 2009 (Fall/Holiday releases like 2012, Sherlock Holmes, New Moon and Avatar could push it down the list).  The film also met Paramount’s goals of of putting it into league with other recent tentpole films, like Iron Man, and ‘franchise reboots’ like Batman Begins and Casino Royale.

Star Trek has work to do internationally
Although Star Trek was a hit domestically (which covers US and Canada), internationally it was more of a mixed bag.  According to the international distributor, Star Trek brought in $127.2M overseas.  This is quite good for the franchise, and the best outing since Star Trek: The Motion Picture.

With the strength of its domestic sales, Star Trek brought in around $385M total worldwide, which currently ranks it 8th for the year.  But when you look just at its international sales, the film is ranked 13th.  In the last two decades, Trek films have just not been a strong performer overseas.  A number of films that Star Trek eclipsed at home ended up beating it overseas.

As a percentage, Star Trek earned about 1/3 of its total money overseas, which is very low for modern big budget movies (except for comedies).  Most films earn closer to 50%, with some films (like Ice Age 2 and Angels & Demons) earning up to 70% or more overseas.  When one looks closer at the numbers, you can see that Star Trek actually performed well in the English-speaking countries (UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand), where its competitive position was not unlike the domestic ranking.   However, everywhere else in the world, the film did not perform like a Hollywood tentpole, and more like a medium-sized Hollywood movie.  For example, in the UK, Star Trek is ranked 6th for the year with $35.2M, but in Korea it is ranked 27th with $5.7M, in Mexico it is ranked 30th with $3.4M, in France it ranked 42nd with $7.0M.

As for why Star Trek under-performed in the non-English speaking world, there is no obvious single answer.  One factor is clearly that Star Trek has never been a strong brand outside the English-speaking countries (with the exception of Germany).  In the past, Star Trek films have been short on action and long on dialog, which has not worked well vs. other summer tentpoles.  Even though the new Star Trek tried to redress this balance, it is possible that many foreign film-goers just didn’t give it a chance and didn’t get the message that this was a totally new kind of Star Trek film (hopefully those that did go can help the word of mouth for the next film).  Another factor could be that the film had no big bankable stars in (like a Tom Cruise, Wil Smith, Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, etc.).  Even though studios make more money off their domestic sales (less middlemen, no currency issues, etc.), international sales are no longer the "extra" bit for a movie.  For the Star Trek sequel to break into the $500M+ category of "super blockbusters," it is going to need to find a way to increase its appeal to non-English speaking audiences.

Home Video coming Nov. 17th
The next big milestone for the Star Trek movie is the highly anticipated release on home video.  The movie is getting three core releases in North America (1-disk DVD, 2-disk DVD, 3-disk Blu-ray), plus some special gift sets.  Paramount executives have been talking up the sales of Star Trek home video to investors, so it seems that they expect to be a big factor in their 4th-quarter returns. It is possible that the film can build some more goodwill for first-time viewers who waited until he film was available to rent, especially overseas.
REPRINTED FROM TREKMOVIE.COM
© 2009 SciFanatic Network
USS Republic NCC-1371
B O L D L Y    G O I N G
B O L D L Y    D O I N G
2902 Aspen Woods Entry
  Atlanta, Georgia  30360-2759
  www.USSRepublic.com
Commanding Officer
  Captain Eric L. Watts
Executive Officer
  Commander Brian Holloway

The Republiqué Volume I, Number 18, Late September/Early October 2009.
Published monthly by and Copyright © 2009 USS Republic NCC-1371.
Captain Eric L. Watts, Editor.

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