• The Challenger has decided to run a special membership incentive.  We're now allowing NEW members who join now to get two years for the price of one.  Members can join either in person or online by visiting http://join.usschallenger.org.  This special will only run for a limited time, so don't wait…join now!
• Plans for our anniversary party are complete.  For more information, please visit http://20years.usschallenger.org.  Members are also encouraged to make hotel reservations early.  For any other questions, see Capt. Jeff.
• The Challenger is also hosting it's Holiday party on December 2nd at 1:00pm at the Seaside Heights Community Center.  For more information, please click here.  C-Staff members call is 11:30am for setup and a quick meeting.
• The C-Staff reviewed the current ship roster and Starfleet roster.  General members are strongly encouraged to join 'Fleet and C-Staff members are required to do so.  For more information on joining Starfleet, speak to Adm. Bob or visit http://www.sfi.org.
• The Ship's Calendar is updated but more events will be added once the C-Staff has had it's reorganization meeting in January.
• Farpoint is approaching fast.  If you are interested in going to Hunt Valley, hotel reservations are filling up fast, so make those reservations today.
• Challenger will attend a screening of the TOS episode "The Menagerie" on the big screen in Piscataway NJ.  Jeff and Laura are taking point on this event, so see them for advance tickets, etc.
• The meeting also had a 'Fleet update and we encouraged everyone to vote in the CS election.  Ballots need to be recieved by the 15th of November.

That's all for the update.  We hope to see you at the holiday party!

Lost creator JJ Abrams may already have started filming on the long-awaited flick, but that hasn't stopped him from casting unknown Capote's Clifton Collins Junior and relative unknown Chris Hemsworth, reports Variety.

They join an all-star roll-call including Winona Ryder as Spock's mum, Eric Bana, as villain Nero, Simon Pegg, who plays Scotty and Chris Pine as Captain Kirk.

Chris Hemsworth, who has featured in Home And Away and Dancing With The Stars, is apparently set to play George Kirk, Captain Kirk's father, but as he is actually younger than Kirk actor Chris Pine, it's possible he may only appear in flashbacks.

Meanwhile, Clifton, whose credits include Rules Of Attraction, will play the right-hand man of Eric Bana's Nero.

Star Trek is due to be released in December next year.

Our "latinum celebration" will be held on October 11, 2008 at 7:00pm at the Sheraton Eatontown Hotel in Eatontown, New Jersey. Come join us as we celebrate 20 years of fun and fandom with folks from all across the region and beyond.

The cost for this event is $50.00 and includes a three course buffet dinner, coffee, tea and soft drinks. A cash bar will also be available. Entrees include Chicken Saltimbocca, Sliced Beef Sirloin and Vegetarian Lasagna. Assorted salads, side dishes and dessert will be served as well.

As a special added bonus, since there will not be a regional conference next year, the USS Challenger has secured the hotel's state-of-the-art Amphitheatre for a Region 7 Meeting at 1:00pm. Attendees of the party can use this opportunity to schmooze, catch up and discuss regional business in a comfortable face-to-face setting. However, no one will be allowed to take
advantage of this meeting without having registered for the dinner event and there will also be no "meeting-only" option offered.

The Sheraton Eatontown is convenient to the Garden State Parkway, the Jersey Shore and Interstate 195. The hotel offers amenities such as Free In-Room high speed internet, an indoor pool, exercise facility and two restaurants. If you wish to stay the night, the hotel is offering our attendees a special rate of $115.00 per room, per night.

To reserve a room, please call 732-542-6500 and ask for the USS Challenger rate. Rooms are available on a first come, first serve basis, so please be sure to reserve soon!

To register and pay online, please visit our Web site at http://20years.usschallenger.org/ or
http://www.usschallenger.org// and click on the "Event Registration" button on the left hand side of the page. We accept all major credit cards and personal checks through PayPal.

Registration ends on September 20, 2008 so make sure to get your registration in so that you may join us.

We look forward to seeing you join us for this special occasion. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at xo@usschallenger.org.

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