A chance to save a life...

 ConCarolinas, a scifi convention in Charlotte, is coming, and the Charlotte Browncoats is lending a hand in helping this happen. So this was on the Charlotte Browncoats Yahoo group--and I am putting it on here...

Hello everyone. My name is Luis and I am a member of the ConCarolinas security team. This year the staff has decided that we wanted to host a blood drive to help give back to the community. Since I work for the American Red Cross I was asked to organize the drive for the con.

Why have a blood drive? Approximately every two seconds someone in the United States needs blood. One blood donation could help save the lives of up to three people. More than 38,000 blood donations are needed every day to treat patients in need. Just 38% of the population is eligible to give blood but only a fraction of those people actually do.

What's the benefit of donating at the ConCarolinas blood drive? Besides helping people in need as an incentive to donate each person who donates will be given a raffle ticket. At the end of the drive several prizes will be raffled off to some lucky donors.

There is one thing that we need to do to make this a huge success. The American Red Cross will not commit to being at ConCarolinas unless we can get at least 30 people to pre-register for the drive. Anything less than 30 and they won't come. I know that we can do this and get 30 people signed up. I know a lot of people can't donate; my wife is one of them. If you can't donate, see if a friend or family member can donate. I already have a couple of people, including myself, that are going to donate.

What I would like is anyone who is interested in donating and would like to pre-register to please email me your name, phone number and email address. The phone number and email will only be used to remind you as the drive draws near and will not be given to anyone outside of the American Red Cross.

Please check out this web page if you are a first time donor...

http://www.redcrossblood.org/donating-blood/first-time-donors

Please check out this web site to view donation FAQ's...

http://www.redcrossblood.org/donating-blood/donation-faqs

Please check out this web page to view eligibility requirements...

http://www.redcrossblood.org/donating-blood/eligibility-requirements/eligibility-criteria-topic
  
I work at the American Red Cross Donor & Client Support Center in their eligibility department. If anyone has any specific questions about eligibility requirements please feel free to email me and I will be able to answer your questions. You can also send your registration info (name, phone & email) to the same address. It is Tuskenfan@.... Any eligibility information, plus your contact info, will be strictly confidential.

You can also go to http://www.redcrossblood.org to get more info on blood donating.

I know with everyone's help we can make this a huge success and hopefully this will become an annual part of ConCarolinas.

Respectfully,

Luis Diaz

--
Chapter Representative - Charlotte Fan Force
501st Legion/DZ-5232/ Krayt Clan Member
Rebel Legion Blue Ridge Base Commanding Officer
Creatures, Droids and Rebel Supporters Legion Costume Judge
Proud Alien Mercenary of KAG's Xeno Legion
ConCarolinas Secretary/Fan Table Organizer
All Around Geek

Roundcon and Redemption

Just a reminder, Columbia... We have our own gaming convention and it's called Roundcon. This year it's being held February 18-20, and this year it's going downtown to the Marriott in Columbia. This has been around for 25 years, about as long as Dragon*Con in Atlanta. Quite an accomplishment. This year there will be three tracks--anime, gaming, and creative. There's an artist's room, exhibitors, and, of course, LOTS OF GAMING! They're still looking for people to run games and be exhibitors. So go to http://www.roundcon.com and check it out. You can also find them on facebook and twitter. (Point of interest--Serenity does have RPG books, think on that Browncoats!)

While we're on the subject of accomplishments, kudos to Michael Dougherty and Big Damn Fan Films for putting out Browncoats: Redemption. It premiered at Dragon*Con 2010 and has sold many copies, raising money for five charities supported by cast and crew of Firefly and Serenity. I finally got around to watching the copy I bought at the Browncoat Ball, and they did a hell of a job. Good for you, Michael, and keep on doing good works!

Well, check out the con and the movie and keep flyin'!

What is happening now?

I haven't posted on my own website! for quite a while, so a lot has happened. I should start with where I am right now... five months into a year-long deployment to Iraq. I got word I was leaving the last time I posted here, and I spent a lot of time training and a month in Mississippi before getting here in August. I was able to attend CSTS in Charlotte before leaving, collected addresses so I could write letters--and Christmas cards. Yes, letters are coming...

I missed Dragon*Con this year, but I did make the Browncoat Ball. What you get for planning your R&R leave for October... :) I had a great time, Charlotte was a wonderful host. The photos are still in my camera--along with many other ones. Hopefully I'll get them on my computer before I come back home...

I appreciate all of your thoughts and prayers--and boxes of goodies. By the way, I'll make a plug for Soldiers' Angels, a great organization that pairs soldiers up with "angels," who write letters and send boxes to their adopted soldier. There are other organizations like Soldiers' Angels--Operation Gratitude, etc.--but I know Soldiers' Angels the best. If you want to donate to a worthy cause, donate to one of these organizations, or even the USO or Red Cross. They will appreciate anything and everything. Find them on facebook or in the Links here.

Well, that's all for now. Before I go I'll say to follow the Roundcon link on the Links here. It's coming up soon--January I believe--and it's a local event. So go to their website and get the details--and support them with your presence.

So bye from here in the big sandbox and stay shiny!

Two things...

Hey everyone! Yes, it has been a very long time since I've posted here, but I am here now to give two updates...

First, I am an Avon representative. Ask me about being a representative or register and shop my online store. http://www.youravon.com/chantellestewart. Help me out here and see the best beauty products in the country! And if you want a discount, ask how you can become a representative.

The second thing is an update about Columbia's gaming convention. It is on again!!! Visit http://roundcon.com for more information, but basically it will be held October 2-4, 2009 at the Holiday Inn Express-Ft. Jackson, which is off I-77 on Garners Ferry Road in Columbia. Scheduled events are role-playing games, board games, a kids' track, and a costume contest. Check it out, this is a local event.

So check out both of these sites!

Coming soon...Dragon*Con wrapup!

I'm one of the cool kids, and I'm sharing.

I got this on facebook and I'm sharing it with you all...

If you're getting this...then yes.

For some of you going to Dragon*Con this is a peak of things to come very very soon.

If you aren't goin to Dragon*Con...you get to wait a little longer. ;)

http://vimeo.com/6372592

Please leave a comment on our wall AND on the video. Share it as much as you like.

Aren't I a stinker?

Mike

Browncoats: Redemption has a panel at D*C!

I got this from Michael Doughtery on facebook, so I decided to pass it on. Also, I met one of the cast, a Browncoat who just moved back to the Columbia area. So we have local ties to this movie, all the more reason to hype it up!

Hey there group,

Are you going to Dragon*Con this year?

If so we're excited to announce that we will have or own panel about the film at Dragon*Con 2009 on the Whedon Track Panel for film.

Sunday 9/6/2009 11:30 AM
Browncoats: Redemption
Marriott L401-403

During this panel we talk more about the exciting upcoming Firefly Fan film Browncoats: Redemption, participate in a Q & A with the us, get a first look at the first trailer, and much more.

Also, if you're at Dragon*Con and you'd love to help, we could use help on our street team getting the word out about our panel and film.

If you'd like to help please shoot me an email at miked@browncoatsmovie.com

Can't wait to see you at Dragon*Con this year.

Mike
Writer/Director/Producer/C

o-Creater/All around tired guy ;)

Gorramit, it's a wrap! (or Browncoats: Redemption wrap party)

I got this from my inbox on facebook...

We are happy to announce that Browncoats: Redemption has officially wrapped principal photography.

Thank you to every single Browncoat that showed up, and those that have supported us from a distance, for all the hard work you did to help us see this through.

We can’t wait to see you at our event on July 24th. Please share this with all of your fellow Browncoats and Sci-Fi Fans.

TO RSVP:
Facebook Event Page
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=98314994547

OR

http://browncoatswrapparty.eventbrite.com/

Please share this info with your fellow Browncoats and supporters of charities.

With your help and support, we've done the impossible.