Clues!The Bounty Hunt is returning back to Celebration. You know the one. Hint: It’s run by Jaders.
Collectors. Star Wars Action News is sponsoring the Collector’s Social Area, which “gives Star Wars collectors the opportunity to network with other Star Wars collectors, learn more about the collecting hobby, and get autographs from authors of books on collecting.” Sounds like the Fan Club lounge… Remember that from CIV? Great for collectors, but I can’t help but wondering why no other areas of fandom ever get an official track, let alone a social area. (Do we have to – gulp – volunteer?)
Crucible The upcoming post-Fate of the Jedi is on everyone’s mind. Roqoo Depot’s Skuldren takes a look at Scoundrel’s Luck, the 1990 WEG gaming adventure that author Troy Denning hinted holds a clue to the book’s villain. Meanwhile, Nanci at Tosche Station – not exactly Denning’s chief cheerleader – implores burned fans to give Crucible a chance.
I myself remain rather ambivalent on the book, but I can pretty much guarantee I’ll read it. Or try to, anyway, which is more than I can say for the other SDCC announcements.
A British newspaper is reporting that a 40-foot He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and Mary Poppins – among other noted characters of British literature – will be featured in the Opening Ceremonies of the London Olympics on Friday. The Sunday Times writes:
About 30 actors each depicting Mary Poppins, the magical English nanny played by Julie Andrews in the 1964 Disney film, will descend from the roof of the stadium on wires and “float” to the ground with their opened umbrellas. The nightmare will be banished and happiness restored. “It’s a jaw-dropping sequence,” said one source.
If this is true, it’s going to be completely batshit. I hope it’s true.
Remember the SDCC-exclusive Chewbacca Messenger Bag? Turns out there were enough left over that you can now get one via ThinkGeek. Qualities are limited, so strike now!
Yes, she contributed to science, to the space shuttle program, and to science education. You’ll read about those at the sites above.
However, it’s the stories you will not read as part of the official record that are the most important when it comes to the impact Sally Ride had on the hearts and minds of children growing up in the 80’s through today.
Club Jade’s own Paula tweeted earlier today:
I had the honor of meeting Sally Ride when I was twelve. She encouraged me to pursue science so I could follow her to the stars.
My earliest memory of Sally Ride was seeing her picture on a wall in a classroom, with the simple note of “First American Woman in Space – 1983”. My first report in that class was on her because of that picture and caption and it made me a fan for life. I wanted to go to space camp, I was driven to learn more about science and technology, and I was absolutely empowered to never let anyone tell me “girls can’t do X”. All because of Sally’s example. Thank you Sally Ride, for giving so many of us young girls an example of what we too could achieve.
I’d like to invite you to share how she impacted your life, no matter how small, in the comments below.
Of course this week brings a glut of Star Wars stuff. Of course. First up, on Tuesday, is Lost Tribe of the Sith: The Collected Stories… All John Jackson Miller’s Fate of the Jedi tie-ins stories that you may have read for free over the course of the series, plus a new one and, I hear, some maps.
Time to start thinking about all the trimmings for Celebration VI… We already know all the official stuff that will be on the ground there, so why not gather up some fanmade accessories to impress the crowds with now?
…Look, I’m no comic expert, but is ‘kind of bleak and depressing’ really the direction you go with to sell Superman? Superman? Have you learned nothing? Superman: Still not Batman. Superman: Will never be Batman.
(There’s another version that features Kevin Costner’s Pa Kent. Still depressing.)
Rancho Obi-Wan, the giant collection of all things Star Wars owned by Steve Sansweet, will be hitting the road for Celebration VI. The Rancho Obi-Wan Experience will have a mini-museum space on the main exhibit floor and will showcase all sorts of item, from props and prototypes to original art and fan-made wonders, all brought from the world’s largest private collection of Star Wars stuff.
Steve Sansweet will be on hand to chat with fans and answer questions. Steve and other managers and board members of Rancho Obi-Wan will be doing a panel on Rancho Obi-Wan as part of the Collectors’ Track. Additionally, there will be preview sales of the upcoming Star Wars: Ultimate Action Figure Collection book at the booth, with all four authors on hand to sign unique bookplates. Fans who sign up to be members of Rancho Obi-Wan at Celebration will receive an exclusive Celebration VI patch that matches the 2012 Rancho Obi-Wan membership patch, as well as a personalized membership kits.
Clues! The Bounty Hunt is returning back to Celebration. You know the one. Hint: It’s run by Jaders. 
Today we say goodbye to a woman who inspired many, if not all of us, in Club Jade.
