Earth That Was: Table Top Gaming [Feb 15, 2014]

Event: Table Top Gaming at Happy Harbor Comics
Intrepid Reporter: Andy

To my fellow Browncoats, I do apologize for not writing sooner. Unfortunately the flu had caught up to me, and we all know when it comes to the flu, it pretty much wins everytime. However, I’m back, and I want to tell you about the  February shindig. I know it’s the middle of March but better late than never.

Firefly: the game. It’s quite the experience. Learning how to play and getting started is the hardest part. After that, all it takes is a little strategy and some some time. Once you have that, it is well worth it.

We had our regular Browncoats show up and it was nice to see some new faces both young and old. The cost to enter was a food bank donation. We raised 56.5 kgs (or 124.5 lbs for those of us who are old school). Not to bad at all. And a big thank you to Happy Harbor Comics for once again allowing us the use of their store to play. If you haven’t been to Happy Harbor you need to check it out. Something for the geek in all of us.

Once introductions were made and the game play was explained, Firefly the game commenced. In Firefly: The Board Game, each player captains a Firefly class starship. And now that you’re the Captain, you’re gonna need a crew! You’ll find them all over the ‘Verse – same with gear and upgrades. Once you got your ship set (or as set as you can), look for work! The jobs you accept all depend on how questionable your morals are – will you just do delivery missions for the Alliance, or will you go for the illegal missions? And speaking of the Alliance, they’re out there, too. As are the Reavers Starting out as a captain of your own ship and hiring a crew, five players took to the verse to earn a living all while avoiding the Alliance and the Reavers. Making deals both honest and some not so honest. Picking up and dropping off crew and passengers, cargo and contraband. Completing goals to be able to pay off your ship and call it your own.

The game took about 2 hours with a victor finally emerging. Before starting the next game, door prizes were handed out. Winners received copies of Firefly Fluxx; a game that challenges the most cunning of player to keep up with the ever changing rules and requirements to win.

Now the next game was new it was not a game of player versus player but of working together towards a common goal  In Firefly: Out to the Black Card Game you play as one of the 9 Serenity crew members and work together with your fellow players to face the various entanglements that come your way. You’ll face the Alliance, Reavers, low-down dirty deceivers and all manner of nastiness as you scour for jobs, choose partners for your missions, and ultimately do your best to stay afloat and keep on flyin’!

After working together towards a common goal, and a few close calls, our crew was successful in its mission.

I think the first Firefly Game Day shindig turned out well. Everyone had fun, we made some new friends, and  a donation was made to the food bank. Not to bad for a relaxing and enjoyable Saturday afternoon.

March Shindig – Bowling (& Bottles)!

Curse your sudden but inevitable gutter ball!

We have booked 4 lanes at Bonnie Doon Bowling Lanes. Bonnie Doon offers a 3 game special for $15.00 per person which includes the shoe rental.

Everyone is welcome.

We would also like to do some good for a great organization here in Edmonton. Some of our knitting team were involved in #knitmonton’s Valour Place Poppy Project in Nov 2013 and through them we’ve learned more about this amazing organization. The only one of its kind in Canada, Valour Place is a temporary home away from home for all Canadian Forces members, families of the fallen, veterans and RCMP along with their families who require medical treatment in Edmonton. Through Valour Place, they have the means to face the challenges of rehabilitation in a warm, welcoming and supportive environment, at no cost.

We’re asking all AB Browncoats to collect their bottles from now (Feb 3) until Browncoat Bowling day (March 22). If you’re attending our March shindig, feel free to bring your bottles with you. Otherwise, please contact us to make arrangements for pick-up.  If you’re located outside of the Edmonton and surrounding area, but still want to participate, you   most definitely can. Collect bottles from friends and family, turn those bottles in for cashy monies, and use the Donate button below to send funds on or before March 30, 2014.





Fill the #yegfoodbank box at the Feb Shindig

You ever sail in a Firefly?

A few of our members have gotten their hands on copies of the new Firefly board game. Each game accommodates 4 players and approximate play time is 2 hours.

Not enough time to play Firefly: The Game? We’ll have a variety of Fluxx games with us as well. This card game can be quick and fun.

Happy Harbor Comics has pop and some snack food available for purchase however players are welcome to bring their own snacks.

COST: Food Bank donation

When you come to board game day at Happy Harbor Comics (2pm Feb 15), please bring a non-perishable food item with you. We’re going to try and fill a donation box for the Edmonton food bank.

The Food bank’s most needed items are:

  • beans with or without pork
  • canned meat
  • canned fish
  • canned fruit or vegetables
  • peanut butter
  • macaroni and cheese dinners
  • pasta and pasta sauce
  • cereal and oatmeal
  • school snack items such as juice boxes, fruit cups and granola bars

Let’s show the world we’re mighty and do some good this month!

Earth That Was: Browncoats visit Hogwarts [01/2014]

Event: Harry Potter Exhibit at Telus World of Science
Intrepid Reporter: Wendy

With visions of wands, owls and golden snitches in the air, the Browncoats ventured to the Telus World of Science on Jan 18 to experience Harry Potter, the Exhibition. It was almost a 2 hour wait to get into the exhibit but it was well worth the wait. Amongst our group was Ron Weesley. He may have been an imposter as he seemed a bit tall, but maybe, just maybe, he was taller in real life…

As we entered the exhibit we were photographed with scarves of our favorite houses. Drew and ‘Ron’ got into their own picture but we did get this picture of the majority of the crowd.

As we entered the exhibit a few members of the crowd were chosen to be sorted by the hat. It appears that Slytherin and Gryffindor are pretty popular houses. As the tour progressed we were able to see many costumes and props from the movies. It was very interesting to see how the young characters grew during their years at Hogwarts. At one point we were able to give a try at quiddich by tossing a quaffle towards the goal. I think I might have a penchance for this, but sincerely doubt my ability to stay on a broom, even with those stirrups. I really liked Hagrid’s hut. His arm chair made all of us feel like little kids.

Other items on display included the Marauders map, weapons, jewelry, various wands and Harry’s glasses. The Hippogriff display was amazing. Buckbeak was exquisite and during the audio tour we learned that the cast and crew liked to turn on the animatronics and hang out with him during off hours. Buckbeak was very quiet compared to the Mandrake display. Mandrakes scream when you try to pull them out of the pots. A very annoying, ear piercing scream.

For me, the most interesting part of the Exhibition was the costumes. Everything from the casual clothes that the characters wore when not in school to the robes worn during class to the costumes worn to the Yule Ball, they were all there. The tour ended in Diagon Alley where us muggle types could purchase trinkets to remind us of the show. From stuffed owls, chocolate frogs, books and pens it was all there.

Once everyone was through, we gathered at a local eatery for supper. Another great day for the Browncoats!