STV: Finally, we let Ethan finish

We chatted with Ethan "Neelix" Phillips earlier this year at home about his then-play Wirehead about to open...

...but couldn't pass up the opportunity for a few nods to Voyager's 15th premiere anniversary and his own dip into fandom... Or was that really his first? "Eight years since the butthead," in any case.

The "extra" was promised soon, and a breathless world has been patient. Take a look... are remember that any yak with Ethan takes you places you hardly expected ...

Photo evidence: Bird-watching the Balding Eagles of Star Trek!

Yes, I'm slow—but I promised to share:

Thanks to all the fans who jumped in earlier in May to join or pledge to the "Balding Eagles of Star Trek" team—Bob Picardo, John Billingsley, Ethan Phillips (Armin Shimerman had a last-minute conflict)—and support the LA Audubon Society's "Centennial Bird-a-thon" and supported projects. (At right: Bob and John, background; Ethan in foreground)

A certain former Denobulan doctor tells me:

We saw one bird, and I inadvertently stepped on it. Very sad, really.

Nah, only kidding. I believe we saw (other people saw: I was always going "Where? Where?") 39 species. The winning team saw over 100, but they went out at an ungodly hour, crack of dawn-ish. Apparently birds, unlike Mad Dogs and Englishmen, don't like to go out in the noon-day sun.

Armin couldn't make it, so don't look for him in the photos, it's not a Where's Waldo? thing.

Pics above/below thanks to Lisa F., via John:

STV: Support Trek's "Bald(ing) Eagles" May 9 for charity

In the annals of Star Trek charity endeavors, here's a real wing-ding. John "Dr. Phlox" Billingsley asked me to spread the word for his BEST team—video below!—so I hope everyone flocks in who can do so:

The L.A. Audubon Society marks its 100th anniversary with a "Bird-a-thon" May 1-9, and to help out, a quartet of Treklanders—the "Bald(ing) Eagles of Start Trek"—have put together a celeb team you can join live on the final day for four hours May 9, or pledge to from afar. In this STV video below, John B. talks of how he, Armin Shimerman, Bob Picardo and Ethan Phillips hatched the idea of the BEST team to help out the L.A. Audubon with its direct and educational environmental efforts to help birds—and by extension all habitat and species.

In town or out, just call Martha at 888-522-7428 or email: books@laaudubon.org.

Press release that John mentions is below the screen:



And, direct from the BEST guys (and Bonnie "General Beckman" Friederichy):

Join STAR TREK alumni ARMIN SHIMERMAN (DS9), ROBERT PICARDO and ETHAN “JOHNNIE" PHILLIPS (ST: VOYAGER) and JOHN BILLINGSLEY (ST: ENTERPRISE) for a fun-filled afternoon of bird-watching and picnicking, ON MAY 9, to celebrate LOS ANGELES AUDUBON'S 100TH BIRTHDAY!


Los Angeles Audubon promotes the protection of birds and other wildlife through recreation, education, conservation and restoration. They are celebrating their Centennial with a "Bird-a-thon," a week-long 'species trek' across L.A. County.


Between May 1-9, teams—accompanied by experienced birders—will select a Los Angeles County hot birding spot and venture forth, in a competition to see which team can spot the most species!




JOIN OUR TEAM! HELP US WIN!


Armin, Bob, Ethan “Johnnie” Phillips, and John are forming the “BALD(ING) EAGLES OF STAR TREK TEAM” to help support the conservation efforts of Los Angeles Audubon! The first 30 people to sign up get to join us for an afternoon of adventure! We'll meet at a beautiful location, picnic on a delicious catered lunch, and then set forth to 'bird". Your contribution will also entitle you to attend LA Audubon's CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION, held (conveniently for us!), immediately after the conclusion of our afternoon peregrinations. You'll receive complete details re: venue(s), time, directions, etc., upon receipt of your check!


Here’s how to reserve your spot today! Call or email today- space is limited!


Call: 1.888.522.7428 Martha will assist you.
Email: books@laaudubon.org


Cost: $150/person




CAN’T JOIN THE BALD(ING) EAGLES STAR TREK TEAM?


You can still attend the Centennial Celebration! For $50, we can accommodate 20 guests at the Celebration on May 9th (to be held at dusk, in a beautiful outdoor location). The winning team (remember, there will have been a week of birdie rubbernecking) will be lauded, drinks and grub will be consumed, and LA Audubon's remarkable contribution to the health and vitality of our community will be hallelujahed.


Contact LA Audubon to reserve your spot at the Centennial Celebration!


Call: 1.888.522.7428 Martha will assist you.
Email: books@laaudubon.org


Cost: $50/person




OUT OF TOWN? OUT OF STATE? OUT OF NATION? OUT OF GALAXY?


Support the Bald(ing) Eagles Star Trek Team anyway by pledging a $ amount per species spotted: $1 a bird, for instance. (And if you're fearful of the Bald(ing) Eagles’ bird-watching prowess - Jeez, I didn't know there were that many birds! - set a maximum contribution level for yourself! Your $10, $20, $25 pledge goes a long way to help our feathered friends!)


Call: 1.888.522.7428 Martha will take your pledge. Once the Bald(ing) Eagles are back from the field, Martha will let you know how many species they encountered and what your
donation will be.
Email: books@laaudubon.org


Your participation will help support LA Audubon's conservation efforts: programs you will be helping to fund help rescue and preserve habitats for such beautiful birds as the endangered California Least Tern and the threatened Western Snowy Plover! Join the fun for a great cause!

How Rodddenberry-esque of his children: go protect the planet!

LA ALERT!: Ethan Phillips in world premiere "WIREHEAD", closes March 14

Hey, our own Ethan "Neelix" Phillips is currently in the world premiere of Echo Theatre's "Wirehead," running at Stage 52 (5299 W. Washington Blvd. in LA, 90016) and the reviews are raving. Ethan sat down to talk before the premiere about this rarest of plays, a sci-fi story, and his "shock jock" role as Rip—plus lots more work... so much so that here's just Part I:



We want to thank Ethan and Stage 52's Chris Fields for having us in for "Wirehead" on opening night: it's funny but edgy, with some barebones but clever staging and effects. Stop me if you've heard this before, Treksters, but the play follows two work buddies and their women forced to ponder how we hang on to our humanity in the midst of rampant technology and change? And is too much a danger—especially if it "improves the species"?

But let Ethan tell you all about it, and then hurry for tickets: with perfs on Fridays, Saturday and Sundays, this "comedy thriller" has just six shows left until its scheduled closing on Sunday, March 14. A great way to spend some weekend hours in gutsy live theatre with a rare sci-fi core.

And stay tuned for Part 2 with Ethan, and his thoughts on Trek then and now.

STV: Ethan Phillips: Next up for "Spirit of Star Trek"

Ethan "Neelix" Phillips is the next to jump into the screen-n-talk series "Spirit of Star Trek" —an evening of fun and thoughtful talk on philosophy, ethics, and spirituality through Star Trek's varied alien lenses ... an event like none other you get at even the biggest convention. If in SoCal, save March 29 for 7-9 p.m.—a screening of Neelix's standout show about shaken beliefs, "Mortal Coil," and then the Q&A, with a short reception afterward.

Here's a sneak peek with Ethan and host Curtis Webster, pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Encino that is home to the series, at 4963 Balboa just south of the 101. If the churchy thing seems a little scary, relax ... as you'll see it's a wide-open discussion—with even some Neelix insights ...

Curtis, of course, will again be joined by Star Trek's makeup guru Michael Westmore as co-host. The opener with Armin Shimerman, Max Grodenchik and "Prophet Motive" was a hit—and if you've ever seen Ethan at conventions you know he is always "on." Coming up: Robert O'Reilly and "Rightful Heir," April 26; Robert Picardo and "Latent Image," May 17; and Rod Roddenberry with a title TBA, June 28 ... with more to come in the fall.

To reserve a seat, they appreciate an RSVP; call Amber at 818-788-1147.

(Oh, and watch for Ethan's "protest shirt"....!)