It’s been far too long since I made a formal entry into the Captain’s (b)log. Since April, we’ve continued our regular pace of holding at least one crew meeting and one away mission per month. We’ve conducted regular tactical ARTEMIS bridge simulations, had remastered TNG screenings, held a Star Trek board game night, went on a trip to the Maker Faire Bay Area, had a Prometheus opening weekend screening, a STARFLEET Academy study night, and even witnessed the 75th Anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge. In April, Ensign Robert Schaefer once again updated our ship’s logo, this time in full glorious LCARs color! Ensign Thomas Marrone also created a new logo for Region 4, and while it was well received by many chapters, in June the COs took a vote and ultimately decided to stick with the old logo. But as they say – “change is like an iceberg. It might be slow, but it can’t be stopped”. In May, the crew successfully launched the Federation Aid for Developing Worlds program. Using KIVA Micro-Loans, the USS Loma Prieta contributed $100 to a family in Uganda to finish their home and buy the supplies they needed to start a maize business in their community. In six months, the crew will select a new recipient for Federation Aid in a different sector of the Galaxy. 
The last few months have also been an exciting time for the Stellar Cartography department. In addition to viewing the transit of Venus across the Sun using special solar sensors, Lt(jg) Ben Roodman and Ensign Shawn Alpay have started the USS Loma Prieta’s ‘SETI @ Home’ team. Through the use of BOINC software, we’ve donated our computers’ spare processing time to analyze radio signals received from space and aid the scientific community’s search for extraterrestrial life. In less than two weeks, our small team has risen from the very bottom up to the 40th percentile of US based SETI teams. As Captain, I’ve had a few personal achievements as well. The comedy podcast ‘Improvised Star Trek’ recorded not one but two of my episode title suggestions, “Hell’s Nacelles” (out soon) and “The Postman Always Hails Twice” (available now). As Region 4 Social Media Director I’ve been working to revamp the Digital Shakedown Certification program, starting by working with a Region 4 shakedown vessel in Arizona, the USS Leonidas. Also, in conjunction with STARFLEET Medical, I took over as Chief of SFI Fire-Rescue, which will soon create a cadre of Emergency Response Teams (ERTs) made up of STARFLEET Paramedics, Damage Control, and Rescue officers. Since launching, our pace and ambition has been relentless. With remastered TNG movie theater screenings, astronomy based away missions, and ship vs ship ARTEMIS battles on the horizon, there are no signs of us letting up. Now more than ever we must bear in mind our ship’s motto – “When looking to the stars, keep both eyes open.” ~Capt. Zach Perkins Commanding Officer USS Loma Prieta Starfleet, Region 4
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