European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - September 23, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse Trekking wit the stars at Thomas Brueckl alias Stann from the planet Vulcan gives the traditional Vulcan hand Salute. / by Carlos Bongioanni staff writer Avok the klingon hissed and growled every time a curious viewer stared at his protruding forehead. He looked like a Distant Cousin of neanderthal Man but you would t want to say that in his presence. Sporting the latest in overgrown Skullcap Kapok was among thousands of Star trek fans who recently journeyed to Mannheim Germany for the Star dream i convention. Infinite diversity and infinite combinations make life More interesting said Daniela Dittman a self proclaimed trekkie from Cologne Germany. Dressed up As a fictitious character named it. T Rea Troi Dittman divulged the reason for her pointy ears my Mother is from the planet Vulcan but my father is from Beta Zed she said with a logical expression. With her hand lifted and fingers spread she intoned something that sounded like a Cross Between japanese and italian. It Means live Long and Prosper in Vul canese she explained. To live Long and Prosper is More than a catch phrase for the television show Star trek. After 28 years of air time seven motion pictures two offshoot television series and a third on its Way this fall the show continues to Prosper and live on. Today millions of followers around is Carlos Bongioanni Jennifer Hetrick of Star trek the next generation one of the celebrities at the convention greets a fan during an autograph photo session. Is Carlos Bongioanni the world religiously watch any or All of the Star fre productions with a sense of Hope. "11 Star trek gives us the thought of a better More peaceful future with no racism said Manuela Rech 17, from Stuttgart Germany. A group of German youths agreed Star Rekand its sister shows portray messages of peaceful solutions and a tolerance for All according to Star trek script writer Eric Stillwell the show does have a philosophy it s trying to promote. We try to celebrate differences Between people and do away with discrimination noted Stillwell. However when we write we have to remember that the Sta ship characters Are from a utopian society. The aliens they encounter Are not that s How the show s conflicts besides its underlying theme of tolerance and peaceful coexistence the Star trek productions also Appeal to the technologically minded. According to Stillwell the shows Are popular in military and aerospace communities because they Aren t too far fetched. One of the criteria Star trek continued on Page 18 . A i a concert listings see pages 16 & 17 Michael Stipe and his comrades in the influential Athens ga., band tackle Europe in a monster tour. Short subject Schweinfurt band scores at army contest a charismatic first lieutenant based in Schweinfurt Germany led his platoon of Rock musicians to Victory last week at the fifth annual army Battle of the bands at fort Hood Texas. In their third annual appearance . Army Europe s 1 St it. David Harris and the seven piece band abstract captured the judges votes As the top Rock n Roll band and the top band Overall. For their efforts the victors took Home a 3 foot High trophy and $6,000 prize Money for their installation s morale welfare and recreation fund in Schweinfurt according to a press release from the Community & family support Center in Alexandria a. Judge Andrea Roseborough marketing manager for the new York based poly ram Label said Harris Charisma made abstract stand out from the seven other bands in the Rock category. The band was extremely tight everything sounded together and everybody in that group demonstrated a lot of skill in playing their instruments Roseborough was quoted in the release. Harris said he was surprised at the twin victories but credited the army for helping him find what he wants to do with his life. Within 90 Days he and the rest of his band will leave the army and stay in Germany to make music their careers. Harris has been in the army for six years including some time in the enlisted ranks. So t. Francisco Ruiz s family flew in from Mexico City to hear their son play guitar with abstract. I m not a hard Rock music fan said Raquel Ruiz his Mother. But this is what he likes and we re supporting her members of abstract Are pfc. Daniel Collins spec. Daniel Cashman sgt. Edward Spenceley sgt. 1 St class Robert Moak and spec. Michael o. Sanchez. The band s technician is Cpl. Robert Campbell. Nation a specially band that placed at the Usa eur Battle of the bands also competed but did not place. Band members Are sgt. Gregg m. Johnson sgt. Marvin e. Daniel sgt. Julio Diaz and staff sgt. James Trotter. A total of 14 bands competed in two categories Rock and specially. The latter included jazz rhythm and blues soul and latino. Bands were limited to seven members and had two opportunities to perform for up to 15 minutes. Other judges were Sam Riddle producer of the to Talent show Star search and Mickey Baker of North american Tours a Nashville producer and promoter who has been involved in the careers of stars including Dolly Parton Loretta Lynn Ray Charles and acc. David Harris of abstract Friday september 23,1994 the stars and stripes 15
