All posts by CSTS Admin

2010, CSTS Global

And the winner is…

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First off, we want to thank each and every one of our entrants in this years Promotional Art Contest. We had more entries than last year, and they were all fantastic in their own way. It was a tough decision for me personally on which I voted on, as I’m sure many of you experienced.

However, we can only have one “winner” here and that winner is: #5 by Don McMillan from Ottawa, ON Canada. You might remember Don’s work from last year’s promotional art. Congratulations Don, and thanks to all who entered for the hard work they put into their entries.

… Read more…

2010, CSTS Global

Registration Now Open!

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Official registration is now open for the CSTS 2010 season. A few things have changed in the process from last year, so please make sure to read the instructions carefully.  Registration is also now 100% online, for your convenience.

Please visit our Host an Event! page for all the details about the registration process.

Stay shiny!… Read more…

2010, CSTS Global

2010 Promotional Art Contest

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WANTED 2010 – CREATIVE, ARTISTICAL FOLK

Do you love all things Serenity? Do you love doing good works? Do you have mad artistic skillz?

Then there’s probably no power in the ‘Verse more compellin’ then a request for you and your awesome creativity.

Calling all Big Damn Artistical Heroes… We’re putting the signal out to those of YOU with the guts and artistic skills necessary to create the Official Promotional Artwork for CSTS 2010.

One lucky winner’s design will be featured on t-shirts, posters and promotional material and only one can achieve world fame.

Should you accept this mission and seek to become an artistic part of the CSTS 2010 crew, you’ll have to follow the basic guidelines listed below. The reward is shiny, the cause is mighty and we’re sanguine (as in the hopeful sense of the word) that the competition will be mighty fierce… what with all the amazing and compelling art you’ll be sending in.… Read more…

2009, Why We Are Here Stories

Why We Are Here (Part VII)

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Why We Are Here

Twelve is a magical age, where life is poised to leave childhood behind while reaching out toward the mysteries of women. Dolls sit on shelves but remain dear friends and babysitting becomes something to strive for, to feed the blossoming feminine need to nurture as well as to earn money for little dreams. Yet on September 11th, for Fawziya Abdullah Youssef (a 12-year-old who should have been a flower girl instead of a child-bride) life ended – awash in pain and blood.

Fawziya bled to death after three days of hard labor, a child forced to become a mother before her time. For most WOMEN it is a traumatic experience (pain of any kind for anyone is debilitating) but to force a CHILD to suffer through it for THREE days is a devastating commentary of sadness and disbelief.… Read more…

2009, CSTS Global

Calling all Browncoats and Doers of Good Deeds!

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CSTS and Equality Now need your help to do good in the ‘Verse!

What if we tell you that there is a way you can help make a difference to raise money for Equality Now and all it would take is maybe a minute of your time?  Sound good?  Well here’s the scoop.

There’s a contest for your favorite charity at:

http://www.ilovechristiecookies.com/contest/form.asp

The link isn’t listed in the drop down menu yet, but with a few more votes it should be up there soon.  So where’s what you need to do.

1.  Click on the drop down menu (“Check to see if your favorite charity is already listed.”) to see if Equality Now is listed.  If it is, click on it and proceed to fill out your information and vote! … Read more…

2009, CSTS Global

1st Round Global Prize Winners

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GUESS WHAT? I have here in my cyber hand something you fine folk have been waiting to read.  No, it’s not a puppy or a shiny sparkling bit of heist (although those things are fine enough in their own regards…)

I have here, right here before me… that precious bit o’email from Amanda at Equality Now!

What email you ask?  Well for those of you who mighta missed our little missive earlier, it contains two very special names – the names belonging to the shiny winners in part one of the global prize draw…

Even I can’t stop the serenity – so now, without any further ado and/or and procrastination of the special shiny announcement – here we go.

::drum roll please::

The winner of the Creation Entertainment Gold Passes is:

✺❥✺ MEGAN MCAFEE-ERSKINE ✺❥✺
of Albuquerque❣

AND

The winner of the Browncoat Ball Passes is:


✺❥✺ JOHNNY YARBROUGH ✺❥✺
of Chicago!❣
… Read more…
2009, CSTS Global

1st Round Global Drawing Entries Submitted to EN

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SHINY!  We’ve sent the following list of lucky first round winners off to our fantabulous friends at Equality Now and at any moment they will be picking the two lucky winners for the Browncoat Ball and Creation Entertainment passes!


CREATION ENTERTAINMENT GOLD PASSES

Jen Grańa – Boston
Cory Seaton – Denver
Carl Hewelt – Chicago
Craig Dungan – Raleigh
Abi Kritzer – Minneapolis
Patrick O’Connor – Seattle
David West – Pittsburgh
Aurora Miracle – Portland
Brett Trout – Des Moines
Mark Thompson – Vancouver, BC
Wendy Scott – Warwick, UK
Diana Hall – Nottingham, UK
David Hudgins – Arlington
Steven Norris – Nashville
Tiffany Bell – Melbourne, AUS
Jacob Acosta – Dallas
Megan McAfee-Erskine – Albuquerque
Linda Bourbeau – OC/Irvine
Michelle Carlbert – Los Angeles
David Bean – San Diego
MA Ghaffar – Riverside
Lydia Hernandez – Austin
Risa Kitaura – San Antonio

BROWNCOAT BALL PASSES

Dan Morley – New England
Erin Card – Denver
Johnny Yarbrough – Chicago
Amy Preble – Raleigh
Grant Johnson – Minneapolis
Gary Rawson – Seattle
Michele Trader – Pittsburgh
Anitra Pavka – Portland
Kelly Goergen – Des Moines
Laurel Ragen – Vancouver, BC
Susan Crean – Warwick, UK
Laura Walker – Nottingham, UK
Matt Krainik – Arlington
Lisa Rish – Nashville
Carly Williams – Melbourne, AUS
Tracy Yothers – Dallas
Chris Laplante – Albuquerque
Michelle Evans – OC/Irvine
Kate Hopp – Los Angeles
Corey Ruhl – San Diego
Beth Zorko – Riverside
Barbara Slough – Austin
Jaime Crowe – San Antonio

And these are the Browncoat groups who sent ‘e m on up!… Read more…

2009, CSTS Global

Global Prize Drawing Entries

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Ni hao!!!

Can you feel the excitement in the air?  I’m EXCITED!  Why?  Because we are ready to draw the Global Prizes for the Creation Entertainment Gold Weekend Package AND for the awesome Browncoat Ball Passes!!!   PLUS the lovely gals at Equality Now are standing by (well probably sitting lol) to do the random drawing for us.

However, these are the only Browncoat groups I’ve received any entries for to date:

Chicago Browncoats
Denver Browncoats
Des Moines Browncoats
Minneapolis Browncoats
New England Browncoats*
Nottingham Browncoats
Pittsburgh Browncoats
Portland Browncoats
Raleigh Browncoats
Seattle Browncoats
Vancouver Browncoats
Warwick Browncoats

*via snail mail (All others were emailed to globalprizedraw@cantstoptheserenity.com)

(Las Vegas submitted only one entry and we are waiting for clarification on which prize their winner is suppose to be entered into)

It seems we are short a few cities! … Read more…

2009, Why We Are Here Stories

Why We Are Here (Part VI)

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Why We Are Here

This week’s Why We Are Here is a special one.  It is dedicated to all of the caring fathers out there in the world.  Equality moves both ways, and we need to remember that when walking and working with our male counterparts in humanity’s symphony.  There are plenty of wonderful courageous men who work hard for equality right alongside the womenfolk and who practice doing the right thing.  At the same time, there are many who have dedicated themselves to learning how to do the right thing, in spite of thousands of years of cultural influence.  It is because of the education and other programs backed by Equality Now (and other worthy institutions) that these seekers of truth and equality have the chance to change the imbalance.… Read more…

2009, CSTS Global

Get Some Global Merch!

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SO, we’ve heard tell there are folks in the ‘Verse who would like to maybe get their hands on some shiny shirts, hoodies and patches but either can’t get to a screening near them OR there isn’t one close enough to fly out to.

Well we’ve heard your call, and do we have a deal for you!  For one week, until 11:59 PM CST on JUNE 29th, you, your family and friends and heck anyone in the ‘Verse can order some shiny 2009 swag straight from Global.  Just go to the 2009 Global Merch page, click on the buttons and order away!  All proceeds over and above the costs of the items will go directly to Equality Now and be accounted for in the Global Total (hooks up with our Facebook Cause page donations).… Read more…

2009, Why We Are Here Stories

Why We Are Here (Part V)

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Why We Are Here

In the past few weeks, I’ve shared some stories about the cold, cruel and unbalanced world around us and the need to keep the signal going.  But what happens when you do speak out?  Do things change?  The answer is yes – they do.  Some change faster than others but action and speaking out do make a difference.

That’s why today’s “Why We Are Here,” is about the positive side of working to make the world a better and more equal place.  There are two stories I am going to reference today, where Equality Now has helped justice prevail and the winds of change sweep far and wide.

Our first story deals with Zambia and the horrific rape of school girls by their teachers.  Not for the first time, Edson Hakasenke raped one of his students by luring her to his house on the premise of collecting schoolwork. … Read more…

2009, CSTS Global

Promoting CSTS to the Airwaves and Beyond!

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Do you have a podcast (or know someone who does) who also loves all things Serenity? Would you like an audio file on your Browncoat website promoting this year’s Can’t Stop the Serenity events?

Then, this here little gem (available in either .mp3 or .wav) is just what you’re looking for!

Click here to go to our fabulous multimedia page and snag the file that’s right for you.

And while you are here, feel free to browse around our various media promotional materials. If you see something you like and want to help spread the signal, feel free to download any of these as well. Feel free to share them and this page with Serenity/Firefly lovers everywhere, so we can keep promoting CSTS 2009!… Read more…

2009, CSTS Global, Equality Now

Thank You from EN for CSTS 2008

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To Beth Nelson (’08 GO) and all the CSTS 08 organizers:

I am writing on behalf of Equality Now to thank you and all of the Browncoat volunteers and attendees for the incredible achievement of 2008’s Can’t Stop the Serenity Global screening event. I know how hard each and every one of you worked to make your event special, to make it fun for the attendees and participants, to make it the great success that it was!

It’s been a tough year, and a great year. We’ve seen some remarkable progress in the struggle to end the practice of FGM (female genital mutilation). Equality Now’s FGM Program is working with grassroots partners in more than sixteen African countries who are working to stop FGM in their communities by raising awareness and offering alternatives, and you are helping us do this.… Read more…

2009, Equality Now

Keeping the Signal Going! – EN & the UN

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Dear CSTSland and others who support the Cause:

It’s time to do our job and help spread the signal.  Equality Now has made the front page of the Wall Street Journal because they are working on making the world aware about Sexual Harassment within the United Nations. They want to get the word out to as many people as they can.

That’s where you come into the mix.  You can help make a difference by doing two simple things.  A:  Read the following statement from Equality Now and become educated about the matter.  B: Send the message on to everyone you know and urge them to do the same.  Twitter it, post it on your websites, get it out anywhere and everywhere you can.

Let’s help make a difference.… Read more…

2009, Why We Are Here Stories

Why We Are Here (Part IV)

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Why We Are Here

“ . . . Because it’s no longer enough to be a decent person.” – JW

This week’s, “Why We Are Here” marks the anniversary of the post which changed my life.  On May 20, 2007, Joss Whedon wrote his impassioned poignant plea on Whedonesque entitled “Let’s Watch a Girl Get Beaten to Death.”

“ . . . I look and I see the earth in flames. Her face was nothing but red.” – JW

For 30 minutes, Du’a Khalil Aswad was stoned to death by more than 20 men (while 2,000 or more looked on) some of them family and friends.  Her own family lured her back, promising all was forgiven, all was well.  Some participants threw rocks with one hand and captured it all on their cell phones with the other. … Read more…

2009, CSTS Global

Broadcasting the Signal

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Announcing….

Broadcasting the Signal – A CSTS Promotional Campaign

It’s time to spread the word in earnest to those who need to hear it. You’ve heard about why we are here. You’ve heard about the important work that Equality Now does. And you know how fun a “Can’t Stop the Serenity” event can be.

Well, now it’s time to Broadcast the Signal!

We’re going to be spending the next week telling the world about CSTS, and you can help!

Our first event is 24 May (CSTS Dallas Women’s Music Showcase) then things really kick into gear in June revving all the way through to September.

“What can one person do?”

The answer is plenty. Did you know that when two sound waves occur at the same time and are in the same phase, the waves reinforce each other and the sound becomes louder?… Read more…

2009, Why We Are Here Stories

Why We Are Here (Part III)

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Why We Are Here

Freda Adler, a US author, educator and theorist states: “Rape is the only crime in which the victim becomes the accused.”  Aisha Ibrahim Duhulow of Kismayo, Somalia learned this lesson the hard way – a way that ended in her death.

Imagine you’ve been raped by three men on the way to visit your grandmother, and that you are brave enough to report it.   It is hard to put yourself in Aisha’s place isn’t it?  Because rape is a disgusting, uncivilized sickness – one, we don’t like to talk about.  The courage it takes to come forward is almost inconceivable.  Even if the rapist is caught and brought to justice, his victims who survive suffer for the rest of their lives.

Aisha and her family came forward seeking help and healing. … Read more…

2009, Why We Are Here Stories

Why We Are Here (Part II)

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Why We Are Here

Mother’s Day – we celebrate it on different days around the globe, but it means the same thing.  It is a day when children of all ages say thank you; a day we can tell our moms how special they are and how much we love them.

Yet in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, many mothers will only receive meaningless silence and painful tears, instead of flowers and family hugs.  They will not be celebrating with their daughters this year.

And indeed for some, ever again.

Just across the border from El Paso, Texas, Death struts about performing his horrible magic tricks.  Countless women disappear.  Some have never returned.  Those that do are only recovered as mutilated pieces.  It is as if Death owns the town – and maybe he does. … Read more…

2009, CSTS Global, Events

CSTS Event Update

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The countdown is on to the first Can’t Stop the Serenity event of 2009!

CSTS Dallas is first cab off the ranks with their CSTS Musical Showcase on Sunday, 24 May. Musical performers include Marian Call, Inner Frequency and Kristina Morland, so if you’re down Dallas way head on over for a fun filled night of great food, drinks, Whedonverse trivia and phenomenal music!

June is packed full of events, with over 20 events already raring to go. We’re starting off in Toronto, Canada and then the US events kick into high gear! Check our Calendar for all the
details.

We’re thrilled to see so many cities back with events in 2009, many in their fourth successful year of raising funds for Equality Now. And we’re beyond excited to see that Can’t Stop the Serenity is still growing!… Read more…

2009, Why We Are Here Stories

Why We Are Here (Part I)

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Why We Are Here

The answer to this question varies. Many of us participate in CSTS events and other Browncoat related activities for a number of reasons. We join together to make a difference in the world because we’ve been rallied by Joss’s words to do something, anything. We meet up so that we can share our love of the Serenity/Firefly/Whedonverse, and because we are like-minded folk who want to share other aspects of our lives with our fellow Fireflyians. These are just a few of the reasons we come together in this fellowship

And they are all, very good reasons.

The main focus of Can’t Stop the Serenity has always been to help Equality Now keep the signal going. EN seeks to let the voices of abused women the world over, cry out and be heard.… Read more…

2009, CSTS Global, Events

Event Registration Dates Extended

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Dear CSTSland:

How are all you amazing Browncoats? Thank you for working so hard to make Can’t Stop the Serenity 2009 an amazing success!

I come to you today with hat in hand. Why? Well I just bet you’ve seen the affiliate form and thought… hmmm we get it on May 1st AND it’s the deadline… What’s up with Global? Why wasn’t it up before?

And you’d be right to think that.

I originally created the Affiliate Event Registration Form in February about the same time as the Serenity Screening Event Registration Form. My email said “Hey it’s sent!” So I skipped off into the sunset and neglected to double-check the number of attachments. My bad. While planning a drive to promote of Affiliate Events (now that the Serenity Screening Events are moving and grooving) I discovered that the form wasn’t up on site.… Read more…

2009, CSTS Global, Events

Affiliate City Registration

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Do you want to have a CSTS event in your area, but can’t find a willing or reasonably priced cinema? Are there not enough Browncoats, or think there’s not enough time to get it done for this year?

Become an Affiliate City!

Affiliate Events could include a quiz night, a BBQ, Dr Horrible screening or a bakesale in the name of CSTS. You’ll receive acknowledgment on the website for your efforts, be part of the CSTS community, and you’ll have helped support a really wonderful cause, Equality Now.

There is a special allocation of global swag (items donated by global sponsors) for Affiliate Events.

This is a great opportunity to get together with likeminded people and spread a little “Can’t Stop the Serenity” joy.

Event Registration deadlines are as follows:

15 May 2009 – This guarantees your event is listed on global merchandise (eg.… Read more…