The California Browncoats will once again have a wide range of events and appearances planned at Comic-Con. Check below for our schedule of events. We will be updating this page as we receive appearance confirmation and information.

Special Guest Appearances

PJ Haarsma – Author of The Softwire series and co-founder of Kids Need to Read. In addition to PJ signing at the booth, he is also going to volunteer! You’ll have a chance to meet him and talk about his books, KNTR and possibly hear some great stories. Signing times for PJ are:

• Thursday 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
• Friday 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
• Saturday 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
• Sunday 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Felicia Day - Actress, writer, producer, musician and gamer. Felicia will be appearing at our tables to promote her internet series, The Guild and Joss Whedon’s upcoming internet musical, Dr. Horrible’s Sing-a-Long Blog. She is scheduled to appear throughout the weekend. See the Guild signing times below for Felicia’s schedule.

The Cast of The Guild - At various times the cast of The Guild will be appearing at our booth. Expect to find Vincent Caso (BLADEZZ, the Rogue/Thief), Jeff Lewis (Vork, Guildmaster), Amy Okuda (TINKERBALLA, the Ranger), Sandeep Parikh (ZABOO, the Warlock) and Robin Thorsen (CLARA, the Mage) hanging out with the Browncoats.

Signing times for The Guild cast are:

• Thursday 3:00 - 4:00 PM: Felicia Day & Jeff Lewis
• Friday 1:30 - 2:30 PM: Vincent Caso & Jeff Lewis (Sandeep Parikh & Robin Thorsen)
• Friday 5:00 - 6:00 PM: Sandeep Parikh & Robin Thorsen (Vincent Caso)
• Saturday 1:00 - 2:00 PM: Jeff Lewis & Vicent Caso (Robin Thorsen & Amy Okuda)
• Saturday 4:00 - 5:00 PM: Felicia Day & Amy Okuda
• Sunday 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Felica Day & Sandeep Parkih (Vincent Caso & Amy Okuda)
• Sunday - 12:00 - 2:00 PM - Browncoat Meeting Room, Felicia Day will be doing a book reading and talk about The Guild
• The cast members in the parentheses may be at or around the CABC booth during the specified times. Also, Felicia Day will be visiting the booth throughout Friday, as her schedule permits. (She’ll be busy with Dr. Horrible stuff.)

Adam Levermore-Rich - Artist/co-creator of SaveHiatus.com, the new webcomic for the obsessive fan in all of us. Adam is also well known in the Browncoat/geek fandom for his online store Black Market Beagles and as an artisan for Quantum Mechanix. His signing times at the booth are:

• Thursday 1:00 - 1:30 PM
• Saturday 5:00 - 5:30 PM

Kevin J. Anderson & Rebecca Moesta - Kevin has written or co-written over 90 novels including the new Dune series, The Saga of the Seven Suns, the Star Wars “Jedi Academy” series, and more. Rebecca, his wife and frequent co-author has written a Buffy the Vampire Slayer novel, 3 in the Junior Jedi Knight series, and with Kevin she has co-written Crystal Doors, 14 Young Jedi Knights novels and more. We are very happy to welcome Kevin and Rebecca to the booth as novelists of many books aimed at children and young adults, the audience that Kids Need to Read targets for their mission. Kevin and Rebecca’s signing time at the booth is:

• Saturday 2:30 - 3:30 PM

Nancy Holder - Nancy is a best-selling author, professor and mom. She has written over80 books, most in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel and Smallville universes. She also has written the Pretty Freekin Scary series, numerous short stories and articles, and co-written the Wicked series with Debbie Viguie. On top of all that she also teaches creative writing at the University of California at San Diego, including a course devoted to Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Nancy will also be doing a reading with her daughter during the Browncoat Meeting room on Sunday.

• Thursday 12:00 - 1:00 PM
• Sunday - 12:00 - 2:00 PM - Browncoat Meeting Room 24A

Shawna Trpcic - A fan favorite costumer designer for having worked on such shows as Angel, Point Pleasant, K-Ville and Firefly. She is also the designer on Joss Whedon’s just released Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog and the upcoming Dollhouse. Designed famous items such as Illyria’s costume and Mal’s Browncoat.

• Friday 10:30 - 11:30 AM (tentative)

Jaime Chambers and Lindsay Archer - Jaime (writer) and Lindsay (artist) both worked on the Serenity Role Playing Game. They have also worked on a lot of other projects for Margaret Weis Productions, including Supernatural, Dragonlance and Battlestar Galactica RPGs. Stop by and get your RPG signed, and maybe hear some news about upcoming releases in the Serenity ‘verse.

Meeting Room

We will once again have a meeting room on Sunday afternoon from 12:00 - 2:00 PM in Room 24A (same as always). Items on the schedule of events include announcements about upcoming California Browncoat events and charity auctions. Expect news on new products from companies like Dark Horse Comics and Quantum Mechanix. PJ Haarsma will be on hand to give us the scoop on Kids Need to Read, the charity he co-founded. He will also be one of the authors (and Felicia Day!) who will do live book readings. Currently scheduled to do a reading is PJ, Felicia, Nancy Holder and her daughter Belle, Kevin Anderson and Rebecca Moesta and more! Felicia will also let us know what’s going on with The Guild. There will be news from the Ariel Ambulance, the 76th Battalion, Browncoat Ball, Creation’s Firefly/Serenity Salute and more! All this and your final chance to hang out with the Browncoats before any last minute shopping and the end of the convention.

Freebies!

We don’t want you to walk away from our tables empty handed (besides all the swag you purchase). That means we’ve got another free item you can pick up when you stop by and visit. This item will be in limited supply and given out at random times every day. But really, is it a bad thing stopping by multiple times during the convention?

“Jayne Hat” Flash Mob

Walk down the street and show everyone you’re not afraid of anything. Stop by the booth and ask a staff member for top secret information on how to join the Jayne Hat Flash Mob. All you will need is a few spare minutes, a Jayne Hat, and the fearlessness to wear such a cunning hat. Details will only be released on a need to know basis. Don’t worry if you miss one or don’t have a Jayne Hat yet, we’ll be mobbing daily and have some hats available for sale at the booth.

After Hours Browncoat Meet-up

We know it’s crazy and hectic every day at Comic-Con, and that you just want to rest and hang out with friends at night. We’ve researched the surrounding area and found a perfect spot for meeting up with other Browncoats. On Thursday, Friday ,and Saturday night, you’ll be able to find Browncoats relaxing and looking to meet others with the same love of the ‘verse in a pre-arranged spot. We’ll be meeting at the Marriott next door to the convention, at the seating area in front of DW’s Irish Pub. After you enter the Marriott, turn left toward the South Tower. Pass the gift shop, Hertz and Starbucks. DW’s will be on your left. Look for the tables with “Browncoat Friendly” signs and have fun!

You’ll also be able to pick up a handy little invite with these directions at our tables.

This meeting spot is also a perfect chance for locals not going to Comic-Con to meet the Browncoats invading their town.

Stay Tuned to this page for more announcements!

Posted: June 12, 2008 in Comic Con 2008, Events, Fan Outreach

The California Browncoats are proud to support The Kids Need to Read Foundation with our fundraiser at Comic-Con this year. In addition to taking donations for KNTR, we will be selling a Limited Edition of Serenity: Better Days #1 with an exclusive cover only available from CABC at Comic-Con.

The Kids Need to Read Foundation is a non-profit organization established in August 2007 by The Softwire series author PJ Haarsma and actor Nathan Fillion. Their mission statement is to purchase and provide books to libraries, schools, and other institutions in need. They also act to foster a love of reading in all children, encourage reading among reluctant readers, and look for new ideas to encourage childhood literacy. KNTR accomplishes their mission by hosting eBay auctions, selling literacy-themed and “Kindness is a Strength” items, and various other fundraising activities. They then use those funds to buy books from an official book list that includes a variety of well-reviewed books for children and teens.

For more information on Kids Need to Read, visit their site, community, Myspace, or Facebook.

“When I first traveled across North America to promote The Softwire, my initial excitement quickly turned to dismay when I witnessed the lack of book funds available to schools and libraries. Children would follow me into the parking lot after my presentation begging for a book they couldn’t afford while teachers and librarians scrambled to find funds for even a single copy. I came across many a teacher who took the money out of his/her own pocket just so the kids could have the book in their library. It was this disturbing trend that prompted me to establish the Kids Need to Read project as a way to fight back. It is our dream to fill library shelves with great books so that no child lacks for amazing stories to inspire their imaginations.” - PJ Haarsma, Author

“Growing up, my parents managed to show me the importance of reading without cramming it down my throat. A difficult task, I’m sure. It breaks my heart to think that there are kids out there, ready to have their imaginations lit on fire, excited and wanting to read, and facing naked shelves in their school or local libraries. Rather than complain or wait till the system stops failing our nation’s children, this is a matter I feel we must take into our own hands. There are children, right now, waiting— wanting to read. What shall we tell them? I support Kids Need To Read because it fosters a desire to learn, the process of self-improvement, and the chance for children’s minds to grow. What will you do?” - Nathan Fillion, Actor

Posted: June 6, 2008 in Comic Con 2008, Events

THANK YOU!
The California Browncoats would like to thank the following sponsors for their generous support of the Exclusive Limited Edition of Serenity: Better Days #1.

	www.margaretweis.com
	www.creationent.com
	www.poplollies.com
	www.powersandpowers.com www.pointbridge.com
	www.savehiatus.com
	www.donetheimpossible.com
	www.qmxonline.com

www.sheldoncomics.com/

www.cruisetomars.com

 in Comic Con 2008, Events

The California Browncoats are proud to announce that the silent auction we ran during the Browncoat Cruise raised $1,750 for The Al Wooten Jr. Heritage Center. 200 Browncoats from around the world travelled the seas and donated to a worthy cause. The total amount raised was not only received from the silent auction winnings, but from other attendees who donated during the cruise, and in the following weeks.

Ron Glass was a special guest on the cruise and he saw first hand just how generous and giving Browncoats can be. We would like to thank everyone who bid in the auction, the winning bidders, all those who donated, and the companies who donated prizes.

A complete list of auction items, winning bidders and amounts can be found on our Browncoat Cruise page (coming soon).

Posted: June 3, 2008 in Charity, Events

In a tradition started at the first Browncoat fan table at Comic-Con, the California Browncoats raised money for Equality Now at WonderCon 2008 in San Francisco. Equality Now is the favorite charity of Firefly/Serenity creator Joss Whedon, and CABC is honored to add our support. With the combined money received during WonderCon from donations and special sales items, we are proud to send $2,300 to Equality Now.

We would like to thank all fans who donated, played Browncoat Bingo, and bought the special keychains and shirts. We also owe thanks to all the companies who provided prizes for our Thank You Prize Drawing. A complete list of prizes can be found on our WonderCon page.

 in Charity, Events, WonderCon 2008