Somewhat tardy (on my part) report from the front from Steve Killgore of Team Browncoat, our local Prescott paintball team.

The Independent and honorable men and women of Team Browncoats excel at Scenario paintball, "holding the high ground" in Prescott Arizona. Our other sponsors for 2009 include Northern Arizona Paintball, Dora Paintball, Q-Loader, Slip2000, Save Phace, Red Dot Paintball, Limb Saver, and Ammo, our favorite energy drink.

So Festival of the West came and went. Besides the obscene heat and today's wind, it was pretty fun. For those who are curious, our Rocking RR chuck wagon won First Place in Beans on Saturday and Gravy on Sunday. Certainly can't complain about that considering we were against 10 other wagons representing some of the best outdoor cooking in the region. I will try to bring whatever leftovers I can scrounge (and that survive the next two weeks) to the next Bookmans shindig.

The 2009 Festival of the West begins tomorrow at Westworld in Scottsdale and there are lots of reasons you should go! The festival is a nationally recognized event with roots deep in the classic westerns. It's not necessarily a traditional "geek" event, but considering our beloved Firefly was part-western, I think we could find something to enjoy while there. There are a great many performers, merchants, artists, and contests to occupy your time.

Most of all, you should come out of support for your fellow Browncoats! To my knowledge (I'll post more folks as I get them), our own Randall will be running the costume contest, Jessica and Don & Cat Hicks from Tucson will be volunteering, and David (me...) will be helping his parents with the Chuckwagon Cookoff on Thursday morning and Saturday morning with Lisa. Be sure to stop by early in the day as any food samples will likely run out quickly. As for Randall's Costume Contest, it is scheduled for 11am on Saturday. Pretty much all of the good stuff happens in the morning so plan to get up early. What can I say, cowboys got up early... and can you blame them when it hits 90 by noon on a GOOD day?

Becky Carter sent in a couple pictures of her granddaughter and... seriously, how can you not post that face on our Browncoat site?

So March's Shindig came and went and as usual it was a blast. Here's the details you missed from the CSTS 2009 meeting, the AZBC, inc. Meeting, the Bookmans Shindig, and the After-Shindig at Applebees: