DCSWCC is proud to announce its new corps of officers.  Elections were held in November and these officers were elected to a two-year term starting January 2010:

Martin Thurn (re-elected as President) is a charter member of DCSWCC and previously served as its Administrator.  Outside of the club, Martin is the webmaster for The Star Wars Collector’s Bible (http://www.sandcrawler.com/SWB) and in the 1990’s he was the publisher of The Star Wars Collector magazine. 

Frank Klukosky (re-elected as Vice President / Administrator) is a charter member of DCSWCC and producer of the documentary Star Wars Cribs.  Frank is an intimate expert on Mara Jade – and her collectibles. 

Bob Martinazzi (re-elected as Treasurer) is a charter member of DCSWCC and a die-hard Luke Jedi focus collector, as showcased on http://www.LukeJedi.info and in the premier episode of Star Wars Cribs. 

Jeff Schock (new Maryland Regional Director) joined DCSWCC in 2005.  Jeff collects a wide variety of items, with a particular fondness for posters, advertising art, and anything stormtrooper-related. 

Jonathan McElwain (new Virginia Regional Director) joined DCSWCC in 2006. A long time fan and collector, Jonathan’s collection is focused on worldwide Star Wars food promotions, both vintage and modern. 

The DC Metro Area Star Wars Collecting Club (DCSWCC) held their 6th Annual Summer/Fall Social on Saturday, September 26th in Poolesville, MD.  Members traveled from Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and all around Maryland to take part in this event.  Upon their arrival, members received a goodie bag filled with random Star Wars paraphernalia, including an “I Love Star Wars” car magnet from the club president, Martin Thurn; the yearly patch (this time featuring a toasted Greedo and the slogan “DCSWCC: Where Han always shoots first”); a Boba Fett pin and patch donated by the group's founder and original president Mike Kurtz; the next DCSWCC trading card; and much more!  

Even though the sun was not shining as brightly as usual, members and their families enjoyed a cook-out of delicious hamburgers and hot dogs, grilled up by our master chef Jay Jorgensen, along with a smorgasbord of other delicious foods, including a Jabba the Hutt cake baked and decorated by Deb Kittle!  Aric Darroe provided the gathering with a soundtrack as he DJ’d songs from every decade and every galaxy.  Luckily, the rain didn’t start to fall until after everyone had filled up on dessert!  As the drizzle turned into a downpour, the DCSWCC crowded onto the front porch of the farmhouse (it’s a good thing we are all such close friends) and took part in a game of “The Price Is Right” for the Star Wars collector, put together by the club’s own Jason Stewart.  Members competed in a variety of pricing games using high-end and rare Star Wars collectibles from the vintage and modern eras.  

After that, everyone pulled out their raffle tickets and listened intently as President Martin pulled raffle numbers from a Darth Vader-head basket.  The raffle this year had some very unique items, such as an autographed photo of Shannon McRandle, known to fans as Mara Jade, and favorite of the club, as well as a variety of items donated by Action Figure Authority, Beyond Comics, Brian’s Toys, CineMasterpieces, FBTB.net, GalacticBinder.com, GalacticHunter.com, KSWCC, Lucasfilm, LukeJedi.info, OfficialPix, Oscar’s Cases, OSWCC, Past Generation Toys, RebelScum.com, and SWDLR Gaming, and club members Denise K., Jonathan McElwain, Tim Walsh, Mike Kurtz, and Jason Stewart.  Club photographer Frank Klukosky snapped photos of each member accepting their prize. 

The officers of the Washington DC Area Star Wars Collecting Club (DCSWCC) had a special surprise for members at a recent monthly meeting — an exclusive trading card by the club, for the club, of the club.  First in a bimonthly series of six, this card commemorates the exclusive “proof cards” that the club has created every summer since its inception in 2003.  The card is numbered “1” and is designed in tribute to "The Empire Strikes Back" series two (blue) trading cards produced by Topps in 1980.  Only 100 of each trading card will ever be made. 

Kensington MD, December 3rd, 2008 -- On behalf of DCSWCC, president Martin T. along with vice president Frank K., Jonathan M., and "jedi" Galen F. presented a check for $5200 to the Aluminum Cans for Burned Children Program.

The presentation was made during ACBC's annual Christmas party at Dave & Buster's White Flint Mall location.   Accepting the check on behalf of ACBC was director Renee S., treasurer Curtis S., and representatives of northern Virginia fire & rescue departments including Mr. and Mrs. Santa. 

The money was raised during 2008 via sales of DCSWCC's exclusive Boba Fett cloisonne lapel pin.  There is still time for YOU to help out this important cause. Visit http://store.dcswcc.org to order your pin today!

For more information about ACBC please visit their website at http://www.acbcprogram.org.

The Washington DC Metro Area Star Wars Collecting Club (DCSWCC) held its 5th annual Summer Social on September 20th, 2008 in Poolesville, MD.