STARFLEET's top Santa Claus beamed down the proverbial chimney for a night of "Star Trek" games. Kayla and her son Alex, USS Angeles members, hosted the party attended by more than a dozen members plus others Jan. 14 at their home in Encino.

Sal, the former commander of STARFLEET: The International Star Trek Fan Association Inc., came to a party where we drank Romulan ale (the non-alcoholic kind), laughed and celebrated "Star Trek." Not even the presence of a Borg (or at least a lifesize cutout of one) could break up our fun. And Alex, a teenager, showed his uncanny knowledge of "Star Trek" as his team won the "Star Trek" Scene It? game. The next generation knows its "Trek." Alex also was promoted to crewman, as was Kayla. Chris M. was promoted to lieutenant commander.

And as Sal watched, the man who worked for him when  he was STARFLEET chief of communications, Jon L., received his Region 4 award for Flag Officer of the Year.

During the party, Sal, who has played Santa in appearances for children and in the 2009 thriller "The Box," entertained us with his stories and his "sleigh" — a red 2009 Chevy HHR decked out with flashing lights.

For photos, click on our Media section. More details will be in the next Angels Flight, our newsletter that goes to members. Not a member yet? Don't wait for another Big Bang; click on Join Us. You can be a member for just $6 for one year, $10 for two years. It all adds up to fun.

Karen has joined the Command Staff as an alternate member at a time when we need additional help. Capt. Dave has asked her to oversee community service projects, and like all CS members, Karen will be involved in general decision-making for the ship. Welcome to the Command Staff, Karen!

By Capt. Dave

It was the most sensational, inspirational, celebrational, Muppetational time as Elizabeth, Kelly and I saw Kermit and Miss Piggy perform live Dec. 17 at El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood.

The Muppet icons led a sing-along of Christmas classics such as "Jingle Bells" before El Capitan showed the new "Muppets" movie. Afterward, we ate at one of the locations featured in the film. For photos, go to the Media section. (Spoiler alert: The captions discuss the movie's locations, but not the plot.)

Later that day, I saw "A Snow White Christmas" at El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood and was impressed with Marina Sirtis' portrayal of the Evil Queen. The play has finished its run for this year, but don't read the next paragraph if you want to avoid spoilers for future productions.

The play made plenty of "Star Trek" references, and at one point the woman forever known as Cmdr. Deanna Troi on "The Next Generation," recognizing her defeat, complained, "My warp core's been breached." Jackie F. and Kat, who both saw the play on other days, and I were impressed with the show, starring Lindsay Pearce (Harmony on "Glee" and a runner-up on "The Glee Project") as Snow White. The highlight for me was seeing the seven dwarfs and Snow White perform the Village People anthem "YMCA." The show was full of such hits. (FYI, YMCA stands for Young Men's Cottage Annex. At least, that's what the dwarfs said.)

Although his performance was taped, Neil Patrick Harris still made a memorable presence on stage as the Magic Mirror, and of course, he got to make a reference to his TV sitcom, "How I Met Your Mother."

The 350-seat theater proved to be the ideal, intimate setting as the cast  members encouraged all the kids to cheer for the heroes and boo the Evil Queen. Adults sitting near me — clearly Trekkers like us — chuckled when I cheered a few times for the Queen. No offense, Snow White, I couldn't help it. This was Troi!