AUSXIP NETWORK SITE UPDATES Created 15 December 1996 and maintained by MaryD   FEBRUARY 2020 Click here for the more current news Click here for the more archived news   28 February 2020 Renee O'Connor Beauty and the Beast Auditions Update from Renee! Xenaverse News Spill The Xena Tea with Renee, Alexandra Tydings and Katherine Fugate! MaryD's Blog Josephine Baker: The Famous Entertainer Who Became a World War II Allied Spy The popular image of Josephine Baker is of a daring entertainer, one who often shocked audiences by defying all the conventions of the day. But behind the tabloid fodder of  her dramatic stage performances and glamorous lifestyle — including a pet cheetah — there was a complex woman that many of her fans never saw. Baker was a French Resistance spy, a civil rights activist, and an adoptive mother to a "Rainbow Tribe" of a dozen diverse children that she hoped could model racial unity... The Last Slave Ship Survivor Gave an Interview in the 1930s. It Just Surfaced - Zora Neale Hurston's searing book about the final survivor of the transatlantic slave trade, Cudjo Lewis, could not find a publisher for nearly 90 years. Roughly 60 years after the abolition of slavery, anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston made an incredible connection: She located the last surviving captive of the last slave ship to bring Africans to the United States... Batwoman Amanda Tapping To Direct Batwoman Batwoman Finds Romance While a New Villain Terrorizes Gotham - CBR Star Trek: Picard Star Trek Reveals A TNG Character Became Enterprise Captain After Picard Star Trek: Picard Recap: You Were Never Really Here Star Trek: Picard Episode 5 "Stardust City Rag" Review - Successful Assimilation Star Trek: Picard Reuses a Romulan Weapon From Nemesis   24 February 2020 Xenaverse News (from the archives) This news was posted on 22 December 2000 News from the 5th Midlands UK Xenafest is that 70 Xenites got together and raised £2000 (around $4000 Aust) for the Myton Hospice which is a cancer hospice which provides support for patients with terminal cancer. Jude reports that it was a very successful event. Many thanks to Jude for the information. Supergirl Supergirl Showrunners Preview Magical, Poignant 100th Episode "Supergirl" Season 5 "It's a Super Life": Mxyzptlk's "Gift" Not As Wonderful As Kara Thought ... Supergirl's Jeremy Jordan Reveals Why He Thinks Kara and Lena Will Work It Out Batwoman 'Batwoman' 1×13 Sneak Peek: Kate Learns of New Vampire Threat TV News Sandra Oh to Star in Netflix Drama from Game of Thrones Creators, Amanda Peet Julia Roberts, Sean Penn, Armie Hammer, and Joel Edgerton to Star in Watergate TV Show   19 February 2020 MaryD's Blog New Book Covers for Worlds Heard in Silence and Paths of Peace by T. Novan and Taylor Rickard The Great Unboxing: Enemy at the Gate Enemy at the Gate by MaryD Read First Five Chapters Xena Press Sideshow Gods: Five More Top TV Spin-Offs Including Xena: NZ Herald 20-02-20 Xena Comics  Xena Comics: Read First Chapter of Xena: Warrior Princess: Road Warrior Xenite News Hudson Leick Announces New Yoga Retreat - May 2020 Adrienne Wilkinson New Movie: Dreamcatcher! Star Trek: Picard Star Trek: Picard: What REALLY Happened to Data? Star Trek: Picard - A Face From The Past Boards The La Sirena (Ep. 4, "Absolute Candor") How the 'Star Trek: Picard' Props Team Traveled the Globe to Put Data Back Together Again The terrible truth about Star Trek's transporters Looks like Picard is trying to sneak into the Bad Place PREVIEW: Star Trek: Picard - Episode Six   15 February 2020 Happy News and Sad News...   Happy Birthday to Renee!! Go and wish Renee a super birthday on her Instagram account: @RealReneeOConnor   Xenite Memorial  and we remember Kevin Smith who passed away 18 years ago. We miss you Kevin!     14 February 2020 Xena Fanfic Xena Immortal Series - I LOVE this series by Redhawk and the continuation of the stories by Joseph Connell! Only One by Redhawk Oktoberfest - Immortal Series 2 by Redhawk The Breaking by Redhawk A Feast of All Souls by Joseph Connell   MaryD's Blog Books & Art 150,000 Botanical And Animal Illustrations Available, Download Free From Biodiversity Heritage Library The Biodiversity Heritage Library is the world's largest open-access digital archive dedicated to life on Earth. It is comprised of animal sketches, historical diagrams, botanical studies, and various scientific research collected from hundreds of thousands of journals and libraries around the globe. Since 2011, this library has been building an archive on Flickr. By allowing users to gain access to these images, they're helping us understand how nature has been depicted throughout history. At least 150,000 incredible illustrations are available for free download in high-resolution files thanks to the Biodiversity Heritage Library. 30 New Books About Inspiring Black Women For Black History Month A Mighty Girl's top picks of the best children's books about pioneering black women published over the past year! Animals Upside-down jellyfish release venom-filled 'bombs' in their snot Upside-down jellyfish pulse on the ocean floor, their frilly arms stretched skyward as they release venom-filled blobs of mucus into the surrounding water, where the slime "stings" passing swimmers, new research reveals. Science & Tech Fossilized insect from 100 million years ago is oldest record of primitive bee with pollen Beetle parasites clinging to a primitive bee 100 million years ago may have caused the flight error that, while deadly for the insect, is a boon for science today. Scientists find ally in fight against brain tumors: Ebola Glioblastomas are relentless, hard-to-treat, and often lethal brain tumors. Scientists have enlisted a most unlikely ally in efforts to treat this form of cancer -- elements of the Ebola virus.   Star Trek: Picard Star Trek: Picard is unraveling one of the Trek world's biggest mysteries What's up with the vaping and swearing in Star Trek: Picard? Showrunner Michael Chabon explains Read an excerpt from the Star Trek: Picard tie-in novel The Last Best Hope   TV News Odette Annable Joins Supergirl Co-Star Chris Wood in ABC's thirtysomething Sequel Pilot Oh this is interesting! Thirtysomething tv show is getting a reboot and two of the leads are Odette Annabelle and Chris Wood. Why is this interesting? Both actors were on Supergirl and Odette was REIGN - one of the best characters on TV. She was incredible. Chris Wood plays Supergirl's love interest (while that didn't interest me as much as the actor who is fantastic).   12 February 2020 Renee O'Connor New Renee Video About Beauty and the Beast Auditions Star Trek: Picard Star Trek: Picard - Two Rios For The Price Of One (Ep. 3, "The End Is The Beginning") Why People Like Picard, According to Patrick Stewart and Other 'Star Trek' Producers Star Trek: Picard Heads to Space in "Absolute Candor" Photos The Star Trek: Picard Cast Answer Your Questions Star Trek: DS9 Deep Space Dive - How 'Star Trek: Deep Space Nine' Changed 'Trek' Forever Batwoman 'Batwoman': Kayla Ewell Cast as Nocturna in Season 1 of CW Series Wonder Woman 1984 We May Have Our First Look At Wonder Woman 1984's Ferocious Cheetah   10 February 2020 Xena Press 10 TV Shows That Should Get a Reboot List Including Xena Xena FanFic (from the Archives) Alias Smith & Jones by Advocate & T. Novan (Uber) Once I stopped laughing so hard I had tears running down my cheeks, I decided to give this a XIPPY award on April 28, 2002. It's one of the most hysterical stories I have ever read. Delilah Foster & Dixie Wagner follow the great tradition of those tv preachers who swindle money from good Christian people. What they don't bank on is a visit from 'God' and his mama. They are soon turned from their bad ways and want to give away the money but it's not so easy. This is a must read if you want a pick me up and a really feel good story. AUSXIP News Archived January 2020 News Archived December 2019 News Archived Supergirl Supergirl's 100th Episode Synopsis Reveals How Mon-El and Other Fan Favorites May Return Supergirl S05E12 "Back From The Future – Part 2" Photos Batwoman Batwoman Synopsis Heralds the Arrival of a Vampiric Villain "Batwoman" Season 1 "Take Your Choice": Beth or Alice?  Star Trek: Picard Star Trek: Picard - Why Do People Connect With Picard? Showrunner Michael Chabon Answers the Internet's Burning STAR TREK: PICARD Fan Questions Recap: Star Trek: Picard - The End is the Beginning PREVIEW: Star Trek: Picard - Absolute Candor   07 February 2020 Xena FanFic (From the Archives) On October 16, 1998 I welcomed a new bard to the Bard's Corner. She would become a dear friend. I would like to welcome a new talent to the Xenaverse. Her name is Sword'n'Quill and she has produced a stunning piece of fanfic - an epic tale (I'm a sucker for a good long story). Check it out - I highly recommend it! It has become one of my favourites! Added The Stranger In Your Eyes (Alt) by Sword'n'Quill New Shows First Ladies, Starring Viola Davis as Michelle Obama, Snags Series Order Supergirl Will Mon-El Return for Supergirl's 100th Episode? Chris Wood Sounds Off Star Trek Picard Star Trek: Picard adds How to Get Away with Murder star to the cast Star Trek: Picard viewing party [The Lambda Quadrant] Star Trek: Picard - Episode 3 "The End Is The Beginning" Recap - The Ready Room Star Trek: Picard Gives Jean-Luc a New Crew and Mission - Are You Onboard?   06 February 2020 Xena Art (from the Archives) Lucia's Cartoon Connection Added Little Legacy - Little Xena and Gabrielle latest adventure inspired by Melissa Good's episode Legacy. It's so cute :-) Xena FanFic (from the Archives) Has anyone NOT read Exposure by XWPFanatic and T. Novan Click here for Season 1 Click here for Season 2 Click here for Season 3 Click here for Season 4 You're welcome. Lucy Lawless Lucy Voices the Character of Nunchuck in Minions: The Rise of Gru + Trailer Star Trek: Picard Star Trek: Picard Soundtrack Coming This Week The Picard Panel: Beam into our 'Star Trek: Picard' talk each Friday! Picard Assembles A Crew In New Photos From The Third Episode Of 'Star Trek: Picard'   05 February 2020   Xena Press Rolling Stone Magazine Lists Xena As One of TV's Best Spinoffs Xena FanFic (from the Archives - January 2000) The following story by T. Novan is an absolute beauty. It's a Uber with a twist - it's Xena an immortal (a vampire) who mourns the death of her Gabrielle until she finds the reincarnated Gabrielle in a most unlikely place. A fantastic read. Added Not As Long As I'm Around by T. Novan Added report by Joseph Connell on the Bard Brunch Star Trek: Picard Star Trek: Picard's Jeri Ryan to participate in American Heart Association fashion show Star Trek: Picard - Who's Coming Back For Picard? Star Trek: Picard Executive Producers Talk New Cast Star Trek: Picard Learned From Discovery's Mistakes Star Trek: Picard - What To Know: The Tal Shiar And Zhat Vash Superman & Lois Character Breakdowns For 'Superman & Lois' Revealed   01 February 2020  Xena FanFic / Audio Southern Comfort: You've Never Been Nowhere by C.L. Bactad and narrated by Bongo Bear Lunacy's FanFic Review: A sequel to CL Bactad's Mel/Janice uber piece SOUTHERN COMFORT. This new tale finds private eye Janice Covington trying to keep busy with work while distracted with the memory of a certain Southerner when as fate would have it - the Southerner returns...with company ;-) This story like the first one has the feel of some of those classic private eye films from the Bogie era. A fun read with good potential. [unfinished] - 5 pgs., 1/20/99 Batwoman You Can Visit All The Vancouver Spots Where The New "Batwoman" Series Was Filmed Star Trek Picard Star Trek: Picard Calls Back to a Pivotal 'Next Generation' Episode About Data WATCH: Producing Picard: The Borg Cube Artifact A Picard Preview: The End Is The Beginning Star Trek: Picard episode 2 review - Maps And Legends On Star Trek: Picard, Family is Everything Star Trek: Picard Reveals Major Connection to Next Generation's Finale