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Dave Mason

Stewart made Picard soar

By Commodore Dave Mason

Sir Patrick Stewart stepped on the stage at the Rio casino to thunderous applause that grew even louder after he made an announcement.

“Picard is back,” Stewart told a couple thousand or so fans, who included other USS Angeles members, including Lisa Sobien and me. It was August 2019, and he was announcing the upcoming “Star Trek: Picard” series at Creation Entertainment’s annual “Star Trek” convention in Las Vegas. For fans, “Picard is back” sounded a lot like “I love you.”

Fans certainly loved Stewart, and we will miss him. The Emmy- and Tony-nominated actor died Oct. 28 in Los Angeles after a battle with Alzheimer’s and Lewy body dementia. He was 86.

There was no doubt Stewart enjoyed being on stage, whether it was at a convention before thousands or in a play in an intimate theater. He talked about his love for the stage when a few other reporters and I interviewed him back in the late 1990s in an almost theatrically dark suite at a Beverly Hills hotel. We were seated at a round table as Stewart promoted his national tour of his one-man play, “A Christmas Carol.”

“Television and movies allow me to have the lifestyle I want,” Stewart said when I asked the former Royal Shakespeare Company actor about his stage and screen work. “But my first love is the stage.”

The future knight, who was born July 13, 1940 in Yorkshire, England,  proved to be chivalrous this morning in Beverly Hills as he made sure the suite was warm enough for the half-dozen reporters around a round table with him. He couldn’t have been more gracious as he saw to our comfort before talking about his career.

A couple or so weeks later, USS Angeles Founder Janice Willcocks and I saw Stewart play all 16 characters of “A Christmas Carol” on a bare stage at the Doolittle Theatre, now called the Ricardo Montalban Theatre, in Hollywood, with a chair and a few props. He managed to play the male and female characters in a compelling manner, and it’s an experience I’ll never forget.

Some years later, I saw Stewart read Shakespearean sonnets on stage at the intimate Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara. Shakespeare’s words gained extra emotion with Stewart’s magical voice and inflections. Well, Stewart could read a telephone book and make it sound dramatic.

It was Stewart’s performance back in the late 1980s on a stage at University of California, Los Angeles that convinced Robert Justman, an associate producer on the original “Star Trek” series, that he would be perfect to play Capt. Jean-Luc Picard on this new show called “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” Executive Producer Gene Roddenberry wasn’t as certain about giving the role to Stewart, but eventually was convinced.
Stewart went on to play Picard with an orchestral finesse, varying his dynamics from a quiet strength to dramatic accents.

Picard was more than a captain. He was the moral center of the USS Enterprise, 1701-D, and Stewart knew how to build his momentum with a gradual crescendo. We saw it build up in episodes such as “Measure of a Man” when Picard defended Data’s right to freedom as an artificial but sentient life form. 

“Your honor, Starfleet was founded to seek out new life,” Picard said to the JAG judge, Capt. Phillipa Louvois (Amanda McBroom).

“There it sits!” Picard said.

Stewart’s portrayal of Picard was at a level of acting that you don’t see everyday on TV or in the movies. Certainly the best of “The Next Generation” films was “First Contact,” in which Picard showed the pain he still felt from the horrible things he was forced to do as the Borg drone Locutus. Again, Stewart knew how to vary his louds and softs like a musician.

His return to TV in “Star Trek: Picard,” which evolved to its third, final and best season into a new chapter for the “Next Generation” cast, captivated fans. In his autobiography, “Making It So,” Stewart expressed his desire to follow up with a “Picard” theatrical movie.

Stewart became known for other movie characters besides Picard, and he was ideal as Professor X in the “X-Men” movies. Stewart gave his characters a sense of strength, and he made them authentic. He also proved to be a good director of “Next Generation” episodes and made behind-the-camera contribution in positions such as associate producer on the 1998 movie “Star Trek: Insurrection.” And he served as executive producer of “Star Trek: Picard.”

Stewart is survived by his third wife, singer Sunny Ozell, who he married in 2013, and two ex-wives, “Star Trek” producer Wendy Neuss (“The Next Generation” and “Voyager”) and Sheila Falconer. He is also survived by his two children with Falconer – Sophie Stewart and Daniel Stewart, who guest-starred with his father in the “Next Generations” episode “Inner Light.” 

That episode was a dramatic example of how Stewart could convincingly depict an entire lifetime in 45 minutes. Shakespeare would have been impressed.

Patrick Stewart attends an all-star soccer game in 2004. (Photo by Cdt. Patrick Caughey / Courtesy U.S. Army / Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons)

Star Trek News
Dave Mason

Region 4 salutes Walter Koenig

By Commodore Dave Mason

Davy Jones of The Monkees inspired Gene Roddenberry as he created Pavel Chekov of “Star Trek.”

Roddenberry thought “Star Trek” and its ratings could benefit from the addition of a young ensign. Besides, Chekov gave Roddenberry a chance to respond to the Soviet government’s newspaper Pravda’s complaint that there were no Russians on the Enterprise. Chekov, with his distinct accent, took pride in his Russian heritage, right down to his claims that everything great was created by a Russian.

Chekov became unforgettable, thanks to the skillful acting and wit of Walter Koenig, who will forever live in our hearts.

Region 4 of STARFLEET dims its lights in honor of Koenig, who played Chekov during the second and third seasons of the original series and seven “Star Trek” movies including “Generations.” Koenig died Sunday at his home in North Hollywood. He was 90. His passage leaves William Shatner (Capt. Kirk) and George Takei (Sulu) as the surviving members of the cast of the original “Star Trek” series.

We’ll never forget Chekov asking passersby in San Francisco about the location of “nuclear wessels” in his thick Russian accent as a police officer watches, or Chekov’s screams in “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” and “Star Trek: The Motion Picture.” We’ll always remember Chekov falling in love with young women during the original series or running from all the Marines chasing him on the USS Enterprise aircraft carrier in “Voyage Home” or his great scenes with Nichelle Nichols, aka Uhura, in both “The Voyage Home” and “The Trouble with Tribbles” episode. Koenig knew how to connect with other actors in a scene, and it was great to watch him.

More recently, Koenig was the voice of Chekov’s son, Federation President Anton Chekov, in the series finale of “Star Trek: Picard.” The unexpected addition of Koenig was a dream-come-true for fans for one reason.

Whatever the Trek, his characters shined like a star.

Koenig not only made Chekov memorable, but showed the various sides to a complicated villain on “Babylon 5,” Bester. And he was a great stage actor, performing a two-men play with the late Mark Lenard, aka Spock’s father Sarek, in “The Boys In Autumn.” I saw the play at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza and was impressed with their portrayals of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn as adults.

And Koenig proved his talent as a writer, penning everything from a script for the 1970s animated “Star Trek” series, “The Infinite Vulcan,” to the novel “Buck Alice and the Actor-Robot.” He also wrote about growing up in New York City, acting on early TV shows such as “The Alfred Hitchcock Hour” and his time teaching acting and directing during the 1980s at UCLA in his autobiography “Warped Factors.”

By the way, a great, play-by-play description of the filming of “Star Trek: The Motion Picture” is Koenig’s book “Chekov’s Enterprise.” Read it if you get a chance.

And Koenig spoke regularly at “Star Trek” conventions, including Creation Entertainment’s annual gatherings in Las Vegas. In addition, various STARFLEET members got their photos taken with Walter.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Koenig once in Thousand Oaks, just north of Los Angeles, when he was promoting “The Boys in Autumn” and found him thoughtful and insightful, an actor who picked his words precisely and expressed himself honestly. “Star Trek” fans were fortunate to have seen his work on screen and see him in person and at conventions. And Koenig was supportive of the late Anton Yelchin when the latter played Chekov in the J.J. Abrams-produced “Star Trek” movies.

Koenig was a class act, and he brought a lot of joy to “Star Trek.” He will be missed.

Walter Koenig will forever be remembered as the actor who played Chekov in the original “Star Trek” series and seven movies. (NBC photo, in public domain)

SFI News
Dave Mason

USS Wessex, USS Angeles win awards

By Commodore Dave Mason

The USS Wessex has been named Chapter of the Year by STARFLEET’s Region 4.

That award and others were presented to the USS Wessex and the USS Angeles during a recent virtual meeting of the region’s commanding officers and first officers. Regional Coordinator David Nottage announced the winners.

The USS Wessex is based in Oceanside in Southern California. Members have gone everywhere from nearby San Diego to Ventura for their activities, and the ship is known for its commitment to community service and pursuit of sci-fi. In addition, the USS Wessex served as the mothership for the USS Chumash, the Nipomo-based ship that achieved full ship status under the Wessex’s guidance. Earlier this year, members of the Chumash, the Wessex and the Angeles gathered at Sunstone Winery in Santa Ynez, the California filming site for Chateau Picard on “Star Trek: Picard.”

During the recent awards ceremony, Wessex’s commanding officer, Rear Adm. Ronald Coleman, was named Region 4’s Commanding Officer of the Year. The USS Wessex’s first officer and chief of operations, Fleet Capt. Jennifer Coleman, won Flag Officer of the Year. Both are known for their leadership, and Ron wears a second hat as STARFLEET’s chief of operations. 

Also honored was the Region 4 website, which is produced by Webmaster Christopher Mulrooney and myself as the content editor. It won for best website in the region, and David Nottage praised it for its influx of new content.

And the USS Angeles received the award for the region’s best newsletter: Angels Flight. The award honored the work of Executive Editor Dave Mason, Managing Editors Janice Sobien and Lisa Sobien, columnist Jeremy Kranz and Print Edition Producer Christopher Mulrooney, as well as other contributors.

Congratulations to everyone for the awards!

Rear Adm. Ron Coleman, who leads the USS Wessex, has been named Commanding Officer of the Year by Region 4. (Photo courtesy Ron Coleman)

Three STARFLEET commanding officers gather at Sunstone Winery in Santa Ynez: from left, Dave Mason of the USS Angeles, Rose Kaye of the USS Chumash and Ron Coleman of the USS Wessex. Ron’s chapter served as the mothership for the Chumash, which gained full-fledged status as a STARFLEET ship. (Photo by Christopher Mulrooney / Region 4 / USS Angeles)

The Region 4 website received Website of the Year from the region during its recent virtual awards ceremony. The website is produced by Webmaster Christopher Mulrooney and Content Editor Dave Mason.

Angels Flight, the newsletter of the USS Angeles, won Newsletter of the Year from Region 4. From left in the photo above are Managing Editors Janice Sobien and Lisa Sobien and columnist Jeremy Kranz, standing at Christ Cathedral, a Garden Grove, Calif. filming site for Starfleet in “Star Trek Into Darkness.” The executive editor is Dave Mason.

SFI News
Dave Mason

USS Longbow is one of a kind

By Adm. Denise Rush, Commanding Officer of the USS Longbow

The USS Longbow, NCC-87556, is a community-service-based “Star Trek” chapter of STARFLEET International. 

Our primary function is to better humankind through the ideals created by Gene Roddenberry, the man behind the history of “Star Trek.”

The Longbow, which is based in Mesa, Arizona, is STARFLEET’s first and only Thunder Class Multi-Environmental Interceptor and is registered as the only Special Operations Vessel in the fleet. Our NCC number is also unique in itself and is a compilation of the birth years of the original crew.

We started our first year of the voyage on Oct. 10, 2014, with a crew of 10 and have grown to a steady 30 members over the past 12 years. We commissioned on July 4, 2015, and haven’t stopped working together to make our ship the best that she can be. Our crew is very diversified, with members from Australia to England and across the U.S. and the American territory of Puerto Rico.

On Jan 16, 2016, we became certified in all 16 categories of STARFLEET’s VRP (Vessel Readiness Program). At that time, we were one of only nine ships in STARFLEET International that had accomplished this task.

Our Marine Unit, the 626th, under the command of BGN Cynthia Cook, obtained its MURP (Marine Strike Group Readiness) certification on Aug. 13, 2026, which makes the Longbow certified in all things STARFLEET. 

We aspire to live up to the ideals that are a part of “Star Trek”: the elimination of poverty, the hope of a better future and a society where everyone lives in peace.

Region 4 welcomes stories from its ships. Please email them and photos (which are at least 1,200 pixels wide, please) to Chief of Communications Dave Mason, davemason1701@gmail.com.

The USS Longbow, NCC 87555, is STARFLEET’s first and only Thunder Class Multi-Environmental Interceptor. (Photos courtesy Denise Rush / Region 4 / USS Longbow)

Vice Admiral Denise Rush is the commanding officer of the USS Longbow and vice regional coordinator of STARFLEET’s Region 4.

EntertainmentStar Trek News
Dave Mason

Doctors beam down to Vegas con

By Commodore Dave Mason

LAS VEGAS — The “Dancing Doctor” stepped right back into action.

Gates McFadden, an actress and choreographer whose character Beverly Crusher earned that nickname on “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” taught a fan on stage a basic tap dance move in exchange for a large donation to a charity.

It was part of the entertainment before thousands of fans at Creation Entertainment’s annual “Star Trek” convention in August at the Rio in Las Vegas.

Eight members of Region 4’s USS Angeles — Janice Willcocks, Lisa Sobien, Ed Millner, Jackie Freeman, E.J. Carpathia, Ed Millner, Amanda Payatt and I — beamed down to the convention. Amanda attracted fans wanting to pose with her for photos. She came as a giant Tribble! (See the photo below.)

Other costumes at the convention varied from “Deep Space Nine” vedeks to several Borg drones seen chatting around a water cooler. 

On stage in the Leonard Nimoy Theater, Robert Picardo talked about liking the storyline that connected his character, the holographic Doctor, between the “Star Trek” shows of “Starfleet Academy” and “Voyager.” The Doctor was hesitant to mentor Sam, the holographic student played by Kerrice Brooks, because of The Doctor losing his holographic daughter in “Voyager” episode.

The cast of “Starfleet Academy” expressed their disappointment about the series being canceled after just two seasons. The second season of the 32nd-century series has been filmed, but hasn’t streamed yet on Paramount+.

Other actors, varying from Kate Mulgrew (Capt. Kathryn Janeway) to Jeri Ryan (Seven of Nine) and Tim Russ (Tuvok), talked about their experiences on “Voyager.”

And travesties of justice were corrected with Ensigns Harry Kim (Garrett Wang of “Voyager”) and Hoshi Sato (Linda Park of “Enterprise”) finally getting promoted to lieutenant j.g. by a retired U.S. Navy member, who brought genuine Navy pips. Capt. Jonathan Archer (Scott Bakula) assisted with the promotion ceremony for Hoshi.

For more on the convention, see a story at the USS Angeles website.

More content will appear later in Angels Flight, the USS Angeles’ newsletter.

Robert Picardo talks about playing The Doctor on “Star Trek” shows including “Voyager” and “Starfleet Academy” during a panel in Las Vegas. (Photo by Dave Mason / Region 4 / USS Angeles)

Ensign Hoshi Sato (Linda Park) is finally promoted to lieutenant j.g. by a retired U.S. Navy member during an impromptu ceremony in August at the “Star Trek” convention in Las Vegas. At right are “Enterprise” actors Vaughn Armstrong and Anthony Montgomery.

Daniel Davis and Jonathan Del Arco listen to questions about “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and “Star Trek: Picard” at the Las Vegas “Star Trek” convention. Davis played the holographic character of Professor Moriarity, and Del Arco was Hugh, the former Borg who went on to help other ex-drones.

Chase Masterson, who portrayed Leeta on “Deep Space Nine,” sings during a happy hour concert at the “Star TreK” convention in Las Vegas.

Gates McFadden, who portrayed Dr. Beverly Crusher on “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and “Star Trek: Picard,” teaches a fan how to tap dance on stage,

USS Angeles member Amanda Payatt comes as a giant Tribble to the annual “Star Trek” convention in Las Vegas.

Robert Beltran, who played Chakotay on “Star Trek: Voyager,” answers a question from moderator Ian Spelling at the “Star Trek” convention in Las Vegas.

SFI News
Dave Mason

STARFLEET to host virtual conference

By Commodore Dave Mason

This year’s STARFLEET International Conference is essentially a holodeck adventure.

Instead of its usual in-person conference, STARFLEET is holding a Virtual International Conference. The event is set for 9 p.m. Pacific time July 31 to 9 p.m. Pacific time Aug. 1. The program will feature panels, STARFLEET business and awards.

The conference is free to all STARFLEET members. To register, go to https://forms.gle/DUopD19gt4wsdJVE6.

Region 4 is participating in the VIC’s version of a fan tables’ room, called Gather Town. STARFLEET members will see a map of the Gather Town room on their computer screen. When they click on the table for Region 4, they’ll see a PDF with text and photos.

Members visiting the Region 4 table will also see a video in which I talk about the region at La Brea Tar Pits, which is the Los Angeles site of a recent USS Angeles away mission. Lisa Sobien directed the video, and Christopher Mulrooney did the filming and editing.

Besides STARFLEET’s regions, STARFLEET chapters are participating in Gather Town.

SFI NewsStar Trek News
Dave Mason

USS Angeles explores Greystone Mansion

Editor’s note: This is the second part of a two-part series on “Star Trek: Into Darkness” filming sites.

By Capt. Jeremy Kranz

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Greystone Mansion has had many roles on the big screen and in the darker corners of history.

The iconic Beverly Hills site served as everything from Wayne Manor in the 1997 “Batman & Robin” movie to London Royal Children’s Hospital in “Star Trek: Into Darkness” (2013). It was another hospital in the Jerry Lewis comedy “The Disorderly Orderly” (1964) and became Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters in the original “X-Men” movie (2000). The mansion later served as the Osborn residence in “Spider-Man” (2002) and “Spider-Man 3” (2007).

In real life, the mansion has a reputation for several suspicious deaths.

Kat Campbell, Lisa Sobien, Dave Mason and I visited the historic Beverly Hills site in early April during a USS Angeles away mission on a pleasant day with mostly clear skies.

It was my third time there, and each time was a little different but still impressive. During the previous times, we had a guided tour. This time, we were on our own and only allowed to explore the first floor and the grounds, which include the library, kitchen, several workrooms, bedrooms and lavish bathrooms.

The rooms seemed large and historic. The kitchen seemed particularly interesting, as I could see different types of stoves and an icebox. Even though it was more relaxing to be on your own, I missed the education the guides gave us. There were other visitors there, but it was not too crowded.  

Outside, we walked around the building, viewed the gardens, which are on multiple levels, saw where the pool used to be, and looked down at Beverly Hills and Los Angeles.  

We stood in the outdoor area where British actor Benedict Cumberbatch appeared as Khan in “Star Trek: Into Darkness.” The mansion became London Royal Children’s Hospital, and it was here where Khan offered a cure for a father’s young daughter, provided the dad helped Khan commit a horrific act of terrorism. 

Elsewhere at the mansion, a small basement room, next to the mansion’s bowling alley, became the San Francisco bar where Scotty (Simon Pegg) and his alien friend Keenser (Deep Roy) are having drinks. According to Memory Alpha, in between takes, Pegg and Deep Roy had some fun by recreating the ending of the 2007 oil history-inspired movie “There Will Be Blood,” which was filmed in the same room.

Greystone has a long history and was built by oil magnate Edward L. Doheny as a gift for his son, Ned Doheny. Unfortunately, his son, Ned Doheny, was murdered there. Because of the suspicious deaths in that home, it now has a reputation for being haunted. 

Even though we were restricted to the first floor, we felt satisfied with our visit. I would have liked to see more. Maybe if the mansion can’t have formal docent-led tours, it could at least have people there talking about it.  I went home after the mission, and others went out to eat at Mel’s Diner in Sherman Oaks. I highly recommend visiting the mansion.

From left, Kat Campbell, Jeremy Kranz and Chris Mulrooney stand in the courtyard at Greystone Mansion. (Photo by Dave Mason / USS Angeles / Angels Flight)

Lisa Sobien holds information on Greystone Mansion as she stands in its grand foyer, which was featured in the Jerry Lewis comedy “The Disorderly Orderly.” (Photo by Dave Mason / USS Angeles / Angels Flight)

Dave Mason visits one of the exquisite rooms at Greystone Mansion. (Photo by Lisa Sobien / USS Angeles / Angels Flight)

Jeremy Kranz visits the breakfast room at Greystone Mansion. (Photos by Dave Mason / USS Angeles / Angels Flight)

Greystone Mansion has served as a hospital in “Star Trek: Into Darkness” (2013), Wayne Manor in “Batman & Robin” (1997), the Osborn residence in “Spider-Man” (2002) and Professor Xavier’s mansion and school for mutants in “X-Men” (2000).

From left, Chris Mulroooney, Kat Campbell and Jeremy Kranz explore a room at Greystone Mansion.

A couple outside is framed through the elegant door at Greystone Mansion.

This is the large kitchen at Greystone Mansion.

This was among the flowers in a concrete pond at Greystone Mansion.

SFI NewsStar Trek News
Dave Mason

USS Angeles visits Starfleet HQ in Garden Grove

Editor’s note: This is the first of a two-part series on “Star Trek: Into the Darkness” filming sites in Southern California.

By Capt. Jeremy Kranz

GARDEN GROVE, Calif. — USS Angeles members beamed down to where Capt. James T. Kirk (Chris Pine) gave his inspirational speech in “Star Trek: Into Darkness,” including the immortal words: “Space. The Final Frontier. …”

Lisa Sobien, Janice Sobien, Dave Mason and I journeyed on May 9 to Christ Cathedral, the Garden Grove filming site for the 2013 movie. Architect Richard Meier designed the Southern California cathedral and its futuristic, curvy Richard H. Pickup Cultural Center, as well as the Getty Center in Los Angeles. The courtyard in front of the cultural center and the Getty Center both served as filming sites for Starfleet headquarters in “Star Trek: Into Darkness.”

“We are here today to rechristen the USS Enterprise and to honor those who lost their lives nearly one year ago,” Capt. Kirk told the Starfleet audience in the scene filmed in front of the Catholic cathedral’s five-story cultural center. He was referring to the lives lost during the battles with Khan (Benedict Cumberbatch) and corrupt Starfleet Adm. Alexander Marcus (“Robocop” star Peter Weller). 

Kirk went on to cite the captain’s oath: “Space. The final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Her five-year mission: To explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no one has gone before.”

After posing for photos in front of the cultural center, we walked around the campus and its dramatic buildings during the USS Angeles’ first away mission there.

My first impression was, “Wow, look at all those glass windows.” There are tours of the cathedral during the week, but since we were there on a weekend, we just looked around on our own.  

I led our team to the Cathedral Memorial Gardens, where we viewed the memorial spaces containing the ashes of two very important people. Our first stop was to honor the voice of Tony the Tiger: Thurl Ravenscroft. He’s the voice actor and singer known for saying “They’re gr-r-reeat!” as the Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes character.

We saw Ravenscroft’s columbarium niche, which is a compartment in a wall or structure that holds cremated remains.  

Besides Tony the Tiger, Ravenscroft’s deep bass voice was heard in the song “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch” from CBS’ 1966 animated special “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” 

His voice is in several places at Disneyland.

Examples include Fritz the parrot in the Enchanted Tiki Room (“Ach du lieber! I almost fell out of mein upper perch”) and the broken singing bust in the Haunted Mansion. Do you remember Buff on the wall of the Country Bear Jamboree, who whistles, then says this line: “Hey, Henry, what’s holdin’ ya up? Let’s get on with the show!”

On behalf of the entire USS Angeles crew, I placed a rose by Ravenscroft’s niche, which is next to his wife June Ravenscroft’s niche.

We then moved on to another well-known figure: Marie Callender, the baking legend who cofounded Marie Callender’s restaurants. Her niche is in front of a stained glass in an alcove, where the source of light is not the sun, but electric lights in the wall behind the glass.

In Callender’s honor, we ate at Marie Callender’s in nearby Orange before coming to Christ Cathedral. I greatly enjoyed the salad bar, which includes three types of soup! I had the split pea and hearty vegetable soups.Yummy! Yummy!  I skipped the third soup. Dave, Lisa and Janice also ate lunch and then split a slice of a banana cream pie. 

With our stomachs and hearts full, we went to Christ Cathedral, where I placed a rose at Callender’s memorial niche.

Afterward, I visited the cathedral’s gift shop, which I found quite interesting. In addition to books and statues, the shop had jewelry from the Venetian island of Murano, where Venetian glass is produced.

This outing was special because it was a cornucopia of many things: a nice meal, a “Star Trek: Into Darkness” movie scene and the niches of two well-known individuals. I would highly recommend going there to anyone. As Ravenscroft would have said, it’s “gr-r-r-eat!”

Next week’s story: The USS Angeles explores a hospital from “Star Trek: Into Darkness.”

From left, Janice Sobien, Lisa Sobien and Jeremy Kranz gather outside the Christ Cathedral building that appeared in “Star Trek: Into Darkness.” (Photos by Dave Mason / USS Angeles/ Angels Flight)

Jeremy Kranz brings a rose to honor voice actor and singer Thurl Ravenscroft, whose interment is at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove. Ravenscroft was the original voice of Tony the TIger in Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes commercials.

Tony the Tiger continues to grace boxes of Kellogg’s Sugar Frosted Flakes.

Jeremy Kranz and Lias Sobien strike a “Tony the Tiger” pose in front of a mural on a wall that contains columbarium niche. Thurl Ravenscroft, the original voice of the character, is in the niche in the bottom left, right above the rose that Jeremy brought.

Lisa Sobien, left, and Jan Sobien beam down to Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove.

The USS Angeles gathered for lunch at this Marie Callender’s in Orange before going a few miles to the cathedral where pie legend Marie Callender’s cremated remains are kept in a memorial niche.

The USS Angeles places a rose below Marie Callender’s cremated remains at Christ Cathedral.

From left, Janice Sobien, Lisa Sobien, Jeremy Kranz and Dave Mason gather in front of the Christ Cathedral building that served as Starfleet headquarters in “Star Trek: Into Darkness.” (USS Angeles / Angels Flight photo)

SFI News
Dave Mason

Region 4 ships explore Chateau Picard

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to add information for the captions.

By Commodore Dave Mason

SANTA YNEZ — A dozen members from STARFLEET’s Region 4 kept their eyes out for retired Adm. Jean-Luc Picard as we explored LaBarre, France – without stepping outside of Southern California.

Members of the USS Angeles, USS Chumash and USS Wessex beamed down April 18 to Sunstone Winery, the Santa Ynez site that served as Chateau Picard on “Star Trek: Picard.” The rural Santa Barbara County winery consists of a home on the top of a hill, which served as the interior and exterior of Picard’s home, and a vineyard and winery down below.

We spent a sunny and somewhat hot afternoon at a large picnic table under a big umbrella, sampling red and white wines and feasting on sandwiches, cookies and other treats we brought. Many of us came in uniform for photo ops at this sacred “Star Trek” filming site.

While we didn’t see the admiral (played, of course, by Sir Patrick Stewart) or his pit bull named Number One, we did spot a large crowd that clinked wine glasses, played games and brought dogs small and large.

It was a great opportunity to meet members of the USS Chumash, the region’s newest chapter that is based in Nipomo in San Luis Obispo County, just north of Santa Barbara County.

Lt. Cmdr. Rose Kaye, commanding officer of the USS Chumash, presented everyone with copies of STARFLEET’s certificate honoring the USS Chumash’s full-fledged status as a ship following its shakedown cruise with the USS Wessex as its mother ship. She also presented all of us with USS Chumash stickers, featuring a logo incorporating a bear, and tiles with the chapter’s name printed by a laser printer.

“The launch of the USS Chumash, NX-74704, represents a notable milestone in STARFLEET history,” Vice Adm. Steven Bowers, the outgoing chief of SFI Shakedown Operations, said in the 2025 announcement of the club reaching its full-fledged status in STARFLEET.

“Based in Nipomo, California, Earth, Sol Sector, the USS Chumash is expected to encounter uncharted territories, alien species, and cosmic phenomena. Under the capable command of CMDR Rose Kaye and with LCDR Paul Kaye serving as Executive Officer, the crew will carve their path among the stars, significantly contributing to the ongoing legacy of STARFLEET,” said Steven, who was later succeeded by the current chief of shakedown operations, Vice Adm. Thomas Donohoe.

As Paul and others listened at Sunstone, Rose talked about her ship’s activities, including its table at Santa Maria Comic Con in early May at the Santa Barbara County Fairgrounds. Among those listening was Rear Adm. Ron Coleman, commanding officer of the USS Wessex and STARFLEET’s chief of operations.

Later, the three USS Angeles members at the event – Capt. Christopher Mulrooney, Lt. j.g. Lisa Sobien and I – took photos and a special video in the vineyard.

Christopher Mulrooney and Lisa Sobien beam down AprI 18 to Sunstone Winery in Santa Ynez, which served as the filming site for Chateau Picard on “Star Trek: Picard.” (Photos by Dave Mason / USS Angeles / Angels Flight)

Members of the USS Angeles, USS Chumash and USS Wessex gather at Sunstone Winery, the Santa Ynez site that served as Chateau Picard on “Star Trek: Picard.” From left are Michael Townsend (USS Chumash), Jesus Aguilar (USS Wessex), Christopher Mulrooney (USS Angeles), Ron Coleman (USS Wessex), Rose Kaye (USS Chumash), Paul Kaye (USS Chumash), Ken Fry (USS Chumash), Sandy Fry (USS Chumash), Zaena Burdick (USS Chumash) and Allen Burdick (USS Chumash).

USS Chumash members visit Chateau Picard. From left are Paul Kaye, Rose Kaye, Ken Fry and Sandy Fry.

Retired Adm. Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) lives here on “Star Trek: Picard.” The home is part of Sunstone Winery in Santa Ynez, a filming site for the Paramount+ series.

Three STARFLEET commanding officers gather at Sunstone Winery in Santa Ynez: from left, Dave Mason of the USS Angeles, Rose Kaye of the USS Chumash and Ron Coleman of the USS Wessex. (Photo by Christopher Mulrooney / USS Angeles / Angels Flight)

Rose Kaye, commanding officer of the USS Chumash, talks about her club’s activities during a gathering at Sunstone Winery. At left is Paul Kaye, the club’s first officer.

SFI News
Dave Mason

Artemis II astronauts make history

By Commodore Dave Mason

SAN DIEGO — Region 4 of STARFLEET applauds the return of Artemis II astronauts after they completed the first crewed mission in orbit around the moon since 1972.

They went farther than anyone from Earth, breaking the record Apollo 13 set in 1970.

Astronauts splashed down 50 or so miles from the coast of San Diego at 5:07 p.m. Friday, following a flawless separation of the Integrity command module from the European Space Agency service module at around 4:30 p.m. By 7 p.m., Navy divers had transported astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen to the nearby amphibious dock ship USS John P. Murtha.

The mission marked several firsts, including the first woman (Koch), the first Black man (Glover) and the first Canadian (Hansen) to orbit the moon.

For more about the spashdown, see my story at thecentersquare.com.

Astronauts hug on Integrity during the Artemis II mission, which included getting this photo of a fully illuminated moon. Both photos are courtesy of NASA.