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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

David Nottage elected Region 4 coordinator

By Commodore Dave Mason

David Nottage, who has been commander-in-chief of STARFLEET, is returning to his former position of Region 4 coordinator.

During the recent election, David received more votes than Region 4 Coordinator Ron Coleman, whose achievements included rebooting the region’s website and launching the first Region 4 summit in more than a decade. 

David, who will continue his role as the long-time commanding officer of the USS Golden Gate in San Francisco, will start his new term as Region 4 coordinator on Jan. 1. 

And Ron has been appointed STARFLEET chief of operations and will move into that position on Jan. 1. He also will continue to be commanding officer of the USS Wessex, an Oceanside-based STARFLEET chapter with members around the world.

The regional coordinator is elected by the commanding officers of each Region 4 chapter. The region consists of STARFLEET chapters in California, Arizona and Nevada. The region includes Hawaii, but there are no chapters there.

In his concession mail, Ron thanked all the chapters who participated in the election and the commanding officers who voted for him.

“I appreciate the trust you placed in me and the cooperation we’ve shared over the past year,” Ron told Region 4 commanding officers.

He went on to congratulate David.

“I want to acknowledge the results and offer my sincere congratulations to Fleet Admiral Dave Nottage on his selection as the next regional coordinator,” Ron said. “I respect the decision of the region and wish him success as he steps into the role, and I stand ready to support a smooth and effective transition.”

“It has been an honor to serve Region 4. Together, we have made the region better, and I look forward to the direction FADM Nottage will take us,” Ron said. “Thank you again for your support and leadership.”

David Nottage, who was commander-in-chief of STARFLEET, has been elected to his former position as Region 4 coordinator. (Photo courtesy David Nottage)

Under Ron Coleman’s term as the Region 4 coordinator, the region improved its website and held its first summit in more than a decade. (Photo courtesy Ron Coleman)

SFI News
Dave Mason

USS Wessex beams down community spirit

By USS Wessex

VENTURA — The crew of the USS Wessex joined forces once again with the Community Outreach Center of Ventura and Island Living Apartments to help local students get ready to boldly go into the new school year!

With the help of our dedicated members and friends, we raised $300 — an increase from last year’s $200. These funds helped us purchase 18 new backpacks for kids from low-income families in Ventura, north of Los Angeles.

On July 14, our Commanding Officer, RADM Ronald Coleman, proudly presented the backpacks to Sherry French, Island Living manager. These backpacks are part of the Community Outreach Center of Ventura annual Back to School Drive, which aims to support over 500 kids by ensuring they start the year equipped and confident. The big giveaway event is scheduled for Aug. 2.

By partnering with the Community Outreach Center of Ventura and Island Living Arts, we’re not only helping. We’re investing in hope, creativity and brighter futures for our community’s youth.

A heartfelt thank you goes to every crew member and supporter who made this mission possible.

Together, we can help these kids boldly go into a successful school year!

From left are Island View Apartments Manager Sherry French, USS Wessex Commanding Officer Ronald Coleman and another person dropping off backpacks. The USS Wessex recently helped efforts to provide backpacks for low-income students in Ventura, north of Los Angeles. (Photo courtesy USS Wessex)