April 2026 
Next Luncheon
We have the distinct honor of hearing from a leader whose career has been forged in the crucible of complex global challenges. Our speaker, Colonel Chris Starling, will illuminate the intricate tapestry of security dynamics within the Arabian Gulf, dissecting the geopolitical strategies that shape this vital region, and crucially, exploring their profound impacts right here on our home front.
Why should this matter to us? The currents of international affairs, particularly those emanating from regions as strategically significant as the Arabian Gulf, do not remain contained. The stability, the flow of energy, and the very nature of global conflict and diplomacy are intrinsically linked to developments in this part of the world. Understanding these dynamics is not merely an academic exercise; it is essential for comprehending the broader geopolitical landscape that influences our economy, our national security, and our place in the world. As the world grapples with a significant paradigm shift in how nations interact and alliances are forged, prepare to explore this critical juncture in history, illuminated by the profound knowledge of a leader who has navigated its complexities firsthand.
With a distinguished 26-year career in the United States Marine Corps, Col. Starling has amassed invaluable leadership experience and a deep, firsthand understanding of the Arabian Gulf and the geopolitical strategies at play. His military tenure includes ten overseas deployments, three of which were combat tours, demonstrating his profound experience in challenging operational environments. His command assignments were significant, leading the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines out of North Carolina and subsequently the 23rd Marine Regiment in California. His strategic staff roles were equally impactful, serving as an instructor at the prestigious U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Chief of the Partnership Division at U.S. Africa Command in Stuttgart, Germany, and the Senior U.S. Military Advisor to the Emirati Presidential Guard in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates--providing him with deep, firsthand knowledge of the region including the Strait of Hormuz.
His academic background includes graduation from the Virginia Military Institute and a Master of Public Administration from John Jay College. Notably, he was a national security affairs fellow at the Hoover Institution from 2007–2008, where his research focused on contemporary and future national security issues.
Col. Starling’s expertise extends to the evolving nature of modern warfare, including the critical analysis of ballistic missiles, drones, and cyber warfare – threats that are increasingly shaping our defense posture. Furthermore, he brings insights into the crucial role of missile defense systems and offers a forward-looking perspective on the future of our military capabilities.
Following his decorated service, Colonel Starling has further honed his leadership and analytical acumen through his involvement with NPower's SkillBridge program and his academic pursuits, ensuring a comprehensive and current understanding of both military and civilian strategic challenges.
Please join us to deepen your understanding of the global and local dynamics of the current conflict.
Register here
MENU
Parmesan Crusted White Fish Chardonnay Artichoke Sauce with rice and vegetables
Chocolate Mousse Tuxedo Cake with Vanilla Whipped Cream and Berries
Vegetarian Choice (must be requested at registration!): Cauliflower and Broccoli with Cashews and Coconut Curry
President's Report
Dear Members,
We are honored to have Lt. Col. Christopher Starling, U.S. Marine Corps, ret. as our speaker for April 21st. He is a retired US Marine Corps officer with 26 years of active duty service. He completed 10 overseas deployments including 3 combat tours. Command assignments included leading the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines out of North Carolina and later the 23rd Marine Regiment out of California. Currently, he is the Executive Director of NPower SkillBridge, an organization that trains transitioning military personnel for critical cybersecurity jobs.
Don’t forget we are back at Marin Country Club, 500 Country Club Drive, Novato. Be sure and sign up now!
We have had a very successful membership drive with a cocktail party at my home for many energetic wonderful women, and we have 6 new members who you will be seeing from time to time at meetings and events. I am sure that with Denise Regin as Membership Chair we will see that number growing. Over the last 60 days we have added 13 new and renewing members to our growing group.
Our next 500 Day Victory Party on June 7th at a private home in Novato. Please sign up for that on GoldenGaterw.com and don’t forget Sheriff Chad Bianco will be here May 19th!
Welcome New Members
March has been an incredible month for new members! A warm welcome to all the women who recently joined our club. On March 19th, we held a Happy Hour featuring a palm reader and psychic for prospective members—an event that brought in six new members to the Golden Gate Republican Women. Lively discussions, delicious appetizers, and creative cocktails made the evening a memorable success. We hope to organize another similar event later this year, so stay tuned!
We’re grateful for the enthusiasm of our dedicated members who continue to help the club expand. Please keep spreading the word about Golden Gate Republican Women—our monthly luncheons are filled with valuable information and engaging speakers, and our social events include Bingo nights, 100 Day Victory celebrations, movie outings, as well as a sold-out trip to Washington, D.C. and the White House. Plus, we’re offering exciting incentives ($15 lunch) for members who bring guests who join during their visit. Let’s make 2026 a “golden” year by encouraging everyone to recruit at least one new member!
Remember, our next meeting is on April 21st at Marin Country Club. Spaces are expected to fill up quickly, so be sure to reserve your spot—and those for any guests—as soon as possible!
A very big Happy Birthday to all our April members!
4/1 - Cecile Hawkins and Teresa Walsh
4/10 - Jacquie Smith
4/25 - Lindsey Stetson
4/27 - Kathleen Ketren
In Case You Missed It
March Luncheon
Our March speaker, Sheriff Jamie Scardina, was most informative. We are so fortunate to have such a good Sheriff here in Marin. He talked about what the Sheriff’s department is responsible for, which includes the jail and its prisoners and well as all unincorporated areas in Marin. His office does cooperate with ICE and they have on their website when prisoners are being released. Some people do not support this, and he asked that we send a note to the county Supervisors to support this release of information as it really benefits victims to know when perpetrators are being released. It seems as though a lot of political leaders are more concerned with people who commit crimes or who are here illegally, than they are with law abiding citizens and victims. He also spoke about Binford Rd. They are slowly cleaning that up, and arresting law breakers. Once they are removed, if they move back, they are towed and the area blocked. It may take a few more years to clean that all up. This is another subject you should send to the Supervisors. You can email them together or individually at marincounty.gov website under Contact.
Our next 500 Day Victory Party on June 7th at a private home in Novato. Please sign up here
News You Can Use
Placer County prosecutors wanted any information the California Department of Motor Vehicles had on Kostas Linardos, who drove a three-ton pickup truck at high speed into the back of a sedan in late 2022, killing a toddler.
The district attorney’s office, which charged Linardos with felony vehicular manslaughter, already obtained records showing he had at least 16 traffic violations — including speeding, reckless driving and street racing — and was in at least four collisions before the fatal crash, court records show.
But they also learned that the DMV renewed his license barely a year after the DA’s office filed charges.
Prosecutors were interested in anything he might have said at a hearing to get his license or any records the agency dug up as part of its investigation of the crash.
Surely, the DMV did some sort of review before deciding it was safe to let Linardos stay on the road.
Right?
The DMV spent close to a year fighting to keep the answer to that a secret, refusing to release information on Linardos without a court order and then urging a judge not to issue such a decree. The agency’s lawyer argued in a filing that prosecutors wanted records “for the improper purpose of smearing the DMV for alleged and unfounded wrongdoing.”
Prosecutors said they wanted the DMV records to help show Linardos knew the risks of driving recklessly, which is something they needed to prove to make a felony vehicular manslaughter charge stick.
When the issue finally made it to court this year, the attorney representing the agency made a shocking admission: The DMV had no records of any investigation into a longtime reckless driver who killed a 23-month-old boy. The agency didn’t even appear to have held a hearing before deciding it was fine to let Linardos stay on the road.
Placer prosecutors’ quest for answers underscores how little action the state takes against deadly drivers.
Though state law authorizes the DMV to investigate drivers involved in a crash that kills or badly injures someone, agency records suggest the DMV rarely uses that power. Data provided to CalMatters show that, from 2022 through 2024, the agency opened just 3,300 investigations into drivers for their role in a fatal or serious-injury crash, a time in which California tallied nearly 56,000 such collisions.
Read more here
