CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Lake County Republican Women Federated, or LCRWF, will start the new year with an 11:30 a.m. luncheon at Howard's Grotto in Clearlake on Wednesday, Feb. 13.

Guest speakers will be Judge Richard Martin, retired, joined by Don Jones of Ukiah, to discuss “Crime, Guns, Gun Control and CCW.”

Judge Martin is a great role model for our young people today. Having started at age 12 with a paper route in Southern California.

He never stopped growing and learning, dedicating himself to each job opportunity as he moved through employment opportunities including being an orderly at a convalescent home, working at a rifle range, time with Technicolor, then real estate, private investigations in Arizona and Southern California for well-known star personalities, then to studying law at Los Angeles Valley College and University of LaVerne (College of Law at San Fernando Valley).

Martin had his law practice in Los Angeles in 1981. However, after he and his family visited Lake County in 1982, he applied for and became a Lake County public defender.

His career continued with positions as a deputy district attorney for Lake County from 1982 to 1996 and also was cross-designated as assistant United States attorney in San Francisco, attorney general for the state of Kosrae, Federated States of Micronesia from 1996 to 1999, and assistant district attorney for Mendocino County from 1999 to 2005.

In 2005, Martin was appointed as a Lake County Superior Court judge by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to succeed Judge Robert Crone on his retirement. After 12 years in the Lake County Superior Court, he retired on May 31, 2017.

Why is Don Jones joining Judge Martin on Feb. 13? His titles say it all. Jones is chief range safety officer and chairperson of CCW Program at Ukiah Rifle and Pistol Club. What does his work mean for us? You will want to hear his important message and enjoy his gift of humor.

All are welcome at LCRWF luncheon meetings, both men and women. Attendees should start arriving by 11:15 a.m. for check-in and visiting, as gavel is at 11:45 a.m. Call 707-998-3280 by Feb. 7 to leave your reservation request (reservation made, reservation paid) and contact phone number, as well as to receive more information about LCRWF.

Come to renew your membership or be a first-timer and join this active organization. Membership is open to registered Republican women and associated membership to men.

LCRWF is a well-established organization. It is a local chapter of California Republican Women Federated established in 1925, and also retains membership in National Federation of Republican Women with headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia. There are more than 1,600 local clubs in the 50 states and in the U.S. Territories. Putting it simply, all Republican Women Federated members work to make California and America great again.

Leona M. Butts is publicity chair for Lake County Republican Women Federated.