THE GOAT CONNECTION

Vol. 9 - #4 Monthly newsletter of the GOLDEN GATE GOATS 

April - 2004

Member Organization GTO ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

Club Meeting
Wednesday, April 4, 2004
6:30 p.m.
Harry's Hof Brau
1909 El Camino Real
Redwood City
Click the "News" button for map and directions


 

 

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

MEETING MINUTES

UPCOMING EVENTS  

OMIGODITSGOOD! Recipe Corner  

NEW MEMBERS   

 

 

 

 

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE


Hello Folks,

Wow, recent weather has been real fine and about 50 of us came out for our High Tech event on March 13th. 20 club cars made the event. Both the Computer Museum and Mars exhibit were quite interesting, fun day doing something a little different. Thanks to Russ Louthian for putting this event together. Great start for 2004……………

Our next meeting is coming up on Wednesday April 7th at Harry’s in Redwood City. We will discuss our April 17th Steppin Out with the Stipanov’s event featuring a visit by Jim Wangers. (Regarding Mr. Wangers, did you see the magazine blurb about his taking delivery of an '04 GTO?) Mark and Deidre have put a lot of time and effort into putting this event together for everyone’s enjoyment. If you are planning to attend, please take a moment to review the RSVP information in your newsletter. Please note that the cutoff for ordering dinner is Friday April 2nd, BEFORE our next meeting. This can be a one to three day event depending on what tickles your fancy. We will also discuss our Sunday April 25th return to Benicia, hosted by Stuart Cole. See newsletter for details and remember that applications should be mailed by April 2nd. These events take us through the month of April.

Other topics of discussion at the meeting will be our May 22nd Microbrewery Cruise hosted by Leroy and Judy Anderson. GGuys signups for June will continue and we need to decide upon a new meeting location prior to the show that is more convenient. John Phillips has some ideas that he and I have discussed briefly, we will share those with you at the meeting. This covers everything for now. As always there will be time available to discuss any other club business you wish.

See ya in the fast lane………………………………

John

 

MEETING MINUTES


Date: Wednesday, March 3th, 2004

Note Taker:  Barb Davis

Date/Location:     Englander Pub Resturant

Club Officers  2004

John Mekisich    President Not present at the meeting.
Russ Louthian    Vice president
Al Harris   
         Treasurer
Barb Davis   
      Secretary
Jim Lent           
News Letter Editor

  Everyone introduced themselves and welcomed the new members to our club.

  Russ Louthian conducted the meeting.

  1. Russ Louthian told us more about the NASA event on March 13th 2004. Rain or shine event, you don’t have to bring your car. There is plenty of parking (250 or more cars). There is a gift store. Meet in front of the Century Theaters at 11:30. We will have lunch in Mt. View and cruise to NASA. The docent will be available at 1:00.

  2. Deidre Stipanov talked about the Steppin’ Out with Stipanov’s 3rd Annual Wine Event, on April 17th. This will be an informal get together with Jim Wangers. Barb and Ken Davis will pick Mr. Wangers up at the airport Friday.

    We will start off with pastries at the Stipanov’s then cruise to Korbel, taking the coastal route. Stop and have an early dinner at Stormies, where we will have a choice of 5 items that we can order from. We will charge a flat $25.00 per person for the event with the club picking up the balance. Meals need to be paid in advance and ordered by April 3rd. The checks need to be mailed to Mark and Deidre Stipanov and be made payable to the GGGoats. Our club treasure will give the restaurant the appropriate amount. Send your money before April 2nd. Please don’t forget to RSVP.

  3. April 25th is the car show in Benicia. Stuart Cole will be the event coordinator. Meet in front of the StarBucks. Entry form will be in the newsletter with more information. Benefits go to Panther High School Band.

  4. Leroy and Judy Anderson are planning a Micro Brewery event in May. We will meet at the North Gate Mall area between 9:30 and 10:00 for a cruise. Details to follow at next meeting.

  5. June GoodGuys is June 5th and 6th. Our club will sponsor the event. Sign up sheet was passed around. We talked about changing the meeting place in the morning to Main Street in Pleasanton. If you haven’t signed up to work, you can send an e-mail to John Mekisich. Work a shift and get a free GoodGuys T-shirt.

  6. Carol Sakamoto gave us a flyer on the “Run Through the Canyon VII” cruise. Join the Nor-Cal ChevelleCaminos club on Saturday, June 26th, 2004 for a cruise down Monterey Peninsula and the 17 Mile drive. Proceeds go to the Children’s hospital in Oakland. Poker Run, Picnic and Raffle Prizes.

  7. Carol Sakamoto will have other information regarding the June 26th, Saturday, Poker Run with the Cal-Chevelle Camino Club.

  8. Russ Louthian suggested putting together a welcome kit for our new members. Giving them a goodie bag.

  9. NEXT MEETING WILL BE Wednesday, April 7th AT Harry’s Hofbrau in Redwood City 7:00 PM.

 

Car of the Month article assignments


April
Eric & Christina Hinz
Steven Hudson
George Schober
May
Jerry Pitti
Al Rojas
Ryan Ford

This is your opportunity to share your GTO story with the club members.
Send your articles to Jim Lent @ jimlent@comcast.net or snail mail to Jim Lent, 118 Iris Court, Hercules CA 94547.

Articles, with at least three pictures, should be sent to:

 

Jim Lent
118 Iris Court
Hercules, CA 94547

or email jimlent@attbi.com

 

 

GOLDEN GATE GOATS EMAIL LIST

The GGGOATS frequently uses an email list to get out information about events that may not have been available when the newsletter went to press.

This has proved very useful and, if you have an email account, you might want to join the list. Sometimes people change their email accounts and forget to let us know. If you would like to join or rejoin the list then please send me an email with your correct email address.

Please send additions or corrections to: jimlent@attbi.com

 

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CHANGES, MISSPELLINGS, ETC.

IF WE HAVEN'T GOT YOUR INFORMATION MIXED UP YET, JUST GIVE US TIME. WE ARE WORKING AS FAST AS WE CAN.

 

Please contact Jim Lent with any name, address, phone number or vehicle corrections or changes. (510) 799-6096.

E-mail: jimlent@attbi.com

SNAIL MAIL: Jim Lent

118 Iris Court

Hercules, CA 94547

 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS


Steppen’ Out with the Stipanov’s 3rd Annual Wine Event 


Plus an informal day (or weekend) with Jim Wangers 
Saturday April 17, 2004
(Or make it a weekend getaway to Sonoma County’s Wine Country)
What could be better? Two of your favorite GTO get togethers rolled into one!
Start at the Stipanov’s house in Sebastopol 
(approx 50 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge) 
for coffee, bagels and pastries and talking with our favorite 
Goat-father Jim Wangers. 

Join us for the cruise along the Russian River to Korbel Champagne Cellars.
(Tour Korbel and taste great champagne) Then head towards Sonoma County’s coast from Jenner to Bodega Bay, heading inland to dairy land to Bloomfield for lunch/dinner at historic Stormy’s (est. in 1854- one of the oldest Road Houses in California) and probably one of the best Steakhouse and Taverns around! We will dine on 20oz prime rib (cut in house), New York Scallopini (mmmm), Half a chicken, prawns or fresh catch. With the No Host Bar (remember, a full old fashioned Tavern) you will be able to spend more time talking to your favorite fountain of GTO knowledge, our very own Jim Wangers. 
Remember Jim was there in the “Glory Days” with John DeLorean and Pete Estes. He helped create and define the American musclecar image with his marketing strategies for the Pontiac GTO. What better way than this informal afternoon to just talk and get to know Jim better and learn from someone who was there at the center of GTO history. Dinner at Stormy’s is optional.
After Stormy’s for those heading home it’s just a 15minute drive to Petaluma and Hwy 101. Or if you are spending the weekend- relax- come back to the Stipanov’s for more GTO talk or go to your hotel. Sunday you are welcome for more GTO talk, coffee and Pastries at the Stipanov’s or maybe other wine cruising options.


Friday night Casual meeting dinner option with Jim Wangers to be announced

Saturday Schedule:

9:00 - 10 a.m.    Meet at Mark & Deidre Stipanov’s house for coffee and pastries. Please let us know you are coming. So we can plan on how much to provide.
6023 Lone Pine Rd, Sebastopol 707-829- 1448 email dragon64gto@comcast.net

About 10:15 a.m. Leave for Korbel Champagne Cellars (will take approx 30 minutes to drive) 

Between 11:15 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. tour Korbel, taste champagne, show off your GTO’s in front of Historic Korbel building 

Around 1:30 p.m. or So - we plan on a leisurely drive, heading back towards Bodega Bay and then inland to Bloomfield 

3 p.m. Eat and talk with Jim Wangers at Stormy’s Roadhouse

5:30 – 6:00 p.m. Leave for home or the Stipanov’s or your hotel.

Sunday 9 a.m. to 10a.m. meet for coffee and pastries at the Stipanov’s (or possibly Holiday Inn) and then? 
Options to be discussed Sat 


(Must RSVP and send check for Stormy’s dinner by April 2. See next page. Send Check made out to GGG, to the Stipanov’s, and what your food option is. GGG is graciously helping defer the cost at Stormy’s , so we pay only $25 a dinner!)


Directions to Mark and Deidre’s house: 
· 101 north to Hwy 116 exit ( about 45 miles north of the Golden Gate bridge)
· Take the Sebastopol – Rohnert Park 116 Exit. Turn Left under the freeway. If you need gas get it here or at Bill’s Deli (there are 3 or so different types of gas stations right here at freeway)
· Approx 4 – 5 miles you will see Bill’s Deli and Gas on your right. Continue on for about 300 yards.
· On the left is Lone Pine Rd. between Landers Automotive and “Call of the Wild.” Go up Lone Pine Rd about 1 mile. 6023 is on the left. (make sure you only drive 40 mph up Lone Pine!!! Highway Patrol does radar and will give you a ticket.)


For those of you who would like to spend the weekend:

Holiday Inn Express (707) 829-6677 1101 Gravenstein Highway South, (Hwy 116) Sebastopol. Call ASAP. A block of Rooms and Parking are set aside for GGG and will be held only till April 2. Special discount for $99 for King bed for GGG, 2 Queens also avail for slightly higher. When calling ask for Date of April 16 and/or 17 under Golden Gate Goats.

Sebastopol Inn – 707-829-2500 6751 Sebastopol Ave. Sebastopol (More Expensive) but very nice!
Best Western Inn, Rohnert Park 707-584-7435


Stormy’s dinner (which includes tax and 18% tip): homemade clam chowder (excellent), garden salad with house dressing, fresh sautéed vegetables, Mashed garlic potatoes, French bread and coffee or ice tea.
 
Prime Rib (approx) 20oz 
Chicken Saute (full chicken breast sautéed with wine and garlic) 
Deep Fried Prawns 
New York Scallopini sautéed with wine sauce, mushrooms, scallions
Fresh Fish (fresh catch of the day, ie: halibut, swordfish)

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Please print & tear off. Send to the Stipanov’s before April 2, along with your menu choice and $ for your dinner at Stormy’s. Remember GGG is paying the cost above $25 for each dinner so we are getting a great deal. Dinners range from $26 to $34 including coffee, iced tea, tax and 18% tip. You will be responsible for your own sodas and alcoholic beverages at the no host bar.
Name(s):__________________________________________

Prime Rib dinner ______ x $25= ______
Chicken dinner ______ x $25= ______
Prawns dinner ______ x $25= ______
NY scallopini ______ x $25= ______
Fish dinner ______ x $25= ______ Total enclosed _______

Make check out to Golden Gate Goats, mail to Mark and Deidre Stipanov 6023 Lone Pine Rd, Sebastopol, CA 95472
Please let Mark & Deidre Know if you are coming for the continental breakfast Sat – even if you don’t plan to stay for dinner at Stormy’s!

Benicia Car Show - Sunday, April 25

Yes folks, its that time again-time for the Benicia Car Show. This yearly event has long been the GGG's stomping ground with the "Club Participation Award" having an almost permanent home with us. However last year the unthinkable happened and a Mustang club received the award. This must not happen again. Come spend a Sunday with the club in Benicia. Hanging out and having fun after the show we will cruise up First Street (our local main drag) and then head to a local park for hamburgers and a potluck with your favorite delicacies. We will meet at Starbucks in Benicia at 7:00 AM and leave for the show around 7:30 AM. 
See enclosed map for directions. Advance registration is $20.00 due by April 2, or $25.00 paid at the Gate. See application in this newsletter. Remember, the show is on school grounds, so no alcohol is allowed.

Please RSVP Stuart Cole at (707) 745-2918 or email me at s2cole@hotmail.com so we can plan enough food for you. This is a fun, relaxed atmosphere and we want you to attend, even if yoSo come on out, meet our celebrity chefs and have a GREAT TIME!

Directions to the Starbucks meeting point.
Take 80 or 680 to 780 and then take the Southampton exit. Head north on Southampton Rd. to the intersection of Southampton Rd. and Chelsea Hills. Turn left at the light into the shopping center and look for a place to park. Starbucks is on the left side of the shopping center. Starbucks does have restroom facilities.



GOOD GUYS SUMMER GET TOGETHER

JUNE 5 & 6, 2004

EVENT DETAILS

As many of you already know, Golden Gate Goats is the host club for the Good Guys 11th Summer Get Together at the Pleasanton fairgrounds. This has proven to be one of our largest event to date with 70+ GTOs in attendance last year. Our club has become one of the largest GTO clubs in the nation with approximately 200+ current members. The enormous amount of exposure we get at this show has played a large part in helping us increase our membership. Good Guys management was very happy with the job we have done as well as the fact that we pretty much blew 'em away with our

level of participation! They invited us back for this year’s show during last years show! For a niche club such as ours, the opportunity to host a show of this caliber is a really big deal!

 

Myself along with Jim Lent & John Phillips will be the event coordinators. I will be the pre-show contact and the three of us will be working together during the event like we did last year. We will

be spending whatever time is required, at the next two club, meetings to plan for this event. 2002 will be our sixth year as the host club. The previous events went off without a hitch as I am sure this year’s event will as well. Like fine wine, we are improving with age. It takes a lot of member involvement to make this work.

 

I would like to thank all of you that have worked the previous shows for all your hard work. I am sure all of you will want to participate again this year. Let’s make it our goal to make this our largest

event ever. One of the many benefits we receive as the host club is our choice of where we want to park. Plan to come on out and work the show, you will have a GRRR8 parking place for the day!

Let me go back to early 1997 when our club was but a few months old. Club member John Phillips was at the right place at the right time and was instrumental in introducing us to the Good Guys.

John also belongs to the P-Town Pushrods, the club that hosts many Good Guys shows each year. He found out that P-Town was not going to be hosting he upcoming Muscle Car Nationals as they were already doing three shows and their members are heavy into rods. John called me immediately and we were able to get the "gig" so to speak. Without John’s help, we never would have been given this opportunity. Thanks a lot, John and I hope I got the facts close to correct!

Those of you that have not yet participated must be curious as to what "hosting" the show entails. Here is what is in store for ya! Our day begins early. New rendezvous area will be determined at our April meeting and publicized in our May newsletter.We leave promptly for the fairgrounds at 5:45 a.m. We drive to our club parking area near the museum and park the cars. The fairgrounds are very quiet until the exhaust note of 20,000 GTO horsepower fills the air, along with blipping throttles as we back em in. Unless you plan to cruise the fairgrounds, this will be your spot for the day. Good Guys event personnel will meet us here and outline what we need to do. We have done everything in previous years from helping with the special areas to directing traffic inside the fairgrounds. Whatever assignment we get is always a good time. Our level of participation determines how long we each need to work. I anticipate one hour per day per person. Those of you with cars in progress, come on out and join in the fun! As more information comes in, we will do a work schedule and post it via e mail and on the website so each of you knows exactly where you need to be and when so you can maximize your fun at the show.

What do you get?

1) Complimentary admission both days to members that work the show

2) Reserved parking at one of the best locations in the fairgrounds. Every participant will see your car as they register at the GGuys Gazebo! Literally thousands of people will come by to drool over your car each day of the show!

3) One complimentary event T shirt per worker and additional shirts can be purchased at Good Guys cost ( $10.00). Our club logo will be in color. The shirt will have last years big winners and is always very colorful. YOU MUST SIGN-UP WITH JOHN MEKISICH ON OR BEFORE THE MAY 5TH CLUB MEETING IN ORDER TO GET A FREE SHIRT! THOSE SIGNING UP AFTER THIS DATE WILL NOT RECEIVE A FREE SHIRT!

3) BBQ hamburgers, hot dogs, chips & fixins are provided for members and their

families each day. (This year we need volunteers for the BBQ for both Sat. and Sun.)

Just bring a side dish, or dessert and your own beverages of choice.

Those of you that will be at our April meeting can let me know then or you can sign up with me via e-mail immediately at MITYGTO@aol.com. We cannot have too many volunteers to work the show. My final deadline to get everything back to them is May 3rd, just after our May meeting. Once again, if you are working the show you do not need to register (pay) as you get in complimentary. You can work either day or both days. I will have a work schedule for each day. Don’t be shy, let’s really pull out the stops and make this our best turnout ever. If any of you have questions, or want to volunteer you can call me at (650) 349-2095 or e mail me MITYGTO@aol.com or better yet, let me know at a meeting. The sooner you let me know, the easier my job becomes. PLEASE DO NOT ASK ME IF YOU CAN ARRIVE AT A LATER TIME. WE ALL NEED TO BE THERE EARLY AS IT IS THE ONLY WAY WE CAN MAKE IT WORK!

Thank you for your understanding and support. To those of you that don’t attend many club functions, this one has evolved into the BIG DADDY of them all so to speak. As I mentioned, it is a two day show and we are there both days so if you are busy one day, you have the other! It is impossible to talk this show up too much! To my knowledge, this is the largest muscle car oriented show on the west coast. We may be the only GTO club in the country hosting a show like this. I urge all members to come on out and join the fun!

Once again, we will be discussing this event in great detail at the next two club meetings. With our April meeting in Redwood City and our May meeting in San Leandro, we will have a great opportunity to pre-plan for this event. We got a jump on this at our March meeting by beginning sign ups there. Lots of room for everyone. This hopefully will result in a record number of cars along with a new attendance record. Let us set an aggressive goal of 100 cars to attend. I will be e mailing all the car mags letting them know that we are coming out in force. They are always looking for GTO's to do articles on and we have some mighty fine examples of the ORIGINAL MUSCLECAR!

Plan to be there! John

CONTACT JOHN TO SIGN-UP AT: MITYGTO@AOL.COM

OR 650-349-2095

NOTE: IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE EXTRA EVENT SHIRTS,

AT $10.00 EACH, THEN PLEASE CONTACT JOHN TO LET HIM KNOW

HOW MANY AND WHAT SIZE(S)

 

 

OMIGODITSGOOD!

RECIPE CORNER

Hi Everyone,

Happy Spring! Here is a nice cheese spread you can make. Add your own variations. It is quick and easy. Goes great on crackers to fresh veggies.

Hope you enjoy.

Marsha

 

Cindy's Best Cheese Spread

 

1 large tub soft Philly cheese
1 cup grated cheddar
1/2 cup cottage cheese
2 tablespoons butter (I omit this part)
1 tablespoon paprika,
1 tablespoon caraway seeds or vary it with 1-2 minced garlic cloves

Put all into a microwavable bowl, and heat just to soften. Next place in batches of 1/3 into a blender. Blend till smooth and then remove to a serving bowl or cheese tub.

Refrigerate.

Best if made night before.








 

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NEW MEMBERS

Welcome to these new members who have joined the
Golden Gate Goats
this month.
We look forward to meeting you at our club events.

Russell Kaul Martinez
Sam & Alene Hedgpeth Los Altos 1968 LeMans
Rick & Jan Reynolds Gardnerville, NV 1965 H.T.
Robert Arthur Columbia 1966 H.T.
Arnoldo Diaz Millbrae 1969 Convertible
Daniel & Rhonda Mondragon Monterey 1966 Convertible
Steven Hudson Alamo 1970 GTO