From that day on we have tried to go to all the club events and other events that club members go to. Cinco De Wangers in San Jose; Hot August Nights in Reno; Cherry's Jubilee in Monterey/Laguna Seca; Pontiac Grill Santa Cruz; Tilden Park, Berkeley; Bay Meadows in field parking watching the races; Silver State Pontiac show in Sparks, Nevada. to name just a few. Some get-togethers have 20 cars, some only 5 or 6 (I think our average is between 15 to 30 cars, with about 50-60 for the June Good Guys show.) Even when we only have 5 or 6 car at an event, we try to show up together, park together and show other clubs that we have FUN.

I have been really thinking about what a good group of people this is and why with so many members (240+ plus Significant others!!!!) we don't have more people show up. Usually it is the same 20 to 30 people, which is fine because we have such a great time together, but I feel sorry for all of you who are missing out. I know for some of you it is kinda far to drive (I include Mark & I in that) but it is always worth it! For example, Cherry's Jubilee in Monterey and Laguna Seca is probably the best event of the year. (better than Hot August Nights) This year Mark and I went a couple extra days. We had five clear, sunny, warm days. No fog was seen, the evenings were balmy. With 1200 cars cruising Cannery Row and Pacific Grove, driving to Big Sur for the Poker Run and the Funnest group of people you could ask for. A lot of us stayed at the same place so we could make sure we kept abreast of all the groups doings. And thanks to Jim Lent - the guy that keeps us all on track (if we want to be) It was a great getaway.

Mark and I have never been much on clubs and groups, But if you had to be in one, this is it! They don't demand you show up; they aren't cliquey; If you aren't sure you are coming to a get together and can't RSVP they don't have a cow if you do show up ( in fact you are welcomed with open arms.) It is always nice if you can RSVP but sometimes you need to be able to do things spur of the moment. We have never gone to a club meeting since it is about 1 &1/2 hours for us to get there but one of these days we are really going to try. (We have never gotten yelled at for not going.)

I mostly wrote this letter as a thank you to all of you GGG members who have made being in a club so much fun. (Has everyone gotten tired of the word “fun"? If you are, you need to come to an event with us to see what it is like!!!) I hope maybe some of you who have never showed up will come (You don't even need your GTO - in fact lots of the folks are working on their cars off and on and can't drive them. The car is not essential - when it is ready bring it- but what we would like is to get to know the faces that go with the names on our roster.

Deidre and Mark Stipanov, Sebastopol

NILES CANYON RAILWAY TRIP & NOVEMBER CLUB MEETING

WHEN - SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2001.

MEET AT THE STATION 10:00 AM.

  TRAIN LEAVES AT 10:30 AM

  (Subject to availability of antique equipment)

  WHERE - The Niles Canyon Railroad Boarding Station is located at the corner of Main St. and Kilkare Rd. in beautiful downtown Sunol, California. For more information call: 925-862-9063 or email at: PLA_NCRY@NCRY.COM - Web site located at: www.ncry.org

  We will meet at the train station for a one hour ride on the antique equipment. Plan to meet at 10:00 am. The train leaves around 10:30. This is an all weather kind of event, so dress accordingly. If the weather is not good that morning when you get up, then just bring your daily driver, instead of your GTO (that is unless your GTO IS your daily driver!) The plan is to ride the train and then go to an establishment that is well known locally. Bosco’s Bones & Brew serves excellent food and beverages.

  Average entree prices are around $15.00 to $20.00. So, the GGGoats will do what comes naturally - grazing and having a good time!

  WE WILL HAVE OUR CLUB MEETING FOLLOWING LUNCH. THIS WILL BE THE FIRST PLANNING MEETING FOR 2002 EVENTS.

HOW DO I GET THERE?

 From the San Jose Area (from 680 South), take I-680 North approximately 30 miles to the "Calaveras Rd/Sunol/Highway 84 West" Exit. Take a left at the end of the EXIT ramp, following the signs West to Sunol, approximately 1-Mile. Just past the bridge, turn right following the road Left to enter into Sunol. Continue West 3 blocks to the parking lot and the Boarding Area of the Niles Canyon Railroad.

 From the Dublin/Pleasanton Area (Highways 680/580 intersection)(from 680 North) take I-680 South exiting on the "Calaveras Rd/Dumbarton Br/I-84" West off-ramp. Turn right at the end of the EXIT ramp and follow the signs West to Sunol, approximately 1-Mile. Just past the bridge, turn right following the road Left to enter into Sunol. Continue West 3 blocks to the parking lot and the Boarding Area of the Niles Canyon Railroad.

Take I-880 to the Fremont area - FROM THE SOUTH: exiting on East Mowry/I-84. Continue East through Fremont to Mission Blvd.Take a left turn onto Mission Blvd (North) at the traffic light, and then a right turn at the next traffic light (approximately 1/2 mile) onto Niles Canyon Blvd. FROM THE NORTH: Exit at Alvarado Niles Road through the town of Niles 'till it turns left (at the end), crosses Mission, and that places you onto Niles Canyon Blvd.

THEN: Follow Niles Canyon Blvd. to Sunol which is located at just the other end of the canyon. At Sunol, take either the turnoff, just before the underpass or proceed until you see the next possible Left turn. The turnoff will lead you to the parking lot and Boarding Area. If you use the next left turn following the road Left to enter into Sunol. Continue West 3 blocks to the parking lot and the Boarding Area of the Niles Canyon Railroad.

From the peninsula over the Dumbarton Bridge - Continue on the bridge road, over 880, which becomes Decoto  Rd., turn right onto Alvarado Niles Road in Union City. Follow Alvarado Niles Road through the town of Niles 'till it turns left (at the end), crosses Mission, and that places you onto Niles Canyon Blvd. Follow Niles Canyon Blvd. to Sunol which is located at just the other end of the canyon. At Sunol, take either the turnoff, just before the underpass or proceed until you see the next possible Left turn. The turnoff will lead you to the parking lot and Boarding Area. If you use the next left turn following the road Left to enter into Sunol. Continue West 3 blocks to the parking lot and the Boarding Area of the Niles Canyon Railroad.

Hi Everyone,

This month we have a yummy guilt free brownie recipe from Barbara Davis. Below is her note as well. Thank you Barbara!

Here is a Weight Watcher Brownie recipe. There are a few of us that are on Weight Watchers. I thought it might be nice to include a recipe in our newsletter. I made these and took them to the barbecue at the Flynn's house last weekend, 'Cherries Jubilee'. Nobody knew that they were Weight Watcher Brownies. Here you go:

Ingredients:

pkg. reduced calorie brownie mix (20-1/2 oz.) such as Betty Crocker or other favorite mix that is reduced calorie.
1 Pkg. of Philadelphia Free Fat, Cream Cheese, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup Baker's Semisweet Real Chocolate Chips

Instructions:

Preparation, prepare brownie mix as directed on package. Pour into 13x9 inch baking pan sprayed with no stick cooking spray. Beat cream cheese with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Add sugar, mixing until blended. Add egg and vanilla: mix just until blended. Pour cream cheese mixture over brownie mixture: cut through batter with knife several times for marble effect. Sprinkle with chocolate chips. 

Cool & cut into squares.

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