Hello Everyone;

  Saw the sun briefly yesterday, nice reminder of great weather and fun with our cars. I would like to thank Russ and Jim for conducting our last meeting as I was not present due to the nasty flu that is going around.

  Please note that our upcoming March 3rd meeting will be held at our new meeting location, The Englander in San Leandro. Map included in this issue. I am confident we will find this location to work much better for us.............See you there.

  VP Russ Louthian will be taking a few minutes to talk up our March 13^th event at the Mars Center. Should be a very interesting experience and is a go rain or shine. We can discuss our April 17^th event and sort out the logistics of transporting our guests during the weekend. I will have a GGuys sign up sheet for the June 5^th and 6^th event. 2004 marks the 8^th time we will be hosting this event............Right On! Perhaps this will be the year we have 100 club cars at the event. YOU can make that happen! Let's talk about a GGuys meeting location we can get in and out of more easily along with any other suggestions you may have to make this event flow smoother.

  Our April 7^th meeting returns us to Harrys in Redwood City. April 17^th we are back in the wine country for Steppin Out with the Stipanov's featuring a visit by Jim Wangers. Full details in this newsletter. Please follow Mark and Deidre's instructions for this event as doing that will help them handle the details much more easily. That covers everything for now;

  See ya in the fast lane.......................

John

MEETING MINUTES

Date: Wednesday, February 4^th, 2004

Note Taker:  Barb Davis

Date/Location:     Harry's Hofbrau, Redwood City , CA. 7:00 p.m.

  Russ Louthian conducted the meeting.

1. Al Harris reported that as of today, we nave 69 members that have not paid their club dues. We have $10,000 in our account.

2. Russ Louthian talked more about the GTOAA. As of now we have 29% of our members that are in GTOAA. Consensus is that we will not be able to make the percentage.

3. Russ Louthian told us more about the NASA event on March 13^th 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. We will have lunch in Mt. View and cruise to NASA. The docent will be available at 1:00.

4. Deidre Stipanov talked about the event at their house on April 17^th.  This will be an informal get together with Jim Wangers. 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 took a vote and decided that 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 3^rd. Deidre Stipanov will work on  an e-mail and a flyer to put in the March newsletter. The checks will go to Mark and Deidre Stipanov and be made payable to the GGGoats. Our club treasure will give the restaurant the appropriate amount. 

5. Leroy and Judy Anderson are still looking into the May event in there area. We possibly could stop for cheese and oysters. More info to follow at next meeting.

6. June GoodGuys is June 5^th and 6^th.  Our club will sponsor the event. More details in newsletter.

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

8. It was suggested having the Mekisich Golden Gate park event August 21.

9. Russ Louthian told us about a place that he saw on Bay Area Backroads, called the Copia It is located on the Napa River. Has a big garden, and a food museum. The admission is $15.00. This was a possible suggestion for an event in September.

March
Jimmy & Michelle Sanderson
Landon & Karen Schadel
Curt Smith
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.

A Visit to Mars!

Join us as the Golden Gate Goats go on a tour of NASA?s new Mars Center. Saturday, March 13, 2004! This is a rain or shine event! This is going to be an excellent event for the entire family because it is fun, educational, and FREE! We will start by getting together for lunch from
11:30AM until about 1PM. We are still doing research on the restaurants in the Mt. View / Sunnyvale area and we will select one soon. Look for an e-mail announcement and final details in your March GGG Newsletter.

At 1PM we will caravan from the restaurant to NASA and the Mars Center. We will have our own parking area in the Mars Center 150-car lot. You can park there for as long as you wish, depart when you want and there is no charge. Inside the Mars Center, we will be met by a guide who will familiarize us with current information about Mars, about the Mars Exploration Rovers' missions and share ongoing research about future Mars missions.
The Mars Center features interactive displays and exhibits focused on Mars, the Mars Exploration Rover missions and NASA Ames' scientific and engineering support roles in missions to the red planet. Exhibits include:

- A Mars immersive theater, where visitors will see live transmissions of the
Mars Exploration Rover landings from mission control,
- Carnegie-Mellon University's interactive rover yard, where visitors can 'drive' robotic vehicles on a simulated Mars science mission,
- and a children's room where young people can take part in Mars-related activities.

For more information on the Mars Center, visit their Web site at:
http://www.arc.nasa.gov/aboutames-marscenter.cfm

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)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.

Hi Everyone,

Here is an easy dip to make and you will almost want to start eating it before you put it in the dish to serve. Hope you enjoy.

Marsha

Marilyn's Chili Dip

In a medium size sauce pan add:
1 can Chili Con Carni (no beans)
1 8 oz. Cream Cheese
1 small can chopped Green Chilies
Ground Cumin to taste

Heat through till just bubbly, then transfer to serving dish.
Serve with scoops fritos or tortilla chips.