2004

May
Tony sailed in the Vallejo Race with Ricochet. Gretchen badgered the city into delivering 40 cubic yards of wood chips to the West Manor Park to be used as ground mulch. With the help of the neighborhood the whole pile was spread in 2 hours. Saving the city thousands of dollars in labor costs and giving our neighborhood park a much need face lift, while also protecting the plants from the soon to be arriving summer sun. T&G are reminded why they love their neighborhood. People from the age of 4 to late 60's showed up to work together. One neighbor who didn't have time to work, dropped off a case of water for the workers. Damn we love this town.

Russ and Jane's reception. Our friend who owns the boat we raced to the Baja Haha married one of the other crew members (Jane) whom he got to know on the race. Wild isn't it. We were glad they had a reception here so we could attend. They spend a lot of time sailing down south now, so we don't get to see them much these days.

Tony's birthday was spent in Hawaii at the Ritz Carlton. Many thanks to the lovely people who hire Gretchen to teleprompt. Tony took beautiful underwater video with an underwater housing that he bought at (you guessed it) a garage sale. Tony stayed with Kirk before Gretchen arrived. Kirk truly set him up. He got him connected with a dive guide, an internet cafe and a great place to eat. By the time that Gretchen arrived Tony looked like a native. To be truthful Tony looked like a native before he left Benicia, but there is a certain more laid back attitude that one can only achieve on the islands.

T&G get a variance for a new house design. Now the real work begins. Hopefully T&G will have a much larger house soon. They dearly need it. Because of the shape of the property that the house sits on T&G needed to get a variance to maximize the square footage that can be developed on the lot. They are doing their best to maximize every sq. inch that they can, so that they will have more room in the new house.

Gretchen takes Rowan to a dog competition at Marin Humane Society. They take 3 firsts and one third out of 4 competitions. What a good/fast dog Rowan is. Gretchen is still considering training Rowan for competition. This event just pointed out what a smart, athletic and pleasing dog Rowan is. She was so happy doing things that made Gretchen happy. Gretchen's mother Linda also went with them and entered her Yorkie Moe. Moe tried very hard an looked great all day long.