Wilder met artist Deirdre O’Donnell and the pair went on to create beautiful ‘ecological art’ from old raisin trays and grape stakes.  This video give a sample; they have gone on to launch a line of children’s furniture which has generated a buzz from Los Angeles to New York ( so, stay tuned…).

See how Davio is helping the Monterey disadvantaged young people:

With a voice that is as rich as ever, Davio wants you to know he still delivers singing telegrams around Monterey Bay.

French Bulldogs are such an endearing breed, and I am completely smitten with NikaBleu.  My previous dog, Maggie, was a Boston.  Maggie was so well-behaved; her happiness seemed to depend on mine.  She would never jump up on furniture, and actually turned her head away in shame if admonished for watching me eat ("No begging!" did the trick).

Nika came along as Maggie was declining.  This tiny puppy romped and played, chewed and jumped, rolled and flipped, and climbed.  She climbed everything; one day I spied her gazing back at me from the top of the barbecue grill.  Nothing fazed her; the shake of a finger caused her to pounce at my face.  After finding 7 shoes chewed (none of them as a pair), I semi-jokingly started calling her Satan.

My friends weren’t so sure.  "Nika just needs some discipline."  I protested; look how well Maggie behaves.  I knew I was right.  Nika is just more willful than other dogs.

Right?  Umm, …watch this video when NikaBleu spent the week with Uncle Jeff.  Grrrr…

I said in passing, "Sorry, but I wouldn’t buy that."  The gentleman didn’t give up:  the words, "The donations are for homeless youths!" followed me as I stubbornly moved away.  I wasn’t looking back.  …"it’s okay.  I love ya anyway."  Crap.

Tossing my grocery bags in the car, I was torn between mentally calculating what would be a fair donation and unsure if this was the real deal.  I have labeled  gullible for a reason.

So here I was face to face and not sure where to start with this guy.  "You really donating to the homeless?"

Turns out not only was he donating his time and money to help Monterey’s homeless youths, this guy is a cousin of Lionel Ritchie.  Better yet, he was one of The Belvederes in the 1950′s and 1960′s.  They won on the Ted Mack show, played the Appollo Theater and the Ed Sullivan Show.

Davio filled me in on more things he’s done. He has written a book (I need to find out the name) and does singing telegrams! If anything, I hope the next time you think you should take a moment…maybe you should. And if you see Davio Ritchie around Monterey, give him your thanks, and maybe a small donation.