Monterey Bay Insider

Monterey Homeless Youths Helped

admin — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 18:22:59 +0000

Homeless youths around Monterey have a friend; his name is Davio Ritchie. I had the privelege of meeting Davio outside the Safeway in Monterey. Davio was a member of the Belvederes in the 1950′s and 1960′s.

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.

NikaBleu, My Cute French Bulldog in Monterey

admin — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 00:03:01 +0000

NikaBleu is my French Bulldog; there are a few to be found around the Monterey Bay. There is even a meet-up group that includes both Frenchies and Boston Terriers.

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…

Davio Ritchie Helps Homeless Monterey Youths

admin — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 20:36:51 +0000

I had no idea when I rushed out of the Safeway store on Canyon Del Rey what I almost missed. An older African-American gentleman was animatedly greeting shoppers while gesturing to his display of Barack Obama posters and a large glass donation jar. This whole display was lost on me; I support the office of the President but he didn’t get my vote.

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.