Ben is greeted with enthusiasm at the door of the Benicia Chamber of Commerce Mixer

Good job Featherer Pet for hosting a great mixer in Benicia last night. The music was fabulous, the food was great (Thanks Randy!) and I even won a prize.  Today I have another full day and then a fundraiser that will kick off the area’s Relay for Life Cancer walks. The weekend will also be full of running around so I better breathe deep and enjoy the moment and laugh a lot!

BIIIIIIG stretches, feed Ben, latte, and I’m off. . .

The band played and played!

Ben waiting for Nourot/Smyers Glass Studios to open!

The sun keeps poking its nose out from behind those gray skies, I believe it is going to be a great day! Still lots to catch up on, calls, appointments etc, but at least I feel like I am making headway.

Napa and Benicia will both host their mixers tonight as well as the Benicia Farmer’s Market, so there is not a shortage of things to do. Ben made quite a few stops yesterday and today it appears to be the same, let’s go!

No time for stretches, feed Ben, latte, and I’m off. . .

Ben is waiting to go!

My list for the day: new advertisers, old advertisers, follow ups and story layouts; the fun never stops. Ben hopefully will remember that he did get a long walk yesterday. (The guilt sets in!)

Take time for stretches, feed Ben, latte, and I’m off. . .

No matter how late, Ben waits for mom!

Photo shoot, meetings, lots of things to deal with that were not on the schedule, but alas this is life.

Barely had time to feed Ben, latte, and I’m off. . .

Ben visiting at Piccolo

People to call, to see and calls and emails to make, my lot in life for today. But tonight a dear friend and I will connect for birthday dinner. (Yes, I’m still catching up on all of those!)

Water the yard, stretches, feed Ben, latte, and I’m off. . .

Ben waits his turn to purchase his ticket for the "Stroll"

Discover Danville’s Wine and Chocolate stroll was a huge success last night! There were people strolling in the streets well after the completion of the event and I was told by each retailer that hosted that they were VERY happy with the amount of patrons that came through their doors.

Today I am off running around picking up loose ends and hoping I get everything accomplished. (I will let you know.) Tonight the Vallejo Chamber of Commerce will host their annual Wine Auctions Dinner; that from what I hear is sold out! Good job guys!

Stretches, feed Ben, latte, and I’m off. . .

Ben checks to see what kind of wine Moda Mi is pouring

Ben listens to the music outside Auburn James

Dennis Klimisch and the new city manager share ideas for the city

The Vallejo Convention and Visitors Bureau had a huge success at their Annual Tourism Luncheon yesterday. Attendees were welcomed with an open bar provided by the new restaurant that will open June 4, Vallejo Power Company Bar & Grill. The keynote speaker, Mike Gallagher, provided some wonderful insight into tourism today and tomorrow and all attendees went away very impressed. Thanks Mike Browne and staff!

Today the Benicia Tourism Committee made some headway into creating a buzz about Benicia at the Sunset Magazine Celebration Weekend. We’re so excited about this event and hopefully residents and tourists alike in the Bay Area will get an up close and personal view of Benicia.

Tonight the residents and visitors of Danville will get a chance to stroll downtown drinking! Yes, you heard it here first, tonight is Discover Danville’s Wine and Chocolate stroll. Ben and I are ready and will take some photos to show off tomorrow!

No time for stretches, but have to feed Ben, latte, and I’m off. . .

Head of Economic Development, Ursula Luna-Reynoso, and her assistant Annette Taylor along with new city manager Dan Keen take time out to smile for the camera

Ben was not allowed entry to Bottega!

So I over medicated and now my allergies are even worse – oh well! I heard that the allergies for whatever reason are the worst they have been in years, why is that? These are things that go through my head and are never answered.

Ben relaxing near the meditation pool at Bardessono in Yountville

Yesterday was a good day in Yountville, Ben visited everyone and made many new friends. He did learn that Bottega is NOT dog-friendly. Oh well, that’s a restaurant off our list. We were meeting up with Cindy Crater of Napa Style so we ended up going to Bardessono Hotel that has a beautiful outdoor patio with a renovated restaurant. (Very dog friendly!) I also learned that on the first Tuesday of the month they have a dog party on the patio; we’ll have to check it out!

Today is the Vallejo Convention and Visitors Bureau’s Annual Luncheon downtown Vallejo in one of the newest restaurants in town. I will give you an update tomorrow on the speaker and the restaurant.

Stretches, feed Ben, latte, and I’m off. . .

Ben making friends at the bar on the Bardessono Hotel outdoor patio

Today we will be out seeing people and making sure that Ben gets his daily visits since he has been lagging lately! We have a couple of meetings in Vallejo and then who knows where we will turn up. Napa? Danville? Lafayette? So many choices.

Ben and one of his favorite people, Sandy from TEAM Superstores!

Stretches, feed Ben, latte, and I’m off. . .

Onward and upward this week, lots to do and people to see. I always feel better after noon on Monday and that usually tells me how the week will go.

Stretches, feed Ben, latte, and I’m off. . .