All Valley Blogs

Greetings one and all - if you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin… Let’s start with this update - The monthly Barn Sale on A.V. Way normally takes place on the final weekend of each month but due to this being Memorial Day Weekend in May, the Sale is a week earlier – on Sat/Sun, May 19/20. Apart from all of the usual deals, organizer Gloria Ross will be serving her ‘world famous’ pulled pork sandwiches and potato salad on the Saturday with the usual bbq taking place on the Sunday. Sound like a plan?…

And so, perhaps inevitably, your Quotes of the Week are all concerned with my third favorite animal – the pig… “Think P.I.G. - that’s my motto. P stands for Persistence, I stands for Integrity, and G stands for Guts. These are the ingredients for a successful business and a successful life” from American businesswoman and inspirational speaker, Linda Chandler… Then let’s go to “The difference between involvement and commitment is like ham and eggs. The chicken is involved; the pig is committed” from former tennis star Martina Navratilova… I like this from Albert Einstein - “Well-being and happiness never appeared to me as an absolute aim. I am even inclined to compare such moral aims to the ambitions of a pig”… Next up it’s “I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig - you get dirty; and besides, the pig likes it” from the Irish playwright and author, George Bernard Shaw. And finally this proverb and its wise and hopeful thought - “Even a blind pig finds an acorn every once in awhile”… Now go eat some pork at the Barn Sale!…

Public Service Announcements… Calendars and pens at the ready… #72 - Grange Groove has returned to, where else, The Grange, on Hwy 128. It’s always the 3rd Friday of the month, in this case May 18th, and the ‘free-dance for all’ runs from 8pm on. This month it features dancing and gyrating to the sounds played by D.J. Stevie D, whose actual grown-up name is Steve Derwinski. (So now it’s Derwinski the D.J.? Who knew?) Anyway, it’s an evening of family fun that is drug and alcohol free (and yet I’m sure it’s still lots of fun! - I’m kidding!)… #73 – The annual Pinot Festival takes place this weekend from May 18th thru 20th… #74 – The Vets from the Mendocino Animal Hospital will return to the Valley twice more this month - Thursdays, May 24th and 31st. They will be at the A.V. Farm Supply on Hwy 128 from 2-3.30pm on each occasion but have asked me to inform you that you do not have to arrive early and then wait a long time - everyone showing up at anytime before 3.30pm will be seen. And if you call 48 hours (462-8833) in advance you can ensure that your pet’s medical charts are brought over and you can also order any meds that may be needed… #75 – The Guest Chef Dinner benefiting the Senior Center this month will feature Maple Creek Winery owner and chef, Tom Rodrigues. It’s on Friday, June 1st and Tom will be serving an Hawaiian-style Bar-b-q, featuring pork ribs, marinated in pineapple, mango, tamari, shallots, and garlic; chicken thighs marinated in ginger, pineapple, mango , fruit juice, citrus; a fresh green salad with lots of goodness and Hawaiian herbs; and Fresh Tropical Fruit with home made whipped cream for dessert. And tropical attire is requested! Call 895-3609 to get tickets – this event will sell out…

Moving quickly on to a few of the topics and Valley events under discussion this week at The Three-Dot Lounge - yes it’s “Moans, Groans, Good Thoughts, and Rampant Rumors” from my favorite gathering place in the Valley where people gather and share their thoughts about Valley life…

… The A.V. Farm Supply, as owned by Dave and Nancy Gowan, will be gone within a month. Last I heard there were still some positive developments on the possibility that the new owners, who are to be the locally-based Ardzrooni Vineyard Management, will to some degree keep the current operation as it is, while also ‘doing their own thing’… Along with many other Valley folks, I certainly hope they manage to be successful at doing both…

… Good reports on the 1st Annual Fish and Chips dinner to benefit Youth Footballers who next season will be playing on the new High School J.V. team. Around $1700 in profit was raised and this should go a long way in covering the new helmets and uniforms that the newly formed team will need…

… The 16th Annual A.V. Beer Festival – same as always… Great fun for many; excessive drinking for some; ridiculous stupidity by a few. For some of us it was a case of ‘done it, seen it, enough is enough’…

… Members of the A.V. Unity Club stopped by at The 3-Dot last week and reminded us that they meet at The Fairgrounds at 1.30pm on the first Thursday of the month. Dessert and tea or coffee is served to accompany the business meeting and a guest speaker or some form of entertainment. I informed them that I’d be there and then read in their leaflet that ‘all ladies in the community are welcome.’ I fully understand. A male in the room would create a different ‘vibe’ – just as a woman in attendance at the local Gentlemen’s Military History Book Club would. Some things should not be messed with simply to address political correctness and surely there is nothing wrong with that…

Well now I think it’s time to take my leave. So until we talk again - ‘Keep the Faith’; be careful out there; stay out of the ditches; think good thoughts; and may your god go with you… Oh, and of course, one final request, “Let us prey”… Humbly yours, Turkey Vulture…

p.s. You can contact me with words of support/abuse either through the Letters Page or by e-mail at <turkeyvulture1@earthlink.net>

p.p.s. On the sheep, Grace…

p.p.p.s. Despite what many of you may think, it’s not all glamour being a Turkey Vulture, but I must say we do get many compliments. My favorite, that has no doubt been mentioned here before, comes from no less an ‘expert’ than the naturalist of Evolution fame, Charles Darwin, who said about us Turkey Vultures, “A disgusting bird whose bald scarlet head is formed to wallow in putridity” – Thank you, Charles, you’re very kind…

Greetings one and all - if you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin… Here’s this month’s birthday boys and girls from among the Senior Center regulars: Joan Spear, Judy Basehore, Jim Lindsey – ‘Many Happy Returns’ to each of them!…

This coming Sunday, as I hope you all know, it’s ‘Mother’s Day’ - a celebration honoring mothers and celebrating motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. Originally, in the 1870’s, it was a call for women to join in support of disarmament and it did not really become a celebration of motherhood until it was made an official national holiday (2nd Sunday of May) when President Woodrow Wilson made it such in 1914. The holiday eventually became so highly commercialized that many, including its founder, Anna Jarvis, considered it a “Hallmark holiday”, i.e. one with an overwhelming commercial purpose, but, for all that, it does give us an opportunity to sit back and think about how appreciative we should be of our mothers - after all, where would we be without them?

Anyway, for your Quotes of the Week, here are some words of wisdom on the subject… Let’s begin with a Jewish proverb that goes, “God could not be everywhere, so therefore he made mothers”… And another proverb – from Spain – “An ounce of mother is worth a ton of priest”… From Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811-1896), the American abolitionist and author of ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin’ comes the observation, “Most mothers are instinctive philosophers”… And from Honore de Balzac (1799-1850), the French novelist and playwright we have “The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you will always find forgiveness”… It was Florida Scott-Maxwell (1883-1979), a playwright, author and psychologist who said, “No matter how old a mother is, she watches her middle-aged children for signs of improvement” – I imagine quite a few of the Valley’s Mom’s were in her thoughts at the time she said that!… And finally, from the British actress and director, Janet Suzman (1936-?), comes a comment that might be appropriate around here, “Motherhood is the most emotional experience of one’s life. One joins a kind of women’s mafia”… And there’s nothing wrong with that!…

Public Service Announcements… Calendars and pens at the ready… #73 – As mentioned last week, this summer sees a new time for the weekly gathering of the Boonville Farmer’s Market in the parking lot of The Boonville Hotel: it’s from 10am to 12.30pm… #74 - The Vets from the Mendocino Animal Hospital will return to the Valley on three occasions this month – tomorrow, Thursday, May 10th and again on the 24th and 31st. They will be at the A.V. Farm Supply from 2-3.30pm on each occasion but have asked me to inform you that you do not have to arrive early and then wait a long time - everyone showing up at anytime before 3.30pm will be seen… #75 – There will be a fundraiser for A.V. Youth Football in the form of a Fish and Chips Dinner at the Senior Center on Friday, May 11th from 6 to 9pm. You get one free beer too!… #76 – The 16th Annual Beer Festival is this Saturday, May 12th from 1pm to 5pm. Enjoy a drink or ten, and then let someone else drive you home!… #77 – The next meeting of the A.V. School Board is at 7pm on Monday, May 14th at the Career/Family Resource Center at the High School. If you want to see if the board members are doing what they claimed they would do at election time, then come along – all are welcome… #78 –And finally this week, you should be aware that the next Barn Sale is not on the last weekend of the month as is usually the case. That will be Memorial Day Weekend so the good deals and fun of the Barn Sale on A.V. Way are on Sat/Sun, May 19/20 instead. Oh, and in case you need further temptation, on the Saturday, Gloria Ross will be serving her ‘world famous’ pulled pork sandwiches and potato salad; then on Sunday it’s bbq burgers and hot dogs!…

Moving quickly on to a few of the topics and Valley events under discussion this week at The Three-Dot Lounge - yes it’s “Moans, Groans, Good Thoughts, and Rampant Rumors” from my favorite gathering place in the Valley where people gather and share their thoughts about Valley life…

… In my humble opinion, and those of a few other regulars too, those wonderful eggs provided by the hard-working chickens at the High School Ag Dept are as tasty as any in the Valley. Apart from the shape, there is little comparison with those you get from the supermarkets! Call teacher Beth Swehla at the school to make sure she is there and has some available – 895-3496. You will be glad you did…

… Following last week’s meeting at the high school, attended by Principal Jim Tomlin, Athletic Director Robert Pinoli, High School Soccer Coach Steve Sparks, School Board member Ben Anderson, school groundsman, Mike Foucault, and representatives of the three adult soccer teams who call the Valley home – Roque Guerrero, Vidal Ferreyra, and Ysidro Pandilla, it was agreed to allow the teams to play their home games on Sunday’s at Tom Smith Field in return for a team fee ($400 each) and assurances that the field would be maintained and school rules regarding alcohol adhered to. The meeting ended with handshakes all round and hopefully it was the ‘beginning of a beautiful friendship’…

… I was pleased to be invited to the A.V. Theatre Guild’s after-show party that followed the final night of their splendid production of ‘Cocktails for Mimi’ presented at The Grange over the last two weekends. The champagne flowed, the euphoria of success was palpable, and the cast’s potluck was plentiful and delicious. Many cast members praised the job done by Director Marcus Magadeleno and expressed their desire to work with him again next year. I agreed with everyone and everything that was said – it was that kind of night…

… From our 3-Dot regular, The Old Buzzard, comes another in his insightful series - ‘The Approach of the Apocalypse’… Buzzard reports, “In Afghanistan in recent times, apart from the obvious stuff that makes it into the main headlines, eight people have been killed by two bombs at a dog fight in the volatile southern Afghan province of Kandahar. Dog-fighting competitions remain a popular pastime in Afghanistan for some ungodly reason. A year or so ago, at least sixty-five people were killed by a suicide bomb at a dog-fight, also in Kandahar. Meanwhile, a few weeks ago, a suicide bomber blew himself up at a buzkashi match in northern Afghanistan, killing at least three people. Buzkashi is a precursor of the modern game of polo, although with a difference – it is played with the body of a headless goat that is filled with sand. Nothing wrong with that of course, although the continuing suicide bombing is obviously deeply wrong… For centuries it has been clear that this is a country that wants and needs to be left alone, to practice its own customs, to enjoy its own culture – even if this means that unmarried men and women should never be alone in the same room (if that happens they must ensure a door is left open), and men and women should never touch one another under any circumstances in public. Fine. Good. Enjoy. So to lose one more life in a vain attempt to change things there is not only a clear sign of the approach of the Apocalypse, but for the loved ones of the deceased, it is the Apocalypse… 

I’m outta here… Until we talk again - ‘Keep the Faith’; be careful out there; stay out of the ditches; think good thoughts; and may your god go with you… Oh, and of course, one final request, “Let us prey”… Humbly yours, Turkey Vulture…

p.s. You can contact me with words of support/abuse either through the Letters Page or by e-mail at <turkeyvulture1@earthlink.net>

p.p.s. Hi, Silver Swan – behaving yourself? Hopefully not!

p.p.p.s. Hope you’re doing well, Jamal…

Greetings one and all - if you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin… There were attendances of about 100 people at The Grange on both Friday and Saturday for the A.V. Theatre Guild’s production of ‘Cocktails with Mimi’ and having attended on both evenings I know they were delighted to be there. Director Marcus Magdalena has put together a fine cast and crew, including four or five standout performances among a group of talented local thespians, and with the final two shows taking place this coming weekend (see P.S.A.’s below) it would be a shame if you missed it on seeing what has become one of the more entertaining and enjoyable annual events on the Valley’s calendar. Trust me on this; you can thank me later… (I should mention that the irony of not having any alcohol for sale at an event called ‘Cocktails with Mimi’ was not lost on some of us. Perhaps some people brought their own beer/wine to sip in the parking lot. I couldn’t possibly comment)…

Public Service Announcements… Calendars and pens at the ready… #113 – As mentioned above, the annual A.V. Theatre Guild production is presenting its second and final weekend of performances this week. ‘Cocktails with Mimi’ is ‘a comedy for all ages’ and will be presented on Friday and Saturday May 4th/5th at The Grange with a curtain at 7pm both nights. Alicia’s tacos will be available before the show and during the intermission but you’ll have to bring your own cookies!… #114 – The Boonville Farmer’s Market Opening Day, featuring the Spring Plant Sale, is on Saturday, May 5th from 10am to 12.30pm in the parking lot at The Boonville Hotel… #115 – The Annual Boontling Classic 5K Footrace is on Sunday May 6th at 10am. Sign up on the day between 8.30am and 9.30am. For further details call Flick at 895-2701 or Bruce at 895-895-3589… #116 – The revitalization of A.V. Youth Soccer continues this week with sign-ups at the A.V. Elementary School on Sunday 6th from noon to 2pm… #117 – The Vets from the Mendocino Animal Hospital return to the Valley on three occasions in May. These will be from 2pm to 3.30pm on Thursdays, May 10th, 24th, and 31st. If you call the vets 48 hours in advance (462-8833) you can ensure that your pet’s charts are brought ‘over the hill’ and also order any medications. New customers and their pets are always welcome… #118 – The 16th Annual Anderson Valley Beer Festival is just over a week away – May 12th from 1pm to 5pm at The Fairgrounds in Boonville…

Moving quickly on to a few of the topics and Valley events under discussion this week at The Three-Dot Lounge - yes it’s “Moans, Groans, Good Thoughts, and Rampant Rumors” from my favorite gathering place in the Valley where people gather and share their thoughts about Valley life…

… I had a delicious sirloin sandwich at Lauren’s Restaurant this past week and I thought you should know. Served with her ‘Valley’s Best’ fries, it was, as you can no doubt imagine, positively orgasmic…

… While the regulars praised the Theatre Guild play at The Grange last week, it was nevertheless suggested by several of them that an ‘event’ such as this should have some snacks (cookies, brownies, etc) available before the show and during intermission. While I find them delicious (and had two plus a tomale), as did several others, it was pointed out that not everyone wants the tacos served up by Alicia. I’m just passing on the thoughts and comments of the people – it’s my job…

… Although numbers were perhaps down on previous years, the Unity Club’s Wild Flower event, run by their Garden Section, was still regarded as a success this past weekend and the regulars I spoke with certainly enjoyed themselves. I did too. Talking to members of this splendid organization of women is always fun and informative and, while my own membership remains in infinite limbo, they remain one of my favorite Valley groups – despite the fact that they didn’t save me any of the chicken salad sandwiches which was one of the main reasons I attended!…

… From our 3-Dot regular, The Old Buzzard, comes another in his insightful series - ‘The Approach of the Apocalypse’… Buzzard reports, “The A.V. Farm Supply has accepted an offer-to-buy and is now in escrow to be sold! According to long-time owner (38 years, no less!) Dave Gowan, it remains unclear if the new owners will offer the same kind of farm supply business that many Valley folks have relied upon for such a long time. No hay and feed, no pet supplies, no gardening equipment, no knowledgeable advice on all things connected with farming, and no vet visits for your pets!!! All of which, if not continued, is bad news for the Valley, I must say. Dave and wife Nancy cannot be blamed for moving on of course – their efforts in serving the Valley over so many years are to be commended, but the loss of this institution, along with several other fairly recent changes to the Valley’s social, economic, and commercial fabric, not to mention the nation’s general malaise, all point to the likelihood that the Apocalypse continues to approach… Meanwhile, until it arrives, enjoy your loved ones and support your local businesses!!!

… Finally, and perhaps inevitably, your Quotes of the Week will refer to farmers and farming… Let’s start with this observation from President Kennedy who said, “The farmer is the only man in our economy who buys everything at retail, sells everything at wholesale, and pays the freight both ways”… Then we have this from Bharati Mukherjee (1940 - ?) the award-winning Indian-born American writer, currently a professor in the department of English at the University of California, Berkeley - “A farmer is dependent on too many things outside his control; it makes for modesty”… And from S.J. Perelman (1904 - 1979), the American humorist, author, and screenwriter (who must have visited the Valley at some point), we have these wise words, “A farm is an irregular patch of nettles containing a fool and his wife who didn’t know enough to stay in the city”… And finally, from Daniel Webster (1782 - 1852) the American statesman, senator from Massachusetts, and Secretary of State under three Presidents, who observed, “When tillage begins, other arts follow. The farmers therefore are the founders of human civilization”… Let’s just hope they are able to find somewhere local to get their supplies!…

Well now I think it’s time to take my leave… So, until we talk again - ‘Keep the Faith’; be careful out there; stay out of the ditches; think good thoughts; and may your god go with you… Oh, and of course, one final request, “Let us prey”… Humbly yours, Turkey Vulture…

p.s. You can contact me with words of support/abuse either through the Letters Page or by e-mail at <turkeyvulture1@earthlink.net>

p.p.s. On the sheep, Grace…

Greetings one and all - if you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin… And what better start than to mention the excellent event that I attended on Sunday at the Navarro Winery as part of the movement to ‘Save Hendy Woods State Park’! A crowd over 200 (about 70% local) gathered to enjoy fine food and wine, live music, a silent auction, and an afternoon of socializing with like-minded friends and acquaintances, all with the common goal of keeping the park open.

Those in attendance included Supervisor Dan Hamburg, former candidate for Supervisor Wendy Roberts, the off-duty County Sheriff Tom Allman, and a range of Valley folks from many, yet not all, of the Valley’s ‘walks of life.’ The organizers and volunteers put on a memorable and well-organized event and should be heartily congratulated. These include (with apologies to those whom I forget): Kathy Bailey, Sophie Otis, Lauren Keating, Linda MacElwee, Nikola Milosevich, Pam Laird, Roy Laird, Eric Labowitz, Keevon Labowitz, Cyd Bernstein, Janet Anderson, Anne Duvigneaud, Mimi Duvigneaud, Deanna Apfel, Judy Long, Ellen Saxe, and Julia and Pat on the bar; with bbq cooks – Steve Anderson, Rob Giuliani, and Jean Duvigneaud; servers George and Kate Castagnola, Joe Petelle, Linnea Totten, David Ballantine, and Torrey Douglass; silent auction coordinators: Monica Landry, Mike Reilly, Xenia King, and Margaret Pickens; Hendy Woods film-makers: Heidi Knott and Leah Collins; parking guys:  Felipe Mendoza and the Navarro Winery crew; and last but most certainly not least, the very generous hosts at the winery – Ted Bennett and Deborah Cahn, with son and daughter, Aaron and Sarah. On behalf of the towering trees and the thousands of people who hope to continue to enjoy their majesty – ‘Many thanks to one and all!”

For your Quotes of the Week I must inevitably turn to some that have trees as their subject matter… Let’s start with this from Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941) the Indian Bengali prophet and literary figure who said, “Trees are the Earth’s endless effort to speak to the listening heaven”… And how about these words from American poet Lucy Larcom (1824-1893) – “He who plants a tree plants hope”… Of course there are always those less enlightened figures who have to say something stupid and narrow-minded, and one of those is most certainly former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, whose resurgent popularity in recent times can only be regarded as a mystery and indicative of how short society’s collective memory can be. Anyway, this is what ‘The Great Communicator’(??) famously and unforgivingly once said, “If you’ve seen one redwood tree, you’ve seen them all” – what a clown!…

We must end the quotes on a positive note, so here are three such comments on the almighty tree… First some wise words from William Cullen Bryant (1794-1878), the American romantic poet, journalist, and long-time editor of the New York Evening Post, who observed, “Groves of trees were God’s first temples”… Next is this from Seneca the Elder (28B.C.- 39A.D.), the Roman rhetorician and writer, who said, “When you enter a grove peopled with ancient trees, higher than the ordinary, and shutting out the sky with their thickly inter-twined branches, do not the stately shadows of the wood and the stillness of the place strike you with the presence of a deity?”… And finally, from Kahlil Gibran (1883-1931), the Lebanese-American artist, poet, philosopher, come these words, which I believe perfectly sum up the need to keep Hendy Woods open for one and all, ““Trees are poems that the earth writes upon the sky”……

Public Service Announcements… Calendars and pens at the ready… #114 - the annual A.V. Theatre Guild production, under the directorship of Marcus Magdalena, begins its two weekend run this coming Friday and Saturday. This year’s play is ‘Cocktails with Mimi’, ‘a comedy for all ages’ featuring a dozen talented local thespians. It will run for two consecutive weekends, Friday and Saturday, April 27/28 and May 4/5 at The Grange with a curtain at 7pm every night. Oh, and there’s Alicia’s delicious tacos available before the show and during the intermission at every performance!… #115 – The Barn Sale returns on the final weekend of the month for the first time in 2012. This will take place at The Big Barn at The St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church Refectory on A.V. Way, just north of Boonville, from 9am to 3pm on both Saturday and Sunday, April 28 and 29. And the always enjoyable Bar-b-q will be open on the Sunday!… #116 – The A.V. Unity Club presents its Annual Wildflower Show at The Fairgrounds in Boonville this coming Saturday and Sunday, April 28 and 29 from 10am to 4pm each day. It is fun and free! Call Robyn at 895-2609 for further details…

Moving quickly on to a few of the topics and Valley events under discussion this week at The Three-Dot Lounge - yes it’s “Moans, Groans, Good Thoughts, and Rampant Rumors” from my favorite gathering place in the Valley where people gather and share their thoughts about Valley life…

… A number of our local regulars were very pleased to hear that Steve Sparks will shortly be resuming his ‘Lives and Times of Valley Folks’ series of interviews, the first of which will appear in this newspaper in May. After doing 146 of these in 155 weeks, Steve took a few months off and now feels reinvigorated enough to get going once again. He tells me he has many names on his list of potential interviewees and it is just a matter of getting people to agree to do them. He also asks for any suggestions and wants to assure all subjects that they always have the final word on what appears in print…

… Many regulars and I were full of praise for the special lunch put on by Lauren and her staff at the restaurant in Boonville last Thursday from 1pm to 3pm. The guests were primarily Valley innkeepers/lodging owners and winery owners/managers, who were all treated to a delicious and eclectic feast featuring the many dishes on Lauren’s menu. With wine also provided and a fun atmosphere of ‘meeting and greeting’ I imagine the already symbiotic relationship between Lauren’s Restaurant and the Valley’s various hosts would have been strengthened even more…

… As you may already know, this month’s Guest Chef Dinner at the Senior Center on Friday 27th has sold out. The next one is on June 1st with Maple Creek Winery’s Tom Rodrigues as the Guest. I shall keep you informed about the menu and ticket details but this too will sell out, I’m sure…

… Talking of the Dinner this Friday, I shall not be in attendance as I plan to be at the opening night of the Theater Guild’s play. A tough decision but Hummingbird is involved in the play and so that’s where I’ll be. Even though the dining event was sold out, the Signal Ridge Quail and her flock had arranged to provide me with a dinner but now this means that the lovely gesture has to be declined. Nevertheless, it was much appreciated anyway…

… A couple of disgruntled high school students swung by the 3-Dot for after school snacks and a few beers, sorry ice teas, and were bemoaning the fact that the ‘lunchtime lockdown’ was still in effect at the school. You may recall that following a ‘fight club’ lunchtime episode a few months ago, the whole student body is not permitted to leave the school during the lunch break. The rumor is that this will be continued into the next school year too and this is creating even more dissatisfaction on campus. It does seem a little excessive wouldn’t you say?…

I’m outta here; so, until we talk again - ‘Keep the Faith’; be careful out there; stay out of the ditches; think good thoughts; and may your god go with you… Oh, and of course, one final request, “Let us prey”… Humbly yours, Turkey Vulture…

p.s. You can contact me with words of support/abuse either through the Letters Page or by e-mail at <turkeyvulture1@earthlink.net>

p.p.s. Hi, Silver Swan – behaving yourself? Hopefully not!

p.p.p.s. Get well soon, Jamal

Greetings one and all - if you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin… Having a little dentist work is generally not the most pleasant of experiences but last week I had a check-up, talon polishing, and beak cleaning from the dentist located at the A.V. Medical Center and was very pleasantly surprised indeed. There was no wait, everyone was very friendly, and the care was very professional. In fact there is no need at all to think you have to go all the way to Ukiah or Santa Rosa for your dentistry work - these guys know what they are doing. If you need a dentist or are looking to change from your present one, then I suggest you sign up with them as your dentist of choice - this will certainly help to ensure that we continue to have such a facility here in the Valley…

And with this topic in mind, I have managed to come up with some Quotes of the Week on the unusual topic of dentists… First we have these words from advice columnist Ann Landers who said, “Blessed are they who hold lively conversations with the helplessly mute, for they shall be called dentists”… The there is this classic from an unknown source – “You know, sometimes a man just can’t satisfy all of a woman’s desires. Which is why God invented dental floss”… And finally we have this comment from Joseph Heller (1923 - 1999), the American satirical novelist, short story writer, and playwright whose best-known work is Catch-22 - “We do have a zeal for laughter in most situations, give or take a dentist”…

Onward… Public Service Announcements… Calendars and pens at the ready… #130 - The Vets from the Mendocino Animal Hospital will return to the Valley tomorrow, Thursday, April 19th when they will be at The A.V. Farm Supply from 2-3.30pm on each occasion. They have asked me to inform you that you do not have to arrive early and then wait a long time - everyone showing up at anytime before 3.30pm will be seen. And while you are there, why not make a purchase or two at the Farm Supply, whose continued support for this service is the main reason we have it on our doorstep… #131 - In my absence the monthly Grange Groove has returned to, where else, The Grange on Hwy 128. It’s the 3rd Friday of the month – April 20th, and is a ‘free-dance for all’ from 8pm on, featuring dancing and gyrating to the sounds of D.J. Jeanine. This is a family fun evening that is drug and alcohol free - but I’m sure it’s still lots of fun! (I’m kidding!)….. #132 – The next fundraiser in support of the Save Hendy Woods movement will be held this coming Sunday, April 22nd, at Navarro Vineyards on Hwy 128, The event, featuring a bbq, Navarro wines, a silent auction, and live music, will go from noon to 3pm with tickets available via www.hendywoods.org. All proceeds will go toward keeping Hendy Woods open. For further questions contact Navarro Vineyards at 895-3686… #133 – KZYX & Z, our local community supported public radio station, begin their week long Spring Pledge Drive on Sunday April 22nd – call 895-2324 for further details or to make a pledge… #134 – And finally this week, a note that the annual A.V. Theatre Guild production is just around the corner. Under the directorship of Marcus Magdalena, this year’s production is ‘Cocktails with Mimi’, ‘a comedy for all ages’ that will feature a fine cast of local thespians. It will run on two consecutive weekends, Friday and Saturday, April 27th/28th and May 4th/5th at The Grange, with the curtain at 7pm on each of those evenings…

Moving quickly on to a few of the topics and Valley events under discussion this week at The Three-Dot Lounge - yes it’s “Moans, Groans, Good Thoughts, and Rampant Rumors” from my favorite gathering place in the Valley where people gather and share their thoughts about Valley life…

… Are there three more friendly and efficient post office workers anywhere? I’m referring to Joe Dresch, Sheila Hibbs, and Ann Carr who continue to work their ‘magic’ at the Philo P.O. When I put this question to a few of the 3-Dot regulars it was wholeheartedly agreed that they didn’t think there could be…

… Many regulars were disappointed to hear that the first in this year’s Guest Chef Dinner evenings at the Senior Center had already sold out - three weeks before the event! This special event will be on Friday, April 27th when the guest chef will be Marilyn Pronsolino who will be presenting her famous homemade ravioli from the secret family recipe. Beer and wine is available but I’m afraid none of the sixty tickets remain. The next such evening is on Friday, June 1st when Maple Creek Winery’s Tom Rodrigues will be the featured Guest Chef. Get your tickets early by calling 895-3609 – once again, there will only be sixty sold…

… So bud-break has arrived in the vineyards so now, with frosty nights still occurring, we have to put up with the ridiculously loud ‘helicopter-like fly-overs’ that some winery’s warming fans sound like to anyone living anywhere within a mile or so of such businesses. He could have been pulling my claw, I suppose, but one regular told me that certain wineries are providing a complimentary bottle of wine and free ear-plugs to those who go in and complain that they simply cannot sleep through the noise. That’s quite a kind gesture, although I must say it would be rude of them not to…

… From our 3-Dot regular, The Old Buzzard, comes another in his insightful series - ‘The Approach of the Apocalypse’… Buzzard reports, “Not for the first time and probably not for the last, the ignorance of some of our politically correct friends has surfaced as they eagerly try to tell the rest of us how to behave and speak. Once and for all let me inform the uninformed that, according to any dictionary you may wish to refer to, the word ‘niggardly’ is an adjective of Scandinavian origin that may be used to describe someone who is ‘not generous or mean.’ Got that? It is not the racial slur that certain self-righteous people immediately assume it to be in their clamor to accuse others of being ignorant. A little enlightenment and social awareness is one thing, but at this point in time I’m quite convinced that the levels of political correctness that this country has risen/ fallen to are as sure a sign as any that the Apocalypse cannot be far off”…

Oh, dear, I suppose I should get my coat and leave… Meanwhile, until we talk again – Please don’t be niggardly and buy me a beer or glass of wine next time you see me out on the town; ‘Keep the Faith’; be careful out there; stay out of the ditches; think good thoughts; and may your god go with you… Oh, and of course, one final request, “Let us prey”… Humbly yours, Turkey Vulture…

p.s. You can contact me with words of support/abuse either through the Letters Page or by e-mail at <turkeyvulture1@earthlink.net>

p.p.s. On the sheep, Grace…

p.p.p.s. Get well soon, Jamal…

Greetings one and all - if you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin… Well, good readers, it’s good to be back from the ‘real world’! Following my mysterious disappearance (that I could not possibly comment upon) I have returned to The Nest and I’m once again fully energized and ready to observe and comment. …

And talking about ‘mysterious disappearances’, one of the more unsettling ones was that of Valley resident, Jamal Essayah (a personal friend of mine), who two weeks ago, for reasons that were unclear, cancelled his cell phone and Facebook account and simply disappeared, curtailing all contact with family and friends. Once this became apparent, many Valley folks were very concerned, knowing him to be a very well adjusted, competent, and gifted young man. Finally, over a week later, news of his disappearance was posted on Facebook and as a result many more people far and wide were adding their concern. Fortunately, their very worst fears were relieved last Friday when it was reported that he was alive, but had been in a road accident in Redding, California and was recovering in hospital. Although his behavior had been erratic at the time of this incident, and the reasons behind his actions remain unclear, his life was not in danger and the Valley could breathe a collective sigh of relief… ‘Get well soon, Jamal – your many friends in the Valley have you in their thoughts for a speedy and complete recovery’…

As I zoomed around the Valley this past week, catching up on Valley affairs and people, perhaps my most enjoyable experience was at The A.V. Lions Club Easter Breakfast and Egg Hunt held at The Apple Hall in the Fairgrounds in Boonville on Sunday morning to benefit the F.F.A. and High School Ag class. There was an excellent turnout of Valley folks who no doubt enjoyed the splendid breakfast presented by the Lions’ Cooking Crew of Judy Long, Derek Wyatt and wife Nicole Johnson, Renée and Kevin Lee, Patty Liddy, Christy Reilly, Bob Sites, and Robin Harper, plus assistance from Fair Board member, Morgan Baynham. With Lions’ President, Christine Clark, overseeing the event, Terry Ryder and mother Muriel producing the Easter baskets for the raffle, Joanne Clark on the door, and the cheerful and hard-working volunteers from Beth Swehla’s F.F.A. group and A.V.H.S. Ag Class, the event was a big success - and that’s without even mentioning the delicious food. This was so good that I was a little greedy and unable to partake in the ensuing egg hunt! Yes, it was what I would call a ‘classic’ Valley occasion – all sorts of people, young and old, coming together for the common good – yer gotta like that!…

Public Service Announcements… Calendars and pens at the ready… #255 – The Vets from the Mendocino Animal Hospital will return to the Valley on two more occasions this month – tomorrow, Thursday, April 12th and again next week on the 19th, from 2-3.30pm on each occasion. They have asked me to inform you that you do not have to arrive early and then wait a long time - everyone showing up at anytime before 3.30pm will be seen… #256 – the Winter Market continues its weekly ‘show’ at the Boonville General Store on Saturday from 10.30am to 1pm, featuring locally made foods and crafts… #257 – The A.V. Grange has its monthly meeting next Tuesday, April 15th. This is the best time to become a new member as throughout April you will receive a year’s free membership! The evening also features a potluck competition with prizes. Call Don at 2214 for details…

Moving quickly on to a couple of the topics and Valley events under discussion this week at The Three-Dot Lounge - yes it’s “Moans, Groans, Good Thoughts, and Rampant Rumors” from my favorite gathering place in the Valley where people gather and share their thoughts about Valley life…

… A hearty congratulations are offered by the 3-Dot regulars to Antonia Perez who last week received her U.S. citizenship. It is no exaggeration to say that with all her hard work for the schools and at many Valley social functions, she has been regarded as a wonderful ‘citizen’ for many years…

… Regulars were pleased to have heard through the sports grapevine that Youth Soccer is to be resurrected here in the Valley. Thanks to the efforts of Elementary School Principal, Donna Pierson-Pugh, among others, there are plans to field three or four teams this fall, providing a much-needed outlet for the youngsters aged between 7 and 12 who have greatly missed playing ‘the beautiful game’ over the past year or so…

… One topic under discussion at the 3-Dot this past week was ‘Jobs we would hate to do’ and I surprised some regulars with my choice of air steward. Having spent time on many long haul flights I am convinced that this line of work is not at all the glamorous occupation that it’s frequently depicted as. You are dealing with a grumpy and frequently overly demanding public and basically you are a waiter/waitress in a very cramped restaurant serving quite poor food. So job seekers, trust me on this – you can thank me later…

Talking of traveling, for your Quotes of the Week here are three of my favorites on this subject. First up it’s these words from Richard Burton (1925 - 1984) the Welsh actor nominated seven times for an Academy Award (without ever winning) who said, “Travelers, like poets, are mostly an angry race”… And then there is this comment from Paul Theroux (1941 - ?) the American travel writer and novelist – “Travel is glamorous only in retrospect”… Finally, how about this from Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900) the Irish writer and poet who typically remarked, “I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read on one’s travels!”…

Finally this week, I must just comment on a letter I received a few weeks ago regarding my critical remarks about those who attend charity events and bring their own food, in this particular case the A.V. Film Festival. The author of the note defended his/her actions and stated that I was part of a ‘group of people who look down on brown-baggers, seeing them as some sort of cheapskates’. Err, when people attend charity functions with their own food then yes I do, and why would I think otherwise? Please don’t tell me that a $2 taco or $1 cookie was too expensive for anyone. It is not. With films offered all-day long for just $7 in total, quality food and drink on sale for very reasonable prices, and every penny of profit going to local charities, calling them ‘cheapskates’ is being very polite I’d say. In fact ‘Tight-fisted, miserly buggers’ is more along the lines of what I really think. (I’d use the word ‘niggardly’ but that would be far too controversial for those unfamiliar with this word who are not inclined to look it up in a dictionary)…

Well now I think it’s time to take my leave. So, until we talk again - ‘Keep the Faith’; be careful out there; stay out of the ditches; think good thoughts; and may your god go with you… Oh, and of course, one final request, “Let us prey”… Humbly yours, Turkey Vulture…

p.s. You can contact me with words of support/abuse either through the Letters Page or by e-mail at <turkeyvulture1@earthlink.net>

p.p.s. Hi, Silver Swan – behaving yourself? Hopefully not!

Greetings one and all - if you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin… I am going to be on ‘special assignment’ for the next few weeks so this column will either be very brief or non-existent during that time. I’d let you know what this ‘assignment’ is all about except it’s top secret so if I did tell you I’d have to kill you for your own safety…

Fortunately, before my departure the Senior Center held their Board elections last week and so I am able to report the results. They were as followed – Re-elected to the Board were Vice-President Steve Sparks and board member Patrick Ford, and to replace the recently resigned Loretta Houck and Linda Boudoures there were two new members elected – Cory Morse and Chris Rossi… Board members not up for election at this time were President Sheri Hansen, Eddie Pardini, and Fal Allen…

Public Service Announcements… Calendars and pens at the ready… #252 – There are new-laid eggs at the A.V.High School Ag. Department and at $3.50 a dozen for delicious ‘real’ eggs it’s a great deal. Teacher Beth Swehla reports that “the ‘girls’ are ramping up their production, so keep us in mind. Call 707-895-2514 and come by”… #253 – The Variety Show is this coming weekend, 7pm curtain on both March 9th and 10th… #254 - Next Tuesday, March 13th, is the second Tuesday of the month and that means ‘Dinner and Bingo Night’ at the Senior Center – good food, beer and wine, top quality bingo with prizes, and, as you know by now - you don’t have to be a senior to attend!… #255 – The Vets from the Mendocino Animal Hospital will return to the Valley once again on March 15th and then in April on three occasions - the 5th, 12th and 19th…

Moving quickly on to a few of the topics and Valley events under discussion this week at The Three-Dot Lounge - yes it’s “Moans, Groans, Good Thoughts, and Rampant Rumors” from my favorite gathering place in the Valley where people gather and share their thoughts about Valley life… Here’s a quick summary of the topics discussed over the past week or so…

… A happy customer at the A.V. Farm Supply was made even happier when owners Dave and Nancy Gowan told him their cash till was $20 over on the day he had shopped there and they returned it to him. They knew it was him following a purchase of alfalfa hay. Yer gotta like that!… Update on former One Horse Espresso coffee shop owner and Senior Center cook, Natalie Matson and family (husband Clay and young sons Spike (now 3 years old) and King (nine months) – they have moved on from Chicago. where they were for six months or so, and now Clay has found his dream job as the Main Barn Manager at a highly regarded Thoroughbred Horse ranch in Maryland. Natalie is studying for a degree on-line while working at the Spike and King ‘factory’… Cheapest gas in Boonville hit $4.79 gallon last week… Have a friend who likes to read and with a birthday coming up? Then check out the great t-shirts now available at Laughing Dog Books…

And with reading and books on my mind let’s have a couple of relevant Quotes of the Week… Well first up it’s the famous anti-reader, Chairman Mau Tse-Tung (1893-1976), the Chinese Communist revolutionary, Marxist political philosopher, and leader of the Chinese Revolution, who said, “To read too many books is harmful”… Then there is the far more enlightened view from Baron de Montesquiue (1689-1755), generally referred to as simply Montesquieu, the French social commentator and political thinker who commented, “I have never known any distress that an hour’s reading did not relieve”… And finally, from Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) the Irish writer, poet, and great wit, let’s go with, “There is no such thing as a moral or an immoral book. Books are well written or badly written. That is all?”…

Well now I think it’s time to take my leave. So, until we talk again - ‘Keep the Faith’; be careful out there; stay out of the ditches; think good thoughts; and may your god go with you… Oh, and of course, one final request, “Let us prey”… Humbly yours, Turkey Vulture…

p.s. You can contact me with words of support/abuse either through the Letters Page or by e-mail at <turkeyvulture1@earthlink.net>

p.p.s. Hi, Silver Swan – behaving yourself? Hopefully not!

Greetings one and all - if you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin… I’ve been a little under the weather this week so I’ve not been out-and-about as usual and have been hunkered down here at The Nest. As a result, I don’t have much to report, although to be honest, apart from the regular weekly gatherings of various groups and organizations, there is not a lot going on at this time of year…

Nevertheless, a little further down the road, I can confirm that this year’s play by the A.V. Theatre Guild, directed by Marcus Magdaleno, is called ‘Cocktails with Mimi’ and will presented at The Grange on the weekends of April 27/28 and May 4/5… Many of the Theatre ensemble will be appearing once again in what I believe will be the Guild’s 7th production since its founding in 2006 by Rod Basehore. The full list of cast members features Patty Liddy, Sheila Leighton, Barbara Lamb, Nahara Ange, Floriane Weyrich, Leslie Hummel, Tanya McCurry Mike Riley, Joe Patelle, John Hanes, and Greg Krause – yes, a true ensemble piece that will no doubt pack ‘em in and provide some wonderful entertainment for the community to enjoy…

So, with ‘treading the boards’ on my mind, and a much-improved Oscar ceremony taking place just days ago, I thought some references to the acting profession would be appropriate for the Quotes of the Week. Let’s start with this warning, that could be applied to our local acting crew, from Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616) the Spanish novelist, poet, and playwright, and author of Don Quixote, who said “Never meddle with play-actors, for they are a favored race”… And next we turn to Alfred Hitchcock’s somewhat opposite point of view – “It’s not true that I said ‘actors are like cattle.’ I said they should be treated like cattle’.”… And we finish with two pieces of advise for our local thespians from two actors… First Robert Redford (1936-?), who said ‘A lot of what acting is, is paying attention”… And finally these words of wisdom from the great Spencer Tracy (1900-1967) who characteristically observed, “Just learn your lines and don’t bump into the furniture”… I guess that pretty much sums it up…

Public Service Announcements… Calendars and pens at the ready… #314 - The vets from Mendocino Animal Hospital have just informed me of their scheduled visits to the Valley in March. They will be at The A.V. Farm Supply twice, and the first of those is tomorrow, Thursday, March 1st from 2-3.30pm. They will return again on Thursday, March 15th. And they hope to be here three times in April, mark them on your calendar now – the 5th, 12th, and 19th… #315 – The 21st Annual Variety Show is coming up in less than two weeks – March 9th and 10th to be precise, at The Grange on Hwy 128. Call 895-3580 to sign up and if you have an animal act you will definitely get to perform!… #316 – A reminder that every Tuesday and Saturday – The A.V. Lending Library run by The Unity Club, is open at The Fairgrounds - on Tuesdays 1.30pm-4.30pm and Saturdays 2pm-4pm… #317 – And another reminder, and one that people always seem to appreciate, is that every Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday, the County Dump, a couple of miles out of town on Mountain View Road, is open from 9am-4pm. Remember, no dead animals!… #318 – And one last reminder – the A.V. Historical Museum at The Little Red Schoolhouse opposite the Elementary School on A.V. Way, is open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 1pm to 4pm. I encourage local folks to check it out, it really is very impressive and I guarantee you will learn something you didn’t know about the Valley if you do. As I’ve said before, and I haven’t heard differently from anyone, it’s the best little museum in the West!…

Well now I think it’s time to take my leave… So until we talk again - ‘Keep the Faith’; be careful out there; stay out of the ditches; think good thoughts; and may your god go with you… Oh, and of course, one final request, “Let us prey”… Humbly yours, Turkey Vulture…

p.s. You can contact me with words of support/abuse either through the Letters Page or by e-mail at <turkeyvulture1@earthlink.net>

p.p.s. On the sheep, Grace…

Greetings one and all - if you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin… ‘Shine’ Tuttle, at 96, was the Valley’s oldest resident at the time of his recent passing. Harold Perry, currently 95, now has that honor. Harold is followed by Freda Fox, who is 94 next month, and then Ross Murray, who turns 94 later this year. I think that’s it for our nonagenarians but I am well aware of several Valley folks in their mid- to late 80’s, including Ray Pinoli, Emil Rossi, and Donna Reilly… Two former full-time Valley residents, who are nonagenarians and who spent many years living in the Valley, are Clyde Price Jr. and Ben Van Zandt. They are 91 and 90 respectively and were both here in the Valley last week as guest panel members for the A.V. Historical Society’s Roundtable Discussion at The Grange, at which the topic was ‘Anderson Valley in the 1930’s and 1940’s’ – a time that these two gentlemen showed they have many fond memories of…

Moving inevitably on… I would humbly suggest that around these parts I am amongst the more outspoken supporters, and there are many, of Deputy Sheriff Craig Walker and the wonderful work he has done since he arrived here in the Valley back in late 2008. Enforcing the law in a community where you live, and are on first name terms with so many of the residents, is not an easy thing to do and Walker has adapted to the challenge with remarkable skill on both a professional and personal level, reaching out and connecting with each of the communities in this rural melting pot. However, as the old Latin proverb goes, ‘Even Homer nods’ – meaning that even the great ones make mistakes. Yes, folks, I have to report that our venerable deputy has made a faux pas! This occurred a couple of weeks ago when at 12.15am on the morning of Sunday, February 5th, with not another car on the road, he pulled over one of the Valley’s finest citizens and the organizer of that same evening’s magnificent Crab Feed event at the Apple Hall in town – Gloria Ross, aka the Bishop of Boonville, who was approaching her home on A.V. Way in Boonville. Craig, along with his lovely wife Marissa, had attended that very event a few hours earlier and was observed by yours truly devouring crab like there was no tomorrow; clearly having the time of his life, although he was sipping coffee not wine so it couldn’t have been that great… But I digress…

Anyway, while not quite the same ‘cardinal sin’ as pulling over his own boss, Sheriff Allman or the D.A., David Eyster, turning on the red and blue lights behind the saintly Gloria because she had her vehicle’s ‘brights’ on in town, an offence that I suspect many are unaware of, was not a good move on the part of the good Deputy. He assumed he was following a drunk driver who had not realized their full headlights were but, on discovering just who it was, a simple verbal warning was given and no ticket issued to a quite shocked Gloria who in turn, being the forgiving-kind, decided not report this to any ‘higher power.’ As a result there is little doubt that Craig’s position in heaven is still assured. However, there are limits, and I would not be at all surprised to find out that the price he has to pay to attend next year’s Crab Feed will be at least doubled! After all, as it says in the Bible, Exodus Ch 21, Verse 23-25, “a life for life, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a very expensive crab feed ticket for the threat of a driving ticket”… And here endeth today’s lesson on the concept of social and reciprocal justice…

And so not surprisingly, for your Quotes of the Week, we turn to some words of wisdom referring to law enforcement… First up it’s this rather skeptical, yet amusing, view from Brendan Behan (1923-1964), the Irish poet, short story writer, novelist, and playwright, who said, “I have never seen a situation so dismal that a policeman couldn’t make it worse”… Then there is this from French novelist Charles-Louis Philippe (1874-1909) who interestingly remarked, “One always has the air of someone who is lying when one speaks to a policeman” – this is not the case when talking to Deputy Walker - for most of us anyway!… And finally, from Robert F. Kennedy, there were these words that perhaps sum up the excellent law enforcement that we have here in the Valley, “Every society gets the kind of criminal it deserves. What is equally true is that every community gets the kind of law enforcement it insists upon”… Keep up the good work, Craig!

Public Service Announcements… Calendars and pens at the ready… #174 – They’re back! I’m referring to the delicious, freshly laid eggs courtesy of the hens at the high school. Ag teacher, Beth Swehla advises ‘Come by and get some or call the classroom at 895-2514.  $3.50 a dozen. We also have 6 Buff Orpington x French Copper Maran cockerels (young males) that are looking for new homes. They are quite big.  We would like $10 each, but make us an offer’... #175 – Next Tuesday, Feb 28th, at the 6pm dinner served at the Senior Center, not only will there be a fine feast available, but also it’s time for the Seniors to vote for their Board members. If you are a senior and want to use your vote, you must be there… #176 – Just around the corner, the 21st Annual Variety Show is coming up in a few weeks – March 9th and 10th to be precise, at The Grange on Hwy 128. Call 895-3580 to sign up and you don’t have to be a musician to do so!… #177 – The fight to keep open the Valley treasure Hendy Woods continues and this week sees the publication of the very first newsletter from the group led by Kathy Bailey that is working so hard to ensure that their goal is attained. Their website is at www.HendyWoods.org and the Facebook page is ‘Hendy Woods: Keep it Open’. The next big fundraising event is a BBQ in April at the Navarro Winery and Vineyards. I’ll keep you posted… #178 – In the more distant future, is this year’s PawFest 2012 that will take place on Sunday, July 15th at the A.V. Brewery to benefit the invaluable A.V. Animal Rescue organization. I know it’s very early but I thought I’d get it on your calendars now so that you don’t miss this excellent event. After all, along with the usual bbq and live music etc, you’d no doubt hate to miss this year’s carcass-eating display by some cousins of mine – think ‘very exciting hot dog eating contest with some extra bite’!…

Moving quickly on to a few of the topics and Valley events under discussion this week at The Three-Dot Lounge - yes it’s “Moans, Groans, Good Thoughts, and Rampant Rumors” from my favorite gathering place in the Valley where people gather and share their thoughts about Valley life…

… Regulars inform me that there was no General Knowledge and Trivia Quiz at Lauren’s this past week. They have gone to every 2nd and 4th Thursdays until May (so there is one on Thursday, Feb 23^rd)… Unfortunately, rumors that clearly confused ‘Quizlies’ were seen around town, in an agitated state, sharing various facts and trivia to whomever would listen, are proving to be true…

… Regarding the controversial Valley events that originally surfaced during ‘Black January,’ there is not much to report at this time. The Boonville Saloon (formerly The Lodge) remains closed with little information regarding its future being shared, although a couple of local folks have expressed interest in buying the license… The whole ‘Johnny, Roger, Melinda, & Farrer Building v ’All that Good Stuff’ local store’ episode appears to have calmed down for now, although when the business finally closes its door at its current location in the ‘almost human’ Farrer Building expect to see a ‘little gathering’ of some sort… The High School ‘Fight Club’ incident, resulting in the recent lunchtime lockdown, has now been overshadowed by the possible expulsion of a senior following a fight with another student – an issues that is causing quite an uproar with student protests, lawyers, petitions, and special sessions for the School Board all being involved… And finally, a 3-Dot regular with a friend close to the investigation into the alleged financial irregularities within the Parent/Teacher organization remarked that in his opinion the ‘irregularities’ will be satisfactorily explained by careless accounting methods rather than any calculated crime and that the ‘accused’ will then have some serious grievances against those who would seem to have failed miserably to follow a basic rule of law– ‘innocent until proven guilty’… We shall no doubt find out…

… The Old Buzzard has nothing to depict the ‘Approach of the Apocalypse’ this week, unless of course you feel that a second term for President Obama is a bad thing. He reports, “My good friend Leah the Lark was on the guest list for last week’s $38,500 per head fundraiser dinner at the home of Robert Mailer Anderson and Nicola Miner, in honor of the special guest, President Obama. The Prez did not join in on the song “Let’s Stay Together” with legendary soul singer Al Green but, after shooting a few hoops on Robert’s basketball court, he did speak Malay with Ling Anderson, Robert’s aunt and the wife of A.V.A. Supremo Bruce Anderson. Other musical guests were Booker T. (of the M.G.’S) and Anderson’s good friend and harmonica genius Charlie Musselwhite. As for the basketball, Obama doffed his jacket after missing his first shot and then he got serious. “By facial expression” said Anderson, “he let me know he was clearly a formidable opponent on and off the court,” and “that I could trust him hitting the clutch shot when it counted.” Even with home-court advantage, Anderson lost “fair and square,” he said. Following the evening’s activities, the hosts all agreed, Obama is ‘just like a regular guy’…

I’m outta here… Until we talk again - ‘Keep the Faith’; be careful out there; stay out of the ditches; think good thoughts; and may your god go with you… Oh, and of course, one final request, “Let us prey”… Humbly yours, Turkey Vulture…

p.s. You can contact me with words of support/abuse either through the Letters Page or by e-mail at <turkeyvulture1@earthlink.net>

p.p.s. On the sheep, Grace…

Greetings one and all - if you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin… I was approached last week by a keen Valley observer who asked me if I knew why all the ‘original’ hippies settled here in Anderson Valley, and Mendocino County in general, back in the late 60’s and early 70’s, and why the nouveaux hippies of subsequent generations have continued to do so. I could only respond that I thought it had something to do with the fact that there are no jobs here!… Ha! Ha! Ha! - and that is your joke of the week… Or is it an observation?…

On Sunday afternoon, instead of eating a very large dead skunk on Hwy 128 by Gowan’s Oak Tree, I decided to have a ‘cultural’ afternoon and attended the Anderson Valley Historical Society’s Roundtable Discussion held on Sunday at the Grange. I was very pleased that I did. Along with about 130 other folks I was treated to a discussion lasting about an hour-and-a-half on life in the Valley in the 1930’s and 1940’s, as remembered by those who lived here then, most of whom still do so. Those who shared their stories with us all from the stage each deserve a mention - Clyde Price Jr., Ben Van Zandt, Catherine Nobles (Sinott), Donna Cox (Reilly), Berna McAbee (Walker), Eileen Brown (Pronsolino), Wes Smoot, Marian McAbee (Crosby), Gloria Ornbaun (Abbott), Pat Hulbert, and Eva Pardini (Holcomb). It was a most enjoyable event and to see history unfold before your eyes was both an exciting and poignant experience, I must say… Oh, and I should add that the complimentary snacks and refreshments, while not dead skunk, were quite delicious too…

With this visit to ‘The Past’ clearly in my mind, what better topic for your Quotes of the Week? I think we have some good ones…Let’s start with these words from Daniel Webster (1782-1852) a leading American statesman and senator from Massachusetts, who said, “The past, at least, is secure”… Then there are these words from Mary Webb (1881-1927), an English romantic novelist and poet of the early 20th century – “The past is the present become invisible and mute; and because it is invisible and mute, its memoried glances and its murmurs are infinitely precious. We are tomorrow’s past”… Here are a few wise words from Edward Thomas (1878-1917), an Anglo-Welsh writer of prose and poetry, who opined, “The past is the only dead thing that smells sweet”… And, perhaps inevitably, let’s finish with this very succinct remark from the bard himself - William Shakespeare (1564-1616), “We have seen better days”… On a personal note, I must just add that, in my humble opinion, such events as the one held last weekend can teach us so much and the study of history in general plays such an important part in making the right decisions for the years ahead. I can only hope that future generations of Valley dwellers are made aware of this…

Public Service Announcements… Calendars and pens at the ready… #236 – The vets from Mendocino Animal Hospital are back – they will be at The A.V. Farm Supply tomorrow, Thursday, February 16th from 2-3.30pm. They have asked me to inform you that you do not have to arrive early and then wait a long time - everyone showing up at anytime before 3.30pm will be seen. And while you’re there why not support our local Farm Supply with a purchase or two - without them there’s no vet visit and it’s a great service to have on our ‘doorstep’… #237 - The International Alsace Varietals Wine Festival is taking place this coming weekend, Sat/Sun, Feb 18th/19th at The Fairgrounds in Boonville. Go to avwines.com for more details… #238 – The 21st Annual Variety Show is coming up in a few weeks – March 9th and 10th to be precise, at The Grange on Hwy 128. Call 895-3580 to sign up and you don’t have to be a musician to do so!… #239 - Talking of The Grange, their monthly meeting is next Tuesday, Feb 21st at 7pm…

Moving quickly on to a few of the topics and Valley events under discussion this week at The Three-Dot Lounge - yes it’s “Moans, Groans, Good Thoughts, and Rampant Rumors” from my favorite gathering place in the Valley where people gather and share their thoughts about Valley life…

… The A.V. Film Festival Board members enjoyed a drink or two with several 3-Dot regulars in celebration of their recent very successful event which, they informed us, made a healthy $1869 in profits. This will be distributed to the A.V. Senior Center ($500), the A.V. Animal Rescue ($500), the A.V.H.S. Film Class $400), The Grange ($169), and one scholarship for a high school senior (to be announced) towards his or her college education ($300)… Yer gotta like that…

… A 3-Dot regular informs us that he was witness to an altercation on Gschwend Road last Saturday afternoon which saw one very drunk man fall over twice without being hit once! The inebriated man had being confronted by an angry couple who had apparently had enough of the drunk’s frequent angry and abusive tirades at the end of their driveway, which often ended in threats to themselves and their dogs and the throwing of beer cans over the fence, not to mention a number of abusive phone calls to their home. When confronted by the couple, the drunk fell over backwards, merely as a result of being stared at and verbally rebuked from a few inches away. That often seems to be the case with such folks – sad but true… His glasses fell off and after being assisted in getting up, he was offered the spectacles back. He took a swipe at snatching them from the outstretched hand but with his judgment clearly impaired he missed and his momentum led him to go crashing to the ground once again. The couple did not help him get up a second time…

… Another regular was in S.F. this past weekend and he bumped into an old friend, former Mayor Willie Brown, who told him that there will be a real surprise in store for President Obama when he comes to town later this month. You might recall that just a couple of weeks ago, when he was in Harlem, Obama stepped out of his professional character when he sang the opening bars to Al Green’s hit “Let’s Stay Together.” It was a rare glimpse of the guy hanging loose. Well, his San Francisco host, Robert Mailer Anderson, nephew of the A.V.A.’s Supreme Leader, Bruce Anderson, has lined up the Reverend Al himself, for the president’s fundraiser to be held at the spacious home of Robert and wife Nicola Miner on Pacific Heights…Who knows, maybe Al and The Prez will sing a duet? For over $30,000 you can be a guest there to see it…

… ‘Sheep loose on Anderson Valley Way – heading for downtown Boonville!’… Not for long with lifelong Valley shepherd Sam Prather and by-passer/helper Nick Schwartz on the job. It seems that during the strong winds last week, a tree had fallen onto a short stretch of the fence surrounding the field at The Big Barn just north of Boonville, where a dozen or so sheep are kept. On Thursday evening, two of them ‘made a break for it’ through the new-found gap and were approaching Hwy 128 and threatening to go into town for a night out – to cause havoc at the Trivia Quiz at Lauren’s Restaurant, some people believe… Remarkably, a passer-by recognized one of them as ‘Gail’, a sheep she had raised from birth and had given to the local shepherd with that small flock at the nearby Big Barn field. She explained this to Sam, who also lived nearby and the Master Shepherd, with help from Nick and Sam’s sheep dog, returned the two miscreants to their pasture before dark… Sam, who has been in the sheep business all of his life, could not help but chuckle, “Gail? Gail!! Sheep with names – this business is in more trouble than I thought it was!”…

… Finally this week, it seems that one of my readers is delusional and under the impression that The Old Buzzard, in his comments a couple of weeks ago about Cyked - the group striving to get bike lanes around these parts and beyond, was against their idea. I read the column again and one would hope that even the least discerning of readers would not interpret comments by Buzzard such as “the idea behind this latest fundraiser is a good one and I wish them well” and “one hopes that the community as a whole is not indifferent to such an idea”, as being negative remarks on the group’s plans. He clearly supports the group’s idea, but I guess some people have difficulty understanding the written word these days, particularly if those words present reasonable views that may be contrary to their own. While supporting the premise, the Buzzard wisely brought up some realistic concerns with the plans but I guess certain people around here cannot cope with such things. In this particular case, the person seems to be ‘cycling through cloud cuckoo land’, trying desperately to remain removed from reality - good luck with that…

Until we talk again - ‘Keep the Faith’; be careful out there; stay out of the ditches; think good thoughts; and may your god go with you… Oh, and of course, one final request, “Let us prey”… Humbly yours, Turkey Vulture…

p.s. You can contact me with words of support/abuse either through the Letters Page or by e-mail at <turkeyvulture1@earthlink.net>

p.p.s. Hi, Silver Swan – behaving yourself? Hopefully not!