#3 - December 8th, 2004

An excellent start to the week when I was fortunate to be in attendance at the High School Gym last Tuesday lunchtime for the annual high school sports teams' awards ceremony. Most of the school was in attendance as Vice Principal Jim Tomlin made the introductions in his usual admirably enthusiastic way. The girls varsity Volleyball team had once again achieved some milestones and had completed a wonderful season. Year after year this occurs and when such accomplishments happen that often, and right down from the top through to the j.v. team and beyond, then the coaching is clearly at the highest level and at the heart of the success. Many congratulations to all the players and Coach Flick McDonald and his assistants… With six freshman starters the boys soccer program had a down year by their standards - just second in the league !. Nevertheless, Coach Smith assured the audience that with almost all the team returning next season another soccer Championship might not be too far away…..Girls soccer also had their best season to date, owing much to the dedication of their new coaching staff and the determination and hard work of the players…..Finally, although the football season was not very successful in terms of results, Coach Shrider felt much had been achieved in such areas as team spirit and dedication. The players had been a pleasure to coach and he pointed out, perhaps most importantly of all, that not a single player had been lost to grades…… The Valley's high school sports teams are frequently at the top of their respective leagues and are a source of much local pride, greatly adding to Anderson Valley's sense of community - well done to everyone involved……
After all that it's now time for a small complaint about Valley life….Can anyone explain why some of the local grocery stores choose to close at 5pm when, with people returning home from work just after that hour, that is precisely the time at which they would have many customers and do plenty of business ? It's peculiar, not to mention irritating, to be inconvenienced by the convenience store and I just don't get it…..
Food news - an important topic for any self-respecting turkey vulture…… Breakfast at The Horn of Zeese is almost always an enjoyable experience and just a few days ago was no exception. With it's cozy décor and interesting wall displays it offers a real flavor of the Valley and I am always gratified when I see that business is going well. The coffee was good, the chicken fried steak and eggs with the delicious 'hobo' potatoes was a perfect combination, and the service was friendly and almost faultless - the toast arrived at least ten minutes too soon and was therefore cold when the rest of the meal was served - not ideal for dipping into the hot egg yolk !….. A few days earlier, having splashed out a small fortune to fill my truck with gas, I was in need of some cheering up and I've found that one of the best ways to achieve this is with some good eating… and there I was at The Redwood Drive-in - perfect. Those guys know their 'stuff' when it comes to burgers and the friendly, efficient staff were on hand to make for a most enjoyable lunchtime experience and I departed with my stomach pleasantly full and a big smile across my beak……..However, excellent though the burger was, it was not the best culinary experience of my week. No, it was actually a very close runner-up to the truly first class breakfast burrito I had devoured the previous day at The Floodgate Store down in Deep End country. Expertly prepared by owner/operator Alicia, it contains just about everything you could ask for and is both mildly spicy and very tasty indeed…and always comes with a cheerful greeting, a friendly smile, and a few wisecracks…..
It was while at the Floodgate Store that I bumped into an old acquaintance who, with his dog, was trying to get a ride into Philo. The two of them are often seen walking along the Valley's highways and byways and naturally I agreed to help them get to town. However, within seconds of setting off I became suddenly aware of a very familiar smell - skunk ! Before I could say anything, my old 'buddy' calmly announced, "You don't mind if the dog has a little smell to him do ya ? He just got skunked at the back of the store there?"…I didn't know what to think and could only come up with, "No problem, it's not far to town."…..That was nearly a week ago and, despite using all the obvious remedies which have hardly helped at all, the odor seems to be planning on sticking around for a time. No doubt there is an 'alternative' moral to this tale concerning the 'rewards' of helping one's fellow citizens but in this particular instance it is not one which I can repeat in such a distinguished publication…..
On to Friday evening and time for a night out in downtown Boonville. After a few phone calls it was agreed that a few other 'turkeys' and myself would meet up at The A.V. Brewery's new tasting room facility, which, although it would not have any food on offer would certainly have an abundance of quality beers. As I flew into the spacious parking lot I noticed a number of people assembled at the bar and a few more in the beer garden alongside. On entering the tasting room I was amazed at the sight of a huge Christmas tree, almost twenty feet tall, freshly cut down from owner Ken Allen's property on Highway 253 and tastefully decorated by the multi-talented Dan Houk. It 'warmed up' the whole room and a few people commented that it made them feel that the holiday period had arrived.. A number of the 'usual Friday night suspects' were in imbibing the splendid ales, capably served up by new tasting room manager, Todd Capuzelo, a recent signing from The Buckhorn Saloon. Outside, under the stars, the two fireplaces were keeping everyone warm and new logs were added whenever necessary by those present. As I mentioned a few weeks ago this location has much potential and is certainly an excellent starting point to an evening out. However, with the current lack of any drink choice other than beer (no wine at this point, although this issue is being discussed by the powers that be) and with no food available (other than peanuts and pretzels) that potential may take time to develop and the tasting room's role as an all-round Friday night destination venue will take a little time…
Finally, the talk of the town over the past few days has been the presence of large numbers of roosters in Demonstration Forest north of Navarro. Being of an inquisitive nature and aware that roosters are distant relatives of turkey vultures, I ventured down that way to see what all the fuss was about……Nothing - not a feathered friend in sight !….Not that I'm implying that there never were any roosters in the woods, not at all… For those unaware, roosters which are castrated and fattened up for eating are called capons and I have been fortunate to devour this fine bird on a few rare occasions. So, knowing the adventurous spirit and resourcefulness of many Valley people, it would not surprise me in the least to find out that many a dinner table in the Navarro and Philo region will be adorned with such a splendid delicacy this holiday season. Fine with me just as long as Turkey Vultures are not thought of in the same way !…..