#6 - January 5th, 2005

Dear Readers, it's good to be back in the Valley and to be greeted by the much needed rain. As always many people find time to complain about the weather but we've been living on borrowed time with regard to this and I'm sure those 'in the know' realize that it is very necessary and long overdueŠ..

Speaking of the weather we are obviously experiencing nothing in comparison to the tragic events in Asia with last week's tsunami affecting many countries and millions of lives. At the last 'count' the death figures were over 150,000 and rising. Hopefully all the billions in promised aid will arrive promptly and equitably. Although this was covered in last week's issue, there may be some of you unaware that our local High School Soccer Coach, Tom Smith, and his wife, Val who teaches at the Elementary School, were in southern Thailand at the time. Along with sons, Olie and Jesse, they were kayaking on the coast when the disaster struck but other than some cuts and bruises they are all fine. The whole family have quite a tale to tell including their attempts to rescue others on and around the Aonong and Railway Beaches where a number of people perished. I believe Val and Jesse are returning to the Valley and school this week (Jesse is at Stanford) but originally Tom and Olie were planning to continue on their travels until late February. At this point who knowsŠ..


On a lighter note, this year's prizes offered by the local Chamber of Commerce for the best Christmas decorations in the Valley were awarded to The Buckhorn Saloon ( commercial establishments), and Shorty and Betty Adams (residential). The results were mentioned in this paper a couple of weeks ago but I know many of you missed the news. Well done to both winners - their efforts were really excellent as anyone who drove through downtown Boonville will surely agreeŠ..


Talking of The Buckhorn, as I do, another good crowd was on hand last week for the final Monday Night Football game of the season. Hopefully people will continue to turn out to enjoy the beers and food and to meet and greet one another as the dark evenings of the winter months continue - it's a lot of fun and you will definitely know some people in attendanceŠ. Thanks to the efforts of Pillar Duran and the gang in the kitchen the food is very good although I do find a number of the items on the menu a little over-priced. Anyway, please do not believe the those people who continue to make negative comments about the food - that's simply not true anymore - just ask these nay-sayers when was the last time they ate there !Š..Š..Meanwhile, if you want an alternative for a few drinks (no food though) , the Tasting Room at Ken Allen's Anderson Valley Brewery now has wine by the glass and a large screen t.v. with satellite connections. As a result football play-offs and basketball is now available as you imbibe the wonderful ales which the Brewery continues to produceŠ. I must just add that it was as a result of the efforts of this Turkey and a few other 'experts in the field' that the t.v. is now installed - "that's o.k., don't mention it, Ken, just buy me a Poleeko Gold next time I'm in !"Š


Signs that the rainy season has begun : No 1 - As I passed the Navarro Store last Friday nobody was playing horseshoes outside!!Š.Too bad - there is something comforting about the sight of horseshoes being tossed at any time of the day, any day of the weekŠ..


Moving onŠ.As I have probably mentioned here before, a visit to The County Dump on Mountain View Road always cheers up any self respecting Turkey and so to go twice in one day, as I did last Wednesday, was like winning the lottery !Š..The always pleasant and welcoming Ron was working and it appears that he may have secured the job on a full-time basis - good for himŠ..Meanwhile I hear that the previous Dump Man, Jay, is now working at the Meyer Family Cellars winery south of Boonville on Highway 128. His 'boss' is Matt Meyer, one of the finer wine makers in the Valley - currently producing a superb Syrah - and a very nice man too. This is all good news for fans of The Dump and wine tipplers alike!


In between my two visits to The Dump I stopped for a little lunch at Moya Tacos in downtown Boonville. They seem to get better every time I go and now offer a 'smaller' burrito for just $4 - I had one, chicken with everything, and it was delicious Šand just the right amount without requiring a nap immediately afterwardsŠŠAs I wound my way along the Valley floor I passed the Sheriff lying in wait for crazy speeding tourists in the heart of Philo. We waved at each other (perhaps because I was doing 30 mph ?) and I thought - "that's cool when the officer of the law smiles and waves on seeing you - only in the Country!"Š.


More weatherŠ..Following the heavy rains of last Wednesday night I made my way to the coast on Thursday morning. As Highway 128 wound along aside the River Navarro the muddy, creamy-coffee colored waters were clearly rising. At a couple of points (mile markers 4.5 and 5.48) they were just a few feet from breaking over the banks and at many points the road was littered with many small fallen branches causing myself and other drivers to swerve to avoid an accident of some sort. "I'm sure the authorities are on top of this and will be here any minute", I thought. Lo and behold, as I approached the coast I saw two forest rangers having a nice chat alongside the road as they munched pastries and sipped coffee. They were probably formulating a 'game-plan' as to how to deal with the debris, or perhaps more likely, given the recent actions by this government agency regarding the killing of domestic dogs in the area, they were formulating ideas to shoot any ducks that may swim harmlessly by - or am I being too harsh ?ŠŠ

Talking of County employees, how many more times do we have to slow down on our journeys around the county when confronted by the roadside signs stating "Prepare to Stop" and then proceed to drive at a pedestrian pace for long stretches only to eventually pass a group of 'workers' standing around at the side of the road with no visible sign of any work going on and no "Stop" sign in effect as the traffic dawdles past ? To compound our annoyance, we are then often greeted by these fellows staring menacingly at the passing traffic as if this glare in some way will prevent us from thinking the obvious - "nice work if you can get it". The other sign repeatedly before us is, "Road Work Ahead" - somewhat ironic given that this statement is frequently untrueŠŠ.Too harsh again ?..Nah !Šand besides, pickings are slim at this time of year and a Turkey Vulture's got to feed on somethingŠ.


I'm presently recovering from a wild and crazy New Year's Eve Bash featuring some marvelous food and the wonderful wines of Husch and Esterlina Vineyards, along with much quaffing of the local brews. Being a Turkey who has experienced many a hangover over the years I have experimented with a wide variety of hangover cures. From a fried feast of a breakfast to the simple cheese and cucumber sandwich to dry toast - they have all brought some but not complete relief. It has to be said that the only true cure comes from more alcohol, either a Bloody Mary or one of the drinks you were guzzling the night before. So with that thought I shall bid you a fond farewell and pour myself a bottle of Poleeko Gold Pale AleŠ..