#12 - February 16th, 2005

Before the past few days of showery weather, the balmy spring days of last week seemed to bring with them something weird and wonderful in the air…..I visited the Vulture Doctor's office in Ukiah last week for some claw clipping and rehabbing of a strained wing. As I read the latest copy of Vulture Digest in the waiting room, where about half a dozen other patients sat, one of them, an elderly lady with silver-blue hair and spectacles on the end of her nose, began to hum loudly. All those present could clearly make out the Barbara Streisand song "The Way We Were" ("Memories'"), from the film of that name. She skipped through the magazine on her lap as she hummed…and hummed…and hummed…the same song, over and over again, apparently oblivious to the other patients' glances and grins…….I suppose you had to be there but it was amusingly quaint and made for a very pleasant visit……
Meanwhile back in the Valley, Cheryl Schrader at The Redwood Drive-In, who does so much wonderful work in finding homes for lost/abandoned/unwanted pets around these parts, informs me that the Animal Caravan is up and running once again. This mobile veterinarian organization offers a number of pet related services and she wanted to emphasize that the major problem of too many unwanted kittens and puppies in the Valley can be prevented by the neuter and spaying program the Caravan offers. Furthermore, readers may not be aware, but there is financial assistance offered to those who cannot afford this service. Please try to stop this awful yet very easily preventable situation of unwanted pets and contact Cheryl at 895-3785 to find out when the Caravan is next in town… or the Caravan itself at 961-2526…….
On a lighter note, I offer many thanks to the readers who have "thrown me their scraps" over the past few weeks, particularly Mendocino Magpie and The Old Bat from the High Roller Region. In response to the latter's request I zoomed down to Lumberjack Pizza in Boonville and can reveal that they are open Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 4pm to 8pm and Sunday 2pm to 7pm; closed Tuesday and Wednesday. As for the pizza itself I have heard a wide range of comments - it seems to be an American birthright to always state one's definitive and unwavering opinion of any pizza. I personally have enjoyed the pizza and have found the simpler the better, although adding a little squirrel or gopher always helps…I'll leave the final words to a good friend from New York City, seemingly the home of most pizza 'experts', who after a visit to Lumberjack commentated in his rich Brooklyn accent , "Hey, that's a f***in' decent pie, man"…..Old Bat goes on to recommend, not surprisingly I suppose, the 'bat guano burgers' at the Owl Café in Cloverdale. Now I'm not sure about that particular delicacy but on my flights to the Bay Area I do frequently stop at TheOwl to enjoy their excellent breakfasts……and while we are talking about Cloverdale restaurants you cannot go wrong with the superb (and huge) chili burger and fries at The Hamburger Ranch and Pasta Farm at the end of Highway 128…..To add to this week's 'food update' I should inform you that Libby's splendid Mexican restaurant in downtown Philo has re-opened and is satisfying its many customers from Tuesdays to Saturdays; 11.30am - 2.30pm for lunch and 5pm - 8.30pm for dinner…..
Moving on…As for the 'crop circles' which Old Bat inquires about on Gschwend Road between Philo and Navarro, I have indeed seen them. However, they are not 'crop circles', rather labyrinth's or earthwork sculptures which are interactive art pieces created by "the world's leading labyrinth expert", Doctor Alex Champion, who resides on the Upper Gschwend Road. They are something to behold and can provide a source of energy, or a place for meditation, perhaps even a spiritual experience…..or, in my case, a perfect place after a long flight to relax and share a beer with a fellow Vulture or two….For more information check out www.earthsymbols.com or perhaps pick up Dr. Champion's book, 'Earth Mazes' which he confides "is somewhere between being out of date and a classic"…..
As I fly up and down through the Valley I always take a few seconds to check out the most recent design high up on the hillside of the Hulbert Ranch on the opposite side of Highway 128 to Gowan's Oak Tree fruit and veggie stand. For a few days last week the resident artist, Monti Hulbert, had some strange 'hieroglyphics' created out of hub caps etc and his 'announcement' to all who were interested was far from clear. However, there can be no doubt as to what his message is for the week of Valentine's Day - the word 'LOVE' beams out from the hillside to one and all. Nice job, Monti !
Apology # 17 : To the resident at the north end of Boonville who was mentioned in last week's column as someone for whom Helpful Hint # 23 (concerning precautions to take when starting an outdoor fire) came too late. Intensive inquiries by my crack team of roving reporters have uncovered the real story and now I must apologize for last week's erroneous report. Apparently the resident was not "blown back off their feet" and did not "burn their eyebrows in the process". In truth what really happened was that the person concerned was merely "engulfed in flames"…..I will not make this mistake again…..
Another Friday Night…..and this Turkey Vulture's social life continued to follow it's somewhat predictable yet most enjoyable pattern - out and about; a bit of this; a little of that; and hopefully quite a lot of the other - as I hit the nightspots of Boonville. The Anderson Valley (A.V.) Brewery Tasting Room had a crowd of twenty plus people at 6pm and bartender/manager Todd Capuzelo, attired in his usual snazzy shirt and tie, was almost sweating to get the pints poured - almost but no quite. As usual, a number of the Brewery Crew were present and with the new 'regulars' turning up most weeks this is a good little scene for an after work drink and social hour, or three !…..The Buckhorn Saloon at 8pm was also quite busy for a Friday in February. With the always entertaining and lovely Sara behind the bar, Pilar in the kitchen performing her magic along with Laura, and Joanne and owner Diana helping to see that everything went smoothly and making sure everyone felt welcome, it was a good time for all as the beer flowed freely, the chicken wings were devoured messily, the dice tumbled noisily, and the laughter shrieked often……
Despite the miserable weather on Sunday, I felt the need to get to the Coast so, after a quick snack at the side of the road, I flew off to the town of Mendocino. It was Valentine's Day weekend, romance would be in the air at this most picturesque of coastal towns, and you all know how romantic a Turkey Vulture can be (but that is a tale for another time)…In the meantime I am only at liberty to share with you my 'carrion' for the day - "Mixed green salad with warmed marinated goat cheese and Niman Ranch bacon; Yucatecan -Thai spicy crab cakes; Niman Ranch top sirloin in Pt. Reyes blue cheese; balsamic and rosemary roasted free-range chicken with garlic mashed potatoes; and chocolate sherbet with toasted almond butter cookies; accompanied by a bottle of some delicious and well -priced Eagle Point petite syrah !"… All wonderfully cooked and delightfully served by professional, knowledgeable and friendly staff at the superb Café Beaujolais - surely one of the finest restaurants in Northern California. If you get the chance, treat yourself and a loved one for that 'special occasion'…..
Try to stay out of the ditches…and let us prey….Turkey Vulture