#38 - September 21st, 2005

The first Monday night of the football season saw a decent game between Atlanta and Philadelphia but, perhaps more importantly, it was also the first opportunity for me to try the pizza now on offer (along with wine) at The T.R. - The Brewery Tasting Room, also referred to as 'Gotham' in some quarters…Well the verdict is in and I have to say it's a good pie, particularly the pepperoni with some extra garlic salami topping, courtesy of Cappy the Pizza Guy, provided for certain selected customers. The wines currently on offer are from The Valley's Esterlina Winery on Holmes Ranch Road and feature a delicious, crisp, Chablis-like Chardonnay and a full-bodied, velvety Merlot. With The Buckhorn Saloon, or whatever it is to be called, still closed and progress towards a new ownership stalled at this point, the T.R. is the place to go for your fine beverages and a good slice of pie…..
As uplifting as that news is for some of us in the community, I have to report the recent disappointment felt by another group in our midst - the Junior Varsity boys soccer players. I'm referring to the situation which arose last week when their game in St. Helena had to be cancelled due to lack of transport to and from the game. After three months of hard work at practice and a commitment to the team, it just doesn't seem right that the school offers the sport but then is unable to provide transport. It would be great if the parents could help out and the coaches told me that this had been tried but for various reasons none of them were able to and so the game was called off. I imagine that budget constraints are the main reason for this unsatisfactory state of affairs but surely something will be done to ensure it doesn't happen again ?…..
Crime of the Week - From near to the corner of Hwy 128 on Hwy 253 the new sign announcing that The A.V. Brewery was just ahead has been stolen ! This sign had been painstakingly installed by Todd Capuzelo, Tasting Room Manager at The Brewery. He is at a loss to explain why this innocuous sign was taken or who might be responsible for its disappearance although, like myself, he is well aware that some people around these parts are not exactly enamoured with The Brewery's presence. Over the coming days, the obvious suspects will be thoroughly investigated by my team of probing reporters but, whilst I have my suspicions, I couldn't possibly comment further at this time…..
Speaking of my team of reporters, I received the following on my desk from one of these brave people embedded in the Nation's capital - 'In light of recruiting shortfalls, a near standstill in re-enlistment, and rock-bottom troop morale, U.S. Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Michael Hagee announced Monday that the Marines will alter their unofficial slogan to just "The Few". Furthermore, Hagee said, "We are still the Marines, the premier combat arm of the U.S. military", and added that The Marines will change their motto to Semper Fidelis, Sic Non Sapienti, or "Always Faithful, But This Is Just Ridiculous." '…..
Well the Mendocino County Fair is over for another year and once again, by all accounts, it was a success and it continues to be one of the best county fairs in the country I am reliably informed. I'm sure others will give full reports on the event elsewhere in this newspaper and my experience this year was somewhat limited. However, as a bonus, it began quite unexpectedly on Thursday evening as I found myself flying over downtown Boonville when I noticed a hive of activity at the Fairgrounds. I had to investigate and sure enough I found the place alive with folks busy setting up their booths, stalls, displays, animal bedding, etc, etc for the Fair starting officially on Friday lunchtime…Surprisingly I soon found myself gravitating towards The A.V. Brewery stand and was greeted by the smiling face of Head Brewer, Dave Gatlin, who promptly served me a delicious cold one - for quality control purposes only, of course. Numerous other obvious suspects assembled at this spot over the next couple of hours and I enjoyed a very pleasant evening in their company, somewhat enhanced I must say by my consumption of two very large (jumbo) corn dogs - awful things but very tasty with mustard and beer I have to say…..
I was back the next evening and delayed the inevitable feasting until I had watched some of the Apple Bowl football game between A.V. High and Mendocino High. It was a tight game and all the action was knowledgeably commentated on by Dan "Big Voice" Houk performing an admirable job as p.a. announcer… The 'good guys' were leading 6-0 at the end of the first quarter when I departed for the Lions' Club bar where I encountered the smiling face of bartender Olie Erikson and Justin Clark. At $4 a beer (10 oz ?) it was a little steep but I'm sure it's for a good cause. I continued my explorations and bumped into numerous friends and acquaintances as I strolled around the grounds and halls admiring the efforts of the many exhibitors - what a treat this is and certainly a 'must see' for all…
Friday at The Fair is always my favorite night. It's when the festivities seem to host more of a local, Anderson Valley crowd compared to the Saturday night scene when people from all over the region turn up…I finally made my 'big' decision of the evening and ate a tri-tip sandwich (good) and fries (poor) before returning to the football for the final quarter and witnessing the end of the local heroes' defeat by the score of 6-14…It was time for more beer and conversation before, at around 10pm, Hummingbird insisted on taking me back to The Nest for some late night 'nibbling and carousing'…I was unavoidably out of town for the rest of the weekend but I'd had a wonderful evening. "Well done" to the people who contribute so much of their time and effort to the organizing of this excellent event and also to those who partake in the wide range of events and competitions…..I'm looking forward to next year already…..
For some reason my brain hurts so I'm outta here earlier than usual…But first let me say, "Let us prey"….Humbly yours, Turkey Vulture…..