#45 - November 16th, 2005

A couple of weeks ago I enjoyed a weird and wonderful time for "All Hallows Eve", a.k.a. the Eve of All Saints Day, or perhaps "Halloween" to some, as I flew in and around Boonville for the festivities… My first strange experience of the evening came in the downtown area when I was suddenly faced with some very strange yet vaguely familiar folks - Angry Villagers! This pitchfork-carrying, torch-burning, disgruntled mob was in turn confronted by a congregation of what were clearly Zombies. Upon seeing the approaching 'Walking Dead', the Angry Villagers seemed to forget about harassing a Turkey Vulture with a confrontational attitude and deep thirst and turned instead to deal with the even bigger issue of Zombies on the prowl…
Apparently this is an annual skirmish and innocent bystanders like myself are advised to stay well clear of the showdown between these two disenfranchised 'tribes' as they sort out their differences. I actually felt some kind of affiliation with the Angry Villagers and will perhaps look into joining their group at some point in the future but on this occasion I heeded the advice and zoomed down to the A.V. Brewery Tasting Room for a calming pint of ale - for medicinal purposes of course…..
The usual suspects were in attendance, beers were flowing, and Chef Capizzalo was 'doing his stuff' in the kitchen - and what good 'stuff' he had! As half time in the Steelers/Ravens game approached, my comrades and I were presented with 'The Full Package' - a six cheese / double salami feast which had the eyes bulging and the mouths drooling. It was Chef Cappy's best yet and, accompanied with a pint of Poleeko Gold Pale Ale, it was a dining experience that those present would doubtless have fought for no matter how many hungry Angry Villagers and Zombies might show up… Luckily it didn't come to that as the Sheriff, who dropped by to ensure we were behaving ourselves, informed us that the all was now calm in town. The two factions had been separated and dispersed without too much bloodshed, burnings, cannibalism, or whatever else they may indulge in on their 'big night out'…
After all this mayhem, pizza, and beer, it was time for some fresh air and what better place for that than the Indian Creek campground just outside Philo where 'Ranger' Robert was holding a Halloween Music Bash amongst the towering redwoods. As I flew into the vicinity I could hear the raspy yet dulcet tones of Kevin Owens' voice as he headed up the Rockslingers band alongside Pilar Duran with her wonderful guitar licks and Rod DeWitt pounding away on the drums. On landing in the glade amongst the trees, I could see there was quite a gathering of people with a good mix of locals and Robert's traveling band of hipsters. After sipping a little wine and admiring some of the dancing girls' moves I mingled in the crowd and listened to the band. It was very evident that these three had played together many times before, in and around the Valley and Nor Cal over the years, and their performance was very well received - good to see them all 'at it' again together…
With mild temperatures continuing into the night and a perfect ambience amongst the magnificent trees, a second band, The Humans, with front man none other than' Human' himself, began their set. They were very good indeed with a sort of mix between calypso, reggae, rap, The Velvet Underground and blah, blah, blah. Whatever it was, I'd see them again and I don't often say that these days. By midnight, with the party still in full swing, I decided it was time to leave. I still had a number of miles to get home to The Nest and it had been a long night. Besides, a friend was also going my way at that time and I didn't fancy leaving all alone later on and running the risk of confronting any Angry Villagers or Zombies out for a late night stroll…..
It was wet and windy as I flew out to the Coast early last week – tough flying conditions for a Turkey Vulture of any age and condition never mind one like myself! I stopped for a rest at the Little River Inn and enjoyed a short chat with an old friend. Upon leaving I found myself at the door as a large group of diners were approaching. They were a mixed group of men and women, ranging in age from early thirties to late fifties so I immediately seized the opportunity to conduct a little test study and held the door open for them as they entered. Five minutes later the final few stragglers were inside and the results of the study were in. Under what were clearly strict scientific guidelines, the test showed that I had been thanked politely by nineteen of those entering. Conversely nineteen had walked in with no acknowledgement of my courteous gesture whatsoever. Fifty per cent! I found this quite shocking. With a bald red head and wet feathers did I look like a doorman? And even if I did is this the way people behave? Apparently it is, and so I went after them and said in no uncertain terms, “What is wrong with (continued on page 74)…..
Just wondering…If I want exactly one gallon of gasoline and the price is $2.99 and 9/10 a gallon what change do I get from three one-dollar bills?
With the cooler climate upon us it’s approaching the time of year when I am able to spend a few hours each week up in the hills above the Valley watching shepherds and their sheep dogs hard at work with their flocks. Firm plans to get out there have not been made as yet but this is the right way to go about sheep herding according to The Wise Shepherd. “You do not wish to get their hopes up”, he advised me, “I find it’s best to surprise the sheep”…I think I understand his meaning…..
I was not too surprised to read an item in last week’s ‘Valley People’ section in which the scribe once again made an attack on the wine industry. The comments were summed with the announcement that the “wine industry is worse than the logging industry”. Apparently this ‘fact’ is supported by an incident wherein a driver employed by a winery had not pulled over to let others pass when negotiating Highway 253. The Esterlina Winery employee should certainly be spoken to by his/her employees but to make a comparison with logging truck drivers and then claim that this group always pull over is laughable - in fact I laughed my socks off!...As many of you are aware I have a ‘pet peeve’ about slower drivers not pulling over but in my vast experience on this matter I have not found this particular distinction between the two industries to be true. Both groups have good and bad drivers.
At least this very questionable comparison was not as bad as a previous attack on the wineries in the very same section of the paper. On that occasion it was claimed that the evil-doings of the wine business could be compared to the damage done to individuals by methamphetamines. That was absolutely ridiculous…At least this latest jibe is merely just very silly - I suppose we should be grateful.
On that upbeat note I shall leave you. I hope you are all on top of your plans for Thanksgiving dinner next week but if you’re feeling a little overwhelmed feel free to contact me at and perhaps I can offer some cooking advice - as long as it’s not Turkey you’re having, of course…Now let us prey…Humbly yours, Turkey Vulture…..