#66 - January 29th, 2007

Greetings one and all…Well I’m back for another set of observations and thoughts on life in Anderson Valley and Beyond…It’s been a busy couple of weeks since my last tome so hopefully I’ll have something of interest to you…Let’s see…
First I want to thank all those involved in the Second Annual Cioppino Feed held last Saturday evening (Jan. 20th) at The Apple Hall in Boonville. It was an excellent affair and there was a good turnout from amongst the “usual suspects”. The proceeds went to The Senior Center and everyone ate their hearts out – some more than others…I would apologize for my gluttony, however, it is one of my better traits…Next up – The Crab Feed to benefit The Catholic Church. This one is at The Apple Hall also and takes place on the evening of Saturday February 3rd – I’ll be the one having seconds…at the very least…..
One of those seniors enjoying the Feed was Dick Sands – the long-time driver of the Senior Bus, in and around The Valley. As many will know he lost his wonderful wife of more than fifty years a few months ago and the grief has been very hard on him. However, he is still getting out and about and shared with me his gratitude to all those in The Valley who have rallied round to support him. After arriving in The Valley in 1944 he is going nowhere else and now he’s moving into the Elder Home in downtown Boonville so feel free to visit him there – he’d love to chat…Meanwhile, wherever you see Dick, he’ll no doubt continue to share with you that saucy sense of humor of his that so many of us enjoy…
Speaking of fine elder Gentlemen of The Valley, I have had the distinct pleasure in the past week or so of also spending some time with two of the finest – Carroll Pratt and Ross Murray…
Carroll resides just outside Philo with wife Carol and numerous dogs and livestock. He is in his mid eighties yet still gets around town and he remains as sharp as a tack. His claim to fame as the inventor of the Laugh Track is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of his lifetime achievements. He worked in Hollywood for many years and even received an Oscar for his work on the sound of the musical, “Oklahoma”…and that was after flying missions over Germany in W.W. II, even being shot down and interred in a prisoner-of-war camp…These days he remains busy with various projects, including his involvement with The Boonville Lodge as a mentor to new owner, Tom Towey…Speaking to Carroll is a wonderful way to spend a few hours and the time just flies by listening to his fascinating stories and discussing many issues of the day. He is a true gentleman and one for whom I have the greatest respect…
I can say exactly the same about Ross Murray, and it is somewhat eerie how Ross’s life has followed a similar path to Carroll’s. Ross was also in the entertainment business, initially in the film world, but mostly the thirty years he spent at C.B.S. in radio and television during which time he received an Emmy for his work. In another “link” to Carroll, Ross was in the U.S. Air Force in W.W. II and flew bombers at that time also…These days Ross lives up on Mountain View Road with wife Joyce, formerly of the Andrews’ Sisters (“Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy”), and they can often be seen around town at various events. Ross is a very insightful and pertinent commentator on society today with his public radio show on Wednesday evenings and when he speaks people should listen – they might learn something!
Spending time with these Three Wise Men of The Valley is an absolute joy to me. As a result of their longevity, I was able to listen and learn from both of my grandfathers and they were big influences on my life. Unfortunately, most people lose their grandparents too early in their lives to appreciate them and so much of their wisdom and enlightenment gets lost. Hopefully I will be able to glean some of that wisdom on every occasion that I am able to talk with and listen to these three very special fellows…
Talking of which, it turned out I was quite wise myself when I managed to zoom out to the coast last week on what turned out to be a beautiful day...Tourists have not yet caught on to the fact that sometimes at this time of year we enjoy the most spectacular weather. There was very little traffic and as I reached the sea at Navarro Point at the end of Hwy 128 I was greeted by an absolutely perfect horizon - a light blue sky meeting a deep blue sea in a perfect straight line across the whole horizon; not a cloud, absolutely clean, clear and fresh. If it had been a painting you would not have believed it, but it was true and remarkable and it’s too bad you weren’t there…
Whine of the Week…Bagels are impossible to find in The Valley and for someone who strongly believes in the hangover cure of an onion bagel with lashings of cream cheese then this is a problem - and certainly something to whine about. I was promised bagels would be served at The Mosswood Market before they opened last summer but it hasn’t happened yet – although many other good things have happened at this wonderful establishment. At this point I have to resort to the effective, but often very hard to face up to, “hair of the dog”. It’s not the end of the world but some mornings it really feels like it…
Wine of the Week…Having lovingly prepared a leg of lamb, from the flock of the Master Shepherd in the Valley I may add, I was in need of the perfect wine accompaniment. I didn’t have to look far as Hummingbird had opened a bottle of the 2003 Esterlina Pinot Noir and to say the experience was orgasmic would be an understatement..er…er…or something like that. Try this magnificent pairing of wine and food – trust me on this – you’ll thank me later…
Finally, I had the distinct pleasure of dining at The Boonville Hotel recently. It was ‘locals’ night” and featured the ‘fixed price, set menu with no corkage fee’ deal. I sipped some fine local wines as I enjoyed the excellent paella wonderfully cooked by Johnny Schmitt and delightfully served by Saffron Fraser. You may be interested to learn that Anderson Valley Advertiser Head, Mr. David Severn, joined me for dinner!! – well not exactly…As I sat at my table, who should be peering down upon me (from the wall directly above my seat where his photograph was hanging), but none other than The Supreme Commander of The A.V.A…”How the fates conspire”, I thought. Anyway, perhaps it was my own paranoia but as I looked up at the photograph it appeared that he had a frown on his face. Saffron, however, assured me it was a grin and on closer inspection I found this to be the case. Only last week I suggested that David and I could reconcile some of our perceived differences over a cup of coffee at The Mosswood Market. This ‘get-together’ at The Hotel was perhaps a step in that direction, and besides, it certainly brought a smile to my beak…
Next week, or whenever I can get my report in, we’ll have a Useful Word, perhaps a “sports” report from up on the farm with The Master Shepherd, and hopefully a couple of indisputable facts from the Vulture Book of Universal Truths…
Meanwhile, before I go, I do have just one request, and I think many of you know what it is – “Let us prey”…
Humbly yours, Turkey Vulture…..

p.s. Oh, yes, before I forget, a big “thank you” for your continued support and the messages of good will sent to turkeyvulture1@earthlink.net…Feel free to contact me anytime, but remember, I know where you live...