# 80 - October 10th, 2007

Greetings one and all, and welcome to the column that tells the truth about Anderson Valley…but first here’s this week’s Turkey Vulture (T.V.) Quiz…
1. In what region of the Valley did Boontling, the local dialect in these parts, originate?
2. The sheep population in the Valley reached its peak in which decade?
a) 1880’s b) 1920’s c) 1950’s
3.What number does our very own Anderson Valley Grange have? – It’s up there in big numbers on the sign beside the road that so many of you pass every day!
Good luck – answers at the end of the column…

O.K. then, now on to a little Jive Turkey for you to enjoy and share with friends…Did you know that we Turkey Vultures are the only scavenger birds that can’t kill our prey – we’re not murderers! A close inspection of our feet would remind you more of a chicken rather than a hawk or eagle. Those guys use their feet to rip into their prey in a most tasteless way whereas we more civilized Vultures have very powerful beaks to do this - we can even tear through the toughest cow hide. We then feed in a quite dignified way by thrusting our heads into the body cavity of the dead animal. That’s why we have bald heads – bits of carrion do not adhere to the skin as they would to the feathers of one of those other guys….I just thought you should now this stuff…

I was honored to be invited to the wedding of Scott Pratt, son of Carroll and sometimes of Philo, and Grace Ouida, held in the beautiful gardens of The Boonville Hotel last Saturday. Well, I wasn’t exactly invited so much as I was there because I’ve decided to be The Valley’s self-appointed “Wedding Crasher”…Anyway, I was there and it was a wonderful affair. The service by Minister Patty Liddy was unique – both funny and moving, quite a few tears were shed, unlike at so many of these events where the service is long and boring and merely a dull prelude to the food and drink - speaking of which, you’ll be pleased to know, I thoroughly enjoyed…
To the accompaniment of the delightful music of Boonville’s own Michael and Leslie Hubbert, the delicious Roederer Brut Rose sparkling wine, (certainly my Wine of the Week) from just a few miles away along Hwy 128, was served in abundance and paired with some very tasty hors d’ouevres…“Champagne” is always a good move at a wedding, I say, certainly if judged by the frivolity exhibited by the guests during the ensuing dinner and into the night, particularly the very pretty Japanese lady from Los Angleles who at one point flirtatiously suggested that we…(continued on page 74)…
But I digress...Dinner was served buffet-style at a couple of different server stations in the garden and once again, unlike most Pot Lucks I have attended of late (as regular readers will be aware), there was plenty for all. This, despite my uncontrollable greed when it came to the jumbo shrimps and lamb, served on skewers on a plate (I must say, this is so much easier than having to shove your beak inside the sheep’s dead body, although obviously not nearly as much fun)…
The couple looked very much in love, the guest (from all over – South Korea, Japan, New York, L.A., even Philo) had a marvelous time I’m sure and the whole event was a great success. Johnnie and the Gang at the Hotel did a marvelous job and you can be sure I’ll be crashing as many of these as possible in the future…

Whine of the Week – surely, even for enophiles (wine lovers) like myself, there are just too many new vines being planted in the Valley at this time. I’m not one to wish ill on anyone (almost) but if some of these wineries fail as successful businesses would it not be for the greater good?...
Things People Say and Do - #31…If somebody shouts something out when they are in a crowd, and it is intended to be funny (although it often isn’t), why are they almost always the one who laughs the loudest? I think we should be told…

The first real rains of the fall are almost upon us and the winding roads of our Valley and beyond will be slick and tricky - so be careful out there and try to stay out of the ditches, think good thoughts, and may your god go with you…Now I must go, but first - let us prey…
Humbly yours…Turkey Vulture (hopefully the next Mayor of A.V. – “You know it makes sense”)…..
You can contact me with words of support/abuse either through the Letters Page or by e-mail at…turkeyvulture1@earthlink.net
Quiz Answers…
1. Boontling originated in The Bell Valley region, east of what is now Boonville, a few miles along and up on Hwy 253…
2. There has never been as many sheep in The Valley as there was in the 1920’s – a time when men were men and sheep were lying little bastards…
3. Our Grange number is #669…and, because he deserves a mention for all his efforts, the Grange Master is non-other than David “listen to my wisdom” Norfleet...