# 104 - April 2nd, 2008

Greetings one and all…I hope I find you all well and not too bogged down with Spring cleaning, grass cutting, pruning, etc. The Valley is looking well wouldn’t you say? Apart from those ridiculously big earth movers on Hwy 128 by the Anderson Valley Way exit #3 – know where that is?...Anyway, let’s get started with the Turkey Vulture Quiz…
1. Which Valley resident is a former member of the famous singing group, The Andrews Sisters?
2. The current owners of the Lazy Creek Vineyards are Josh and Mary Beth Chandler but who were the previous owners who produced such wonderful wines for many years?

3. What significant role did Harwood J. June play in Valley life from 1927 until 1952?

Let’s move right into The Wine of the Week…On Saturday night, following a “good drink” of Guinness and very fine tri-tip dinner, I was the happy recipient of a dessert consisting of a slice of homemade Rocky Road brownie cake for with marshmallows on top. Beer was no longer the drink of choice at that point in the proceedings and I was given a glass of Port from the Meyer Family Cellars in Yorkville (alongside Hwy 128 about 4 miles south of Boonville). Now in the past I have been accused of overusing the term “orgasmic” to describe my Wine of the Week but on this occasion I don’t have to. As Hummingbird experienced the flavors, bouquet, and textures of the port and brownie in her mouth, she uttered the words, “oh, what perfect chemistry!” You couldn’t argue with that although she looked quite “orgasmic” to me I have to say. Treat yourselves to this delicious pairing, you will not be disappointed - I guarantee it…

The Whine of the Week comes about as a result of The Nest being situated about a mile or so away from the nearest winery and that is apparently not nearly far enough! Over this past weekend we experienced three successive nights of temperatures below freezing and when this occurs, particularly at this time of year with the vines budding, the wineries choose to turn on their giant fans that blast air across the vines and prevent the frost from damaging the vines. The noise these fans make mean it’s like living under The Bay Bridge with a constant loud hum/whirring continuing through the night. Those who live closer to the vines than we do can probably not hear themselves think! For someone who loves a glass or two of the red nectar this may sound a little hypocritical, and it is! But if I was someone who doesn’t drink I’d be most upset at this selfish behavior by the wineries from which there is no hiding. It doesn’t seem right. I have no answer, but in the meantime I’ll have a glass of Pinot and give it some more thought…Now if I were the Mayor of Anderson Valley I’d start by…(continued on page 74)

On Sunday morning I flew into Boonville to make my usual appearance at The Barn Sale, held on the last weekend of each month at the Big Barn next to the rectory for St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church alongside Hwy 128 just north of town. As usual Eva and Bill Holcomb were hosting, long with Gloria and Jim Ross, and together they provided a cozy gathering place as a haven for the bargain hunters on a bitterly cold, yet sunny, morning. Apart from the vast array of items for sale there was also entertainment! Yes folks, one of the local shepherds was training his dogs on the flock of Navajo-Churro sheep in the field alongside the Barn. He had five dogs working at various times and they seemed to be doing very well in herding the skittish sheep. He told me that the sheep were not easy to deal with but it was a decent performance by the dogs and, after an hour or so, he used a football score reference to declare the Shepherd and Dogs victors over the Sheep by 28-21 – sounded like a good game to me!…It had been a perfect Valley scene – a sunny sky, beautiful views of the hillsides in every direction, sheep dogs and sheep in a centuries old battle of wills, the warm and welcoming scene at The Barn Sale, and those delicious Holcomb Burgers sizzling on the grill!...

However, despite being extremely tempted, on this occasion I was saving my appetite for Brunch at The Boonville Lodge Bar and Grill and resisted Bill’s Burgers. Not to take anything away from the Barn Sale Burgers (as I’ve said many times, they are very good) but I made an excellent decision. The Lodge Corned Beef Hash and Eggs, with fresh real corned beef and prime rib, is undoubtedly one of the best breakfasts anywhere! Cooked up by owner Tom Towey and his crew, it compares with anything available for Brunch out on the Coast or, dare I say it, even in San Francisco. I’ve done ‘em all – Mendocino Hotel, Little River Inn, The Palace Hotel in S.F., The Top of The Mark in S.F., etc., - and I stand by this sweeping statement…Well I would if I could but having stuffed myself with this excellent meal only about an hour ago I cannot actually stand at all at this moment but hopefully you get my point!

There’s been too much food and drink talk this week perhaps, and now I’ve run out of space. Oh, well, next week I’ll try to discuss matters of concern other than food and drink - there must be something I can think of...Anyway, it’s time to go, so…Be careful out there, stay out of the ditches, think good thoughts, and may your god go with you…Oh, and of course, one last thing, “Let us prey”…

Humbly yours, Turkey Vulture…

You can contact me with words of support/abuse by e-mail at

Quiz Answers…

1. Joyce DeYoung, not an actual Andrews sister, joined the group in the sixties when one of the Sisters became ill. She is a regular “member” of the “Airport Crowd” here in The Valley and is T.V pioneer Ross Murray’s better half!

2. Lazy Creek Vineyards were previously owned by Johann and Theresia Kobler and a finer Gewürztraminer I have yet to find!

3. He was Judge June – the Valley’s Justice of the Peace / Judge.