# 120 - July 23rd, 2008

Greetings one and all, and welcome to the next few minutes of your life. Are you sitting comfortably? – then I’ll begin…I promised you a Valley Quiz this week so let’s get right on it…Answers at the end…
1. Following a card game played over one hundred years ago, the winner got to name the local town after himself and the loser became its postmaster – which early Valley dwellers am I talking about?
2. In which year was the Valley’s first sparkling wine released by Roederer of France? a) 1982 b) 1985 c) 1988
3. The not-yet-released movie “Pig Hunt” was made here in the Valley and its environs in the summer of 2007. Which local “actor” makes his film debut in this film?
What a lovely event! I’m referring to the wedding I attended last Sunday afternoon at The Boonville Hotel – the one that saw Beverly Bennett and Monika Fuchs, both of Philo Pottery Inn ‘fame’, finally tying the knot after 26 years of being together. Hummingbird was the officiant/minister at what I believe was the first-ever legally sanctioned gay/lesbian/same-sex public wedding service in The Valley and she produced a very special and unique service for the happy couple - it was certainly a case of handkerchiefs at the ready! Best wishes to the happy couple for much love, good health, and happiness together...Oh, and before I forget, the music provided by Mitchell Holman, Pilar Duran and two others (my apologies, I did not get names) fitted the event perfectly, the flowers by Audrey were beautiful, and the food was exceptionally good too, particularly the chicken and shitakke mushroom kebabs and the really top class gazpacho (diced style) – great job, Johnnie Schmitt and the Crew!...
Wedding quote #1: Guest to Monica - “Thanks on behalf of several people for providing non-alcoholic drinks, especially this Crystal Geyser mineral water”…
Wedding quote #2: Different Guest to Monica (seconds later) - “Thanks on behalf of the vast majority here for providing the alcoholic drinks, especially this delicious Scharffenberger sparkling wine” – I felt someone had to put things in proper perspective…
Aagghh! Bad news – the annual Mendocino Woolgrowers Fair, featuring all-things wool, a Bar-b-queue or lamb-bake, and the Sheep Dog Trial has been cancelled! It was due to take place at The Fairgrounds in Boonville this weekend (Sunday, July 27th) but due to the on-going use of that facility for the fire-fighting teams, and the organizers having to plan ahead, they decided they had no choice but to cancel – even though at this point the venue is almost ready for normal use once again. What a shame – it’s a wonderful event and I had been very pleased to hear it was going ahead following talk over the past couple of years of its demise. Let’s hope it will return next year – “The Woolgrowers” is one of those events that make The Valley special…
At least you can cheer yourselves up by going to this weekend’s Barn Sale – on both Saturday and Sunday (26th and 27th) from 9am to 4pm. I’ll be there for the bargains and Bill’s Burgers, and a little bird told me that The Wise Shepherd of Yorkville and The Eager Shepherd of Navarro, and of course their numerous dogs, might be putting on a dog training/sheep herding display in The Field alongside the Barn on Sunday afternoon…
Public Service Announcement #133: The Vets from the Mendocino Animal Hospital in Ukiah will be at Digg Landscape and Garden Supplies (formerly The A.V. Farm Supply) just north of Philo on the last Thursday of the month – the 31st. I strongly advise you to take advantage of this wonderful service, particularly as they will not be making their usual monthly visit in August…
More fascinating insights from the pen of “Confused of Comptche”…”Dear T.V., I have been confused for some time as to why people think physicist and observer of the universe, Stephen Hawking, is so clever. After all, when you ask him a question and he is typing in the answer on his little screen attached to his wheelchair, how do we know he isn't just looking up the answer on the Internet?”…You really might have something there, Confused – I’ll see what I can find out about this possible fraudster…
Can you have too much of a good thing? Surely not if it’s a good band, excellent food off the grill, and stimulating company – which is exactly what I enjoyed once again at The Navarro Store last Saturday night. Accompanied by Hummingbird and The Redwood Valley Robin, I spent a great evening listening to the blues/rock sounds of The Black Horse Blues Band, eating rib plates, slurping down cool Pacifico beer, and watching some “bad-ass craziness” on the dance floor. This “display” was led by the slick hand-jiving moves of Navarro Tommy, the sweat-inducing gyrations of Cathy Hulbert, the cheerleader-like gymnastics of “Young” George Gowan, the hip-hop moves of a six year old boy, the indescribable yet rhythmic maneuvers of Stringbean, two hippie girls with rhythm and lovely belly buttons, and a dancing dog. End result - a great time was had by all…Is this the Valley’s most entertaining night out? That’s a subjective topic and I couldn’t possibly comment…but I think you’re getting my drift…p.s. this coming Saturday (July 26th), The Store hosts an ‘Open Mic’ night - this may or may not be your ‘thing’ – it’s not mine, but I’m sure many others will be there with singing voices ready to go and/or instruments tuned. Enjoy!...
Well, that’s all for now…Be careful out there; remember to keep your windows cracked if you have pets in your vehicle; think good thoughts, try to enjoy life despite the fact that living sometimes gets in the way, and may your god go with you…Oh, and of course, one final request, “Let us prey”…Humbly yours, Turkey Vulture…
You can contact me with words of support/abuse by e-mail at
turkeyvulture1 @ earthlink.net
Quiz Answers…
1. Richard York named Yorkville and E.M. Hiatt became postmaster…
2. 1988 saw the first “Champagne” from these parts…
3. Vince “Vinnie” Ballew of Boonville can be seen in the film – according to A.V.A.Supremo Bruce Anderson, Vinnie is one of the best parts of the movie!