# 123 - August 13th, 2008

Greetings one and all…Are you sitting comfortably?...Then I shall begin…Let’s get straight into The Valley Quiz… Answers at the end…
1. The sixties S.F. band, “It’s a Beautiful Day” were one of the first to surface during the ‘Summer of Love’ in 1967 and later had a big hit with the song “White Bird” – you hear it quite often on The Coast radio station (as you do most songs on that station’s play list). Anyway, which local musician was a founder member of the band?...
2. Who is the Social Studies teacher at the High School? Who teaches Farming and Agriculture?
3. Carroll Pratt, inventor of the “Laugh Track” and all-round film sound pioneer, now has what many in The Valley would consider an even more important role. What might that be?
No “Wine of the Week” this time – mainly because over the past few days I’ve been guzzling down lashings of beer instead of wine but that does not mean we can’t have a ‘Whine of the Week’ does it?…Actually it’s an old Whine that I haven’t mentioned for many moons, or should that be moans?...As the summer continues, here in The Valley it is inevitably accompanied by the increase in tourist traffic, specifically the unbelievably bad drivers at the wheel of many of the R.V.s trundling slowly along Hwy. 128. Have they any idea about California Vehicle Code 21656? The one that simply states, “Slower vehicles must pull over to permit passing”. There are signs on which this is emblazoned throughout the county and particularly on Highway 128. Is it so difficult to understand? Not only that, but there are hundreds of turnouts in which to abide by the law. Why do so many people refuse to do so as they coast along at 35mph whilst many of us are striving to get to and from work at a legal 55mph? It’s not always the R.V drivers either. Quite often it seems to be a gentleman in his sixties with a female companion thirty years younger in the passenger seat of his sports car and there’s no way this “playboy” is going to let someone pass. In my humble opinion not only is he breaking the rules of the road but his “relationship” should be illegal too – but I digress!...Do you think that this lack of courtesy on the roads has anything to do with the size of many men’s penises?...I couldn’t possibly comment…
Let’s follow this rant than with an appropriate ‘Quote of the Week’ - from Napoleon Bonaparte of France…”When people cease to complain, they cease to think” – a wise man indeed…
Speaking of complaining, following my “Best Sandwich Award” of a couple of weeks ago, Bob the Buzzard complained that I had got it wrong and said he would prove it so. Well, this week he backed up his “promise” – sort of. He presented me with what he had claimed is a better Roast Beef sandwich than the one available at Lemons Market deli in Philo - the one that won my recent award. Bob’s sandwich came from the A.V. Market in Boonville and I have to say it was superb. A great sandwich made with succulent roast beef on a fresh sour dough roll. However, Bob broke the rules. He craftily added delicious horseradish jack cheese and a small but zesty amount of spicy Mendocino Mustard – “fancy” ingredients that, in the interests of “competing on a level playing field” were not allowed in the original competition. Nevertheless, I thank him for the lovely gesture and willingly acknowledge his sandwich wisdom - perhaps his determination to prove me wrong will result in my re-assessment of the guidelines for next year’s competition…Meanwhile, lucky Valley readers, I humbly suggest that you support your local deli – you will not be disappointed…
I’m never disappointed when there is a Lions Club tri-tip bar-b-q to attend and the latest was at The Fairgrounds in Boonville on Sunday to benefit the Anderson Valley Ambulance service…I must admit to being a little concerned on my arrival when I saw that Olie “Master of the Tri-Tip” Erickson was not at the grill. I needn’t have worried. With Justin Clark at the helm and Danny Kuny doing the carving, the meat was perfect and as tasty as ever. Christine Clark and her crew of volunteers did a marvelous job as usual and it was a joy to see so many familiar faces at this wonderful event. However, I have to say it seemed a smaller turnout than usual – but then Valley folk have been asked to support a lot of good causes this year and perhaps they are finally reaching the bottom of their financial barrels…Unlike at the Crab Feed, The St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, and The Variety Show, I was not the last to leave on this occasion but it was certainly close. Besides, along with the Ohio Owl, I was asked to help with the clearing up of the dessert table and who am I to refuse a request from The Lions Club?...
I think I’ve shared enough for now…Enjoy the sunshine, be careful out there, remember to keep your windows cracked if you have pets in your vehicle, try to enjoy life despite the fact that living sometimes gets in the way, think good thoughts, 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. Mitchell Holman, who was the band’s bass player from 1967 to 1974, when the group disbanded…
2. Julie Honegger teaches Social Studies while Beth Swehla is in charge of the F.F.A. and Ag. Department – and from what I know both of them are doing a fine job in preparing the students for life in the “real world” – where sometimes you hear the word “No”!
3. Carroll’s current important role in The Valley is that of co-owner, with Tom Towey, of the “new” Boonville Lodge Bar & Grill…
P.s. “Hi, Silver Swan and Duck Lips – have a drink for me!”