# 150 - February 25th, 2009

Greetings one and all…Are you sitting comfortably - then I shall begin…Regarding the current rain we are getting, let’s all agree not to complain for at least a couple of weeks, or even more if necessary – even those amongst us whose truck has been stuck in the mud for over a week now. Besides, some of the rainbows have been stunning – for those who like such things. However, we are still far behind last year’s totals at this time (we’re at about 65%) and concerns about a serious drought later in the year obviously still exist – so try to grin and bare it...Meanwhile, on a personal note, I am most concerned that Joe and his normally reliable crew at Philo Post Office seem to have lost a couple of sacks of birthday cards that I was expecting to receive in the last week or so – I’m a Valentine Vulture. It’s very odd, they have always been very efficient and so the gnawing feeling will not go away that everyone, apart from Hummingbird, her Mother, my parents, and my accountant (?), simply didn’t bother this year – surely not?...
And from the subject of birthdays it’s only a small leap to the topic of birth itself. I have found that so many quotes put birth and death in the same sentence – understandably so, I suppose, given that’s all there really is apart from lots of sex and taxes in between. However, William Shakespeare’s comment has a somewhat different take and it justifiably makes the Quote of the Week...”When we are born we cry that we are come to this great stage of fools”. A little negative perhaps but I have to say it does have a certain unerring accuracy about it...
Moving along from the curmudgeonly attitude of one of history’s great wordsmiths to some thoughts from perhaps some of it’s lesser-known wise men and women– yes, it’s time for this week’s “Moans, Groans, Good Thoughts, and Rampant Rumors from The Five-Dot Lounge” – my favorite bar/restaurant in the Valley (.....5 dots – geddit?).....
- Good news circulating the Five-Dot is that Mike Langley, who does a wonderful job, along with wife Patty, on the local public radio show ‘Trading Times’ each Saturday morning, is recovering rapidly from his recent illness and the latest is that that he will be back soon, hopefully this coming weekend (Saturday 28th). The sooner the better is the general consensus amongst the many listeners I have talked to in the past week or so. Although certain stand-ins have continued the good work (Arline Bloom, Barbara Lamb, and KZYX & Z’s own Mary Aigner, all come to mind), others have been somewhat short on charm, warmth, and social/people skills (several people thought Saturday 14th was particularly poor) although their efforts are appreciated of course – hey, I wasn’t there helping out was I?...
- Another ‘complaint’ I get to hear about is with regards to restaurants. It is not the quality of the food that is in question, certainly not at the eateries in the Valley anyway, far from it in fact, rather it’s the background music that is missing. This is something that can, in a subtle way, add to the ambience and overall dining experience and will certainly drown out both the noticeably hushed whispers from neighboring tables and also the incessant and frequently loud clattering of knives and forks – just a passing thought but maybe something to think about....
- After these ‘moans and groans” how about we have a few “good thoughts”? Many of you may remember that in the past I have had several ‘clashes’ with former A.V.A. Boss David Severn but I am pleased to report that twice in the past week I have been told of his excellent work with the A.V. Volunteer Ambulance, keeping patients comfortable and taking good care of them during their ride over the hill to hospital in Ukiah. Apparently, he is far more of a Florence Nightingale than a Randolph Hearst and for that he should be heartily commended.....
- And more positive stuff.....Starr Auto in Philo has been struggling to make ends meet but the good news on the street is that owner Franz Schulte-Bisping, right-hand man Bob Maki, and the loyal crew are continuing to serve the Valley despite the difficult economic times they are enduring. Whilst they have made enforced cutbacks they still do the towing service (vital to many at this time of year), they will work on small repairs, and on Tuesdays, if you have tire needs, this would be the place to go – Chris Tompkins, of North West Tire and Oil just down the road, has a much-deserved day off so get in touch with Starr...
Meanwhile, no time/space for a Quiz this week but as I have mentioned before, if anyone would like to pose their own Valley Quiz questions feel free to e-mail them to me - the address is listed below...
Public Service Announcements - #227: The 18th Annual Variety Show will be at The Grange on Friday/Saturday, March 6th/7th – call Captain Rainbow at 895-3807 to arrange to get your act included. Time is of the essence – auditions are this weekend. Animal acts are strongly encouraged but, as I’ve said before, remember this is a family event!
I should go now – I’ve got to see a man about a sheep...Be careful out there; think good thoughts; and may your god go with you... Oh, and of course, one final request, “Let us prey”…Humbly yours, Turkey Vulture…
p.s. Continue to get better, Silver Swan – thinking of you...
You can contact me with words of support/abuse by e-mail at turkeyvulture1 @ earthlink.net…