# 171 - August 19th, 2009

Greetings one and all – and my apologies for the absence of a ‘Bird’s Eye View’ column last week. Many of you have written to me wondering why and expressing concern. I was touched. I did send in an apology and explanation to the paper but the Powers-that-Be at the A.V.A. decided not print it - a critical mistake that one hopes will not haunt them. Anyway, I am back, so if you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin...
I was saddened to hear of the passing of long-time Valley resident and (amongst many other things) the recent former senior bus driver, Dick Sand last weekend. Always ready with an off-color joke and an insistence on sharing his forthright beliefs, which were not always well received or agreeable; not to mention a gift of the gab that was hard to reign in on occasion, to some people Dick was a difficult man to deal with. That’s fine and understandable. However, in the relatively short time I have known him, I found him to be very pleasant and a decent man in many ways. He was very polite and warm towards me and always remembered and used my name when speaking to me – not a common enough courtesy these days I must say. He was never the same following the passing of his wife in 2006. His depression was obvious to all and I believe that now he’ll be much happier alongside his beloved Lovella... R.I.P. Dick – and I advise you not to tell 'The Big Man up there' the one about the Pastor and the prostitute...
As has been the recent custom let’s begin with some Public Service Announcements (P.S.A.’s) – we have quite a few this week... #129: The monthly I.C.W. (Independent Career Women) meeting takes place next Wednesday (Aug 26th) and once again I shall be unable to attend. My apologies to one and all... Talking of apologies (and it seems to be a popular subject this week) I must offer one for my error in a recent column wherein I thanked the BBQ guys for their work at the Lions’ Club Tri-Tip event to benefit the A.V. Ambulance. I was mistaken in my belief that Christine Clarke’s son, Justin, one of the BBQ grill masters, had the same name as her because I had heard him called Justin Clarke on many occasions. He is actually Justin Reilly. I apologize for my error and can only hope that my meat portion at the next BBQ will not be affected!... But I digress...
P.S.A. #130: I am indebted to Sue Davies of Philo for informing us that tomorrow (Aug 20th) at 5 p.m. at the Boonville Live Oak building, the Anderson Valley Lyme Support Group will host a talk by a lyme literate doctor. Dr. Neil Nathan will speak on the complexities of lyme diagnosis and it's treatments. Discussion and questions will follow. The public is welcome to this free event... #131: The monthly Dance Groove returns to The Grange on Hwy 128 on Friday (Aug 21st) evening, starting at 7pm. With D.J. Pete on the turntables and a crowd of ‘Groovers’ prepared to let it all hang out, it’s a guaranteed fun night and these days it’s just about the only regular dance night happening in the Valley. (Meanwhile, what about an adults only event sometime?)... #132: The annual A.V.H.S. Soccer Alumni Game will take place on Saturday (Aug 22nd) at Tom Smith Field behind the school at 1pm. The High School has won the past two matches against their bigger and stronger opponents so the Alumni will no doubt be ready for revenge in what is always a very hard fought game... #133: Lauren’s Restaurant in Boonville is displaying the unique and terrific art, photographs, and wire sculptures of Rene Auberjonois, the Valley’s well-renowned actor of stage, screen, and television. This will continue to run through Labor Day weekend and is certainly one of those ‘must-see’ events we get around here once in a while...
With the mere mention of 'art' clearly the cultural level of this column been raised significantly. Let's keep it up for a medley of 'Quotes of the Week.' First it’s the rather curmudgeonly view of pop-artist Andy Warhol who said, “An artist is somebody who produces things that people don’t need to have.” Then we have a more profound point of view from playwright Henry Miller, who opined, “Art teaches nothing, except the significance of life”...And to finish let’s have my own personal words of wisdom on this topic – “I know art but I don’t know what I like” - I guess that means we are now back down to the usual standards again, eh?
I was very pleased to be able to attend the 25th Wedding Anniversary of High School Principal J.R. Collins and wife Jeanne at their home on Holmes Ranch last weekend. A good crowd of over a hundred was in attendance and when I left it was clear a good time was being had by all... Hummingbird and I then drove into Boonville where a different gathering had assembled for the ‘Farewell Party’ for Cassidy Hollinger as she departs this week for Vassar College in New York State for her ‘freshwoman’ year. It was a wonderful event and I am very confident that Cass will knock ‘em dead back east and go from being a big fish in our small pond to being a big one in a very large pond.
The A.V.H.S. Booster Club’s Spaghetti Feed was held last Sunday evening at the Apple Hall in Boonville. This was specifically to benefit the Football, Volleyball, and Soccer programs at the school and a great turnout ensured the event was a big success. So much so that they sold out and the final meal served was hardly a ‘Feed’ at all – a light snack more like! That’s o.k. though – it was mine and some might say I had eaten more than my fair share at the previous two events. They might even be right...
Well now I think it’s time to take my leave... Be careful out there, stay out of the ditches; think good thoughts, and, with the hot weather now with us, please remember to keep your windows cracked if you have pets in your vehicle... May your god go with you… Oh, and of course, one final request, “Let us prey”… Humbly yours, Turkey Vulture…
p.s. You can contact me with words of support/abuse by e-mail at turkeyvulture1 @ earthlink.net