# 175 - September 16th, 2009

Greetings one and all - if you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin... And let’s move right into some topics under discussion this week at The Three-Dot Lounge - my favorite gathering place in the Valley at a location known only to ‘those in the know’...
... Let’s start with some intriguing questions that were raised about this weekend’s County Fair... Will the attendance be an increase on last year’s disappointing numbers?... Will the infamous “Large-breasted Boonville Flasher’ once again expose herself to Sheriff Tom Allman as he rides in the Parade?... Will the A.V. Brewery’s Supreme Leader, Ken Allen, jump to the front of the line upon his arrival at the Sam Prather Dinner on Saturday night?... Will the Varsity Football team put a ‘big hurt’ on Laytonville in The Apple Bowl?... Will there be any sheep wounded at the Sheep Dog Trial?... Will Pickles the Clown scare any small children?... Will any teenage girls run off with a Carny?... Will the corn dogs be as good and as unhealthy as ever?... Will I win the Carrion-Eating Contest for the fifth year in succession?... All this, and possibly more, will be revealed at The Mendocino County Fair and Apple Show this coming weekend, September 18th – 20th...
...A betting pool has started amongst regulars at The Three-Dot to see who can correctly guess the number of tourists in the month of September whom I spot pulled off on to the shoulder of Hwy 128 between Boonville and Navarro feverishly picking raspberries as I fly up and down the Valley. Bonus points are available to those who also guess the number who are in a thicket of poison oak as they unsuspectingly gather their ‘amazing’ find...
And that leads very nicely into the Quote of the Week, this time from the brilliant mind of Irish playwright and socialist, George Bernard Shaw. Incidentally he is the only person to win both a Nobel Prize (for Literature in 1925) and an Oscar (Best Screenplay in 1938 for ‘Pygmalion,’ later ‘My Fair Lady’) – now you know and can impress friends! But I digress - G.B.S. wisely noted, “Gambling promises the poor what property performs for the rich – something for nothing.” Meanwhile, with two weeks to go, it’s 11 raspberry pickers, of which 4 were in poison oak...
Public Service Announcements…#73 – I’ve already mentioned the County Fair taking place this coming weekend, however, I would like to remind some of you, particularly the younger generation, that it is not all about the carnival rides and looking cool with your date – important though such pastimes certainly are. Try to also check out the various display halls of arts, crafts, agriculture, etc, along with the impressive livestock corrals, the traditional rodeo, and the always-exciting sheep dog trials. This Fair is a really unique event and one of a dying breed, so why not broaden your horizons and enjoy everything ‘The Best Little Fair in the West’ has to offer? In my humble opinion, that would be cool too... #74 – Despite the Fair, I have been assured by the lovely Dance Groovette, Jennifer, that this Friday (9/18) will also see the monthly Dance Groove at The Grange on Hwy 128. It starts at 7.30pm and for those wishing to ‘get their Grange Groove on’ with D.J. Pete and get away from the heaving mass of fair go’ers, it’s the perfect scene... #75 – The final event in the Summer Live Music series at The Navarro Store takes place on Saturday night (9/19) with an appearance by the Hansen and Raitt Band. If you are looking for an evening among the redwoods, away from the big crowds, with some excellent music, food, and drink, I can’t think of a better place to be this weekend...
Well, now I think it’s time to take my leave and work on my carrion guzzling technique for the Fair... Be careful out there, stay out of the ditches; think good thoughts, and, with the hot weather still 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