# 232 - October 27th, 2010

Greetings one and all - if you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin... Well, has it been wet enough for you? The ‘experts’ in the world of weather forecasting grossly underestimated this past weekend’s rain, which for long periods of time was torrential. I don’t know why they bother – I just ask Dave Gowan at the A.V. Farm Supply just outside Philo and time after time he is invariably spot-on with his predictions of what, when, and how much. Hopefully the Weather Channel will get in touch with him next time...
With this in mind, for your Quote of the Week how about a few words from the American author, poet, and philosopher, Ralph Waldo Emerson who wisely observed, “The good rain, like a bad preacher, does not know when to leave off.”
Unfortunately this recent storm certainly affected the turnout at the South West Dinner that was held on Saturday evening at the Apple Hall in Boonville to benefit the Senior Center. They were hoping for close to 150 but, when that weather system arrived, estimates went down to about 100 and in the end, with the Giants playing at the same time, the actually attendance was about 70. Nevertheless, those in attendance no doubt thoroughly enjoyed the fine dinner prepared and presented by Chef Natalie Matson and excellent helpers Sherri Hansen and Gloria Abbott of the Sr. Center along with the Lions Club tri-tip crew of Justin Clark, Bill Harper, and Judy Long. With the music of Billy and Sheila’s Okie Hoedown and their friends and the presence of many volunteers helping out at the door, on the bar, with serving the dinners, with the sale of raffle tickets, in the set-up and decorating, and the end-of-night clean-up, it was a real community gathering for what is most definitely a Senior Center that is an important part of this community. Most of all thanks to the Seniors – without you there’d be no Senior Center!(?). Great job everyone; oh, and thanks for the bargain priced tri-tip to go!...
Speaking of the Giants, I was a season ticket holder for many, many years at Candlestick Park when they played there before moving to Pac Bell Park (now A.T. &T Park) in 2000; in fact my first season ticket was bought for what turned out to be the 100-loss performance of 1985 that led in to the ‘Humm Baby’ years of Roger Craig’s managership that saw quite a few successful seasons for Los Gigantes. However, since being in the Valley my conversations with people about the Giants have been few and far between. Until very recently that is. It seems that everyone is suddenly a big fan now that they are heading for the World Series and people are talking about not being able to do this or that because the Giants are playing. I can understand that, after all we live in a society where being, or following, a ‘winner’ is viewed by many as the only way to be and there are “no second placed winners.” Therefore, this sudden outbreak of ‘Giants Fever’, whilst quite puzzling to some I have spoken to, is just the beginning and the Orange and Black will become even more visible as we all hope that in the next couple of weeks they go on to win their first ‘World Championship’ since moving out West back in 1958 from New York. Then we can wait in anticipation for the 49er Faithful to suddenly burst forth out of their hiding places when the Niners emerge from their own years in the wilderness...
Public Service Announcements… #323 – I urge you to fill out and return the postage paid Lyme Disease Survey that you hopefully received in your mail in the past week. It is important to have the numbers if grants are to be made to our Health Center to make sure it remains on the cutting edge of tick borne diagnosis and treatment. If someone needs a survey then call Maureen Bowman at 621-2280... #324 - It’s that time of year again – yes, The Magic Company’s Halloween Party at The Grange is the happening this weekend. This year they invite you to join them aboard The Voodoo Queen at it sets sail on Saturday, October 30th at 7pm... #325 – The Vets from the Mendocino Animal Hospital are coming to the Farm Supply in the Valley three times next month. Their first visit is on Thursday Nov 4th when Dr. Burns will be in town. They will also be here on the following two Thursdays – Nov 11th (Dr. Bennett) and Nov 18th (Dr. Burns)... #326 – A very special event will take place on Sunday, November 7th at the Evergreen Cemetery on A.V. Way just north of Boonville. It’s in observance of Veterans Day and will start at 10.30am. Everyone is encouraged to attend as the American Legion and friends plan to commemorate and thank those who have served and hopefully this important event will be well supported... #327 – I would like to announce that one day there will be a major Valley event that does not serve tri-tip, and instead serves beef or pork ribs, or chicken, or even some lamb. Imagine that! I do like tri-tip, and the Lions Club do a wonderful job with it (albeit it too salty for some I know) but in talking to many of you on my travels, people are wondering if they are going to continue to have tri-tip at every Valley gathering all summer long, every year. Meanwhile, I should use this announcement to dispel the vicious rumor that tri-tip will be served at the Valley’s two crab feeds early next year!
Oh, dear, have I upset somebody? Surely not? O.K., I’ll get my coat and leave... Be careful out there; stay out of the ditches; think good thoughts; and may your god go with you… Oh, and of course, one final request, “Let us prey”… Poking and stroking egos wherever necessary and, as always, humbly yours, Turkey Vulture...
p.s. Keep the Faith...
p.p.s. You can contact me with words of support/abuse at turkeyvulture1 @ earthlink.net

# 231 - October 20th, 2010

Greetings one and all - if you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin... But only to let you know the Public Service Announcements (P.S.A.’s) and to share a little Valley story of our times…
P.S.A.’s - #134 - Saturday, Oct 23rd sees the return of The South West Dinner at The Apple Hall in Boonville to benefit the Senior Center. With a social hour starting at 6pm, featuring beer, wine, and margaritas, followed by dinner at 7pm, live music from Billy (Owens) and Sheila (Hibbs) and their ‘Okie Hoedown’, plus a raffle, it’s sure to be one of those special Valley community evenings that everyone always enjoys. (Tickets at Lemons’ Market in Philo, ‘All that Good Stuff’ in Boonville, or at the door)... #135 – The Senior Center is offering a Flu Shot Clinic for one and all on Tuesday October 26th from 5.30pm to 7.30pm. Shots are free for Seniors and very reasonably priced for the rest. It’s that time of year approaching – don’t be messing with your health! (Call 895-3609 for further details)...
As I flew over Boonville on Saturday afternoon, I could not help but spot two attractive female tourists in their mid-thirties, teetering around in summer dresses and high heels on the uneven sidewalk outside Lauren’s Restaurant. As I landed nearby, heading for the A.V. Market, one of them immediately began to talk to me. “Hi,” she slurred, “Do you know how far Hendy Woods is from here?”... “Sure,” I answered, realizing immediately that they were quite tipsy, “It’s about fifteen minutes drive north of here. Are you planning to walk around there?”... “Well, we’d like to,” said the other one, as she almost slipped and fell, “Is it an easy walk?”... “Hmm, it isn’t bad at all, but maybe not in those shoes” I observed, unable to refrain from a comment... “That’s o.k.,” she giggled. “We have walking shoes for that - these heels are just for wine drinking and the bedroom!” They both burst out laughing... I nodded approvingly as I walked towards the store, adding “Oh, very nice. Well, I hope you have a good time, wherever you are and whatever you do”... “Oh we will,” said the first one, “Thanks for your help - we love it here, everyone is so friendly.” And with that they began to cross the road without looking, forcing an oncoming car to break very abruptly. They didn’t seem to notice and were oblivious as I, like some perverted bird of prey, surreptitiously watched them climb awkwardly, skirts rising high, into the back of a shiny Land Cruiser parked outside Rossi’s Hardware with two men sitting in the front seats. (Any hot-blooded Vulture would have done the same, I’m sure). Moments later, the engine roared as they peeled out, doing a u-turn across Hwy 128, and headed north. It was still only 3pm and I can only imagine what the rest of the day, and night, held in store for them...
Well now I think it’s time to take my leave. Besides, I have to see a man about a sheep... Please remember to keep your windows cracked if you have pets in your vehicle... Otherwise, be careful out there; stay out of the ditches; think good thoughts; and may your god go with you… Oh, and of course, one final request, “Let us prey”… Poking and stroking egos wherever necessary and, as always, humbly yours, Turkey Vulture...
p.s. Keep the Faith...
p.p.s. You can contact me with words of support/abuse by e-mail at turkeyvulture1 @ earthlink.net

# 230 - October 13th, 2010

Greetings one and all - if you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin... “The Valley’s Most Senior Senior” – an update... Several people have been in touch with regards to the recent discussion in this column about the oldest resident in the Valley. They have suggested other candidates for the list but following further investigations and input from another Valley sleuth, Yorkville’s Master Shepherd, nothing has changed and the Top Five remain the same. Here it is one more time - The oldest Valley resident is Walter ‘Shine’ Tuttle, who was born in May 1915 and that makes him 95. In 2nd place it's Harold Perry, who was born in November 1916, making him almost 94, five months older than the 3rd placed Austin Hulbert, born in April 1917 and now 93... In 4th, it's Freda Fox who is 92 and therefore the Valley’s oldest woman, while in 5th it is Ross Murray, who recently turned 92 years young...
Public Service Announcements… Coming soon, at 6pm on Saturday, October 23rd at the Apple hall in Boonville, it’s the return of The South West Dinner to benefit the Senior Center... Meanwhile, before then, the Vets from the Mendocino Animal Hospital are back in town tomorrow, Thursday Oct 14th at the A.V. Farm Supply from 2pm... Then we have a busy weekend, so here we go... On Saturday morning the 16th there is the Boonville Farmer’s Market in the parking lot at The Hotel in Boonville from 9.30am to noon BUT at Lemons’ Market in Philo, Pat Hulbert’s much-anticipated Bake Sale to benefit the Philo Methodist Church has been cancelled due to her recent successful knee surgery – hope to see you up and running around soon, Pat; besides, we’re missing the pies!... Also on Saturday it’s Dusty Rhodes and Her Handsome Cowboys performing at 9pm at Lauren’s in Boonville... On Sunday Oct 17th, at The Toll House on Hwy 253 from 3pm to 7pm, there is a community benefit with live music, Johnny Schmitt preparing the food, and tours of the new Bell Valley Farm. Call 895-2572 for details... And all weekend, from 11am to 4pm each day, there are wagon rides and pumpkin-picking at Gowans’ Oak Tree on Hwy 128 a couple of miles north of Philo... Finally, all next week, 16th-24th, it’s our local public radio station’s pledge drive, for which you can volunteer and earn membership of KZYX &Z. Call 895-2324 for more info...
Last Saturday afternoon, with blue skies above and many beautiful views below, I made one of my regular flights up and down the Valley. My first stop was at the A.V. Museum in the Little Red Schoolhouse. There, I thoroughly enjoyed chatting with the docents on duty – John and Linda Hulbert – two very pleasantly hospitable people indeed. They certainly know their Valley ‘stuff’ too, both having lived here their entire lives, close to seventy years. However, when I mentioned the Hanes/Crispin feud that culminated in 1922 with a shootout near to the Hanes Ranch, Linda (born Crispin) pointed out that there were two sides to that story and that all would be revealed at some point in the not too distant future. I for one am looking forward to that... I flew on towards town and noticed that the ‘amateur’ shepherd with one of his dogs was working the sheep in the field behind the Barn Sale building. I zoomed down to watch him and his Border collie, Beth, doing a fine job moving the flock around. He told me that he had lost two sheep in the past three weeks to causes unknown, although with the many sharply contrasting temperatures we’ve had this summer it is felt among shepherds around here that pneumonia would be the most likely cause. Meanwhile, he wanted me to pass on his gratitude to my Turkey Vulture cousins for ‘taking care’ of the remains of the two deceased sheep as only they can. It's their pleasure, I'm sure
I continued into Boonville and noticed quite a gathering in and around the ‘Laughing Dog’ bookstore. Hopefully some of them were buying books... I continued down the road and it appeared that the new Mexican restaurant, ‘Yurri’s’, next to The Boonville Saloon, had already been decorated for Halloween - strange but true... I flew a little further south to the ‘Rookie-To’ arts, crafts, clothes, and jewelry shop to get a little something for Hummingbird’s birthday. This store is a bit of a hidden secret for many Valley folks but if someone special is having a birthday they have quite a selection of ‘quality’ items, many of which are quite unique and it might just save you that trip over the hill to Ukiah... From there I flew down the street to get a card from ‘All that Good Stuff.’ The store certainly has a wide choice but when you have to listen to the incessant loud giggling and general unruliness of three unattended children it is not a pleasant experience. This went on for about fifteen minutes and merely confirmed to me that the Wise Owl was correct all those years ago when she stated that “little children should be seen and not heard”. I did get a good card though... The rest of Boonville was quiet in comparison but there was activity at The Buckhorn where new owner Tom Towey was working on putting in the new bar top, amongst many other projects. He informed me that they would be open sometime in early/mid-November, most likely, when not only will he be serving many of The Boonville Lodge items (classical American Grill with Pub Grub too) that he produced there, but a pizza menu will also be available – as evidenced by the new pizza ovens he proudly showed me. A pepperoni pie with a refreshing beer anyone? You betchya!...
With that in mind, for our Quote of the Week here’s a wise thought from comedian Dave Barry that you may find useful, even important, to share with others at some point as you meander across life’s rich tapestry – “Without question, the greatest invention in the history of mankind is beer. Oh, I grant you that the wheel was also a fine invention, but the wheel does not go nearly as well with pizza.'”
I’m outta here... With the warm weather still with us, please remember to keep your windows cracked if you have pets in your vehicle... Otherwise, be careful out there; stay out of the ditches; think good thoughts; and may your god go with you… Oh, and of course, one final request, “Let us prey”… Poking and stroking egos wherever necessary and, as always, humbly yours, Turkey Vulture...
p.s. Keep the Faith...
p.p.s. You can contact me with words of support/abuse at turkeyvulture1 @ earthlink.net

# 229 - October 6th, 2010

Greetings one and all - if you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin... Once again my observations of Valley life from the skies above have been a little limited this past week and therefore the column will be a little shorter than is usually the case with regards to such important stuff. Apologies for my absence to Silver Swan and my other seven fans and as for everyone else - I can almost hear the collective sigh of relief from way up here at The Nest!
With that in mind however, I should point out a couple of comments that will certainly suffice as the Quote(s) of the Week... First up it’s the Roman historian, Tacitus, who wisely observed that “Greater things are believed of those who are absent” – smart fellow that Tacitus... And it’s hard to argue with the novelist Robert Louis Stevenson when he points out “Absences are a good influence in love and keep it bright and delicate.” Yes, good readers, I can feel the love delicately brightening as I write...
Nevertheless, there is always time for a few Public Service Announcements… $167 – It’s approaching the 2nd Tuesday of the month and that means it’s almost time for Dinner and Bingo at The Senior Center. The festivities take place on Tuesday October 12th and a little bird told me that Chef Nat is preparing her special Chicken Fried Steak. Dinner is at 6pm, Bingo to follow, beer and wine all evening long!... #168 – The Vets from Mendocino Animal Hospital will be at the Farm Supply north of Philo tomorrow (Oct 7th) at 2pm. A second visit this month will be next week (Oct 14th) and I urge you to support the Farm Supply for arranging for this excellent service every month by perhaps making a purchase or two... #169 – This week’s Boonville Farmer’s Market, as always in the Hotel parking lot from 9.30am to noon on Saturday, will see Abeja Hummel sharing her new healthy recipes – yer gotta like that!... #170 – Coming up later this month, on Saturday, Oct 23rd, it’s the return of The South West Dinner at The Apple Hall in Boonville to benefit the Senior Center. Delicious food; beer, wine, and margaritas; live music; and a raffle are just some of the things that will be taking place. More details as I get them... #171 – And an early heads up that there will be a special Veterans Day of Remembrance taking place on Sunday, November 7th at the Evergreen Cemetery on A.V. Way. This has been a day that is often passed by without much mention around here but this year the American Legion and friends plan to commemorate it in a very significant way and hopefully this important event will be well supported. Again, more details to follow...
Moving quickly on to a few of the concerns and questions that were circulating amongst Valley folks as they gathered at The Three-Dot Lounge this past week - yes it’s “Moans, Groans, Good Thoughts, and Rampant Rumors” from my favorite gathering place in the Valley...
... Why were there no referees to start the high school football game on Friday night for the Homecoming match-up that finally kicked off almost two hours late and as a result didn’t finish until nearly 11pm?
... When will The Buckhorn, Boonville open? Is it true they will be having a full pizza menu to accompany the regular pub/grill menu that owner Tom Towey so expertly served up when he ran the show at The Boonville Lodge?
... Have you seen the increasingly large selection of magazines that Loretta Houck is now offering at her Laughing Dog Book store in the heart of Boonville?
... What’s that sickly sweet smell I keep detecting in and around the highways and bye-ways of the Valley?
... Is it true that there is a quasi-legal curfew on under-18’s being out on the Valley’s streets after 11pm?
... Is it legal for people to sell meat cats – yes, cats to be eaten as meat – as was advertised on KZYX & Z’s Trading Time program last Saturday morning when a caller from Comptche (Jeremiah?) was offering such ‘treats’ – “breeders and fryers”. I think we should be told.
... Why have the ‘powers-that-be’ at the Boonville Post Office decided that posters advertising Valley social events can no longer be put up there on the public notice board? We have a population spread out over many miles and the post offices provide one spot where people regularly go and can get information about such things. “Post Office Regulations” are probably going to be the only explanation we will get for someone’s display of petulance but we all know that the ‘regulations’ can be put aside in certain harmless situations and many at The 3-Dot were asking, ‘Is this just another case of someone having power without wisdom?’...
Oh, well, I’d better get my coat and leave... Meanwhile, just before I go, a couple of parting comments and salutations... With the hot weather almost with us, please remember to keep your windows cracked if you have pets in your vehicle... Otherwise, be careful out there; stay out of the ditches; think good thoughts; and may your god go with you… Oh, and of course, one final request, “Let us prey”… Poking and stroking egos wherever necessary and, as always, humbly yours, Turkey Vulture...
p.s. Keep the Faith...
p.p.s. You can contact me with words of support/abuse at turkeyvulture1 @ earthlink.net