# 255 - April 6th, 2011

Greetings one and all - if you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin... Well, the rain held off and it was a sunny albeit windy afternoon for the first Annual PawFest held at the A.V. Brewery last Saturday afternoon. A good turnout of about 120 people, plus maybe fifty very happy and well-behaved dogs, all had a wonderful afternoon during which they were able to enjoy a bbq by the A.V. Lions Club, beer from the Brewery, wine from many Valley wineries, and listen to the sounds of the Valley’s own Peanut Butter Jam Band. With some fantastic raffle prizes, a couple of interesting dog obedience displays, and splendid Paula Gray designed special edition t-shirts on sale, it was a great event. No doubt many, many dogs and cats will benefit thanks to the hard work of the organizers and volunteers along with the community’s generosity – including those businesses who contributed the raffle prizes, The Brewery for donating the wonderful venue, and of course those in attendance – Well done to all!
This week’s Quote comes with this event in mind, and with particular thoughts for the determined and effervescent Sparky, the six month old pup who was at PawFest recovering from the diabolical abuse that had left him with broken back legs and severe spinal injuries. He is now in a very caring home and is currently without the use of those legs as he moves around in a special ‘carriage’ that supports his back end. His determination and undoubted affection for his owners provides the inspiration for my choice of your Quote of the Week - “Dogs are you best friend, your partner, your defender, and they will always be happy to see you; they will be faithful and true to you to the last beat of their heart”... Sparky may have been the happiest attendee at the event and was a lesson to one and all on how to look on the bright side and work at overcoming adversity...
Public Service Announcements…# 83 – The recently postponed Barn Sale will return this weekend to The Big Barn, behind The St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church Refectory on A.V. Way just north of Boonville. It’s from 9am to 3pm, both Saturday and Sunday, April 9th and 10th – it’s bbq and bargains galore so I expect to see you there, particularly as there will not be another one until late May as the final full weekend in April is Easter... #84 – Three A.V. artists currently have their work displayed at the ‘Art from Beyond’ event at Odd Fellows in Mendocino Village. It features Alexis Moyer’s pottery, Susan Spencer’s assemblage, and Ginger Valen’s pottery and assemblage and an artists’ reception is this Saturday, April 9th from 5pm to 8pm. The show runs until April 25th and the gallery is open every day from 11am to 5pm, closed on Tuesdays... #85 – In a couple of weeks, the A.V. Lions Easter Breakfast, benefiting the Teen Center, will be taking place from 8-11:30am on Easter Sunday, April 24th and this will be followed by the Egg Hunt for pre-school thru fourth grade at 1pm. It’s all at The Fairgrounds in Boonville so please mark it on your calendar and we’ll see you there...
Moving quickly on to a couple of the topics under discussion this week at The Three-Dot Lounge - yes it’s “Moans, Groans, Good Thoughts, and Rampant Rumors” from my favorite gathering place in the Valley...
... A couple of regulars were raving about the fine serving job done by the A.V.H.S. cheerleaders at the recent Senior Center benefit events held at the Apple Hall. I have previously seen them in cheerleading action, and they have worked very hard to become a very solid group of performers, so upon hearing that the girls did a first class job working at both the Crab Feed and the St. Patrick’s Day Dinner Dance, I was not surprised at all... With Kerri Sanchez, Kelly Andersen, and Jennifer Espinoza as their coaches, both for cheerleading and their volunteer work – why would anyone be?
... Several regulars have recently commented on the rapidly declining condition of Hwy 128 in many spots as it runs through the Valley. There are some quite noticeable potholes developing and it seems to be getting very bad, very quickly. Oh, well, if we can’t maintain the roads at least the money being saved must be going towards making sure we keep two deputies here... I’m sorry, did I miss something?...
... Flying over the Barn Sale Field beside Hwy 128 just north of Boonville last Sunday afternoon, I spotted two ‘shepherds’ wrestling with a number of sheep inside the corrals there. I continued on my journey downtown but, on my return through the Valley an hour later, I swooped down as the gentlemen were leaving, covered in mud, and clearly exhausted. They both spoke with English accents so my suspicions were aroused. I asked them how their afternoon had gone and one sheepishly replied – ‘It went very well, thank you, but don’t believe a word those sheep tell you – this is a Valley where men are men and sheep are lying little buggers...’
Well, it’s that time of year again, when I leave these parts for the Annual Turkey Vultures and Other Birds of Prey Convention at a secret location many miles from here. You will no doubt be pleased to hear that I shall be receiving a Special Vulturanitarian Award for lifetime services to the Birds of Prey Community of Northern California, to go along with yet another Carrion-Eater of the Year Title (Anderson Valley Division). Thanks to everyone who has made these awards possible, particularly of course Hummingbird and my fellow Vultures... I shall return in a couple of weeks and look forward to resuming my Bird’s Eye Views in the May 4th edition... In the meantime, I think you know the routine by now...
‘Keep the Faith’; 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”… Humbly yours, Turkey Vulture...
p.s. You can contact me with words of support/abuse either through the Letters Page or by e-mail at