# 278 - September 28th, 2011

Greetings one and all - if you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin... Update from the A.V.A.’s Supreme Leader Bruce Anderson, who has been quite ill of late with various ‘old gentlemen’ ailments – “My doctors told me Wednesday that they thought there was a good chance I would die on Tuesday evening. It was very close. I'm still pretty weak but expect to be back in Boonville in two or three weeks. For now I've got to stay close to the doctors. And I just had my first grandchild this morning, a boy at 8 pounds 13 ounces. It's been a busy week...” Wow! The efforts some special people will go to so as to not leave a ‘footprint’ and, in this case, have no effect on an already over-populated Earth – this man should be canonized! Long live, St. Bruce!
Public Service Announcements… #284 – Sold out! I’m talking about the sixty tickets for the upcoming Guest Chef Dinner benefiting the Senior Center on Friday, Sept 30th, when chef Cory Morse will be serving Garden marinated salad and, using Janie Morse’s (of Janie’s Place fame) secret recipe for her Famous Pan Fried buttermilk chicken, Rosemary Pesto, Red Potatoes, Fire Roasted Corn, Crunch Top Apple Pie a la mode, all with a complimentary glass of wine. The next such event is the last Friday of the month – October 28th. I’ll keep you posted... #285 – This Saturday morning’s Farmer’s Market in the Boonville hotel parking lot features music by the ‘Free Marketeers’ and the apple press will be available for juicing. It’s 9.30am to noon and well worth the visit... #286 – Throughout October, Laughing Dog Books will feature the mixed media art of Cindy Hollinger. I’m sure it too will be well worth a visit – and certainly the opportune time to get that reading habit back again as the short days approach... #287 – Talking of art, the high school show continues through October at Lauren’s Restaurant where you can enjoy the works and then a pulled pork sandwich which continues to be a very popular item, although it will be available for just a short time longer...
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 where people gather and share their thoughts about Valley life...
... Several regulars at The 3-Dot suggested I reply to parent Nancy MacLeod and Bruce ‘I can quote Voltaire’ Patterson following their letters in response to the recent ‘bring back school uniform’ comments expressed herein. To be honest I think it is already 2-0 to me and it’s time to move on...
... Who knew? 3-Dot regulars who enjoy their Monday Night Football at The Buckhorn, with good beers and spicy wings of course, were delighted to find out that those wings are now ½-price ($5) all day and night on Mondays! I fully expect to pay $10 for such a meal and Hummingbird kindly gives me that for my Monday night food allowance – I guess that means a double plate!...
... From 3-Dot regular, The Old Buzzard, comes another in his insightful series - ‘Forget The Rapture and worry about The Approach of the Apocalypse’... “Perhaps the Apocalypse is even closer than I thought as one Valley gentlemen regularly feels he is able to only tip 25 cents when dining out at various Valley establishments... This is almost as shocking as the bible-bashers who leave little ‘Jesus cards’ instead of a tip, reminding the hard-working wait-staff that they will go to hell unless they accept Jesus into their hearts... What is going on?”
...A betting pool has started amongst regulars at The 3-Dot to see who can correctly guess the number of tourists in the months of September and October whom I personally spot feverishly picking raspberries on the side of the road on Hwy 128 between Boonville and Navarro... 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 somewhat obliquely 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 four weeks to go, it’s 17 raspberry pickers, of which 7 were obviously unaware of the ‘gamble’ they were taking as they picked merrily away, entrenched amongst poison oak...
Well now I think it’s time to take my leave... But first, with the hot weather still with us, despite the showers on Sunday, please remember to keep your windows cracked if you have pets in your vehicle; children too I suppose... Otherwise, ‘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

# 277 - September 21st, 2011

Greetings one and all - if you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin... The early reports on attendance at this year’s County Fair in the Valley were encouraging and Fair Manager Jim Brown thinks it will be better overall than two years ago, last year not being a good comparison as numbers were low due to inclement weather. Meanwhile, how about a few brief Vulture-esque observations on this year’s event?...
Friday night saw the High School Homecoming activities take place with a big win for boys soccer against Mendocino and narrow defeats for girls soccer (against Calistoga) and the football team, who went down to Point Arena in a game they perhaps should have won, after holding a half-time lead and spurning many second half chances. This year’s Homecoming King and Queen were Irving Jimenez and Mariela Espinoza, and hard-working elementary school secretary, Nicole McClain, won the $4200 in the 50/50 raffle! I can only assume she’ll get me a beer next time I see her at The Buckhorn – surely it would be rude of her not to... I decided to save my ‘Corn dog experience’ until late on Saturday, just before I would leave for the cozy confines of my own bathroom, and went instead for the cheeseburger at the Ambulance concession stand – very good, I must say. Many, many familiar faces were assembled in the alumni section of the grandstand for the games and I never did make it down to the rides and exhibition halls, although word did reach me that Cindy Hollinger’s garden installation had won the first prize – ‘way to go, girl!’ as they say... Anyway, I ate, drank a little, and was merry, but left the scene at about 9.30pm and headed for The Nest in anticipation of a very busy Saturday...
On Saturday afternoon I found myself hovering around the Lions Club beer booth as Hummingbird toiled away behind the bar. This is probably as good a spot as any to see many of my favorite Valley folks and three of them, Amy Bloyd, son Eric, and daughter Mea regaled me with news that Mea had won first prize for her Jar of Cookies, second for her Carrot Cake, and third for her Apple crumble! Meanwhile Eric had won the first prize in the scarecrow competition with his very scary depiction of deceased stepfather, Richard Reitz, a former Fairgrounds employee. Eric reminded me that last year his scarecrow based on his mother had also claimed the top prize!... I also thoroughly enjoyed my time with Bill and Eva Holcomb and after discussions with several other old-timers it was discovered that Eva has the record for most Fairs attended – SEVENTY-THREE!!! She has not missed one since first attending as a four year old in 1938. Surely at this point Eva eats, drinks, and goes on as many rides as she likes – all for free?!... Talking of rides, Saturday’s joyous mood was brought crashing down when I discovered that there were no bumper cars this year. A Fair without bumper cars is just not right and a full inquiry into this grievous error is being held as I write... With Hummingbird in charge of transport, I was able to have several beers before enjoying Saturday’s culinary highpoint found at the sausages and curly fries stand, run once again very efficiently by the always friendly and hospitable Dwayne. This change of plan meant that I delayed my Corn dog exploits for a further twenty-four hours...
Sunday saw a very sluggish start up at The Nest and the sheep dog trials and parade were missed – not for the first time, it has to be said. However, I did get there by about 2pm and took over the A.V.A. booth from the overworked Bruce McEwen. Over the next three hours I was visited by many people and even sold several t-shirts, books, and newspapers subscriptions. The visitors included Supervisor Dan Hamburg, explaining that his daughter’s planned medical marijuana dispensary in town was not providing anything near as harmful as the hard liquor stocked by the nearby A.V. Market and Pick and Pay establishments – somewhat true, I guess; Cory Morse – Valley caterer bar none; ‘Young’ George Gowan who didn’t buy a t-shirt; Mark Pittner, Valley carpenter and proud new owner of an A.V.A. t-shirt; an Englishman who got me a beer but then ‘passed wind’ in the booth as if I had to pay some sort of compensation for his kind gesture – odd people, the English; Tim Bates, who like the smelly Englishman also bought me a beer but was very pleasant about it; Dennis Busse, yet another kind man who went to the beer stand on my behalf; Tamara Karsay, carrying her three-week old granddaughter and seven goldfish she had bought from a stall and was going to keep in her luxury fish tank and thus rescue from the certain death that befalls so many that are won as prizes; Karen Ottobani, who shares many of my thoughts about Valley life; Bill Harper – likewise; Pearl Basehore and husband Scott who were very generous with the curly fires; and a very attractive woman from Comptche who had never read the paper but who was going to start doing so after listening to my spiel!... I had a wonderful time and left with a 5” corn dog – which was delicious and had no after-affects! I love the Fair!...
Public Service Announcements… #103 – It’s the final weekend of the month and that means it’s time for another Barn Sale. As always, it takes place at The St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church Refectory on A.V. Way just north of Boonville, from 9am to 3pm on both Saturday and Sunday, Sept 24th/25th; and the bbq grill will be operating on both days!... #104 – Due to a shortage of staff there will be no visit by the vets from Mendocino Animal Hospital this month – sad but true. Even more disappointing news is that at this point in time there are no plans for a visit in October either. We have gone from two visits a month to zero – clearly not a satisfactory situation for anybody. I’ll keep you posted... #105 – The cooler weather is approaching and your flu shots are due. These are being offered at the A.V. Senior Center in Boonville, sponsored by Rite Aid Pharmacy, on Tuesday, Sept 27th from 4pm to 6.30pm. Appointments are not necessary and you can call 895-3609 for further details... #106 – The next Guest Chef Dinner to benefit the Senior Center will take place on Friday, Sept 30th, when chef Cory Morse will be serving Garden marinated salad and, using Janie Morse’s (of Janie’s Place fame) secret recipe, her Famous Pan Fried buttermilk chicken, Rosemary Pesto, Red Potatoes, Fire Roasted Corn, Crunch Top Apple Pie a la mode (i.e. with ice cream), all with a complimentary glass of wine. Dinner is served at 7pm and seating will be limited to sixty guests. Beer and wine will be available and tickets are selling fast, so call the Senior Center (895-3609) for further details or get your tickets from Laughing Dog Books in Boonville... And remember – you just can’t get traditional and real fried chicken like this anywhere these days...
I’m almost outta here... But first a reminder that with the hot weather still with us, please remember to keep your windows cracked if you have pets in your vehicle; children too I suppose. Otherwise, ‘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
p.p.s. On the sheep, Grace...

# 276 - September 14th, 2011

Greetings one and all - if you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin... Just the one Public Service Announcement this week… The Mendocino County Fair and Apple Show is here!
I’m sure I don’t have to remind anyone around these parts of that but for my readers in the Rest of the World and the A.V. Chamber of Commerce, this coming weekend (Friday 16th – Sunday 18th) will see Boonville once again host The County Fair, or as it is commonly called – ‘The Best Little Fair in the West!’ All the usual events (Rodeo, Sheep Dog Trial, Apple Cup Soccer, Apple Bowl Football, music with Dean Titus and The Coyote Cowboys, games, rides, etc, etc) will be taking place, plus the many exhibitions and displays that show off the County’s best livestock and all the various talents that so many people in the county possess. With food and drink in plentiful supply and so many familiar faces to see, I can’t imagine why anyone wouldn’t be there...
With The Fair as the obvious theme this week, here’s a little quiz for your enjoyment… Answers at the end…
1. In which year did the Fair first feature Sheep Dog Trials?
2. How many Mendocino County Fairs have happened up to now?
3. How holds the record for being the longest serving Fair Manager?
4. According to local folklore, what occurred on the Saturday night of The Fair in 1949?
Moving quickly on to discussions 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 where people gather and share their thoughts about Valley life...
... Here’s some intriguing questions that were raised at The 3-Dot in the past few days about this weekend’s County Fair... Will the attendance be an increase on last year’s disappointing numbers?... How much money, if any, will the Fair Board donate to high school sports? Given that school football and soccer games will attract large crowds there is no school sports booster concession stand allowed. This is despite the fact that the Friday night games will also be this year’s Homecoming games – an evening that normally brings in significant funds when held at The Fairgrounds on a different weekend, as it always has in the past... Will the infamous “Large-breasted Boonville Flasher’ once again expose herself to Sheriff Tom Allman as he rides in the Parade?... Will ‘King’ Ken Allen, former A.V. Brewery owner and last place finisher in the unofficial A.V. Mayor’s election a couple of years ago, show his face? If he does, will he then do his usual trick of pushing in at the front of the line for the Prather Dinner on Saturday night?... Is Pickles the Clown going to show up and scare lots of small children?... Will any local teenage girls run off with a Carny?... Will any local school boys run off and become a Carny?... Will the corn dogs be as good and as unhealthy as ever?... And most importantly, will I win the Carrion-Eating Contest for the fifth year in succession?... All this, and possibly more, will be revealed this coming weekend...
... At this point in our discussions I got up on my perch behind the bar and gave my annual pre-Fair speech to the assembled masses in the 3-Dot – “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. Trust me on this; you can thank me later”...
... Moving on... From our 3-Dot regular, The Old Buzzard, comes a follow-up report in his insightful series - ‘Forget The Rapture and worry about The Approach of the Apocalypse’... Having pointed out the declining standards in student dress codes last week, Buzzard now reports, “I flew over to Europe and performed many hours of research into the school systems over there - it appears that the vast majority of public high schools now enforce the wearing of school uniforms. The movement against uniforms had its way for about thirty years or more from the mid-seventies but, over the last several years, uniforms are have been re-introduced and have successfully countered the disturbing trends amongst schoolchildren as they compete to look ‘cool’. Apart from the facts that uniforms are less expensive than trendy clothes, and that the kids look smart and ready for academic study, they even feel a greater sense of pride in their school and I actually think it also raises their I.Q.’s a little too”... Once again, The Buzzard calls it like it is...
And with that said, here is a related Quote of the Week... It comes from that Greek writer of famous fables, Aesop, whose wise metaphor on clothes goes, “It is not only fine feathers that make fine birds”... Let’s hope the kids know what a metaphor is and act accordingly...
I’m outta here... But first - with the hot weather still with us, please remember to keep your windows cracked if you have pets in your vehicle; children too I suppose.. Otherwise, ‘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
Quiz Answers…
1. In 1976 was the first year of the sheep dog trials. The dogs and their handlers will be dealing with the often-irrational sheep once again at the usual time – Sunday, Sept 18th at 10am…
2. There have been 83 Fairs since the first one in 1927, making this year’s the 84th…Actually, the first eleven Fairs were called “The Apple Show” – indicating the importance of apples at that time in the valley’s history. It was not until 1938 that the first “Mendocino County Fair and Apple Show” took place.
3. Harwood June was Manager for 19 years from 1937 to 1956, narrowly edging out Jim Clow who later served for 17 years.
4. On that infamous night over sixty years ago there were a reported fourteen separate fights at The Fair. Just boys (and girls?) having a little fun, I’m sure, and just an old-style Valley ‘welcome’ for some of the newly arrived Okies and Arkies. It wouldn’t be too long (well, twenty years or so) before these groups got together and gave a similar ‘welcome’ to the hippies and back-to-the-landers. Good for them, I say.
Now go out and ‘Get your Fair on’!!!

# 275 - September 7th, 2011

Greetings one and all - if you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin... Can I just say, with some emphasis, that every events/fundraisers at the Senior Center is for people of ALL AGES! This includes the twice-weekly lunches and dinners. If I had a dollar for every time I heard someone say that they thought the Senior Center events were for seniors only, I would own a winery by now!...
Well, ‘The-Talk-of-the-Town’ continues to be about the proposed Medical Marijuana Dispensary in the heart of Boonville, in-between Lauren’s Restaurant and the Live Oak Building, where The Valley Bible Fellowship group meets. Various public meetings are in the works to discuss this issue, starting with one last night at Lauren’s, for which the new dispensary ‘managers’ have distributed a very interesting flyer informing the reader that the owners will be present to discuss the new business and answer concerned citizens’ questions. It continues to be a very contentious topic but I can confirm that there is no truth to the rumor that, in an effort to placate the disgruntled neighbors, the new proprietors have offered enticing discounts on medical marijuana, t-shirts, and paraphernalia to all members of the Valley Bible Fellowship, providing of course that the Fellowship members can produce valid prescriptions from a doctor. I can also inform those readers, who are unaware, that the name of this establishment is ‘Mendocino Generations’, a name chosen by the owners in a narrow decision over both ‘Budville’ and ‘The Anderstoned Valley Alternative Health Center’. Wise decision, I’d say...
A final comment on this issue for now is that information has reached me of a mildly upset group of passionate marijuana smokers who are planning to arrange a planning meeting to make plans to announce plans to hold a public meeting to protest the ‘bogus and totally uncool’ Bible Fellowship meetings in downtown Boonville. They point out that these biblical gatherings, which attract people with quite strong religious beliefs and who sometimes hang around outside the building, blatantly brandishing bibles in their hands, are held at a venue that is not only right across the street from our County Fair but also next-door-but-one to Lauren’s family restaurant where impressionable children often enjoy lunch on Sundays... This promises to be an interesting few weeks and my advice, for what it's worth, is to “smile, but be serious” and let's all try to get along. After all, it is the Bible – Leviticus, Chapter 19, Verse 18, to be precise, which clearly states “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself” – and that’s your Quote of the Week!...
While I am spreading the love, how about something positive in this often-critical newspaper about our local public radio station – the much maligned, yet not always justifiably, KZYX & Z? Having instructed my Local Media Correspondent, Bald Eagle, to do some research, he has come up with the fact that the current regime, under the guidance of Station Manager John Coate, has brought the station’s debt down from over $200K to less than $50K in two years. I’m sure the curmudgeons amongst you will have something negative to say about this somehow, or just have the usual complaints about the station and some of its programmers, some of which comments I have been known to share, but how about giving them their due on this? Well done to one and all, I say, keep it up – we need our local radio!
Public Service Announcements… #131 – This week’s Boonville Farmer’s Market gathering in the parking lot at The Boonville Hotel will feature all the usual goodies, plus music from The Hubbert’s – Leslie and Michael. It’s all happening between 9.30am and noon... #132 – From 11am to 4pm on Sunday September 11th it’s Heirloom Tomato Tasting Day at Handley Cellars Winery on Hwy 128 between Philo and Navarro – now you know... #133 – Also on Sunday 11th, it’s the weekly oysters, champagne and sangria social at the Hotel from 4.30pm until the oysters are all gone – now that is a splendid way to spend a Sunday I must say... #134 – It’s the second Tuesday of the month on Sept 13th and that means Dinner and Bingo Night at the Senior Center – good food, beer and wine, top quality bingo with prizes, and, as you may have read somewhere - you don’t have to be a senior to attend! So I urge you to come along and support this event and remember - all proceeds go to our Senior/Community Center... And finally, #135 – County Fair time in Boonville is just around the corner – Sept 16th-18th – just thought you might like to be reminded...
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 where people gather and share their thoughts about Valley life...
... From our 3-Dot regular, The Old Buzzard, comes another in his insightful series - ‘Forget The Rapture and worry about The Approach of the Apocalypse’... Buzzard reports, “The state of dress at the high school is certainly a sign of our declining standards as a nation and the effect of the mass media, in all its forms, on our young people’s sheep-like tendencies. Although the high school administration is making some progress in their efforts to enforce the new dress code, this well-intended move is apparently not easy to put into effect and many of the kids continue to dress as if they are at Club Med rather than at a high school. I cannot help but think that it would be far less of a problem if the kids were sent home immediately if not dressed appropriately, and it would certainly help if the parents stepped up and played their part in imposing this too”... I couldn’t agree more, Buzzard. And can someone please remind me again of the argument against school uniform?...
... Having heard all that from The Old Buzzard, I would like to just add that one hopes the teachers and staff are also appropriately dressed. Flip-flops and beachwear are surely off limits to one and all, one would hope...
... Another regular stopped by over the weekend and informed me that the Food Shed Gang, those kings and queens of the pot luck, had met last week to eat, drink, and be merry in their own way at their quarterly gathering, held at The General Store in Boonville. One item discussed was The ‘Not-so-Simple’ Living Fair held a month or so ago, in which this group played a large part. Apart from the kudos that permeated the room, in many cases very deservedly so, it appears that the group are considering a new name, if indeed they decide to go ahead and do another event next year, and the rumor is that my suggestion of ‘The Complicated Living Fair’ is being considered... I should add that another rumor, one that says Corporal Raindrop arrived for the pot luck with two sticks of celery and a piece of bread, is completely unfounded...
Oh, dear, have I upset somebody? Surely not – I kid the Captain... I’m outta here... But before I do, let’s not forget that the hot weather is still with us so please remember to keep your windows cracked if you have pets in your vehicle; children too I suppose. Otherwise, ‘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
p.p.s. On the sheep, Grace...

# 274 - Aug 31st, 2011

Greetings one and all - if you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin... Labor Day weekend is virtually upon us and whilst it’s not the ‘Mother of All Holidays’ – that is obviously Thanksgiving, it is still a pretty good one as we celebrate the economic and social achievements of workers. Labor Day has its origins in the labor union movement, specifically the eight-hour day movement, which advocated eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for rest – seems about fair, although personally I continue to question the eight hours for work part. To me it also means that the kids are back in school where they belong and up here at The Nest it signifies a weekend overflowing with the old classics - fried chicken, hamburgers, corn dogs, coleslaw, potato salad, lemonade, corn on the cob, baked beans and sliced tomatoes. Finish up with sliced watermelon, apple pie, and freshly churned ice cream... Oh, and a few sips of beer and wine too of course - it would be un-workmanlike not to...
So inevitably, for your Quote of the Week, I offer these words about ‘work’ from French writer, historian, philosopher, and wit, Voltaire, who said “Work spares us from three great evils – boredom, vice, and need.”... That’s all very well but, in my humble opinion, Oscar Wilde was far more perceptive with his remark, “Work is the curse of the drinking classes”... Enjoy your weekend!...
Public Service Announcements… #78 – It’s the Yorkville Ice Cream Social, Barbecue and Book Sale! On Monday, Sept 5th - Labor Day, from 10 to 4 at the Yorkville Community Center. Over 4500 high quality Used Books for sale at 50 cents an inch! This includes many children's and young adult books, fiction, non-fiction, whatever your reading preferences may be. They will have a treasure tent with antique books, coffee table books and brand new best sellers as well as CD's and DVD's with nothing over $5. The main event for some will be, of course, the Ice Cream and BBQ oysters and the now famous ‘Cake Walk’! Best of all, all the proceeds benefit the Fire Department and Scholarship Fund... And now let’s catch up on some of the events/services that happen every month... Every Tuesday 1.30pm – 4.30pm and Saturday 2pm – 4pm it’s the A.V. Lending Library run by The Unity Club at The Fairgrounds... Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, The A.V Museum at the Little Red Schoolhouse building is open from 1pm to 4pm... Every Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday, The County Dump is open from 9am – 4pm... And finally, every 1st and 3rd Tuesday and every Thursday it’s the Senior Center Lunch at 12.15pm; on the 2nd Tuesday it’s Dinner and Bingo night at 6pm; and on the last (4th or 5th) Tuesday it’s dinner at 6pm...
Moving quickly on to a few 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, where people gather and share their thoughts about Valley life...
... So the ‘powers-that-be’ have decided that this year’s Homecoming sports events are to take place at the County Fair. Girls soccer (3pm), Boys Soccer (5pm) and Football (7pm) will take place as usual on that Friday Fair Day but the teams also normally get to have an evening dedicated to Homecoming alone, at which money is raised for these financially struggling sports programs. Now that the games are at the Fair the money will not be forthcoming... Why was this done? Is any money going to be donated by the Fair to the school sports? I think we should be told...
... Meanwhile, on that same topic, boys soccer coach and A.V.A. contributor Steve Sparks popped in to the 3-Dot and informed me that the Fundraiser for Fall Sports, held a week or so ago at The Grange, raised over $2600 for soccer (boys and girls), football, volleyball, and cheerleading. He wished to thank the community for their support, the many volunteers for their wonderful efforts, and particularly the organizing committee he worked with - Palma Toohey, Renée Lee, Jennifer Espinoza, and Kerri Sanchez - someone suggested that these guys should run for Fair Board. Who would vote against them?...
... Talking of Boards, having being informed that none of the candidates in the upcoming School Board election will be allowed to hold their events at The 3-Dot due to the very strict entry requirements, Ben Anderson decided to begin his campaign in earnest with a ‘meet and greet’ last Sunday evening at The Buckhorn, Boonville... It was a well-attended event with people from many different Valley ‘walks of life’ who no doubt enjoyed the delicious hors d’ouevres and who created a very positive feeling throughout the evening. Ben, along with incumbents Martha ‘Marti’ Bradford and Richard ‘Dick’ Browning, and new candidates Ernie Pardini and Don Harris, are the five folks seeking the three positions available. For providing the spicy wings alone, surely Ben is the current front-runner...
... Last Friday saw the second in the series of Guest Chef Dinners to benefit the Senior Center - and what a delicious feast it was! Chef Diana Charles, with great assistance from family members, served up a wonderful chicken marsala with abundant Italian salad and garlic bread, and an outstanding blackberry cobbler and ice cream for dessert... Special mention should go to Bill Teague for his all-dayer on the chopping and dicing for which he received his official journeyman credentials in those trades, not to mention his top class job on the washing up – somebody suggested that perhaps he should quit his day job... Next Guest Chef Dinner will be on September 30th, the last Friday as usual, with Chef Corey Morse...
Well now I think it’s time to take my leave... With the hot weather still with us, please remember to keep your windows cracked if you have pets in your vehicle; children too I suppose. Otherwise, ‘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