# 310 - June 6th, 2012

       Greetings one and all - if you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin... News reached me a couple of weeks ago that the Valley’s police dog, Bullet, had been re-assigned and has left the Valley for good. I wanted to find out more details before sharing this information and last week spoke at length with Deputy Craig Walker. He confirmed the facts but felt that while this initially appears to be disappointing news, in the big picture it is a positive development for all involved. Walker was saddened to lose what had become a good friend and capable working companion but he had become aware that Bullet’s overly zealous strength of will would be better suited to a more experienced handler and probably a city environment. Dogs in this part of the world have to be dual-purpose dogs – ones that are adept at both drug detection and also patrol work and arresting suspects. While Bullet was excellent at the latter duty he was inconsistent with some drug detection techniques and this, coupled with his overly boisterous nature, meant that he was not a good ‘fit’ here in A.V. However, after some more training he will move on to what many of us who knew him hope will be a more suitable and rewarding environment for his particular skills and abilities. Good luck, Bullet!

       The latest news is that Deputy Walker now has a new dog – a German shepherd by the name of Argus, whose somewhat milder demeanor and solid abilities in all aspects of rural police dog work should work well in the Valley. Craig informed that their training was going very well, that he and Argus had bonded in a very short time, as had Craig’s family dogs with their new housemate, and that the duo hope to make their first official public appearance at this year’s fundraiser for A.V. Animal Rescue – PawFest 2012 on Sunday, July 15th at the A.V. Brewery. I’m sure many of you are looking forward to seeing them there. Welcome to the Valley, Argus!

       Public Service Announcements… Calendars and pens at the ready... #123 – The Vets from the Mendocino Animal Hospital will return to the Valley twice more this month – tomorrow, Thursday, June 7 and also next week, June 14. They will be at the A.V. Farm Supply on Hwy 128 from 2-3.30pm on each occasion but have asked me to inform you that you do not have to arrive early and then wait a long time - everyone showing up at anytime before 3.30pm will be seen. And if you call 48 hours (462-8833) in advance you can ensure that your pet’s medical charts are brought over and you can also order any meds that may be needed… Having said all of that, there is the question of what is to become of the A.V. Farm Supply, the host venue for these much appreciated vet visits? A little bird informs me that Dave and Nancy Gowan, owners of this Valley institution for 38 years no less, will sign over that ownership to Ardzrooni Winery Management on Friday, June 8. What happens then is still not certain. It is hoped that by Monday, June 11, everything is continuing as normal, or close to it, and that most if not all of the services and products provided to so many, for so long, will be still be on offer. This would include the aforementioned vet visit on June 14. As I’ve said many times recently, let’s all cross our fingers and claws and hope for the best – after all, every self-respecting Valley surely needs its farm supply…

       More Public Service Announcements… #102 – there is gathering this Sunday, June 10 from noon to 3pm to celebrate the recently successful campaign to keep Hendy Woods open. Hendy Woods Community spokesperson, Cyd Bernstein, informs me that this will feature a potluck lunch, music from the Motherland Family Band, and information sharing… #103 - The following Tuesday, June 12, is the second Tuesday of the month and you all know what that means – Dinner and Bingo at the Senior Center. Dinner (chicken cacciatore) is served at 6pm with Bingo following at 7pm. All ages are welcome and a good time for all is guaranteed… And here are three announcements that I like to make every few months or so to make sure you have the information at your fingertips… #104 – A reminder that every Tuesday and Saturday, the A.V. Lending Library run by The Unity Club, is open at The Fairgrounds - on Tuesdays 1.30pm-4.30pm and Saturdays 2pm-4pm... #105 – And another reminder, and one that people always seem to appreciate, is that every Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday, the County Dump, a couple of miles out of town on Mountain View Road, is open from 9am-4pm. Remember, no dead animals!... #106 – And one last reminder – the A.V. Historical Museum at The Little Red Schoolhouse opposite the Elementary School on A.V. Way, is open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 1pm to 4pm. I encourage local folks to check it out, it really is very impressive and I guarantee you will learn something you didn’t know about the Valley if you do. As I’ve said before, and I haven’t heard differently from anyone, it’s the best little museum in the West!...

       Moving quickly on to a few of the topics and Valley events 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... 

... There was one very satisfied customer at the 3-Dot the other day, and not just because of the generous drinks he was getting! He was also very happy with the restoration work done on a very old (200 years) family portrait that was performed by Adele Pruitt, the Conservator at Pruitt’s Fine Art Restoration in Ukiah… I saw the painting before and after and was amazed at the difference. If any of you have a similar project that you have been intending to get to, then I highly recommend that you call Adele at 462-7193 – you will be happy you did…

… Beginning this coming weekend, Paysanne, the ice cream store in Boonville, will expand its hours of business to seven days a week, 11-6 every day. This is pleasing news to many and hopefully such hours can be relied upon. There is little in life more disappointing than the expectation of some delicious ice cream being dashed either because the shop closed before it is supposed to or hasn’t yet opened for the day. To some people it’s the same feeling with pizza – and many of you will remember with great chagrin how that felt a few years ago during the days of the town’s most recent pizzeria ‘experience’…

... More missing dogs in the Valley this past week and following lengthy discussions, the regulars wanted me to pass on the need to get tags for you dogs, or better still have them micro-chipped. The tags are easy and cheap at www.tagxpress.com and all those hard working volunteers at the Animal Rescue, plus the many other animal lovers in The Valley, will certainly appreciate it… 

       I’m outta here…Until we talk again - ‘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 <turkeyvulture1@earthlink.net>

p.p.s. Hi, Silver Swan – behaving yourself? Hopefully not!

p.p.p.s. Have you read any good books lately, Skylark?