# 315 - July 11th, 2012

Greetings one and all - if you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin... Apart from being three of the nicer ladies in the Valley, what do these three have in common? Mary Darling, Joanne Clark, Marriann Kinion?... You guessed it – they are our ‘July Birthday Girls’ and on behalf of many Valley folks may I wish them many happy returns…

       Public Service Announcements… Calendars and pens at the ready... #346 – This Sunday, July 15 sees the 2nd Annual PawFest to benefit the A.V. Animal Rescue. It is once again at the A.V. Brewery and will feature bbq, beer, wine, and soft drinks, live music from the local musicians who make up The Peanut Butter Jam Band, a raffle, a silent auction, dog demonstrations, including an appearance by local Sheriff’s Deputy Walker and his police dog Argus, and various participation events for your dog, who is welcome in a leash, to enjoy. It all takes place from 2pm to 6pm and is for a great cause … #347 – Earlier that same day, and right across the street, there is a Sheep Dog trial being held at the Johnson Ranch. It is a combination of two long-held trials, the Floyd Johnson Memorial and the Kurt Beebe Memorial, and begins at 10am, leading perfectly into the PawFest that starts at 2pm!... #348 – The Bastille Day Boogie to benefit KZYX & Z local public radio is this Saturday, July 14 at the Fairgrounds in Boonville. There’s the Contino Band with blues, Americana and Cajun music, plus Cajun food. Call 895-2324 for details… #349 – The Bite Hard Boonville Roadrace (.com) is also on Saturday, July 14 to benefit the local bike, walk and ride Cyked Club. The website has more details… #350 - The Vets will return to the Valley to see and treat your pets at the Farm Supply on Thursday, July 19… #351 – The next Guest Chef Dinner held monthly at the Senior Center features Jared Titus who will be serving an Italian Summer Grill on Friday, July 27. Tickets are selling fast. Call Gina at 895-3609 and stop by for yours…

       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...

... Following a similar situation last year, for which inquisitive regulars never did find the answer, many Valley folks are wondering about the story behind those two beautiful horses in the narrow field alongside Hwy 128 between Denmark Creek and Breggo Cellars Winery. Clearly they are two younger horses – the offspring of last year’s inhabitants perhaps? Anyway, if anyone can shed any light on this please get in touch. Enquiring/nosey minds like to know

... Once again Chicken-impersonator supreme, Alan Thomas, won the hen-clucking contest at the ‘Olde Time 4th July Celebration’ in Boonville last week. After many years of desperate struggle in a fruitless search to find an athletic activity that he was good at, Alan seems to have finally found his vocation and repeated his victory of last year with some ease. His talent in this ‘sport’ is something to behold and this year he surpassed himself and went as far as to actually lay an egg. Some people were shocked. Is he going too far? His brother, Jeff, had previously told me that Alan really thinks he is a chicken so I suggested to Jeff that perhaps he should tell Alan that he is not. Jeff said he had thought about breaking this news to his brother, but he has always been reluctant to do so because they do need the eggs…

… Natalie Matson, ex-Senior Center chef and bus driver, former ‘queen of hospitality’ at the Husch Winery tasting room, and one-time founder and owner/operator of the now ‘deceased’ One Horse Espresso coffee stand in the heart of downtown, is in town for a couple of weeks visiting family and friends. She is here with young sons Spike (four) and King (twelve months) while husband Clay is hard at work on the thoroughbred horse ranch in Maryland where the family have been living for the last few months. Having lived in the Valley for ten years or so, they left about fifteen months ago and originally lived and worked at a ranch near to Clay’s family home in Chicago but have since settled in Maryland. During her stay, Natalie plans to visit many of her old haunts although her wine-sipping hobby is probably on hold with two youngsters to deal with. I say, ‘Come on Nat, get a sitter and let’s share a bottle of that delicious Pinot while you’re here!’...

       Well now I think it’s time to take my leave. So until we talk again - ‘Keep the Faith’; be careful out there; stay out of the ditches; think good thoughts; please remember to keep your windows cracked if you have pets in your vehicle; 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. On the sheep, Grace...

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