# 333 - November 14th, 2012

Greetings one and all – if you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin… This month’s Birthday Greetings go out to Jeanne Nickless, Shirley Harris, Judy Long, David Kooyers, Cheryl Rajeski, Gerald Bowers, Peter Kayd, John Slott, Pat Hulbert, and Ginny Camping – ‘Many Happy Returns’ to each and every one of you……                      

Public Service Announcements… Calendars and pens at the ready… #318 – The Vets from Mendocino Animal Hospital will return to the Farm Supply in the Valley tomorrow, Thursday, Nov 15 from 2-3:30pm. If you are a previous client you can call them 48 hours in advance (462-8833) to ensure that your pet’s charts are brought ‘over the hill’ and also order any medications your pet might need. New customers and their pets are always welcome. They will be back in the Valley on Thursday, Nov 29… #319 – It’s that time of year and people are already suffering from the ‘flu. This can be prevented by a shot and these are being given at the Senior Center / Veterans’ Hall tomorrow Thursday, Nov 15 from 10.30am to 12.30pm. No charge for patients with Medicare and it is a very well-spent $29.99 for others, with refunds available for those covered by their insurance. Any questions? Call 964-1848 and press 3… #320 – And stay at the Center and enjoy the lunch at the same time! On the 15th the menu features Oven Fried Fish, Oven Potatoes, Cabbage – Apple Slaw, Spinach Salad, Green Salad, Fruit Salad, and Brownies w/Ice Cream for dessert. Wow! All that for just $7 ($5 donation for Seniors)… #321 – The A.V. Grange has its monthly meeting on Tuesday, November 20 at 7pm…                                                               

 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…

… A number of regulars attended the Veterans Day of Remembrance at the Evergreen Cemetery in Boonville on Sunday morning and report that it was a wonderful ceremony with a well-balanced mix of all things that are important on such an occasion. I am told 76 people attended and while that is a good showing surely it should be more like 276 or more for such an important and meaningful event. Significantly, very few people under the age of forty were there. That’s too bad… Hopefully next year…

… Talking of which, I noticed that the sign outside the Elementary School informs us all that on Monday, Nov 12th, there would be ‘No School.’ The reason for this is the observance of Veterans Day but no mention of this is made on the sign. Why not? Surely a simple ‘Veterans Day Observance – no school’ would have been appropriate. In my humble opinion the younger generations need to be aware of what has gone on before and start to appreciate what they have and how and why. It’s part of a full education I would suggest…

… “Campeones!” Yes, the A.V.H.S. Boys’ soccer team won their post season Championship on Saturday afternoon and as I flew over the field in Boonville I could hear both the roars of approval following the team’s 3-0 victory over Leadership H.S. from S.F., and also just a few bottles of celebratory tequila being opened and sipped. Leave the champagne to the S.F. Giants to spray around instead of drinking – this crowd does it in style… Coming up this weekend, hopefully a girls’ volleyball title too…

… Geoff Thomas has left the Valley. This fine member of the community for six months every year, in his role as bartender/host at the Boonville Hotel and star player at the weekly General Knowledge and Trivia Quiz at Lauren’s Restaurant, has once again returned to Bangkok, Thailand for the winter and spring… I spent a few hours with this gentleman on Sunday and our farewell drink turned into a farewell booze-up that, as I write, he is no doubt ‘paying for’ on his long flight to Southeast Asia…

… The Aquarelle Café & Wine Bar has already made some waves in the Valley and they are not even officially open yet – that will be this coming Saturday, November 17. Located in the spot that was once the home of The Horn of Zeese, a number of ‘selected’ Valley folks (not me as yet – unbelievable!) have already eaten and enjoyed the cuisine that chef Christina Jones is planning to feature. Meanwhile the buzz is that it is “so Un-Boonville” – not that there is anything wrong with that!...

… And in the heart of Downtown Boonville, next to the Saloon, another new eatery has opened its doors – Anel’s Restaurant is serving Mexican food with the added temptation of breakfasts, burgers and, in the near future, pizza… While just a few yards away in SoBo (South Boonville) Lauren’s Restaurant has just announced the fall return of the hot turkey and mashed potato dish, along with many other items of course, and it doesn’t get much better than that - as many regulars were able to attest to on Friday night when I only had one serving for myself…

… And not wishing to leave any of the Boonville restaurants out, I know the hot wings and a pint of Guinness at The Buckhorn is the best ‘one-two punch’ in town, not to mention the special Bouillabaisse (fish stew, French-style) last Friday at The Hotel, which is a not-to-be-missed regular event according to some of our gastronomic experts here at The 3-Dot…

… Following the election, our 3-Dot regular, The Old Buzzard, decided that with the Apocalypse put on hold, he feels he does not have to head for the hills just yet… Here is his final comment on the issue – “The ‘good guy’ won; those with enlightened views on women’s rights, minorities, the environment, health care reform, etc, and those who think that there was an Earth before 4000 B.C. and that is wasn’t created in a week, can all relax, for now”….

       Oh, dear, have I upset somebody? – I’ll get my coat and leave… 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. Hi, Silver Swan – behaving yourself? Hopefully not!

p.p.p.s. On the sheep, Grace…