# 344 - January 30th, 2013

Greetings one and all – if you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin… I must sadly inform readers of the passing of Harold Perry at the grand old age of 96, the Valley’s oldest resident. Harold was born in Lone Wolf, Oklahoma in 1916 and lived here for over sixty years. For a detailed look at his long and stories life, see Steve Sparks’ interview with Harold, reprinted in this issue. F.Y.I., my research shows that the oldest Valley resident now is Freda Fox (born 3/26/18) who will be 95 in March, while the second eldest, and the oldest man, is Ross Murray (9/16/18), who will turn 95 years young in the fall... 

     

       For the rest of us, life goes on… The second of the Valley’s annual Crab Feeds takes place this coming Saturday at The Apple Hall in Boonville. This one benefits the Catholic Church and, let’s be honest, perhaps even more importantly to most, it provides the kind of event – with the community sitting down to eat together - for local folks to get together and have a great time. It doesn’t get much more civilized than that! These two events are arguably the most A.V. community-based happenings in our busy social calendar, with the vast majority of the 325-plus who will be in attendance living here in the Valley and representing all walks of Valley life. It’s all-you-can-eat crab and so showing some ‘Greed at the Feed’ is totally acceptable. In fact such behavior coupled with the wine, beer, and Margarita’s, and of course the stimulating social banter, all go to make this an event not to be missed… Enjoy and be responsible…

         And now for some related Quotes of the Week… From Charles Baudelaire (1821-1867), the French poet who produced notable work as an essayist, art critic, and pioneering translator of Edgar Allan Poe (a man of the dark side himself), let’s have, “It is the hour to be drunken! To escape being the martyred slaves of time, be ceaselessly drunk. On wine, on poetry, or on virtue or vice, as you wish” – very well put, wouldn’t you sat?!... Miguel De Cervantes, author of ‘Don Quixote’ and Spain’s greatest literary figure, offers a more serious and certainly more sensible point of view - “Drink moderately, for drunkenness neither keeps a secret, nor observes a promise”...Wise words of advice but I may have some difficulty in following them – oh, well... Then we have novelist and short story writer, W. Somerset Maugham (‘Of Human Bondage’ (1915)), who wisely observed, “Excess on occasion is exhilarating. It prevents moderation from acquiring the deadening effect of a habit.” – good stuff, William... Now let’s hear from Virginia Woolf (1882-1941), the English writer regarded as one of the foremost modernist literary figures of the twentieth century, who knowingly commented, “One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well” - I think ‘Ginny’ must have been at a few Valley Crab Feeds in her day… And of course I must finish with the classic comment on this topic by William Blake, who provides the following mantra for any self-respecting Turkey Vulture with “The road to excess leads to the palace of wisdom” – precisely…

       Public Service Announcements… Calendars and pens at the ready… #213 - the Crab Feed taking place this coming weekend in Boonville is sold out, and has been for about a week! However, Gloria Ross informs me that they do get cancellations and you could call her at 895-3071 to be put on a waiting list… #214 – There is a Super Bowl party planned at The Buckhorn in Boonville this Sunday. Owner Tom Towey tells me they will have a pizza buffet and specials from the appetizer menu, plus an 8’ screen with ‘Surround-sound’ for the big event!… #215 – The Vets from Mendocino Animal Hospital will next visit the Farm Supply in the Valley on two occasions later in February - Thursdays, Feb 21 and 28…

       As a bonus P.S.A. here is the menu for the upcoming week at the Senior Center… The Center asks for a $5 donation from Seniors and charges $7 for Non-Seniors for lunches… Tomorrow, Thursday, Jan 31, the lunch, always served at 12.15pm, will be Tostadas – Chicken or Beef, Cheese, Lettuce, Avocados, Black Beans, Corn, Salsa, Fruit Salad, Green Salad, Mixed Berry Nachos and then next Tuesday, Jan 5, Marti Titus and her crew will be serving Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes w/ Gravy, Corn, Quinoa Salad, and Birthday Cup Cakes… Hope to see you there...

       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 have commented on the continuing presence of the Christmas lights on the large tree in the Boonville Hotel’s parking lot – and they like them! So do I – they brighten up downtown and make it look as if there is a ‘scene’ going on… Which there often is, of course…

… Another regular and his buddies commented that the wine-pairing ‘rules’ of red wines with red meats and white wines with fish, chicken, etc, should not be written in stone, as it were. A couple of them were at Aquarelle in Boonville on Saturday night and raved about the pairing of the Edmeades Zinfandel which they sipped while enjoying the delicious Pan Roasted Pork Chops with Caramelized Onion~Apple Chutney, Balsamic Glaze, Mashed Potatoes and Braised Greens. I absolutely agree with their comment about the pairing guidelines. Who doesn’t like a zesty sauvignon blanc with grilled sheep’s eyes or a full-bodied cabernet with a half-bodied squirrel?...

… On the same topic, I personally cannot speak highly enough of the Guinness and burger pairing at Lauren’s Restaurant. For a Friday evening Happy Hour treat, in my humble opinion, this is hard to beat…

… Many regulars are looking forward to the upcoming move of Leslie Hummel’s and Claudia Jimenez’s ‘All that Good Stuff’ store from their current location in the Farrer Building to SoBo, just south of downtown Boonville, where a new building has been constructed at the Weintraub/Bennett property, a location that is already home to other small businesses. The move should happen in the next few weeks and a ‘community celebration and moving party’ is in the works. I shall keep you informed…

… Super Bowl feelings around the Three-Dot see the 49ers beating Baltimore by more than the 3 or 4 points they are favored by. I concur and suggest you place a crisp $100 bill in the hands of your friendly neighborhood bookie and give the points. Just joking, as it would be illegal to do so…       

       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; 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. Keep on humming, Hummingbird…

      

# 343 - January 23rd, 2013

Greetings one and all – if you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin… 

       Lets get straight into the Public Service Announcements (P.S.A.’s)… Calendars and pens at the ready… #673 - The Vets from Mendocino Animal Hospital will return to the Farm Supply in the Valley tomorrow, Jan 24, 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 twice in February, but not until Feb 21 and 28… #674 – The second of the Valley’s two Crab Feeds is coming up on Saturday, Feb 2 at The Fairgrounds in Boonville. This very popular event, with its 6pm Happy Hour and 7pm Dinner, will certainly sell out and tickets ($35) are moving very quickly at this time. They are available at Laughing Dog Books in Boonville or you can call Gloria at 895-3071 or John at 895-9552… #675 – As part of the Wine and Crab Festival, there will be a wine and food pairing at Handley Cellars in the Valley on Sunday, Jan 27. More details at 895- 3876… #676 – An A.V. Assets for Youth Forum will take place at the high school next Tuesday. Donna Pierson-Pugh writes “We are having a Community Forum on Tuesday 1/29 in the cafeteria at the A.V. High School: ‘A.V. Health and Fitness - Make it Happen!’ We are hoping to generate awareness and support for increasing the resources and assets we have in the Valley for our students and the community.” For more information call 895-2146…

       As a bonus P.S.A., here is the menu for the next week at the Senior Center… The Center asks for a $5 donation from Seniors and charges $7 for Non-Seniors for lunches and $6 and $8 respectively for the dinners. Tomorrow, on Thursday, Jan 24, the lunch, always served at 12.15pm, will be Mustard Roasted Fish, Dill fingerling Potatoes, Broccoli, Gingered Apple Salad, Green Salad, Fruit Salad, and Cookies & Cream Cakes. Then next Tuesday, Jan 29, at 6pm, the dinner served by Marti Titus and her crew will feature General Tso Chicken, Jasmine rice, Cabbage – apple slaw, Soba Noodle Salad, Fruit Salad, Green Salad, and Coconut-Lime Berry Cake for dessert. That night will also see the annual Senior Board elections… Hope to see you there…

       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…

… Many, many 3-Dot regulars attended last Saturday evening’s Crab Feed at the Apple Hall in Boonville to benefit the Senior Center, and the reviews were all very positive indeed. From the delicious crab, the excellent service by the high school cheerleading squad led by coaches Belma Rhoades and Erica Lemons, and the quality raffle and silent auction prizes, to the perfect ambiance created by both the decorations around the room and the band featuring Pilar Duran, Kevin Owens, Sarah Farber, and Les Tarr, and of course to the sterling efforts of the many volunteer helpers and board members, it was perhaps the best one yet… And in two weeks time (see P.S.A.’s) the Valley will get to sit down and eat together again – yer gotta like that!...

… Further good news on the Valley social scene… Despite the big crowd at the Crab Feed, the other event on Saturday evening also had large numbers in attendance. This was the show by folk trio, Red Molly, held at The Grange. As I flew splutteringly over The Grange following my ‘greed at the feed’ experience, I saw that the parking lot was full and many more vehicles were parked along Hwy 128 in both directions. This show benefited KZYX & Z local public radio and from what I saw, I have to assume it was a great success…

… Super Bowl fever has already broken out at The 3-Dot… This year’s game, or ‘The Harbowl’ as it will inevitably be referred to thousands of times with brothers Jim and John Harbaugh featuring as the head coaches of the opposing 49ers and Baltimore Ravens, sees the Niners as early 5-point favorites. I can see that. I know betting is illegal but ‘for entertainment purposes only’ I predict a 24-17 San Francisco victory and so I urge you to place your ‘gentleman’s’ wager on the local team… ‘Trust me; you can thank me later’…

… From our 3-Dot regular, The Old Buzzard, comes another in his insightful series – ‘The Approach of the Apocalypse’… Buzzard reports, “I have nothing of any interest to anyone to say at this point”… Why can’t more folks be like that?...

       Before I depart, there is just one final thing on the Crab Feed evening… The delicious Pinot Noir I gently sipped with my crab was a perfect pairing. It was donated by Knez Vineyards, a relatively new winery here in the Valley, and while we hardly need more wineries around here I must say they are doing a splendid job! I know, I know - what a hypocrite! I love wine almost as much as Hummingbird does, and many of the varietals produced by our locally owned wineries are not to be missed. All I can do to explain my hypocrisy is to refer you to the proverb – “all are not saints that go to church.”... Or, to give you a Quote of the Week, how about these words on hypocrites from Greek philosopher and tragedy writer, Euripides, “Often a noble face hides filthy ways.” Or as I would have put it, “Often a filthy face hides noble ways”?...

       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; 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!

# 342 - January 16th, 2013

Greetings one and all – if you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin…

       Long-time Anderson Valley Animal Rescue volunteer, Jim Teresinski, is turning to Valley folks for their help. Jim is the fellow many of you may have seen walking his four rescue dogs on Hwy 128 in and out of Boonville every day. Following the departure of founder Cheryl Schrader to the Sierra foothills to be closer to family, the local Animal Rescue operation in Boonville is winding down, although the operation is continuing to do as much as ever to help animals in need but in the future it will be out of their Ukiah office. Jim has to move out of Cheryl’s old home and animal care center on A.V. Way where he has resided for the past few years and needs a vehicle to transport his four-pack of ‘difficult’ dogs around with him. These ‘anti-social’ dogs have become a family and Jim believes he is responsible for them. They would be very difficult for anyone else to deal with at this point. He has found the right van but it will cost him $1500 to buy and he needs financial help to buy this. The inseparable group is pictured below and all the details of Jim’s situation and how you could support him in return for some reciprocal work by Jim are available at http://www.gofundme.com/dog-pack-rescue. Please help if you can…

       Public Service Announcements… Calendars and pens at the ready… #322 – As mentioned on numerous occasions recently, the Valley’s two Crab Feeds are coming up!! Yes, folks, a couple of the most popular events of the year are just around the corner and both will certainly sell out with tickets moving quickly as they approach. Both will take place at The Fairgrounds and the first, to benefit the Senior Center, is this coming Saturday, Jan 19, followed just two weeks later, on Saturday, Feb 2, by the event to benefit the Catholic Church organized by the irrepressible Gloria Ross. Laughing Dog Books in Boonville has tickets for both events with tickets for the Jan 19 feed ($30) also at Lemons’ Market in Philo, Rossi Hardware, and The Fairgrounds Office in Boonville, or at the Senior Center itself or you can always call Gina at 895-3609. For the second event ($35), other than the bookstore, you can either call Gloria at 895-3071 or John at 895-9552… #323 – Red Molly, the nationally renowned female folk trio are performing at The Grange, also on Sat, Jan 19, in a benefit concert for KZYX & Z that begins at 7pm… #324 - The Vets from Mendocino Animal Hospital will return to the Farm Supply in the Valley once more this month – on Jan 24 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 twice in February, but not until Feb 21 and 28… #325 – The A.V. Film Club presents its bi-monthly event this coming Sat Jan 19 at Boonville Methodist Church, with show time at 7.30pm. On this occasion the movie is ‘Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry’ (2011) – the true story of Chinese artist and dissident who challenged authority through blurring the boundaries of art and politics. It was the winner of the 2012 Sundance Film Festival Special Jury Prize and is definitely a must-see for many folks I’m sure…

       And as we are at the start of a new year, how about catching up with the days and times of various Valley events, functions, groups and organizations?... Every Tuesday and Saturday it’s The A.V. Lending Library run by The Unity Club. Tues 1.30pm – 4.30pm and Saturday 2pm – 4pm at The Fairgrounds… Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, The A.V Museum is open from 1pm to 4pm… Every Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday, The County Dump on Mountain View Road is open from 9am – 4pm... Every Tuesday and Thursday – the Senior Center Lunch is at 12.15pm with the 2nd Tuesday featuring Dinner and Bingo 6pm and 7pm respectively, and the last Tuesday it’s dinner at 6pm... The 3rd Monday sees the Lions Club meeting at The Grange at 7pm… The 3rd Tuesday it’s the Grange Meeting at The Grange, also at 7pm… And finally for now, on the 4th Wednesday, one of my favorite groups – Independent Career Women (I.C.W.) – meets somewhere for a splendid evening of wining, dining and conversation - call 895-3069 for details…

       As a bonus P.S.A., here is the menu for the next week at the Senior Center… The Center asks for a $5 donation from Seniors and charges $7 for Non-Seniors for lunches. Tomorrow, on Thursday, Jan 17 the lunch, always served at 12.15pm, will be Stuffed Shells, Roasted Cauliflower, Tabbouleh salad, Garlic Bread, Green Salad, Fruit Salad, and Chocolate–Amaretto Mousse Pie for dessert, and then next Tuesday Jan 22, Marti Titus and her crew will be serving Breakfast for Lunch - Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, Blueberry Pancakes & Blueberry Syrup, Hash Brown Potatoes,  Fruit Salad, Green Salad, and Granola Bars… Hope to see you there…

        From our 3-Dot regular, The Old Buzzard, comes another in his insightful series – ‘The Approach of the Apocalypse’… Buzzard reports… “The first sighting of the former, and soon-to-be re-instated, AVA court reporter, Bruce McEwen, upon his return to the area, was made by yours truly last Wednesday evening, just hours after I had informed readers of his impending arrival in this very column last week. It was a complete surprise to Turkey Vulture, Hummingbird, and myself as we walked out of Lauren’s Restaurant at around 9pm to be confronted by the eloquent and happy McEwen - but you should be warned – he has adapted a disguise! My initial reaction after hearing his greeting from several yards away was “That looks a little like Bruce McEwen!” Sporting a significant mustache and long black hair sprouting from beneath a flat cap, he resembled an elderly Geraldo Rivera, until he opened his mouth and spoke with a faux English accent… You have been warned – the Apocalypse is getting closer every day…

       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; 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. Keep on wagging that tail, Fred…

# 341 - January 9th, 2013

Greetings one and all – if you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin… First, a big ‘Thank You’ to all those readers who sent Holiday and New Year greetings to Hummingbird and myself. I have noted your names and added them to the list of benefactors upon my demise – although you should be aware that the frozen skunk carcass is already spoken for…

         Well, looking back, perhaps I was somewhat remiss (and perhaps hungover) when I failed to mention the issue of New Year’s Resolutions in last week’s Quote of the Week section of the column. However, I have the ‘excuse’ that instead I offered quotes that were concerned with the passing of loved ones – far more important I would suggest. Anyway, for those of you still persevering with such things, the oversight will now be addressed in the form of two Quotes of the Week on the topic of resolutions… First up it’s the incredibly influential American Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790), one of the Founding Fathers of this country and a noted polymath, author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat – and the face on the all-important $100 bill! For our current purposes he is also the fellow who said, “Resolve to perform what you ought. Perform without fail what you resolve” – excellent; good stuff, Ben… And then we have this observation from Francois de la Rochefoucauld (1613-1680), a Frenchman but nevertheless an undoubtedly gifted author of maxims and memoirs whose view of human conduct has been summed up by the words "gently cynical.” Anyway, he is very wise and came up with this shrewd observation, “We have more ability than will power, and it often an excuse to ourselves that we imagine that things are impossible.” I hope these help in your ‘resolutionary’ efforts – good luck…

       Public Service Announcements… Calendars and pens at the ready… #343 – I included this item recently but thought I should share the information once again – it’s those useful numbers at this time of year for road conditions and power outages. They are: 1-800-gas-road (427-7623) and for power problems and outages call 1-800-PGE (743) - 5000. I just thought you should know… #344 - The A.V. Unity Club will present a special gathering for Valley folks on Thursday, Jan 10 at the Fairgrounds in Boonville. There will be a lunch served at noon followed by a discussion topic entitled ‘Volunteerism runs the Valley’ – should be quite a crowd… #345 - The Vets from Mendocino Animal Hospital will return to the Farm Supply in the Valley tomorrow, Thursday, Jan 10 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 in two weeks time on Thursday, Jan 24… #346 – As mentioned last week, the Valley’s two Crab Feeds are coming up!! Yes, folks, a couple of the most popular events of the year are just around the corner and both will certainly sell out. The first, to benefit the Senior Center, is on Saturday, Jan 19, followed just two weeks later, on Saturday, Feb 2, by the event to benefit the Catholic Church organized by the irrepressible Gloria Ross. Laughing Dog Books in Boonville has tickets for both events with tickets for the Jan 19 feed ($30) also at Lemons’ Market in Philo and The Fairgrounds Office in Boonville, or at the Senior Center itself or call Gina at 895-3609. For the second event ($35), other than the bookstore, you can either call Gloria at 895-3071 or John at 895-9552… 

       As a bonus P.S.A. here is the menu for the next week at the Senior Center… The Center asks for a $5 donation from Seniors and charges $7 for Non-Seniors for lunches, and $6 and $8 respectively for the evening meals. On Thursday, Jan 10 the lunch, always served at 12.15pm, will be Mushu Pork, Wheat Noodles, Stir Fry Vegetables, Asian Slaw, Spinach-Strawberry Salad, Fruit Salad, Green Salad, and a Chocolate Chow Mein Noodle Cookie for dessert, and then next Tuesday evening, Jan 15, at 6pm, Marti Titus and her crew will be serving a dinner of Chicken Pot Pie, Rolls, Broccoli Salad, Raspberry Gelatin, Tabbouleh, Fruit Salad, Green Salad, and Strawberry–Lemon Dessert - a feast that will be followed by Bingo at 7pm… Hope to see you there…

       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 parental regulars expressed relief that school restarted on Monday (Jan 7) and that ‘normal life’ can resume once again. There is nothing wrong with that of course and one has to admire the honesty…

… Talking of the school, with horses being killed on main roads, sheep and goats grazing where they shouldn’t, and numerous tag-less dogs escaping and getting lost, I suggest that fence-building be added to the high school curriculum a.s.a.p….

… And while we’re at it, how about also featuring ‘Life in the Real World 101’ at the high school - a sort of combination of what used to be called ‘civics’ and social skills?... The kids could thank me later…

… It was generally agreed among the regulars that in a few week’s time we will be entering the hardest time of the year for many small local businesses. February thru’ April can be very tough on them so, whenever possible, please try to support our local places of commerce and the eateries before taking your business elsewhere…

… From our 3-Dot regular, The Old Buzzard, comes another in his insightful series – ‘Signs of the Approach of the Apocalypse’… Buzzard reports… “Stop the presses! Be on alert! News that one of the ultimate ‘Signs of the Approach of the Apocalypse’ is about to be upon us has been brought to my attention – former Valley resident and A.V.A. contributor and court reporter, the inimitable and virtually unrestrainable Bruce McEwen, is heading back to the area, although it remains unclear if the Valley will be his destination… Be aware, be very aware…” 

      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; 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. Skylark – read any good books lately?

# 340 - January 2nd, 2013

Greetings one and all – if you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin… Perhaps we should take a moment to reflect on the passing of these Valley folks who left us in the past fifteen months or so – they are gone but are no doubt fondly remembered by many. (I sincerely apologize for anyone I may have missed)... Walter ‘Shine’ Tuttle who was born in May 1915 and at 96 was the oldest person in the Valley when he passed last spring… Bobbie Hiatt… Efren Mendoza… George Bennett… Cleo Hixon… Harold Hulbert… Bruce Longstreet… Bobbie Peterson… Jamal Essayeh……………

         And for your Quotes of the Week, here are some heart-warming thoughts on the passing of loved ones... First it’s these words from Helen Keller, the deaf/blind author, political activist, and lecturer, who said, “What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us”... And there is this wonderful thought proposed in an Eskimo Legend – “Perhaps they are not stars in the sky, but rather openings where our loved ones shine down to let us know they are happy”... And finally, the anonymously written but poignant, “Those we love don't go away, they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near; still loved, still missed and very dear”...

       Public Service Announcements… Calendars and pens at the ready… #813 – The Vets from Mendocino Animal Hospital will be making two trips to the Valley on Thursdays in January – both the 10th and 24th… #814 – As mentioned last week, the Valley’s two Crab Feeds are coming up!! Yes, folks, a couple of the most popular events of the year are just around the corner and both will certainly sell out. The first, to benefit the Senior Center, is on Saturday, Jan 19 followed just two weeks later, on Saturday, Feb 2, by the event to benefit the Catholic Church organized by the irrepressible Gloria Ross. For tickets to the first of these events call 895-3609, and for the second it’s 895-3071... #815 - The Senior Center has been closed for the holidays but they will re-open for lunch tomorrow Thursday, January 3, 2013 at 12,15pm when Marti Titus and her crew will be serving Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes w/ Gravy, Rolls, Brussels Sprouts, Bean Salad, Green Salad, Mixed Fruit, Birthday Cup Cakes... #816 – The A.V. Unity Club will present a special gathering on Thursday, Jan 10 at the Fairgrounds in Boonville. There is a lunch served at noon followed by a discussion topic entitled ‘Volunteerism runs the Valley’ – should be quite a crowd…

       The Wine of the Week… This has to be the superb Syrah from Bink Winery that I enjoyed at The Mad Magpie’s house last week. When served with a delicious elk steak dish it was, as I’m sure you can guess, positively orgasmic, and would go perfectly with any red meat – trust me on this; you can thank me later… As for the Whine of the Week, it is one that has often surfaced at this time of the year for someone like me, who enjoys a tipple at a local hostelry wherever that may be, and that is – annoying amateur drunken bastards. Fortunately the boorish behavior here in the Valley is fairly rare at this point in time, particularly this year when we were without a community party to go to (see below). The parties I attended on Monday night saw many people enjoying a civilized drink and convivial conversation, albeit increasingly full of gibberish as the evening moved along, but there is nothing wrong with that, certainly if it was me speaking! There were a couple of ‘sloppy’ folks but nothing too obnoxious at all. Most people are only out for four or five hours at the most whereas I remember in my days in San Francisco, for many it was a serious session of drinking lasting many, many hours. This was particularly true among the Europeans who started drinking at the time when the clock struck midnight to welcome in the New Year in their home country – in California, that’s just 3pm for those from continental Europe or 4pm for the Brits and Irish – they would not be a pretty sight a few hours later, I can assure you!... However, most people are pretty well behaved and for many it is a wonderful and moving event of course. Me included, even though when I reflect back on all the wine I drink I feel shame – briefly… I then look into the glass and think about the workers in the vineyards and all of their hopes and dreams. If I didn't drink this wine, they might be out of work and their dreams would be shattered. Then I say to myself, 'It is better that I drink this wine and let their dreams come true than be selfish and worry about my liver’…

       Moving very 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…

… Although there will not be an A.V. Film Festival this year, a number of regulars at the 3-Dot are very excited by the news that the A.V. Film Club, an offshoot of the Film Festival Committee, are putting together a series of movie nights in the Valley. The first of these is on Sat, Jan 5 at Lauren’s Restaurant at 8.30pm when the film ‘Under African Skies’ (2011) will be shown. This documents Paul Simon’s return to South Africa for the celebration of the 25th Anniversary of his Graceland album recorded there. Free admission, food and drink available…

… A couple of 3-Dot locals spoke very favorably of the warm welcome and delicious spicy pork lunch at Anel’s Mexican Restaurant in Boonville – just the latest in a series of very positive comments on the recently opened venue…

… Although there were a number of private and semi-private gatherings that took place on Monday evening, many Valley folks have commented how there is something very disappointing about there being no Valley gathering for New Year’s Eve… I have to agree…

… The Old Buzzard is on vacation but he did call in with an apology for a mistake that appeared in last week’s edition of his insightful series – ‘The Approach of the Apocalypse’… Buzzard reports, “I must correct the error in last week’s column when I referred to mass murderer Leonard Lake as Charles Lake – briefly confusing his first name with that of his diabolical partner in crime, Charles Ng. I will not confuse my serial killers again”…

       Well now I think it’s time to take my leave… May some of your dreams come true in 2013 and 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. On the sheep, Grace…

p.p.p.s. Keep on wagging that tail, Fred…

p.p.p.p.s. Keep on humming, Hummingbird…