# 360 - June 26th, 2013

Greetings one and all – if you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin… So where did that come from? I’m talking about the couple of days of very welcome showers we just experienced. After the driest winter and spring in living memory (ever?), we get this short outburst at the end of June. Of course, there is nothing strange about our weather patterns over the past decade or two - there is no such thing as global warming and any efforts in the field of climate control are unnecessary…

       Obviously that leads perfectly into your Quotes of the Week, featuring the two sides (?) of the global warming debate… Let’s start with leading environmental activist, Al Gore, who reported, “Two thousand scientists, in a hundred countries, engaged in the most elaborate, well organized scientific collaboration in the history of humankind, and have produced long-since a consensus that we will face a string of terrible catastrophes unless we act to prepare ourselves and deal with the underlying causes of global warming”… And more basically, we have this from comedian, Dave Barry, “If you asked me to name the three scariest threats facing the human race, I would give the same answer that most people would: nuclear war, global warming, and Windows”… More seriously and gloomily, from Larry Schweiger, President of the National Wildlife Federation, “There will be no polar ice by 2060...Somewhere along that path, the polar bear drops out”… And finally from the advocates that global warming really and truly exists, here’s some wisdom from former U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman, “Today, we can see with our own eyes what global warming is doing. In that context it becomes truly irresponsible, if not immoral, for us not to do something”…

       On the other hand, and just to keep a sense of ‘balance’ to this discussion, we have this from evangelical fundamentalist, Jerry Fulwell, “The whole (global warming) thing is created to destroy America's free enterprise system and our economic stability”… And from business magnate and owner of the Miss U.S.A. pageant, Donald “Nice Hair’ Trump, I present these insightful words, “It’s freezing outside. So much for all those experts on global warming”… And let’s finish with a famous piece of gibberish from George W. Bush – “I know the human being and fish can coexist peacefully”… Does global warming exist as a result of us humans? Can something be done about it if it does? Make up your own mind…

       Onward… The majority of the 7,000+ visitors to the Valley this past weekend had no doubt left their encampments on Sunday evening before the rain was to get ‘serious’ – which it still hasn’t as I write on a Monday lunchtime. Meanwhile, hopefully locals have recovered from ‘The Invasion of the Body Painters, Whirling Dervishes, and their Loud Music Playing Friends’ that attended Boonville’s 8th year of hosting the ‘Be-dreaded’ (pun intended) Sierra Nevada World Music (basically reggae) Festival. The impact on the Valley seemed to be greater than ever – some of it good, some not so. The biggest negatives I heard were connected to the shear volume of traffic in and around downtown Boonville. It started on Thursday evening and by Friday lunchtime getting across town, all of a mile, took nearly half-an-hour as the hordes arrived in massive numbers. Parking became a major problem for locals trying to do go about their business and those not attending the festival wisely stayed away from town entirely. On the other hand, those locals who went to the event seem to have a marvelous time and enjoyed the music, the dancing, the wide variety of foods, and the many interesting sights and sounds that this gathering provides… For those at home, there was KZYX & Z, our local public radio station covering the festival live… Well sort of - several breaks in their audio connection occurred as a result of ‘gremlins’, according to the radio hosts, and it made for an unsatisfactory listening experience. At least they tried… According to law enforcement, the event was uneventful in terms of crime and unsocial behavior and that’s amazing in itself with so many folks in town. Perhaps they were medicated in some way… Anyway, once again we have experienced another ‘happening’ that has its supporters and opponents among our local population and as I’ve said many times – that’s life in the Valley, and we’ll do it all again next year…

       Public Service Announcements… Calendars and pens at the ready… #413 – The next in the series of Guest Chef Dinners that take place every two months to benefit the Senior Center is coming up this weekend. Usually a Friday night event, on this occasions it is a Saturday - June 29 to be precise, with Happy Hour at 5pm followed by an Hawaiian-style pig roast cooked and then served by Chris Rossi and friends at 6pm. Tickets will certainly sell out, if they haven’t already, so call Gina at 895-3609 to reserve yours… #414 – That same evening, you could make a wise decision and take a short walk/drive down the street from the Pig Roast at the Veterans Building for the monthly Sing-along-a-Liddy with Patty Liddy at Lauren’s Restaurant. That fun time will be starting at 8.30pm and it’s well worth it… #415 – The Boonville Road Race – which they tell me is ‘Boonville’s finest bike race’ is also on Sat June 29. This is a benefit for ‘Cycked’, the Valley’s ‘premier bike advocacy group, working hard to bring a 30-mile bike path from Boonville to the coast at a cost of over $25,000,000.’ Contact www.bitehardboonvilleroadrace.com for details… #416 – The annual Boonville Art Walk returns on the following weekend - Saturday, July 6, from 3pm – 7pm. Paintings, collages, ceramics, woodwork, jewelry, textile art, and more. Call 895-2204 for details… #417 – That weekend also sees the monthly Barn Sale on A.V. Way just north of Boonville. That’s Sat/Sun, July 6-7 from 10am to 2pm each day… #418 – The Vets are not back in the Valley until Thursday, July 11 but will have a full service on that day, featuring house calls in the morning and all your vet needs from 2pm to 3.30pm in the afternoon at the A.V. Farm Supply. Call 462-8833 for further details… #419 - Ginger Valen informs me that she and husband Walt have a new permanent home for their ‘Garden Whimsy Garden Shop.’ It’s at 13400 Anderson Valley Way at The Little Green Barn; open on weekends from 10am to 4pm. From Hwy 128 just outside Boonville, look for the banner on the roof. They specialize in garden sculpture, gate decor, garden oriented pottery pieces, and handmade and manufactured pots for plants.  Ring the bell at the gate to let them know you've arrived or contact them at Stoney Bottom Gardens, waldenvalen@pacific.net 707-895-9424…

       As a bonus P.S.A. here is the menu for the next week at the Senior Center in the Veterans Hall in Boonville… The Center asks for a $5 donation from Seniors and charges $7 for Non-Seniors for lunches… Tomorrow, Thursday, June 27, the lunch, served at 12.15pm, will be Beef Stroganoff, Noodles, Brussels Sprouts, Wheat Berry Salad, Bread Pudding … Then next Tuesday, July 2, the lunch served by Marti Titus and her crew will be Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes w/ Gravy, Corn, Rolls, Wheat Berry Salad, Birthday Cup Cakes... Hope to see you there… (Heads-up! – the Center will be closed on Thursday, July 4)

       Nothing from The Three-Dot Lounge this week – we were closed in order to attend the music festival. However, from the bird that never sleeps, nor dances to reggae, The Old Buzzard, comes another in his insightful series – ‘The Approach of the Apocalypse’… Buzzard reports, “The Graduation Season is at an end and the school students have departed for a summer of fun and frivolity, and perhaps even to find time to give a little help to their parents around the house and in the yard! I attended some part or all of each of the four graduation ceremonies in the Valley, although there are just two that I personally feel are really meaningful – the one for the 6th graders moving on to the ‘new world of the big school’, and last Thursday’s ceremony for the high school seniors. I know I am certainly not alone in thinking this way. I am not against the pre-school graduation or the 8th grade event as such, each are lovely occasions, but with four graduations before our students are even eighteen I feel we somewhat downgrade the significance of the other two ceremonies – each of which are particularly important watershed moments in a young person’s life. I could go on, but won’t; after all, the joy on the faces of every child and parent at all four events was something both very special and even moving and perhaps this is not, as I have often thought, a sign that the Apocalypse is fast approaching… After all, I must admit, they even bought a tear or two to this old curmudgeon’s eyes…”

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

p.p.p.s. Bobwhite Quail - keep up the knitting!

# 359 - June 19th, 2013

Greetings one and all – if you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin… Before we get into the ‘meat and carrion’ of the column, may I just remind you once again of a key guideline for a happy and healthy life in the country – “Be wary of strangers with more dogs than teeth”... Onward!…

       Public Service Announcements… Calendars and pens at the ready… #114 – Due to staff shortages the Vets from the Mendocino Animal Hospital do not plan to be back in the Valley to check on our pets and animals until Thursday, July 11. If this changes I shall let you know… #115 – If any Valley dwellers haven’t heard already, their cave being particularly high up in the hills, the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival (SNWMF) returns to the Valley for the its 8th successive year this coming weekend - June 21-23 – yes, it has been coming here since 2006! Thousands of reggae-loving visitors will be here and many locals will no doubt join them too. Most of this particular crowd will be very nice and polite, and the ‘female of the species’ is often very pleasant on the eye, so let’s give them a big Valley ‘Welcome’, hope they support our locally-owned small businesses, and then wish them merrily on their way come Sunday night. For details go to www.snwmf.com. … #116 – The next in the series of Guest Chef Dinners that take place every two months to benefit the Senior Center is coming up later in the month. Usually a Friday night event, on this occasions it is a Saturday - Saturday, June 29 to be precise, with Happy Hour at 5pm followed by an Hawaiian-style pig roast cooked and then served by Chris Rossi and friends at 6pm. Tickets will certainly sell out so call Gina at 895-3609 to reserve yours… #117 – Later that same evening, you can take a short stroll down the road and stop off at Lauren’s Restaurant for the monthly ‘Sing-along-a Liddy’ community singsong with Patty Liddy. It starts at 8.30pm and I defy anyone to show up and not join in – you’ll know most of the songs and will be unable to contain yourself!

      

       As a bonus P.S.A. here is the menu for the next week at the Senior Center at the Veterans Hall in Boonville… The Center asks for a $5 donation from seniors and charges $7 for Non-Seniors for lunches and for the dinners it is $6 and $8, respectively… Tomorrow, Thursday, June 20 the lunch, served at 12.15pm, will be BBQ Ribs, Baked Beans, Roasted Veggies, Garlic Bread, Broccoli Salad, Mud Slide Dessert … Then next Tuesday, June 25 at 6pm, the dinner served by Marti Titus and her crew will be Chicken Diane, Potluck Potatoes, Peas, Orange Gelatin, Rolls, Kasha Salad, Lime Berry Cake
… This is also Game Night so bring your favorite game to play or hang out and visit with friends… Hope to see you there…

       Well, with the above-mentioned music festival almost a tradition around here at this point - although I realize that to some Valley folks it is not a tradition until is has been happening for fifty years; just like you are not a ‘local’ unless you arrived before World War 2 - how about a couple of Quotes of the Week on the topic of ‘tradition’? Here we go… First let’s turn to W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965), the playwright and novelist, who observed that “Tradition is a guide and not a jailer” – so are we to assume that miserable Maugham probably wouldn’t see the benefit in having the festival every year? He probably wasn’t much of a reggae fan…. And secondly let’s go with T.S. Elliot (1888-1965), the playwright, literary and social critic, who remarked wisely, “A tradition without intelligence is not worth having” – perhaps a veiled comment on the demeanor of people in town who will clearly be under the mellow and, in many cases, the intelligence-altering influence of various substances… My response is, in the words of several young Valley folks of my acquaintance, “It’s all good.”…

       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 (and often Reliable) Rumors” from my favorite gathering place in the Valley where people get together and share their thoughts about life in A.V.…

… Several regulars in the Three-Dot expressed their great satisfaction when I informed them that Deputy Craig Walker had recently told me that his Sheriff’s Office dog, Zeke the German Shepherd, had passed his certification and was now accompanying Walker on patrol as our local deputy carried out his duties… Having met Zeke a few times I was also very gratified – he’s extremely smart and good-natured dog, unless of course you’re one of the ‘bad guys’– then he’s downright nasty. You have been warned…

… Speaking of ‘warnings’, as mentioned above, the big music festival takes place this weekend in the Valley. One regular, not against the festival itself but certainly not partial to uninvited guests camping on his property, already has a sign prepared - “Camp here and you’ll wish you’d kissed a wild Hog’s snout instead”… I guess that makes it pretty clear…

… ‘Enquiring Minds at The Three-Dot want to know’: Where can I get my sheep sheared? Well, this is one I have a good answer for... There is a young man from the coast who will certainly oblige. His name is Matt Gilbert and he has already done a fine job on many of the smaller flocks in the Valley during the past month or so, as he has been doing for the last few years around here. He is accommodating, very reasonably priced, and can be reached on his cell phone at 972-9144...

… School Newsflash… May I extend a warm welcome to the newly appointed A.V. High School Principal - Michelle Hutchins? Ms. Hutchins is coming here from Trinity County, CA, where she was the principal at Hayfork High School, a public school serving 98 students in the 2012-13 year. She was also the superintendent of the Mountain Valley School District… I hear, and I don’t think it’s just a rumor, that she may wish to get involved in the community’s events and social scene perhaps more than her predecessors, which is very encouraging. Personally speaking, as long as she supports school fundraising events such as the recent Drive-Thru Tri-Tip BBQ Dinner to benefit the F.F.A. program then she has the support of the Valley’s premier meat and carrion eaters such as myself. If she also spends a leisurely weekend visiting our winery tasting rooms; exercises her brain with the Trivia Quiz at Lauren’s Restaurant; devours the Prime Rib Special at The Buckhorn, gobbles the Kale Caesar’s at Aquarelle, scoffs Libby’s carnitas plate, or even sips a few libations at the Lodge (Saloon) then any/all of those would be a bonus! Looking forward to seeing you around, Ms. Aitch…

       I’m outta here… 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. Skylark – read any good books lately?

# 358 - June 12th, 2013

Greetings one and all – if you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin… A great sadness descended over many folks in the Valley this past week with the tragic news of the death of 21-year old Raul Malfavon – ‘Turkey’ to his group friends, in which I would certainly include myself. A member of the A.V.H.S. Class of 2010, Raul was a polite, smart, and always very cheerful young man, who was very popular among all those who knew him. Inevitably, rumors abound but suicide is reliably believed to be the cause of death. This would be an unusual and unthinkable deed to most people in our Mexican community, coming from a society that has relatively very low numbers for such an act. 

It is even more confounding when it is someone who was always so positive and even-keeled. Nevertheless, getting over a break-up with a girlfriend, a traumatic experience that Raul was apparently having trouble dealing with, is difficult for young people of every ethnicity; a time when the feeling that there is no point in carrying on is overwhelming and it doesn’t matter what any family and close friends, who know that things will get better, may say. When you’re in the kind of mental state occupied by Raul in recent weeks then that just doesn’t seem possible. It is so very sad… Many will miss Raul’s reliable friendship, smiling face, and good-natured demeanor; may he find peace and light…  

       For your Quotes of the Week, here are a couple that speak to the issue of suicide… From novelist and social commentator George Sand (1804-1876), here are some wise words that may help others, “At such times, it seems we should tear out a single page from the book of our life and burn it, rather than throw the whole book into the fire”… And from Brittany Snow of the young people’s suicide prevention help group, ‘Love is Louder’, we have “Our movement is hopefully going to bring some awareness and make some noise when it comes to teens and young adults who are feeling suicidal or even just very sad, outcasts, or being bullied, and really feel like they have nowhere to turn to”… (www.loveislouder.com)…

       Moving on… Last Saturday was a little on the warm side wasn’t it? I was told by several people that it was in the low 100s where they were, and at The Nest in the west end of the Valley we saw 98 F at 3pm. Earlier I had flown into Boonville where there was a very sparse group of vendors who had braved the heat to work the Farmer’s Market while quite a crowd of tourist-like visitors were across the road at the Paysanne ice cream store – ‘good move,’ I’d say… Other than that there were lots of cars but very few people on the streets and even at the Drive-In there was nobody sitting outside. A lot of traffic seemed to be heading out to the assumed cooler climes on the coast and who could blame them, I suppose. Nevertheless, the wineries appeared to be doing brisk business and the Farm Supply guys were working hard, loading hay and soil into the back of trucks in the very hot sun. I would have offered to help but my old back injury was flaring up (?)… Fortunately, up at The Nest, it finally cooled off by about 9pm and Sunday morning turned out to be very pleasant indeed for the Pancake breakfast at The Grange. This week is apparently going to see several days of mid-70s temperatures, reaching the low 80s over the weekend. All very lovely, wouldn’t you say? Weatherwisely yours, ‘The Climaturkey’…

        

       Public Service Announcements… Calendars and pens at the ready… #560 – The monthly Community Drum Session is tonight, June 12 – contact Rob 3897 or Andy 3020 for further details – at least it’s not bagpipes! (I’m half-joking)… #561 – The Vets from the Mendocino Animal Hospital will return to the Valley just once in June – and that is tomorrow, Thursday, June 13 from 2pm to 3.30pm at the A.V. Farm Supply just north of Philo on Hwy 128. New customers and their pets are always welcome and the vets 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... #562 – Dave Evans, hard-working owner of the Navarro Store and impresario in the world of local live music, informs me that the Deep End will once again be the scene for two very special live performances this summer – on July 13 it will be Roy Rogers and the Delta Rhythm Kings and then, on August 31, electric blues harmonica great Charlie Musselwhite will make his much anticipated return to the Valley. In the meantime, the store’s BBQ grill will be opening up this week on Sunday, June 16 and Monday June 17 with new cook Guy Kephart taking over from the almost but not quite irreplaceable Pablo. Following that, Guy’s Grill will be serving some of the best bbq food around from 11am to 3pm every Saturday and Sunday throughout the summer, plus into the night at the live shows…  #563 – The Sierra Nevada World Music Festival returns to the Valley over the weekend of June 21-23. For details go to www.snwmf.com. Most of you know the routine by now - great time for some; not so great for others – that’s the A.V. way!… #564 - The Bite Hard Bicycle Road Race is on Saturday, June 29… #565 – Later that afternoon/early evening, and surely an event that appeals to the majority, it’s a pig roast Hawaiian-style for the Senior Center Guest Chef Dinner prepared and presented by Chris Rossi (Rossi Hardware), Fal Allen (A.V. Brewing), Loretta Houck (Laughing Dog Books), and friends. This will be held outside at the senior center and tickets are limited. Call Gina at 3069 to get yours; #566 – Finally on June 29, you can walk down the street a short distance from the pig roast to Lauren’s Restaurant where at 8.30pm it’s the ‘Sing-along-a-Liddy’ Community Singsong with hostess Patty Liddy – sounds like a wonderful Valley Night Out to me!…

       As a bonus P.S.A. here is the menu for the next week at the Senior Center… For lunches, always served at 12.15pm, the Center asks for a $5 donation from Seniors and charges $7 for Non-Seniors. On Thursday, June 13, the lunch will be Beef Tacos, Rice, Corn & Peppers, Salsa, and Avocados, with Pineapple Cake for dessert… And then next Tuesday, June 18, Chef Marti Titus and her crew will be serving Chicken w/ Kale, Rice Farro Salad and Kahlua Cake… Hopefully you will be able to attend, and remember – ALL ages are welcome!…

        Finally this week comes a brief comment from regular contributor, the often-despondent correspondent, The Old Buzzard… “By the time you read this the name of the new High School Principal will most likely have been announced… Claws and fingers crossed for the insightful choice of an individual who, to parents, students and faculty alike, will provide strong leadership; exhibit good people skills; show ability to balance ‘tough love’ and discipline with earned praise and encouragement; demonstrate fairness and consistency; be organized and prepared; have good listening skills; and be a visionary in the world of modern education. This decision is going to have a great influence on the futures of the Valley’s schoolchildren. Hopefully those entrusted with the decision will have found such a candidate. Anything less would be disappointing and perhaps a sign that the Apocalypse is even closer than I thought…”

       I’m outta here!… 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. Hi, Silver Swan – see you soon to share a bottle of wine?

# 357 - June 5th, 2013

Greetings one and all – if you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin… It’s going to get very warm - I could be wrong of course, and my weather guru Dave Gowan is no longer around these parts to consult with, but I think last week’s day of rain and drizzle might be just about our lot for the next four months or so. With many creeks almost dry already and most pastures and hillsides already brown, the water prospects in the Valley are not good. Hopefully the wineries and pot growers will take heed and leave some for the rest of us…

      Talking about thinking of others, as I flew up and down the Valley over the Memorial Day weekend, observing the activities at the various restaurants, stores and wineries, at my first stop, the Evergreen Cemetery on A.V. Way, there was a small group of maybe 20 Valley folks gathered at The Wall of Remembrance for the short but very relevant Memorial Day service put on by the Veterans. Certainly there had been a few showers earlier, and more rain was threatening but, to be honest, this service to commemorate those who had given their lives serving in the military deserved a better turnout. After all, those who perished had to deal with far more than a few raindrops I am sure.  It seems that the weekend saw most folks busy living their lives and enjoying the ‘holiday’ with family and friends, which is fine, and has great merit of course, but it would certainly have been heart-warming to see a better turnout. Oh, well, it is what it is… 

       Public Service Announcements… Calendars and pens at the ready… #561 – The Vets from the Mendocino Animal Hospital will return to the Valley just once in June - from 2pm to 3.30pm on Thursday, June 13 at the A.V. Farm Supply just north of Philo on Hwy 128... #562 – the A.V. Grange Local Food Pancake Breakfast is at The Grange from 8.30am to 11am this coming Saturday, June 9… #563 - the monthly Community Drum Session is next Wednesday, June 12 – contact Rob 3897 or Andy 3020 for further details… There’s not much else on the social calendar to report over the next week in the Valley and near points beyond, but later in the month all sorts of events will be taking place. These include The Sierra Nevada World Music Festival – June 21-23; The Kate Wolf Music Festival – June 28-30; the Bite Hard Bicycle Road Race – June 29; the Senior Center Guest Chef Dinner – June 29; and the ‘Sing-along-a-Liddy’ Community Singsong – June 29... Then in July it really gets busy - looks like your calendar is going to be full…

       As a bonus P.S.A. here is the menu for the next week at the Senior Center… For lunches, the Center asks for a $5 donation from Seniors and charges $7 for Non-Seniors, and $6 and $8 respectively for the evening meals. On Thursday, June 6, the lunch, served at 12.15pm, will be Fish & Chips, Corn Bread, Tarter Sauce, Cole Slaw, Tabbouleh Salad, and Banana Split Cake for dessert… And then next Tuesday evening, June 11, at 6pm, Chef Marti Titus and her crew will be serving a dinner featuring Spaghetti w/ Meat Sauce, French Bread, Cauliflower & Broccoli, Carrot Salad, and Dessert - a feast that will be followed by Bingo at 7pm… Hopefully you will be able to attend, and remember – ALL ages are welcome!…

       Moving 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 (and often Reliable) Rumors” from my favorite gathering place in the Valley where people get together and share their thoughts about life in A.V.…

… On my travels out and about in the Valley on Saturday evening, I was very pleasantly surprised by the ‘top notch’ appearance of many high school students in their Prom outfits as they ‘wined and dined’ at their pre-Prom gatherings at various Valley eateries. I had no idea those boys could look so smart and handsome! Inevitably they were somewhat upstaged by the girls, who were absolutely radiant, but the boys did the school proud and our gender even more proud (or is it prouder?)…

… Old friend and owner of the Buckhorn pub in Boonville, Tom Towey, popped into The Three-Dot for a drink or five the other day and after catching up on each other’s news and confessing that his golf game was as inconsistent as ever, he reminded me that his fine establishment continues to offer their popular Prime Rib special on Thursday evenings. He added that in the next few weeks the pub would also be introducing a Karaoke Night, Fresh Fish Fridays, and the ‘Summer under the Stars’ series of live music performances on the patio… I’ll keep you posted…

… A few of our Three-Dot regulars are delighted that the General Knowledge and Trivia Quiz resumes its summer and fall schedule this week… That means the popular event is once again every Thursday at Lauren’s Restaurant in Boonville, with question time beginning at 7pm… An evening of delicious food, fine wine, and good beer; plus lively banter with friends and an exercise of the mind – what more can you possibly want from a night out?!...

… The decision on the next High School Principal will hopefully be made in the next week or so, and hopefully by that time all five members of the School Board will have participated… As mentioned by A.V.A. Supreme Leader Bruce Anderson in last week’s issue, certain members may have felt somewhat excluded from the selection proceedings. That may or may not be true – anything is believable given the events over the past few months on the stage at the local soap opera / high school campus… More importantly, in the minds of many regulars at the Three-Dot, hopefully any members who possibly did feel that way have by now thrust themselves, welcome or not, into the decision-making process and offered their thoughts and opinions on this very important matter…

… The ‘Potluck Season’ is officially underway – you know, the period of Valley gatherings when guests are invited to “Come to our house and bring something to eat and/or drink”… Having attended many of these gatherings I can say, somewhat knowledgeably, that a few people will bring very little and eat a lot, and others will bring plenty and eat their fair share… Of course, some folks think it refers to something else entirely and turn up simply because they think that with a bit of ‘luck’ they’ll get some ‘pot’. If this happens, these folks do tend to then proceed to eat quite a lot - you have been warned…

      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. Keep on humming, Hummingbird…