# 388 - January 8th, 2014

Greetings one and all – if you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin… As the drought continues, with no real end in sight, one has to start hoping for a bad preacher to turn up. For, if one does, as Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “The good rain, like a bad preacher, does not know when to leave off”…

         In a week with little news to report on up here at The Nest, nor from my travels out and about in the Valley that were somewhat restricted by the holidays, I thought that I’d do something a little different. So, for your Quote of the Week, what about some quips, comments, and downright abuse of newspapers? I’m sure none of these would be aimed at a newspaper as high-minded as The A.V.A. but knowing the machinations of some lesser principled organs of the press, the following words would appear to be very wise indeed... First let’s go with Charles Dickens’ vicious comment that newspapers are “so filthy and bestial that no honest man would admit one into his house for a water-closet doormat”... And almost as damning are the words of author Norman Mailer who said, “Once a newspaper touches a story, the facts are lost forever, even to the protagonists”... Then there is George Orwell who adds to the abuse with the comment, “Early in life I had noticed that no event is ever correctly reported in a newspaper”...

       On the other side of the discussion, whilst I am aware that “newspapers should have no friends” (Joseph Pulitzer), in the defense of rare newspapers such as the A.V.A. – ‘America’s Last Newspaper’, I offer you the comment by somebody you would perhaps not particularly wish to see on your side in any discussion about ethics and morals – former Chicago Mayor (1955 – 1976), Richard J. Daly, who commented, “A newspaper is the lowest thing there is!” I think newspapers would generally take that as a positive comment, even a compliment, considering the source... But perhaps the most positive comment about newspapers is the one from Thomas Jefferson, who would no doubt have been an avid A.V.A. reader in his day, who said, “Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.” Thanks for your support Thomas; I think that might have guaranteed you a free subscription...

       Public Service Announcements (P.S.A.’s)… Calendars and pens at the ready… #119 - The Crab Feeds are upon us! Well nearly… The first of these two wonderful Valley events, the one that benefits the A.V. Senior Center, will be held in the Apple Hall on Saturday, January 18. And then there is the Original Crab Feed scheduled for Saturday, February 1, also at The Apple Hall in Boonville. To get tickets for the big night out on January 18, contact Gina Pardini at 895-3609 or buy them at A.V. Market, Laughing Dog Books, Lemons Market, and Rossi’s Hardware. For the feast on Feb 1, call Gloria Ross (895-3071), Eva Holcomb (895-3307), or John Schultz (895-9552), or buy them at Laughing Dog Books. Remember - both events sell out every year… #120 - The Vets from the Mendocino Animal Hospital will be in town at the A.V. Farm on two occasions in January 2014 - Thursdays, Jan 16 and 23. Call 462-8833 for further details. New customers and their pets are always welcome…

      
       As a bonus P.S.A. here is the menu for the Community lunches and dinners over the next week at the Senior Center in the Veterans Hall in Boonville… The Center asks for a $6 donation from Seniors for both lunches and dinners and charges $7 for Non-Seniors for lunches and $8 for the dinners… Tomorrow, Thursday, January 9, the lunch, always served by Marti Titus and her crew at 12.15pm, will be Spanish Chicken w/ Chorizo, Roasted Potatoes, Broccoli, Faro Salad, with Lemonade Cake for dessert … Then next Tuesday evening, January 14 at 6pm, the dinner will feature Lasagna, Spinach, Garlic Bread, Raspberry Gelatin, Carrot Salad, Bulgur Salad, and a dessert of Rum Soaked Coconut Cake. As this is the 2nd Tuesday of the month, dinner will be followed by Bingo at 7pm. Hopefully you will be able to attend, and remember – ALL ages are welcome! 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 (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.…

… The Valley’s only liquor license (for the near future at least) will take effect at The Buckhorn, Boonville, in the next few weeks. A great relief to many local folks as surely a bar/restaurant with a full range of libations is a virtual necessity in any civilized society; right up there with a post office and a general store. A gas station, some form of law enforcement, and a school are bonuses… As is, some folks would say, a church…

… I am almost as pleased to be able to dispel the completely unfounded rumors as to the future of the fine local restaurant Aquarelle, also in downtown Boonville… Owner/Chef Christina Jones, having worked tremendously hard for the first year of operation, took a well-deserved break for the recent holidays and now plans to reopen with fresh ideas and renewed vigor on Friday, January 17… We at the 3-Dot wish her well and look forward to more of that Kale salad, truffle fries, and Red Wine braised Boneless Beef Short Ribs…

… Have you had a conversation in recent weeks that has not included a reference to the weather? Thought not. Me neither - understandably of course…

… The 49ers continue to make things hard for themselves this season but up to now they have succeeded each time in scraping out wins. Now they are two victories from the Super Bowl, although that may be just a step too far. Meanwhile, Raiders fans who continue to denigrate the Niners really should accept the fact that there is only one successful team in the Bay Area these days, and their team’s claim of a ‘Commitment to Excellence’ gets more ridiculous and hollow-sounding every year, certainly when an 11th successive non-winning season has just been completed…

       Oh, dear, have I upset somebody? – I suppose I should get my coat and 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

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

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