# 421 - August 27th, 2014
Greetings one and all – if you are sitting comfortably
then I shall begin… This coming weekend will see the annual Labor Day
festivities, which have taken place at this time as a Federal holiday since
1894 and viewed by most Americans as the symbolic end of the summer… This event
celebrates the American labor movement and is dedicated to the social and
economic achievements of workers, so in these days of decline in the power of
the unions perhaps I should remind you why you will be enjoying your beers and
bar-b-que this weekend by referring to the influence and importance of labor
unions with some appropriate Quotes of the Week…
First
this from Benjamin Franklin, “We must hang together, or assuredly we shall hang
separately”… And then there are these wise words from Samuel Gompers who
founded the American Federation of Labor (A.F.L.), “The trade union movement
represents the organized economic power of the workers. It is in reality the
most potent and the most direct social insurance the workers can establish”… Of
course President F.D.R. should have his say with “It is one of the
characteristics of a free and democratic modern nation that it have free and
independent labor unions”… How about this from Martin Luther King Jr. -
"The Labor Movement was the principal force that transformed misery and
despair into hope and progress”… Or this from famous American lawyer and
leading member of the American Civil Liberties Union, Clarence Darrow -
"With all their faults, trade unions have done more for humanity than any other
organization of men (and women) that ever existed. They have done more for
decency, for honesty, for education, for the betterment of the race, for the
developing of character in men (and women) than any other association"…
Penultimately let’s hear from John F. Kennedy who observed that, “The American
Labor Movement has consistently demonstrated its devotion to the public
interest. It is, and has been, good for all America"… And finally let’s
hear from French author Alexander Dumas who said “All for one; and one for
all”…
Public
Service Announcements (P.S.A.’s)… Calendars and pens at the ready… # 916 - The
Socialist Workers of Anderson Valley, led by Brother Buzzard, will have their
next meeting at… Ha! Ha! - Just joking……… #917 - Blackbird Farm, formerly
Highland Ranch, is having an open house to which everyone in the Valley is
welcome to go up there and see what they are all about. It’s this coming
Saturday, August 30 from 1pm to 4pm. Refreshments will be provided and having
met several of the staff I can guarantee a pleasant and informative afternoon.
Directions - Just outside Philo turn on to Ray's Road; stay left of the fork;
at the gate enter 5151; reset your odometer; drive 2 miles till you get to the
end of the road and arrive at the yellow farm house - you’re there… #918 - The
Hendy Woods Campfire Program concludes its summer series this coming Saturday
evenings, August 24, at the Wildcat Loop Campfire ground. Led by Jeanine
Pfeiffer these interactive discussions begin around the campfire at 8.30pm… #919 - The next in the Guest Chef Dinner series to
benefit the Senior Center is on Saturday, August 30. This will be prepared by
Chris Rossi and friends and will feature Hawaiian Style Roasted Pork and all
the fixings. Happy Hour is at 5pm followed by dinner at 6pm. Tickets available
at the A.V. Senior Center, Lemons’ Market in Philo, and the A.V. Market and
Rossi Hardware both in Boonville. For full menu and information call the AV
Senior Center 895-3609… #920 - An another reminder of the top notch live music
coming to the Navarro Store Amphitheatre next month. First, just 10 days away,
on September 6 it’s the original line-up of the Subdudes and then on September
27 it’s the return to the Valley of the great electric blues harmonica man,
Charlie Musselwhite. Tickets now available - call 895-9445… #921 - A much
under-utilized resource should be mentioned once again. Through a private grant
to the A.V. Senior Center, generous gas-money reimbursements are available to
drivers who take our local seniors to necessary medical appointments out of the
Valley. Volunteers, while not paid for their actual time, will receive as much
as $20 for driving the senior to Ukiah, $60 to Santa Rosa, and $100 to the Bay
Area. Call Steve at S.A.N. (Senior Assistance Network) 353-0369 or Gina at the
Senior Center 895-3609 to offer your time to help with this important service …
#922 - The Vets from Mendocino Animal Hospital will not be back in the Valley
until Thursday, September 18…
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 surprisingly reliable) Rumors” from my favorite gathering place in the
Valley, a location that sees people get together and share their thoughts about
life in A.V. and where we subscribe to the Winston Churchill philosophy that “A
lie will get halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to put on
its pants”… So I’ll put my pants on and continue…
… A
regular informed the ‘usual suspects’ gathered at the Three-Dot that he had
checked the Chamber of Commerce’s events page on their website to see what was
coming up in the Valley in the way of events and, err, well, commerce. No much
it seems. In fact nothing for the next three months except the Grange Member Meetings
on the 3rd Tuesday of each month… Very odd…
… Many regulars, including myself, were in attendance at
The Buckhorn in Boonville for the most recent Friday Night Live performance at
that fine establishment. This featured long-time Valley music collaborators
Pilar Duran and Kevin Owens with their latest line-up and they attracted a
large crowd of mostly locals who all seemed to have a great time… On a side
note, the Guinness and spicy wings were even more enjoyable than the music but
I would say that, wouldn’t I?…
… The kids are back in school, which is where they
belong, and we at the Three-Dot wish each and everyone a successful year. We
also hope that Principal Michelle Hutchings’ vision for the school continues to
be realized…
… The Lions’ Club BBQ to benefit A.V. Ambulance was a
big success with about 120 in attendance - a significant increase over the bbq
fundraisers in the past two years… The topics of conversation were varied and
stimulating although one particular subject did keep cropping up - it was not
‘back-to-school’ week; not the weather; not the inconsistent S.F. Giants; not
the recent events in Ferguson, Missouri; not important world affairs such as
the on-going tragedies in Syria/Iraq, Ukraine, Libya, West Africa, etc; not
even the delicious tri-tip and baked potato we all enjoyed… No, the recurring
theme was the A.V. Health Center and its continuing issues that appear to have
no end. Based on my various conversations, the recent developments seem to be
causing quite a rift amongst Valley folks with many differing viewpoints,
various distortions of the facts, and a disquieting level of negative
discourse… In fact, it is a mess…
Well,
before I get dragged too far in and say something I shouldn’t, I think it’s time to depart and leave
it to the experts… Besides I’ve got see a man about a sheep… So, until we talk
again – ‘Keep the Faith’; be careful out there; stay out of the ditches; think
good thoughts; be wary of strangers with more dogs than teeth; 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”…
Sometimes
poking, often stroking, but always humbly yours, Turkey Vulture, who is extremely
honored to have the 2nd tallest tree (343.6 feet) in Hendy Woods
named after my ‘family’ and me…
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. Skylark – read any good books lately?... Keep on
humming, Hummingbird… Everything cool with you, O.J.? Of course it is…
posted by Turkey Vulture @ 10:24 AM
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