# 451 - 25th March, 2015

       Greetings one and all – if you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin… Not much to report this week other than one particularly momentous occasion - tomorrow, March 26, the Valley’s oldest citizen, Freda Fox, turns 97 years young. If ever the vastly overused word ‘awesome’ can be applied then this would certainly be the occasion. Yes, that really is awesome!

       Freda was born in 1918 when World War One was still raging and, when the U.S. became involved in the Second World War, Freda was one of the first nurses to go to Europe with the troops, staying there for three-and-a-half years straight without leave… After the war, she spent many years in the Bay Area, before she, husband Joe, and their three children, Jeff, John, and Terry, moved to the Valley in the sixties. She recalls, “I didn’t want to move here. It was the middle of nowhere remember - it has changed a lot since the early sixties...But, I learned to love it and the people here certainly helped in that – everyone has always been so friendly to me here although my friends from those days have all passed away except Carolyn Short. My life has gone full-circle I suppose. I grew up in a small town, did many things out on my own in the world, and have now come back to a small town”… And when reflecting on what she has learned about life and what advice she would give others, she comments, “I do try to follow this expression – ‘Accept the things you cannot change, have the courage to change the things you can, and possess the wisdom to know the difference.’ I think of that often to keep myself in check”… Wise words indeed… Many happy returns, Freda… (Meanwhile, for those who were wondering how he’s getting on, the Valley’s second oldest resident, Ross Murray, who will turn 97 in September of this year, has recently moved into the Elder Home complex in Boonville where he is settling in well)…      

         Obviously, for your Quotes of the Week, we must turn to the topic of age… Here we go… From assassinated President James Garfield comes this, ‘If wrinkles must be written upon our brows, let them not be written upon our heart. The spirit should never grow old”… H.L. Mencken (1880-1956), the American journalist, satirist, cultural critic and scholar of American English commented, “The older I grow, the more I distrust the familiar doctrine that age brings wisdom”… The French fashion designer and founder of the Chanel brand, Coco Chanel (1883-1971), a prolific fashion creator whose design aesthetic was also realized in jewelry, handbags, and fragrance, and who incidentally is the only fashion designer listed on Time magazine's list of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century, remarked famously, “Nature gives you the face you have at twenty; it is up to you to merit the face you have at fifty”… In a similar vein we have this from Gypsy Rose Lee (1911-1970), the American burlesque entertainer famous for her striptease act, although she was also an actress, author, and playwright, observed, “I have everything now that I had twenty years ago - except now it’s all lower”… And there is this from actress Katherine Hepburn, “I have no romantic feelings about age. Either you are interesting at any age or you are not”… Ultimately, it is what it is, and as Francis Bacon (1561-1626), the English philosopher, statesman, and scientist said, “Age will not be defied” - although Freda is making a wonderful effort to do so…

       Public Service Announcements (P.S.A.’s)… Calendars and pens at the ready… #364 - Here’s a heads-up on a very special event that will be held in a couple of week’s time. On Sunday, April 12 at The Grange on Hwy 128 beginning at 1.30pm, it’s the next installment in the series of Roundtable Discussions put on by the A.V. Historical Society to which you are cordially invited. Having previously covered the 1930s/40s in the first roundtable and then the 1950s/60s during the second one, on this occasion it is the Valley of the 1970s that will be revisited through the recollections of a discussion panel featuring a dozen or so Valley folks gathered rather from those who lived here during those years or those who arrived in the Valley to start a new life at that time and who never left. This is the Society’s big annual event and everyone is encouraged to attend what will surely be a fascinating afternoon of old Valley stories and memories… #365 - The Vets from the Mendocino Animal Hospital have three upcoming confirmed dates when they will be in the Valley - Thursdays, March 26, April 9 and 30… #366 - The Boonville Big Band will be playing at Lauren’s on Saturday, April 4. The show asks for a $5 cover and begins at 9pm… #367 - The Winter Farmers’ Market continues in front of the Boonville General Store, 10-12:30, rain or shine… #368 - The A.V. Lending Library run by The Unity Club is open Tuesday and Saturday at The Fairgrounds - Tues 1.30pm-4.30pm and Saturday 2pm-4pm…

       As a bonus P.S.A. here is the menu for the Community lunches and dinners over the next week at the Senior Center at the Veterans’ Building 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, March 26, the lunch, served by Marti Titus and her crew at Noon, will be Chicken enchiladas, corn, spinach apple salad, black beans, farro salad, and Mexican chocolate cake for dessert… Then, next Tuesday evening, March 31 at 6pm, the dinner will feature Chicken with Kale, Pasta, brown rice, cabbage apple slaw, strawberry gelatin, and Carrot cake for dessert. All meals include vegetables, salad bar, and fruit, plus milk, coffee, tea, and lemonade. 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 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 Anderson Valley and sometimes far beyond…

... More missing dogs in the Valley this past week and following lengthy discussions, the regulars wanted me to pass on the need to get tags for you dogs, or better still have them micro-chipped. The tags are easy and cheap at www.tagxpress.com and all those hard working volunteers at the Animal Rescue, plus the many other animal lovers in The Valley, will certainly appreciate it…

… One Valley wine-owner always gives a case of wine to every Valley fundraising event, and when attending in person, more often than not he makes sure a couple of hundred dollars finds its way from his wallet to the donation jar. He is not alone with his generosity among winery bigwigs of course, although these folks put those others who donate just one bottle to shame. I am very aware that the wineries get asked repeatedly for donations, but one bottle - yes, it happens!! Keep your &@#+ing bottle, I say... The person in question donates very surreptitiously so I do not wish to give out his name, suffice it to say that it is greatly appreciated by many folks around the Valley in fundraising circles and I find that his 2013 white Riesling goes extremely well with a Thai chicken curry…

… With bud-break either with us or about to be, depending where you live in the Valley, and frosty nights also expected, we will probably soon have to put up with the ridiculously loud ‘helicopter-like fly-overs’ that some winery’s frost protection fans sound like to anyone living anywhere within a mile or so of such businesses. One 3-Dot regular told me that certain wineries are providing complimentary bottles of wine and free earplugs to those who go in and complain that they simply cannot sleep through the noise. I suppose he could have been pulling my claw, but if true then that’s quite a decent gesture, although I’m sure most folks would prefer the noise pollution to end for good. Meanwhile, a number of people may be somewhat appeased with the wineries’ offer of wine, although let’s be honest, it would be rude of them not to…

       Well I’m outta here as 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 almost always humbly yours, Turkey Vulture - pleased in the knowledge that the old hare has returned safely to his burrow

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…

# 450 - 18th March, 2015

        Greetings one and all – if you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin… Several regulars at the 3-Dot and myself wish to pass on our congratulations to owner Tom Towey on the 4th Anniversary of his Buckhorn restaurant and pub in the heart of Boonville. Recalling those months in late 2010 and early 2011, I remember well Tom’s perseverance as he fought through the ridiculous red tape and mind-boggling bureaucracy that Mendocino County provides as obstacles for anyone who is planning to open a pub/restaurant. One would like to think the local government would try to help such endeavors instead of doing their best to prevent such small businesses opening and being successful. It’s actually quite disgraceful what happened, but the bastards were finally beaten down and a much-needed establishment was opened that has added to the enjoyment of an afternoon or evening out in Boonville… Twenty-plus local people are employed, the menu is wide-ranging, the beer, wine, and liquor selection is second to none in the county, and the place looks great! It provides what every the community needs - a fine drinking and eating establishment at which to spend time with family and friends. Oh, and I should add - it’s the only place in the Valley to get ‘proper’ drinks like martini’s, Bloody Mary’s, and fine whiskey, etc, and it’s also the only place that serves Huevos Rancheros - which they do during the 10am-4pm brunch hours at weekends. Try it - you can thank me later…

       For your Quote of the Week, I feel it is perfectly appropriate to give you the wise words of the British social commentator and writer, Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) – “Nothing has been yet contrived by man, by which so much happiness is produced as by a good tavern or inn.” I would venture to say that this is as true today as on the occasion he originally made this very astute observation... And let’s have a second quote in a similar vein, with a bit of Irish logic to contemplate as you toast a ‘Happy St. Patrick’s to one and all’ and ‘Well done, Tom!” - these are the thoughtful words of Irish ‘philosopher’ Brian O'Rourke who sagely observed, “When we drink, we get drunk. When we get drunk, we fall asleep.  When we fall asleep, we commit no sin. When we commit no sin, we go to heaven. So, let's all get drunk and go to heaven!”... Hard to argue with that…

       Public Service Announcements (P.S.A.’s)… Calendars and pens at the ready… #678 - An early heads-up for the inaugural Goat Fest and Wildflower Show on Saturday, April 25. Although it cannot replace the wonderful but sadly demised Woolgrowers’ Fair of many year’s standing, this new event has great potential to become a Valley staple in its own right. If you are interested in being a vendor, presenter, or volunteer contact ‘The Goat Man’ Jim Devine at 496-8725 or avgoats@gmail.com… #679 - The Mendocino Bookmobile returns to the Valley on Tuesday, March 24. They are here on alternate Tuesdays for 45 minutes at each of these places and times: Navarro Store 9am (for just 30 minutes); the Floodgate 12.30pm; Philo 1.30pm; Boonville (Apple Hall) 2.30pm. Phone 463-4694 for further details… #680 - Need a burn permit? You can get one from the Firehouse in Boonville. Call 895-2020 for details or stop by - you will be efficiently served with a smile - trust me on this… #681 - The A.V Museum continues its winter/spring hours of Saturday and Sunday, from 1pm-4pm. Situated in The Little Red Schoolhouse next to the Elementary School on A.V. Way, this is a perfect thing to do in the Valley when you have a couple of hours spare on a weekend afternoon. It is not without reason that it is generally regarded as ‘The Best Little Museum in the West’… #682 - As previously mentioned, the Vets from Mendocino Animal Hospital will not be making a visit to the Valley until Thursday, March 26. Thankfully, they do plan to be here twice in April… #683 - The monthly ‘Open Mic’ night at Lauren’s restaurant in Boonville resumes this Saturday, March 21 at 9pm (sign up at 8.30pm). All are welcome - musicians, singers, poets, writers, impressionists, magicians, comedians, actors, fire-eaters, pole dancers, sword swallowers, ventriloquists, raconteurs, exotic dancers, animal callers, etc. No clowns - apparently they would scare any kids who might be there, and no mimes, please - they scare pretty much everyone else!…

       As a bonus P.S.A. here is the menu for the Community lunches over the next week at the Senior Center at the Veterans’ Building in Boonville. The Center asks for a $6 donation from seniors and charges $7 for Non-seniors… Tomorrow, Thursday, March 19, the lunch, served by Marti Titus and her crew promptly at Noon, will be Beef and broccoli, rice, Asian slaw, Thai barley salad, and Mango cake for dessert. Then, next Tuesday March 24, the lunch will feature Fish and chips, broccoli, cornbread, Quinoa salad, and Lemon bars for dessert. All meals include vegetables, salad bar, and fruit, plus milk, coffee, tea, and lemonade. 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 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 Anderson Valley and not far beyond…

… The Afternoon Club, based at the Senior Center in Boonville is up and running! This will be for elderly folks to spend a few hours at the Center on Thursday afternoons so that their care-taking spouses can get a break. Set up under the auspices of the A.V. Senior Center and the local Senior Assistance Network (S.A.N.), the Director of this program is Sony Hatcher and I am sure we all wish her every success with this important venture. For further information call Sony at 489-1367 or email her at sonyhatcher@yahoo.com…

… 3-Dot regular Bunny Bill stopped by to celebrate the performances of his produce at the Citrus Fair held recently in Cloverdale. These were his awards:- First Place and Best of Division for limes; First Place for lemons; First Place for Mandarin Orange; a poor Second Place for Kaffir Limes; and a miserable Third Place for grapefruit - something he clearly needs to work on… With all the victories he inevitably collected The Big One - the Sweepstakes Ribbon for the most ribbons won at the show… Well done, that man!...

… Many regulars attended the St Patrick’s Dinner at the Apple Hall on Saturday evening to benefit the Senior Center and it was generally agreed that it was arguably their best so far. The corned beef and cabbage was very good indeed and the Irish coffees were expertly made by Fal Allen, who also did a W Dan-esque job on the cake auction that saw a number of bids topping $100!... The rest of the Senior Centre Board were there working hard, along with their volunteer crew, all making sure the whole event ran smoothly. This is a Board that when it talks the talk, it always follows up by walking the walk, as they continue to emphasize what a big difference just a few folks can make for so many…

… Just to continue banging the same old drum… With the frost season expected any day now, many regulars at the 3-Dot are wondering who they can turn to with grievances about the almost inevitable impending situation of frost protection fans keeping large numbers of the community awake at night? Well, apart from calling the phone numbers given out here last week, in order to bring such issues to the county government’s attention then I imagine one’s local County Supervisor would be the person to contact. Dan Hamburg is his name for those of us living in the Valley, and hopefully he will be around here sometime before he next intends to run for office - which, as he was just re-elected unopposed, will be 2018 at the earliest (if he decides to run as a virtual septuagenarian). In the meantime, you can reach him to ask for his support and stand up for your rights via his email Dan@votehamburg5.org, or website at www.votehamburg5.org or by calling him at 707-467-0329, day or night, although if you do so when the fans are going full blast at 4am it might mean he does something about the problem… I’m just sayin’, Dan… How are you? Come over and see us some time… Just follow Hwy 253 to its western end you’ll be here… I’m just half-jokingly pulling your plonker! Ha! Ha! Ha!... 

       Well now I think it’s time to take my leave… 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 almost always humbly yours, Turkey Vulture - and thinking you should now that we Turkey Vultures are monogamous and mate for life and sometimes, to prove our loyalty, we like to indulge in an ‘erotic’ display dance on our nesting grounds…

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… Hello, George – hope you and Sheila are well… Hi, Silver Swan – behaving yourself? I don’t think you were last night!!!

# 449 - 11th March, 2015

         Greetings one and all – if you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin… First may I wish everyone a very happy St. Patrick’s Day for next Tuesday – the Irish, the Irish-Americans, the Irish Mexican-Americans, the Irish Native American Indian Americans, etc, etc, etc...       

       Talking of St. Paddy’s Day, as someone with many years of experience in the bar/restaurant business, as both host and patron, I believe I can say with some certainty that, apart from the obvious monetary rewards, it is not a pleasant day for those in such a line of work, nor is it for those just trying to have a few celebratory drinks and a pleasantly civilized time. In the past I have expressed critical opinions about the boorish actions of some people on New Year’s Eve but the worst night for such behavior surely goes to St. Patrick’s Day. This is not only an occasion for the poorest “amateur” drinkers to show their true colors but, unlike New Year’s Eve which is primarily an evening affair, many on St. Pat’s indulge in a long day of heavy imbibing well before the nighttime when the inevitable sloppy behavior becomes really obnoxious. Of course, this is mainly a ‘city problem’; little of this is seen in Anderson Valley and hopefully no such incidents will occur at the St Pat’s Dinner at the Apple Hall this coming Saturday evening, although that crowd can get pretty rowdy. Meanwhile, if you do come across any ‘anti-social’ acts being perpetrated then my advice is to simply ‘smile and walk away’ – after all nobody has ever achieved anything by trying to reason with a slobbering drunk. Trust me on this; you can thank me later...

       Inevitably we stay with the topic of drinking alcohol for your Quotes of the Week… First I share this from Miguel de Cervantes who said, “Drink moderately, for drunkenness neither keeps a secret, nor observes a promise”… Next we have an old proverb that I’ve always found quite satisfying - “There are more old drunkards than old doctors”… And of course it is not unexpected that Lord Byron should have observed, “Man, being reasonable, must get drunk; the best of life is but intoxication” (Byron died at the age of 36)… For the religious types amongst you, don’t worry if you feel that a little drinking on St Pat’s would be frowned upon, after all in the Bible we have in 1 Timothy, 5:23, “Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thane other infirmities”… And let’s finish with this from the Roman philosopher Seneca, who wisely observed, “Drunkenness is nothing else but a voluntary madness”… See you in the loony bin this weekend… Ha! Ha! Ha!

       Public Service Announcements (P.S.A.’s)… Calendars and pens at the ready, now relax - we have several quite touchy, feely events coming up! Enjoy… #672 - It’s almost St. Patrick’s Day! The Senior Center Fundraising Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner to celebrate the occasion is on Saturday, March 14 in the Apple Hall in Boonville, with a happy hour at 5.30pm and dinner served at 6.30pm. Among the refreshments available will be Green beer, Irish coffee, Margaritas, and a selection of local wines and beers, and as always there will be the popular cake/dessert auction. Tickets ($15 adults; $12 for kids 10 and under) are available at the Senior Center, A.V. Market, and Rossi Hardware. Call 895-3609 for further details… #673 - The A.V. Drumming Circle meets from 7pm to 9pm at The Grange on the second Wednesday of each month - that would be tonight! Call Rob at 895-3897 or Andy at 895-3020 for further details.... #674 - The Cuban singer-songwriter Marcos Pereda will be performing at Lauren’s Restaurant in Boonville this coming Saturday, March 14. This presentation of soft Spanish style guitar, ‘poetry put to music,’ begins at 9pm and there is a suggested donation of $15… #675 - The Grange’s Pancake Breakfast was not on the second Sunday this month, but it will be on the third Sunday instead, that’s this coming weekend, March 15. It runs from 8:30-11am and prices range from $5-10 - kids through hungry folks, for a delicious, locally-sourced breakfast. Choices include pancakes (gluten free available), eggs, and bacon, with a choice of juice, tea or coffee included… #676 - Cannabis Therapy for Cancer is a free class taking place on March 15 from 1-4pm at the Caretaker's Garden on Lambert Lane in the heart of Boonville. Advanced registration is required. Call Wendy Read at 895-9074 for more details. She will cover how to use Simpson Oil, raw Cannabis, topicals, tinctures, Hemp seed, and other medicinal herbs…. #677 - The AV Foodshed 3rd Sunday Potluck will be that same day, March 15, but in the evening at The Grange beginning at 6pm… #678 - As previously mentioned, the Vets from Mendocino Animal Hospital will not be making a visit to the Valley until Thursday, March 26… And that’s your lot!... Or you could just drink beer on your deck and read a good book…

       As a bonus P.S.A., here is the menu for the Community lunches over the next week at the Senior Center at the Veterans’ Building in Boonville. The Center asks for a $6 donation from seniors and charges $7 for Non-seniors… Tomorrow, Thursday, March 12, the lunch, served by Marti Titus and her crew at Noon, will be Stuffed shells, Green beans, Garlic bread, Farro salad, and Citrus Cranberry cake for dessert… Then, next Tuesday, March 17 also at noon, for St Patrick’s Day the dinner will feature, very appropriately, Corned beef and cabbage soup, rolls, Quinoa salad, and Irish cream chocolate cake for dessert… All meals include vegetables, salad bar, and fruit, plus milk, coffee, tea, and lemonade. 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 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…. Actually, with the Variety Show last weekend and St Patrick’s this, it is all a bit much and the Lounge was consequently closed for the week.        However, this did not prevent the Old Buzzard from submitting some thoughts on one of his pet peeves so here is the latest in his insightful series – ‘Signs that the Apocalypse is Approaching’…”The frost protection fans are already a topic of conversation in the Valley and it’s only the first few days of March. At this point, I must say in all fairness, that those fans in the Deep End seem to be significantly quieter than last year, not even reaching a noise level of 1-helicopter on the Helicopter Index of Noise Polluting Frost Protection Fans.         

       “Perhaps they are in a different place; maybe they are not at full speed; or perhaps the wineries have reached into their deep pockets and bought new, quieter fans? I do not have an explanation at this time but if it is due to an effort to circumvent the noise by the wineries then they are to be heartily thanked… However, I have heard that some winery bigwigs, whose fans have been heard loud and clear recently, continue to think their fans are not a problem, believing that folks cannot really hear them and that, if they do, it is slight and not affecting their sleep. If that is actually the truth then they have little to worry about.

       “However, if you hear them and can’t sleep as a result, then there are a few options - if it is so loud that you cannot sleep then by all means call 911 - certainly do so if your ears are bleeding; the A.V. Winegrowers Association asks for your comments with a promise to return your call so you can leave them an appropriate message at 901-7441; the A.V.A. newspaper, in support of many local residents is taking legal action on this issue and they can be reached at 895-3016; or to actually register an official complaint call the County Planning Dept at 234-5650 and ask to speak with a code enforcement officer. If any of these actions are taken, you will hopefully be helping towards putting an end to this contentious issue which surely has a solution, even if it may possibly result in a few wineries making a coupe of dollars less than normal, relatively speaking of course…”

       I believe the Buzzard is merely expressing the thoughts of many local folks who were affected by the fans last year, and very likely this year too over the next month or so. He is simply giving them some options for expressing their concerns and in some cases their anguish and anger. I hope he hasn’t upset anybody? Surely not - well maybe among those who are not used to having their actions questioned... Oh, well, he and I will get our coats and leave. We’re fine with that - we have to see a man about a sheep anyway…

       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 almost always humbly yours, Turkey Vulture - pleased in the knowledge that the old hare has returned safely to his burrow…

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 wagging that tail, Fred… Is that ‘lafter’ I hear, Carroll?... Enjoy cycling in the sun, Round-eyed Robin…

# 448 - 4th March, 2015

      Greetings one and all – if you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin… I must start this week’s column with a sincere apology to the A.V. High School Girls’ basketball team who had progressed to the play-offs - a fact that I sloppily failed to mention last week. Then, last Wednesday evening, while the boys were here in the Valley beating Tomales in their play-off game, the girls visited Rio Linda in Healdsburg and also won. The boys and girls thus progressed to away games in the quarterfinals played last Saturday evening in Oakland and Round Valley respectively, where unfortunately the girls were defeated while our #11 seeded boys produced a superb performance to win 53-51 at #2 seed St Elizabeth’s. The boys will now travel to Sonoma this evening, Wednesday, March 4 to face Archbishop Hanna in the semi-final, while the girls can reflect on an excellent season… The basketball programs had not reached the postseasons in recent years so it has clearly been a season to remember for all of those involved and the student athletes and coaches alike are to be heartily congratulated on their success…

       For your Quotes of the Week, given my faux pas with the basketball girls, perhaps it would be appropriate to have some wise comments about ‘Apologies’… Here we go… From England’s King Charles I we have, “Never make a defense or apology before you be accused” - not my style, but perhaps it worked in 17th century England. Although not too well obviously - Charles was beheaded in 1649… Writer G.K. Chesterton commented, “A stiff apology is a second insult” - which is certainly not my intention… And finally, with advice that I perhaps should have followed before writing all the above, we have this from another writer of the early twentieth century, P.G. Wodehouse, who believed, “It is a good rule in life never to apologize. The right sort of people do not want apologies, and the wrong sort take a mean advantage of them”… I can see that but “surely it is right to take responsibility for one’s actions and apologize for them if they needlessly result in suffering or hurt for others” - that’s a quote from me!...

       Public Service Announcements (P.S.A.’s)… Calendars and pens at the ready… #687 - It’s approaching that time again - St. Patrick’s Day! The Senior Center Fundraising Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner to celebrate the occasion is on Saturday, March 14 in the Apple Hall in Boonville, with a happy hour at 5.30pm and dinner served at 6.30pm. Among the refreshments available will be Green beer, Irish coffee, Margaritas, and a selection of local wines and beers, and as always there will be the popular cake/dessert auction. Tickets ($15 adults; $12 for kids 10 and under) are available at the Senior Center, A.V. Market, and Rossi Hardware. Call 895-3609 for further details… #688 - As previously mentioned, the Vets from Mendocino Animal Hospital will not be making a visit to the Valley until Thursday, March 26… #689 - The 24th Annual Variety Show returns this coming Friday/Saturday, March 7/8… #690 - The Mendocino Bookmobile returns to the Valley on Tuesday, March 10. They are here on alternate Tuesdays for 45 minutes at each of these places and times: Navarro Store 9am (for just 30 minutes); the Floodgate 12.30pm; Philo 1.30pm; Boonville (Apple Hall) 2.30pm. Phone 463-4694 for further details… #691 - Need a burn permit? You can get one from the Firehouse in Boonville, also home of the oddly named Community Services District (C.S.D.) which, for those of you wondering, performs a great job in dealing with all issues connected with the fire department, our local airport, and the recreation center, along with the maintenance of the street lights in the center of our heaving metropolis - all seven of them! Call 895-2020 for permits or 895-2075 on any questions regarding any of these services or stop by - you will be efficiently served with a smile - trust me on this… # 692 - For now, the A.V Museum continues its winter/spring hours of Saturday and Sunday, from 1pm to 4pm. Situated in The Little Red Schoolhouse next to the Elementary School on A.V. Way, this is a perfect thing to do in the Valley when you have a couple of hours spare on a weekend afternoon. It is not without reason that it is generally regarded as ‘The Best Little Museum in the West’… #693 - The Grange’s pancake breakfast will not be on the second Sunday this month, but on the third Sunday instead, that’s March 15… #694 - The Cuban singer-songwriter Marcos Pereda will be performing at Lauren’s Restaurant in Boonville this coming Saturday, March 14. This presentation of soft Spanish style guitar, ‘poetry put to music,’ begins at 9pm and there is a suggested donation of $15…

       As a bonus P.S.A. here is the menu for the Community lunches and dinners over the next week at the Senior Center at the Veterans’ Building 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, March 5, the lunch, served by Marti Titus and her crew at Noon, will be Tostadas, chicken, refried beans, cheese, lettuce, avocados, salsa, Corn, quinoa and avocado salad, and Elvis Presley cake… Then, next Tuesday evening, March 10 at 6pm, the dinner will feature Chicken Diane, carrots, Potluck potatoes, Cherry gelatin, Barley salad, and Strawberry Lemon Dessert. As this is the 2nd Tuesday of the month, the dinner will be followed by Bingo at 7pm. All meals include vegetables, salad bar, and fruit, plus milk, coffee, tea, and lemonade. Hopefully you will be able to attend, and remember – ALL ages are welcome! Hope to see you there…

       Heads-up for this coming weekend - we resume Daylight Savings Time on Sunday March 8 when the clocks will go forward - this means that for some Valley folks unaware of this fact, ‘Boonville Time’ will be almost two hours later than regular time until they become aware of the change… Just sayin’…

       From the Old Buzzard, comes another in his insightful series – ‘Signs that the Apocalypse is Approaching’… Buzzard reports, “As I’ve said before, may I suggest that we can all broaden our horizons by considering what Carl Sagan, creator and presenter of the wonderful series ‘Cosmos’ once said - ‘Used properly, television can educate and inspire awe as well as any book, painting, or film.’ To support this claim may I also suggest that each of the following television programs is well worth your time if you enjoy intelligent, entertaining, informative, somewhat adult, well-crafted dramas - they are certainly better than 90% of the drivel you are expected to endure if you go to the cinema… Downton Abbey - a drama series set in the fictional Yorkshire countryside, depicts the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their servants in the post-Edwardian era: Babylon - a comedy-drama television series co-created by film director Danny Boyle, set in modern day London; Better Call Saul - a spin-off, prequel, and sequel to Breaking Bad, which was created by that shows creator, Vince Gilligan, and is set in 2002 about small-time lawyer James McGill (Bob Odenkirk), seven years before his appearance on Breaking Bad, though events during and after the original series are also explored; Togetherness - a wonderfully acted and written drama that is brutally honest about the compromises that eat away at domestic life, but it's also sly and funny; Grantchester, a detective drama set in a 1950s Cambridgeshire village of Grantchester, near Cambridge, England where local Anglican vicar Sidney Chambers (James Norton) develops a sideline in sleuthing; and last but by no means least, The Jinx - in which filmmaker Andrew Jarecki examines the complicated life of reclusive real estate scion, Robert Durst, the key suspect in a series of unsolved crimes… If folks cannot appreciate these enlightening programs (and I have not mentioned regular informative and entertaining shows such as The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and Real Time with Bill Maher), and continue to dismiss all television from their high horse, as if wearing some sort of badge of intellectual superiority, then we really must be closer to the Apocalypse than I had feared…

       Well now I think it’s time to take my leave… 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 almost always humbly yours, Turkey Vulture - pleased in the knowledge that the old hare has returned safely to his burrow

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… Hi, Silver Swan – behaving yourself? Hopefully not!...Bobwhite Quail - keep up the knitting!