# 453 - 8th April, 2015

        Greetings one and all – if you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin… We are often reminded of how the Valley is remarkable in many ways, some of these perhaps uniquely so, and I suggest that one of those would be the level of volunteerism we enjoy. Well, it’s time to prove that once again. Two local groups are in a real need of some help if they are to continue providing the wonderful gifts to the Valley that they have done up to now. One of these is the Save Hendy Woods group that needs more volunteer staff to work at the shop in the campgrounds for just a few hours a month in that auspicious location. The other is the truly special Anderson Valley Museum that is desperate to find more docents to help at the Little Red Schoolhouse in which the rich history of the Valley is there for all to see. Please give this some serious thought to helping out at these precious Valley venues - you can contact Shelly at Hendy Woods at (707) 489-2245 or online at hendywoodsvolunteer@gmail.com; and Bob and Sandra Nimmons for the Museum volunteers at 707) 895-9020… 

         I suggest we now have some related comments for your Quotes of the Week… Let’s begin with this from Abraham Lincoln, who very wisely observed, “He has a right to criticize, who has a heart to help”… And then there is this from Horace Mann (1796-1859), the American politician and educational reformer, who said, “Doing nothing for others is the undoing of ourselves”… From Richelle E. Goodrich, the modern American novelist and motivational speaker, commented, “It's impossible to be involved in all situations, but there's no excuse not to be involved in something, somewhere, somehow, with someone. Make an ounce of difference”… And how about this classic from Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965) the theologian, organist, philosopher, physician, medical missionary and winner of the Nobel Peace prize in 1952, who remarked, “The interior joy we feel when we have done a good deed is the nourishment the soul requires”… And finally, perhaps as good a reason as any, we have this from Allen Klein (1931-2009), the controversial former manager of The Beatles and Rolling Stones, and an American businessman, talent agent, and record label executive, who came up with, “Research has shown that people who volunteer often live longer”… Sign me up!...

       Public Service Announcements (P.S.A.’s)… Calendars and pens at the ready… #365 - The Vets from the Mendocino Animal Hospital have two upcoming April dates when they will be in the Valley - tomorrow, April 9 and again in three week’s time on April 30. As usual, the venue and time is the A.V. Farm Supply from 2-4pm and new customers are always welcome. Previous visitors should be aware that they can call 462-8833 and the vets will bring your pet’s charts with them - making this an even better service than it already is!… #366 - The Anderson Valley Grange is having its regular second Sunday Pancake Breakfast on April 11, from 8:30-11am. 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… #367 - Immediately following the Pancake Breakfast at The Grange, beginning at 1.30pm, we have 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 from those who lived here during those years plus 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… #368 - The Goat Fest and Wildflower Show will take place on Saturday, April 25 at the Mendocino County Fairgrounds in Boonville. Let me hand you over to King Goat, Jim Devine, who has this to say, “The First Annual A.V. Goat Festival is really coming along. An excellent crew of local food activists and goat enthusiasts are working hard to create a full day of Family Fun, Goat Education, and Goat Celebration. Along with such fun events as ‘Best Dressed Goat Contest’ and ‘Celebrity Goat Milking Competition,’ we are developing an all day schedule of workshops on two themes:  Goat Dairy Products and Goat Husbandry. We are also hosting a Birria Cook-Off, a Zumba-thon, and a dance at The Apple Hall. As you might imagine, we have plenty of opportunities for people to get involved. If you are interested in being a volunteer, a presenter, or a vendor, please use one of these ways to connect: avgoats@gmail.com; on Facebook at Anderson Valley Goat Fest; or call me at (707) 496-8725”… #369 - I nearly forgot but tonight (April 8) at The Grange, certain folks might like to know that it is the monthly drumming session from 7-9pm. Call Rob at 895-3897 or Andy at 895-3020 for further details…

       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, April 9, the lunch, served by Marti Titus and her crew at Noon, will be Smothered steak, brown rice, cauliflower, apple spinach salad, and strawberry lemon squares for dessert … Then, next Tuesday evening, April 14 at 6pm, the dinner will feature Ham, potluck potatoes, carrots, rolls, orange gelatin, Kale-Barley salad, and Kahlua cake. 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. What a deal - it maybe the best $7 you’ll spend all week!  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 (yet surprisingly reliable) Rumors” from my favorite gathering place in the Valley, a somewhat secret location that sees people get together and share their thoughts about life in Anderson Valley and often far beyond…

… In the northwest end of the Valley (Christine Woods/Floodgate area), and elsewhere too I am told, residents endured two nights of sleeplessness this past week as a result of the Noise Pollution provided by certain unconcerned neighbors in the wine industry (who were obviously absent and sleeping deeply in their ivory towers, wherever they may be)… Both nights reached 2-Helicopters on the Frost Protection Fan Index - that’s pretty damn loud… I thought you should know…

… Let’s move on from these particularly thoughtless vineyard owners adversely affecting the lives of Deep Enders to some folks who have a true sense of community spirit for Valley life - the Anderson Valley Lions Club… I was part of a fine turnout at the Apple Hall for their Easter Breakfast to benefit the Little League Baseball program last Sunday and once again they did a splendid job. (I think my second helping of ham, eggs, and pancakes was even better than the first - it would have been rude to refuse)… I would have liked to have stayed around for the ensuing Easter Egg hunt and shown those 4th graders how we Turkey Vultures do such things, but I felt the urgent need for a Bloody Mary and took care of that by heading down the street to The Buckhorn where they make the County’s finest such Sunday ‘pick-me-up’ … I know you understand…

… A reliable rumor at the 3-Dot is that among the celebrities competing in the goal-milking contest at the upcoming Goat Fest (Sat, April 25 - see above, P.S.A. #369) will be Sheriff’s Deputy Craig Walker and our two school principles, Michelle Hutchins and Donna Pierson-Pugh… Should be worth seeing, I think you’d agree…

… ‘Say it ain’t so’… It was pointed out by a concerned regular that there is an application to change the ownership of the beer and wine license at Coq au Vin Restaurant now posted on the window of that fine establishment. Without knowing for sure, one assumes that this means they are closing after being in business at the Floodgate for a couple of months short of two years. The new owners on the application, under the name of The Bewildered Pig (a St. Helena based business claiming to be ‘purveyors of gastronomic pleasantries), will have some large and very tasty shoes to fill… If it happens, and I am told there are some hoops to still jump through, this development really is a loss to the Valley - the French country cuisine provided a wonderful treat for many folks in the Valley and beyond, and the warm hospitality of the Richard family running the operation is certainly up there with the best… 

       I’m outta here… 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 - still wallowing in the honor of having the 2nd tallest tree (343.6 feet) in Hendy Woods named after me and my ilk…

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?... Welcome back, Round-eyed Robin…