# 551 - 22nd February, 2017

    Greetings one and all. Are you are sitting comfortably? Then I shall begin…
    On Friday’s Real Time episode on HBO, Bill Maher called for a new slogan for these wild times: ‘Make America Learn Again.’ Pointing out the proliferation of fake news and rampant skepticism on our social media feeds, Maher remarked that “we don’t seem to want smart people in our lives any more. Smart presidents? Can’t have that. Scientists? What do they know? Newspaper editors? Liars and producers of fake news!”… He certainly has a point, one that I have been making for a number of years now - that the dumbing down of America seems to be gathering steam and stopping that trend is becoming increasingly difficult - and certainly, as regular correspondent The Old Buzzard would say, ‘A Sign that the Apocalypse is Approaching’… … So many people now seem to get their news through Facebook “by sharing, or as it used to be called, hearsay.” And while Facebook can be a good place to follow respectable news outlets, the abundance of fake articles has turned it into a minefield of misinformation wherein so many uninformed people seek to share their thoughts on topics they actually know very little about. More disturbing - many people choose to listen and “learn” from this rubbish… It is dangerous and all very disappointing to those of us who remember when America was a great and civilized place. However, when the dust settles over this period of history and folks look back on this unsettling time, I live in hope that they will do so from a future that sees America great and civilized once more…
    And so for your Quotes of the Week let’s focus join the topic of ‘Civilization’… First we have this observation by Will Durant (1885-1981), the American writer, historian, and philosopher who said, “Civilization begins with order, grows with liberty, and dies with chaos”… Next we turn to Pearl Buck (1892-1973), the American writer and novelist and the first American woman to win the Nobel Prize for Literature, who wisely remarked, “The test of a civilization is the way that it cares for its more helpless members”… And finally, we have this from Leonard Sidney Woolf (1880-1969), the English political theorist, author, and husband of author Virginia Woolf, who was of the opinion that “Anyone can be a barbarian; it requires an effort to remain a civilized man” - Hmmm?…

    Onward… Restaurant Report - Natalie Matson, co-owner of Lauren’s Restaurant, will present her second ‘Sunday Supper’ this coming Sunday, February 26, from 5-8.30pm, featuring comfort dining in a cozy atmosphere at Lauren’s that will warm you inside and out - Shepherd’s pie anyone?… Meanwhile, Lizbby’s, the new Mexican Restaurant in downtown Boonville, has now cleared up any confusion regarding their hours - they are open every day except Tuesdays, serving breakfast (on Saturday and Sunday) and lunch from 10am-3pm and dinner from 5-8pm… The Buckhorn is seriously considering a Monday, April 3 re-opening under its new ownership… The Boonville Hotel continues with their family-style, prix fixe menu on Friday thru’ Sunday… Aquarelle Cafe and Wine Bar has delayed their planned re-opening for now. Perhaps early March is the positive thought I am entertaining…  The Redwood Drive-In just keeps on doing what they do with reliable hours… Stone and Embers is once again re-joining the Valley’s Evening Dining ‘team’ with new hours that will begin this Friday, February 24. Moving forward they will be open from Noon to 8pm Friday-Sunday and Noon to 4pm on Monday and Tuesday… The Bewildered Pig! down in the Deep End, is open Wednesday - Sunday, 5:30-9pm…

    Public Service Announcements (P.S.A.’s)… Calendars and pens at the ready… #544 - The Vets from the Mendocino Animal Hospital have one more visit this month to the Anderson Valley Farm Supply on Highway 128, north of Philo. That will be tomorrow Thursday, February 23. To avoid a line perhaps turn up at around 3pm - you will definitely be seen. The vets will be here twice in both March and April - dates confirmed by next week. New customers and their pets are always welcome and 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!… #545 - The Boonville Farmers’ Market continues with its Winter location and hours at The Boonville General Store, on Saturdays from 11am-1pm. For more info, call Cindy at 895-2949… #546 - Need a burn permit? From 11am-3pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays you can get one from the Firehouse in Boonville. Call 895-2020 for more information or stop by and you will be efficiently served with a smile - trust me on this… #547 - The A.V. Lending Library run by The Unity Club is open Tuesdays from 1.30-4.30pm and Saturdays 2-4pm at The Fairgrounds in Boonville… #548 - The County Dump is open from 9am-4pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. Dump Executive Director, Mike Mannix, rewards good customers with a star but will be very harsh with anyone thinking they can leave dead animals!…#549 - On Saturday, February 25, it’s the Open Mic at Lauren's Restaurant in downtown Boonville. Dinner is served 5 to 9 before the Open mic starts at 9 pm. 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 almost everyone else! For more information call 895-3869. Hope to see you there…   
    As a bonus P.S.A. here is the menu for the Community lunches and dinners over the next week in 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, February 23, the lunch, served by Marti Titus and her crew at Noon, will be Buttermilk Chicken with Bread Pudding for dessert… Then, next Tuesday, February 28, the evening meal served at 6pm will feature Pineapple Pepper Chicken and Better Cake dessert . Senior Center Board Elections will follow the Dinner, and then there will be Bingo at 7pm. All meals include vegetables, salad bar, and fruit, plus milk, coffee, tea, and lemonade. What a deal - it maybe the best value for money you’ll get all week!… Tai Chi is now available every Tuesday at 11am, while on Thursdays at 11am it is Kathy’s Easy-stretch Yoga class. Also on Thursdays, the Active Life Club runs from 10am to 2pm and features games, crafts, and music. The Senior Center/Community Bus goes to Ukiah on Monday's and also Santa Rosa on the first Wednesday of the month. These trips fill up fast so don't forget to sign up early at 489-1175… Hopefully you will be able to attend some of these events and certainly the lunches and dinners, and remember – ALL ages are welcome! Hope to see you there…

    The Three-Dot Lounge is closed this week due to several regulars drowning so I have no “Moans, Groans, Good Thoughts, and Rampant (yet surprisingly reliable) Rumors” to share with you from my favorite gathering place in the Valley… However, 3-Dot regular, The Old Buzzard, never fails to show up and so here comes another in his insightful series – ‘Signs that the Apocalypse is Approaching’… Buzzard reports, “So the protest and boycott, called ‘A Day without Immigrants’ took place last Thursday to demonstrate the importance of immigration and to protest President Donald Trump's plans to build a border wall and to potentially deport millions of illegal immigrants. The strike called for immigrants not to go to work, to avoid spending money, and keep children home from school. It was planned/organized on social media and a number of Valley folks showed their support for this fine cause by holding their kids out of school and/or deciding not to go to work themselves. May I say right now that I fully support their actions. However, to my knowledge and first hand experience of that day, there was very little forewarning given out that this was to happen and no formal gathering or protest was made here in the Valley. That is too bad, yet not surprising given that it was ‘organized’ through social media - see first paragraph above. Nevertheless, I would still have hoped that such a cause would have resulted in some sort of public show of support. One can only be optimistic that local folks did take the time on this day to reflect on what the protest was all about and that when such a protest is ‘organized’ next time, it will be done so efficiently, effectively, and with a public show of support…”

    Thank you, Buzzard, I share you viewpoint… But now I’m outta here because I’ve got see a man about a sheep… So, until we talk again – be careful out there; if you break a leg don’t come running to me; stay out of the ditches; be wary of strangers with more dogs than teeth; show love to your pets, they will be faithful and true to you to the last beat of their hearts; think good thoughts; ‘Keep the Faith’; try to not let life get in the way of living; may your god go with you, and may your dog go with you too… Oh, and of course, one final request, “Let us prey”… Sometimes poking, often stroking, but almost always humbly yours, Turkey Vulture - saddened but ultimately comforted in the knowledge that the old hare has safely moved to his new burrow in the sky…
p.s. You can contact me with words of support/abuse either through the Letters Page or by e-mail at
p.p.s. Skylark – read any good books lately?… Hi, Silver Swan – behaving yourself? Hopefully not!… Everything cool with you, O.J.? Of course it is…

# 550 - 15th February, 2017

    Greetings one and all. Are you are sitting comfortably? Then I shall begin…
    Let’s get things started with The Turkey Vulture’s ‘Evening Dining in the Valley Bulletin’… Following an invitation only ‘soft’ opening last Thursday, Lizbby’s, the new restaurant in downtown Boonville, opened last Saturday night and, when I passed by at around 8pm, they appeared to be doing a brisk business. At the time of going to press I have yet to make a visit but I can inform you that they are open every day except Mondays (of course!?), serving breakfast and lunch (10am-3pm) and dinner (5-8pm)… Natalie Matson, co-owner of Lauren’s Restaurant, will present the restaurant’s second ‘Natalie’s Sunday Supper’ on February 26 from 5-8.30pm, featuring cozy, comfort dining that will warm you inside and out - fish and chips anyone?… According to inside (but uncertain) sources, The Buckhorn will ‘reopen’  (after being closed for six months!) under their new owners - Jean, Tom, Jordana, and Chris, in the first week of April - I plan to be sitting on a bar stool and sipping a draft guinness on Monday, April 3… Stone and Embers is possibly expanding hours to include dinner service in the near future… When Aquarelle Cafe and Wine Bar in Boonville closed back in the second week of December, they had hoped to re-open in mid-February. However various circumstances have led to that being pushed back by a couple of weeks or so - no truffle fries until March methinks…

    Public Service Announcements (P.S.A.’s)… Calendars and pens at the ready… #545 - The Vets from the Mendocino Animal Hospital have one more visit this month to the Anderson Valley Farm Supply on Highway 128, north of Philo. That will next week on Thursday, February 23. New customers and their pets are always welcome and 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!…    #546 - I believe that the Mendocino Bookmobile returns to the Valley next Tuesday, February 21. Phone 463-4694 for confirmation. They are usually here on alternate Tuesdays for 45 minutes at each of these places and times: Navarro Store 9am (for just 30 minutes before heading out to Comptche); the Floodgate 12.30pm; Philo 1.30pm; Boonville (Apple Hall) 2.30pm.… #547 - The A.V Museum is closed for the winter… #548 - No more Barn Sales until the spring…
    As a bonus P.S.A. here is the menu for the Community lunches over the next week in 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, February 16, the lunch, served by Marti Titus and her crew at Noon, will be Sesame Noodles with Chicken and Lemon Bars for dessert… Then, next Tuesday, February 21, the lunch will feature Joe's Chili and Banana Pudding for dessert. All meals include vegetables, salad bar, and fruit, plus milk, coffee, tea, and lemonade. What a deal - it maybe the best value for money you’ll get all week!… Tai Chi is now available every Tuesday at 11am, while on Thursdays at 11am it is Kathy’s Easy-stretch Yoga class. Also on Thursdays, the Active Life Club runs from 10am to 2pm and features games, crafts, and music. The Senior Center/Community Bus goes to Ukiah on Monday's and also Santa Rosa on the first Wednesday of the month. These trips fill up fast so don't forget to sign up early at 489-1175… Hopefully you will be able to attend some of these events and certainly the lunches and dinners, 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, 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, with that in mind, I shall quickly put my pants on and continue…
… The 3-Dot regular customers passed a motion unanimously that we should all start calling Sunday Brunch what it really is - an excuse to drink alcohol on Sunday morning!… Not that there is anything wrong with that of course, but those of us who do enjoy this rather civilized activity really should admit it is an excuse and just accept that it’s a lot of fun to get ‘brunk’ on a Sunday…
… I shared with the regulars my belief that if Homeland Security personnel at U.S.airports spent less time rigorously searching and even roughing up innocent folks erroneously viewed as terrorists, and instead put in some time helping baggage handlers load suitcases onto the f***ing carousel, I might not have waited an hour and a half for my bag after I got off the plane at S.F. airport last week…
… Th tragic death in a car accident of Luis Miguel ‘Mikey’ Ferreyra at the age of 30 last week saw 300-plus people, including several 3-Dot regulars, gather in remembrance at the St Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church in Philo on Sunday afternoon, almost half of whom had to follow the service from outside the compact little building… Mikey was a very much loved young man who will be sorely missed by many Valley folks and his wife’s family (the Kirby’s) and friends on the coast. He is survived by his wife Leah and two young daughters, Alexa and Janessa, plus parents Domingo and Marta and brothers Eddie and Domingo Jr… For those of us who had known him well at some point, it leaves a very significant feeling of emptiness and sadness that a fine man has died so young and that his great smile will no longer greet you…
… The ‘Preparation for the End of Life’ group met for the first time in 2017 last Sunday afternoon at Lauren’s Restaurant in Boonville. There were almost thirty Valley folks in attendance as the discussion focused on ‘The Village Movement,’ whose principles are based on seniors forming a non-profit organization to provide access to services which allow seniors to age in place in their own homes rather than senior housing or assisted living facilities. Many 3-Dot regulars are hopeful that this excellent idea blossoms over the next few months and with the likes of Lauren, Susan Bridgemount, Heidi Knott, and others involved there is every reason for having such hope…
… From our 3-Dot regular, The Old Buzzard, comes another in his insightful series – ‘Signs that the Apocalypse is Approaching’… Buzzard reports, “The Value of a Drink...Before we go this week, I’d like to pass on to you, under the heading ‘Life Lessons’, a wise thought from comedian Dave Barry that you may find useful, even important, to share with others at some point as you meander across life’s rich tapestry – ‘Without question, the greatest invention in the history of mankind is beer. Oh, I grant you that the wheel was also a fine invention, but the wheel does not go nearly as well with pizza’… Difficult it argue with, Dave, and those who try to do so will be the main cause of the inevitable Apocalypse that is fast approaching…”

    I’m outta here - I’ve got see a man about a sheep… So, until we talk again – Be careful out there; if you break a leg don’t come running to me; stay out of the ditches; be wary of strangers with more dogs than teeth; show love to your pets, they will be faithful and true to you to the last beat of their hearts; think good thoughts; ‘Keep the Faith’; try to not let life get in the way of living; may your god go with you, and may your dog go with you too… 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
p.p.s. On the sheep, Grace… Keep on humming, Hummingbird… Missing the Venerable Pheasant…

   

# 549 - 8th February, 2017

Greetings one and all. Are you are sitting comfortably? Then I shall begin…
    Let’s get things started with The Turkey Vulture’s ‘Evening Dining in the Valley Bulletin’… For those who have been missing Libby's Restaurant that closed for good in December, the new restaurant in Boonville, Lizbby's, opens this coming Saturday night, February 11, with a number of dishes brought from Libby and Jose’s very successful menu, so I am informed. They will be open every day except Mondays (of course!?), serving breakfast and lunch (10am-3pm) and dinner (5-8pm). Looking forward to both the Huevos Rancheros and the carnitas they will tempt me with…  So where can you go for somewhere to wine and dine on Monday evening? Your only option for now, but it is a good one, is the Penny Royal Farm Happy Hour that runs from 5-8pm and offers handcrafted wines and farmstead cheeses plus other goodies too in the form of small plates and hors d’oeuvres… All the other restaurants in the Valley are currently closed on Monday evenings but that will change soon with the re-opening of The Buckhorn - hopefully by late March, and by then maybe others will have seen the light too…

    Onward… Public Service Announcements (P.S.A.’s)… Calendars and pens at the ready… #542 - Live music returns to the Valley this coming Saturday, February 11, when The Hot Club of Comptche presents an evening of ‘Gypsy Jazz and Swing’ starting at 9pm at  Lauren’s Restaurant. The band features two longtime ‘stars’ of the Mendocino music scene in Pilar Duran and Tommy Brown (formerly of The Brown Brothers Blues Band among others), and it should certainly be a show to remember. Hope to see you there… #543 - The ‘Preparation for the Rest of Our Lives’ group meets for the first time in 2017 this coming Sunday afternoon, February 12, at Lauren’s Restaurant in Boonville, beginning at 4pm. The discussion will focus on ‘The Village Movement,’ whose principles are based on seniors forming a non-profit organization to provide access to services which allow seniors to age in place in their own homes rather than senior housing or assisted living facilities. Hope to see your there too!… #544 - The Vets from the Mendocino Animal Hospital have one more visit this month to the Anderson Valley Farm Supply on Highway 128, north of Philo. That will be in two weeks time on Thursday, February 23. New customers and their pets are always welcome and 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!… #545 - The Boonville Farmers’ Market continues with it’s Winter location and hours at The Boonville General Store, on Saturdays from 11am-1pm. For more info, call Cindy at 895-2949… #546 - Need a burn permit? From 11am-3pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays you can get one from the Firehouse in Boonville. Call 895-2020 for more information or stop by and you will be efficiently served with a smile - trust me on this… #547 - The A.V. Lending Library run by The Unity Club is open Tuesdays from 1.30-4.30pm and Saturdays 2-4pm at The Fairgrounds in Boonville… #548 - The County Dump is open from 9am-4pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. Dump Executive Director, Mike Mannix, rewards good customers with a star but will be very harsh with anyone thinking they can leave dead animals!… #549 - The Anderson Valley Grange is having its regular second Sunday Pancake Breakfast on February 12 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; gluten extra is not), eggs, and bacon, with a choice of juice, tea or coffee included…

    As a bonus P.S.A. here is the menu for the Community lunches and dinners over the next week in 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, February 9, the lunch, served by Marti Titus and her crew at Noon, will be Beef Stew, and Texas Sheet Cake for dessert… Then, next Tuesday, February 14, St Valentine’s Day, the evening meal served at 6pm, will feature Rosemary Pork Roast with, very appropriately, Italian Love Cake for dessert! All meals include vegetables, salad bar, and fruit, plus milk, coffee, tea, and lemonade. What a deal - it maybe the best value for money you’ll get all week!… Tai Chi is now available every Tuesday at 11am, while on Thursdays at 11am it is Kathy’s Easy-stretch Yoga class. Also on Thursdays, the Active Life Club runs from 10am to 2pm and features games, crafts, and music. The Senior Center/Community Bus goes to Ukiah on Monday's and also Santa Rosa on the first Wednesday of the month. These trips fill up fast so don't forget to sign up early at 489-1175… Hopefully you will be able to attend some of these events and certainly the lunches and dinners, 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, 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, with that in mind, I shall quickly put my pants on and continue…
… Our local information exchange services such as Valley Hub and BoontSwap are no doubt very useful and often helpful in lots of ways to many Valley folks. However, when people start to ask for advice about what the weather is supposed to be like, and similar inane requests, aren’t folks losing any remaining semblance of self reliance and giving up more decision-making prowess and intestinal fortitude that ultimately results in an ever increasing Nanny State?…Just trying to keep it real!…
… Last Saturday evening’s Original Crab Feed was a roaring success once again with 335 tickets sold out two weeks beforehand… The crab was excellent, the margaritas just about right with their sensible alcohol content, the service courteous and efficient, and of course, Gloria Ross’s organization and the effort of her team as good as ever… ‘Well done!’ to one an all…
… Recovering very slowly on Sunday morning from that event, I was confronted with the unavoidable attendance at a Super Bowl party up in the hills overlooking the Valley in the afternoon… The views were as spectacular as the Patriots comeback from 25 points down and while I am not a fan in any way of this team they did me a huge favor by covering the Vegas lines on both the favorite/underdog and over/under  spreads with their remarkable 34-28 victory over the shocked, dazed, and ultimately devastated Atlanta Falcons… Thank you Belichick and Brady, and may I never be indebted to you again…
… From our 3-Dot regular, The Old Buzzard, comes another in his insightful series – ‘Signs that the Apocalypse is Approaching’… Buzzard reports, “Dripping with Irony #56… The way much of the Muslim world treats women continues to be shocking and so watching American feminists marching to import more Muslims from radicalized countries is like watching lambs marching to import more starving wolves… Before you get your knickers in a twist, I am not saying that all Muslims are bad, no more than any other group is all bad, but their attitudes, traditions, and laws regarding women are mediaeval-like and I feel that, as such, are not what today’s women of America would want to support… It is not rocket science, it is irony, get over yourselves…”

    I take your point, Buzzard, but perhaps some folks won’t… Enough already, I’m outta here as I’ve got see a man about a sheep… So until we talk again – be careful out there; if you break a leg don’t come running to me; stay out of the ditches; be wary of strangers with more dogs than teeth; show love to your pets, they will be faithful and true to you to the last beat of their hearts; think good thoughts; ‘Keep the Faith’; try to not let life get in the way of living; may your god go with you, and may your dog go with you too… Oh, and of course, one final request, “Let us prey”… Sometimes poking, often stroking, but almost always humbly yours, Turkey Vulture - saddened but ultimately comforted in the knowledge that the old hare has safely moved to his new burrow in the sky…
p.s. You can contact me with words of support/abuse either through the Letters Page or by e-mail at
p.p.s. Keep on wagging that tail, Fred… Hi, Silver Swan – behaving yourself? Hopefully not!… Hasta la vista, Round-eyed Robin!…

# 548 - 1st February, 2017

    Greetings one and all. Are you are sitting comfortably? Then I shall begin…
    First let’s have a little recap or, some might say, a disclaimer!…For those of you unaware of what this column of “Vulture-journalism” is all about let me take a brief-ish moment to explain. ‘A Bird’s Eye View” is simply the opinions of an observer of the human condition who gets out and about in The Valley more than most and is therefore able to offer, somewhat irreverently and perhaps amusingly, a different set of viewpoints to those held by others who write herein. The column hopefully entertains readers and sometimes informs them and is presented in an easily read, ‘light’ style, in contrast to much of the A.V.A.’s more well-written and ‘heavier’ articles…
    Here’s a cruel but fair summing up by my good friend, The Old Crow, “Turkey Vulture likes to eat and drink. He criticizes, he encourages. He is curmudgeonly one moment and good-natured the next. He moans and groans. He rambles. He claims to be “humble” but frequently isn’t. He likes to push people’s buttons. He calls a spade a spade and keeps it real. Perhaps most important of all, he loves Anderson Valley”… And that’s your ‘Quote of the Week’…

    The Turkey Vulture’s Restaurant Report - Evening Dining in the Valley… Lauren’s Restaurant continues with their lunches (Thursday - Sunday) and dinners (Tuesday - Saturday)… Lizbby's in downtown Boonville will open “soon”… I am reliably informed that The Buckhorn plans to open by in early April - that means no draft Guinness for St. Patrick’s available here in the Valley, but I am assured it won’t be long after that to wait. Meanwhile, surely they will need some quality control meetings around March 17?…  Aquarelle plans to reopen in mid-February… Stone and Embers will increase hours into the evening in the spring but currently remain noon to 6pm, Thursday to Tuesday… The Bewildered Pig! down in the Deep End, is open Wednesday - Sunday, 5:30-9pm… The Boonville Hotel’s Table 128 restaurant continues to serve their family style, prix fixe meals from Friday to Sunday… Monday evening dining at this time? - Boonville’s Redwood Drive-In!...
    Public Service Announcements (P.S.A.’s)… Calendars and pens at the ready… #544 - The Vets from the Mendocino Animal Hospital return to the Anderson Valley Farm Supply on Highway 128, north of Philo, tomorrow, February 2 from 2-3.30pm.     To avoid a line perhaps turn up at around 3pm - you will definitely be seen. They will return one more time this month - in three weeks time, on February 23. New customers and their pets are always welcome and 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!… #545 - Need a burn permit? From 11am to 3pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays you can get one from the Firehouse in Boonville. Call 895-2020 for more information or stop by and you will be efficiently served with a smile - trust me on this… #546 - I believe that the Mendocino Bookmobile returns to the Valley next Tuesday, February 7. Phone 463-4694 for confirmation. They are usually here on alternate Tuesdays for 45 minutes at each of these places and times: Navarro Store 9am (for just 30 minutes before heading out to Comptche); the Floodgate 12.30pm; Philo 1.30pm; Boonville (Apple Hall) 2.30pm.… #547 - The A.V Museum is closed for the winter… #548 - No more Barn Sales until the spring…#549 - And finally another reminder that the second of our two Valley Crab Feeds is this coming Saturday night. I have been told that the event is sold out but there is a waiting list for tickets that are returned before the event. Call Gloria Ross at 895-3071 to get on that list…
    As a bonus P.S.A. here is the menu for the Community lunches and dinners over the next week in 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, February 2, the lunch, served by Marti Titus and her crew at Noon, will be Meat Loaf, Mashed potatoes and gravy, with Birthday Cupcakes for dessert… Then, next Tuesday, February 7, the evening meal served at 6pm, will feature General Tso Chicken and Kahlua Cake for dessert. Following the dinner there will be Bingo at 7pm. All meals include vegetables, salad bar, and fruit, plus milk, coffee, tea, and lemonade. What a deal - it maybe the best value for money you’ll get all week!… Tai Chi is now available every Tuesday at 11am, while on Thursdays at 11am it is Kathy’s Easy-stretch Yoga class. Also on Thursdays, the Active Life Club runs from 10am to 2pm and features games, crafts, and music. The Senior Center/Community Bus goes to Ukiah on Monday's and also Santa Rosa on the first Wednesday of the month. These trips fill up fast so don't forget to sign up early at 489-1175… Hopefully you will be able to attend some of these events and certainly the lunches and dinners, 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, 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, with that in mind, I shall quickly put my pants on and continue…
… Natalie’s Pop-Up Sunday Supper at Lauren’s Restaurant had a successful opening night this last weekend with big thumbs up for the spicy wings, the jalapeño peppers stuffed with cream cheese and wrapped in bacon (who wouldn’t give a thumbs up to that?), the meatloaf, and the fried chicken… The new cozy ambience also had many folks singing its praises… The next Pop-up will be Sunday, February 26…
… The weather finally calmed down for a few very beautiful days, but as you read this I imagine we are once again under siege from the elements… Hopefully not enough to close the schools…
… The Donald Trump Watch… In this week’s thrilling episode, our mighty leader said he plans a “major investigation” into voter fraud. He claims, without any evidence whatsoever, that 3m-5m illegal immigrants cast fraudulent ballots, causing him to lose the popular vote. Mr Trump also signed an executive order to build a Mexican border wall, and expressed his support, in a television interview, for the use of torture against terrorist suspects… More divisive comments,  alternative facts, and off-the-chart behavior next week… And coming in the not too different future will surely be ‘Donald’s Decision’ - “Should I push the nuclear button or not - they did piss me off after all?”… This prediction follows the move by the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists to move the hands of its Doomsday Clock forward by 30 seconds, to two and a half minutes to midnight, in response to Trump’s “unsettling” and “ill-considered” comments about the use of nuclear weapons, growing concern over North Korea, and worries about relations with Russia. This is the closest the clock has been to midnight since 1953… I’m just sayin’…

    I’m outta here - I’ve got see a man about a sheep… Besides, that’s enough for now so, until we talk again – Be careful out there; if you break a leg don’t come running to me; stay out of the ditches; be wary of strangers with more dogs than teeth; show love to your pets, they will be faithful and true to you to the last beat of their hearts; think good thoughts; ‘Keep the Faith’; try to not let life get in the way of living; may your god go with you, and may your dog go with you too… Oh, and of course, one final request, “Let us prey”… Sometimes poking, often stroking, but almost always humbly yours, Turkey Vulture - saddened but ultimately comforted in the knowledge that the old hare has safely moved to his new burrow in the sky…
p.s. You can contact me with words of support/abuse either through the Letters Page or by e-mail at
p.p.s. Skylark – read any good books lately?… Hi, Silver Swan – behaving yourself? Hopefully not!… Everything cool with you, O.J.? Of course it is…