# 562 - 10th May, 2017

    Greetings one and all. Are you sitting comfortably? Then I shall begin…
    This coming Sunday, as I hope you all know, it’s ‘Mother’s Day’ - a celebration honoring mothers and celebrating motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. Originally, in the 1870’s, it was a call for women to join in support of disarmament and it did not really become a celebration of motherhood until it was made an official national holiday (2nd Sunday of May) when President Woodrow Wilson made it such in 1914. The holiday eventually became so highly commercialized that many, including its founder, Anna Jarvis, considered it a "Hallmark holiday", i.e. one with an overwhelming commercial purpose… But, for all that, it does give us an opportunity to sit back and think about how appreciative we should be of our mothers - after all, where would we be without them?
    Anyway, for your Quotes of the Week, here are some words of wisdom on the subject… Let’s begin with a Jewish proverb that goes, “God could not be everywhere, so therefore he made mothers”… And another proverb – from Spain – “An ounce of mother is worth a ton of priest”… From Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811-1896), the American abolitionist and author of ‘Uncle Tom's Cabin’ comes the observation, “Most mothers are instinctive philosophers”… And from Honore de Balzac (1799-1850), the French novelist and playwright we have “The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you will always find forgiveness”… It was Florida Scott-Maxwell (1883-1979), a playwright, author and psychologist who said, “No matter how old a mother is, she watches her middle-aged children for signs of improvement” – I imagine quite a few of the Valley’s Mom’s were in her thoughts at the time she said that!... And finally, from the British actress and director, Janet Suzman (1936-?), comes a comment that is probably appropriate just about anywhere, “Motherhood is the most emotional experience of one’s life. One joins a kind of women’s mafia”… And there’s nothing wrong with that!...

    Let’s move on with the Turkey Vulture’s update on ‘Evening Dining in the Valley’… In geographical order, as you travel through the Valley on Highway 128, here is the latest on ‘The Big Eight Eateries’… Lauren’s Restaurant welcomes Libby (of Libby’s Restaurant in Philo fame) as the Guest Chef every Monday evening from 4.30-9pm, while their regular hours remain Thursday-Sunday, 11.30am-2.30pm for lunch, and dinner on Tuesday-Saturday, 5-9pm… Lizbby’s, the Mexican Restaurant in downtown Boonville, is receiving many positive reviews and can be enjoyed every day except Sundays, serving breakfast (on Saturday) and lunch from 10am-3pm and dinner from 5-9pm… The Buckhorn is now serving weekend brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am-3pm serving Bloody Marys, Mimosas, Eggs Benedict, Pancakes, Biscuits & Gravy, and more.They are open weekdays at 11am and are closed on Tuesdays… The Boonville Hotel continues with their family-style, prix fixe menu and have now expanded their hours to Thursday thru’ Monday evenings. They cook by reservation so call (707)-895-2210… The Q and Aquarelle, formerly Aquarelle Cafe and Wine Bar, has a new ‘Santa Maria BBQ’ menu added to previous favorites. Open 4-8pm from Friday thru’ Taco Tuesday… The Redwood Drive-In just keeps on doing what they do, with reliable hours that everyone can remember and rely on (6am-8pm every day!) - don't forget to try the donuts!… Stone and Embers’ spring hours see them open from Noon to 8pm Friday-Sunday and Noon to 4pm on Monday and Tuesday, with new summer hours hopefully to be announced soon… Finally, down in the Deep End, The Bewildered Pig is open Thursday-Saturday, 4:30-9pm and Sunday 11.30am-7pm. They are closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. You can check out all of their “insane” offerings on their well-maintained Facebook page… And that’s it for now… Join us again next week as we once again travel along the Valley’s Dining Highway… Meanwhile, I encourage you all to eat, drink, and be merry at one of the above establishments whenever you can - remember ‘eating out is fun’…

    Public Service Announcements (P.S.A.’s)… Calendars and pens at the ready… #545 - The Vets from the Mendocino Animal Hospital have no more visits this month but they will be at the Anderson Valley Farm Supply on Highway 128, north of Philo, twice next month - Thursdays, June 1 and 15… #546 - I believe that the Mendocino Bookmobile returns to the Valley next Tuesday, May 16. 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 open every Saturday and Sunday from 1pm-4pm. Situated in The Little Red Schoolhouse next to the Elementary School on A.V. Way, visiting the Museum is a perfect thing to do in the Valley when you have a couple of hours to spare on a weekend afternoon. It is not without reason that it is generally regarded as ‘The Best Little Museum in the West’… #548 - The Anderson Valley Grange is having its regular Second Sunday Pancake Breakfast on May 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 but gluten extra not), eggs, and bacon, with a choice of juice, tea or coffee included… #549 - The monthly meeting of the ‘Preparation for the Rest of Our Lives’ group takes pace at Lauren’s Restaurant at 4pm on Sunday, May 12. This is a gathering at which this important but so often avoided topic, and the options available to all of us at some point, will be discussed amongst Valley folks… #550 - The Boonville Farmers’ Market has moved from its winter location at The General Store and taken up residence across the street at the usual spot in the Boonville Hotel parking lot with their new summer hours 9.30am-Noon. For more info, call Cindy at 895-2949… #551 - Need a burn permit? Well starting this month the Fire Department no longer issues them and you have to go to the Cal Fire Buildings at the far south end of town, beyond the gravel pits and behind the San Quentin-esque style fences…
    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, May 11, the lunch, served by Marti Titus and her crew at Noon, will be Citrus Cod with Triple Lemon Dessert… Then, next Tuesday, May 16, the lunch will feature Joe's Chili followed by Raspberry Whip 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!… Meanwhile, on Tuesday and Thursday from 9-9.45am the Center offers ‘Young at Heart Exercise’ with Linda Boudoures and Karen DeFalco… 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, my favorite gathering place in the Valley, is closed for a few days… I couldn’t possibly explain why, suffice it to say that Señor Pacifico and Mr. Jameson paid me an extended visit… My apologies to those of you who enjoy the words of wisdom shared each week from the home of “Moans, Groans, Good Thoughts, and Rampant (yet surprisingly reliable) Rumors”… Even our 3-Dot regular, The Old Buzzard, a very good friend of Mr Jameson and yet a very conscientious contributor to the column whatever his condition, is incapacitated at this time, although he does offer these wise words, “I have nothing of any interest to anyone to say at this point, so I will say nothing”… (Why can’t more folks be like that?)…
    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, and please remember to keep your windows cracked if you leave them in your vehicle for any amount of time; 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!… How lovely to see you, Round-eyed Robin…

# 561 - 3rd May, 2017

    Greetings one and all. Are you sitting comfortably? Then I shall begin… First, I must point out that almost everything below is true, probably around 99%. However, the whole truth is withheld because, as a wise Valley man known as Deekin' once said, “If I told you the whole truth then you’d be as smart as me”… I like your thinkin,’ Deekin’…

    A boon in Boonville? Debatable… Well, the 21st Annual Anderson Valley Brewing Company’s Beer Festival in Boonville has come and gone with plenty of fanfare and thousands of visitors - and like most years, virtually every one of them was well behaved despite many being somewhat inebriated. And why wouldn’t they be? It’s a beer festival for god’s sake… However, something significantly different this year was the fact that due to the many vendors now serving food inside the Festival at the Fairgrounds, the usual very busy night enjoyed by our local eateries following the Festival’s Saturday afternoon of imbibing simply did not happen. In fact, coupled with the fact that most locals stayed away from town believing it to be a crazy scene, Saturday night saw downtown Boonville more like a regular Thursday, with most of the Festival attendees off the streets and in their campgrounds by 7pm… I realize that the Festival very generously donates thousands of dollars to local charities and organizations, but, just like the Sierra Nevada Music Festival, these events are now effectively self-contained and certainly do not provide the windfall, or should I say boon, to local eateries that some people would have you believe… Just sayin’…

    Staying with local restaurants, let’s move on with the Turkey Vulture’s update on ‘Evening Dining in the Valley’… In geographical order, as you travel through the Valley on Highway 128, here is the latest on ‘The Big Eight Eateries’… Lauren’s Restaurant welcomes Libby (of Libby’s Restaurant in Philo fame) as the Guest Chef every Monday evening from 4.30-9pm, while their regular hours remain Thursday-Sunday, 11.30am-2.30pm for lunch, and dinner on Tuesday-Saturday, 5-9pm… Lizbby’s, the Mexican Restaurant in downtown Boonville, is receiving many positive reviews and can be enjoyed every day except Tuesdays, serving breakfast (on Saturday and Sunday) and lunch from 10am-3pm and dinner from 5-8pm… The Buckhorn seems to have been pretty busy since reopening a few weeks ago. They are open every day at 11am (10am at weekends), and closed on Tuesdays… The Boonville Hotel continues with their family-style, prix fixe menu and have now expanded their hours to Thursday thru’ Monday. They cook by reservation - call (707)-895-2210… The Q and Aquarelle, formerly Aquarelle Cafe and Wine Bar, has a new ‘Santa Maria BBQ’ menu added to previous favorites. Open 4-8pm from Friday thru’ Taco Tuesday… The Redwood Drive-In just keeps on doing what they do, with reliable hours that everyone can remember and rely on (6am-8pm every day!) - don't forget to try the donuts!… Stone and Embers’ spring hours see them open from Noon to 8pm Friday-Sunday and Noon to 4pm on Monday and Tuesday, with new summer hours soon to be announced… Finally, down in the Deep End, The Bewildered Pig is open Wednesday-Sunday, 5:30-9pm - you can check out all of their “insane” offerings on their well-maintained Facebook page… And that’s it for now… Join us again next week as we once again travel along the Valley’s Dining Highway… Meanwhile, I encourage you all to eat, drink, and be merry at one of the above establishments whenever you can - remember ‘eating out is fun’…

    Public Service Announcements (P.S.A.’s)… Calendars and pens at the ready… #545 - The Vets from the Mendocino Animal Hospital have one visit this month to the Anderson Valley Farm Supply on Highway 128, north of Philo, - that is tomorrow, May 4, from 2-3.30pm. They will be here twice next month - June 1 and 15. To avoid a line perhaps turn up at around 3pm - you will definitely be seen. 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 - The monthly Barn Sale at The Big Barn next to the St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church Refectory on A.V. Way, just north of Boonville, takes place on the first weekend of every month so the next such event is this coming weekend, Saturday/Sunday, May 6/7 from 9am to 3pm each day… #547 - This Saturday, May 6, sees the Boonville Farmers’ Market move from its winter location at The General Store and take up residence across the street at the usual spot in the Boonville Hotel parking lot with their new summer hours 9.30am-Noon. For more info, call Cindy at 895-2949… #548 - 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… #549 - 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… #550 - 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!…
    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, May 4, the lunch, served by Marti Titus and her crew at Noon, will be Beef and Broccoli followed by Birthday Cupcakes. Then, next Tuesday, May 9, the evening meal served at 6pm, will feature Tamale Loaf with Wendy’s Oatmeal Bars 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!… Meanwhile, on Tuesday and Thursday from 9-9.45am the Center offers ‘Young at Heart Exercise’ with Linda Boudoures and Karen DeFalco… Tai Chi is now available every Tuesday at 11am, while on Thursdays at 11am-Noon 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, 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, is closed this week but hard-working investigative reporter, The Old Buzzard, never sleeps and so here is another in his insightful series – ‘Signs that the Apocalypse is Approaching’… Buzzard reports, “I recently read with great interest an article about America’s prisons in The Economist weekly news magazine - in my experience just about the most objective read one could hope to find. Among the many statistics that were presented in what was a very informative piece, a couple of very basic ones stood out… With less than 5% of the world’s population, the U.S. holds roughly 25% of it’s prisoners - that is more than 2.3 million people, including 1.6 million in state and federal prisons and 700,000 in local jails and immigration pens. Per head, the incarceration rate in the land of the free has risen seven-fold since the 1970s and percentage-wise it is now five times Britain’s, nine times German’s, and fourteen times Japan’s… Some 49,000 Americans are serving life without the possibility of ever being released. In England, with almost a sixth of America’s population, there are just 55. And the cost to U.S. taxpayers is typically $68,000 per inmate each year… Something must surely be done, but with so many prosecutors and judges elected via ‘tough on crime tickets,’ the continuing of state and federal ‘mandatory minimum’ sentences and ‘three strike’ rules that compel courts to lock up even relatively minor repeat offenders for most of their lives, plus the gun lobby remaining so prevalent and strong, and the basically lost war on drugs continuing, reform will be slow… And that can only mean that the Apocalypse will be upon us even sooner than we thought…”

    Thanks for another downer, Buzzard, although a dose of reality is often a good thing to the many of us up here in the bucolic bubble that is Anderson Valley…Ok, 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, and please remember to keep your windows cracked if you leave them in your vehicle for any amount of time; 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. Keep on humming, Hummingbird… Missing the Venerable Pheasant… On the sheep, Grace…