Greetings one and all. If you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin. Belated Happy Birthday wishes to our Valley Seniors with birthdays in June — Carolyn Short, Eva Holcomb (neé Pardini), June Lemons, Alice Fashauer, Rod Basehore (Get well soon, Rod), and James Crabtree.
A Valley dweller who deserves our best wishes every day of the year, in my humble opinion, is Cheryl Schrader, the founder and continuing driving force behind the Anderson Valley Animal Rescue (AVAR). When I spoke with her recently she was still overjoyed at the success of their Fundraiser held at The AV Brewery a couple of months ago, raising nearly $5,000 for the cause. She and her fine crew of volunteers work very hard at helping both pets and owners in this county and particularly in the Valley, as they continue to provide financial assistance for the spaying/neutering of cats (2,800 in 2010) and dogs (70), offer adoption outreach for homeless cats (630) and dogs (80) from the County shelter, run a working barn cat program, a senior cat placement program, and much more. In 2011 they anticipate continuing their aggressive spay/neuter campaign as well as increasing the foster care and adoption outreach programs to accommodate the kittens/cats and dogs that would otherwise lose their life at the county shelter if not for rescue. Anytime you feel like giving her support, either by volunteering some of your leisure time or with a donation to this very worthwhile cause, please call her at 895-3785. Meanwhile, if you are looking to adopt a new ‘best friend’ contact the AVAR at www.avanimalrescue.petfinder.org or if you just wish to keep in touch with this wonderful organization, visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/AVAnimalRescue. Great job, Cheryl and the Gang. Your efforts are much appreciated by many — both those with two legs and four.
And therefore, it should come as no surprise to regular readers that for the Quote of the Week we’re going to have a couple of pet/animal quotes? First from English novelist George Eliot. “Our pets are such agreeable friends--they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms.” And how about these wise words from the philosopher Alfred A. Montapert: “Animals are reliable; many full of love, true in their affections, predictable in their actions, grateful, and loyal — difficult standards for people to live up to.”
Public Service Announcements. Calendars and pens at the ready. #39. The vets from the Mendocino Animal Hospital will be in the Valley on two more occasions this month; each time at the usual venue. The Farm Supply, north of Philo on Highway 128, from 2pm until 3:30pm. The first of these visits is tomorrow, June 23rd, and they will return once more on the 30th. It’s a very convenient service so let’s support it and make plans to attend if your four-legged friend needs come medical care or is due some shots anytime soon. #40: It’s the final weekend of the month so that means time for another Barn Sale. As always it takes place at The St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church Refectory on AV Way just north of Boonville, from 9am to 3pm on both Saturday and Sunday, June 25th/26th. #41: The Boonville Farmer’s Market takes place, as usual, at the Boonville Hotel parking lot this Saturday, June 25th. It runs from 9.30am to Noon and this week features all the regular goodies plus veggies, honey, olive oil, herbs, lotions, and flowers. What’s not to like?
Moving quickly on to some of the topics under discussion this week at The Three-Dot Lounge — yes it’s “Moans, Groans, Good Thoughts, and Rampant Rumors” from my favorite gathering place in the Valley where people gather and share their thoughts about Valley life. First let’s have a couple of questions from the regulars sitting at the bar.
…‘Enquiring Minds at The Three-Dot want to know’ — Part 1: Why are there graduation ceremonies here in the Valley for pre-school, 6th grade, 8th grade, and the High School? Haven’t the kindergarten graduates done enough to deserve such an accolade?
…‘Enquiring Minds at The Three-Dot want to know’ — Part 2: Why is it that when a charitable act is poorly done or presented, the excuse is often given that those responsible are just volunteering so it’s ok? Many folks in this Valley do volunteer for various causes and events. The vast majority of them do a splendid job and these people certainly would not use their volunteer status as an excuse for anything less than that. So since when did ‘volunteer’ become used as an excuse for ‘inefficiency’ as some would have us believe?
…Where can I get my sheep sheared? This is one I have a good answer for. There is a young man from the coast who will certainly oblige. His name is Matt Gilbert and he has already done a fine job on many of the smaller flocks in the Valley during the past month or so, as he has been doing for the last few years around here. He is accommodating and very reasonably priced. He can be reached on his cell phone at 972-9144.
…Many regulars expressed gratitude that the surface of Highway 128 is slowly but surely being repaired, one section at a time. One wisecracking old-timer asked, “Does it really need it?”
…As for the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival that took place here in Boonville over this past weekend, I’m sure many of our local eateries and places of libation are tired of listening to the myth that they benefit substantially from this self-contained event given its many food and drink vendors set up inside the Fairgrounds. However, any negative reviews, no matter how justified, should also take into account the undoubted joy given to many of the male population of the Valley by the sight of young women festival-goers, with bare-midriffs, balancing hula-hoops on their gyrating hips that hypnotically circle around and around as if they were… (continued on page 29).
On that note, time to take my leave. With the hot weather now with us, please remember to keep your windows cracked if you have pets in your vehicle, or even children I suppose. Otherwise, Keep the Faith; be careful out there; stay out of the ditches; think good thoughts; and may your god go with you. One final request, “Let us prey.” Humbly yours, Turkey Vulture. PS. Contact me with words of support/abuse through the Letters Page or at turkeyvulture1@earthlink.net. PPS. Hi, Silver Swan. Behaving yourself? Hopefully not!
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