Greetings one and all.
If you are sitting comfortably I shall begin. As I walked around downtown Boonville’s “All that Good Stuff” store last week, looking for an appropriate birthday card for friend D’Ann Wallace, I overheard Lauren, of Lauren’s Restaurant fame, asking the store owner, Leslie Hummel, for the upcoming birthdays on Leslie’s Calendar. I joined in the conversation, welcomed or not, and found out that Leslie has a calendar full of Valley folks’ birthdays and people are welcome to see it and find out if anyone they know is about to have their special day. “What a lovely thing,” I thought and having been asked to divulge my own day of hatching, and seeing it added to The Birthday Calendar, I left the store feeling that this Valley is even nicer than before!
Talking of birthdays, there are many quotes that can be shared on the subject of birth but most of them are surprisingly gloomy and generally concentrate on birth being the first step towards death. However, I do like the Shakespeare classic, “When we are born, we cry that we are come to this great stage of fools,” but perhaps my favorite is the line by old-time comedienne Gracie Allen who said, “When I was born, I was so surprised that I didn’t talk for a year and a half!” And that, dear readers, is your Quote of the Week.
Here are a few Public Service Announcements for you. #163: The Vets from the Mendocino Animal Hospital will be in the Valley at The Farm Supply tomorrow, Thursday, Jan 14th from 2-3:30pm. Please support this great service and save yourself a trip over the hill at the same time. #164: Lions Club meeting at The Grange on Monday, Jan 18th at 7pm. #165: Grange Meeting at, strangely, The Grange on Tuesday, Jan 19th at 7pm. #166: The Food and Craft Mart continues every Sunday at The Grange from 1-3pm. As organizer Cindy (895-2949) will tell you, “If you grow it or make it, you can sell it.”
Moving on to topics at The Three-Dot Lounge. Yes, it’s “Moans, Groans, Good Thoughts, and Rampant Rumors” from my favorite gathering place in the Valley at a location known only to those in the know.
…Once again I must apologize for talking about The Boonville Lodge and the future of the building that is its home until the end of the month (although the business has closed down), but this is what the regulars are talking about. What is it to become? The rumors continue with the following contenders considered among the favorites: Landlord Dave Johnson’s own Bar (beer and wine only). He’s not a popular man though. The return of the Lumberjack Pizza boys. Hopefully for more than 17 hours a week this time. A Mexican Cantina could work, could be a disaster. Or an empty space for the next two years. Surely not another Highpockety Ox situation. Possibilities that are considered less likely at this point include: A two-room motel. A designer clothes boutique. A video games arcade. A McDonald’s franchise. Or a strip club/Gentlemen’s Lounge. No mention of a bank, or a pharmacy, or The Boonville Lodge suddenly rising from the dead. Now wouldn’t that would be special? Anyway, I just thought you should stay informed.
…Regulars tell me that the AV Film Festival banner has been raised outside the Grange in preparation for the big event at the end of the month: Jan 29-31. I am also told that all proceeds will go to local good causes such as the Elderhome, the Animal Rescue, the AVHS Film Class, the Senior Center, and The Grange. Ya gotta like that — old people, animals, and kids! Lots of local stuff will be on view and much more. Details at www.andersonvalleyfilmfestival.org.
…With The Lodge, The Boonville Hotel, Alicia’s, and Libby’s all closed at the time of writing, look no further than Lauren’s for your dining pleasure. Actually you’ve got no choice really, but she and her staff always do a great job and she does have draft Guinness in a can. Oh, and don’t forget that her French fries did win the Turkey Vulture Best Fries Award for 2009!
…Rave reviews from the regulars for last Friday’s Didgeridoo show at The Grange. I missed it because for me personally two minutes of that sound is one minute too many. However, many people love it (not just indigenous Australians) and Karen Bailey organized a very good evening at which, by all accounts, the performers did things with their instruments that you would not believe. I couldn’t possibly comment other than to say I must go next time. Maybe.
Time to take my leave. Besides I have to see a man about a sheep. 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 by e-mail at turkeyvulture1@earthlink.net. PPS. Shop locally — we all need it!
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