Bird’s Eye View

Greetings one and all. If you are sitting comfortably I shall begin. Let’s start off with the monthly Bingo Report. Last Tuesday evening’s Dinner and Bingo Night at the Veterans Hall to benefit the Senior Center was another big success. Following the delights of Gloria Abbott’s salad bar, Gina Pardini presented a tasty beef stroganoff dinner with help from Cindy Pardini and Pat­rick Ford. Then it was the turn of Colonel Bingo, along with his glamorous assistant, Lady Bingo, to take over and provide the entertainment in the form of some good old Bingo. The big winner on the night was Tom Kearns, the son of the Spears family in Boonville and who with his two ‘Bingos’ ended up with over $100 in total win­nings! Other winners included June Lemons (two smaller prizes), Carolyn Short (a fully deserved prize after she had spent the day working at the polling station), Pat Hulbert (once again winning in her lucky Bingo shirt), Todd Clow, and Drake Mezzanatto, who promptly shared his winnings with his Mom, Renee Lee - yer gotta like that! Anyway, it was a wonderful community night out and we’ll do it all again, as usual on the Second Tuesday of the month, which will be July 13th.

Quote of the Week. The candidate for 5th District Supervisor, Dan Hamburg, and his wife Carrie, are both regulars at the Bingo night and even though it was elec­tion night they still showed up. Carrie is an exuberant player and at one point tried to correct Colonel Bingo on an issue of Bingo etiquette. She was obviously never going to win any argument of that sort and soon accepted his explanation, gracefully of course. Clearly she had not been aware of the famous Bingo quote: “Arguing with the bingo caller is like wrestling with a pig in mud. After a while, you realize that while you are getting dirty, the pig is actually enjoying it.” Carrie did not win any prizes this night but with her enthusiasm and determination I have a feeling it’s just a matter of time.

Public Service Announcements. #107: The Vets from the Mendocino Animal Hospital return tomorrow (Thursday, 17th) to the Farm Supply on Hwy 128 north of Philo from 2-3:30pm. Save yourself a trip over the hill if your pet is in some need, and at the same time support this wonderful service. (Perhaps buy a little something at the Farm Supply too while you’re there!). #108: It’s time once again for the Dance Groove: Friday, June 18th at 7pm at The Grange. #109: The Hansen-Raitt Band will be at The Navarro Store on Saturday, June 19th, 5-8pm and as usual the beer and wine will be inexpensive, Pablo will be on the bbq grill, and tri-tip dinners will also be available. #110: Over this coming weekend (18th-0th) The Sierra Nevada World Music Festival returns to the Valley for what I believe is its third year here and no doubt we’ll have a few thousand extra people in town. Most of this particular crowd will be very nice and polite, and the ‘female of the species’ is always very pleasant on the eye, so let’s give them a big Valley ‘Welcome,’ hope they support our locally-owned small businesses, and then wish them merrily on their way come Sunday night. #111: Pat Hulbert reminds me that the Philo Church is having a Bake Sale on Lemon's porch in Philo this Saturday (June 19th), from 10am until everything is sold. This will include huckleberry pies, apple pies, tarts, cakes, breads and cookies. Don’t be late!

Moving to the topics under discussion at The Three-Dot Lounge — “Moans, Groans, Good Thoughts, and Rampant Rumors” from my favorite gathering place in the Valley.

…Many regulars were very impressed with the AV Theatre Guild’s recently concluded annual presentation, entitled ‘Dearly Departed.’ Very solid acting of a humorous contemporary play, with fine musical accom­paniment, no doubt worked and hopefully can be repeated next year. The final weekend saw nearly 150 for the Friday night show and then a further 130 for closing night on Saturday. Well done! to Director Rod Basehore, his assistant Sheila Leighton, their fine ensemble cast of 13 Valley thespians, and of course the all-important peo­ple-behind-the-scenes.

…One day last week, all the regulars and I raised our glasses to toast the continued support by Valley folks for our locally owned small businesses. They each provide something for the Valley and without local support in these hard economic times some may not be around when we need them. I therefore continue to urge you to think twice about spending your dollars in Ukiah, Fort Bragg, Mendocino, Cloverdale, Etc, and whenever pos­sible, buy local!

…Several regulars were very pleased to hear that there is to be a new cook at The Senior Center in the form of Natalie Matson, previously the owner/operator of the One Horse Espresso coffee stand, and in more recent times the Senior Bus driver. This is excellent news for food lovers as she certainly knows what she is doing in the kitchen and a fresh line-up of meals will hopefully now be adopted. Sometimes change is a good thing (even in the Valley!) and this will hopefully prove to be the result as the Senior Center looks to revitalize the atten­dance at their Tuesday and Thursday lunches.

…The Boonville Saloon (formerly The Boonville Lodge) in the heart of town is still on course to open sometime in July. The plans for the restaurant area at that location remain far from clear.

…There is movement regarding a new tenant at The (old) Buckhorn Building and in a week or so I may be able to divulge more. For now, I am sworn to secrecy, although the bribing of a Turkey Vulture is not frowned upon where I grew up and so let’s not forget the quote from English historian and wit, Thomas Fuller: ‘He that bringeth a present, findeth the door open.” I’m just say­ing.

…Johnny ‘Two Scoops’ Schmitt, of Boonville Hotel fame, will very soon have the ice cream shop up and running at the location formerly known as Zub Zub Ice Cream in the heart of Boonville; that is if he hasn’t already.

Time to take my leave. I have to see a man about some vanilla chocolate chip ice cream. With the much warmer weather finally with us, please remember to keep your windows cracked if you have pets in your vehicle. Otherwise, be careful out there; stay out of the ditches; think good thoughts; and may your god go with you. Of course, “Let us prey.” Poking and stroking egos wher­ever necessary and, as always, humbly yours, Turkey Vulture. PS. Keep the Faith. PPS. Contact me with words of support/abuse either through the Letters Page or by e-mail at turkeyvulture1@earthlink.net. PS. On the sheep, Grace.