Greetings one and all. Are you are sitting comfortably? Then I shall begin. What is surely an important yet too often ignored fact about life is death. So many of us put off much needed decision-making on this topic until it becomes a necessity, and at that point the ideal situations and resolutions for each for us may be difficult to come by. Here in the Valley we have a group of folks who are trying to help with this. Lauren Keating of Lauren’s Restaurant shared details of ongoing monthly meetings at her restaurant at which many of the questions surrounding the complexities of later life are explored. “We’ve called our gatherings ‘Preparation for the Rest of our Lives: a group discussion of life and end-of-life’. The next meeting is this coming Sunday, February 21, from 4pm to 5:30pm at which we shall have representatives from local organizations that help the elderly and seniors in our Valley: the Health Center, the Senior Center, the Elder Home, and the Senior Assistance Network (SAN).” Lauren can be reached at 895-2606 for further information. Although not an uplifting topic, there are not many that are more important for discussion, and surely this is something all of those in the final third of their lives should probably be thinking about.
Talking of “the end of life,” as it were, our top investigative reporter and self-proclaimed conscience of the Valley, The Old Buzzard, is saddened by the following news and shares it here as another in his insightful series. “Signs that the Apocalypse is Approaching.” Buzzard reports, “It has come to my attention that the final piece of the Hulbert Ranch on Highway 128 opposite Gowans Oak Tree is under threat of sale and therefore ‘the end of life’ for this 150-year old Valley ranch is drawing near. In recent times, two of the three sections have been sold to outside interests already. and it’s probably just a matter of time before the vines go in at those locations. Now the final 40-acre piece of this historical ranch is on the market. The three remaining elderly children of Clarence and Ruby Hulbert have little interest in holding on to the property, but Debbie Young, wife of Vince Young, who is the son of Clarence and Ruby’s deceased daughter Marietta, most certainly is. The Hulbert’s have owned the ranch for five generations and Debbie and her family want to continue that legacy. The ranch is also the location of her business, ‘Horse-n-Around,’ a family owned and operated business that provides horse trail rides for guests who stay in rustic cabins on the ranch. The property used to be a working ranch for many years and Debbie hopes to bring some of those features back to the property, as well as making it an attraction for visitors as a day camp at which guests get to experience a range of farming activities. With this in mind, Debbie is hoping to buy the final piece and save the Ranch from destruction. However, she needs investors to help her do so. Family members cannot assist, so she is turning to Valley folks who can invest or may have an interest in being partners in her business opportunity and/or a desire to keep a slice of the Valley’s history alive. If this appeals to you in any way, please call Debbie at 895-3075. Let’s hope Debbie gets some response(s); otherwise the demise of the Hulbert Ranch will be yet another sign that the Apocalypse is rapidly approaching.”
Public Service Announcements. #544. The Vets from the Mendocino Animal Hospital have one more visit this month at the AV Farm Supply on Highway 128, north of Philo, from 2-3.30pm next week, Thursday, February 25. They will return just once next month on Thursday, March 24. #545. The Mendocino Bookmobile returns to the Valley on Tuesday, February 23. They are here on alternate Tuesdays for 45 minutes at: Navarro Store 9am (for just 30 minutes before heading out to Comptche); the Floodgate 12.30pm; Philo 1.30pm; Boonville (Apple Hall) 2.30pm. Phone 463-4694 for further details. #546. The AV Museum, “The Best Little Museum in the West,” at The Little Red Schoolhouse next to the Elementary School on AV Way remains closed on their winter break until March. #547. Karaoke on the third Wednesday of each month at The Buckhorn in Boonville — tonight Wednesday, February 17, from 9pm on.
Here is the menu for the Community lunches and dinners over the next week in the Senior Center at the Veterans” Building in Boonville. $6 donation from Seniors requested for both lunches and dinners and $7 for Non-seniors for lunches and $8 for the dinners. Tomorrow, Thursday, February 18, the lunch, served by Marti Titus and her crew at Noon, will be Joe's Chili followed by Cherry Dump Cake for dessert. Then, next Tuesday evening, February 23rd at 6pm, Oven BBQ Briquette and Fresh Strawberry Cake for dessert. All meals include vegetables, salad bar, and fruit, plus milk, coffee, tea, and lemonade. What a deal. Maybe the best $7 you’ll spend all week! Tai Chi is now available every Tuesday from 10-11am, while on Thursdays at the same time it is the watercolor painting class, leading into yoga at 11am. Hopefully you will be able to attend some of these events. Remember. ALL ages are welcome! Hope to see you there.
Topics and Valley events under discussion at The Three-Dot Lounge — “Moans, Groans, Good Thoughts, and Rampant (yet surprisingly reliable) Rumors” from my favorite gathering place in the Valley.
…With Erica Lemons’ departure, the School Board is once again a member short. Three new members joined long-time trustee Richard ‘Dick’ Browning just a couple of months ago, and the new appointee will be nominated and selected by these four folks, who will hopefully have more than one applicant to choose from. So far, just Robert Pinoli Jr, who failed to get selected in the recent round of appointments, has applied. Robert is a pleasant, approachable, and intelligent man, who in normal circumstances would probably be an asset. However, he is the son of Robert Sr, the High School Athletic Director and current “Dean of Discipline,” a sort-of Vice Principal if you will. Do I hear “That must be a conflict of interest” from anyone? Given that the Board oversees the school’s administration and its duties, I’m sure I do. Perhaps Pinoli Jr believes he can exclude himself from votes or discussions that feature his father, or his father’s spheres of influence and involvement. Maybe he feels that such an absence on his behalf would have no impact on his effectiveness as a Board member, both in terms of his functioning as such but also in his dealings with fellow Board members. Along with several other folks with whom I have spoken on this matter, such thoughts by Robert Jr would be unrealistic. Due to the positions held by Robert Sr, the Board’s jurisdiction will be frequently required on issues that concern Robert Sr in one way or another, thus leaving Junior unable to contribute to much that is discussed. This would then beg the question, “Why is he on the board?” It just doesn’t seem to be right, in my humble opinion. So let’s all hope that there will be other applicants and that this awkward set of circumstances can be avoided. If not, as my father would often say when predicting inevitable and impending doom, “I’m afraid this will all end up in tears.”
…Staying with the school, but in a lighter vein, a number of regulars will be eagerly awaiting the result of the Teacher’s Quiz taking place this coming Friday, February 19, and featuring teams from the faculties at our local High School and Elementary school competing against each other in a General Knowledge Quiz complied by local Quiz Master, Steve Sparks. Organized by School Superintendent, Michelle Hutchins, as a team-building exercise, it should be quite a battle. Results next week.
…Restaurant Update. Current hours for Valley establishments serving dinner: Lauren’s Restaurant in Boonville is open Tuesday thru Saturday, every evening from 5-9pm. The Boonville Hotel’s Table 128 restaurant serves their prix fixe family style dinners Friday thru Sunday (call for reservations). Libby’s in Philo has reopened with dinner served Tuesday to Saturday from 5-8pm (and lunch on Friday and Saturday, 11:30am-2pm). The Buckhorn, Boonville, continues to be there for Valley people and visitors alike for more hours than any other dining establishment— every day and night except for Tuesdays, and that includes brunch served all day on the weekends.
…As for the “new” restaurants in the Valley. The Bewildered Pig at The Floodgate is open Thursday (their new locals night) thru Sunday. Stone and Embers at The Madrones re-opens under new (and previous) ownership this Friday, February 19, for lunch & dinner, Friday thru Monday, 11:30am-8:30pm each day. The “new” Aquarelle Cafe in Boonville has had a slight delay in their plans but will now re-open on Friday, February 26. At that point, all of our Valley restaurants will be operating and heading into what will hopefully be a busy summer season for one and all.
I’m outtahere. Until we talk again, Keep the Faith; be careful out there; if you break a leg don’t come running to me; stay out of the ditches; think good thoughts; be wary of strangers with more dogs than teeth; be kind to your pets; and may your god go with you. A final request, “Let us prey.” Sometimes poking, often stroking, but almost always humbly yours, Turkey Vulture. Contact me through the Letters Page or at turkeyvulture9@gmail.com. PS. Missing the Venerable Pheasant everyday. Keep on humming, Hummingbird. On the sheep, Grace.
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