Bird’s Eye View

Greetings one and all. If you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin. Over the past week or so you may have heard the screams and cries of anguish as many of the Valley’s sheep received their annual ‘haircut,’ courtesy of shearer Matt Gilbert (see photograph on page 7). Those sounds were from Matt, not the sheep, as he wrestled with some of the Valley’s more cantankerous characters in the Valley’s pastures. He sheared almost 300 sheep and has the bruises to prove it. It’s very hard work indeed and I cannot imagine how tough this job was before the invention of the electric shears, when Valley folks would use very basic clipping shears, powered only by hand, and a strong will to get the job done!

So, with this in mind, for your Quotes of the Week, let’s have a few comments on the topic of ‘Work.’ First it’s these words from American poet Robert Frost (1874-1963), which self-employed Matt might now be thinking, “By working faithfully eight hours a day, you may eventually get to be a boss and work twelve hours a day.” And here’s something from the recently deceased hair guru, Vidal Sassoon (1928-2012), who wisely said, “The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary.” Of course, some may adhere to this theory espoused by the French writer, The Marquis de Vauvenargues (1715-1747) who suggested, “The fruit derived from labor is the sweetest of all pleasures.” And we’ll finish with this pithy comment from Voltaire (1694-1778), the French Enlightenment writer, historian and philosopher, famous for his wit and for his advocacy of civil liberties, including freedom of religion, freedom of expression, and separation of church and state, who summed up the thoughts of many when he said, “Work spares us from three great evils — boredom, vice, and need.”

Public Service Announcements. Calendars and pens at the ready. #74. The Vets from the Mendocino Animal Hospital will return to the Valley on the final two Thursdays of this month, May 24 and 31. They will be at The AV Farm Supply from 2pm to 3.30pm on both days and if you call the vets 48 hours in advance (462-8833) you can ensure that your pet’s charts are brought ‘over the hill’ and also order any medications. New customers and their pets always welcome. #75. The annual Memorial Day Weekend Flea Market will take place in the Senior Center parking lot from May 25-28. #76. The 10th Annual AV Art Guild Studio Tour will run from May 26-28. Check www.andersonvalley-artguild.org for further details. #77. The Coyote Cowboys will be playing on Sunday, May 27 in the Redwood Grove at the Fairgrounds for the Lion's Club Annual Chicken and TriTip Barbecue to benefit the Anderson Valley ElderHome. From 4:30 to 6:30, come, enjoy, feast, and have some fun with the Silent Auction! #78. On May 29, the AV Chorus Group will perform at 7pm at the Senior Center following the 6pm evening meal of Chicken Enchilada, Beans & Rice, Corn Salad Salsa, Green Salad, Fruit Salad, Quinoa Salad, Triple Lemon Pie. #79. A few days later, on Friday May 1, it’s time for the monthly Guest Chef Dinner at the Senior Center, with guest chef Tom Rodrigues of Maple Creek Winery presenting an Hawaiian BBQ. #80. And that same weekend, on Sunday, May 3, sees a special AV High School Sports Booster’s Skunk Train Ride and BBQ. Call school Athletic Director, Robert Pinoli at 895-3496 for further details.

Now a few topics and Valley events from The Three-Dot Lounge — “Moans, Groans, Good Thoughts, and Rampant Rumors” from my favorite gathering place in the Valley.

…At the time of writing, The Boonville Lodge may have re-opened! If it hasn’t, I am reliably informed that it is about to.

…Rumors continue to swirl about Ardzrooni Vineyard Management’s purchase of The AV Farm Supply and any plans they hopefully have to maintain much of the same “stuff.” Many of us have taken for granted all that the Farm Supply has provided for so long, courtesy of Dave and Nancy Gowan, who are headed for Oregon and pastures new. Hopefully the new folks will continue the good work and provide the Valley with its many farming needs.

…From our 3-Dot regular, The Old Buzzard, comes another in his insightful series, ‘The Approach of the Apocalypse.’ Buzzard reports, “This comes from a recent column by sportswriter and socio-political commentator, Dave Zirin — ‘48,000 security forces. 13,500 troops. Surface to air missiles stationed on top of residential apartment buildings. A sonic weapon that disperses crowds by creating “head splitting pain.” Unmanned drones peering down from the skies. A safe-zone, cordoned off by an 11 mile, electrified fence, ringed with trained agents and 55 teams of attack dogs… One would be forgiven for thinking that these were the counter-insurgency tactics used by US army bases in Iraq and Afghanistan, but instead of being used in a war zone or the theater of occupation, they in fact make up the very visible security apparatus in London for the 2012 Summer Olympics. There is no reason that the Olympics have to be this way. There is no reason that an international celebration of sports — particularly sports more diverse than this country’s high-carb diet of football, baseball, basketball, and more football — can’t take place without drones and aircraft carriers. There is no reason athletes from across the globe can’t join together and showcase their physical potential. But the Olympics aren’t about sport any more than the Iraq War was about democracy.’ At least The Boonville Lodge is re-opening so we still have hope.

Time to take my leave. Until we talk again, ‘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. You can contact me with words of support/abuse through the Letters Page or at turkeyvulture1@earthlink.net. PPS. R.I.P. George — say ‘Hi’ to Sheila from me.