Greetings one and all. If you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin. It was good to see many of you at the Lions Club Tri-Tip and Chicken BBQ at the Fairgrounds on Sunday afternoon to benefit the AV Elder Home. With Justin Reilly, Kevin Lee, Olie Erickson, and Judy Long on the grill and several other Lions Club members doing their thing under the watchful eye of Chief Lioness Christine Clark, the event was a big success and the number of those in attendance, about 85 or so, exceeded last year. The silent auction provided a wide variety of prizes, the wine and beer flowed, and there was plenty of foot-tapping to the sounds of Dean Titus and the Coyote Cowboys. The ‘Coyotes’ never get a mention by name, except Dean of course, so let’s rectify that. Clearly a group of old-time Valley families is represented: on lead guitar it was Dean’s big brother, Craig Titus; on bass the one-and-only Ed Walker; on drums we had none other than Guy Pronsolino, and of course on vocals, the melodic and tuneful Susan Clark. With guest violinist/fiddler Alan Kendall and Craig’s young grandson Ky Parrish representing the next generation on silent guitar, it made for a lovely afternoon whether you were under the sun or among the trees with friends, family, and neighbors.
And so inevitably, your Quotes of the Week follow a musical theme. Here we go. Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616), Spanish novelist, poet, and playwright, said, “Where there’s music there can be no evil.” And Louis Armstrong (1901-1971), American jazz trumpeter and singer who observed, “Musicians don’t retire; they stop when there’s no more music in them.” And let’s finish with Samuel Johnson (1709-1784), English author who made lasting contributions to English literature as a poet, essayist, moralist, literary critic, biographer, and editor. Johnson has been described as “arguably the most distinguished man of letters in English history.” He said “Music is the only sensual pleasure without vice.” Of course it was also Johnson who came up with one of my all-time favorite comments: “There is nothing which has yet been contrived by man, by which so much happiness is produced as by a good tavern or inn.” But I digress.
Public Service Announcements. Calendars and pens at the ready,. #103. The Vets from the Mendocino Animal Hospital will return to the Valley tomorrow, Thursday, May 31. They will be at The AV Farm Supply from 2-3.30pm 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 order any medications. New customers and their pets are always welcome. Just in: the vets will also be here on Thursdays, June 7th and 14th. #104. The Guest Chef Dinner benefiting the Senior Center this month will feature Maple Creek Winery owner and chef, Tom Rodrigues. It’s this coming Friday, June 1st and Tom will be serving an Hawaiian-style Barbecue, featuring pork ribs marinated in pineapple, mango, tamari, shallots and garlic; chicken thighs marinated in ginger, pineapple, mango, fruit juice, citrus; a fresh green salad with lots of goodness and Hawaiian herbs; and Fresh Tropical Fruit with home made whipped cream for dessert. A complimentary glass of wine will be served and tropical attire is requested! Call 895-3609 for tickets. There are a few tickets left at the time of writing but the event will sell out. #105. The Skunk Train ride and bbq lunch in the woods to benefit AV School Sports is Sunday, June 3rd. The train leaves at 11.30 from Fort Bragg. $50 of the $70 fee will be directly passed on to the sports programs!
Topics and Valley events under discussion this week at The Three-Dot Lounge — “Moans, Groans, Good Thoughts, and Rampant Rumors” from my favorite gathering place in the Valley.
…AV High School counselor, and all-round voice of mirth and wisdom, Jerry Cox, is retiring when school finishes next week. He turns 87 today (May 30th) and is ready to move on to new and fresh activities. A number of grateful 3-Dot regulars have fond memories of Jerry as a mentor and friend, not to mention the teller of many, many jokes — some of which were quite funny! Relax and enjoy, Jerry. You deserve it.
…Another of the Valley’s ‘Old Guard,’ Ross Murray, is not ready to retire quite yet, still going strong at 93 with his five-minute social commentary show on the local public radio (90.7FM at 6.30pm Thursdays). Ross stopped by the 3-Dot and informed me with obvious joy that his beloved wife Joyce, who has been ill in recent times, is now out of hospital and recovering at home where Ross believes she will make much better progress. He also wished to thank the many Valley folks who have expressed good wishes for Joyce’s full recovery. I know I echo the sentiments of many when I express the hope that this special couple enjoys many more years of happiness together.
…Since many of you continue to ask, here’s the latest on the impending sale of the AV Farm Supply. It seems that the sale is definitely going through, within a couple of weeks at this point, and long-time owners Dave and Nancy Gowan will be heading off to pastures new in Oregon. They will be leaving the Farm Supply in what is hoped by many to be the capable hands of Ardzrooni Vineyard Management, who assure me that they are doing their very best to ensure that the Valley will still have a go-to place for our farming needs. Keep your fingers and claws crossed. Many of us will miss the store if it goes.
…The ‘Potluck Season’ is underway — you know, a period of Valley gatherings where guests are invited to “Come to our house and bring something to eat and/or drink.” Having attended many of these gatherings I can say, somewhat knowledgeably, that a few people will bring very little and eat a lot, and others will bring plenty and eat their fair share. Of course, some folks think it refers to something else entirely and come because they think that with a bit of “luck” they’ll get some pot. If this happens, these folks do tend to then eat quite a lot.
Time to take my leave. I’ll get my coat. 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. Contact me with words of support/abuse through the Letters Page or at turkeyvulture1@earthlink.net. PS. On the sheep, Grace. PPS. How was dinner at Lauren’s last night, Skylark?
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