Greetings one and all. If you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin. No doubt the roadwork on Highway 128 between Boonville and Con Creek has been a topic of conversation for many of you over the past week or so. Irritating though they inevitably are, I’m sure, like the occasion last year when work was being done from Philo to Mill Creek by Nash Mill Road, the end result will be appreciated and no doubt Valley folks will have a far more comfortable drive than what they currently endure. However, one inexplicably annoying result has been the hold-ups on Mountain View Road by the high school. This has been the result of the failure to have two-lane traffic approaching Hwy 128, with both a left and right turn lane on to the main road. People have been forced to wait through four or five of their ‘turns’ as they wait behind traffic alternatively going one way or the other. As is my civic duty, I stopped and asked a foreman on the working crew about somebody perhaps thinking about solving this unnecessary delay for many local folks. He shrugged, told me that it wasn’t his job, and that I’d have to deal with it. For some reason I expected just such a response. And that’s a shame.
With this miserable bastard in mind, how about a couple of relevant Quotes of the Week? First let’s have the classic proverb “Civility costs nothing.” Next up how about this from Francis Bacon (156-1626) the English philosopher, statesman, scientist, jurist and author, who wisely pointed out, “If a man be gracious and courteous to strangers, it shows he is a citizen of the world.” (Probably asking a lot in this case.) And finally this inevitable comment from Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) about workers in general, and perhaps this guy in particular: “Work is the curse of the drinking classes.”
Public Service Announcements. Calendars and pens at the ready. #266. The next Guest Chef Dinner to benefit the Senior Center will be this coming Friday, Aug. 24 when the guest chef will be Star White from Pennyroyal Cheese. Your $30 ticket includes a $10 donation to the Center, a three-course dinner, and a complimentary glass of wine or beer, with further wine and beer available at the bar. For more details call 895-3609. At noon on Monday there were only eight tickets left! #267. The Valley’s biggest adult soccer match of the year, El Classico de Michoacan, takes place this Sunday Aug. 26 at noon. This match-up between the Valley’s two top teams, Valladolid and La Lagunetta, features many AV High School alumni, and perhaps a few who will feature in the upcoming season at the school. Come and watch some high quality soccer/futbol and perhaps see some ‘fireworks’ as this high intensity rivalry unfolds at Tom Smith Field behind the school. On the dining front, it’s #268. The Boonville Hotel continues to serve up fresh shucked oysters, sangria and small plates at 4pm on Sunday afternoons. And #269. At The Buckhorn tonight, August 22, Maple Creek Winery’s Tom Rodrigues joins restaurant owner Tom Towey to serve up some delicious sushi from 5-9pm. Finally this week, #270. Just around the corner it’s the final live music show of the year at the Navarro Store with world-renowned electric blues harmonica player Charlie Musselwhite performing on Saturday September 1st at 5pm with support bands on stage beginning at 3pm. As always, Pablo will be ‘putting the meat to the heat’ on the grill and one cannot help but think this is going to be one of those magical Valley nights.
Topics and Valley events under discussion this week at The Three-Dot Lounge: Yes, “Moans, Groans, Good Thoughts, and Rampant Rumors” from my favorite gathering place in the Valley.
…Following my inquiry a couple of weeks ago as to why the Gowan’s have what would seem to some folks to be inefficient overhead sprinklers and then turn them on at the hottest part of the day, I received a call from River Rat. ‘The Beast,’ as he’s also sometimes known, explained that the Gowans, and before them their relatives the Studebakers, have been farming that orchard alongside Hwy 128 for over 150 years and know what they are doing. He explained that the regular watering is done early in the day but then they have to use such sprinklers, and do so at those times, because otherwise the apples would burn and scar and be no good for sale as fresh fruit. They’d then have to be processed in some way and their value would be a lot less. “It’s a matter of their livelihood and they have always done it,” River Rat explained. “People want to point fingers because they now see less water in the rivers and creeks. We have the same amount of water, it’s just that the Valley is no longer a place needing it just for the apples — the wineries and marijuana growers are using it too.”
…Zooming up and down the Valley as I do, I spotted quite a scene at the school playing fields last Wednesday. Soccer and football practices were taking place and with 26 kids at the soccer field with coach Steve Sparks and 22 next door at the football practice field with coaches John Toohey and Todd Capuzelo, not to mention a few on the girls soccer team who had practiced earlier with coach Cesar Maldonado and the volleyball girls inside the gym with coach Flick McDonald. In fact I’d say that almost half the student body was out in force preparing for what will quite possibly be another successful season for Fall Sports.
…Talking of which, a couple of 3-Dot regulars reminded me that school is late starting this year — after the Labor Day Weekend on Tuesday, September 4, in fact. That will give them plenty of time to complete their summer projects for school, I would assume. An assumption based on the assumption that they were given such projects in the first place (?).
…I have often praised a number of the music presenters on KZYX — Fred Wooley, Jimmy Humble, Diane Hering, to name a few who consistently produce good shows with competent presentation. But I have also been someone who has on occasion pointed out some poor quality music programs broadcast by our local public radio station, the one on Christmas morning 2011 coming immediately to mind. This past Saturday evening fortunately witnessed one of the former kind and the old reggae and soul played by the clear-speaking, erudite, and professional D.J. Jammy was enjoyed by quite a few of us as we sat around sipping a beer or two at The Nest. Check Jammy out on alternate Saturday nights at 10pm. Trust me on this; you can thank me later.
Time to take my leave. Until we talk again, Keep the Faith; be careful out there; stay out of the ditches; think good thoughts; please remember to keep your windows cracked if you have pets in your vehicle; 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 either through the Letters Page or at turkeyvulture1@earthlink.net. PPS. On the sheep, Grace. PPPS. Skylark — read any good books lately?
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