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Bird’s Eye View

Greetings one and all. If you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin. Thanksgiving is upon us! My favorite holiday of the year when all you have to do is eat, drink, and be merry, and in some cases make sure Uncle Fred is just napping and hasn’t left this mortal coil. It’s a great all-dayer — from the depressing inevitability of Hummingbird’s Detroit Lions losing in the morning as you enjoy some medicinal Bloody Marys, through the scramble for the turkey leg in the early-afternoon (a scramble I rarely come up short on obviously), on through the hot turkey sandwich and pinot noir binge around 8pm, to the concluding chocolate chip ice cream and cookies blow-out with a little brandy for more medicinal purposes late at night. This is, in my humble opinion, quite possibly the most civilized day of activities that this country has yet come up with.

I know many Valley folks proudly announce, at every opportunity they get, that they do not watch television, failing to realize that with selective viewing a lot can be learned and much mental stimulation experienced. Last week I came across a program that was about the Irish dance phenomenon, Riverdance, starring the light-on-his-feet Michael Flattley and tens of red-faced, often freckled, young Irish women. Riverdance, for those unaware, is a style of dancing that involves much movement of the lower extremities and very little of the upper — sort of tap-dancing for the armless. It is no doubt very skilful, but most odd, and after a few minutes I thought, “this is what happens when you isolate white people on an island for a thousand years!” I switched channels and landed on ‘Real Time with Bill Maher — a very stimulating post-election discussion featuring James Carville (former campaign manager for Bill Clinton); Andrew Sullivan, political commentator and blogger (The Dish); the annoying conservative political commentator but very bright young woman, S.E. Cupp; and actor/activist Samuel L. Jackson. Watching and listening to their debate, I could not help but think that those who decry television as a waste of time and a source of little educational value could not be more wrong. If you are of average intelligence in the first place and know where to look beyond the utter rubbish — get a television!

Public Service Announcements. Calendars and pens at the ready. #488. The Vets from Mendocino Animal Hospital will return to the Farm Supply in the Valley next week for their third visit of the month. This will be Thursday, Nov 29 from 2-3:30pm. #489. Heads-up on the special Christmas event at the Little Red School House on Sunday, December 9 from 1pm to 5pm. It’s being presented by the AV Historical Society and will feature carol singing, an Xmas tree and gift basket raffle, complimentary hors d’oeuvres, local wines, Christmas memories, and the Little Red Schoolhouse will be dressed in Christmas Cheer! #490. There is no #490.

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

…The Aquarelle Café & Wine Bar has already made some waves in the Valley and they only officially opened last Saturday, November 17. Located in the spot that was once the home of The Horn of Zeese, and with opening hours of 11-9 Friday thru’ Monday, they are serving a ‘fusion’ menu — basically, all sorts of things. I was invited to a VIP event there on the Friday evening and thoroughly enjoyed the friendly and attentive service, the different but very good Caesar salad, a savory chicken curry, and some unusual and also very tasty ‘truffle fries.’ Before I say more, perhaps you should check out this new dining venue for yourself.

…Following last week’s successful Championship Game victory for the high school boys’ soccer team it was the girls turn, and they did not disappoint. After a relatively easy semi-final win against South Fork, on Saturday evening they triumphed in the final over Rincon Valley Christian in a very exciting and hard-fought five-set match. All this and a dinner of two hot dogs with a packet of M&M’s for dessert from Renée Lee’s concession stand is hard to beat for a night out in Boonville.

…Up next for high school sports enthusiasts — the Redwood Classic. “The Biggest Little Basketball Tournament in the World” goes from Wednesday, Nov 28, thru’ Saturday, Dec 1.

…The County Fair is experiencing a severe financial crisis. Surely something can be done to save it?

…From our 3-Dot regular, The Old Buzzard, comes another in his insightful series — The Approach of the Apocalypse.’ Buzzard reports “I imagine many of you received a notice from the State Board of Equalization’s Property and Special Taxes Department apologizing for their error in not giving the correct phone number to call for their Fire Prevention Fee Service Center. How kind of them to remind us to use a ‘1’ at the start of the toll free number!? How ridiculous of them to get it wrong in the first place and now to add to their (our) costs by having to send out this letter of apology. The Approach of the Apocalypse is just a little more inevitable as a result of nonsense such as this. Wankers!

I’m outtahere. 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 through the Letters Page or at turkeyvulture1@earthlink.net. PPS. Keep on wagging that tail, Fred.

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