Greetings one and all. If you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin. I must sadly inform readers of the passing of Harold Perry at the grand old age of 96, the Valley’s oldest resident. Harold was born in Lone Wolf, Oklahoma in 1916 and lived here for over 60 years. For a detailed look at his long and storied life, see Steve Sparks’ interview with Harold, reprinted in this issue. My research shows that the oldest Valley resident now is Freda Fox (born March 26, 1918) who will be 95 in March, while the second eldest, and the oldest man, is Ross Murray (September 16, 1918), who will turn 95 years young in the fall.
For the rest of us, life goes on. The second of the Valley’s annual Crab Feeds takes place this coming Saturday at The Apple Hall in Boonville. This one benefits the Catholic Church and, let’s be honest, perhaps even more importantly to most, it provides the kind of event – with the community sitting down to eat together - for local folks to get together and have a great time. It doesn’t get much more civilized than that! These two events are arguably the most community-based happenings in our busy social calendar, with the vast majority of the 325-plus who will be in attendance living here in the Valley and representing all walks of Valley life. It’s all-you-can-eat crab, so showing some “Greed at the Feed” is totally acceptable. In fact such behavior coupled with the wine, beer, and Margaritas, and of course the stimulating social banter, all go to make this an event not to be missed. Enjoy and be responsible.
Quotes of the Week. From Charles Baudelaire (1821-1867), the French poet who produced notable work as an essayist, art critic, and pioneering translator of Edgar Allan Poe (a man of the dark side himself), let’s have, “It is the hour to be drunken! To escape being the martyred slaves of time, be ceaselessly drunk. On wine, on poetry, or on virtue or vice, as you wish.” Very well put, wouldn’t you say? Miguel De Cervantes, author of ‘Don Quixote’ and Spain’s greatest literary figure, offers a more serious and certainly more sensible point of view: “Drink moderately, for drunkenness neither keeps a secret, nor observes a promise.” Wise words of advice but I may have some difficulty in following them. Oh, well. Then we have novelist and short story writer, W. Somerset Maugham, who wisely observed, “Excess on occasion is exhilarating. It prevents moderation from acquiring the deadening effect of a habit.” Good stuff, William. Now let’s hear from Virginia Woolf (1882-1941), the English writer regarded as one of the foremost literary figures of the 20th century, who knowingly commented, “One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.” I think ‘Ginny’ must have been at a few Valley Crab Feeds in her day. Let’s finish with the classic comment on this topic by William Blake, who provides the following mantra for any self-respecting Turkey Vulture with “The road to excess leads to the palace of wisdom.” Precisely.
Public Service Announcements. Calendars and pens at the ready. #213. the Crab Feed this coming weekend in Boonville is sold out, and has been for about a week! However, Gloria Ross informs me that they do get cancellations so call her at 895-3071 to be put on a waiting list. #214. There is a Super Bowl party planned at The Buckhorn in Boonville this Sunday. Owner Tom Towey tells me they will have a pizza buffet and specials from the appetizer menu, plus an 8-foot screen with “surround-sound” for the big event! #215. The Vets from Mendocino Animal Hospital will next visit the Farm Supply in the Valley on two occasions later in February: Thursdays, Feb 21 and 28.
This week and next at the Senior Center! ($5 donation from Seniors; $7 for Non-Seniors for lunch.) Tomorrow, Thursday, Jan 31, the lunch, always served at 12.15pm, will be Tostadas – Chicken or Beef, Cheese, Lettuce, Avocados, Black Beans, Corn, Salsa, Fruit Salad, Green Salad, Mixed Berry Nachos and then next Tuesday, Jan 5, Marti Titus and her crew will be serving Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes w/ Gravy, Corn, Quinoa Salad, and Birthday Cup Cakes. Hope to see you there.
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.
…A number of regulars have commented on the continuing presence of the Christmas lights on the large tree in the Boonville Hotel’s parking lot. And they like them! So do I. They brighten up downtown and make it look as if there is a “scene” going on. Which there often is, of course.
…Another regular and his buddies commented that the wine-pairing “rules” of red wines with red meats and white wines with fish, chicken, etc, should not be written in stone, as it were. A couple of them were at Aquarelle in Boonville on Saturday night and raved about the pairing of the Edmeades Zinfandel which they sipped while enjoying the delicious Pan Roasted Pork Chops with Caramelized Onion-Apple Chutney, Balsamic Glaze, Mashed Potatoes and Braised Greens. I absolutely agree with their comment about the pairing guidelines. Who doesn’t like a zesty sauvignon blanc with grilled sheep’s eyes or a full-bodied cabernet with a half-bodied squirrel?
… I cannot speak highly enough of the Guinness and burger pairing at Lauren’s Restaurant. For a Friday evening Happy Hour treat, this is hard to beat.
…Many regulars are looking forward to the upcoming move of Leslie Hummel’s and Claudia Jimenez’s “All that Good Stuff” store from their current location in the Farrer Building to SoBo, just south of downtown Boonville, where a new building has been constructed at the Weintraub/Bennett property, a location that is already home to other small businesses. The move should happen in the next few weeks and a community celebration and moving party is in the works. I shall keep you informed.
…Super Bowl feelings around the Three-Dot see the 49ers beating Baltimore by more than the 3-4 points they are favored by. I concur and suggest you place a crisp $100 bill in the hands of your friendly neighborhood bookie and give the points. Just joking, as it would be illegal to do so.
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. Contact me with words of support/abuse through the Letters Page or at turkeyvulture1@earthlink.net. PPS. On the sheep, Grace. PPPS. Keep on humming, Hummingbird.
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