Greetings one and all. If you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin. So where did that come from? I’m talking about the couple of days of very welcome showers we just experienced. After the driest winter and spring in living memory (ever?), we get this short outburst at the end of June. Of course, there is nothing strange about our weather patterns over the past decade or two. There is no such thing as global warming and any efforts in the field of climate control are unnecessary.
Obviously that leads perfectly into your Quotes of the Week, featuring the two sides (?) of the global warming debate. Let’s start with leading environmental activist, Al Gore, who reported, “Two thousand scientists, in a hundred countries, engaged in the most elaborate, well organized scientific collaboration in the history of humankind, and have produced long-since a consensus that we will face a string of terrible catastrophes unless we act to prepare ourselves and deal with the underlying causes of global warming.” And more basically, we have this from comedian, Dave Barry, “If you asked me to name the three scariest threats facing the human race, I would give the same answer that most people would: nuclear war, global warming, and Windows.” More seriously and gloomily, from Larry Schweiger, President of the National Wildlife Federation, “There will be no polar ice by 2060. Somewhere along that path, the polar bear drops out.” And finally from the advocates that global warming really and truly exists, here’s some wisdom from former US Senator Joe Lieberman, “Today, we can see with our own eyes what global warming is doing. In that context it becomes truly irresponsible, if not immoral, for us not to do something.”
On the other hand, and just to keep a sense of ‘balance’ to this discussion, we have this from the late evangelical fundamentalist, Jerry Falwell, “The whole (global warming) thing is created to destroy America's free enterprise system and our economic stability.” And from business magnate and owner of the Miss USA pageant, Donald “Nice Hair’ Trump, I present these insightful words, “It’s freezing outside. So much for all those experts on global warming.” And let’s finish with a famous piece of gibberish from George W. Bush. “I know the human being and fish can coexist peacefully.” Does global warming exist as a result of us humans? Can something be done about it if it does? Make up your own mind.
Onward. The majority of the 7,000+ visitors to the Valley this past weekend had no doubt left their encampments on Sunday evening before the rain was predicted to get serious, which it still hasn’t as I write on a Monday lunchtime. Meanwhile, hopefully locals have recovered from The Invasion of the Body Painters, Whirling Dervishes, and their Loud Music Playing Friends to Boonville’s 8th year of hosting the “Dreaded” (pun intended) Sierra Nevada World Music (basically reggae) Festival. The impact on the Valley seemed to be greater than ever. Some of it good, some not so. The biggest negatives I heard were connected to the shear volume of traffic in and around downtown Boonville. It started on Thursday evening and by Friday lunchtime getting across town, all of a mile, took nearly half-an-hour as the hordes arrived in massive numbers. Parking became a major problem for locals trying to go about their business and those not attending the festival wisely stayed away from town entirely. On the other hand, those locals who went to the event seem to have had a marvelous time and enjoyed the music, the dancing, the wide variety of foods, and the many interesting sights and sounds that this gathering provides. For those at home, there was KZYX&Z, our local public radio station covering the festival live. Well sort of. several breaks in their audio connection occurred as a result of gremlins, according to the radio hosts, and it made for an unsatisfactory listening experience. At least they tried. According to law enforcement, the event was uneventful in terms of crime and unsocial behavior and that’s amazing in itself with so many folks in town. (Perhaps they were medicated in some way.) Anyway, once again we have experienced another ‘happening’ that has its supporters and opponents among our local population and as I’ve said many times. that’s life in the Valley, and we’ll do it all again next year.
Public Service Announcements. Calendars and pens at the ready. #413. The next in the series of Guest Chef Dinners that take place every two months to benefit the Senior Center is coming up this weekend. Usually a Friday night event, on this occasion it is a Saturday, June 29 to be precise, with Happy Hour at 5pm followed by an Hawaiian-style pig roast cooked and then served by Chris Rossi and friends at 6pm. Tickets will certainly sell out, if they haven’t already, so call Gina at 895-3609 to reserve yours. #414. That same evening, you could make a wise decision and take a short walk/drive down the street from the Pig Roast at the Veterans Building for the monthly Sing-along-a-Liddy with Patty Liddy at Lauren’s Restaurant. That fun time will be starting at 8.30pm and it’s well worth it. #415. The Boonville Road Race which they tell me is ‘Boonville’s finest bike race’ is also on Sat, June 29. This is a benefit for ‘Cycked,’ the Valley’s ‘premier bike advocacy group, working hard to bring a 30-mile bike path from Boonville to the coast at a cost of over $25,000,000.’ Contact www.bitehardboonvilleroadrace.com for details. #416. The annual Boonville ArtWalk returns on the following weekend. Saturday, July 6, from 3-7pm. Paintings, collages, ceramics, woodwork, jewelry, textile art, and more. Call 895-2204 for details. #417. That weekend also sees the monthly Barn Sale on AV Way just north of Boonville. That’s Sat/Sun, July 6-7 from 10am to 2pm each day. #418. The Vets will not be back in the Valley until Thursday, July 11 but will have a full service on that day, featuring house calls in the morning and all your vet needs from 2-3.30pm in the afternoon at the AV Farm Supply. Call 462-8833 for further details. #419. Ginger Valen informs me that she and husband Walt have a new permanent home for their Garden Whimsy Garden Shop. It’s at 13400 Anderson Valley Way at The Little Green Barn; open on weekends from 10am to 4pm. From Hwy 128 just outside Boonville, look for the banner on the roof. They specialize in garden sculpture, gate decor, garden oriented pottery pieces, and handmade and manufactured pots for plants. Ring the bell at the gate to let them know you've arrived or contact them at Stoney Bottom Gardens, waldenvalen@pacific.net 707-895-9424.
Here is the menu for next week at the Senior Center in the Veterans Hall in Boonville. The Center asks for a $5 donation from Seniors and $7 for Non-Seniors for lunches. Tomorrow, Thursday, June 27, the lunch, served at 12.15pm, will be Beef Stroganoff, Noodles, Brussels Sprouts, Wheat Berry Salad, Bread Pudding. Then next Tuesday, July 2, the lunch served by Marti Titus and her crew will be Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes w/ Gravy, Corn, Rolls, Wheat Berry Salad, Birthday Cupcakes. Hope to see you there. (Heads-up! The Center will be closed on Thursday, July 4)
Nothing from The Three-Dot Lounge this week. We were closed in order to attend the music festival. However, from the bird that never sleeps, nor dances to reggae, The Old Buzzard, comes another in his insightful series, ‘The Approach of the Apocalypse.’ Buzzard reports, “The Graduation Season is at an end and the school students have departed for a summer of fun and frivolity, and perhaps even to find time to give a little help to their parents around the house and in the yard! I attended some part or all of each of the four graduation ceremonies in the Valley, although there are just two that I personally feel are really meaningful. The one for the 6th graders moving on to the new world of the big school, and last Thursday’s ceremony for the high school seniors. I know I am certainly not alone in thinking this way. I am not against the pre-school graduation or the 8th grade event as such, each are lovely occasions. But with four graduations before our students are even 18 I feel we somewhat downgrade the significance of the other two ceremonies. each of which are particularly important watershed moments in a young person’s life. I could go on, but won’t; after all, the joy on the faces of every child and parent at all four events was something both very special and even moving and perhaps this is not, as I have often thought, a sign that the Apocalypse is fast approaching. After all, I must admit, they even bought a tear or two to this old curmudgeon’s eyes.”
Time to take my leave. Until next time, 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. Hi, Silver Swan. behaving yourself? Hopefully not! PPPS. Bobwhite Quail. keep up the knitting!
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