IN PRAISE OF RENEE LEE. Anybody who's been around a newspaper will remember that paste-up meant printing out long columns of marching gray on a pre-cyber machine, rolling the backs of the cols with a hot wax roller and slapping them up on special newspaper-size backing paper, ensuring as you went that all of the columns were straight, sequential, pages 1-12, and the jumps were where they should be.
THAT HAND PROCESS wasn't easy. It required spatial gifts, among other abilities, especially the ability to remain calm in a hectic human context. Getting these waxed pieces onto the page in coherent order was not easy. Without mentioning the names of people who prefer not to see their names in print, the ava was lucky in the women who quickly mastered the task, and later even a man also managed to figure it out.
TEN YEARS or so ago, manual paste-up segued into electronic paste-up, not that we had a choice because the printers, also with no choice but to obey cyber-dictates simply to stay in business, had also gone electronic, the whole newspaper assembly process going technologically backwards, in my lonely opinion, since Gutenberg.
USED TO BE in America, itinerant newspaper men toted their own little press town-to-town to write their newspapers and print it, all in one simple process in one room. When they wore out their editorial welcome, off they went with their press and opinions to the next town.
THESE DAYS, with the great luxury (cough-cough) of modern tech, to produce and distribute a newspaper the size of the Boonville weekly requires about a dozen people and massive pieces of printing equipment, now only available out-of-county.
AS ALWAYS unprepared for techno-change, or any change at all as we went about our monk-like routines in Boonville, but suddenly faced with finding someone who knew the new electronic paste-up technology, we ran to Torrey Douglas, a gifted graphics person, who said, “Renee Lee. She can do it.”
AND RENEE LEE has done it ever since, not ever missing a single issue while, of course, being underpaid. I could heap on the superlatives, but I can't think of any adequate to praise this unusually capable person, but Renee has been a rock of reliability since she joined us in 2014, probably and understandably apprehensive about the company she was about to keep.
IMAGINE arriving home after a long day herding elderly cats at the Senior Center to open your computer to a cascade of 36,000 words that must be organized as a print newspaper and ready for the printer the next morning. This huge task was often complicated for Renee by the failure of the cyber-program Renee's dependent on. It would suddenly, inexplicably balk, and Renee, faced with a deadline to get the “files” to the distant printer by virtual sunrise, miraculously managed to get it done, week after week after week and not a single missed deadline!
I KNOW of at least two other jobs Renee pulls off while wrestling with our publication, all of which this remarkable woman accomplishes while making all of them look easy. I hope she knows that we never for an instant took her remarkable skills for granted. Without her, we would have had to retire in 2014.
TERRY RYDER-SITES:
I’ve been thinking how much it would cheer people to know clearly that the electronic version of the AVA will have the features they know and love like Valley People etc. in a format somewhat similar to what they are used to in the paper-paper.Mark says this has already been relayed in a Q & A piece you did. I think a column in both of the last paper papers with a headline like- “What the New online AVA will look like” or some such and then reassuring text stating that features expected and beloved in the paper-paper will be available in the online AVA and subscription info. I think a lot of readers will need this hand- holding to stay onboard.
Terry Ryder-Sites, Yorkville
ED REPLY. I hope hard copy readers will follow us through the cyber-door where we will continue to bring readers all the local news that fits — check that— there are no space limits in cyber-space, sooooooooo that means we can promise a daily read equivalent to a week’s worth of a paper-paper. I think the on-line ava will grow as Mendocino County’s go-to newspaper.
PRINT EDITION ENDING, Q&A
1. Why are you suspending your print edition?
The decrepitude that comes with age, and a general inability to do the demanding work of print journalism at the level I think it should be done, all because of the energy deficits that come with the years.
2. What do you mean by "suspending" your print edition? Does that mean you might revive it?
We're finished. I'm half dead, my principal colleague, Mark Scaramella, is staving off heart problems.
3. How many print subscribers do you have? How many online subscribers do you have? Is there much overlap, or are they completely different animals?
Not much overlap, is my general impression. Print subs began to plummet when America dove into handheld gizmos. Print interest also declined as the last print generation began to head for the big library in the sky. We have more on-line subscribers these days and, ahem, we seem to have become a daily must read for this county's intelligentsia, deploying intelligentsia in the loosest sense.
4. What do you know about your print subscribers? Who are they, and why do they get the paper copy?
Not much other than lots of them are/were as attached to print media as we are, and enjoyed the quality of much of the writing. Our weekly product, lo these many years, has always been a lively read.
5. What do you see as the future of print journalism? Does it have one?
No future. It's over. Few people get their information from print, hence a looming presidential race between senility and depravity, which wouldn't have happened when people could still read and words had specific meanings.
6. What options to print subscribers have?
Print subscribers who want the current on-line edition can send us an email at ava@pacific.net and we will give them an on-line subscription credit for twice the amount of time remaining on their print subscription.
7. Will you continue the weekly collection on line?
Yes. For those who prefer the weekly collection of Off the Record, Valley People, Letters, Features, etc., we will continue them and post them on Wednesdays.
* * *
Justine Frederiksen: Gulp. I was hoping for a bit more optimism, but thank you for the quick response. Also, I was hoping you might mention your incarcerated subscribers, both locally and elsewhere. Were they a good portion of your print subscribers, or mostly online, as well? And could you please send me a photo related to your last print edition? Or could I possibly observe one of the last deliveries in Ukiah, say maybe to the Mendocino Book Company?
ED REPLY:
Our incarcerated readers are all comps, always have been. As a veteran of many arrests myself, I know what it's like to have nothing to read and only Love Boat re-runs on the sole tv set. Inmates are not allowed access to our on-line paper.
LOVE YOUR PARK. Clean Up Day! We plan to address several park improvement needs including trash clean up, a dump run, weeding, new gravel and wood chips, replacing shade cloths, repairing play area borders, and more. How much we get done will depend on how many volunteers we can gather and what resources we can bring. If you have any resources you think may be helpful (weedwacker, shovel, rake, wheelbarrow, rototiller, redwood lumber, etc.) or if you'd like to help coordinate lunch for the volunteers, please let me know.
Even if you can only commit to 1-2 hours, anything would be helpful. It Takes A Valley!
Saturday, April 27 : 9am-1pm
Sunday, April 28 : 9am-1pm
Saturday, May 4 : 9am-1pm
Sunday, May 5 : 9am-1pm
Elizabeth Jensen
email : elizabeth.martha.jensen@gmail.com
NO GOOD DEED DEPT: Three years ago I think it was, I gave my old Honda Silver Bullet to the legendary pot outlaw, Oaky Joe Munson of Forestville. My family insisted the vehicle was unsafe, an opinion belied by it getting me where I needed to go for nearly twenty years, only conking out once when the radiator cracked. “I loved that car,” the old man sobbed. His family, not at all sentimental about inanimate objects, declared that the car had to go. “Save your tears, big boy, your sister is giving you her hybrid.” Which she did, and with which I commuted to Boonville for two happy years.
MY INDESTRUCTIBLE HONDA was still in good running condition, but off it went from Boonville with Oaky Joe's brilliant teenage daughter, Millie, who looked like she was about 12, behind the wheel. Did she have a driver's license? Why would I ask? Youth must be served.
OAKY JOE said the vehicle would stay on his property in West Sonoma County where it would serve as a kind of ranch work horse. Oaky Joe said he'd take care of the “paperwork.”
AS A GUY committed to anarchist principles regardless of collateral damage, Oaky Joe evidently never got around to registering the car as non-operational, and somehow my Honda remained mine, even when it was recently impounded and towed from Oaky Joe's property by Sebastopol Towing, now dunning me for a thousand bucks for “towing services” and “storage fees.” Pay up or up goes a lien and here comes a collection agency.
A CHORUS of denunciations rained down on me from my family, ranging from “That's what you get for dealing with that deadbeat.” He's a friend of mine, I replied, not a deadbeat. Never so much as a hint of cupidity from the man.
I HAVEN'T heard from Oaky Joe lately and, being voiceless, am unable to communicate with him anyway. I fired off an e-mail to Millie Munson, not intending for her to absorb this particular sin of her father, but asking her to inform Pop that my gift to him seems to have bounced back in my face because Pop failed to…
OR did he? I should have followed up to make sure the Honda was no longer mine, but you go through life trusting people to do what they're supposed to do, or you go through life figuratively crouched behind your psychic door with a shotgun.
I TURNED to my fixer, Mr. Lafrenz, a man of parts, all of them useful. If Mr. Lafrenz can't unravel the prob, the prob can't be unraveled.
MR. LAFRENZ called Sebastopol Towing. The man who answered the phone chuckled. “Yeah, I know Joe. Don't worry about any of this. We'll junk it in two weeks and it's over. We've got the form. No problem.”
MY COLLEAGUE, The Major, a pretty adept fixer himself, had miraculously — miraculous to me anyway — unearthed a copy of the vehicle transfer form, proof I had indeed signed over the vehicle to Oaky Joe, who, apparently, hadn't bothered to register it with the DMV. (The Silver Bullet had achieved an impressive 323,000-plus miles at the time of the “sale” to Joe for $1.)
MARSHALL NEWMAN WRITES: On the drive to Anderson Valley, I mentioned to my brother the old pendulum clock in the principal's office of the AV grammar school (previously the high school) and my hope that it had been preserved when the building was torn down. Low and behold, on entering the Little Red Schoolhouse, THERE was the clock on the wall, complete with the ribbon that activated the bells that marked the school days. Even better, it had a plaque saying (I think) it was the “Bruce Anderson Clock!” I am not sure whether you had a role in it being kept, but I was pleased to see it. I think it is a fine tribute to your role in the community these many years.
ED REPLY: I don't recall any role in THE preservation of the clock, but Norm Clow may know for sure. I did try to track down that finely rendered painting of a Valley vista that hung for years in the high school office until one day, on a random visit, I saw that the painting was gone, and nobody on hand knew where it had gone or remembered it being there in the first place. Over the hill in Ukiah, a trove of historic items disappeared from the old Palace Hotel when the site was under the ownership of one or another of its many owners. People generally seem much more aware these days that the artifacts they grew up with are important to the wider history of their communities, as the high school clock bears testimony to.
JOLIE TERRE eco-hair-wellness offer organic hair care products with the option of refill. We are located behind the Live Oak Building. Come visit us.
A READER WRITES:
Restaurant at The Gardens!
I had heard that Queenie's Road House was closed and Queenie had taken over Rhodie's at the Botanical Gardens south of Fort Bragg. Tried it for lunch yesterday, and WOW, great food, large portions, great service, reasonable prices, outdoor dining in a beautiful setting. And, you don't have to be a member of The Gardens or pay admission to go to the restaurant, tho we wanted to see the rhododendrons in bloom, so went back and paid admission after lunch. Highly recommend!
ANDERSON VALLEY TRACK AND FIELD, Coach John Toohey reporting:
At the Coastal Mountain Conference track meet in St. Helena, freshman Eric Velasco set personal bests in the shot put with a throw of 24 feet 11 inches and the 100 meter dash with a time of 13.8 seconds. Freshman Jaciel Vasquez excelled with a second-place finish in the 800 meters at 2:24.8, closely missing first by 0.7 seconds, and set a personal record in the 400 meters at 1:01.5. Sophomore Aster Arbanovella achieved personal records in the long jump (13 feet 6 inches), 100 meters (14.2 seconds), and 200 meters (32.8 seconds). Emily Soto, also a sophomore, set a personal record in the 800 meters with a time of 3:48. Ananda Mayne competed in both the 1600 and 800 meter races.
A READER WRITES: I saw Mike G’s facebook entry on your ongoing medical woes, and apparently Mike Sweeney did too. He emailed me and said he’s worried about your condition and would like to offer his services as an in-home medical attendant. Says he has several innovative techniques for throat ailments. He'll be here tomorrow. If some guy shows up at your front door in a white smock and stethoscope it’s probably him. Said he planned to take care of the problem quickly, so you wouldn’t continue to suffer.
ED REPLY: All the way from New Zealand? How kind of him. Mikey never struck me as the sentimental type, but then I didn't peg him as a car bomber either. Of course our mutual innocence was early in our relationship which, as you probably know, became strained.
WE'RE getting calls from people who want to buy extra copies of our last print edition. Our chief of distribution says, “If it's just a few, they can just have them, if they want to pick them up. I don't want to mail any after the last shipment at today's first class rates.”
ALL WE KNOW at this point is that two young guys are setting up in the Anderson Valley to build tiny homes, and we hope they will be successful in meeting the growing demand for affordable living spaces.
CHERRISSA JOHNSON
If you have an opportunity I highly recommend checking out the dragon burger from Lauren’s in Boonville. My husband had it last night and said it was so delicious! He added bacon to his. I ordered the same but substituted the beef for a turkey burger and no bacon….. It was amazing! They also have added buffalo wings to their menu and they are VERY spicy! I gave them to my neighbor because I couldn’t handle the heat.
AV COMMUNITY PARK
Thank You to Robbie Lane for repairing the damaged post and providing additional supports for one of our pergolas at the park. With an assist from Nat Corey-Moran, they were able to address the issue swiftly. … WANT TO HELP? Do YOU have skills or resources that could help support regular maintenance and future improvements for our local park? Please, reach out and let us know. It Takes A Valley!
THE ANDERSON VALLEY SCHOOL BOARD is interviewing superintendent candidates to replace our irreplaceable Superintendent Louise Simson who is leaving to pursue an advanced degree. We all hope the School Board's perspicacity in hiring Ms. Simson still holds as they select our new school leader, a thankless, perhaps hopeless job in a time when the decadent popular culture, combined with a wobbling family structure, unloads overwhelming numbers of feral children on the public schools.
AV FFA had their first Grapevine Judging team compete at the Fresno State Field Day.
These four freshman young ladies have been practicing with Mr. Bautista. It was a great day! The team placed 7th in the state. The team placed 4th in two different classes of vine judging and giving oral reasons. Emily placed 4th high individual in one class of judging. Jennifer placed 5th in another class of vine judging. Great job Vanessa, Aliya, Emily, Jennifer, and Mr. Bautista!
— Beth Swehla
THE COMPTCHE AVA: FINALLY
The United States newest American Viticulture Area is “Comptche.”
The United States Department of the Treasury published its decision in the Federal Register on April 8, 2024 citing unique features that distinguish Comptche from the other wine-growing areas of California.
Comptche, a small valley completely surrounded by an immense redwood forest, has perfect elements, a cool foggy climate, moderately fertile soils, pristine air and water. Comptche's three vineyards, Costa, Oppenlander and Peterson, have been quietly growing gold medal-winning pinot noir grapes for more than 20 years. Comptche grapes sell for premium prices to wineries as far away as San Francisco.
The vineyards are on family homesteads dating from the 1870s and still farmed by fifth generations. Michael Nolan, the originator of the AVA, said he did so to fulfill a promise made 25 years ago to Bill Shandel, owner of Oppenlander Vineyard. Nolan rashly promised Bill, “If you can grow high-quality wine grapes in Comptche, we will be eligible for an AVA and I will do that part.” The 2023 pinot noir from Comptche, perhaps the vintage of a lifetime, can be labeled “Comptche.” At last.
— Michael Nolan
45th ANNUAL RHODO SHOW
Back for its 45th year, the John Druecker Memorial Rhododendron Show is happening May 4 and 5 at Mendocino Coast Botanic Garden.
This juried show is quite possibly the largest in California with a typical show displaying more than 800 entries and filling the big tent with cascades of color and fragrance.
Regular admission rates apply the days of the show. Tour the gardens to see their own collection of over 124 species, and over 1,000 blooming plants from May thru June.
ROBBIE LANE, BOONVILLE:
Spring is in the air, and it's time to get to those building projects you have planned! Robbie, at NorCal Carpentry, has over 40 years experience in all phases of construction, with 20 of them right here in Anderson Valley. Let's talk about that new deck, addition, remodel, garden beds, whatever you need. Call me at (707) 489-2915 and let's get to work.
Top end Redwood deck/lawn furniture, built to order. Adirondack chairs ($450), leg rest ($150), side table ($250), 8' picnic table with attached seating ($1200). Smaller tables available on request. These are not "cookie cutter" furniture from a home improvement center: Beautifully hand crafted and built to last for decades. Call Robbie at (707) 489-2915 for more details.
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