Greetings one and all. If you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin. This coming Sunday is Father’s Day and I’m sure many Valley folks will be thanking their Dads for the contributions they have made to their lives, or at least buying them tools for household maintenance!
This occasion has been celebrated since the early 1900s but was not officially recognized as a holiday until President Nixon did so in 1972, one of the more honorable acts by “Tricky Dick,” some might say. Anyway, for all of my offspring out there, wherever you are, a new set of beak and claw cleaners and some gift certificates for various AV restaurants and wineries would be gratefully accepted.
Obviously we must have some relevant comments for your Quotes of the Week. First up let’s hear from Britain’s King George who was on the throne from 1910-36 and who at point said, “My father was afraid of his father. I was frightened of my father, and I am damned well going to see to it that my children are frightened of me.” (His oldest son and heir was Edward VII who was so scared that he ran away and married an American divorcée and then had to abdicate the throne!) Next up we have author Ernest Hemingway, another man not entirely in touch with his sensitive side, who claimed “To be a successful father, there’s one absolute rule: when you have a kid, don’t look at it for the first two years.” Fortunately we can turn to some wise words from Eleanor Roosevelt who observed, “The kind of man who thinks that helping with the dishes is beneath him will also think that helping with the baby is beneath him, and then he certainly is not going to be a very successful father.” And let’s finish with this truism from scientist Margaret Turnbull who said, “No man is responsible for his father; that is entirely his mother’s affair.”
Public Service Announcements. Calendars and pens at the ready.
#713. It’s Flag Day on Saturday, June 14, commemorating the adoption of the flag of the United States, which happened on that day in 1777 by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. So now you know and here is no excuse for not flying your flag!
#714. As mentioned above, it’s Father’s Day on Sunday, June 15.
#715. The Mendocino Bookmobile is in town next Tuesday, June 17. They are in the Valley on alternate Tuesdays for 45 minutes at each of these places and times: Navarro Store 9am; the Floodgate 12.30pm; Philo 1.30pm; Boonville (Apple Hall) 2.30pm. Their next visit will be Tuesday, June 17. Phone 463-4694 for further details.
#716. It’s coming! The Sierra Nevada World Music Festival hits town over the weekend of June 20-22.
#717. The Vets from the Mendocino Animal Hospital will be visiting the AV Farm Supply once more this month, on June 26, and then twice next month, on Thursdays, July 10 and 17. Yes, they have added a second visit.
#718. And I almost forgot to mention that the Drumming group will be having a session this evening, Wednesday, June 11, at The Grange from 7-9pm.
Here is the menu for the Community lunches next week at the Senior Center at the Veterans Building in Boonville. The Center asks for a $6 donation from Seniors and charges $7 for Non-Seniors. Tomorrow, Thursday, June 12, the lunch, always served by Marti Titus and her crew at 12.15pm, will be Hamburgers, Buns, Lettuce, Tomatoes, Onions, Cabbage and Apple Slaw, Macaroni Salad, with Ice Cream Sundaes for dessert . Then next Tuesday, June 17, the menu will feature Beef Broccoli, Chow-mien Noodles, Stir Fry Veggies, Bulgur Salad, and a dessert of Strawberry Pie. Remember, all ages are welcome! Hope to see you there.
In this week’s “History of AV” notes, we are sad to report that the Pronsolino Ranch on Signal Ridge loaded up their flock of sheep and drove them away for the last time this past week. After ninety years Angelo Pronsolino has called time on the shepherding days of his family’s ranch that they purchased in 1923. While it is believed that Angelo, Eileen, and the family celebrated their “retirement” with a glass of wine, I am sure there was more than a tint of sadness at the passing of an era. Great job, Angelo!
Moving quickly on to a few of the topics and Valley events under discussion this week at The Three-Dot Lounge. Yes it’s “Moans, Groans, Good Thoughts, and Rampant (and surprisingly reliable) Rumors” from my favorite gathering place in the Valley.
…Soccer, the World’s game, sees its four-yearly World Cup tournament begin tomorrow, Thursday, in Brazil when the hosts play Croatia in the first match at 1pm our time. The games are on ESPN and ESPN2 as well as Mexican channels but for a better experience I suggest you get together with friends at The Drive-In or The Buckhorn, Boonville. The tournament will run for a month until the Final on July 13. Regulars at the Three-Dot have been making “friendly wagers” and while the usual suspects are favorites to win. Brazil, Spain, Argentina, Germany, some of us have a sneaking suspicion that there could be a surprise. Look for an England v Mexico final!!! p.s. If you see High School Soccer coach Steve Sparks around town ask him for a list of the matches, he has it all on one postcard size schedule.
…The Navarro Store’s Dave Evans, impresario-bar-none around here, continues to forge ahead with the live music scene in the Deep End. Despite the many rules and restrictions put in place by the overly-officious folks in Ukiah, he is planning to put on two major events later this summer. I may be mistaken but I have an idea that The Sub-dudes may be the headliners at one of those, while Charlie Musselwhite may be at the other. If true, it doesn’t get much better than that and Dave will have pulled off another massive coup for the Valley!
…Reader, and Turkey Vulture fan club member, Marshall Newman, responded to my comments last week on the Hendy Woods mountain lion sighting. He writes, “In the 1970s and early 1980s they had lots of room to roam and sufficient water in the area, but a reduction in potential prey due to the drought may have caused the cats to expand their range.” Yes, folks, they may be on your doorstep any day now.
…As summer progresses, be aware of those peculiar folks, unable to get rid of the vast crops of squash/zuchini that they have inexplicably grown, who will be sneaking up to your parked vehicle and putting bags of these things into your trunk. It is not the worst thing that can happen to you, and I am not really complaining, but it does feel a little odd when it happens, not unlike that feeling you get when your underwear draw has obviously been tampered with. I think you understand. You have been warned.
…From our 3-Dot regular, The Old Buzzard, comes another in his insightful series. “Signs that the Apocalypse is Approaching.” Buzzard reports, “Well, with Seebass (pronunciation unclear) winery soon to be installed at the former Zina-Hyde Cunningham tasting room in central Boonville we are once again at 30 tasting rooms currently open to the public in the Valley between Yorkville and Navarro. For wine lovers, and I include myself in that unholy group, this is obviously a good situation. For the winery owners who know how to run a good business, have a good product, or have unlimited funds, or all three, then it is pretty good too. However, four tasting rooms have closed in the last year and the smaller concerns may have a problem surviving with so much competition, not just with the number of locations challenging for the tourist dollars, but also in staffing their establishments with competent employees. Add the restaurants and stores and one has to wonder if we have enough service industry employees around here? Particularly when one considers there are few places to live that such folks can generally afford. It is an on-going discussion point at the Three-Dot, and one that has many of us dreading the thought that when the tourists are not around, the Apocalypse may quickly be upon us and more closures result. Turkey Vulture, myself, and the many other oenophiles in the Valley sincerely hope not.”
I’m outtahere. So, 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.” Poking and stroking but humbly yours, Turkey Vulture. hoping you enjoyed the read and who knows, you might miss me when you’re gone(?). And special Father’s Day thoughts and best wishes to the Venerable Pheasant. PS. Contact me with words of support/abuse through the Letters Page or at turkeyvulture1@earthlink.net. PPS. Keep on wagging that tail, Fred. … Is that “lafter” I hear, Carroll? … Keep up the good work, Round-eyed Robin
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