Greetings one and all. If you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin. With Valentine’s Day leading into President’s Day there was a steady stream of business at the Valley’s eateries and wineries this past weekend. And a good thing too. February, March, and April are traditionally the slowest times of year in the hospitality business and every little extra boost is significant. We have some excellent local restaurants and of course some world class wines so let’s all try to do our best to support them at this time, not to mention our other small businesses. And of course, it is stating the obvious to say that it’s not like we wouldn’t get to enjoy some wonderful food and drink while doing so.
Although it has now passed, and last week we gave this section of the column to Valentine’s Day, I still think we should still have some wise words relating to President’s Day for your Quotes of the Week. Here we go. “When one side only of a story is heard and often repeated, the human mind becomes impressed with it insensibly.” — George Washington. “To waste, to destroy, our natural resources, to skin and exhaust the land instead of using it so as to increase its usefulness, will result in undermining in the days of our children the very prosperity which we ought by right to hand down to them amplified and developed.” — Theodore Roosevelt. “Always give your best. Never get discouraged. Never be petty. Always remember: Others may hate you. But those who hate you don’t win, unless you hate them. And then, you destroy yourself.” — Richard Nixon, (a comment not without a touch of irony as it turned out). “If we can but prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people, under the pretense of taking care of them, they must become happy.” — Thomas Jefferson. “So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself. nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory.” — Franklin D. Roosevelt. “This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it. Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing government, they can exercise their constitutional right of amending it or their revolutionary right to dismember or overthrow it.” — Abraham Lincoln. And finally, “Mankind must put an end to war — or war will put an end to mankind.” — John F. Kennedy. Some impressive fellows and their thoughts wouldn’t you say?
Public Service Announcements. #491. At this time, due to staffing difficulties, the Vets from the Mendocino Animal Hospital are unable to make any visits to the Valley in February. All they have on their calendar for now is a visit on Thursday, March 26. Yes, March, that is not an error! #492. There will be an art opening reception at Scharffenberger Cellars tasting room on Friday, February 20, featuring drawings and paintings by Kyllikki “Kay” Clark. A native of Finland, Kay grew up in World War 2 Finland and this is a “must-see” as she draws her inspiration for these works from her early life, nature, and wildlife. The reception is from 5.30pm to 7.30pm, while the exhibit itself will run from February 20 to May 14. All proceeds go to AV Arts Scholarship Fund to further student studies in the visual, performing, and literary arts. #493. The monthly “Open Mic” night at Lauren’s restaurant in Boonville resumes this Saturday, February 21 at 9pm (sign up at 8.30pm). All are welcome: musicians, singers, poets, writers, impressionists, magicians, comedians, actors, fire-eaters, pole dancers, sword swallowers, ventriloquists, raconteurs, exotic dancers, animal callers, etc. No clowns. Apparently they would scare any kids who might be there; and no mimes, please. They scare me! #494. The Boonville Winter Market is every Saturday, rain or shine, in front of the Boonville General Store, 10-12:30. Come on down to Boonville and either sell or buy locally grown or made food or crafts. For more info, call Cindy at 895-2949. #495. The Mendocino Bookmobile returns to the Valley on Tuesday, February 24. They are here on alternate Tuesdays for 45 minutes at each of these places and times: Navarro Store 9am (for 30 minutes); the Floodgate 12.30pm; Philo 1.30pm; Boonville (Apple Hall) 2.30pm. Phone 463-4694 for further details. #496. The 24th Annual Variety Show returns on Friday/Saturday, March 7/8. For further details and/or to audition, call Bill at 895-2318, David at 895-3580, or Corporal Raindrop at 895-3807 for details. #497. Need a burn permit? You can get one from the Firehouse in Boonville, also home of the oddly named Community Services District which, for those of you wondering, performs a great job in dealing with all issues connected with the fire department, our local airport, and the recreation center, along with the maintenance of the street lights in the center of our heaving metropolis, all seven of them! Call 895-2075 with questions regarding any of these services or stop by. You will be efficiently served with a smile. Trust me on this.
Here is the menu for the Community lunches and dinners over the next week at the Senior Center at the Veterans Building in Boonville. The Center asks for a $6 donation from seniors for both lunches and dinners and charges $7 for Non-seniors for lunches and $8 for the dinners. Tomorrow, Thursday, February 19, the lunch, served by Marti Titus and her crew at Noon, will be Mac & Cheese with Sausage and Fresh Strawberry Cake for dessert. Then, next Tuesday evening, February 24 at 6pm, the dinner will feature Beef Stroganoff with Kahlua Cake for dessert. All meals include vegetables, salad bar, and fruit, plus milk, coffee, tea, and lemonade. Hopefully you will be able to attend, and remember. ALL ages are welcome! Hope to see you there.
Now for Topics and Valley events under discussion this week at The Three-Dot Lounge, my favorite local gathering place.
…Following the recent rains and trash-movers, several Three-Dot regulars report that the Lambert Lane bridge is not in good shape and the sooner the County takes care of it the more at ease the folks who live down that way will feel.
…Shortly after the reopening of Libby’s Restaurant in Philo, two more of our local restaurants have now followed suit after their own winter breaks and we are back to “full-strength” on the restaurant front once again as we head into spring. Stone and Embers is doing lunch only for now. Noon to 4 on Fri/Sat/Sun/Mon; while Aquarelle is open on those same days for dinner from 5 to 9. Reservations are often useful for the latter, 895-2767.
…A couple of regulars attended the AV Historical Society’s membership meeting last Sunday and heard that the organization is doing quite well despite having to spend more than they took in during 2014 as a result of a number of significant building upgrades that were necessary. Their next event will be on April 12 when their AGM Fundraiser, open to the public of course, will be a Roundtable Discussion about life in the Valley during the 1970s. The panel will feature folks who lived here at that time and who were roughly the same age as those “new people” who arrived here during those years who will provide the other half of the discussion group: Mostly the back-to-the-landers and the hippies. Should be a very interesting afternoon.
Time to take my leave. I’ve got see a man about a sheep. So, until we talk again. Keep the Faith; be careful out there; stay out of the ditches; think good thoughts; be wary of strangers with more dogs than teeth; please remember to keep your windows cracked if you have pets in your vehicle; and may your god go with you. A final request, “Let us prey.” Humbly yours, Turkey Vulture. Hope you enjoyed the read and who knows, you might miss me when you’re gone(?). Contact me with words of support/abuse through the Letters Page or at turkeyvulture1@earthlink.net. PS. On the sheep, Grace. Hi, George; hope you and Sheila are well. Hi, Silver Swan; behaving yourself? Hopefully not!
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