THIS YEAR'S MENDOCINO COUNTY FAIR & APPLE SHOW will be September 18, 19 & 20. Entry Forms must be filed or postmarked not later than Friday, August 14, 2015 (except for Sheep Dog Trial entry forms, which were due Friday, July 31, 2015). mendocountyfair.com
THIS WEEK AT BLUE MEADOW FARM
Name that Heirloom...
- Heirloom, Early Girl and Cherry Tomatoes
- Corno di Toro, Gypsy & Bell Mild/Sweet Peppers
- Padron, Jalapeno, Anaheim & Poblano Peppers
- Rosa Bianca, Nadia, Beatrice & Asian Eggplant
- Basil, Walnuts, French Prunes
- Zucchini & Patty Pan Squash
- Sunflowers & Zinnias
Blue Meadow Farm, 3301 Holmes Ranch Rd, Philo. 707-895-2071
DOING SIGNAGE RIGHT
BOONVILLE’S OWN MO MANDEL recently appeared on the Conan O'Brien show and will be appearing at the Punchline in San Francisco at 444 Battery (at Clay) Wednesday, August 26th 8:00pm, and Thursday August 27th also at 8:00pm with 10 o'clock shows both nights.
On Saturday, August 29th Mo will be in Denver at the Gothic Theater 7:30 pm to tape a One Hour Special. He writes: "Hey guys, I am thrilled to announce that I will be taping my first One-Hour Special August 29th in Denver At The Gothic Theatre. If you or any of your friends would like Free Tix to the taping hit me up with names and email addresses at momandelfans@gmail.com or better yet go his website momandel.com and there’s a link for free tickets. Mo Mandel http://momandel.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnnR7HhYbjY
THIS GUY is funny. The mighty AVA was highly amused — check that — we laughed out loud at Mo's YouTube performance as recorded at the Conan O'Brien Show. Of course spending one's formative years in Mendocino County is, for a smart kid like this one, a globally comic experience.
MENDO COUNTY'S Lyme Support Group has held their first meeting last week. 29 people attended. The next meeting is Tuesday, August 25th, 6-7:30 p.m. at the NCO (North Coast Opportunities) Center, 413 North State Street in Ukiah. Any questions can be directed to Chiah Rodriques, 707-489-6029 or Sue Davies, 707-895-2511
THREE SEATS, three candidates unopposed. The Anderson Valley school board will now consist of incumbents Dick Browning, Erica Lemons, Stacy Sobeleski, and newcomer, Eric Arbanovella. The remaining vacancy will be filled by appointment.
LOOKS LIKE CalFire is making good on their initial estimate of full containment of the Jerusalem fire in Lake County on Monday, August 17. As of Sunday evening they reported 85% containment of the 25,156 scorched acres which when added to the 70,000-plus acres of the adjoining Rocky Fire brings the total burned area to almost 100,000 acres, or in rectangular terms, about 10 miles by 15 miles.
ACCORDING to the on-line weather website wunderground.com most of the smoke that is sitting on top of Mendocino County is from the many somewhat smaller blazes in Humboldt County.
W DAN HOUCK is a very good writer, as you can see here in his funny and moving account of a visit to his severely injured wife, Loretta: 'Wow, a month since my last post. Three months since swerving onto a road we could never imagine, this surreal u-turn down through one of Dante's outer rings we find ourselves traversing. Driving is on my mind a lot lately. I do a fair bit of it. Every week I pull out onto highway 128 and head South as the long shadows of night start shrinking in the cool Saturday morning dawn. Not too many others out on the road going my way, though there are usually plenty heading North. Bulging with coolers and chairs and bbq's and kayaks and surf boards and bamboozlers and who-zinglers and Klefinger-do-zingler-fla noober ka flugs! and... well, suffice it to say the Who's are heading out of Whoville. With the traffic gods on my side I am at the pump in Cloverdale filling up 20 minutes after leaving the safety of Yorkville. Without, I am there 35 minutes later cursing the morons that do not understand the concept of the turn-out. And in the next breath I curse myself for driving like I want to earn a bed next to my wife. Note to self: I do not want to get a bed in the hospital next to my wife.
BY 7 I am usually moving into the increasing pulse of civilization on the 101 artery. Beat up trucks off to chores hinted by "Pool Service" , "Chores Ur Honey Can't do,” "Weddings by Martha" on magnetic signs clinging to the drivers side door or tailgate. Semis late to early morning deliveries. In the cars it seems mostly lone drivers heading into the city. Who knows where that car that is not on cruise control as it speeds up as I approach is going? A job? A wedding? The airport? A birthday? Vacation? The emergency room? Delivering drugs? Getting drugs? Delivering hospital supplies? I rarely wonder who they are because I would never have imagined myself driving to visit my best friend fighting to regain the ability to talk, stand, make sense of the world so there is no way I can imagine why they are out there. They are in my way.
By 7:20 I am in Petaluma, if all goes well. If traffic is not too popular and in need of watching I see the changes the week has brought to the construction. "Ah, they have tied the re-bar there, they must be getting ready to pour concrete." From the constricted two lanes I can see the possibilities in the earth moving, the construction framing and the traffic lanes shunted to the sides. Soon there will be free movement here at Petaluma blvd instead of this constipated flow. Most of the time at that time I am moving well above the 45 mile an hour posted limit through what looks to me like the final gate at the sheep dog trials at the Anderson Valley Fair on Loretta and my favorite Sunday morning in September.
At twenty to eight I am cruising past Frank Lloyd Wrights' long Blue exclamation point, (or so I imagine it from above). Five minutes later I am heading up Sir Francis Drake Blvd and soon I am signing in and getting my "Visitor" sticker, no doubt to distinguish me from any doctors or nurses wearing shorts, flip flops and an "Amature Crastinators League: turning Pro tomorrow" tee shirt. 30 seconds later I walk into room 122 and five days worth of anxiety, fear, loneliness, stress and angst all melt away. Most of the time she is sleeping, with what I can only describe as a look of utter peace. Mona Lisa in slumber. Sometimes she is awake and she sees me and gives me a serene smile. "Hay there beautiful! I love you Mrs. Houck!" is my usual greeting. I lean in to give her a kiss and she puckers up. Now that her Trache is out and capped she usually Says "I love you too Mr. Houck.” Often she will bring her right hand up and rub my face. Her left hand has been pinned at her side, she has not moved it at all for two months now. Last week she moved it a precious few inches when asked. This week she moved it more and said it hurt. That means it is coming back on line. Her brain is moving it and also noting that it hurts. The road is opening up to traffic! She is re-learning her body. In physical therapy she is remembering how to stand and hold herself up. She is building strength after three months of laying in bed.
I have been talking to myself for the past couple months. Since this happened I have held very little back as I have passed hour upon hour sitting along side the love of my life as she has come back to us. I have babbled on about what you all have said and sent. I have kept her informed about the weather at home and what little gossip I am party to. As the only verbal party of this pair I admit I have taken license so if, when Loretta is out and about again in a couple months, she inquires about your torrid love affair or interest in kite flying just play along.
These past weeks have been sudden moments of pure joy framed by occasions of immense frustration. After hours of not getting any verbal responses beyond "Yes" and "No" to my questions she responded with "My sexy husband" to "What are you thinking about?" (Obviously brain damage is still a factor.) Later, in awe after watching one of the many physical therapy sessions she goes through five days a week I said "You are an amazing woman." to which she replied "Yes, I am an amazing woman"
I imagine mental pathways filled with rubble being routed around. New routes to accomplish familiar tasks are being learned. Loretta is diligently working to get herself up and out of this ditch. It is frustrating for me because there is not much I can do other than cheer. But I can see the signs, progress is being made. The drive will get quicker. The drive will get shorter. Someday soon the drive will not be necessary."
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