Greetings one and all. If you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin. So, while I continue to enjoy the Annual Birds of Prey Convention over here in the United Kingdom of Turkey Vultures, Buzzards, and Lesser Birds of Prey, what better place to file this report than from a pub? But before I get going, I would like to express Her Majesty’s gratitude for all the well wishes she received from readers of the Turkey Vulture column for her 90th Birthday that occurred over the weekend. “Thank you sew mach.”
Onward. I am in the “Big Heart of England.” Birmingham, the second largest city in Britain after London, and enjoying a pint and a steak and kidney pie and chips at The New Inns, a classic old pub built in the early 1900s. As has been the case for centuries, the pubs are mostly very welcoming, particularly those outside the trendy city center areas, and intentionally provide a warm and cozy atmosphere somewhat representative of people’s living rooms. With quality beers and ales from every tap (none with fruity flavors or overly hoppy, you know what I am talking about. “proper” beers), and simple late night pub faire such as cheese and onion cobs (rolls) or scratchings (fried pork skins), it’s like sitting in your own home with a bunch of friends and being served a perfect combination of food and drink. Why would you leave? Well, you don’t have to. With “after-hours” available to those “locked in” after the official 11pm closing time, when the curtains are closed, the ashtrays come out, and the doors literally locked, those remaining inside can continue with their fascinating conversations about “What makes a real English breakfast?” (answer below); “Which way will the vote go next week for Britain to leave or stay in the European Union?” It’s going to be close; “Why do Americans, a generally civilized breed otherwise, have such an obsession with owning guns?” The Orlando night club shootings led the headlines on Monday morning; “Is the friendly and obviously buxom barmaid in the low cut blouse staring at me, or is it wishful thinking?” etc, etc. By 2am these questions have all been thoroughly debated and it’s time to get a taxi home. one that can carry six inebriated friends to their abodes not more than a couple of miles away. It’s a civilized way to live, I must say. Oh, and of course, as promised, a real English Breakfast, known as “The Full English,” consists of back bacon, pork sausages, fried eggs (always over medium, no choice), baked beans (Heinz. available at Lemons” Market in Philo), fried tomatoes, fried mushrooms, black pudding (dried pig’s blood), and one, some, or all of toast/bread and butter/fried bread, plus the inevitable cup, or preferably a mug, of tea. I look forward to mine in the morning. More from my travels next week.
Public Service Announcements. #544. If any Valley dwellers haven’t heard already, their cave being particularly high up in the hills, the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival (SNWMF) returns to the Valley for the its 11th successive year this coming weekend. June 17-19. Yes, it has been coming here since 2006! Thousands of reggae-loving visitors will be here and many locals will no doubt join them too. Most of this particular crowd will be very respectful and polite to the Valley and our residents, and the “female of the species” is often very pleasant on the eye, so let’s give them a big Valley “Welcome’, hope they support our locally-owned small businesses, and then wish them merrily on their way come Sunday night. For details go to www.snwmf.com. #545. The Vets from the Mendocino Animal Hospital have one more visit this month to the Anderson Valley Farm Supply on Highway 128, north of Philo. Tomorrow, Thursday, June 16 from 2-3.30pm. They are trying to keep to a first and third Thursday schedule and therefore plan to be back in AV on July 7 and 21. #546. The only Barn Sale this month will take place this coming weekend, Saturday/Sunday, June 18/19, from 9am-3pm at The Big Barn next to the St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church Refectory on AV Way just north of Boonville. The Barn Sale hopes to be open on the first and third weekend of each month but I will try to confirm this as we go. #547. The Food Bank is open from 8-10am on the 3rd Tuesday of each month, next Tuesday, June 21. They will also be open the Monday evening before (June 20) from 4-6pm. Gardeners, farmers and produce growers of all kinds, remember to donate your extra produce and drop it off on the Monday behind the Boonville Methodist Church. If you need someone to glean your produce to take to the Food Bank, contact Valerie Kim at valerie.h.kim@gmail.com. Denisse Mattei is the Food Bank director. 895-3763. #548. The Boonville Farmers Market continues every Saturday in the parking lot of the Boonville Hotel, 9.30am-Noon. For more information, call Cindy at 895-2949. #549. If you need a Burn Permit, the AV Fire Department is no longer offering them but you can still inquire about one from CalFire on the southern outskirts of Boonville. #550. The AV Lending Library run by The Unity Club is open on Tuesdays and Saturdays at The Fairgrounds. Tuesday 1.30pm-4.30pm and Saturday 2pm-4pm. #551. The County Dump is open from 9am-4pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. Remember, no dead animals!
Here is the menu for the Community lunches over the next week in the Senior Center at the Veterans Building in Boonville. The Center asks for a $6 donation from seniors and $7 for Non-seniors. Tomorrow, Thursday, June 16, the lunch, served by Marti Titus and her crew at Noon, will be Stuffed Shells with Tiramisu for dessert. Then, next Tuesday, June 21, lunch will feature Chicken with Kale and then Cherry-Pineapple Cake for dessert. All meals include vegetables, salad bar, and fruit, plus milk, coffee, tea, and lemonade. What a deal. Maybe the best value for your money all week! Tai Chi is now available every Tuesday at 11am, while on Thursdays it is Easy-stretch Yoga, also at 11am, as part of the Active Life Club that runs from 10am to 2pm and which in addition features games, crafts, and music. Hopefully you will be able to attend some of these events and certainly the lunches and dinners, and remember. ALL ages are welcome!
In my absence, The Three-Dot Lounge is closed.
So I’m outtahere. I’ve got to see a man about a sheep. Not easy to do in the middle of a large city so it could take some time. Meanwhile, be careful out there; if you break a leg don’t come running to me; stay out of the ditches; be wary of strangers with more dogs than teeth; show love to your pets, they will be faithful and true to you to the last beat of their hearts, and please remember to keep your windows cracked if you leave them in your vehicle; think good thoughts; Keep the Faith; and may your god go with you. A final request, “Let us prey.” Sometimes poking, often stroking, but almost always humbly yours, Turkey Vulture. Contact me through the Letters Page or at turkeyvulture9@gmail.com. PS. Skylark, read any good books lately? Hi, Silver Swan, behaving yourself? Hopefully not! Everything cool with you, OJ? Of course it is.
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