Greetings one and all. Are you are sitting comfortably? Then I shall begin. First, a “Thought for the Day.” Isn’t it odd that he word “lisp” has an “s” in it?
With so much strife and dissension in today’s world, let’s begin with news of an event which takes us back to a simpler and more caring and harmonious society in so many ways. The AV Historical Society and Museum will present their annual event on Sunday, July 17 at the Little Red Schoolhouse just north of Boonville on Highway 128/AV Way. The annual meeting to share what is going on with the Society and its future plans is at 1.30pm, featuring the High School Computer Class’s Valley Cemetery mapping project, followed at 2.30pm by an Open House with a discussion of “Boontling” led by Wes Smoot and Rod DeWitt, two of the few remaining speakers of the language. Plus tours of the Museum, further insights to the Boontling tongue and the AV Brewery connection; videos of old-timers talking Boontling; and finger foods, snacks, wine, and of course local beers. Local history books and merchandise will be available. Proceeds benefit the Historical Society and Museum.
Upcoming events and happenings. #542. The annual Beebe/Johnson Memorial sheep dog trial is this coming Saturday, July 16th at the Johnson Ranch at the junction of Highways 128 and 253 in Boonville. The first sheep are let out at 9am. #543. The Vets from the Mendocino Animal Hospital will make two visits this month to the AV Farm Supply on Highway 128, north of Philo, usually on the first and third Thursdays, next week it’s Thursday. July 21. (And next month: August 4 and 18). #544. The “Second Wednesday Drumming Circle” is not taking place at this time. I will let you know when it resumes. #545. The Boonville Farmers Market continues every Saturday in the parking lot of the Boonville Hotel, 9.30am-Noon. Cindy, 895-2949. #546. The Unity Club Lending Library at The Fairgrounds is open Tuesdays 1.30pm-4.30pm and Saturdays 2pm-4pm. #547. The County Dump is open from 9am-4pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. Remember, no dead animals! #548. The Food Bank is open from 8-10am on the 3rd Tuesday of each month, next Tuesday, July 19. They will also be open the Monday evening before (July 18) 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: Valerie Kim at valerie.h.kim@gmail.com. Denisse Mattei is the Food Bank director, 895-3763. #549. The Far From Easy Living Fair (referred to by some as the Not So Simple Living Fair) this year is at the Fairgrounds in Boonville the weekend of July 29-31.
Here is the menu for the Community lunches over the next week in the Senior Center at the Veterans Building in Boonville; $6 donation from seniors and $7 for Non-seniors. Tomorrow, Thursday, July 14, the lunch, served as always by Marti Titus and her crew at Noon, will be Sausage Skillet with Mudslide for dessert. Then, next Tuesday, July 19, the lunch will feature Oven Fried Fish and Banana Split Cake for dessert. All meals include vegetables, salad bar, and fruit, plus milk, coffee, tea, and lemonade. What a deal, the best value for money all week! Tai Chi is every Tuesday at 11am, and Thursdays at 11am it is Easy-stretch Yoga, part of the Active Life Club from 10am to 2pm with games, crafts, and music. The Senior Center/Community Bus goes to Ukiah on Mondays and Santa Rosa on the first Wednesday of the month. These trips fill up fast so sign up early at 489-1175. Hopefully you will be able to attend some of these events and certainly the lunches and dinners, and remember. ALL ages welcome! See you there.
The Three-Dot Lounge remains closed until next week, so no “Moans, Groans, Good Thoughts, and Rampant (yet surprisingly reliable) Rumors” from my favorite gathering place in the Valley. However, from our 3-Dot regular, The Old Buzzard, who rarely takes a break from his self-titled “investigative journalism,” comes another in his insightful series. “Signs that the Apocalypse is Approaching.” Buzzard reports.
Several Valley folks, who have frequented The Buckhorn for many years, have commented on the request in last week’s “Valley People” made by the “Owners and Tenants of the Farrer Building.” This group was “respectfully requesting” that the staff and patrons of The Buckhorn cease to use the large parking lot area between the two buildings, theirs and the Buckhorn. The have the legal right to do so and one hopes this request can be agreed to without much discord and antagonism.
Those making the plea are the same people, sometimes known as “Offstreet Studio Management,” who a year ago posted signs around the lot asking that the space be used as parking for, I quote, “Farrar Property tenants, patrons, and residents only” (spelling error of “Farrer” made by the owners of said building). At that time, many Buckhorn customers expressed dismay at the postings, knowing that the space has been used by customers of that establishment and its predecessors for almost 30 years.
According to the “Owners (J. Schmitt and associates) and Tenants of the Farrer Building,” who crucially, but unknown to many, are now the sole owners of the lot, there continues to be a number of incidents involving vehicles belonging to Buckhorn patrons, plus a daily clear-up of trash being required after “late-night activities” by those patrons.
This is no doubt frustrating to the Farrer Building/Boonville Hotel/Shed folks. Mosswood Market will be particularly aggrieved at the temporary loss of business as a result of one incident. Beyond the drama of the exaggerated frequency of these incidents as highlighted in the request, I have no doubt that there have been some such occurrences. I would agree that the parking is a little tight, but in all those years, over twenty of which I am familiar with, virtually everyone using the space, from both buildings, has maneuvered carefully. A very small number have not. I therefore humbly suggest that a large, easily visible sign be placed at the entrance, one clearly requesting that the parking lot is for the use of Farrer Building tenants and patrons only. This may just work, the signs inside the lot did not.
Recently, the “Owners and Patrons of the Farrer Building” have spoken to Buckhorn owner Tom Towey asking for his support (I assume they spoke to the right guy, although according to their request in the newspaper it was made to “Tom Towie.” Clearly spelling is not their strong point). They have every right to do this and Tom’s staff have been parking elsewhere for some time. Hopefully patrons of the pub/restaurant will also comply but, as the adage goes, “old habits die hard,” particularly around here, and it remains to be seen how this develops.
Meanwhile, when I go to the AVA office located in the Farrer Building and therefore legally park in the Farrer Building parking lot, do I then have to move and re-park my vehicle if I wish to have a beer in the Buckhorn after a hard day’s work? What a load of old bollocks that would be. Just wondering.
* * *
I’m outtahere. I’ve got to see a man about a sheep. Besides, that’s enough for this week, so, 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 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; may your god go with you, and may your dog go with you too. A final request, “Let us prey.” Sometimes poking, often stroking, but almost always humbly yours, Turkey Vulture. Contact me through the Letters Page at turkeyvulture9@gmail.com. PS. On the sheep, Grace. Keep on humming, Hummingbird. Missing you, Venerable Pheasant. PPS. A good herding dog uses his “eye,” stealth, intelligence, agility, and calmness to herd sheep. They do not bark, and certainly do not wag their tails, even though they love what they are doing. Frequently-mentioned Fred the Border collie is the only one I have ever seen who continued to wag his tail even when successfully herding sheep. He passed away four years ago this week, aged 14. What a unique and wonderful dog he was.
Be First to Comment