Greetings one and all. If you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin. Along with about 50 players and perhaps seventy spectators, I attended the AV High School Alumni Basketball tournament last Saturday evening in Boonville at the gym. Of the three games played, the big draw was that between the ‘Legends of 86-92’ and the current High School team. After several lead changes, in what was a very competitive game, the youngsters came out on top by just two points, although some Legends claimed with some justification that the scorekeeper had made a couple of errors in favor of the opposition. Anyway, the ‘old guys’ gave a fine account of themselves and hopefully this will become an annual event, although the feeling in the crowd was that ‘Legends’ will need to get back to their original uniforms if they are to truly live up to their name.
Talking of sports, this week’s Quote of the Week goes as follows: “Serious sport has nothing to do with fair play. It is bound up with hatred, jealousy, boastfulness, disregard of rules and sadistic pleasure in witnessing violence; in other words it is war minus the shooting.” These cynical comments come from George Orwell (‘1984’, ‘Animal Farm’), who clearly spent far more time on social commentary than participating in sports. And furthermore, while the Legends’ game at the Alumni tournament certainly had a little ‘edge’ to it, Mr. Orwell was obviously never around a successful Panther team — coached to be honorable in victory and noble in defeat.
OK then, let’s get straight to the Public Service Announcements for what is a very full week ahead. #143: This Saturday, April 24th from 7pm to midnight, sees a costume party to benefit public radio station KZYX at the Grange. It’s a ‘Cops and Robbers Ball’ so the ‘dress-up’ possibilities are endless, and hopefully will include one or two female ‘law enforcements officers’ with handcuffs who will be there to arrest a very naughty Vulture. Dancing to the sounds of The Peanut Butter and Jam Band is encouraged and the Master of Ceremonies is someone who I think goes by the name of Corporal Raindrop. #144: The Unity Club’s Garden Section present their annual Wildflower Show this weekend (April 24th/25th) at The Fairgrounds in Boonville. The show goes from 9am to 4pm each day, it’s free, and there will be quite a selection of plants, books, and home-cooked treats for sale, with all profits going to school student scholarships. #145: The Barn Sale is also this coming weekend at The Big Barn between AV Way and Highway 128 (enter via the church refectory driveway on AV Way). It runs from 9am to about 3pm on both Saturday and Sunday with burgers served off the grill from 11am to 2pm courtesy of grillmaster Ephron Mendosa. As I have said many times before, ‘Bargains and burgers — it doesn’t get much better than that.’ #146: This month’s Senior Center dinner is next Tuesday, April 27th and you will be pleased to hear that a guest cook has been invited this time round. It’s Natalie Matson (formerly of One Horse Espresso) who, with help from Candy Slotte, will be presenting her special enchiladas for this event and I personally can attest to their deliciousness. Dinner is served at 6pm and all are welcome. #147: Finally this week, a heads-up for the visit of the Vet to the Valley. The guys from the Mendocino Animal Hospital will be coming to The AV Farm Supply at 2pm next week on Thursday, April 29th. Final details in next week’s column.
Details are also needed with regards to the $15 million-plus required by the upcoming School Bond issue, something that most of you will be aware of, I’m sure. Or maybe not. I have to say that I’m not seeing the groundswell of support that such an important topic might be expected to evoke in our community. The bond calls for $60 for each $100,000 of the assessed value (not actual value necessarily) of your property as it appears on your property tax notice. For example, this would mean a payment of $300 on a property assessed at $500,000. Hopefully those pushing this bond will get out and about among the community in the upcoming weeks, meeting the voters and explaining what it will provide in detail, and what will happen if the bond does not pass. I have seen Donna Pierson-Pugh, elementary school principal, out in town pushing this on one occasion but I’ve also heard from many locals that apart from one letter from the school they have seen or heard virtually nothing since on this issue. What’s the hold-up? Why aren’t we being bombarded with information and encouragement to vote for this vital issue? The vote is less than two months away.
I just want what is best for the school; the hub of our community, and this issue needs to be passed. Enough already. I’ll get my coat and leave. Be careful out there; stay out of the ditches; think good thoughts; and may your god go with you. Of course, one final request: “Let us prey.” Humbly yours, Turkey Vulture. Contact me with words of support/abuse either through the Letters Page or by e-mail at turkeyvulture1@earthlink.net.
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