Bird’s Eye View

Greetings one and all. If you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin. I was just one of over a hundred peo­ple in attendance at the most recent live music show down in The Deep End at Dave Evans’ Navarro Store on the Sunday before last. The performances went from around 3pm thru to 11pm at night and featured The Thorn Petals, Ralph Woodsen and his Jimi Hendrix Tribute Band, and finally, Guitar Shorty. With inexpen­sive beer available in the store and Pablo on the grill turning out some fine bbq including a delicious tri-tip sandwich plate, it was a great afternoon and evening and I encourage you to attend the next one. If Pink Floyd music and laser light shows are your thing, that is (see below). If not the one after: The Subdudes on both August 6th and 7th.

On to the Public Service Announcements. #195. The Vets from Mendocino Animal Hospital return once again tomorrow, July 29th when they will be at The Farm Sup­ply from 2pm to 3.30pm. I suggest you take advantage of this service and save yourself a trip over the hill to Ukiah while you can. they will not be back until late August. #196. As mentioned above, the live music continues in The Deep End with The House of Floyd’s appearance, along with laser light show, at the Navarro Store on Sat­urday, July 31st. #197. The Not-So-Simple Living Fair, sponsored by the Anderson Valley Foodshed Group, is taking place this coming weekend, July 31st and August 1st, at the Mendocino County Fairgrounds in Boonville and will feature workshops, demonstrations, and a shar­ing of rural living and homesteading skills, plus an appearance by The Gschwend Family Sheepdogs and much more! For more info call 684-0028.

Now to a new feature. The Praise (‘Preys’ in Vulture-speak) of the Week.’ For the inaugural edition we have two recipients. It was a hot and sticky evening a couple of Thursday’s ago at Lauren’s Restaurant in Boonville for the weekly General Knowledge and Trivia Quiz, and then the crowd of nearly forty were informed that the water in the building had ceased to flow. On top of this, the fryers went down and some of the power went out. Obviously, this was all bad news for a busy restaurant. Lauren had only one course of action and called Mr. Fix-It himself: Mike Crutcher, who was soon on the scene to do his thing. Not long afterwards, it was all systems go. On behalf of many Quizlies and assorted other custom­ers, ‘Preys’ goes to good old Mike. A little later that same evening, news spread of the fire up in the hills at the Gaines Family’s Highland Ranch and with the Quiz-playing Rob Giuliani and Judy Long able to keep in touch by radio with the firefighters up there at ground zero, those of us in Lauren’s were well informed of developments. Despite significant damage nobody was hurt, although the Gaines Family, all gathered at the ranch for their family reunion, were certainly in need of some sustenance. ‘Preys’ is indeed due to Lauren and her staff for re-opening their kitchen, which had closed for the night, and serving the Family some hearty meals in their time of need when they turned up in town. At the risk of repeating myself, I must say we do live in place with some very caring and giving people.

Topics under discussion this week at The Three-Dot Lounge: Yes it’s “Moans, Groans, Good Thoughts, and Rampant Rumors” from my favorite gathering place in the Valley.

…Still the ice cream shop remains unopened?? Come on Johnnie, pull your finger out!

…The Boonville Saloon (formerly The Lodge) could well open this coming weekend, but it might not. Mean­while The Buckhorn is two months away.

…School starts on Monday, August 16th! Volleyball and soccer get underway before the end of August; foot­ball remains shrouded in unknowns.

…I am to told by several regulars that around about now thru’ August is the time to buy your propane; i.e. when prices should be at their annual low.

…My good friend, Steve Sparks, who does the inter­views with Valley folks that appear in this publication each week, showed up at The 3-Dot and asked me to point out that the favorite song of last week’s inter­viewee, Loretta Houck, is not Tom Petty’s ‘Running down the Drain’ but his far more popular song ‘Running down a Dream.’ Sparks had clearly been drinking heav­ily when he wrote that and now apologizes profusely.

…The late-night/early morning noise made by vari­ous contraptions at The Narrows vineyard owned by Golden Eye Winery continues to upset many in the Floodgate/Christine Woods area of the Valley. One regular is convinced that any bed and breakfasts in that particular part of the Valley must be unable to continue their normal business with guests not prepared to pay for the ‘pleasure’ of trying to sleep through such an awful din. Those who actually live near there have no such choice; Golden Eye Winery most certainly does.

With the hot weather now with us, please remember to keep your windows cracked if you have pets in your vehicle. Otherwise, be careful out there; stay out of the ditches; think good thoughts; and may your god go with you. Oh, and of course, one final request, “Let us prey.” Poking and stroking egos wherever necessary and, as always, humbly yours, Turkey Vulture. PS. Keep the Faith. PPS. Contact me with words of support/abuse through the Letters Page or by e-mail: turkeyvulture1@earthlink.net.