Bird’s Eye View (March 28, 2018)

I am aware that some readers don’t like the occasional reminders of various disturbing events in the real world beyond the Anderson Valley bubble in which they live. Well, folks, 'cloud cuckoo land' does not exist and we actually do live on the planet Earth, so even here, sequestered as we are in this idyllic rural valley, a dose of reality is sometimes needed. We are adults after all.

With that in mind, growing concerns about a possible nuclear war and other global threats have pushed forward the symbolic Doomsday Clock by 30 seconds to just two minutes before midnight. What is the Doomsday Clock? Well it was originally created by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (BAS) journal in 1947, and the minute hand on the Clock is a metaphor for how vulnerable to catastrophe the world is deemed to be, and how close mankind is to destroying the Earth.

They have recently reassessed the timing because the world was becoming “more dangerous” and it is now the closest to the apocalypse it has been since 1953. That was the year when the US and the Soviet Union tested hydrogen bombs.

What was behind the decision? Announcing the move in Washington DC a couple of weeks ago, the BAS said the decision “wasn't easy” and said it was not based on a single factor. However BAS President and CEO Rachel Bronson said that “in this year's discussions, nuclear issues took center stage once again.” The team of scientists singled out a series of nuclear tests by North Korea. They dramatically escalated tensions on the Korean peninsula and led to a war of words between North Korea and the US. The BAS also referred to a new US nuclear strategy that was expected to call for more funding to expand the role of the country's nuclear arsenal. Rising tension between Russia and the West was also a contributing factor.

The “weakening of institutions” around the world in dealing with major global threats, including climate change, was another major concern, the scientists said. Surely to nobody’s surprise, they also mentioned US President Donald Trump's “unpredictability,” pointing to his often controversial tweets and statements, not to mention his massive ego and delusional narcissism.

Have a relaxing and thoughtful day.

‘Happy Easter!” for this coming Sunday; it’s also April Fool’s Day of course. Are these events related?

Evening Dining in the Valley

Lauren’s Restaurant: Mexican Mon, 5-9pm; Lunch Thu-Sun, 11.30am-2.30pm; Dinner Tue-Sat, 5-9pm. Lizbby’s Mexican Cuisine: Mon-Sat 10am-9pm, serving breakfast on Sat; closed Sun. The Buckhorn Pub’s hours are Wed: 4-11pm; Thur: 11am-11pm, with the Prime Rib Special; Fri: 11am-midnight; Sat: 10am-midnight; Sun: 10am-11pm / Kitchen open until 9pm every night; Brunch weekends 10am-3pm. Closed Tuesday. The Boonville Hotel is open on Friday and Saturday evenings serving their family-style, prix fixe menu. Reservations: 895-2210. The Redwood Drive-In & Gas Station: 6am-8pm everyday. Stone and Embers, at The Madrones south of Philo, is open from Noon to 8pm, Thursday-Sunday. In the Deep End, The Bewildered Pig at The Floodgate is serving dinner Thu-Sun, 5-9pm, with last reservation at 8.30pm. For more information pick up the April issue of the AV Community Bulletin at a local outlet.

Public Service Announcements

#542. The Vets from the Mendo Animal Hospital are in the Valley Thursday, March 29, at the AV Farm Supply from 2-4pm. Next visit: Thursday, April 12.

#543. The County Dump is open from 9am-4pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday.

#544. The Mendocino Bookmobile returns to the Valley next Tuesday, April 3. For full schedule go to mendocinocounty.org/home/showdocument?id=13548. They are here in the Valley on alternate Tuesdays for 45 minutes at each of these places and times: Navarro Store 9am (for just 30 minutes before heading out to Comptche); the Floodgate 12.30pm; Philo 1.30pm; Boonville (Apple Hall) 2.30pm.

#545. The Redwood Empire Sheep Dog Trials are set for Saturday, April 7th at 10am. Open to the public at The Fairgrounds in Boonville.

#546. On Monday evening, April 9th, there will be a 5th District Supervisor Candidates” Night at The Grange starting at 7pm. All five candidates will attend.

Community lunches next week at the Senior Center at the Veterans Building in Boonville. The Center asks for a $6 donation from seniors and charges $7 for Non-seniors. Tomorrow, Thursday, March 29, the lunch, served by Marti Titus and her crew at Noon, will be Joe's Chili with Peach Cobbler for dessert. Then, next Tuesday, April 3, the lunch will feature Meat Loaf with Mashed potatoes and gravy followed by Kentucky Butter Crunch Cake for dessert. Includes vegetables, salad bar, and fruit, plus milk, coffee, tea, and lemonade.

I’m outta here. “Let us prey.” 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, O.J.? Of course it is.