Bird’s Eye View (May 30, 2018)

Next Tuesday, June 5, is Election Day. For local folks we will be voting for our next 5th District Supervisor, with Messrs. Skyhawk, Williams, and Roderick leading the race in The Vulture’s Officially Unofficial Poll. Arguably an even more interesting decision for Valley people will be the race between Michelle Hutchins and Bryan Barrett for County Superintendent of Schools — contentious to say the least. Ironically, Hutchins, our current school supervisor here in AV, does not seem to be the choice of the majority of locals, but she may be doing well in other county districts. The AVA’s Supreme Leader Bruce Anderson has endorsed her; I am saying nothing, as is my right. Vote on Tuesday. 

We have unfortunately lost a significant number of Valley folks recently. And now two more memorials. First, a ceremony for Paula Kesenheimer on Sunday, June 3 from 1-5pm at the Redwood Grove in The Fairgrounds. On Friday, June 15, a church service for Pat Hulbert's family and church friends at the Philo Methodist Church followed by a gathering for all friends from 1-4pm at The Apple Hall at The Fairgrounds in Boonville. 

Evening Dining in the Valley

Summer hours. Lauren’s Restaurant: Mexican Mon, 5-9pm; Lunch Thu-Sun, 11.30am-2.30pm; Dinner Tue-Sat, 5-9pm. Lizbby’s Mexican Cuisine: Every day from 10am-8pm; Closed Thursday. Buckhorn Pub’s hours are Mon, Wed Thur: 11am-11pm; Fri: 11am-midnight; Sat: 10am-midnight; Sun: 10am-11pm / Kitchen open until 9pm every night; Brunch weekends 10am-3pm. Closed Tuesday. Boonville Hotel is open on Thursday, Friday & Saturday evenings: family-style, prix fixe menu. Also on Sunday at 5pm for Paella. Reservation required: 895-2210. The Redwood Drive-In & Gas Station: 6am-8pm everyday; Sunday lunchtime BBQ. Ricardo’s Specialty Grilled Chicken Dinners, noon-3pm. Stone and Embers, at The Madrones just south of Philo open from Noon to 8pm, Thursday-Sunday, and Monday Noon-5pm. The Bewildered Pig at The Floodgate serves dinner Thu-Sun, 5-9pm, last reservation at 8.30pm, plus Sunday Brunch 11am-2pm. For that infor refer to the June issue of the AV Community Bulletin. 

Public Service Announcements

#538. The Vets from the Mendocino Animal Hospital will visit the Valley in late June, on Thursday, June 28.

#539. The Barn Sale folks changed their date for June. So it’s not June 2/3, the first weekend, it’s now a week later on Sat/Sun, June 9/10.

#540- This Friday, June 1 at the AV Grange, it’s “The Silent Musical. The Movie.” A Red Carpet Premiere to benefit KZYX radio. No host bar and hors d’ouevres and VIP tables. Starts at 7pm.

#541. Saturday, June 2 is a special live music night at Lauren’s Restaurant to celebrate the Real Sarahs’ new EP release. Supported by the very talented dance band, Burnside. Dinner from 5-9pm, show starts at 9pm.

#542. The AV Museum is open 1-4pm Saturdays and Sundays in The Little Red Schoolhouse next to the Elementary School on AV Way, a perfect way to fill a spare afternoon. “The Best Little Museum in the West.”

#543. The Unity Club AV Lending Library is open at The Fairgrounds Tuesdays 1.30-4.30pm and Saturdays 2-4pm.

#544. The AV Grange second Sunday Pancake Breakfast is June 10 from 8.30-11am. Prices from $5-10. kids through hungry folks, a delicious, locally-sourced breakfast.

#545. Sunday June 10, The AV Village presents: A Ted Talk by Judy Willett on the Village Movement: how it started, why, and what the Villages are all about. Snacks and beverages provided. 4-5.30pm at Lauren's in Boonville (enter through the side door). 

Community lunches next week at the Senior Center at the Veterans Building in Boonville. $6 donation from seniors; $7 for Non-seniors. Tomorrow, Thursday, May 31, the lunch, served by Marti Titus and her crew at Noon, will be Chicken Marsala with Peach Cobbler for dessert. Next Tuesday, June 5, lunch is Meat Loaf and Mashed potatoes & gravy followed by Birthday Cupcakes. Includes vegetables, salad bar, and fruit, plus milk, coffee, tea, and lemonade. All ages welcome!

Topics and Valley at The Three-Dot Lounge:

…According to many regulars at The 3-Dot, the tourists were back in force over the holiday weekend. This included a few bikers doing 70+mph, lots of bad parking, quite a few self-entitled customers in our restaurants, and a number of sports cars driven by elderly gray-haired gentlemen, accompanied by attractive women half their age wearing RayBan sunglasses as they pretend to listen from the passenger seat. Of course the majority of our visitors were marveling at our beautiful Valley and behaving like decent human beings. Summer is here. 

…The Welsh Master Shepherd, Kevin Owens, now has a video of his Border collies at work and thoughts on life as a shepherd in the beautiful Yorkville Highlands on YouTube. It is a short film (15 minutes) made by former Yorkville resident Mark Weaver. Go to “Sheepdog” on YouTube or directly to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7J6gEBOoEjQ. Very enjoyable. 

…My good friend Mark Boudoures stopped in at The 3-Dot this last weekend to that while he is the official owner of the new restaurant in downtown Philo, he is not the actual operator of the business, despite what was said in last week’s Valley People column by our Supreme Leader. He will have input of course, but the day-to-day running of the new Poleeko Roadhouse will be down to Farmer John Bemesderfer of the Valley’s Mendocino Heritage Pork Company. 

I’m outtahere. Gotta see a man about a sheep. Remember to keep your windows cracked if you leave your pets in your vehicle. And, “Let us prey.” Humbly yours, Turkey Vulture, comforted in the knowledge that the Venerable Pheasant is happy in his nest in the sky. Contact me through the Letters Page or at turkeyvulture9@gmail.com.

PS. Hi, George – hope you and Sheila are well. Is that “lafter” I hear, Carroll? Bobwhite Quail. keep up the knitting!