Greenwood/Elk columns

August 3 ~ November 2, 1989

August 3rd.

It saddens me that I must punish my good friend, and proof reading buddy, Mr. Huckaby. Not only is he sentenced to daily commuting to Mendocino and weekly shopping at Safeway in Fort Bragg but I also here by recommend he be banished from the Roadhouse Cafe at all time except rush hour.

My God you say, what was his offense?

Well, my friends and neighbors, I caught Mr. Huckaby 'waxing eloquent'.

Now, 'waxing eloquent' in and of itself isn't all that bad, heck, even I get fired up on occasion but there are times when it is just plain inappropriate and, in certain situations, verges on treason.

Well guess what.

I caught Mr. Huckaby in down town Elk, 'Waxing Eloquent' in front of a Tee Vee camera crew for the Bay Area Backroads program from San Francisco.

No! No! No! Mr. Huckaby, never in front of the MEDIA, any media. They are the enemy!

I tried to reduce the damage by interjecting facts like...

"Our town water has slipped to eighth in the latest taste off."

"Poison Oak is rampant".

"Lymes disease is always possible".

"The nearest McDonalds is ninety one miles away"...

but they would have none of it. They had found their star in Mr. Huckaby, 'The Town Spokesman', and he was on a roll.

I slunk off in disgust. It made me sick.

Why would he tout the glories of our very life force in front of media swine which in turn can only inflame even more VCR toting, mirror glassed, RV jocks, jocketts and jerks to aimlessly prowl our coastal shelf, looking for "IT".

Folks, "IT" ain't here.

In fact, according to a recent report in Newsweek, or maybe it was Time, "IT" is now located in Healdsburg.

But, I too, am not blameless. Who was it who not too many weeks ago waxed eloquent about Burt The Log Truck Driver's Italian dinner and now, look what happened. Not only did I have to wait in line last Saturday night to get a seat at the Roadhouse Cafe, but Burt had even run out of some of the main items on the menu. Glancing out the window, while savoring the salad, I counted fifteen cars parked in the heart of our little town! Unheard of since the closing of the Oasis Bar two years ago.

Well, that's it for me. I've learned my lesson. No more 'waxing eloquent' about Greenwood/Elk. We're just another bend in the road on your way to $pendocino.

Say, have you been to Lu's Kitchen on Laurel Street in Fort Bragg? Great place. How about the sushi joint next door, or the deli across the street? That deli is just like stepping back in time about forty years. Yeah! Laurel Street in Fort Bragg. Check it out. Great used book store too. How about a tattoo? Anything you need, Fort Bragg's got it.

Good news. A sealed beam headlight for my 1961 Ford Falcon costs around six or seven dollars, but wait. The new Fords have a better idea.

They are using streamlined plastic lenses with small replaceable bulbs that fit inside. Now you just replace that tiny bulb when it burns out. The bulb only costs twenty one dollars!

August 10th.

On vacation.

August 17th.

Only a few more weeks until Labor Day is out of our hair and then one more week until Great Day in Elk, so, in the meantime...

Greenwood/Elk Area Backroads. An antidote to Bay Area Backroads.

Part one.

If your feeling a bit overwhelmed by the height of the tourist season around here and want to adjust your attitude, take a drive over to Willits some beautiful August afternoon, stand around on the downtown street corner, or better yet, attempt to cross the street and in less than one hour you will be more than ready to return to the relative peace and quiet of our little coastal shelf. All it costs is a few hour of your time, some gas and you will return feeling relieved and grateful, thanking your lucky star that you don't live in Willits.

I discovered this bit of wisdom last week when Lolli and I packed up the ol' VW bus and set out on a four day adventure. We wanted to get away from it all but, as in most cases, it gets worse before it gets better.

Once Willits was behind us and we reached the turn off to Covolo, our spirits began to improve. When we reached Covolo and turned north onto the minimal gravel lane heading for Zenia, we were feeling alive and more like our old selves.

Since I had the kayaks along it seemed like a good idea to head for a place on the map called Ruth Lake to do some paddling. I also had a topographical map with me and upon closer inspection we noticed some faint dotted lines that appeared to wind among the maze of elevation lines and could eventually get us to the town of Ruth at the head waters of Ruth Lake.

In other words, a short cut.

We found what we assumed to be the turn off point, between the towns of Kettlepom and Zenia, and headed off into the woods.

Our chosen route was very scenic but we soon found it kept branching off in various unidentified directions. When it was quite apparent the road was dwindling down to a deer trail, we happened upon a man sitting beside a tent. He informed us that he thought we could get to Ruth if we went back to the last 'Y', took a left, went across the pasture and then stayed to the left. We didn't ask him any other questions since it was the height of the pot harvest season.

We followed his instructions, meandered across the pasture and stayed to the left. Finally around seven in the evening we gave up and decided to call it a day (the silence was wonderful), fix something to eat and ponder our situation. For one thing, our map was thirteen years old. Another consideration was the fact I had forgotten my compass. More importantly, we were running low on beer.

In the morning we decided to take which ever trail showed the most use. Gradually we came upon a well used logging road which finally brought us back to the road to Zina, five miles 'behinder' than from where we had started. We decided to stay on the county roads to Ruth Lake.

After a pleasant afternoon and evening of kayaking and camping at Ruth Lake, we decided, the following morning, to check out Peanut and Hayfork. According to our map we passed though Peanut but somehow missed it. Hayfork was more obvious.

Now, if Elk is getting touristy, Hayfork is not. No expresso, no gift shops (other than the Hallmark type), no croissants, no Bruce Bread. It's a trade off worth thinking about.

Next week. Greenwood/Elk Area Backroads (Part two). The adventure continues.

August 24th.

Greenwood/Elk Area Backroads. An antidote to Bay Area Backroads.

Part two.

Leaving Hayfork, Lolli and I decided to try our hand at something even more remote and headed for Hyam Pon, or Hyampon, we saw signs spelling it both ways. After an interesting and scenic drive, we arrived and camped past town by the South Fork of the Trinity River.

In the morning we decided to see if there was any way to continue on North to intersect Highway 299. I asked four guys at a garage in Hyampon/Hyam Pon and got four different answers. Yes, no, and two kinds of maybe, reinforcing my old maxim, 'Never ask'. We decided to seek our own counsel, topped off the gas tank, beer supply and bought a compass.

The dirt lane Northwest out of Hyampon/Hyam Pon finally narrowed down to some serious rock and roll before coming up short at a locked gate. Now what?

After letting the engine cool down, we turned around and noticed a side road with a sign saying, Sims Mountain, and a county mile marker, 22.

We decided to give it a try and soon found another mile marker, 21. By staying to the road with the decreasing mile markers and mostly in second gear, we finally found ourselves on Highway 299!

Ah! Civilization. Once again we were being buffeted by an endless flow of motor homes and log trucks and soon elected to duck off onto another secondary road for our journey back home.

This route introduced us to the minimalism of Maple Creek, Kneeland, Yager, Bridgeville, Blocksburg, Alder Point, and eventually Bell Springs.

One dot on our map was named Post Office. We found a house with a set of post office boxes set into the wall facing the road but no signs or indication of recent use. I noticed a woman, inside the house, peering at us through her window. Being an 'in depth' reporter, I hurried off, on down the road.

Eventually we passed through Bell Springs and arrived back on 101. Slipped up around Leggett and ambled back down the coast.

If your ever feeling a bit overwhelmed by people and traffic, give Willits a try and, if that doesn't do it, go for the whole loop. We highly recommend it.

Eijler Westh was out fishing last Saturday, August 20th and found blobs of crude oil floating amongst the kelp beds from out beyond Harbor House down to Beacon Light. It seems we're going to get slimed no matter what we do.

I caught just the tail end of a PBS program I had wanted to see. I called John Frankel to see if his program guide listed any repeats. He told me he had recorded that program on his VCR. Great. I would stop by and pick it up. We then talked about our Post Office and speculated about what we could do to generate interest in keeping it in the same building. I suggested blocking off the Navarro Bridge and Greenwood Creek Bridge labor Day Weekend and not letting any cars through until some politician signed the proper papers. John said he would join me in the trenches.

A day later I stopped by John's house to pick up the tape and found that John had passed away six hours earlier.

I knew he had been in poor health, that his life was touch and go, but damn it.

John has been a major player in and behind the scenes of Greenwood/Elk and up and down our coast. He had no fear of calling up and expressing his opinion to whichever bureaucracy was accountable, from his old favorite, Cal Trans on up to the powers that be in Sacramento, yet he maintained his humor, wit and generosity.

Our hearts go out to Peg. Greenwood/Elk is going to miss him.

August 31.

Sometimes this column is hard to write. This is one of those times. It was a rough week. The loss of John Frankel, here in Elk and the loss of Victor Biondo in Mendocino has made it a solemn time. John completed his life on a high note where as Victor...

Well, I was in Victor's last group. I sensed his being empty and used up but not knowing him very well, I just thought he was being very private about himself, after all, we were there to work on our problems, not his. And work on our problems we did. Even with nothing to give, he gave. I just wish we had known how serious it was. I wish we had collected some money and sent him off on a vacation, something. But I also sense he wouldn't have gone. He was geared to give but he wouldn't receive. I don't know why.

I do know that in the days since, I have thought about the sunny days he is missing, the parties and friends and wine and love he is missing.

It didn't have to be. For him there could have been one more day and he didn't want it.

So now what?

We just get on with it. Maybe with a little more care and love for each other.

I helped put the finishing touches on Leroy and Elvis Scarioni's demolition derby car they have been preparing behind the Elk Garage. It is pretty spectacular. Elvis is going to drive it in the Labor Day demolition derby in Fort Bragg. This is the second year they have entered. If it survives the event they will have it in the Great Day Parade.

I talked to Eijler about the oil he has been finding out along our coast. He said that there is more but the globs are not as big. Eijler did take one of the Coast Guard folks out in his row boast for a up close and personal inspection. I guess the overall consensus is that oil spills have to be just the right size. Not too big and not too small in order to respond to them.

I went down to Point Arena to see the movie, "Dead Poet's Society". Great film. I liked it a lot. Even more, I love that theater. From the great ticket booth to the wonderful popcorn and dynamite double dipped chocolate raisins. That theater doesn't feel like a cattle pen where the herd is processed through twelve times a day like the Coast Twin, the Sea Tac Six, the L.A. Forty or the Tokyo Two thousand.

Bert the Log Truck Driver and his wife Hallie had another successful event at the Roadhouse last Saturday night. I was careful to not 'Wax Eloquent' about it before hand but still wound up having to put my name on a list and taking a walk. Shush you all. Don't tell any more of your friends. Enough already.

And while I'm on it. Don't tell anyone else about the Great Day in Elk. You don't want to have to stand around in line at that event either, do you? Let's keep this one to ourselves. Just send them off to some wine tasting over in Philo or better yet, Yuba City.

Like the T-shirt I saw in Alder Point.

"Send more tourists.

The last ones were...

Delicious."

September 7th.

Great news! Elvis Scarioni won a trophy in a grudge match at the Fort Bragg Labor Day Demolition Derby. Not only did he manage to keep the car intact but with only a little trimming of some smashed metal around a rear wheel the car will be able to be one of the main features of our Great Day Parade. Yeah! Pomo Power!

Speaking of Great Day. Once again a huge marching band will lead our parade. This years version is called the U.C. Davis Alumni Maverick Marching Band, or something like that. I didn't have a pencil at the time I received the news.

One more item. September 9th, this Saturday, there will be a pre Great Day get together at the Community Center to prepare for the up coming event. Come on down, join the fun and give us a hand. The usual time. Around 11:00 o'clock on.

Sorry to learn that my Beacon Editor, Linda Daly, is moving on to greater things. She was very tolerant of me and my haphazard column writing. I have been playing at this for two and a half years and am already on my fourth editor. Makes me feel like an old timer. I wish her well.

I was up at Parker Mills' last week when CAMP came swooping down into the Greenwood/Elk watershed. It appears they found a garden about three miles up Greenwood Creek. They harvested the crop via helicopter, dropping off a crew to cut and wrap and then flew the goods out, returning later to pick up the crew. The helicopter was very low, I was looking down on it as it made its various trips in and out. Also the place they were working in was down in the fog requiring some serious flying. The whole thing is rather strange if you stop to think about it.

I noticed Kendrick out pounding stakes into the ground on his property across Highway One from the Greenwood Pier. It looks like the house moving is starting to get under way.

I also noticed a lot of activity at the PG&E sub station, just up the Greenwood/Philo Road. Looks like new transformers and other related equipment is being installed.

Speaking of the Greenwood/Philo Road, I have been meaning to mention the care the County Road Crew took while doing the roadside mowing. They carefully skipped over the lily - like flowers we generally call 'Naked Ladies'. We appreciate that.

As I write this we are in the midst of the Labor Day weekend, surrounded by a nice gentle fog. Only the best for our out of town guests. Two of the major Greenwood/Elk Labor Day events I noticed was the one dollar hot dog and coke special at the Elk Store and the half priced close out of last years Great Day sweat shirts and T-shirts in front of the Huckaby house. And, our gas station was closed on Sunday, in the midst of the holiday, as usual. How can you not love a place like this.

I have pretty much stayed out of the fray, conserving my energies for Great Day in Elk when the REAL party commences.

One more thing. Kudos to Tim O'Flaherty and Peter Talbert for the patching up of the planter box and general clean up in front of the Oasis. It looks much better.

September 14th.

Have you ever gotten sucked into a strange idea?

Somehow or other, Bob Matson decided that what the Great Day in Elk Parade really needed was an elephant.

Unfortunately, without considering what I was getting into, I said I thought it was a great idea too. That is how I ended up herding an elephant into Greenwood/Elk on a quiet Sunday afternoon, instead of writing this column like I usually do.

Well, actually, at this point the elephant looks more like Bobby Beacon's rusty old John Deere combine, but with care and feeding, Steve Hale, Bob Matson and I are going to produce an Elephant by this coming Saturday.

The first hurtle was breathing life into the beast; rusty linkages, dead battery, old gas, the usual. The second hurtle was herding it into town:

"Oh! The smoke must be coming from the brakes."

I didn't know the emergency brake was on.

Now all that is left to do is the grooming. We'll see and so will you all, this Saturday during the Great Day in Elk Parade. Stand back!

Meanwhile, behind the Community Center, the construction of game booths, the arranging of tables, repair of the barbecue pits and other related items are taking place. I peeked into our refurbished kitchen and was impressed by all that has been accomplished. It really looks good and should be a joy using.

The weather has remained gray and dismal for three weeks and we are all looking forward to that sparkling day that the Great Day is always blessed with. Last year the sun didn't arrive until three in the afternoon, but it did come. Only fools predict the weather around here so let me be the first to predict a great sunny day.

I saw the leading edge of the latest yuppie craze the other day. It is Garfield the Cat again only this time, instead of suction cupped to the inside of the window he is slammed in the trunk with only the last half of him sticking out. I wonder how many millions of dollars of disposable income that idea will take care of.

A short drive up the Greenwood/Philo Road will bring you to the latest effect of Reagan's trickle down economy. Someone dropped off a Chevy Nova with bashed in windows, full of trash, and the engine missing. As I understand it, the funding to pick up these abandoned vehicles has dried up and there is no money available to pay for towing it away. And even if there was, where would it be put? Kendall's in Fort Bragg, the last outfit on the coast to crush old hulks has gone out of business so who will pay to haul it to Ukiah or Santa Rosa? Nope, now it is our roadside attraction. Enjoy.

Karen Mathis is putting together excellent dinners now at the Roadhouse Cafe, every Friday and Saturday evening except the last Saturday of the month when Burt the Log Truck Driver rolls in with his Italian specialties. It looks like Greenwood/Elk finally has a serious restaurant.

Well, that about wraps it up. See you all at the Great Day in Elk. It all starts off with the Parade at 11:00 with the U.C. Davis Maverick Marching Band, the Elk Navy, the Philo Yacht Club, Firetrucks, floats and with luck, an elephant. See you there.

September 21st.

The Fifteenth Annual Great Day in Elk didn't happen this year, or did it?

As most folks, living in Northern California already now, the day of Great Day in Elk started out with a bang around four in the morning. Major lightening and thunder soon to be joined by wind and heavy rain as the tail end of a hurricane from the south met a storm from the north right over our Mendocino Coast. The first thought in many local minds was, "Oh NO!" The parade, the games, the signs, the art and crafts booths. Oh No!

Then the power went out and fortunately, soon the phones.

I say fortunately, because the lack of phones kept us from finding out if our big event was still on or what. Folks started drifting into town, gathering in the downpour at the Community Center to find out what was going on. A few stout souls started scrounging together some extension cords, a couple of portable generators and sheets of plastic. Soon the firehouse bar blender was hooked up and Margaritas started to appear. The party started struggling to its feet.

Outdoor booths and games were jury rigged inside the community center and fire house; more folks arrived. Gobs of soggy cardboard were soaked with charcoal starter fluid and the barbecue slowly smoldered to life. Bales of hay were broken open and scattered over the mud puddles and soon the Maverick U.C. Davis Marching band arrived with a flourish, instruments wrapped in garbage bags. Spirits soared higher as the storm weakened.

Propane gas stoves in the community center kitchen and our gravity fed town water system allowed the fine lunch prepared by Terry Garner and staff to stay on track and soon Great Day was on a roll.

Afternoon drumming and dance, more music, more crafts and games, the cake auction and the original plan started to take shape.

By late afternoon the sirloin and chicken started coming off the barbee while another passing shower bunched up friends and neighbors once again under plastic lean tos, and sheds. That special camaraderie started breaking out amongst us survivors as we realized that this Great Day was a special event just for the hardy types, up and down the coast. If you weren't there, it didn't happen. If you were there, it was one of the best times yet. Not as a money making event but more as an end of the season party, just like back in the good ol' days.

The final treat was having that great band Kojota all to ourselves. All that music in our Community Center and plenty of room to dance! A fitting reward for perseverance!

So, for the first time in fifteen years, the Great Day in Elk was rained out.

Or was it?

September 28th.

It's that time of year again as C.A.M.P. (the Campaign Against Maroon Peugeots) swings into action.

Friends and neighbors studiously look the other way, not wanting to be identified as possible owners as the C.A.M.P. Kops tromp through our backyards, peering into garages and under trees.

Now and then a Maroon Peugeot is spotted and a helicopter with its powerful magnet descends to lock on to the roof, jerking it free from its resting place, hauling it up and away to the waiting jaws of the compactor.

Local Chevy and Ford owners are elated, glad to be rid of them, hoping the Maroon Peugeot owners will abandon their way and buy American.

Dodge and GMC folks are relieved, knowing that it is now safe to walk through the neighborhood without coming across a Maroon Peugeot and possibly the owners.

Former Maroon Peugeot owners consider their loss and wonder what they are going to do for transportation.

Yet, as the Campaign Against Maroon Peugeots continues and the government exhorts the civilians to just say no to Maroon Peugeot dealers, the value of Maroon Peugeots keeps rising, making those, willing to take the risk, rich enough to eventually buy a red BMW.

Great Day in Elk did surprisingly well considering the circumstances. I am told we "More than broke even". You folks that did attend were very generous, making the raffle, cake auction, bar, lunch and dinners all profitable. We want to thank you all.

Speaking of the raffle. The names of the winners are posted at the Elk Store and also at the Roadhouse. Please pick up your winnings by the end of September. Items not picked up will be re drawn for and the new winners announced until all the items are gone. Great Day in Elk continues, along with the memories. Contact Leah Almenrode, 877-3517

October 5th.

Well, I wonder where this column will end up next. I seem to be getting a tour of the paper. Three weeks ago I got to rub elbows with Jacques Helfer, then up to the front page and last week I was found on the top left corner of page two. Where next? The want ads?

I looks like we are slipping into our fall weather pattern; clear, cool, with strong winds out of the North. The recent rains have sure greened up everything and the mushrooms are out in force.

There will be a good bye party for Powder and LeAnn at the Community Center Sunday, October 8th, from 4 until 7, consisting of Dinner and Music by Powder and LeAnn. Authentic New Mexico Cuisine (appropriate because they are moving to New Mexico), consisting of enchiladas, beans, rice, salsa and chips. A $10.00 donation, or whatever you can spare is asked to help finance their transition.

The restoration crew at our Post Office building have pretty much finished their work. The new foundation is completed, rotted floor joists replaced, subfloor and flooring installed. New wiring and ceiling insulation is in place. All that remains at this point is the final installation of some windows and a general clean up. The original windows had the unique feature of being able to pivot out, yet weather tight when closed because of a spring loaded wood weather strip built into the window perimeter. When talking to the crew they told me they have never seen that type of system before and they have restored a lot of old buildings. Even so, they faithfully copied that type of weather seal while making replacements windows for those that were rotted beyond saving. I am told that the park service will take care of the remaining interior painting and finishing touches.

In regard to that huge cocaine discovery down in L.A. last week... How can something be worth $2,000,000,000.00 to $10,000,000,000.00 in the hands of those guys and worth $0.00 in the hands of these guys?

October 12th.

It is a fine Sunday afternoon. Greenwood/Elk has a yellow autumn sun shining down upon us with very light, moist fog drifting in from the sea.

I just finished the breakfast special, over at the Roadhouse Cafe, called "The Roadhouse Bennie"; two eggs Benedict, Roadhouse fries, fruit and coffee that equals or surpasses the Eggs Benedict of the Egghead up in Fort Bragg. If you haven't checked out Wayne's cooking (he's the latest addition to Sue's kitchen staff), you're missing something. Wayne Walker used to cook for Molfino's in Fort Bragg. Top notch.

Greenwood/Elk's Steve Garner won best of show at the Boonville Fair, Art work category, which included first prize for 'Portraits and Figures'. He also picked up a third place in marine watercolors. Closer to home, Steve had two entries accepted into the Self Portrait show that opens at the Mendocino Art Center this week.

I went up to the Mendocino Art Center, last Wednesday evening, to see Taylor Lockwood's audio visual presentation of his recent trip to Russia. I was a little early and happened to catch Joan and Rusty Gates in the final process of hanging the above mentioned Self Portrait show. Not only did I see Steve's paintings but, surprise, surprise, there was Isabel Petty, hanging in the corner, twice! Interesting show and interesting concept. How does the artist view him/herself. From straight forward to zany.

Now then. Back to Russia.

Taylor went over as part of a "Mushroom Diplomacy Group". For several years Taylor has been taking wonderful photos of mushrooms and presenting a slide show, with music, that is really spectacular.

According to Taylor, the Russians are really into mushrooms and the chance to see what grows over there and to show them the photos he has taken locally was a great opportunity. The first part of his presentation set the mood as he showed a series of slides while playing back a recording he had made of Russian folk singers and the clackity clack of the Trans Siberian Railway. The second part of the presentation consisted of more slides, open to questions and answers. I am sure that if enough folks ask they will be able to get Taylor to 'show it again', the first showing being rather spur of the moment and receiving only a small audience.

A joke, overheard in the second grade (in Fort Bragg):

"What is the difference between Broccoli and boogers?"

"Kids don't eat Broccoli."

I know. I know. Horrible, but it's the first joke I've heard in months. I'm glad to learn that there are still some folks out there with a sense of humor. Somehow, in recent months, it seems that everything is too serious. It must be time to get in the firewood.

October 19.

I was sitting in my VW bus atop Greenwood Ridge, waiting for the signal to come bursting through. Rumor was that KZYX Philo was coming on the air around noon, Sunday, October 15th. I was ready. My dial was cranked to 90.7 FM. The second hand was sweeping up to the appointed hour. All of a sudden the background static ceased and 'dead air' was coming out of my speakers. The clock ticked on... and on... Then boom. 12:06 PM KZYX was on the air. Yippee!

Later in the afternoon I drove down the Greenwood/Philo road into Elk. Usually, whatever I'm listening to fades out down around Bill Edison's and by the time I'm in Elk, forget it.

Not today. Here, there, everywhere, Public Radio. Our public radio. Folks like us.

Next, the true test. I went inside my home, my good old 1959 Airstream trailer. Now, completely surrounded by aluminum, I tuned in my portable FM radio. Radio Philo? Are you still with me? Yippee! Throw out the Tee Vee, toss out the VCR. Real radio is finally here. Anybody want to buy a used satellite dish?

I had a life threatening experience the other evening. It all started when Burt, the log truck driver mentioned he was looking for a waiter. My mistake was telling him I would give it a try if he couldn't find anyone else. To make a long story short, there I was, on the wrong side of the counter last Saturday evening with my Mount Rushmore tie cinched up tight around my neck. Heck of a deal.

Having never done this before I soon discovered that there were two realities at play. On one level, folks were sitting there, enjoying the candle light, the wine, salad, French bread, the main course and each other. On the other level there was this wild eyed heart pounding panic!

I had thought, going in, that it would just be a lark, something to write about in my column, but I must confess, it soon became a blur. What happened between five and ten thirty? Yeah. That's what I would like to know. I guess we had fun.

Fortunately, Burt also brought in a real waitress, Laurie, and she saved my bacon. She waited on the out of town folks and I abused the locals. I figured since they knew me they might be more tolerant. I was right. That and Burt and Hallie's fine food which satisfied everyone.

One item did stick in my mind. Right around closing time some folks showed up for dinner and mentioned they were looking for a place to stay. They were surprised to find all the inns they had checked were full. I said I would look into it. I called Kendrick. His establishment was full but he said to try the Old Hospital House. Leah Almenrode had a room and I reported the good news to our out of town visitors.

Later I discovered they were from Hayfork. It is a good thing they don't get the Mendocino Beacon up that way. I panned their town a few months ago.

Burt normally cooks the last Saturday of the month but this time he was filling in for Karen Mathis who was 'doing a wedding'. Karen will be back this Friday and Saturday evening with a special 'Fresh Fish Fry'. See you there.

You can bet I'll be on the right side of the counter this time.

October 26th.

My friend, Mr. Huckaby, has been after me for several months to write a column for A&E Magazine 'covering' the South Coast. A year or two ago I would have been hot to do it but, as time has gone by I have become more concerned about what happens when one 'waxes eloquent' about a place. Not that everyone actually follows my advise, my columns mainly become fire starter and bird cage liner, I know that but yet, if by chance a few folks did happen to follow my lead, the next time I visited my favorite restaurant or camp site I would find myself harder pressed to 'get away from it all'.

The whole process of touting a place seems to me, counter productive.

Yet, the offer intrigues me. The thought comes to mind about writing about the culverts of the South Coast. Parnum construction passed through this area last summer replacing and upgrading the culverts. Each one is unique, matching the projected demand; here a simple corrugated pipe, there a concrete lined tunnel. It could be interesting but it doesn't seem to generate much excitement in Mr. Huckaby's mind.

I could write about my Point Arena Theater experience:

It seems I wanted to see a particular movie. The schedule had arrived in the mail the month before. I looked over the offering, made my selection and noted the dates on my calendar.

When the day finally arrived, a Friday, I knocked off work early, got cleaned up, stopped by the Roadhouse Cafe for a bite to eat and roared off to Point Arena, hoping to arrive in time for the seven o'clock start. I arrive with five minutes to spare. The place was closed. I looked at the marquee. "When Harry met Sally" Wed - Sun. Damn. I thought sure there was a showing Friday. Oh well. Nothing to do but climb back into the bus and mosey on home.

I stopped at S&B Market in Manchester during the return trip, bought a few items and picked up a Mendocino Commentary. When I got home I settled down, opened up the Commentary and read Raven, Harry, Carol, Charlie and Marco. Flipping to the back page I noticed the Point Arena movie Schedule. "When Harry met Sally". Wed, Fri, Sat, and Sun. 8:00 PM.

Ah! There was a showing Friday after all. The problem was I was an hour early!

Well shucks. What can I do about being an idiot. If I had only asked around, struck up a conversation with a Point Arena native, stopped in the bar for a beer, something. A fifty mile round trip for nothing. It was weird to be back home knowing that the movie I had driven out of my way to see was in progress without me, but then, that is the South Coast. Somehow, I am out of phase with that area. It is a different place, a place I don't understand, don't mesh well with.

Oh, it seems nice enough. I love the main drag of Point Arena. It looks just like Fremont, Nebraska, back in 1946. But, the more I think about it, even that time and place doesn't sit well with me either. Something about my formative years. A strange time after the war and before the end. I didn't know anything. Which pretty much explains my knowledge of the South Coast. I guess I best leave it alone.

November 2nd.

The whales are starting to pass by and yesterday I saw a line of thirty one pelicans heading south. Time for the light weights to skeedaddle while the rest of us hunker down for winter.

With the holiday season approaching you might want to stop by our new pottery shop, here in Greenwood/Elk. Eileen Goldwyn has hung up her shingle beside the door to her home and studio. Eileen moved to Elk eighteen years ago, then left for seven years and recently returned. Her home is just south of the Buchannan House, on the ocean side.

Eileen has a variety of cups, bowls, platters, vases and so on. Some hand thrown, some coil work and others, slab. Stop by, when the pottery sign is hanging up, your more than welcome. The prices are very reasonable.

I have been having a lot of fun this past week straightening out my friends and neighbors.

I saw Bill Edison in front of the Elk Store and asked him if he has been listening to KZYX? He said the radio in his car doesn't work very well. "Give me the keys!" I plopped down in his car, inserted the key and crank the radio knob down towards the low end of the FM band.

Boom! "There you go Bill."

"My God! That radio has never worked before."

I called Lewis Martin...

"I only have a cheap radio. It doesn't work very well. I barely get anything. Wait a minute and I'll give it a try."

I hear him walk off into the other room and suddenly I can hear the music. Presto!

I stop by the Huckaby House.

"Hey, you guys listening to Walter Green?"

Soon, they are.

Saturday morning I call Suzanne McKinnley in Fort Bragg. "Hey! You listening to Patricia Rude telling stories on KZYX?"

It has been amazing. Listening to "All Things Considered", I have learned more than previous hours spent with National Network Tee Vee. I mean, real news, in depth.

Marco McClean kept me up past two in the morning, listening to his wild stuff.

Odd Bob Avery and his comedy show. Valorie Tree and her wonderful Bach in the afternoon. The Edge of Rock program. Walter Green and his insight to the world of professional musicians.

I mean, most stations have professional announcers, that is their trade. How often do you get to hear a symphony bassoonist host a program?

I have been taping various programs. I have to make a trip to Seattle soon and I am adding them to my usual survival supplies; Thanksgiving coffee, Mendocino Wine, Bruce Bread and Elk Water.

Speaking of Bruce Bread. How is it that the salesman for Alvarado Bakery can tell the Elk Store that if they don't stop carrying Bruce Bread, he will stop delivering to our store? Not only does Bruce make great bread, he also donates to the programming of KZYX. Back off, Alvarado.

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