Bennett Valley Voice

BENNETT VALLEY VOICE VOLUME 4 Number 2

Bennett Valley Homeowners Association

April, 1981

Memo From The Board

BVHA

Board Of Directors

1980-81 We are delighted with the tremendous response we've had to our 1981 membership drive. We welcome each of you - both new and renewing members ... and hope you'll become actively President Vice-President Secretary/Treasurer Tamara Boultbee Nancy Batson Barbara Maberry involved. An up-to-date membership roster will be included in our next newsletter as memberTed Chamberlain Max Moberly ships are still trickling in.

Bill Jacobs Paul Mowbray There is before us a very important issueSam Mitchell Warren Watkins that being the proposal by the Episcopal Homes . . . . . ... ... Foundation to annex a portion of rural land . and wooded hillside would, under the Bennett for a senior citizens lifetime care center • Valley Specific Plan, have 7 parcels created (for details, see separate article). We heard with total build-out.) of the proposal in February and requested a We would strongly urge you to become meeting with the Episcopal Homes Foundation familiar with the proposal and be sure to and the Santa Rosa Retirement Foundation repattend the upcoming public hearing so that our resentatives. In March, the hoard met twice area can be well represented.

This is a with them--once informally and again at our critical issue in which we need citizen regular monthly meeting. A number of Bennett involvement! Valley residents as well as Rob Adams, 1st ********** District Supervisor attended our March 18th *****

Public Hearing

**kk meeting. After hearing the plans for the property, asking numerous questions, and discussing the proposal, the board determined that we could not support this proposal. We

Tuesday, April 7, 1981

City Ccuncil Chamber

8:00 P.M. CITY HALL recognize that a senior citizen lifetime care center is most worthwhile and is needed in **********PFFASE_ATTENR.ANP.RF.HEARDL/*******C Sonoma County, but we feel that the community, as well as the senior citizens, would be better served by locating the project within the

Firehouse News

boundaries of the city of Santa Rosa or Sonoma. The General Plans of Santa Rosa and Sonoma County indicate that the city boundary should extend no further than the golf course and park. Under these plans, a natural buffer zone is created between urban and rural uses.

We feel that retention of this buffer zone and the designated city boundary is extremely important - that to grant such an exception would have serious ramifications. Of concern, too, is the leap-frogging across open space to place a high density development on agriculturally viable land plus the increased pressures for future expansion of the urban boundaries should annexation occur. (Note: this property, comprised of fertile flatland The Bennett Valley Volunteer Firemen held their semi-annual breakfast on Sunday, March 8 1981 at the fire station. Turnout was great with the firemen serving approximately 750 people.

Raffle prizes were won by Mrs. Royal MoShea-a $100 gift certificate to A&B Market, and Tony Worman-a $50 gift certificate to A&F Market. The firemen wish to thank all those who contributed so generously to the breakfast effort and all those who attended as well.

Proceeds from this breakfast are to go toward the purchase of a portable radio for the pumper engine and a chain saw with carbide blades. Additionally, approximately $500 will (continued)

Firehouse News Cont.

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Senior Citizen Cont.

be used to purchase a kit of major 1st Aid medIn order to meet requirements for entry ical supplies to set up an emergency 1st Aid into such a facility, one must be 60 years of Station at the firehouse. In the event of a age or older, in good health(a physical is natural disaster such as an earthquake, when required with allowances granted for conditions major medical facilities might be unavailable, common to seniors of like age) and financially such a 1st Aid station could provide basic ahle to assume the current and long-term costs.

medical care until facilities become available. (The Foundation tries to insure that residents One kit provides supplies for approximately. 50 will be able to afford costs throughout their people and the fire department hopes to have stay in order to keep subsidies to residents at two kits, eventually. This program is part of a minimum since any future financial difficulties a county-wide organizational effort.

of a resident are borne by the Foundation.) All of our volunteers are 1st Aid and Originally, siting of a senior citizens CPR qualified and several are taking EMT (Emer- facility like this was planned for property gency Medical Technician) courses which is a south of Bennett Valley Road and Farmers Lane.

step closer to full paramedic qualification. That site was dropped because development costs In the event of a serious medical situation, were determined to be more than the developers fire department personnel can provide valuable wished to spend. Another site currently under interim care until the ambulance arrives.

One consideration is in Sonoma. call to the fire station not only brings prompt In order to build such a facility on the assistance but they can notify the ambulance proposed site, the property would have to be service for you. annexed by the city of Santa Rosa, and would require an amendment to the Santa Rosa General Plan.

The Santa Rosa City Council has set a

Senior Citizen Lifetime Care Center

Proposed For Bennett Valley

public pre-annexation hearing on this proposal for April 7, 1981 at 8:00PM at City Hall. A11 residents are urged to attend this hearing! A senior citizens lifetime care facility is being proposed for Bennett Valley by the Episcopal Homes Foundation from Lafayette, a non-profit, charitable organization with four other facilities in Northern California. (Pacific Grove, Los Gatos, San Francisco, and Oakland) The proposed site is the property just south of the Bennett Valley Golf Course--a parcel of approximately 86 acres. Plans call for 300 dwelling units (probably 200 at the start) on the flat portion of the property.

Units would include two-story apartment style housing as well as houses up to six rooms in size. In addition to housing, there would be buildings for administration, library, recreation and Hould be but dings dining, a chapel, a 50 bed medical center/hospital and an auditorium with 150 seating capacity. Full medical care would be provided (with some exceptions) as well as maid service, meals and use of all common facilities.

This center is aimed toward the "middle income" senior. Costs at such a facility include an entry fee ranging, presently, between $30,000-$100,000 depending on the size of unit chosen, plus a monthly maintenance fee ranging (at other facilities) between $650 and $1150 per month, adjustable for inflation.

The entry fee is designed to cover construction costs or mortgage while the maintenance fee is designed to cover medical, meal and any convalescent costs. According to Dr. Darby Betts, Episcopal Homes Foundation, the average life expectancy at one of these centers is 13 years, based on actuarial tables. Upon the death of a resident, the unit is then resold.

(continued)

New Park In Bennett Valley

The Dan Galvin Community Park, adjacent to the Bennett Valley Golf Course, is nearing completion of its first phase of development and will be open to the community sometime in mid-summer. The weather is a major factor in determining the exact date. This lovely 18 acre addition to the city park system will feature six tennis courts, two soccer fields, and a parking area for approximately 70 cars.

Subsequent development of the park will include the addition of six tennis courts (with lights, hopefully), a softball diamond, childrens' play area, and picnic area and facilities. Pleasing boundary definition with shrubs and trees will be part of the landscaping. Just how soon these completions and improvements take place is dictated by the availability of funds.

The late Dan Galvin, a Vice President for Exchange Bank, was greatly interested in sports and through his community involvement he made memorable contributions to sports and youth activities in Santa Rosa. For many years he served on the Santa Rosa City Recreation and Parks Commission, and as chairman of the commission. The Bennett Valley Golf Course came to a successful completion through his efforts and his chairing of the citizens' committee to acquire and develop the present site.

Dan Galvin was co-founder and chairman of the annual Sports Celebrity Banquet held in Santa Rosa. He was associated with this fund-raising event for many years, and positive contributions to the community have been the result.

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"Tell 'Em Joe Sent You •••"

I recently enjoyed visiting with Beacon and Marilyn Lum at their Crane Canyon Road home ot ocean and the afternoon that was view of trees, pastures, and distant hills which in itself makes their property attractive. And, although there is much that is awe-inspiring about the old place, which the Lums bought just 7 months ago, there is much more to discover than meets the visitor's eye.

I've lived in Bennett Valley several years, but I'm by no means an "old-timer", so I had only lately learned there is a house in the valley with the reputation of having been a "speak-easy". Needless to say, the Lums themselves must have been even more surprised when their children began returning from their new schools with tales of strange questions asked by other students: "Was there really gambling in your house?" "Have you found any secret passageways yet?" The Lums hadn't known their new residence had such an intriguing past, but some of the mystery was explained when a former caretaker, now almost 90, dropped by and shared some memories of the days when he worked for the original owner.

The Lums have been unable to document the house's age through 'County records but believe it was built sometime between 1906 and 1913 by Bailey and Comstock and was the first project for that partnership. The original ranch, owned by a dog breeder named Rand, encompassed 600 acres, extensively planted in pears, and included property on both sides of Crane Canyon Rd.

It took a full year just to prepare the site, clearing and leveling the land with a horse-drawn "Fresno scraper". The architectural style was touted as "Hollywood Mediterranean" when the Lums, who are the l1th owners, became interested in buying; but they've since learned that the structure was patterned after Thomas Jefferson's "Monticello" estate. Joe Banovich, a Santa Rosa realtor who accomplished extensive renovation during his ownership of the house, believes it has a "sister house" located near Rudy Vallee's in Beverly Hills.

There are a couple of the original dog kennels remaining on the grounds, and there is a guest house, where the gardener probhold the tropie on a 100 e And, while the eucalyptus veneer which originally covered the walls is gone now, many of the shelves which must once have displayed awards are still there.

No one I've spoken with has been able to completely confirm the home's speak-easy reputation, but the Lums say it was in this huge room that the Ayers brothers served drinks and ran card games after buying out the financially-troubled Rands around 1929. And the only thing resembling a secret passageway which the present owners have thus far located is a stairway which leads down to the master bedroom closet. This access has long been sealed off, but there are 13 entrances (or exits!) in the house, and a dumb-waiter, which the Lums speculate could still provide a clandestine, if not speedy, getaway from the second floor.

George Crane, a member of the family which has long raised their famous melons nearby, agrees that, at the very least, there was •••a bootlegger or two..." in the house's history, and apparently the Ayers' installed a still in the basement, where the kennel workers had previously cooked dog food three times each day.

The thick, construction brick walls of the house help to maintain a steady 55 temperature in the basement and keep the house itself cool during the summer. But the house is a large one - 5,000 square feet - and it is difficult to imagine heating it in the early days with even 4 fireplaces and the wood or coal-burning kitchen stove.

However, despite its age, the house originally contained such "modern" conveniences as a central vacuum system. The interior has been beautifully refurbished; and, although the kitchen has been substantially remodeled, there are many original features to admire in the remainder of the home. The floor of the dining room is red tile, there is oak in the living room, and the trophy room floor is maple.

There are 6 bathrooms, French doors in every bedroom, beveled glass in all the windows, and, of course, a maid's quarters. The Lums say their two daughters enjoy having friends over, spreading sleeping bags all around the trophy room floor, and sometimes "skating" across it in their sock-feet.

Because Beacon and Marilyn both have large families, their 21'x21' dining room comes in handy when all the relatives gather. Clearly, the old "speak's" new family is happy here, living comfortably in an atmosphere of the grandeur of a by-gone era, with the many amenities left from days when houses were built to last, owners might be in residence only on weekends, and the designers included such thoughtful touches as a special storage unit for your "off-season" wardrobe.

The Lums laugh and say they've found no ghosts, and they seem at ease with whatever old secrets their new home still hides. Carolyn Dowdy

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"Tell 'Em Joe Sent You • •."

I recently enjoyed visiting with Beacon and Marilyn Lum at their Crane Canyon Road home on a clear and sunny afternoon that was erfect for admiring the 180 view of trees, pastures, and distant hills which in itself makes their property attractive. though there is much that is awe-inspiring about the old place, which the Lums bought just 7 months ago, there is much more to discover than meets the visitor's eye.

I've lived in Bennett Valley several years, but I'm by no means an "old-timer" so I had only lately learned there is a house in the valley with the reputation of having been a "speak-easy". Needless to say, the Lums themselves must have been even more surprised when their children began returning from their new schools with tales of strange questions asked by other students: "Was there really gambling in your house?" "Have you found any secret passageways yet?" The Lums hadn't known their new idence had such an intriguing past, but some of the mystery was explained when former caretaker, now almost 90, dropped by and shared some memories of the days when he worked for the original owner.

The Lums have been unable to document the house's age through 'County records but believe it was built sometime between 1906 and 1913 by Bailey and Comstock and was the first project for that partnerThe original ranch, owned by a dog breeder named Rand, encompassed 600 acres, extensively planted in pears, and included property on both sides of Crane Canyon Rd.

It took a full year just to prepare the site, clearing and leveling the land with a horse-drawn "Fresno scraper" The architectural style was touted as "Hollywood Mediterranean" when the Lums, who are the llth owners, became interested in buying; but they've since learned that the structure was patterned after Thomas Jefferson's "Monticello" estate. Joe Banovich, a Santa Rosa realtor who accomplished extensive rennovation during his ownership of the house, believes it has a "sister house" located near Rudy Vallee's in Beverly Hills.

There are a couple of the original dog kennels remaining on the grounds, and there is a guest house, where the gardener probably lived. Rand designed the upper floor of the house as a single 1500 square foot room to hold the trophies won by his collies.

And, while the eucalyptus veneer which originally covered the walls is gone now, many of the shelves which must once have displayed awards are still there. No one I've spoken with has been able to completely confirm the home's speak-easy reputation, but the Lums say it was in this huge room that the Ayers brothers served drinks and ran card games after buying out the financially-troubled Rands around 1929.

And the only thing resembling a secret passageway which the present owners have thus far located is a stairway which leads down the master bedroom closet. This access has long been sealed off, but there are 13 entrances (or exits!) in the house, and a dumb-waiter, which the Lums speculate could still provide a clandestine, if not speedy, getaway from the second floor.

George Crane, a member of the tamily which has long raised their famous melons nearby, agrees that, at the very least, there was ...a bootlegger or two..." in the house's history, and apparently the Ayers' installed a still in the basement, where the kennel workers had previously cooked dog food three times each day.

The thick, construction brick walls of the house help to maintain a steady 55 temperature in the basement and keep the house itself cool during the summer. But the house is a large one - 5,000 square feet - and it is difficult to imagine heating it in the early days with even 4 fireplaces and the wood or coal-burning kitchen stove.

However, despite its age, the house originally contained such "modern" conveniences as a central vacuum system. The interior has been beautifully refurbished; and, although the kitchen has been substantially remodeled, there are many original features to admire in the remainder of the home. The floor of the dining room is red tile, there is oak in the living room, and the trophy room floor is maple.

There are 6 bathrooms, French doors in every bedroom, beveled glass in all the windows, and, of course, a maid's quarters. The Lums say their two daughters enjoy having friends over, spreading sleeping bags all around the trophy room floor, and "skating" across it in their sock-feet.

Because Beacon and Marilyn both have large families, their 21'x21' dining room comes in handy when all the relatives gather. Clearly, the old "speak's" new family is happy here, living comfortably in an atmosphere of the grandeur of a by-gone era, with the many amenities left from days when houses were built to last, owners might be in residence only on weekends, and the designers included such thoughtful touches as a special storage unit for your "off-season" wardrobe.

The Lums Laugh and say they've found no ghosts, and they seem at ease with whatever old secrets their new home still hides. Carolyn Dowdy