Bennett Valley Voice

BENNETT VALLEY VOICE VOL. 11 NO. 1

Bennett Valley Homeowners Assoc.

February 1988

Bha Board Of Directors

Lerry Babineaux, President Dave Steiner, Vice President Nancy Batson, Secretary Bill Wright, Treasurer Michael Bates Tamara Boultbee Marilyn Franc Bill Jacobs Wells Wagner

New Board Members

We welcome to our Board of Directors two new faces, Bill Wright and Wells Wagner. As you will see they have both dug in with both feet and are hard at work. Bill Wright has served on the fire board for a number of years and is the new Treasurer.

Wells Wagner is a vineyardist and agriculturalist in the valley and is heading our road safety committee.

Memo From The Board

The Results Of The Bennett Valley Homeowners Association Road Safety Survey

are partially summarized below. The responses will be analyzed (comments, speed and ideas to make our roads safer) by the areas from which the responses originated: Holland Heights and BV Road from the city Estates-BHOA; BV Road from Woodside Club Estates Ridge Community Association; Bennett RidgeBennett Ridge Community Association; Grange Rd. and Crane Canyon Rd. -BVHOA; Pressley Rd. to Sonoma Mt. Rd. -BHOA; Sonoma Mt. Road to Enterprise Rd.

and BV Road to Warm Springs Rd. - Enterprise/Sonoma Mt. HOA. The representatives from each of these organizations comprise THE ROAD SAFETY COMMITTEE, WELLS

Wagner, Chairman.

The individual groups will make recommendations to the full ROAD SAFETY COMMITTEE who will compile the results for presentation to the Board of Directors of the Bennett Valley Homeowners Association for review. Once approved, the report will be submitted to Janet Nicholas for implementation by the County Road Department.

Although we had planned to submit the report to Janet in December, the to be much more work then anticipated especially the comments) and it will be early spring before the full report is ready. the meantime, I have an appointment with Janet for Monday, February 8th to give her a progress report.

At that meeting I will also discuss with Janet her ideas for an Anti-Litter Campaign for the Valley. Janet wrote the BHOA voicing her concerns for preservation of the beauty and rural character of the Valley. suggested installing signs at all entrances to the Valley informing travelers that they "Are Entering Scenic Bennett Valley-Please Do Not Litter and Obey All Speed Limits" The actual wording of the signs would be heavily influenced by the BHOA. Wells Wagner is chairman of the committee to work with Janet to implement this plan.

He will use the same membership comprising the Road Safety Committee. This a tremendous opportunity to have a road clean up day throughout the Valley recommendations on how to implement a regular litter pickup. information will be forthcoming as plans are solidified. As all of you are aware the Valley suffered a series of annoying brownouts and blackouts late last year to the point that the irritation residents became local news in The Press Democrat.

complained to P.G.& E. and to the P.U.C. from Leo Conner, Division Manager for P.G.& E. Mr. Conner wanted to inform me what P.G.& E. had done to solve the blackouts and brownouts that had plagued our Valley for years.

computer that distributes power had seriously underestimated the power requirements of the Valley and no one was "questioning the computer" it was finally realized what the the real problem was, the allocated amperage from the Bellevue Station to the Valley was increased from 90 amps Conner requested that I communicate this, to the Valley residents and should further problems develop to call him at 579-6360.

In conclusion, we are entering a very productive year for accomplishing our goal of preserving the RURAL AND AGRICULTURE NATURE OF THE BENNETT VALLEY. There are plans by the County Road Department for various road improvement projects; these will be reviewed by the Board of Directors of the BHOA for conformance to THE RURAL AND AGRICULTURE NATURE OF THE BV. Michael Bates heads an "ad hoc" committee which is attempting to halt the problem of building permits being issued through the Planning Department without going through our Bennett Valley Design Taking on the County is no small task but a necessary one to all residents new and old alike.

I consider success in this effort as the most important project we have undertaken this year. Look for an update on this in the next

Voice. Attend The Meetings - We Need More Fingers.

Terry Babineaux (The following is a partial summary of the road survey)

Bennett Valley Homeowners Association Road Safety Survey

Many people are concerned about the traffic problems throughout Bennett Valley--primarily the speed and improper passing. Would you please take a few moments to answer the following questions? Please feel free to make any comments as we need to know precisely what B.V. residents feel on this Do you feel the current speed limits in the Bennett Valley are too high?

On: Bennett Valley Road Grange Road Crane Canyon Road Sonoma Mountain Road, Upper Sonoma Mountain Road, Lower Pressley Road Enterprise Road Yes: 142: 61.47% Yes: 96 : 50.53% Yes: 83 : 45.11% Yes: 67 : 47.52% Yes: 73 : 49.66% Yes: 58 43.61% Yes: 54 42.86% No: 89: 38.53% No: 94 : 49.47% No: 101: No: 74 54.89% 52.48% No: 74 50.34% No: 75 56.39% No: 72 : 57.14% It has been suggested that roads should be double stripped to prevent passing, in whole or in part. Do you agree?

If yes, which areas do you feel should be double stripped? All roads: Factored in results below Bennett Valley Road: Entire Length: 89: 40.09% Bennett Valley Road: Curves Only: 133: 59.91% Grange Road Ent Length: 10: 5.4% Grange Road : Curves Only : 88: 46.56% Crane Canyon Road: Entire Length: 106: 55.79% Crane Canyon Road: Curves Only : 84: 44.21% Sonoma Mountain Rd.: Entire Length: 86: 54.43% Sonoma Mountain Rd.: Curves 45.57% Pressley Road :Entire 71: 50.00% Pressley Road 50.00% Enterprise Road 63: 49.22% Enterprise Road : Curves Only : 65: 50.78%

Design Review Vacancy

There is a vacancy on the Design Review Board. If you are interested or know someone who is please contact George Nostrant at 546-5960 or one of the BHA Board Members.

1988 Membership Dues Are Due

We thank all past and present members for their support this past year. We had a great turnout on elections night and a large and welcome response on the road survey issue. For those of you who are not members; being a BHA member will help to keep you up to date on issues and information in our Bennett Valley Study District regarding land use, raod issues, general plan updates, and local history by receiving the VOICE, our quarterly newsletter.

As well our monthly meetings are open to all members and residents to voice your opinoins and concerns on issues at hand. The meetings are held at the Firehouse on the 3rd Wednesday at 7:30 PM. Thanks again to all for your strong and helpful support.

Sonoma Valley, during certain seasons of the year the decending sun would center behind this shapely peak creating quite a pleasant effect. Hence the Indian name • This same name, Yulupa, was given to the first rancho created from the lands surrounding Yulupa Mountain and deeded from Vallejo to Miguel Alvarado.

Alvarado was a soldier who had served at the presidios in Sonoma, San Franciso and Santa Barbara. He gave ranching a try for a while but abandoned his effort after war began in California in 1846. Mariano Vallejo reclaimed the land (tha land encompassed 3 leagues of land) but only after an extensive court battle.

Source - History of Sonoma Co. caL., Vol. 1; Honoria Tuomey, 1926.

Writers Wanted

Due to increasing workload on behalf of the board we are seeking members who would be interested in writing articles of historical and current interest for the VOICE. We are not asking for any one of you to sign for a 3 year stint but rather a part time or once written article of interest. Please contact Marilyn Franc for more information at 527-9347 or any one of the board.

Y-Lupa Or Ya-Lupa

Much has been said about the proper way to pronouce YULUPA and the word's origin. According to Dr. Platon, M.G. Vallejo (he was General Vallejo) Yulupa is an Indian word pronounced It means literally, "near the sea plunge" or "place of the sunset". the conical mountain we know as Bennett Peak was named Yulupa. Due to its location, lying to the west of the

Dairies In Bennett Valley?

Editor's Note: This article first appeared on the VOICE, July 1982 and was written by past president and board member Warren Watkins. Now that the old Guenza Dairy is back in full operation, we thought you might enjoy catching up on some of the Dairies history in the Valley• In previous newsletter articles we have written about early agricultural pursuits in the Bennett Valley area.

There were the vast acreages of vineyards around the turn of the century which were destroyed by disease and subsequently removed. Only recently have grapes made a significant comeback here using pest resistant varieties. Even more recently, as has been reported, wineries have been established. But the question of what happened agriculturally here between the two wine grape booms has not been addressed.

Well, a little talk and research has revealed that MANY farm and ranch efforts had their day in and around the valley. In the early 1900's there was some timbering. Also, apple, pear and walnut orchards were planted during these years, and substantial numbers of turkeys and

The Bennett

Membership Dues

Valley Homeowners Association

1988 $5.00

New Membership

OCCUPATION 7.00 $5.00 RENEWAL (Please Print) NAME ADDRESS Please make checks payable to Bennett Valley Homeowners Assoc., and send in by March Enclosed is a return envelope for your convenience. Send to: Bennett Valley Homeowner's Assoc., P.O. Box 2666, Santa Rosa, California 95405.

sheep were raised. Most of these regular sights here, originally taking activities are now minimal or nonthe milk in the familiar 10 gallon existent. Additionally, our dairies galvanized cans and later hauling it off in stainless steel tanker trucks. was somewhat surprising to Of all the dairies in operation, only me to discover that the dairy industhe Walker dairy chose to process its try, which thrived in the 1930-60 milk and deliver it locally to stores years, was probably the most dominant and homes.

Remember the refillable single purpose business ever to locate GLASS milk bottles at your doorstep? In fact, at one time there were The closure of the Mitchell in excess of 13 grade A dairies brothers and Jacobs dairies in the (processed into milk) 1960's ended the industry here.

dairies (processed into cheese, etc.) more modern dairies were in in the area stretching from the city of operation in the San Joaquin Valley. Santa Rosa to Enterprise Road and feed costs had increased between Bennett Peak and Pressley Road. the region became popular for was the Sartori dairy near homesites, horses, and golfing.

Bennett Valley market, the Dedekam Labor costs became prohibitive when dairy at the golf course, the Mitchell automatic milkers and new barn designs brothers dairy at Matanzas Creek dam, came into use. Poor health of some and the Gambonini, Carithers dairy long-time dairymen forced them to where the landmark white Carithers home shut down, and large ranches were stands today.

Up the valley, the divided into smaller ones. Some of the LaFranconi dairy is now Matanzas Creek cattle herds we see today in Bennett Winery and vineyard, the Walker dairy Valley are reminders of the once was across from the Woodside developdominant industry. The dairy herds ment, and the Jacobs and Burnside included Jersey, Guernsey, and Holstein.

dairies were in the center of the valley Each dairyman had his favorite breed. behind Walker's. Further south was the Some said the Holstein gave the most latio brothers dairy on Enterprise Road. milk but with lower milkfat. The remaining grade A dairies included liked the Jersey because of its high the Orr dairy along Pressley Road, the fat content, but it yielded fewer Guenza brothers operation at the end gallons.

The Guernsey, I was told, of Guenza Road (of course!), the was a compromise but had potential Rucker dairy nearby, and the Moller problems. dairy on Crane Canyon Road. This Other remnants of the dairy era completes the loop around the valley. are still visible.

Some of the lakes The numerous grade B dairy operations and ponds we see along the roads today sold their product for cheese making were created to service the massive or used it in animal feed. needs for water by dairies. dairies were largely located that are visible include the old Matanzas along Grange Road or off BennettValley Creek Winery building which was a former milk barn.

Other milk barns have become You might ask "why did all these nice homes as evidenced at the old dairies locate in Bennett Valley?" Rucker dairy, now a veal operation. "What happened to all the dairies?". The milk barn on the Jacobs ranch First, I am told, the region was chosen remains untouched since the last cow because of its good climate, plentiful walked out in the early 1960'g.

water, abundant feed, well-drained soil and proximity to markets in Santa Rosa, Marin, and San Francisco. Milk trucks from Petaluma Co-op (Clover), Golden properties are still standing. Look for these reminders of dairy prominance on your way through the valley. state (later Foremost), Stornetta, Marin Del, Bordens, and Safeway were

Bennett Valley

Homeowners Association

P.O. Box 2666 Santa Rosa, CA 95405