Bennett Valley Voice

Bennett Valley VOICE www.bennettvalley.org

Volume 34, Number 5

Bennett Valley Homeowner'S Association (Bvha)

September, 2011

Engaging the Community To Keep Sonoma County Parks Open BVHA will host a special presentation by the The speaker, Lauren Dixon, is originally from Deputy Director of Parks Alliance, Lauren Dixon, Denver, CO. She holds a BA from Washington on Thursday, September 15, 7:00 pm at the BV University in St. Louis, and a Masters of Public Policy Grange Hall on Grange Rd. She will discuss the from the Goldman School of Public Policy at UC local efforts of agencies and individuals to keep our Berkeley. She moved to Sonoma County in September local state parks open.

of last year with her husband, a Sebastopol native. Her consulting business includes clients like Coastwalk In May 2011, the State of California announced California, the Agricultural Preservation and Open the upcoming closure of 70 State Parks, which Space District, and the Sonoma County Economic means the state will remove its staff and resources Development Board. Prior to moving to Sonoma from the parks as of July 1, 2012. Sonoma County County, Lauren lived and worked in San Francisco was disproportionately hit by the closure list, with where she managed the research and policy practice of 5 of the 70 parks located here. The State Parks on Pacific Community Ventures - a company that develops the closure list not only provide recreation and invests in businesses providing economic gains to opportunities, camping and access to the outdoors low/moderate income communities in California. She's for county residents, but are vital pieces of had other valuable professional positions, prior to that.

California history. The five parks slated for closure (Note: Another recent example of this same outpouring of in Sonoma County are: support for local parks was in the Press Democrat, September 1. Annadel State Park 1, 2011, page B2, "In Sonoma County, the Valley of the Moon 2. Austin Creek State Recreation Area Natural History Association has offered to run Jack London 3. Jack London State Historic Park State Historic Park and is considering offering to run Sugarloaf Ridge State Park.") 4. Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park 5. Sugarloaf Ridge State Park The Parks Alliance for Sonoma County is a private non-profit organization which understands the urgent need to protect our State Parks, and to that end, is supported by an amazing group of nonprofits, county organizations and individuals dedicated to keeping State Parks open. The Parks Alliance is also working closely with State Parks staff to ensure access to the most current information, so that the information can be passed on to our partners and the community at large.

The outpouring of support from individuals, nonprofits, businesses and public agencies in the county has been astounding, and the Parks Alliance was created to feed off that energy and take advantage of this opportunity to create a new model for parks in Sonoma County, and throughout California.

Sonoma County Annual ARTrails Open Studio By Donna De La Briandais, Artist and Educator Some Bennett Valley artists will again be participating in Sonoma County's largest and most visible art event: the Sonoma County Annual ARTrails Open Studio. It will be on Saturdays and Sundays, October 15, 16, 22 and 23, with studios open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on both week-ends. The website is www.ARTrails.org, where you can see the complete list of participating artists, their addresses and pictures of their work.

ARTrails provides a unique opportunity for the public to meet local artists in their workspaces, view original art and learn firsthand about their diverse creative processes and techniques. Through hands-on demonstrations, as well as intimate conversations, ARTrails artists will take you into their world, where colors, shapes, materials and textures merge into unique and collectible works of art.

This is one of the oldest and most respected events of its kind in the nation. Come to our studios and see why!

Two Miles of Bennett Valley Road Are Now Designated As High Priority By Craig S. Harrison On July 25, BVHA wrote to County Supervisor Valerie Brown and Director of Transportation and Public Works Phil Demery to inquire about the county's criteria for designating roads to be "high priority." In October 2010 the Board of Supervisors had decided to limit preservation of county roads to 150 miles of "high priority" roads which carry an average of 4,500 vehicles per day.

They did not include any of Bennett Valley Road in that initial high priority list. In our letter, we stated that the county's own road counts for Bennett Valley Road in early 2009 found that much of the road has higher traffic volumes than 4,500 per day, and that Bennett Valley Road from Grange Road to the Santa Rosa had almost 6,000 per day. Other parts of Bennett Valley Road had between about 2,500 and 3,300 per day. We wrote that we did not understand why Bennett Valley Road in its entirety was omitted from the original list of high priority roads, and we requested that it be added... to ensure that it will be properly maintained. Within 24 hours I received the following e-mail response from Director of Transportation and Public Works, Phil Demery: "Supervisor Brown raised the same issue at the recommend to be mild it e.

priority road system. The Board will finalize the priority road system in the next couple of months with such inclusion. You may have noticed that we are working on Bennett Valley resurfacing as a result of receiving supplemental ARRA [American Recovery and Reinvestment Act] funds." During August the county road crews did an outstanding job in completing the repaving of Bennett Valley Road between Grange Road and Santa Rosa. On August 18, BVHA again wrote to Supervisor Brown and Director Demery, thanking them for including Bennett Valley Road in the county's priority road system and for repaving a major section of the road.

A few days later I received another response from Director Demery, stating the following: "As you pointed out.... a portion of Bennett Valley between Santa Rosa and Grange Road met all the criteria and as such was added to the priority road system this morning by Board action. The remaining sections of Bennett Valley Road did not meet the ADT [average daily trip] threshold originally adopted. It has come to my attention that you may have been under the impression that all of Bennett Valley Road was to be added to the priority system based upon my earlier correspondence. If this were the case I apologize for the confusion and my miscommunication. It was certainly not my intent to mislead you or the Bennett Valley Association. It is my hope that we can increase the number of miles beyond the 155.88 priority miles...

At the Board of Supervisors meeting on August 23, the 2-mile section between Grange Road and Santa Rosa was officially added to the high priority list. At the request of Supervisor Brown, the board is set to return to the issue September 20 with an eye toward clarifying what additional stretches of Bennett Valley Road will qualify to receive longterm maintenance. A road count on Bennett Valley Road east of Grange Road in February 2011 is slightly lower than it was in 2009, with just over 3,000 vehicles per day.

Phil Demery writes on August 25, "We are in the process of developing ways to expand our priority road network. We have developed additional priority tiers for public discussion in the next couple of months about which roads may be included, depending upon funding availability in the form of cost reduction and/or supplemental revenue options... Our staff has included the remainder of Bennett Valley Road in the next priority tier based on the ADT average daily trip)... Thanks for your continued interest in our roads..." Bennett Valley Area Roadwork Report By Craig Harrison & Rob Silva Maintenance crews completed a brushing and ditching project from Bennett Ridge Road to Warm Springs Road this summer and they expect to return in the autumn to install erosion controls. Hopefully the improved drainage will help reduce potholing over the winter months.

During September and October, crews will be hand patching (filling holes with asphalt from a truck and repairing damaged pavement sections) and shoulder backing (placing fill, usually base rock or recycled asphalt grindings, along the road shoulder where there are voids or deep drop offs at the edge of pavement) on Bennett Valley Road from Sonoma Mountain Road to Warm Springs Road. This work is not on the construction schedule but is expected to be done sometime in September.

The crew should be out on Sonoma Mountain Road the week of September 12, after they finish some work east of Cotati. If they have available time, they will recondition, re-grade and compact the gravel section east of Mountain Meadow Road for dust control. This Sonoma Mountain Road work will include minor crack sealing near the slide.

Fall CleanUp BV Roads Day Saturday, October 22, 8:30 am has been chosen for the next CleanUp Bennett Valley Roads Day. We'll meet at the fire station and refreshments will be served. Wear sturdy shoes, gloves and a hat for sun protection. This isn't necessarily a strenuous chore! BVHA provides orange safety vests and "pick-up sticks", that are a great help in preventing sore backs. MORE

Volunteers Are Always Needed, So Please

join us, and bring along family members or friends. Middle school and high school students who volunteer will qualify for hours toward their "volunteer time" school requirement. You'll see a sign on Bennett Valley Road, across from the golf course, as a reminder. If it rains, this event will have to be rescheduled, so please phone Sandy Sandine, 579-0282, for questions or to confirm date and time. We really!

do appreciate those of you who come out to help i keep our community roads free from litter! Get Prepared To Help Yourself and Your Neighbors in An Emergency! Be CERT-Trained in Only 3 Half-Days By Karen Sommer, Coordinator, Bennett Valley Emergency Preparedness How prepared are you for an emergency in your own home - or in the community? Can you help your family (and pets) if they need First Aid? What do you really know about what to do if a wildfire threatens? Could you help a needy neighbor in a critical incident? Community Emergency Response Team, known as CERT, is a nationally developed course taught by our firefighters, to help you learn and tow you with yo be avn no eds int at ems in yoy, neighborhood.

CERT classes are being scheduled this fall on three 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Among the topics to be covered are: Medical First Aid, Fire Safety, Disaster Preparedness, aspects of disaster psychology, and neighborhood response. Fees for this course total around $40. To be CERT certified you need to complete all classes, but you can make up missed classes at nearby fire stations.

For more information contact Karen Sommer at 528-8982 or email: ksommer11@earthlink.net 3 12th Annual Art on the Ridge Artist's Open Studios September 17-18, Noon to 5:00 pm We invite you to join us for the 12th Annual Art on the Ridge - an afternoon amongst exciting art, lovely scenery, food and drink, and camaraderie. The Studio tour will include 12 Bennett Ridge artists featuring artwork in a wide range of media and styles - including paintings, drawings, monotypes, etchings, collage, Calder-esque mobiles, ceramics, fused glass, native wood-turned vessels, and jewelry.

The artists will show in five studios along Old Bennett Ridge, Rollo, Bardy and Bennett Ridge Roads. Yellow signs will mark the open studios. Artists include: Mark Trombetta - digital photography A.J. Trombetta - jewelry www.bellabettini.com Jerry Pugh - Calder-esque mobiles Heartfire - jewelry and kiln-formed glass www.heartfire.biz Monica Boettcher - art glass.

www.sonic.net/-monicab Tom Berto - acrylic paintings, giclées www.sonic/-monicab Colleen Cotton - kiln formed glass Stan and Karen Sommer - monoprints, drawings, paintings www.sommerartstudio.com Kate E. Black - fused abstract art glass www.blackfusionglass.com Chuck Quibell - native wood-turned vessels Sherry Parker - surrealist collage www.sherryparkerart.com For more information or a studio tour map, contact artist Sherry Parker, sherryparker@earthlink.net.

Bennett Valley Fire Protection District 6161 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95404 Non-Emergency Business Phone: 578-7761 Board of Directors: Mark Richardson, President; Joseph Mazeau, Vice-President; Marilee Jensen, Secretary; Arnie Tognozzi, and Don D'Avanzo, Directors. Board meetings are held on the second Tuesday each month, 7:00 pm, at the BV Fire Station.

Please confirm meeting date ahead of time. Bennett Valley Paid Firefighting Staff, with two new 48-hour personnel, because of promotions: Fire Chief: Andy Pforsich, 823-1084 48-hour Personnel: Lieutenants Matt Tognozzi, Travis Browne and Rene Torres Daytime Firefighters, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm: Engineers Patrick Tognozzi, Ronnie Lakin Firefighters Mike Alcocer, Ly Leng and John Matej Bennett Valley Volunteer Firefighters BV Paid Firefighters are supported by as many as twenty-five trained firefighting volunteers. Three rotating shifts of three volunteers each are paid a stipend to sleep overnight at the Fire Station, for improved coverage. During the day, interns are used when available, allowing the fire station to have the ideal fourth on-duty firefighter at times.

Bennett Valley Fire Protection District Calls for Service, July- August 2011 By Lieutenant Matt Tognozzi Medical Aids-17 Vehicle Accident-6 Structure Fires-1 Hazardous Conditions-2 Smoke Investigations-1 Vegetation Fires-4 Total calls for service-31 Water Safety for Children With the expected warm up as the end of summer nears, it's nice to be in or around the water.

Hanging out at the pool or the beach on a hot day is a great way to beat the heat. Safety experts say it takes less than 2 inches of water and a few seconds for a small child to drown. The United States loses approximately 900 children each year to drowning-related deaths and thousands more are hospitalized. According to a national study of drowning-related incidents involving children, a parent or caregiver claimed to be supervising the child in nearly 9 out of 10 child drowning-related deaths - it only takes a few seconds. Most water-related accidents can be avoided by knowing how to stay safe and following a few simple guidelines.

• Maintain constant supervision. Watch children around any water environment (pool, stream, lake, tub, hot tub, toilet, bucket of water), no matter what skills your child has acquired and no matter how shallow the water. • Learning how to swim is essential if you plan on being on or near water. Many organizations provide swim instruction to people of all ages.

• Swim safe and sober - stay out of the water when drinking alcohol. • No one should swim alone, including adults. • Learn CPR. • Make sure your home pool has a fence with a selfclosing and self-latching gate. • Do not keep toys in or around the pool. These may encourage children to reach and fall in.

• Keep a phone near the pool. In case of an emergency dial 911.

Matanzas Creek Winery Artaste

Series For 2011

Two new local artists to be featured through December 4 Matanzas Creek Winery has been showcasing the work of five Bennett Valley artists in its new ARTaste Series. As a creative and unique twist for each exhibit, the winery is offering a special "art flight," which pairs specific art pieces with a Matanzas Creek wine.

Featured artists to date have been Karen Sommer, Sherry Parker, and Katie Black. Coming up in this year's ARTaste series: Sally Weare's mixed media artwork, September 2 through October 12. Reception for the artist will be Saturday, September 10 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Sally's artwork can be viewed on her website at: www.sallyweare.com Deborah Salomon's mixed media collages, October 13 though December 4. Reception for the artist will take place Saturday October 15 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Deborah's collages can be viewed on her website at: www.deborahsalomon.com Following Deborah's show, there will be a group show of this year's five featured artists over the holidays which will run until the end of February, when a new series of artists will be announced and featured for the year 2012.

The exhibits will be open daily during the tasting room hours: 10:00 am. to 4:30 pm. Admission is free and guests must be 21 or older to attend, or accompanied by an adult. Matanzas Creek Winery is located at 6097 Bennett Valley Road. Please visit www.matanzascreek.com for more information.

4

2012 Bv Calendar

"Bennett Valley Wild"

Look for your Bennett Valley Wild Calendar in late October - at Ace, Cottage Gardens, and community gatherings at the Grange. We would like to thank all the photographers who have submitted the wild and wonderful photos which will make up this calendar. And, in advance, we thank you for your support of our annual Bennett Valley Calendar, from which proceeds go to Bennett Valley community organizations such as the Volunteer Firefighters' Association and the Bennett Valley Grange, and contribute to our Emergency and Safety programs.

BVHA Board of Director's Elections In accord with the revised Bennett Valley Homeowner's Association Bylaws, the annual election meeting for Board of Directors shall be held at the board's November meeting. The term of office for each of the directors of this corporation shall be three years from when he or she is elected.

After three years, the director may choose to run or not for re-election. In this manner, the election of one third of the members of the Board of Directors will be held each year. A list of candidates and their statements are required to be included in the September VOICE.

At least 30 days before the Annual Election Meeting, this year by October 17, a ballot containing the candidates' names and brief statements shall be sent to all BVHA voting members, for their vote, unless there are the same number of candidates as there are vacancies on the board. When there are three candidates for three positions, under the latest BHA bylaws, they will each be deemed to have been elected without formal balloting. These "winning" candidates will be formally announced at the annual Election Meeting, Thursday, November 17, beginning at 7:00 pm at the BV Grange Hall.

Candidate Roster For The 2011 BVHA Board of Director Election Larissa Goliti, Incumbent Craig Harrison, Incumbent Karen Sommer, Incumbent The Candidates' Statements Follow Larissa Goliti - I have been a member of the BHA Board for the past 6 years. I hope my service on the board has your approval and I look forward to serving another term to help preserve our beautiful Bennett Valley.

5 Craig Harrison - I am a native Californian and have owned property in Bennett Valley since 1998. I am committed to promoting the rural character and natural environment of Bennett Valley. I am an environmental attorney and have represented many wildlife conservation organizations. I have worked as a wildlife biologist for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, am a founding board member of the American Bird Conservancy, and published a book on the natural history and conservation of Hawaiian birds. I have served on several other national and international non-profit boards. I have enjoyed my six years on the BHA board and if reelected will continue to focus on issues that affect the quality of rural life for all residents improvements to our decaying road system and other out-dated infrastructure, emergency planning, and providing access to nearby parks and conservation lands.

Karen Sommer - A native of California, I have been a resident of Bennett Valley since 1975. I think we live in one of the most beautiful spots on earth and want to help maintain the rural character and beauty of this Valley. My professional background is as an interior designer specializing in corporate interiors and facility planning. I have operated my own business for over 25 years. I have a love of the arts and over the last 15 years I have been developing my skills in art as a monotype printmaker. In the past I have served on non-profit boards such as the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce and was a recipient of the Spirit of Sonoma County leadership award in 2007. I have been a docent at Bouverie Nature Preserve in Glen Ellen for the past 14 years serving as President of the Docent Council and Training Chair. My focus since 2006 has been to organize and prepare Bennett Valley residents for an emergency. Working with our local Bennett Valley Fire Protection District, we have held classes in CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) and CPR. As Coordinator for Bennett Valley Emergency Preparedness I have helped to establish an emergency shelter site with emergency supplies at the Grange to be used by BV residents in the event of a natural disaster, such as an earthquake. I also am helping to raise funds for an emergency communications center at the Fire Station. I currently serve on the board of Sonoma County CERT and have served on the Bennett Valley Homeowners Association board for the last year. I would appreciate your vote to continue to serve on the BVHA board.

Charming Bennett Valley Seeks CoolWeather Finesse (WING) Excerpts, San Francisco Chronicle, July 10, 2011 "On Memorial Day morning in Bennett Valley, a stiff breeze was blowing in from the Petaluma Gap, a breach in the Coastal Range that allows cold Pacific air direct access to the valley. The temperature was barely 50 degrees...

No cute wood signs direct you to Bennett Valley, although it's located in the heart of Sonoma County, just southeast of Santa Rosa. There are few tasting rooms, and no stretch limousines. The small, gated vineyards are anonymous, often adjacent to ramshackle barns and Wine country of yore Bennett Valley was a highly wine-growing region before the double whammy of phylloxera and Prohibition killed the industry in the early 1900s. It wasn't until 1977 that the first contemporary working winery, Matanzas Creek, was established. Soon after that, Kendall-Jackson moved in, planting the new Jackson Park Ranch to Merlot and Pinot Noir in 1996, then buying Matanzas Creek from the MacIver family in 2000.

Jackson Family Estates is easily the biggest landholder in the small, mile-wide valley. "It was Jess Jackson that got the AVA recognized in 2002. The rest of us were along for the ride, and happily so," said Joe Judge, proprietor of Judge Vineyard and president of the Bennett Valley Grape Growers Association.

Joe and Gail Judge were part of a new wave of Bennett Valley growers...who bought land in Bennett Valley around 2000 or a bit later, electing to focus on Rhone varieties like Syrah and Grenache...Around the same time, prominent winemaker Philippe Melka helped Eric Flanagan establish Flanagan Vineyards on Bennett Peak in the valley's southeastern corner. Its southern exposures planted above the fog line at 800 to 1200 feet are high above the frosty floor and make a formidable olive-laced Sauvignon. This facility is the valley's only operational winery...

Diverse volcanic soils are the work of three dormant volcanoes that ring the valley: Sonoma Mountain, Taylor Mountain and Bennett Peak...Within the steepwalled valley there are numerous hills and swales, creating different exposures that make even small vineyards complicated to plan and farm. To winemaker Shane Finley, those soils are part of the charm providing crucial brightness and purity that defines Bennett Valley..." Redwood Empire Recycling News* What is the best way to dispose of paper towels, napkins and tissues?

This is a great question, as it's actually a very common misconception that paper towels, napkins and tissues can go in the (blue) recycle bin. Although they are made out of paper, they are not recyclable in the blue container. Paper towels are usually already made from recycled paper, so as the paper continues to be reused, the fibers in them get shorter and shorter. These fibers can only be broken down so far, and by the time they've been made into paper towels, napkins or tissues, they can no longer be recycled into another product.

The best way to dispose of your used paper towels, napkins and tissues is in your yard waste container, or they can be composted at home. Also, try to get as much use as possible out of paper towels before throwing them away. They're designed to be sturdy enough for multiple uses, and can be washed, squeezed of excess water, and hung up to dry for reuse. Or, even better, use cloth towels and napkins that be reused again and again! (Spring 2011) Did you know that 30% of what we send to the landfill in our garbage cans is compostable? When it's sent as garbage to the landfill it emits methane, a major contributor to global warming... If you compost your vegetable and fruit scraps, dead flowers, etc., you help tarmers and gardeners improve their soil, instead. I decided to compost these products in my kitchen and further reduce my garbage. I empty my ½ gallon size kitchen composting container into my yard waste container, containing vegetable and fruit scrapes (orange peels, pits, corn husks, etc.), bread, coffee grounds and filters, tea bags, egg shells, paper towels, napkins and tissues, dead flowers, landscape prunings...

Not accepted are meat, cooking oil and liquid waste, bones, dairy and cheese, plastic bags... (Spring 2010) * Excerpts from Redwood Empire Recycling News, Sonoma County, Spring 2011 and Spring, 2010. Personal kitchen notes from Editor, Marilee Jensen Minimizing Your Propane Costs By Craig Harrison September is when I remind Bennett Valley residents of the availability of bulk purchasing arrangements for propane delivered to your home. Blue Star Gas has a special pricing arrangement for residents in the vicinity of Grange Road and Sonoma Mountain Road, and the more residents that participate the cheaper the rates can become. De Carli's has a similar arrangement for residents in the vicinity of Bennett Ridge and Under these pricing arrangements, the companies agree to charge a flat mark-up from the price it pays to the refinery (the details of which are confidential). If you are not using one of the bulk suppliers, you are most likely paying too much, and perhaps way too 6 Bennett Valley Area Plan Changes By Marilee Jensen On August 23, at 2:10 pm, Craig Harrison and I attended the Board of Supervisors meeting, as individual residents, to hear the presentation on the proposed Bennett Valley Area Plan changes. As explained very well by Amy Wingfield from Permit Resource and Management Dept. (PRMD), most of the changes being proposed were to reduce inconsistencies in zoning terms and requirements in the General Plan as well as eliminate some mapping overlaps.

Craig spoke to the board about retaining the original design review criteria in the Bennett Valley Area Plan in regards to dark roofs, that is "Roofing is to be dark-toned, if visible." That was proposed to be changed to remove the words "if visible", so that all roofing was required to be dark-toned, whether visible or not. I spoke to the Board, also, stating that I was supporting Craig's position. The Board approved all the proposed changes, but also agreed to retain the original wording for dark roofs, "if visible" , as we had requested.

Bennett Valley Homeowner's Association (BVHA) Board Of Directors P.O. Box 2666, Santa Rosa, CA 95405 Website: bennettvalley.org Craig Harrison, President charrison@hunton.com 573-9990 Larissa Goliti, Vice-President and Membership Coordinator Igoliti@hotmail.com 578-3453 Fay Blair, Treasurer fayblair@sonic.net 576-0152 Tim Bosma, Recording Secretary tbosma@comcast.net 953-8873 Gary Barner, Director gbarner@cds1.net 481-6196 James K. Cobb, Director cobblaw@pacbell.net 586-9172 Frank LaCombe, Director FrankKLaCombe@gmail.com 585-3482 Richard Lukasko, Director rlukasko@hotmail.com 566-7803 Karen Sommer, BVEP Coordinator, Director ksommer11@earthlink.net 528-8982 BVHA VOICE Editor - Marilee Jensen, 576-0405 marileejensen@sbcglobal.net BVHA Webmaster - Bill Finkelstein, 536-1026 bill@williamfinkelstein.com Any questions you have about the BVHA website can be directed to Bill Finkelstein.

A Message From Your Membership Coordinators, Larissa Goliti and Jean LaCombe Thank you for all your responses to the annual membership drive combined with your generous contributions. We now have at least 242 household memberships and we welcome each of you as BVHA members for 2011.

If you haven't yet sent in your dues, the annual dues are $15 plus any additional contribution you want to make (these contributions to BVHA are now tax-deductible). Any amount paid in excess of the $15 annual dues will be directed to Bennett Valley Emergency Preparation (BVEP), unless you indicate otherwise. You may either send in your check to BVHA, P.O. Box 2666, Santa Rosa, CA 95405, or pay online with a credit card or PayPal account.

To pay online, go to www.bennettvalley.org (our BVHA website), then choose from the menu on the left side of the first page "Join/Renew: BVHA Membership", and follow the instructions. If you have any questions, please call Larissa Goliti at 578-3453. Summary of BVHA Minutes July 21, 2011 7:00 pm - Michael Ellis spoke about the wildlife in Bennett Valley. It was a very interesting presentation with lots of laughter through out; well worth the time.

8:15 pm, approximately The Board discussed changing the name of Bennett Valley Homeowner's Association. It was decided to think about different ideas until the next meeting in September, then choose a new name. The goal is to eliminate "Homeowner's Association" as that has a lot of legal meanings, not associated with our corporation, which has frequently created problems for us.

On the amendments to the Bennett Valley Area Plan, we understood that had been scheduled with the Board of Supervisors for August 23. It was agreed that some of us would attend that meeting to provide our input, as individuals. BVHA was not making an official stand on the issue.

Karen Summer made a report on the BV Emergency Preparation Committee. She has been focused on obtaining more supplies for the emergency shelter site at the Grange to be used by BV residents in the event of a natural disaster, such as an earthquake. She was hoping to receive some extra supplies from State Farm, with their recent move out of Sonoma County. She is also helping to raise funds for emergency communications center at the BV Fire Station.

Bennett Valley Road qualifying for high priority status in the county, based on the county vehicle count, has been another area of concern addressed by the board. Karen Sommer agreed to arrange for the speaker at our September meeting. Then the meeting was adjourned. Board of Directors' Tentative Agenda; Thursday, September 15, 7:00 pm, BV Grange Hall : 7:00 pm, Guest Speaker: Lauren Dixon, Let's Keep Our Local Parks Open 8:15 pm, approximately • Announcements and Public Input • Approval of Minutes • Treasurer's Report • Changing Name of Bennett Valley Homeowner's Association • Bimonthly County Reports • Amendments to BV Area Plan • BV Emergency Preparedness Report • Election Committee Report • Bennett Valley Road Issues • New Business as determined by board • Adjourn 7

Bennett Valley Homeowner's Association P.O. Box 2666 Santa Rosa, CA 95405 www.bennettvalley.org PURPOSES OF BVHA: To promote and preserve the residential ural character and natural environment of Bennett Valleu; t ducate, instruct, train and inform the local residents on disaste preparedness and emergency response as well as local land use and environmental issues; to serve as an open forum for Bennett Valley community participation; and to provide a bridge for communication between government agencies and the Bennett Valley community.

Return Service Requested Inside You'll Find.. 2 Miles BV Road, High Priority BV Roads Fall Cleanup; CERT Training 12th Annual Art on the Ridge BV Fire Protection, Water Safety For Children Matanzas Creek Winery ART Series; 2012 BV Calendar BVHA Elections, Candidates' Statements Charming BV Seeks Cool-Weather Finesse (Wine) Redwood Empire Recycling Information Minimizing Propane Costs; BV Area Plan Changes BVHA Board, Membership, Minutes, Agenda Bennett Valley Community Calendar Mark your calendars now!!

• BENNETT VALLEY HOMEOWNER'S ASSOCIATION: The next meeting is on Thursday, September 15, 7:00 pm. See front page. • BENNETT VALLEY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT: The Board of Directors meets the second Tuesday of each month, 7:00 pm, at the Bennett Valley Fire Station. Please call 823-1084 to confirm meeting date ahead of time, as it changes quite often.

• ART ON THE RIDGE: Saturday and Sunday, September 17 and 18, noon to 5:00 pm. See article on Page 3. • SONOMA COUNTY ANNUAL ARTrails OPEN STUDIOS: Saturdays and Sundays, October 15, 16, 22 and 23, with the studios open from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm. See article on front page.

• CERT TRAINING, Saturdays, October 29, November 5 and November 12, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. See article on Page 3. • AMATEUR RADIO (Ham Radio) LICENSING IN JUST ONE DAY: (From website smrs) Below are dates now set for the one day licensing classes and exams. Preparation fee including exam is $25.00. Classes are scheduled at Petaluma Senior Center, 211 Novak Drive, Petaluma, on Saturday October 8 and Saturday, December 10; there is another class scheduled at the Santa Rosa Red Cross on Thursday, October 13. Classes start at 9:00 am, exam is at 1:30 pm or earlier. Please pre-register so they can help you obtain your Federal Registration Number. Contact Dale, (707) 762-0414 or wb6tms@arrl.net • SONOMA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS usually meets every Tuesday (except weeks when there is a legal holiday), at varying times, 575 Administration Drive, Santa Rosa. Valerie Brown is the Supervisor for our First District. You may call her or her District Director, Jennifer Hainstock, at 565-2241, if you have any questions or concerns.

Important Phone Numbers

• For emergencies, use your landline or your cell phone to call 911. • Call 565-2121 to talk to someone at the Sheriff's office 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, either to report concerns that may possibly be an emergency or to discuss a situation that may require a law enforcement response.

• Call Sonoma County Road Maintenance, at 565-5100 to report dangerous potholes, fallen trees or landslides and to request possible help with litter control and bulk trash in the road. • Call Sonoma County Animal Control, at 565-7100, regarding the removal of dead animals along the road.

• Call California Highway Patrol, at 588-1400, if debris is causing imminent traffic hazards on county roads.