BVCA and BV Guild Present: Jennifer Thompson, Rebuild North Bay
Coffee with a Firefighter Summary of Fire Chief Mark Heine's Presentation Mail Thefts in Bennett Valley A Bit About Butterflies Art Trails coming in October
Candidate For 2019 BVCA Election BVCA Meeting Schedule and Contact Information
Bennett Valley Community Events
The BVCA and YOU! Join. Engage. Support.
BV Guild Contact Information
We still need an editor-in-chief for the VOICE.
If you are interested, please contact any board member.
BVCA and BV Guild Present:
Jennifer Thompson, Rebuild North Bay
Join us Thursday, September 19, at 7 PM at The Bennett Valley Guild Hall for a presentation by Jennifer Gray Thompson, Executive Director of ReBuild North Bay and former aide to Supervisor Susan Gorin. For directions to the Bennett Valley Guild Hall, click here.
As we’re all too aware, it’s only a matter of time before another disaster, be it fire, earthquake, or something else, strikes. We also know that preparedness and community can help to protect us and mitigate the effects of the next disaster. The BVCA and Guild are working to gather together Bennett Valley residents to help introduce neighbors and develop community plans and strategies for the next destructive natural disaster.
Jennifer Thompson led Rebuild North Bay’s significant efforts to provide long term post fire recovery and rebuilding assistance to those affected by the fires. This assistance includes but is not limited to building partnerships to fill funding gaps for rebuilders, provide information and data, and advocate for the maximum amount of state and federal dollars to ensure our region not only recovers, but leaps ahead regionally.
Jennifer’s work with Rebuild North Bay also extends to future disasters through, among other things, Community Impact Grants directed toward creating a more sustainable and resilient community. The program will award grants to fill identified gaps in, not only rebuilding, but wildfire prevention and preparedness, and long-term resilience. ReBuild has expressed a strong interest in supporting the Bennett Valley community in our efforts to better prepare and support each other for future disasters.
Get to know your Sonoma County Fire District firefighters by joining us for a cup of coffee at our first "Coffee with a Firefighter" event on September 21, 9 AM to 11 AM, at Fire Station 8 at 6161 Bennett Valley Road.
Your local firefighters will be here to great you along with Fire Chief Mark Heine and members of the Sonoma County Fire District leadership team.
Contact Information: Cyndi Foreman, Sonoma County Fire District, 707-838-1170, cforeman@sonomacountyfd.org
Summary of Presentation
by Fire Chief Mark Heine
At our July meeting, Bennett Valley’s new fire chief Mark Heine discussed the recent reorganization of four fire districts to create the new Sonoma County Fire District. The new district includes the former Bennett Valley Fire District. Click here to view his presentation.
The 2017 wildfires devastated the budgets of many fire agencies, and the consolidation reduces administration duplication. The resulting savings improves the services. For example, the Bennett Valley fire station now has three firefighters on duty instead of two. Eventually we may have better life support services on site.
In addition, Fire Prevention Officer Cyndi Foreman discussed our stronger fire prevention and education services. Officer Foreman is available to provide advice on fire prevention if you request her assistance.
The new Sonoma County Fire District serves 175 square miles and 75,000 residents in urban, suburban and rural communities. It has five staffed fire stations and three volunteer stations.
The most dramatic aspect of Chief Heine’s presentation is a short video from the County Sheriff's Helicopter of a recent grass fire on Shiloh Canyon Road that you can view here. Exploding trees generate thousands of embers. Unless your home is hardened, a spark shower can enter small cracks and you home may be destroyed even if it survived the initial flames.
Bennett Valley Art Trails Open Studio and Sale
October 12-13 and 19-20 by Donna DeLaBriandais
The 35th annual Bennett Valley Art Trails event is coming soon! For displays and sale of beautiful artworks in the artists’ studios, follow the map provided at www.sonomcountyarttrails.org during the weekends of October 12-13 and 19-20. The website also provides the entire program of the 150 juried Sonoma County artists, including names, location, medium and studio numbers. You can create a self-guided tour tailored to your interests. Follow the blue Art Trails road signs to the Bennett Valley artists listed below whose studios will be open from 10 am to 5 pm.
Art Trails has been an annual event in Bennett Valley, beginning with the Cultural Arts Council of Santa Rosa in the 1980's. Showcasing local artists as part of a Juried In - Open Studio professional program. Art Trails was the first event of its kind and has become known as the Mother Studio Program. It has inspired similar events in other communities. Sebastopol Center for the Arts began managing the event a few years ago, but it remains the same special event as it was originally.
The Bennett Valley artists on this year's Art Trails are:
#23 Peter Crompton - Garden Sculptures
4367 Raymonde Way
www.cromptondesign.com
#24 Tamera Sanchez - Pastel paintings
4520 Mt. Taylor Dr.
www.tamrasanchez.com
#25 Monica Schwalbenberg-Pena - Mixed Media
6136 BatesoleDr.
www.mspart.com
#26 Donna DeLaBriandais - Oil & Watercolor Paintings
2927 Old Bennett Ridge Rd.
www.donnasfineart.com
Mail Thefts Increasing in Bennett Valley
NOTE: This article was also sent out as an email ALERT to the BVCA ALERT subscribers on August 10th. To receive these notices in a timely fashion, please subscribe to the BVCA's email alerts. You can subscribe here.
Mail thefts have been increasing the past few years in Bennett Valley.
The latest theft was on August 8th, 2019. Mail ransacked from the 4300 Block of Sonoma Mountain Rd & the 6400 Block of Bennett Valley Road was found opened & tossed roadside near 5000 Block of Sonoma Mountain Road.
Recommendations:
Sign up for the US Postal Service's (USPS) free mail delivery notification service: "Informed Delivery". That way you'll know what to expect.
Informed delivery gives you a daily email notification of all letters and packages arriving to your address that day. It includes a picture of each envelope and tracking numbers for each item that has one.
You can also check recent delivery history on the Informed Delivery website: https://informeddelivery.usps.com/
Use Direct Deposit to get checks and other payments into your account rather than mailed to you. This is especially important for recurring checks like Social Security.
Sign up for eStatements rather than USPS mailed statements from your bank, utilities, and other providers. Even innocuous items like utility bills and statements can be used by identity thieves.
Watch your accounts and credit reports for identity theft attempts. Sign up for one of the free credit monitoring services.
Install a high security locking mailbox. A typical high security model is the Mail Boss 7106 other models are available, but the best are heavy gauge steel. Some on the market are quite flimsy. It's also important to mount your mailbox securely.
Use a USPS Drop Box for outgoing mail containing checks or other personal information. Don't send it from your home box.
Pay your bills using online bill pay rather than mailing paper checks. A paper check is the LEAST secure form of payment as all your important account information is on the bottom (MICR) line of the check.
A Bit about Butterflies by Jacqueline Levy, Education Programs Manager
Audubon Canyon Ranch, Bouverie Preserve
Butterflies abound this time of year. Insects, in general are more active in warm weather. Lepidoptera can arguably be considered the most popular of the insect orders. After all, they are colorful, fly as if floating on air, and sip nectar from flowers.
The inspiration for this article was seeing two female pipevine swallowtails hovering near a dutchman’s pipevine growing where I work at Bouverie Preserve. I recognized their behavior from my graduate research as that of females looking for a suitable stem on which to deposit her eggs. During the school year 3rd and 4th grade teachers bring their students to the Preserve to learn about nature. This sighting coincided with the first group of children returning from their hike with their docent. I waved the children down to show them what was occurring.
I was able to show the children the clusters of tiny orange eggs on the Dutchman’s pipe growing low to the ground. As I queried them on their knowledge of butterflies, I found many of them believed that all caterpillars ate milkweed. Only monarch butterflies feed on milkweed.
I remember finding caterpillars in my yard as a child and trying to raise them by feeding them grass. I wondered why they all died. Now, I know that most species of butterflies are specialist during the larval stage of their life. Butterfly can only eat certain plants, host plants, as caterpillars. If one is to feed a caterpillar, one must know what type of butterfly (or moth) it is.
I don’t advocate hand raising caterpillars; however, I know that is something many children like to do. It is better they understand that each type of caterpillar needs special food then having them remain ignorant and inadvertently starve the caterpillars to death. The best thing to do when you see a caterpillar is to leave it where it is unless it is somewhere it is likely to be stepped on or run over.
Despite our familiarity with butterflies there many common misconception. Many think that butterflies make cocoons. Both butterflies and moths use silk to attach themselves to a surface before forming a chrysalis to pupate. Yet, only months spin a silk cocoon before pupating.
If you want to learn about butterflies it is best to start with butterfly families. Swallowtail are large butterflies that have a distinctive wing shape that narrows and turns out at the ends. Common swallowtails in this area are the tiger swallowtail, anise swallowtail and pipevine swallowtail. The latter 2 named for their host plant. Butterflies of the same family share similarities with each other throughout their life. For example, all swallowtails have smooth round eggs and their caterpillars have osmeteria. Osmeteria are forked tongue looking organs that emerge from the top of their heads when they feel threatened. Skipper caterpillars have rounded dark heads on light colored bodies. Skipper eggs are grooved and resemble a spineless sea urchin’s. The Brush-footed family, which includes the monarch and common buckeye, get their name for having their front 2 legs shrunken to the degree that at first glance they appear to only have 4 legs. The front 2 legs are used as chemoreceptors – to taste. All butterflies taste with their feet allowing females to detect secondary compounds (chemicals in plant not used for photosynthesis) that help them find the perfect plant to lay their eggs on.
One of rarest and most interesting butterflies in the Bay Area belongs to the blue family, the Mission Blue butterfly. They are so rare they are on the endangered species list. These butterflies are ant tended. After the caterpillars feed for a time on their lupine host plant the drop to the ground and are taken in by ants. The caterpillars mimic the smell and noises of the ant larva and are taken care of by the adult ants.
Even with the most familiar of insects there is still so much more to learn and appreciate. I hope the next time you see a butterfly flit by or a caterpillar on a garden plant you will take the time for a closer look so you can find out the family it belongs to.
Butterflies & host plants
Common Buckeye – snapdragon, plantain, monkey flower
Pipevine Swallowtail – Dutchman’s pipe
Acmon Blue - clover, buckwheat, deerweed
Host plants & butterflies
Mallow – painted lady, west Coast Lady, common-checkered skippers
Nettles – Satyr Anglewing, red Admiral, painted lady
Thistle – Mylitta Crescent, Red Admiral, Painted Lady
2019 BVCA Election Jean LaCombe, Chair, BVCA Nominating Committee
The nominating period for the upcoming 2019 BVCA Board of Directors election is now closed. There are three terms ending in December with two of the Board members planning to return in January.
James Cobb, who has served on the Board for many years, has decided to not run for reelection. I would like to join the entire Board in thanking Jim for all his attention these past years. His sharp mind and rapier wit will be missed.
The remaining vacancy will see Marilee Jensen, former President and long time Board member of BVCA, return to the Board as a representative of Bennett Ridge.
Because there are three vacancies and only three interested and qualified candidates, they will all be "Appointed as if Elected" for the coming three year term.
The following will be added to the BVCA Board of Directors roster, effective January 1, 2020:
Bill Finkelstein
Marilee Jensen
Frank LaCombe
Our Valley is still struggling as we put put ourselves back together after the fires, and we all should thank the incoming Board in advance for he important work they will be tackling during the upcoming term.
Here are the electees' Candidate Statements:
Bill Finkelstein: I have lived in California since 1952 and Bennett Valley since 1992 and have been on the Board of the Bennett Valley Community Association for the last 6 years, serving as Treasurer for the last 2. I own our home in Woodside in Bennett Valley with my wife, Mary Mack. I am committed to promoting the rural character and natural environment of Bennett Valley. I am a retired executive formerly employed in Financial Services and Technology. I have served on a number of for profit and non-profit boards in Silicon Valley and am currently on the boards of nonprofits: Santa Rosa Parks Foundation (serving as President even though we live outside the city limits); Save Our Sonoma Roads (serving as Treasurer); the BVCA; and the Bennett Valley Guild (serving as Treasurer). I also manage, as a volunteer, the websites for the Santa Rosa Parks Foundation, BVCA, HITTGV Dog Rescue, Bennett Valley Guild, SOS Roads, and a number of other non-profits. I also hold an Extra Amateur Radio license, am an Amateur Radio Volunteer Examiner, and have assisted with charity communications, emergency communications, and disaster relief operations since 1963. If elected, I will continue to focus on activities to improve the quality of rural life for all our residents of our beautiful Bennett Valley.
Frank LaCombe: For nearly twenty years I have served on the Bennett Valley Community Association Board of Directors and am seeking re-election for the next three year term beginning January 2020 through December 2022. As a resident of Bennett Valley for fifty years, I am committed to promoting and preserving the rural character and natural environment of of Bennett Valley. With the efforts of the entire Board, I look forward to the continued focus on topics of benefit to the entire community, such as roads, water and wildlife, as well as furthering the spirit of open and inclusive dialogue with all who live in this pastoral valley.
Marilee Jensen: I am very committed to “promoting and preserving the rural character and natural environment of Bennett Valley” as well as the two additional purposes which have been added to the BVHA Articles of Incorporation:
Serving as an open forum for community participation
Providing a bridge for communication between government agencies and the Bennett Valley community.
I feel these commitments are well-demonstrated by my activities over the last twenty years, including being the Editor of the Bennett Valley Community Association newsletter, the VOICE, from 1999 until 2015.
I continue to live in Bennett Ridge, at 2867 Bardy Road, following a four month absence after the October 2017 fire. My home was not destroyed, but seriously damaged. My recent community efforts have been on the Bennett Ridge Community Association Board of Directors (BRCA), and the BRCA Vegetation Management Committee. I am also on the Board of Bennett Ridge Fire Safety Organization, a 501(c)(3) organization, recently approved by the Federal Government. In order to facilitate coordination and cooperation between Bennett Valley and Bennett Ridge, I would like to become a Director on the Board of the BVCA once again. Nevertheless, at this time, I expect most of my energy to be going toward our Bennett Ridge efforts for Fire Safety. As I said 16 years ago, when I ran for the BVCA Board in 2003, your support and vote are greatly appreciated. Marilee
BENNETT VALLEY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
MEETING SCHEDULE
The forthcoming Bennett Valley Community Association (BVCA) Board meeting will be held Thursday, September 19 at 7 PM at the Bennett Valley Guild Hall located at 4145 Grange Road, Santa Rosa, CA. The BVCA Board convenes the third Thursday of every other month (January, March, May, July, September, November) at the Bennett Valley Guild Hall. Meetings commence at 7 PM and are open to members and non-members alike. We invite and encourage public attendance. The remaining 2019 BVCA Board meeting schedule is as follows
Thursday, September 19
Thursday, November 21
The Board meeting Agenda opens with public discussion, with each presenter invited to address the Board for up to three minutes with their name, address, and concern. Following public input, the Board will receive a report from the Treasurer, and reports of any official notifications from the County. Additional topics of discussion will include county roads, VOICE, the BV Fire Protection District, and potential speakers for coming meetings.
Minutes from previous meetings of the BVCA Board are typically posted on the BVCA website soon after they are approved. You can find an archive of meeting minutes here.
To building a sense of community in Bennett Valley by serving as an open forum for community participation;
To providing information on local environmental and land use issues and encouraging communication between residents and government agencies with the goal of promoting and preserving the rural character and natural environment of Bennett Valley;
To educating and providing resources that encourage disaster and emergency preparedness
Membership Benefits: The Bennett Valley VOICE delivered straight to your inbox!
Six times a year, the BVCA will keep you up-to-date on a broad range of topics pertinent to your community.
$20 per household per year = Electronic version of BVCA’s newsletter
Get access to exclusive events, speakers, discounts and plenty of opportunities to meet, greet and broaden your own Bennett Valley “family”.
Pay dues online here, or make checks payable to BVCA, and send to P.O. Box 2666, Santa Rosa, CA 95405. Or if you’d simply like to support the BVCA, a section 501(c)(3) organization, you can do so here. Any questions? Contact Bill Finkelstein at bill@bennettvalley.org. The BVCA thanks you!
Bennett Valley Guild (BV Guild)
Go to http://bvguild.orgto learn more about the BV Guild, including the Guild calendar or, for an article on the early historyof the Bennett Valley Guild. Note: Ricardo's Bar & Grill, 2700 Yulupa, Santa Rosa, is donating 10% of all day sales on the fourth Tuesday of every month in 2019 to the Bennett Valley Guild Building Fund. If you have any questions email Bill/Patty Allen at paddybill@sbcglobal.net.
Butterflies abound this time of year. Insects, in general are more active in warm weather. Lepidoptera can arguably be considered the most popular of the insect orders. After all, they are colorful, fly as if floating on air, and sip nectar from flowers.
I remember finding caterpillars in my yard as a child and trying to raise them by feeding them grass. I wondered why they all died. Now, I know that most species of butterflies are specialist during the larval stage of their life. Butterfly can only eat certain plants, host plants, as caterpillars. If one is to feed a caterpillar, one must know what type of butterfly (or moth) it is.
If you want to learn about butterflies it is best to start with butterfly families. Swallowtail are large butterflies that have a distinctive wing shape that narrows and turns out at the ends. Common swallowtails in this area are the tiger swallowtail, anise swallowtail and pipevine swallowtail. The latter 2 named for their host plant. Butterflies of the same family share similarities with each other throughout their life. For example, all swallowtails have smooth round eggs and their caterpillars have osmeteria. Osmeteria are forked tongue looking organs that emerge from the top of their heads when they feel threatened. Skipper caterpillars have rounded dark heads on light colored bodies. Skipper eggs are grooved and resemble a spineless sea urchin’s. The Brush-footed family, which includes the monarch and common buckeye, get their name for having their front 2 legs shrunken to the degree that at first glance they appear to only have 4 legs. The front 2 legs are used as chemoreceptors – to taste. All butterflies taste with their feet allowing females to detect secondary compounds (chemicals in plant not used for photosynthesis) that help them find the perfect plant to lay their eggs on. 
Butterflies & host plants 
