50th Anniversary of the Bennett Valley Community Association Sources of Information During Emergencies Pubic Utilities Commission's On-line Map of High Fire-Threat Districts Summary of Presentation by Jennifer Thompson, Rebuild North Bay Using Solar and Battery Backup to Mitigate PG&E Power Outages Put Away the Poison Fawn Rescue of Sonoma County BVCA Meeting Schedule and Contact Information
Bennett Valley Community Events
The BVCA and YOU! Join. Engage. Support.
BV Guild Contact Information
50th Anniversary of the BVCA
Next year will be the fiftieth anniversary of the Bennett Valley Community Association, whose original name was the Bennett Valley Homeowners Association. The association was incorporated on December 6, 1970. During 2020, the VOICE will focus on the history of the BVCA and other organization in Bennett Valley. If you have an interest in suggesting or authoring an article on this theme, please contact me.
Craig S. Harrison, Editor
Sources of Information During Emergencies
Residents of Bennett Valley we have now become all too accustomed to emergencies. While there is probably no single source of emergency information for everyone to rely on during emergencies, here is a list of information resources that you can consider using:
Sign up for Nixle, which is mobile alerts from law enforcement agencies. Text your zip code to 888777 to sign up for Nixle
Use a radio with battery backup to receive NOAA Weather and Emergency Alerts
Use a battery-powered radio to listen to KSRO (1350 am)
Call the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office (707-565-2121), which is answered 24/7 (questions only; for emergencies dial 911)
Follow postings on NextDoor
Pubic Utilities Commission's
On-line Map of High Fire-Threat Districts
This map may be of wide interest in Bennett Valley. It shows areas in red, orange and white.:
The search address function does not seem to work very well, but you can keep clicking the + and hone in on your neighborhood.
Summary of Presentation by
Jennifer Gray Thompson,
ReBuild North Bay
At our September meeting, Jennifer Gray Thompson, Executive Director of ReBuild North Bay, discussed her organization’s significant efforts to provide long term post-fire recovery and rebuilding assistance to those affected by the October 2017 fires.
Rebuild North Bay was founded during the 2017 fire storm. Its board of directors consists of individuals from private and non-profit organizations. The organization is committed to a long-term (7 to 10 year) vision for recovering, rebuilding and reimagining the areas of the North Bay devastated by the fires.
Rebuild North Bay’s advocacy includes the federal government, where its regional and bipartisan focuses on maximizing the amount of funds that the Federal Emergency Management Agency will provide to the North Bay. Much of its success derives from an approach that harnesses both the private and public sectors.
The organization is connecting the needs of individuals and communities with financial resources. Among its projects are funding the replacement of common fencing for the Coffey Park, Mark West and Larkfield Estates neighborhoods.
Rebuild’s Rise Up Grant Community Impact Grants program (https://rebuildnorthbay.org/impact/community-grants/) is raising funds to allow community organizations to function, including small grants for disaster preparedness. For example, five households can qualify for a $5,000 grant to prepare for future disasters including reducing the fuel load on individual properties.
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. Residents should consider applying for grants.
The fires this past month are a grim reminder that it’s only a matter of time before another disaster strikes, and we all need to prepare.
Using Solar and Battery Backup
to Mitigate PG&E Power Outages by Bill Finkelstein
We've always had too many power outages here in Woodside in Bennett Valley. When PG&E announced that it would preemptively turn off power during fire season weather events, we decided to take preemptive action to keep our power during outages.
We looked into generator-based solutions a number of years ago, but the code requirements and setbacks on our particular property made them prohibitively expensive. We also weren't interested in the ongoing maintenance required to keep a generator-based system functioning. Fuel was also an issue because PG&E could turn off our natural gas supply.
As a retired engineer, I've been watching with great interest the alternatives of solar and battery backup. Three years ago we installed 24 solar panels on our roof, and they've been producing power ever since. Our electric bill has plummeted, and the solar installation will be paying itself off in just a few years.
3 Module Tesla Powerwall system
The black box and cord is the charger for our EV
After a much geeky research, we settled on a Tesla Powerwall battery solution. We analyzed our power requirements and solar output and installed a three-module system costing $20,600 plus installation. Installation costs vary based on what's needed to adapt to your current service panel and what you want backed up.
The three-module system supplies 40.5 kWh of backup power to our home. Enough for three days if we had no solar input.
The process was pretty painless. Tesla called us to better understand our situation and sent us a questionnaire asking about our existing solar installation and requesting pictures of our existing electrical service panel and the location where we wanted to install the Powerwall system.
Tesla designed the system, pulled the permits with PRMD, and scheduled the installation date for the following week. The whole process from my original online order to completion only took 6 weeks.
Our 10 Most Recent Power Outages
Our Powerwall System was installed in June of this year. Since then we've had 13 power outages running on backup power for a total of 111 hours. We're delighted at its performance.
Each time the power went out, the only way we knew was the notification from the app on our smartphone. There was a very slight flicker of our lights, but most of our electronics didn't even hiccup.
During the recent multi-day outages, our Powerwall never fell below 70% capacity. The batteries ran our home overnight, and in the morning when the sun came up, our solar panels recharged them. Usually by 2 PM the batteries were full and the Powerwall system turned off our solar until their charge fell below 95%, at which time the Powerwall turned the solar back on.
As long as some sun shines, we basically could run without PG&E power indefinitely.
If you'd like to know more, I will be scheduling a talk at an upcoming BVCA meeting to go into more detail and answer any questions.
Needless to say, we're sold on this solution.
Put Away the Poison by Jacqueline Levy, Education Programs Manager
Audubon Canyon Ranch, Bouverie Preserve
Many of us in Bennett Valley have been plagued by rats. They breed rapidly and can fit into small spaces making them difficult to eliminate. It is tempting to put out poison; however, not only is poison the least effective way to be rid of rats, but it also harms a variety of wildlife. A 2018 report published by the Center for Biological Diversity found poisons in 25 different animal species across California, including the endangered San Joaquin kit fox and the Pacific fisher.
Animals poisoned by rodenticides do not die right way. Poisoned rats, mice, and gophers become weak and slow, making it easier for predators such as owls, bobcats, snakes, and coyotes to catch them. The poisons then build up in the bodies of predators (bioaccumulation). The National Park Service found a correlation between rat poison and weaker immune systems in bobcats. Mountain lions will also eat other predators, such as coyotes, which leads to their poisoning. The Los Angeles Times recently reported the deaths of two mountain lions in Malibu that were attributed to rat poison. Though the lions appeared externally unharmed, a necropsy revealed internal bleeding and the presence of five rodenticides in their blood.
The problem is so pervasive that the Center for Biological Diversity also reported that 90 percent of tested mountain lions, 88% of bobcats, and 85 percent of fishers had rat poison in their systems. The report stated that “the California Department of Pesticide Regulations analysis of 11 different wildlife studies indicate non-target animals continue to be poisoned in large numbers despite state restriction on the sale and use of the deadliest rodenticides since 2014.”
Barn Owl by Len Blumin
What should you do to rid yourself of rats without using poison? To start, do your best to plug up holes where they can get into your house, clear away ivy where they can nest, and fence them out of your vegetable garden. Then use snap traps to kill them. Of course, natural predators are also highly effective. A family of five barn owls can eat up to 3,000 rodents in a breeding season. Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue’s Barn Owl Maintenance Program builds and installs owl boxes, for a fee, for residents of this area who want to put away the poison and help wildlife thrive.
Fawn Rescue of Sonoma County by Kaersten Cooper
A lifelong lover of Sonoma County’s magnificent array of wildlife, Marjorie Davis has devoted many of her 99 years to preserving and protecting our wild wonders, with a heartfelt focus on safeguarding the elusive, majestic creatures we call deer.
Marjorie Davis,
Founder of Fawn Rescue of Sonoma County
It didn’t take long for Marjorie to realize how overlooked and underserved the local black-tailed deer and fawn population was. With countless roadside deaths, traumatic accidents and unexplained illnesses haunting and hindering the species, Marjorie decided to take action.
In 1989, Marjorie Davis formed Fawn Rescue, which remains the only 501(c)(3) organization licensed* to care for ill, injured or orphaned fawns in Sonoma County.
Fawn Rescue of Sonoma County provides 24/7 support during fawn season (April-September) to county residents, Animal Regulation, Humane Society, animal care agencies, Sonoma County wildlife centers, Police and Sheriff’s Departments, Park Rangers and veterinarians’ calls for assistance. Each fawn season Fawn Rescue of Sonoma County responds to and rescues an average of 100 fawns.
It is important to emphasize that fawns, deer are wild animals. Although gentle in appearance, they can cause humans, domestic animals great harm if alarmed, handled or captured. In addition, deer carry and can spread infectious diseases like Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever by way of insects such as mosquitos, ticks, fleas or mites. This is why Fawn Rescue plays such an important public safety role.
Fawns in rehabilitation at a satellite facility
Fawn Rescue’s professionally licensed animal care volunteers are trained handlers, transporters and rehabilitators of fawns. If you seek assistance, please call: (707) 931-4550.
For over 30 years, this small non-profit has, and continues to make significant, positive impacts on the safety and health of Sonoma County’s black-tailed fawn population. Fawn Rescue is the only organization:
To have partnered with an animal nutrition company to recreate a doe’s milk for manufacture and distribution to other rescue agencies and veterinarians throughout the western region;
To have worked with wildlife pathologists to help identify new types of diseases affecting the local Black-tailed species. This partnership resulted in the discovery of diseases like Deer PoxVirus and Hair Loss Syndrome (new to California).
A Sonoma County black-tailed fawn
To date, Fawn Rescue of Sonoma County has fielded over 35,000 calls for assistance, rescued more than 3,000 fawns, raised 360, rehabilitated and successfully reunited nearly 1,800 back into the wild.
With every success comes expense, however. As a non-profit public benefit 501(c)(3) association, Fawn Rescue of Sonoma County depends solely on public and private donations, legacy gifts, sponsorships, partnerships or grants to keep functioning. Operational costs like ensuring the “Fawn-mobile” is running and at the ready, pen materials, tools and formula can and do quickly add up.
If you are interested in learning more, or supporting this incredible organization, go to www.fawnrescue.org or follow Fawn Rescue of Sonoma County on Facebook and Instagram @fawnrescue. Every dollar gifted will help save the lives of our local black-tailed population. Be FAWNtastic and fund-a-fawn today!
IMPORTANT NOTE: It is illegal to possess a fawn or deer (i.e. as a pet) whatsoever. If caught, authorities will confiscate the animal(s) in possession and levy severe monetary penalties.
*Licensed = Working under a Memo of Understanding issued by the CA Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Save the Date for Fawn Rescue of Sonoma County's Annual FAWNdraiser, Saturday, March 28, 2020 at the Oakmont Golf Club. Tickets will sell out, so e-mail info@fawnrescue.org to learn more.
BENNETT VALLEY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
MEETING SCHEDULE
The forthcoming Bennett Valley Community Association (BVCA) Board meeting will be held Thursday,November 21, 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 2019 BVCA Board meeting schedule through calendar year 2020 is as follows
Thursday, November 21
Thursday, January 16
Thursday, March 19
Thursday, May 21
Thursday, July 16
Thursday, September 17
Thursday, November 19
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, status of Guild litigation, 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.
Tuesday, November 19 5:00 p.m. Station 8 6161 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa
Tuesday,December 17 5:00 p.m. Station 1 8200 Old Redwood Highway, Windsor
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.
