September, 2024

Come out to the Grange to learn about two significant land use issues our county is currently addressing that will directly impact Bennett Valley for decades to come.


Update on the County’s Cannabis Ordinance: We will provide an update on the County’s Cannabis ordinance and discuss how it could impact neighbors and development projects in Bennett Valley if the current draft is passed.


Insights on Measure J: We will also hear from speakers regarding Measure J and its potential impact on the preservation of agricultural land and associated open spaces in Bennett Valley and county wide. Measure J is on the ballot on November 5th.


Event Details here


Your participation is crucial in shaping the future of our community. We look forward to seeing you there!


Bennett Ridge Grazing Co-op, Part 1


Fire safety is top of mind for the Bennett Ridge community, which has initiated a successful grazing program to help reduce dangerous fuel loads on the Ridge. Learn about their experience with the herds, and how the project unfolded in advance of fire season

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Your BVCA Board—Meet Matt Davis!

The BVCA Board is composed of a terrific group of your neighbors. We recently sat down with Matt Davis, BVCA’s Treasurer, to kickoff this new feature—get to know your Board!

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Amateur  Radio Night at the Grange

FREE Community Event

Wednesday, September 18th, 7pm

At the Bennett Valley Grange, 4145 Grange Road, Santa Rosa


Come hear Darryl Paule KI6MSP provide an overview on very latest in amateur radio technology and opportunities to become an operator. Darryl has been an amateur radio operator for 18 years and will provide a wealth of information on the topic, along with demonstrating new hand held radios useful in emergencies. Come out to learn and meet your neighbors who are radio operators.


Darryl Paule (KI6MSP) has been an amateur radio operator for 18 years. Darryl is the Outreach Coordinator for the Auxiliary Communications Service, which is the amateur radio component for the Sonoma County Department of Emergency Management.


Darryl designs and develops training in Emergency Communications.


Is Your Mobile Data Speed Honest?

Use the FCC's Speed Test app to report accurate cell mobile data speeds to keep your carrier honest


Do you ever feel that your mobile carrier is not living up to their speed promises? Our terrain here doesn't make it easy to get the best mobile data speeds, but the FCC has launched an app to let you submit speed tests to help the FCC keep your carrier honest. The app will send your actual speed tested & location to the FCC & compare what your carrier is promising. The app is free for both iPhone and Android.

 Read more here at the FCC website & download the app.


Desperately Seeking…a Digital Projector!


In our efforts to upgrade our presentations to crystal clarity, the BVCA is seeking a digital projector (+ adapters) to borrow (or have permanently) for our occasional Town Hall presentations. Ideally, the projector would be rated for ~3600 lumens.


If you know of a projector in reasonably good shape, please contact:


newsletter@bennettvalley.org or reply to this email.



New Sound System for BVCA

Thanks to your donations and support, the BVCA now has a better sound system for our in-person events. This means we have amplified sound and can also record our in-person town halls for those of you who cannot attend. We will be posting recorded events on YouTube at youtube.com/@bvca

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Comments to County

Some residents think twice about submitting comments to the county, for fear of backlash or retaliation. How to submit a comment comfortably and anonymously.

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Penngrove Traffic Study

A $700,000 repair began on a 1.2-mile section of Sonoma Mountain Road between Sonoma Ridge Lane and Mountain Meadow Lane early this month. This long-awaited…

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157 Years Ago in Bennett Valley


from the Daily Alta, September 23, 1867

September 23, 1867

“Careless Shooting. - The Sonoma Democrat of Saturday says: "Somebody hunting in Mr. Manion's place, in Bennett Valley, early this week, came very near shooting a man chopping wood on the premises. The tree on which he was at work was penetrated by a dozen shot close by where he stood. Persons hunting ought to be more careful. Much damage is done to property and life is frequently endangered. Itis this careless shooting which compels farmers to forbid hunting on their premises."  

[Source: California Digital Newspaper Collection]


The Bennett Valley Community Association, founded in 1970, is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. (Federal Tax ID: 94-2198044).  We are entirely volunteer-based and we use donations to fund events and programs that are designed to benefit the community.

You can reach us at info@bennettvalley.org or just reply to this email.