BLVA Newsletter – April 2026
Dear Friend,
Welcome to the April 2026 edition of the Ben Lomond Village Alliance newsletter! Hoping you had a Happy April Fool’s Day! Spring has officially arrived, and the Village is putting on a show. The hills are green, the dogwoods are blooming, and there’s that unmistakable buzz in the air that means it’s time to get outside, reconnect, and enjoy all that makes Ben Lomond special.
Here at the BLVA, we’re stepping into the season with energy and excitement. This month, we’re especially looking forward to Part 3 of Ronnie Trubek’s Tales of Ben Lomond history series on April 16, where we’ll continue exploring the fascinating stories that shaped our town and the San Lorenzo Valley. If the first two installments are any indication, this is one you won’t want to miss!
And as we look ahead, there’s even more to be excited about. Our 2026 Village Market season is just around the corner, kicking off in June and bringing fresh produce, local makers, music, and community connection to Mill Street throughout the summer and into the fall. It’s quickly becoming a beloved Village tradition, and we can’t wait to gather with all of you again.
Behind the scenes, we’re continuing to build momentum—working on projects to improve infrastructure, support local businesses, and create meaningful, fun experiences for the community. We are pleased to announce the appointment of Tina Castle as the chairperson of the “Beautification” part of the Better Streets & Beautification Committee. Thank you, Tina for stepping up to co-lead this important committee!
From small beautification efforts to larger events down the line (yes, we’re already planning Scottish Day 2026!) there’s a lot in the works. As always, everything we do is powered by a dedicated team of volunteers and the support of this incredible community. If you’ve been meaning to get involved—whether by volunteering, attending events, or making a donation—this is the perfect time to jump in. Every bit of support helps us do more for Ben Lomond.
Thanks for being part of what makes this Village so special. Read on for all the latest news, upcoming events, and ways to get involved!
UPCOMING BLVA EVENTS 🗓
TALES OF BEN LOMOND HISTORY SERIES PART 3
Thursday, April 16, 7:00 PM (Doors 6:30pm)
Park Hall Community Center, 9400 Mill St
Mark your calendars and get your tickets now for the third and final installment of the Tales of Ben Lomond History Series. Join local historian and Realtor Ronnie Trubek for an engaging presentation titled “From Redwoods to Retreats: The Valley’s Counterculture Years,” and covers the colorful characters who shaped the history of Ben Lomond and the San Lorenzo Valley. No prior attendance is necessary! Co-hosted by the BLVA and Park Hall Community Center, this event includes an intermission with concessions available by donation. Doors open at 6:30 pm, presentation at 7 pm. All proceeds benefit the Park Hall Fire Sprinkler Fund and Ben Lomond Village Alliance. Tickets: $25 for adults, $20 for seniors/youth. TICKETS HERE!
SUPPER CLUB – HIKE & PICNIC
Sunday, April 19 | 11 AM – 2 PM
Quail Hollow County Park
Pack your favorite picnic potluck food to share and take a moderate (1 hour) hike then enjoy lunch together at the picnic tables at Quail Hollow Park. Lemonade and dessert provided by your hosts, Ariel and Matt. More info and reserve your spot: HERE
SUPPER CLUB – AFTERNOON TEA
Sunday, May 3 | 1 PM – 3 PM
Elena’s House
Join your host, Elena, for a lovely afternoon tea party. Elena will provide some cookies, tea and an Aperol spritz, while guests should bring finger sandwiches, scones, petit fours, or other tea time goodies. More info and reserve your seat HERE
LINE DANCE
Saturday, May 9 | 7 PM – 8:30 PM
Park Hall, 9400 Mill Street
Join us for a fun community gathering! The Ben Lomond Village Alliance invites you to a special event at Park Hall on May 9, featuring Wendy’s Mountain Line Dance. Wendy will lead you through a variety of line dances. Come enjoy lively dancing and a fun time with neighbors and friends. All ages and experience levels are welcome. Beer, wine, sodas and snacks will be available by donation. Don’t miss it! More info and purchase your tickets HERE
SUPPER CLUB – CAKE SOCIAL
Saturday, May 23 | 11 AM – 1 PM
Beeline Blooms
Join us for a Community Cake Social at Beeline Blooms hosted by Jen, Tina and Lindsay! Surrounded by amazing views, sweet treats, and friendly conversation. Your hosts will provide water & lemonade as well as boxes to take home slices of your favorite cakes. Each attendee is expected to bring a cake (1 per person) to share and a cake server. Let’s celebrate community and cake! While this is a free event, advance reservations are required. More info and reserve your seat HERE
OTHER LOCAL EVENTS 🗓
PANCAKE BREAKFAST
Sunday, April 19
Highlands Park Senior & Community Center
Mark your calendar now for the 1st Monthly pancake breakfast of 2026 at Highlands Park Senior & Community Center! More info HERE
GRANITE ROCK ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE AND FUNDRAISER
Saturday, April 25 | 10 AM to 1 PM
Quail Hollow Quarry (405 Quail Hollow Rd)
Graniterock invites you to their 19th Annual Open House and Fundraiser for the Friends of Quail Hollow Ranch County Park. Visit this working quarry which is not open to public access under regular circumstances! See and learn about the quarry operations, habitat conservation and enhancement, special status species, and more from Graniterock Staff and the Quail Hollow Quarry Conservation Area Preserve Manager.
All proceeds to benefit the Quail Hollow Ranch County Park: Friends of Quail Hollow Ranch!
$10 Fundraising Taco Lunch | RSVP by emailing bsnow@Graniterock.com
EMERGENCY PREPARATION – TRAININGS
Mountain Community Resources, 6134 Hwy 9, Felton
Introductory MURS Radio Training
Sunday June 14, 2026 | 1-3pmSunday July 26, 2026 | 1-3pm
Advanced Radio Training — MURS Next Steps
Sunday, April 26, 2026 | 1-3pm
September 2026 TBD
(1) Send email to: lizatslven@gmail.com to identify you & your neighborhood/group
(2) Use Sign-Up Genius https://bit.ly/nextmurs26
EMERGENCY PREPARATION – EXERCISE
Next MURS/HAM to EOC EXERCISE is 4/7/26 at 7 pm.
As this will be a regularly scheduled event, contact Roberta to get on the email list for reminders.
Roberta Joiner Roberts
ARES/CERT/MURS/EOC DSW
robertajoiner1155@gmail.com
831 588-5314 cell (text is best)
SUBSIDIZED GREEN WASTE DISPOSAL
Last Saturdays March through June | 7:30am – 3:30 pm
Ben Lomond Transfer Station
District 5 residents can take advantage of free green waste disposal on the last Saturday of the month from March through June 2026. For more info click HERE
QUAIL HOLLOW NEST BOX PROGRAM
Quail Hollow Ranch County Park
Calling all birders! The Quail Hollow Nest Box program has begun its 2026 season and they are looking for a few new volunteers. Located at Quail Hollow Ranch County Park near Ben Lomond, this project provides much needed nesting habitat for a variety of small songbirds. Volunteers tour nest boxes around the ranch property, make observations about the nesting activities of the birds, and record the information, which are reported to the Cornell Ornithology Lab for its national NestWatch database.
If you’re interested in volunteering 1-2 hours every couple of weeks, please email: nestboxvolunteer@gmail.com
Read more at: https://www.qhnestbox.org/
SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS ART CENTER
June 8–11, June 15–18
9341 Mill Street
When school’s out, the creativity continues! SCMAC’s Summer Art Classes offer new projects, materials, and experiences each week that let kids express themselves freely and build friendships along the way. It’s art, play, and discovery—all rolled into one unforgettable summer. More info HERE.
LOCAL SPOTLIGHT 🔦
SEW ROSE
Open Tuesday–Saturday, 10am–5pm
9335 Mill Street
As you tackle your spring cleaning, you may find some of your furniture could use a little refresh. Good news—we have a local expert! Keep Sew Rose in mind for custom slipcovers, upholstery, and thoughtfully made home goods that can give your furniture a fresh chapter instead of a trip to the curb. www.sewrose.com
GET INVOLVED 💪
VILLAGE MARKET COMMITTEE
Next Meeting: Friday, April 10 | 6pm – 7pm
Ben Lomond County Park, 9525 Mill Street
The planning and preparing for the 2026 season of the Village Market – to be held on 1st Saturdays June through October on Mill Street – is underway! If you are interested helping with Vendor Recruitment, Vendor Coordination, Marketing, Community Outreach, Logistics & Operations, or Volunteer Coordinating, please come to the meetings or email VillageMarket@BenLomondVillage.org to find out more about how you can help make this great series of events happen this year! If you know any local artists, makers, farmers, produce vendors, or food vendors, please encourage them to apply HERE.
SCOTTISH DAY CRAFTS COORDINATOR
The Ben Lomond Village Alliance’s Events Committee is looking for someone to lead kids’ crafts at this year’s Scottish Day on Saturday, September 19. Reach out to Events@BenLomondVillage.org if you’re interested!
BETTER STREETS COMMITTEE
Next meetings: Thursdays April 30, May 28 | 6:00
Ben Lomond Library
The committee met on March 26 and shared several updates on local infrastructure and improvement efforts. Highlights include:
Nicole Liebenthal reported that the County Public Works Department plans to install a high-visibility crosswalk with advance signage and a push-button flashing beacon at Madrone Avenue and Glen Arbor Road—the first along that stretch—with completion expected by the end of June. A proposed walking path along Glen Arbor Road has been included in county planning documents, but funding is not currently available. If funding is secured in the future, the project may be reconsidered.
Committee co-chair Tina Castle is working with the county to install “Meet me on Mill Street” banners on decorative lights ahead of the Village Market kickoff on June 6, and to coordinate weed removal along Highway 9 planter strips, with the goal of future beautification planting.
Jamie Helmer reported that the April edition of the SLV Post contains an article he wrote regarding efforts to encourage RTC to repair a Highway 9 slide for improved safety and reliability. There is also an article about a newly installed U.S. flag at Ben Lomond Park, installed by the County Parks Department and donated by local Eagle Scout candidate, Noah Brown of Troop 604. Both articles can be found on this link.
BLVA leadership is pursuing several advocacy efforts, including requests for grant funding to improve crosswalk safety along Highway 9, and for faster replacement of a damaged bus shelter damaged in a recent crash.
A citizens group called “Friends of Santa Cruz Metro” has launched a campaign to qualify a sales tax measure supporting expanded bus service for the November ballot. While the BLVA board does not endorse ballot measures it does encourage members to read more about the proposal at this link.
BLVA is seeking clarification from Caltrans regarding inconsistent speed limit signage along Highway 9, particularly in the Ben Lomond area, as Caltrans press releases do not align with the speed limit signs posted on some parts of Highway 9. Link to Caltrans press release HERE.
SOCIAL COMMITTEE
Would you like to see more dances and fun, casual community events like the Supper Clubs happening in Ben Lomond? The newly formed Social Committee needs members to help brainstorm ideas, plan and realize them! Email committee chairperson, Ariel Young, at secretary@benlomondvillage.org to get involved.
RECENT IMPACT 💥
COMMUNITY MEETING
The BLVA held a community meeting in March which highlighted the recently released Annual Report (which you can read HERE), provided a review of last year’s activities, and shared our goals for 2026. Attendees filled out questionnaires–providing feedback about our impact on the community– and got to meet and chat with committees of their interest.
THANK YOU! ❤️
We’re so grateful for your continued support, involvement, and commitment to the Ben Lomond Village Alliance. Because of you, we’re able to make a real and lasting difference in our community.
Want to help us keep the momentum going? Spread the word about the Ben Lomond Village Alliance! Share our mission with friends and neighbors, invite others to join our membership list, and connect with us on FACEBOOK and NEXTDOOR.
If you have any Ben Lomond related news to share, local businesses to highlight, or other ideas for our newsletter, please contact Ariel at Secretary@BenLomondVillage.org.
Thank you for being part of the Ben Lomond Village Alliance family. We look forward to seeing you around the village this spring!
Warmly,
Ben Lomond Village Alliance
Copyright © 2025 Ben Lomond Village Alliance, All rights reserved
Ben Lomond Village Alliance is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
