Benicia Magazine April Issue

BENICIA READS

A Partnership between Benicia Unified School District, the City of Benicia and the Community

Luis and Nancy Herrera

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Hello Benicia,

"And the people stayed home.

And read books, and listened, and rested, and exercised, and made art, and played games, and learned new ways of being, and were still.

And listened more deeply.

Some meditated, some prayed, some danced.

Some met their shadows.

And the people began to think differently.

And the people healed.

And, in the absence of people living in ignorant, dangerous, mindless, and heartless ways, the earth began to heal.

And when the danger passed, and the people joined together again, they grieved their losses, and made new choices, to and dreamed new images, and created new ways d." heale live and heal the earth fully, as they had been

This page is usually celebrating fashion and beauty at Christina S. The store is temporarily closed along with our Downtown Benicia neighbors and most of the world waiting to see what's next in these unchartered waters. It is difficult to have a store full of spring inventory that is waiting to excite our loyal customers but for now must remain behind the glass windows... but does it? We are looking at ways that Christina S can satisfy retail therapy until we can reopen. I am launching a fashion scoop on social media with video and chat about store related topics, interviews with designers, and local fashion and trend news. Stay tuned!

For over 15 years, Benicia Magazine has become an important entity of our town. My husband Scott and I bought the monthly publication 10 months ago because it was the only source of information that was delivered to every household in Benicia on a regular basis. For the months of May and June, our plan is to digitize the monthly magazine, publishing it on our website, beniciamagazine.com, there will also be a link to it on our Benicia 2.0 newsletter with over 6000 email contacts along with those who follow us on Facebook, Instagram etc. Please read editor Mary Hand’s letter for more information about this. Flexibility is key to everyone's survival. Our hope is to make advertising more affordable for our businesses while allowing them to continue to reach their customers in Benicia.

To the left is a quote that my sister shared with me that is relevant to the times.

In closing, I remember my mom, who had raised 5 kids in a crowded 3 bedroom house, living alone in her small Florida apartment. Although She could go days without seeing a single soul, her routine was to dress up every day, usually in her pressed white cotton pants, tailored white shirt, white Keds and a hat.

I can see her sitting at the dining room table applying Cover Girl makeup, Revlon lipstick and a touch of Chanel No. 5. She was ready to "boogie" (her term)!

Her hopefulness gives me hope that indeed, we will survive this moment in time fashionably.

—Christina Strawbridge

— Kitty O'Meara

ChristinaSBenicia.com • 370 First Street, Downtown Benicia

Facebook.com • 707.745.5125

Fashion Destination

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Art Director Margaret Bowles

Benicia Contributors

Patty Gavin Genevieve Hand Bitsy Hallmagazine Jeannine Mendoza Adriene Rockwell Christina Strawbridge Scott Strawbridge

Administrative Assistant Solofo Evans

Website Specialist & Editorial Assistant Genevieve Hand

Photography Lisa Duncan

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707.745.NUTS (6887)

4 • Benicia Magazine

Benicia Magazine is published monthly by Polygon Publishing, LLC. Copyright © 2019, all rights reserved.

Contents of Benicia Magazine cannot be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of the publisher. Opinions expressed in Benicia Magazine editorial or advertisements are those of the authors and advertisers, and may not reflect the opinion of Benicia Magazine’s management or publisher. Benicia Magazine, Downtown Benicia, CA 94510. 707.751.0100, Beniciamagazine.com.

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April 2020 Features Benicia Reads A Partnership between Benicia Unified School District, the City of Benicia and the Community Luis and Nancy Herrera A love of libraries

Art

16

Almost Zero Waste Sustainable Fashion Classic Car show — A sea of chrome Opening Day on the straits Fun Days by the Bay Coronavirus and your Investment

18

6 • Benicia Magazine

22

The Wet Mile – Mare Island Artists, breweries, wineries, museums and distilleries

28

People 10 11 12 12 13

Chris Ferrucci A new leader for Chamber of Commerce Board

14

26

In Every Issue Letter from editor

Trends

Culture

Benicia Old Town Theatre Group Presents “Laura”

22

Food & Drink

People & Places Community

Iris Sabre at Pleinair Gallery Classic Car art Teaching art to high school boys leads to new career

Farmers Market Something new

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JEFF SCHLOSSER

513 1st Street, Benicia

The magazine will be online May 1st.

We will be back in print for the July issue.

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BeniciaMagazine.com • 7

FROM THE EDITOR April 2020

Making lemonade

COVID-19 has impacted almost every facet of our lives. Not only is our health threatened, but in some ways, our way of life is too.

The many wonderful things that make Benicia such a great place to live; our restaurants, shops, galleries, pubs and bars, and amazing entertainment that happens in this city, have been put at risk.

We know that Benicia Magazine is a touchstone for many in our community, and has been for over 15 years. It is read and enjoyed by almost 24,000 people. Every month.

To ease cost for our advertisers, and the corresponding decrease of revenue for Benicia Magazine, we will publish a digital only version of the May and, possibly, June issues. We will be back to print for the July issue. By doing this we will be able to give advertisers a significant break on advertising cost, and hopefully help Benicia Magazine continue for another 15 years.

The May issue will be available on the Benicia Magazine website on May 1st. The April issue will also be posted on the website in digital format. To access it, go to our website and click the DIGITAL ISSUE link. There, you’ll have the option to view the issue full screen as it would appear in print. You can also download the issue for convenient viewing on your preferred digital device..

Many of the events that are normally held in April have been canceled, and unfortunately they were canceled too late to pull

@beniciamagazine

them from the magazine before print. In light of these cancelations, please continue to support small business and charities as you are able. If you have tickets for a performance or event, consider donating the money instead of asking for a refund. If you are vulnerable and want to stay at home, consider buying a gift certificate from your favorite shop, or shop online.

Certainly, the last few weeks seemed tailor made to create anxiety. But, in a strange way it made me realize, truly, we’re all in the same boat. That’s a comfort, if also a cliché.

So, over these next few weeks know this: we WILL get through this. The impacts of the COVID-19 virus WILL lessen as social distancing protocols take effect. Theatres WILL open again.

Artists WILL perform again. Museums WILL welcome visitors again. Restaurants WILL be full again and travel WILL resume again. People WILL shake hands and kiss cheeks again. I truly believe it. I know it, and you should know it too, even if you have to remind yourself.

So — remind yourself and keep on keeping on.

PS: We will be sending out updated information in our biweekly newsletter, Benicia Magazine 2.0. If you do not receive it, and you wish to, you can subscribe on our website: beniciamagazine.com

Facebook.com/beniciamagazine

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Tweet, post or send your suggestions & ideas to: Editor@beniciamagazine.com

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People and Places Community

Nobody’s Perfect:

A Road to Almost Zero Waste

By Bitsy Hall With Earth Day around the corner, consumers may find pieces of the zero-waste movement surfacing on advertisements in their social media feeds.

Zero-wasters aim to send nothing to the landfill or recycling centers, rendering their trash bins useless.

This movement was made in an effort to combat the extensive pollution from non-degradable single use products. The biggest culprit many zero-wasters seek to avoid is the everpresent plastic. eco-conscious people become

Many overwhelmed at the thought of total zerowaste living. The idea of generating no waste and using zero plastic is seemingly impossible.

In today’s world, it nearly is. Abandoning perfection is an essential piece of working towards eco-conscious living. When we hold ourselves to nearly unrealistic standards, we are more likely to fail and discount our progress. If you are looking to explore a life of less waste, try incorporating the following steps. They may seem small, but over time, they amount to less waste in our landfills.

1. Use the bulk section!

Most major grocery stores have a bulk bin section.

Here, you can fill bags full of grains, beans, seeds, cereal, etc. The variety depends on the store, but generally you can replace many of your staples in this section. To make this experience more eco-friendly, reuse bags that you have at home while you transition to canvas or other sturdy reusable bags.

2. Switch to bar soaps

To avoid single use plastic in the bathroom, switch to bar soap products when possible. Aim to purchase soaps that are wrapped in paper or “naked”—with no packaging at all. Even if you hold onto some of your favorite products that are wrapped in plastic, switching one or two of your shower staples can have a huge impact over time.

3. Opt for glass containers

When searching for your grocery staples, shoot to find a comparable product in a glass container. This isn’t always possible, nor do all glass products have zero plastic. However, the overall amount of plastic is far less. Plus, you can reuse the jars for food storage and bulk shopping (just weigh the tare first).

10 • Benicia Magazine

4. Ditch the paper towels and napkins

Tomato Sauce

In lieu of the paper towel rolls and napkins, switch to reusable cloth napkins and rags.

Old towels and worn-out tee shirts can be sliced to make cleaning rags. If you want a cheaper and even more eco-friendly switch for napkins, purchase cloth napkins from a second hand store and give them a deep clean in the washing machine.

5. Forego the produce bags

Many shoppers feel the need to place their produce in single-use plastic bags.

To skip the bag altogether, lay a reusable grocery bag on the bed of your cart and place produce on top. If you prefer to keep some products in a bag, either reusable or washed/pre-used produce bags can be used.

6. Food storage

Storing food without your bags from Step 5 may seem daunting. For your veggies, wash, chop, dry, and store as soon as you can. You can keep cleaned and cut vegetables in your preferred reusable containers (jars and tupperware, for example). However, fruits and veggies are precarious and individual. A quick internet search can give you tips to ensure you are maximizing your food’s shelf life.

For your pantry items, pour bulk goods into jars or any other pantry containers you may have.

7. Compost

Your produce scraps, eggshells, yard waste, and coffee grounds can be mixed together to make quality garden mulch.

While these degradable scraps would eventually break down in a landfill, the environmental benefits of composting for garden mulch are vast. If you do not have a backyard or are unable to compost, you can save your scraps for neighbors and friends who garden.

Earth Day and

Sustainable Fashion

By Penny Stell 50 Years ago on April 22nd Earth Day gave a voice to the growing public consciousness about the state of the planet. Today, Earth Day is recognized by 190 countries, and over a billion individuals mobilize for action each year.

Resale clothing stores and secondhand shopping, once stigmatized, are going mainstream. It’s the fastest growing segment of apparel retail, according to the National Retail Federation.

Consumer surveys show 72% of shoppers like to buy recycled. “It’s better for the environment and my wallet,” said one local Benicia shopper, “I can buy designer brands that otherwise I wouldn’t be able to afford.”

Over the last decade, secondhand clothing shops have popped up everywhere. In Benicia we have four. Sparkly Ragz, Pocket Monkey Vintage, and Elisa’s Cottage are all downtown, located on First Street, and Rags to Riches which is located in the Benicia Arsenal.

Remy, owner of Rags to Riches said, “28 years ago I opened the store during the recession of the ‘90s to give people options for shopping and making some extra money.”

To this day, it has been a win for both sellers and shoppers.

Jay, owner of Pocket Monkey Vintage said vintage garments were made better. His customers want to wear something no one else has, and he loves that it keeps garments out of landfills.

Elisa, owner of Elisa’s closet, which is celebrating 10 years in Benicia this summer, says it is a way of life. She is from a very large family and everything was a hand-me-down.

Weekends were spent at flea markets finding items for her family. “I started spending my allowance on pins when I was young, and have not stopped.”

Salina of Sparkly Ragz, our newest addition to Benicia, said she was always drawn to labels that she couldn’t always afford, and soon realized she was not alone. Not everyone can afford a label, but they still want to own something special. Her customers find her treasures to be an investment. She also loves the idea of trying to go zero-waste.

Resale markets spur clothing rotation, not accumulation... This could also be in part to the popularity of organization gurus or “cleanfluencers” who promote decluttering of homes and wardrobes.

So, as we move into this year’s 50th Anniversary of Earth Day, remember that resale clothing stores help the environment and go visit one of our fabulous resale stores in Benicia.

ELISA'S COTTAGE

POCKET MONKEY VINTAGE

SPARKLY RAGZ

BeniciaMagazine.com • 11

People and Places Community

Benicia Classic Car Show Staff writer With the likes of Elvis and Chubby Checkers singing in the background, and a sea of chrome that seems to go on forever, you know you have arrived at the Benicia Classic Car Show.

The 27th Annual Benicia Classic Car Show will draw classic car enthusiasts from near and far. Some will be attending as spectators who want to check out the unique and rare vehicles, others go to connect with fellow car buffs.

Whatever the reason, it will be a day of fun that includes vendors, raffles, prizes and music reflective of the many decades represented by the classic cars as well as live music from Benicia High School band. Show plaques will be awarded for numerous categories voted on by other entrants.

The show takes place on the First Street Green and lower First Street. The event presents pre-1976 American made cars and trucks – there will be about 400 vehicles on display and over 5,000 spectators. Put on by the Benicia High School Marching Band Boosters, the event is their biggest fundraiser. The show raises money to support the high school marching band and color guard, jazz and concert music programs. Lodged between the waterfront First Street shops, car show attendees are invited to enjoy downtown’s many retail shops and restaurants.

The family-oriented event is free and open to the public.

Sunday, April 26th, from 9AM to 3PM.

Opening Day on the Strait and Blessing of the Fleet

By Jeannine Mendoza, Ed.D “Believe me, my young friend, there is nothingabsolutely nothing- half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.”

This quote from Kenneth Grahame’s beloved The Wind in the Willows, exemplifies the anticipation shared by boat lovers everywhere. With boating activities looming on the horizon, the sentiment in Benicia is no different. In fact, Benicia Yacht Club, Opening Day, is slated for Saturday April 18, 2020.

This year’s event, “Fun Days by the Bay,” begins at 11:30 a.m. with the Diablo Regional Concert Band, the Boy Scout Flag Ceremony and the singing of our National Anthem. In addition to the Blessing of the Fleet and the decorated boat parade, there will be arts and craft booths, kids’ games, face painting, food, music and dancing, along with new membership specials and specialty drinks.

Forty-one years ago, founding members Veronica and Dick Tipton organized the Benicia Yacht Club’s first Opening Day with dingy/rowboat races in the marina. This austere 12 • Benicia Magazine

beginning has morphed into a full day celebration.

This year the Benicia Yacht Club will celebrate its 41st Opening Day on the Strait and Blessing of the Fleet.

Originally, the Blessing of the Fleet began centuries ago in the fishing communities of the Mediterranean to ensure a safe boating and an abundant fishing season.

As always, the Benicia Yacht Club welcomes and encourages everyone in the community to celebrate Opening Day on the Strait as the event that not only embraces sailing and boating traditions, but also celebrates our beautiful waterfront and everything it has to offer.

Benicia Yacht Club members include boaters and nonboaters, both power and sail. It offers many social events and Club functions throughout the year, and its facilities are open seven days per week.

BYC | 400 East Second Street, Benicia, CA 94510 707.746.0739 for more information

FINANCIAL FOCUS

Don’t Let Coronavirus Infect Your Investment Strategy March 2, 2020 Submitted by Joseph Wilder written by Edward Jones As you know, the coronavirus has become a major health concern, around the world – and it’s also shaken up the financial markets. As an individual investor, how concerned should you be?

The impact of the coronavirus on the markets isn’t surprising. China is the world’s second-largest economy, and when it experiences factory closures, supply chain disruptions and city lockdowns, the ripple effect on the world’s other economies is considerable. Plus, the financial markets simply don’t like uncertainty – and there’s a lot of that associated with this outbreak and the efforts to contain it.

Nonetheless, instead of worrying over events you can’t control, try to focus on what you can do in this investment climate. Here are a few suggestions: •D on’t panic. The coronavirus may well cause continued market volatility over the next several weeks, or even months. But it’s important for investors to take a long-term view. Market corrections – typically defined as a drop in investment prices of 10% or more – are a fairly common occurrence, and we may have been overdue for one even before the coronavirus scare. In any case, it’s generally a good idea not to radically revamp your investment strategy unless you experience a major change in your personal life – a significant career move, medical condition, change in family situation, etc.

• Be aware of history. The coronavirus is serious, but it’s not the only viral outbreak we’ve seen in recent decades. During these earlier pandemics, the financial markets also took a hit, but they came back. For example, from late April 2003, in the midst of SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) until late April 2004, the S&P 500 rose about 21 percent.* And other large gains were recorded following the outbreak and decline of the Ebola and Zika viruses. Of course, the past performance of the markets in pandemic situations can’t predict future market developments; every situation is different, and over the next year, returns might be modest, as prices have already soared in the 11 years since they bottomed out during the financial crisis of 2008-09.

• Don’t try to time the market. We are seeing coronavirus-based volatility in the market – but volatility implies “ups” as well as “downs.” If you try to time the market by guessing at highs and lows, and then “buying low and selling high” you might get lucky once in a while, but you could just as easily miss the mark.

• Keep a diversified portfolio. In addition to avoiding efforts to time the market, you should also stay away from trying to pick “winners” and “losers” among individual investments in the marketplace of viruses. Instead, try to build and maintain a diversified portfolio, consisting of an array of different asset classes, with the allocation of these assets based on your risk tolerance and time horizon.

Diversification doesn’t prevent losses or guarantee profits in a declining market, but it may help reduce the impact of volatility on your portfolio.

You may not be able to totally quarantine your portfolio from this serious virus in the short term, but by following a consistent, long-term investment strategy that’s appropriate for your individual needs, you’ll be doing what you can to help yourself move toward your financial goals. *The S&P 500 is unmanaged, not available for direct investment and is not meant to depict an actual investment.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

Edward Jones. Member SIPC. BeniciaMagazine.com • 13

People and Places People

The Magic of

Benicia Old Town Theater

By Patty Gavin It is said that theater is magic, and it couldn't be more true for the Benicia Old Town Theater Group, a staple in this community for 56 years! Known by the acronym, BOTTG, the not for profit theater was founded in 1964. It is run by volunteers, and has survived through the years because of the hard work and dedication of those who love theater. And what's not to love?

Theater immerses the audience in a completely different world, right before your eyes. Nothing compares to experiencing a live action show. The audience becomes engaged in the play or musical onstage, and the actor's performance is fueled by this audience connection. I've been on both sides of this...as an audience member, and as a performer for BOTTG. My memories of these special times are filled with delight. I remember well my fellow performers, the rehearsals, the sets and costumes coming to life, the excitement of opening nights, and the wonderfully creative energy of the volunteers that made all of the aspects of the production come together. Magic!

Recently, the BOTTG theater community, and the City of Benicia, lost one of those dedicated, energized volunteers, Dan Clark. Dan passed away last October, but his legacy continues at the theater where he first became involved in 1972. Devoted to BOTTG along with his wife, Dyanne Vojvoda, Dan was the compelling force behind the theater for 30 some years. He held every conceivable position, serving on the Board of Directors, directing, acting in over 25 productions, building sets, and managing the house. Dan, with his commanding presence, tirelessly promoted the theater he loved at every turn in his kind, friendly manner.

Over the years BOTTG has not shied away from a diversity of productions. Their Mission Statement, “to promote community theater by bringing a wide variety of high quality theatrical entertainment to Benicia, Solano County, and the surrounding community,” is taken seriously. Comedies, dramadies, romcoms, dramas, and musicals have all come to life onstage. Many individuals have received ARTY awards in directing, acting, set, lighting, costume design, and sound. For 35 years the ARTY awards have honored outstanding achievements in the performing arts in Solano and Napa Counties. In the last 8 years, BOTTG has won 30 14 • Benicia Magazine

ARTY's, including best comedy, best drama, and in 2019, an award went to "Sweat" for Outstanding Production.

In addition, BOTTG strives to "promote training in all aspects of theatrical arts, allowing aspiring performers and behind the scenes volunteers to learn, practice, and perfect their craft.”

To that end, the theater is always looking for volunteers. Their monthly meetings are open to the public, held every second Tuesday. all 707.746.1269 for location.

This season, BOTTG chose a theme for its Fall and Spring plays, "BOTTG goes to the movies.” Both plays were made into films in the 1940's. "Born Yesterday,” staged last fall, and the current spring production, "Laura," feature strong female characters. Both plays are directed by women. As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment (women's right to vote) this August, this is a nod to the empowerment of women. This is especially important as women continue to be underrepresented in the theater.

"Laura," a murder mystery, is directed by Chloe Bronzan, who has directed a number of productions throughout the Bay Area. "She will bring a fresh interpretation, a modern eye to this noir play," said Laura Paoletti of the BOTTG Board. "Laura" opens on April 17th, with a Gala event planned. Before the play begins attendees will enjoy live jazz music, champagne, and heavy appetizers.

The Gala is a fundraiser event, the proceeds to fund constantly increasing expenses. The theater also has an ongoing project of replacing the lighting system. Another noteworthy evening will be the "Meal Deal" night where show-goers can enjoy a pre-paid dinner and show special. Venticello's, on First Street, right around the corner from the theater, will provide an especially delicious pre-show dinner.

As Dan Clark often wrote, "Live theater is a precious cultural resource. Every vibrant society has theater as a reflection of its artistic core; a mirror of its history, mores, and values,” Dan's insight continues to live on at the Benicia Old Town Theater Group. Come, join the MAGIC! "Laura" runs April 17-May 9th. Fridays and Saturdays 8:00 p.m., Sunday Matinees, 2:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at www.beniciaoldtowntheatregroup.com, or at the Benicia Chamber of Commerce, or at the door. Cost: $40.00 for the Gala event, $45.00 for the Meal-Deal night. All other shows: General admission is $22.00, Seniors and Students, $20.00.

Performances are at the historic BDES Hall, 140 West J St.

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16 • Benicia Magazine

Benicia Literacy Program Benicia Reads-Update

By Jeannine Mendoza Ed.D In Benicia magazine’s October issue, it was announced that a citywide reading campaign, BENICIA READS would be launched here in our city. This is a partnership between the Benicia Unified School District and The City of Benicia that will help support all students and children from birth to age five with their reading and literacy development. BUSD has focused on what they are calling a Wildly Important Goal: All students will read at grade level by the end of their third grade year, and beyond.

In hearing this, one might say, hasn’t this always been the goal? The answer is definitely yes, but now BUSD and the City of Benicia are striving to pursue this most important goal with even greater urgency and commitment of resources.

We know language development is tantamount to one’s success in life, including school and the world of work. The research is compelling regarding language development, particularly in the first five years of life, and the importance of reading and engaging in rich conversations with your child daily. A particularly impactful study has stated that when a parent, “… engages in extra talk – speaking 48 million words (versus 13 million words) to an infant in its first 36 months of life – many, many more of the synaptic pathways in the child’s brain are exercised and refined….this means that children who have been lavished with extra talk have an almost incalculable cognitive advantage compared to those who have not been.” (Christensen, C., 2011) Robust language development in these early years establishes the foundation from which students learn to read with fluency, comprehension, confidence and, hopefully, joy.

Things have changed, however, within the last decade with the rampant use of technology and the ubiquitous cell phone. While these new advancements are exciting and offer some advantages, they can create distractions in the interactions between parents and their children. In fact, there is evidence that many Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten students join our school system with less developed language skills than they did prior to the wide availability of electronics.

It seems that parents are not talking as much to their babies and small children. They are not listening, reading, singing or interacting with them as much either. Only through a concerted effort to talk, read and sing to their children will parents provide enough verbal stimulation for children to be good readers and lifelong learners. BENICIA READS provides that necessary link between parents and their young children.

Although BENICIA READS is under the auspices of the BUSD, the City of Benicia, and the California Department of Education, approximately twenty-five members of the community came together in support of this literacy program including Benicia Chamber of Commerce, BUSD staff, service clubs such as Benicia Rotary, Kiwanis and Soroptimists, Benicia Bookshop, Valero Benicia Refinery, and City department staff including Benicia Public Library, Benicia Parks and Community Services, Benicia Police Department, and Benicia Fire Department, local Benicia preschools, community organizations such as Another Chapter, Boy Scouts. and Solano First Five, and individual community members representing artists, authors, marketing professionals and business leaders. This effort is truly city-wide, and to paraphrase an African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a literate child.”

BENICIA READS is headed by team of committed individuals:

Leslie Beatson, Assistant Superintendent, Benicia Unified School District Lorie Tinfow, City Manager, City of Benicia Tina Kister Hardy, Benicia Reads Project Manager, Benicia Unified School District This team has been brainstorming all the literacy events that are happening around Benicia and creating other events and opportunities that support literacy. Currently, they are planning an April launch aligned with the annual Week of the Young Child set for April 11-17, 2020, (https://www.naeyc. org/events/woyc). BENICIA READS’ kick-off event is called “Books & Blankets” and is scheduled for April 17, 2020, 4:30 – 7:00 p.m. in City Park. The event is free and some of the activities include storytelling and a book exchange, and light dinner fare will be provided. Other events and activities are planned throughout the year; more information is forthcoming on their webpage, which is currently under construction. For more information please contact Leslie Beatson at lbeatson@ benicia unified.og.

Interview with

Luis and Nancy Herrera

By Adriene Rockwell Luis Herrera ended his 40-year career in library services like the closing pages of a good book. With a loving farewell from the biblioteca community, in 2018 he retired as City Librarian overseeing 28 neighborhood libraries in the San Francisco system. Before that, he led libraries in Long Beach, Pasadena and San Diego, and in 2012 was appointed by President Obama to the Institute of Museum and Library Services, where he still helps develop federal policy and fiscal support. Luis lights up when he talks about his career, but as a child this was the farthest thing from his reality.

“I call myself an accidental librarian, because I never imagined myself here,” he smiles. It was an unlikely career for a boy growing up in El Paso, Texas, as one of eight siblings raised by Mexican immigrants. His father made a living as a master carpenter and his mother was a seamstress. “My parents did very well by us, but they could not afford to send us to college.”

When Luis was 12-years-old, he joined his older sister and her husband on a road trip to the World Fair in New York and Washington D.C., an adventure that sparked in him a whole world of possibilities outside of El Paso. With his penchant for learning, he became the first in his family to go college. Eventually he received a fellowship to attend the University of Arizona for a graduate degree in Library Sciences. “They were looking for more bilingual, bicultural people, because there were very few in the profession that could speak Spanish or serve multicultural communities. That became my forte.”

He met his wife of 27 years, Nancy, at a holiday party in San Diego at the Mayor’s office where she worked. After years working in city government and for non-profit causes, Nancy switched careers, earning her master’s degree in Library Sciences at her husband’s alma mater in Arizona. She’s also earned certificates as a personal trainer and a vegan chef, among other things. “My career is much less linear than my husband’s,” she laughs. “I believe Socrates was right when he said: ‘The unexamined life is not worth living.’”

They both agree life in Benicia is well worth living. It’s been like a dream come true since they moved here from Oakland in November.

As a retired man, Luis had a bit more time to talk with us than Nancy, but here is what the pair had to say about life and work: 18 • Benicia Magazine

BM: Luis, bring us back to your first jobs as a librarian. What was that like?

BM: What do you foresee in the library world over the next decade?

LH:

LH:

My first job was as a middle school librarian in 1977 at my own middle school in El Paso, Texas. It was an amazing experience to work side by side with peers who were once my teachers. I loved it. Then I transitioned into running neighborhood libraries in Long Beach and San Diego. My first directorship was in Pasadena for a decade, and then in San Francisco – which is the envy of many cities because of their support for libraries. I fell into a difficult job. I was able to help bridge a connection with city hall and build the relationship, and I feel proud about that. The whole San Francisco Library System was named Library of the Year in 2018 by Library Journal. I was over the moon because of that.

BM: What do you love about libraries?

LH:

What I love about libraries is that they are resilient and smart – amazing organizations in how they adapt with the times and technology.

I speak from experience because I started my career when we had card catalogs, and then I saw the transition to microfiche and CD-ROM, and all of the sudden the internet transformed the world as we know it. And now we have e-books and audio books.

Libraries are our community living room, bringing people together in a fragmented time. I always say Libraries are the most democratic public institutions because they welcome all.

I think one of the neatest things about libraries now is how much they offer for life-long learning. It’s amazing the level of programming that’s available for people: early literacy, career transitioning, digital world, teaching seniors how to use tablets and email.

BM: Are you concerned about books or libraries becoming obsolete?

LH: Not really. People still love books.

I just think that there is something to be said about the printed word and hard copies that will be here for many years. Libraries will be a place for both. A balance between printed and electronic resources, and they can coexist well. We still need physical spaces. Libraries are physical places that bring people together to learn.

I’m optimistic about the future of libraries. They will continue to be public spaces for public engagement, even more so than now. I think they need to be radically welcoming. Any good library system will see the need to re-invent themselves constantly.

Like a good business. If you don’t reinvent yourself, or adapt, you’re going to be irrelevant. But if you do, you’re going to be more relevant than ever.

BM: What has retirement been like for you so far?

LH:

I like to stay involved in civic work and remain a trustee for SFMOMA, Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, and the IMLS. I have been involved for a long time with the Latino Communities Foundation to build capacity in the Latino community.

I’m also learning to say no.

I decided when I retired that I would take classes in some art form, but I’ve yet to have time to do it. We are loving the house, landscaping, succulent gardening. We also have three small rescue dogs that are our paw kids.

Nancy and I both have large families and are very close with our nieces and nephews. Oh, and I’m a part of a men’s book club. I love novels, but we rotate genres. One of my recent favorites is the non-fiction book Bad Blood. I’m a very slow and deliberate reader.

BM: Tell us about your experience in Benicia so far?

(Nancy jumped in to answer this one.)

NH: There is such a wonderful sense of community. People are so generous and genuine. And the views of Benicia, wow! The mountainside, the whistling of the trains, watching the sailboats and cargo ships go by, the fog horns – it’s therapeutic! And kudos to Parks and Recreation, the parks are so clean. We feel so blessed by our neighbors, they welcomed us right when we moved in. And in December we had carolers, I got teary-eyed. We had been coming here for years to visit. We’d bring friends and spend time walking, having lunch in a café, or by the water. We knew we wanted to live here, but it took us a while to make our dream come true.

BeniciaMagazine.com • 19

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Benicia Plein Air Gallery Features

Artist Iris Sabre,

Moods and Colors “Art is that fatal net which catches these strange moments on the wing like mysterious butterflies, fleeing the innocence and distractions of common men.” ­— Giorgio de Chirico Submitted by Benicia Plein Air Gallery For Iris Sabre, plein air painting is a bold and daring adventure. She is never sure what the outcome will be.

It is this uncertainty that give the painting spontaneity and makes the process new and different every time it is undertaken. When plein air painting, Iris is totally “in the zone.” Working rapidly on a large format with oil paints, she completes a work on site with bold strokes and vivid colors. “You have to love it,” she says. . . “to love being there out on the edge of the cliff over the sea or the high hillside, painting. This is paradise.”

Born and raised in San Francisco, she received her bachelor’s degree in painting at SF State University, as well as two teaching credentials: Multiple Subjects and Fine Art. She has continued to take workshops and study with local painters Randall Sexton, Pam Glover, and Van Waldron. A member of the California Art Club, her work is also shown at the San Francisco Women Artists Gallery in San Francisco and the Marin Society of Artists Gallery in San Rafael.

Benicia Plein Air Gallery is located at 307 First Street in Benicia. The collection will be on display from April 7th through May 3rd. The public is welcome to attend a reception and meet the artist on Saturday, April 11, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

Also on exhibit is a new collection of plein air paintings by all 13 of the gallery's artists, showcasing a colorful variety of media and styles.

Katrena Edman

The Art of the Automobile Katrena Edman is a local artist whose focus is on vintage, classic and modern automobiles as “art.” This love of the design and beauty of the classic automobile came about when Katrena was a teacher in a small, rural high school that had mostly male students. One of the classes she taught was art. She had just started to use colored pencils in her art and found that they were a perfect medium for drawing cars — a subject she hoped would capture the imagination of her students.

Katrena had her students do a project of a cropped image of a classic car; a wheel, a fender, or some feature of the car that was interesting. She did one too… and that small thing changed everything for her. Prior to this, she had no interest and little knowledge of automobiles and no one was more surprised than her when she began to look at them as works of art; as sculpture. These cars captured all of the elements and principles of art: color, line, form and design. The colored pencils captured the beautiful form of these cars perfectly, and as she completed her own project, she began to look and think about these cars differently.

22 • Benicia Magazine

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Benicia's Farmers Market

By Christina Strawbridge The year was 1993, and with much anticipation the Benicia Certified Farmers Market was born. The lead up to the opening on Thursday, June 3 took planning and community involvement.

Decisions were made from the top in response to petitions and lobbying to form a weekly market that would offer fresh produce from local farms while creating a reason to come Downtown on a regular basis. That first market, the rain came down in buckets but Benicia came out in droves to welcome the beginning of an institution for our town.

The City named Benicia Main Street as the coordinator to oversee the development and run the market. Producing a public outdoor event that runs every week for 6 months takes specialized talent. There was discussion about hiring an outside firm representing a consortium of markets and farmers but the case was made that it was important to keep our farmers market independent. The Council approved a one time amount of $25,000 to Benicia Main Street. It would be up to Main Street to finance the ongoing costs through booth fees and sponsors.

Much of Benicia's Market was inspired by (SLO) San Luis Obispo's Farmers Market which is considered the granddaddy of all farmers markets. Patti Baron, who was the executive director of Benicia Main Street at the time, was accompanied by Mike Ioakimedes, the President of the organization, to SLO to check out how this established market works. It was concluded (like SLO) that Thursday night was preferred because of its recognized importance to retail and that the market would reflect a festival approach with cooked food, arts and crafts, music and entertainment for children.

The location on First Street between D and B Streets made sense as there were plenty of vacant lots along that portion of the street (since then filled in), making it easier to maneuver trucks and tenting. It also drew customers all the way down the 24 • Benicia Magazine

street to shop. As market managers, our job was everything from recruiting farmers and vendors, scheduling entertainment, traffic mitigation, working with state and county agencies along with the set up and take down each week. We were very fortunate to have Richard Bortolazzo and his Coldwell Banker realtors volunteer to man the Main Street booth, welcoming market goers as well as punching frequent shopper cards. Another fixture of the market was Adobe and their workforce which helped set up and take down the large equipment and clean up at the end of the evening. After all these years, they both remain integral parts of the market.

In nearly 3 decades there have been some memorable characters that, shall we say, gave the Benicia Certified Market personality. Who can forget Twee Twee the clown, the white bearded Moses, the egg guy who traveled the market on roller skates, Strawberry the 6'3" pink bear mascot, cantankerous Jerry who sold oysters from his family farm in Tomales Bay, and a host of vendors that kept the market vibrant and fun? Some of those family owned farms still travel to Benicia every Thursday during the season. Medina Berry Farms from Watsonville is one of the originals. Generations of the Medina family have grown up with our own families, selling the sweetest strawberries ever.

The 2020 Benicia Certified Farmers Market begins on April 30, running from 4PM to 8PM where it all started 27 years ago.

Benicia Main Street continues to run the show with Nancy Martinez (Executive Director) and Deborah Housman (Event Manager) with their volunteers at the helm. The popularity of the event has grown through the years with over 3500 customers a week. It has become a gathering place for the community to see their neighbors, buy produce that is direct from the farm and meet the farmers who grow the food. It also is an opportunity to support First Street merchants and restaurants along the way.

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People and Places People

Chris Ferrucci:

Benicia Chamber Chairperson Chris Ferrucci was recently inducted as the Chairperson of the Benicia Chamber of Commerce for 2020. Ferrucci works for Benicia Civil Engineering Surveying Firm CSA (Cullen - Sherry & Associations) as the Survey Manager and is a licensed land surveyor. Dan Cullen who was very involved in the business community started the firm in 1974 and it was incorporated in 1981. Former Benicia Planning Commissioner and the current Benicia Industrial Park Association (BIPA) President, Rod Sherry bought into the business in 2002. Most of CSA business is in Benicia, with the majority of the work in land surveying and property boundaries.

Chris Ferrucci credits Rod Sherry for his involvement with the Chamber of Commerce that has led to his recent induction as its Chairman.

CSA is active in both the Chamber and BIPA (Benicia Industrial Park Association) and their involvement only makes the Benicia Business Community stronger.

Chris' goal is to provide value to the community. There are approximately 365 Chamber of Commerce members representing businesses in the area. He believes that while providing services to the business community, transparency and accountability are high priorities.

His first step was to update the Bylaws and the creation of a new website. He will also continue the practice of having a Benicia Chamber Board member at every City Council meeting. There are currently 14 Benicia Chamber of Commerce

26 • Benicia Magazine

Board members and Chris relies on past Chairperson, Todd Bigelow of Roundtable Pizza, Vice Chairperson Bob Triglia, of Coldwell Banker, and Vice Chairperson of Finance, Monica Vargas of Dr. Joyce Optometrist for support.

I have known the Ferruccis' since we moved to Benicia in 1985. Our families were involved together at St. Dominic's where Chris's mother Diane taught my youngest son, Christopher. She is the current President of the Benicia Unified School District.

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People and Places Food and Drink

Spirits, Art, & History:

The Wet Mile on Mare Island

By Genevieve Hand Living so close to Vallejo, us Benicians are familiar with Mare Island. You probably know that it was the first Naval base on the west coast, established in 1854. You probably also know that it was decommissioned in 1996 and that it has since been slowly repurposed with zoning for residential and business use, and its historic architecture and unique layout has been used as sets for movies and TV shows. Now, the island’s business owners are opening their doors to tourists from all over, thanks in part to a collective effort called The Wet Mile.

Initiated by the minds at Mare Island Brew Co. Coal Shed Brewery, The Wet Mile is a cooperative effort of Mare Island makers which, in addition to the brewery, currently includes craft distillery Savage and Cooke, Mare Island Art Studios, Vino Godfather Winery, and Ferry Street Wine and Spirits. It’s a weekly happening, every Sunday from noon to 4pm, where visitors are welcomed to stroll the streets of Mare Island and sample what its makers have to offer.

We decided to try out the full experience for ourselves. While there is no set-in-stone “start” to The Wet Mile, we decided to go by the numerically coded map on The Wet Mile website. This put us starting at Savage and Cooke, the craft whiskey distillery. Savage and Cooke offers a standard tasting of three of their most popular whiskeys, Second Glance, Burning Chair, and Lip Service, for $15/person, as well as a facility tour for $40/person with some additional reserve tastings.

We had the pleasure of a private tour with Steven Nagy, who told us all about the history of the distillery and the building it is housed within – including showing us a glimpse inside one of their private tasting rooms, which was once a bunker for classified documents during WWII. He also showed us their stills and explained their distillation process. We caught a glimpse at their private event space, and got a little inside scoop on the owner and his collection of artifacts that furnish the vast building. At the time that I am writing this, Savage and Cooke has a plan in the works to open a restaurant onsite and to begin offering craft cocktails.

Next, we headed to the place that started The Wet Mile: Mare Island Brewing Company’s Coal Shed Brewery. If you’re familiar with Mare Island Brew Co. from the Vallejo ferry building, you guessed it, this is where they make their beer. While their Ferry Taproom is open every day, their Coal Shed Brewery is only open on Sunday afternoons – hence the invention of The Wet Mile to drive foot traffic. If you’re not familiar with Mare Island Brew Co., they have a number of tasty brews, all of which are named with a nod to some piece of Mare Island Naval

28 • Benicia Magazine

MARE ISLAND BREWING COMPANY

SAVAGE AND COOKE

Shipyard history. The Coalshed Brewery offers a reduced food menu compared with the full menu at the taproom across the river, has a larger seating area and outdoor patio, and more games. It also offers a facility tour with tour guide Frenchie (sometimes the founders themselves will also give tours), who not only gave us insight to the brewing process, but also a hefty dose of Mare Island history. The Coal Shed Brewery is also where brewery club members, or “Yardbirds,” get to experience release parties, as well as other special members-only events.

VINO GODFATHER

At this point, we were ready for a bit of a walk. So, we headed to Mare Island Art Studios.

Founded in 1999 and formerly known as Coal Shed Art Studios, this collective of artists moved out of the coal sheds in 2018, as the site was slated for renovations, and now reside on Pintado Street. Mare Island Art Studios provides art and gallery space to 19 Bay Area local artists. The studios are open to the public during The Wet Mile, so you can wander in and view the exhibit currently on display in the gallery, check out works in progress by the artists, and chat with any of the artists onsite that day. We stumbled upon Orna Pascal, generally a quilter and paper artist, who graciously gave us a tour of the studios and introduced us to some works she and her colleagues have done. Each of the artists have their preferred media and subjects. We saw everything from pottery, to classic car art, to an animatronic-computer-face. Artists occasionally offer classes to the public and, while the collective isn’t currently accepting new members, there is an application process online for those who are interested. Applications are collected and reviewed when a new spot becomes available.

From the art studio, we ventured onward to Vino Godfather Winery. Housed in a historic general’s mansion, Vino Godfather features a unique ambiance in addition to their award-winning wine. We spoke with Tom, who told us a little about the history of Vino Godfather while he poured us tastings of some of the winery’s most popular offerings. We also spoke to a few Vino Godfather enthusiasts, including Kent Knight, who was happy to share fun facts he had learned about the building: everything from the location of prohibition hideaways, to how the servant call system worked, to stories of alleged ghost activity in the old mansion. We were encouraged to wander through the house and take in the original features. The winery presents live music most Saturdays for a cover fee – events that take place in their spacious backyard lot when weather allows, and inside the tasting room when the season is less favorable. Wine club members are invited to these live shows and other special events for free.

We found it difficult to leave the charming scene at Vino Godfather, but our time on The Wet Mile was coming to a close. The final location was Ferry Street Wine and Spirits, a retail shop where we could purchase some of the wares we tasted on our journey. Located right next to Savage and Cooke, it was, conveniently, also where we had left our car (don’t worry, we had a designated driver).

If you’re at all interested in Naval history, or are simply looking for a unique way to spend a Sunday afternoon, I highly encourage you to visit Mare Island. The establishment of “The Wet Mile” alone has successfully drawn more people to the island, generating a buzz about the possibilities for its future. All the vendors we spoke to on our journey assured us that big things are starting to happen on the island, but also expressed an enthusiasm, and almost a sense of duty to preserve and pay homage to the rich history of the one-time Naval base. We look forward to seeing what’s next for this historic site.

BeniciaMagazine.com • 29

Greetings Campers. Although it is time again to gather around the amplifiers, these are strange days. As we heard singing from Italy's balconies, music will keep us connected, to now, the past and the time we dance again. And your support will be critical. With our day by day changes, please confirm status of all shows. Here's to keeping our magic in 2020. Below are proposed schedules for our local venues:

Lucca Beer Garden 439 1st Street, Benicia Luccabar.com No cover charge

Thu 2, 6:30-9PM The FOXCATCHERS are Jeff Tamelier and Christopher Cole Dave Voltone & The Retro-Delics Fri 3, 6-8:30PM Sat 4, afternoon Brayden Cone and Live Music Center 1-3:30PM Hot Dog Chicken offered Sat 4, 6-8:30PM Sun 5, 3-6PM An Afternoon of Irish Music with Vince Wolfe, Lewis Santer and Friends Chris James & The Showdowns Thu 9, 6:30-9PM Fri 10, 6-8:30PM GarageLand Rodeo James Nash & Friends No 2020 Sat 11, 6-8:30PM Sun 12, 3-6PM Muddy Waders Thu 16, 6-8:30PM Pontiac Dream Fresh Cream Fri 17, 6-8:30PM Sat 18, afternoon GB Gents 1-3:30PM Patrick Winningham Band Sat 18, 6-8:30PM Jazz With The Damien Masterson Group Sun 19, 3-6PM Thu 23, 6-8:30PM Farmers Market Begins - Jinx Jones & The Kingtones perform Fri 24, 6-8:30PM 4th Friday with Don Bassey and Friends, Kevin Hayes, Erik Schramm & Sean Allen GB Gents 1-3:30PM Sat 26, Afternoon Sun 26, 3-6PM Barrio Manouche

The Rellik Tavern 707.746.1137 726 1st Street, Benicia therelliktavern.com

Wednesday: No Wednesday music in April Wednesday: Acoustic performers from 6pm-9pm Thursday: DJ and live entertainment from 5:30pm to 1:30am Friday: Live bands from 8:30pm to 12:30am Saturday; Live bands from 8:30pm to 12:30am SUNDAY Sunday: Unplugged Solo and Duo performers from 11:30am to 2:30pm Sun 5: Ralph Woodson Sun 12: Easter No Music Sun 19: Lisa Long Sun 26: The 5-0 Boys

30 • Benicia Magazine

THURSDAY Thursday: DJ and live entertainment from 5:30pm to 1:30am Thu 2: Lark & LeBlanc 6:00pm to 8:30pm Thu 2: DJ Jerry Ross 9pm-1:30am Thu 9: Bray from Neon Velvet 5:30pm-8:30pm Thu 9: DJ Alex 9pm-1:30am Thu 16: You Front the Band (guest get to sing with a live band) 8:30pm-12:30am Thu 23: Chris Ahlman 5:30pm-8:30pm Thu 23: DJ Alex 9pm-1:30am Thu 30: Goth/Industrial Night with DJ Takyon FRIDAY Friday: Live bands from 8:30pm to 12:30am Fri 3: Wake The Neighbors Fri 10: 5 O’clock Somewhere Fri 17: Jeramy Norris and The Dangerous Mood The Business Fri 24: SATURDAY Saturday; Live bands from 8:30pm to 12:30am Sat 4: Dynamite Dave & The Detonators The Fabulous Cruisetones Sat 11: Sat 18: The Billy Bunch Sat 25: The Helios Band

Empress Theatre

707.552.2400 330 Virginia Street, Vallejo Empresstheatre.org Ticketed events go to empresstheatre.org/events for more information Wed 1, 7:30PM Machine Thur 2, 7:30PM Sat 4, 8:00PM Thurs 9, 7:30PM Sat 11, 6:30PM Wed 15, 7:30PM Thur 16, 8:00PM Sat 18, 8:00PM Sun 19, 3:00PM Wed 22, 7:30PM Wed 26, 5:00PM Wed 29, 7:30PM

Wednesday Night Live with Paul Branin & JP West Coast Songwriters House of Floyd Film Club – Empress Film Club -Fantastic Fungi Risen Red’s Blues Band Drew Harrison in Concert “Beatles & More” Vallejo Symphony Concert III – New World Vallejo Symphony Concert III – New World Wednesday Night Live with Joyce Grant Vallejo Jazz Society – Rory Snyder Big Band Wednesday Night Live with Soulful Security

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