Benicia Magazine January 2012

Please Deliver 12/30-1/3 Volume 7 Issue 3 January 2012

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Our

75th

Issue

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If mammography was designed by women, there’d be a lot less exposure.

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BeniciaMagazine.com • 3

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4 • Benicia Magazine

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Benicia Magazine JANUARY VOLUME 7 ISSUE 3

9 Printing Sustainably 10 From the Editor

Features

12 Ken Bowers, MD, shares tips for a healthy 2012

16 Training for your first 5K 18

Recycling 101

IPark nterview with Phil Garrett, Benicia Industrial Association's president, and Jasmin Powell, BIPA board member

24 Fashionista 28 Listening

of aromatherapy

22 Community supported

agriculture program brings fresh, organic produce to Benicia

26 Puerto Vallarta: the sun and beach within easy reach

18 6 • Benicia Magazine

14

Goes shopping in New York City

20 The ancient art

16

Departments

Featured musician Ariane Cap Bay Area live music calendar

29 January Events 30 Looking Back

Benicia State Capitol 1883: Legislation on divorce & property rights

20

Warm up Winter with Smuin Ballet The Winter Program Amy Seiwert’s newest Ballet, Dear Miss Cline, is set to the expressive vocals of the incomparable Patsy Cline.

Plus three vibrant works by Michael Smuin: Tango Palace, Michael’s sizzling celebration of Argentine Tango.

Stabat Mater is Michael’s eloquent memorial to the events of 9/11.

The Eternal Idol brings the famed Rodin sculpture to life.

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BeniciaMagazine.com • 7

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Where the Pros Go For Quality Building Materials, Service & Advice

Benicia

magazine

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Celebrating our 7th Year

Benicia Editor Jeanne Steinmann

Graphic Design magazine Margaret Bowles

Web Specialist Yarrow Sweningsen

Benicia

Special Projects/Advertising Coordinator Joey Baker

magazine

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Please continue to place batteries and CFLs in Ziploc bags next to your brown cart. For more info call Marie Knutson, Allied Waste, 925.671.5814 or visit www.awsccc.com.

8 • Benicia Magazine

Contributing Writers Bob Ecker • Rhonda Lucile Hicks Elena Karoulina • Duncan Larkin Beth Steinmann • Sue Sumner-Moore Christina Strawbridge Contributing Photographers Lisa Duncan, Jerry Bowles Advertising sales 707.853.5226 general@beniciamagazine.com Administration Office Manager Risë Goebel Copy Editor/Proofreader Beth Steinmann Contact Us 707.853.5226 Beniciamagazine.com editor@beniciamagazine.com Editorial deadlines The 1st of the month prior to the issue month Advertising deadlines The 5th of the month prior to the issue month editor@beniciamagazine.com Twitter: @beniciamagazine facebook.com/Benicia Magazine

Benicia Magazine is published monthly by Polygon Publishing, LLC Copyright © 2011, 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.

Subscriptions $18.00 per year. Benicia Magazine, P.O. Box 296, Benicia, CA 94510. 707.853.5226, beniciamagazine.com

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Beauty from the Inside Out BeniciaMagazine.com • 9

From the Editor

“

Happy New Year and welcome to our annual Wellness issue! There’s lots of good information on getting and staying fit, from running your first 5K to vacationing in Puerto Vallarta. As I write this in mid-December after eating fresh cracked crab for dinner (two whole pounds of it!) I was reminiscing about the fun New Year’s Eve celebrations my husband and I have shared and what to do to usher in 2012.

In May of 1982, my boyfriend took me to the Crown Room at the top of the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco; big stuff back then, I was all of 23 years old. Not usually one for grand gestures, he ordered two glasses of Champagne, and I was still clueless, right up until the moment he popped the question. I was so surprised that I was speechless, and my reaction, I’m sure, must have been somewhat of a letdown. A similar story was repeated when, about twelve years ago, we were having dinner with friends at Montecatini Restaurant in Walnut Creek, when he produced an envelope with a lovely handmade, multi-page construction paper card that invited me to do the impossible when one has children: a two week vacation in France, just the two of us. He had made all the arrangements in advance, including getting my parents here to take care of the girls. I was so overwhelmed I just sat there while the friend produced the expected reaction—a hoot and a scream and over-the-top enthusiasm.

So as we sat after the crab-fest pondering the options for New Photo by Lisa Duncan Year’s Eve, which ranged from dinner and dancing to movies at home in our jammies with a good bottle of bubbly, he retrieved his iPad and within a few minutes had booked an overnight stay at the Fairmont, almost 29 years after the big proposal, with a grand New Year’s Eve celebration at the Crown Room.

This time I hope my reaction showed all the joy and gratitude I felt inside that comes partially from relief of the pressure many of us feel about doing something “important,” or memorable on New Year's Eve to assure ourselves that we are starting things off right, and partially from knowing it will be a special evening to remember. One more memory in the annals of our lives—one in which we will reminisce about the past and reconfirm the future and our love for each other, our family and our friends.

It’s a poignant moment: I feel enormous gratitude for health and family, and I’m at peace amid the chaos of the holidays. I am counting my blessings as 2012 knocks at the door, beckoning a new beginning. At the same time my heart is never far from two very dear friends and their loved ones who are living with the daily challenges of cancer, one of whom will likely spend New Year’s Eve recuperating in the hospital. They lift my spirits, make me laugh, give me hope and teach me the true meaning of grace and courage in the face of adversity.

This is our 75th issue of Benicia Magazine, which I dedicate to those friends, the magnificent team of women and men who help assemble the magazine each month and especially to my husband, who can still surprise me after all these years. 2012: Viva Celebración!

…we will reminisce

about the past and

reconfirm the future

and our love for each other, our family and our friends.

10 • Benicia Magazine

”

We welcome your feedback. Tweet, post, comment online or email letters or suggestions: beniciamagazine.com Twitter: @Benicia Magazine Facebook: Facebook.com-Benicia Magazine editor@beniciamagazine.com

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Staying Well this Winter

Photo by Lisa Duncan

answer is boring. It boils down to what mom used to say: eat right, exercise, drink lots of water and no smoking.

There is some research, backed by big-name institutions like UCLA, into the use of anabolic steroids as the ‘fountain of youth’ or anti-aging medication. Steroids can give you more energy and make you look and feel better. But you have to keep taking them. If you stop the affects go away, just like with diet and exercise. The jury is still out—the problem is it has not been studied and long-term effects are unknown. It will be interesting to see how it pans out.

What’s next for you? I won’t be retiring anytime soon. I enjoy going to work each day as much as I did my first day in practice. And it’s so much more rewarding with the history of seeing families over time; I am very blessed. B

Fight Off the Flu* Get a flu shot: flu season begins in October and continues through May. • Only 40% of Americans get an annual flu shot.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older.

• The timing, severity and length of a flu epidemic depends on many factors, including which influenza viruses are spreading and whether they match the viruses in the vaccine.

• The flu vaccine is designed to protect against three main flu strains that will cause the most illness during the flu season.

Wash hands frequently: frequent hand washing has the potential to save more lives than any single vaccine or medical intervention. Hum the happy birthday song twice while washing hands in running water with soap. *Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cdc.gov.

DRE # 00674738

Whether it’s due to corporatized medicine, the fact that private medical practices, the backbone of our medical system, are being purchased left and right by hospitals, or the economies of scale in patient care, studies show that far fewer doctors are going into primary care medicine.

Whatever the reason, this is a crisis that is making it difficult to get in to “see the doctor.” In Benicia, there is a practice that offers family care, and although quick appointments aren’t automatic, it’s nice to know that Family Health Center still provides the type of care for families over time not typically found in today’s medical arena. The practice was founded in 1984 by Walter Zaks, MD, and Ken Bowers, MD, and many thousands of patients later, now totals five doctors, including a D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathy).

Here are Dr. Bowers’ suggestions for staying healthy in 2012: What’s the best way to stay well over the winter? Managing any current health issues or disease affectively. And get a flu shot; it isn’t too late. Benicia has also been impacted by whooping cough the past two years. You can get a whooping cough shot but only in combination with a tetanus shot, which you can get if you haven’t had one for at least five years.

Everyone wants a quick fix, but good overall health and longevity is not going to come in a pill. Managing stress is very important, and so is sleep—six to eight hours a night. Reduce stimulus in the evening and don’t drink caffeine. And exercise! But not too late in the day.

Benicia’s largest age demographic is over 40. Is there anything new or interesting in medicine that will help us maintain optimal health and age gracefully? Well, the short

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12 • Benicia Magazine Currents

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BeniciaMagazine.com • 13

An Interview with

Phil Garrett and Jasmin Powell

By Sue Sumner-Moore Every community in America wants to attract new businesses these days.

New businesses means more local jobs and increased tax revenues to pay for parks, police, firefighters, road repairs and other city services—a message repeated often during recent city elections.

While most Benicia residents regularly visit the First Street or Southampton retail areas, few venture into the Benicia Industrial Park. And yet the Industrial Park generates more business than all other areas of Benicia combined.

“You can be here for years and never go to the Industrial Park,” says Jasmin Powell, vice president of Dunlop Manufacturing and a Benicia Industrial Park Association board member.

So the association is working to raise the park’s profile among Benicians. Last fall, the group mailed a flier to every home and business outlining the Industrial Park’s impact on the city and launched its own website (www.beniciaipa.org).

How much does the Industrial Park mean to the city?

“It most definitely is our economic engine, without question,” says Mario Giuliani, the city’s acting economic development manager. “Both in the number of jobs that the Industrial Park provides, and especially from the city’s viewpoint of sales and property taxes, it is huge. For example, in the second quarter of 2011, the Industrial Park generated $835,000 in sales tax while the rest of Benicia generated $264,000 in the same quarter.”

Powell and Phil Garrett, president of the Benicia Industrial Park Association, sat down with Benicia Magazine in mid-November to talk about the association’s goals, and Giuliani responded to questions after that session.

The business association wants everyone to know how much the Industrial Park contributes to Benicia.

“I don’t think it’s always gotten credit for all it’s done for the city. It helps make a lot of the quality of life you have here in Benicia,” says Garrett, managing partner for Colliers International real estate firm. He is finishing a two-year term as president of the association, which is part of the Benicia Chamber of Commerce. “The Industrial Park is an unbelievable asset and we need to take care of it.”

Giuliani says the city is now putting more resources into the Industrial Park.

“For a long time, the Industrial park wasn’t a top priority for the city, and now it is very clearly a top priority,” he says. “That’s a big start—we’re pivoting staff resources and time to the Industrial Park and doing what we can to retain and assist businesses there.”

What prompted the Benicia Industrial Park Association to launch its own website now?

Garrett: We’re very hard to find. People thought we were some old-boys club, and that’s just not true. We have about 75 members and we’re hoping to grow.

Powell: Also, the web site gives us better communication with our membership.

Garrett: We’re kind of in this century now. Others are 10,000 miles ahead, and we’re trying to catch up. We know people are finding it because they send us questions.

It’s been interesting to see what people want to know.

What questions do people ask?

Garrett: We get a lot of questions from people in town about employment: Who’s hiring? I have grown kids and they’d like to get back to town, who’s got job openings?

We get a lot of questions about jobs. We’ve talked about posting job openings on the web site.

Powell: But it’s not that simple. We have to go to members and get their approval. Some of the ideas may not be supported.

What are the association’s primary goals for 2012?

Garrett: One of our goals is to get some improvements, like broadband service.

Powell: I think the goals would be to try to get some help in getting some money to the park to repair the roads, to get broadband … to help businesses.

What is the status of broadband service in the Industrial Park?

Garrett: Part of the difficulty is who’s going to pay for it.

Powell: Especially in these current times when no one has money. … I don’t think anyone has a clear vision of what the solution is going to be. The city surveyed the businesses and then went to AT&T and Comcast. They came back and said it wasn’t cost-effective to install.

“

…the Industrial Park generat Benicia generated

14 • Benicia Magazine

Garrett: The estimated cost is $1 to $1.5 million. It’s a lot of money, but it’s not a lot in the scope of the business park.

Powell: If you look at the total scope of the business park and the number of people there, it’s not.

Garrett: And we may have to wait for G-4 service, for technology to advance a bit more.

(Acting Economic Development Manager Mario Giuliani said the city is “very engaged in trying to get broadband to the Industrial Park.” The city has joined the East Bay Broadband Consortium, which is competing for a Public Utilities Commission grant to provide broadband service in underserved areas.)

What do businesses do now for internet access?

Powell: We first had satellite service, which was horrible. Then we went to a T-1 line and we now have four T-1 lines. It’s very expensive: $500 a line, so $2,000 a month.

Why is road repair a top priority?

Garrett: We need operable roads. Some of the roads in the Industrial Park are so eroded that the appearance is poor, the function is poor. When you’re on these roads all the time, you go through equipment—tires, shocks—so quickly. And it looks old and tired, like everything needs work.

Powell: We have vacancies in the Industrial Park. It would be to everyone’s benefit to fill those vacancies. But you really have to have something to offer. The roads are in bad shape, there’s no broadband. It would be nice if we could shine it up.

Garrett: We compete with parks with newer buildings, newer roads.

Powell: Better lighting, better landscaping.

Garrett: The Industrial Park is older. It needs more TLC.

How much would the road repairs cost?

Garrett: How much is a boatload? I don’t know a dollar amount, but it’s a lot.

(Giuliani said road work is scheduled for Industrial Way and Channel Roads in 2012.)

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Given all that, what assets does the Industrial Park offer businesses?

Powell: It has a lot of positive points. It’s right on 680 and 780, it has the port.

Garrett: We also have rail access. We have a good labor pool. If you compare it to a lot of other places, it’s safe. It has everything—it has diversity unlike anything else I’ve ever seen. Most industrial parks are either all offices or all manufacturing. We’ve got manufacturing, engineering, bio-tech, food companies, auto mechanics, heavy equipment. Any kind of business­—winery suppliers, like cork manufacturers, labels. They make a lot of labels in the Industrial Park. We’ve got everything. B

ted $835,000 in sales tax while the rest of d $264,000 in the same quarter.

”

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BeniciaMagazine.com • 15

How to Run Your First 5K

By Duncan Larkin It’s no surprise that the beginning of the year brings out many first-time runners determined to make good on their resolution to lose weight and get into shape. If you are one of these people, then this article is for you.

However, before buying an expensive pair of running shoes and signing up for your first race, the first thing you should do is make an appointment with your doctor and get a physical. As evidenced by several high-profile fatalities at the Philadelphia and San Antonio marathons in 2011, running can be incredibly demanding on the body and it’s wise to first make sure your heart, lungs, and legs are up for the challenge.

Once cleared to run, find your first race and sign up for it. A first-time 5K runner should allow for approximately three months of training, so April would be an ideal time for that first race. In fact, Benicia’s Run for Education takes place on April 15 and would be a perfect local option.

The best way to schedule training for your first 5K is to break it up into three, one-month segments. In the first month you should focus on “base” training. This entails a lot of long, slow running—even walking if you’d like. The purpose of base training is to gradually build up strength in your legs and feet—preparing the body to handle the 3.1 miles of pounding it will face on race day. If possible, run two to three times a week and start out with distances no greater than a mile. Gradually increase your runs every week by five minutes until you can cover over two miles. If you can’t cover the entire distance running, it’s no problem. Start your workouts by walking and slowly introduce running into your routine.

A good technique to do this is to break up your run into five-minute increments, running for two minutes and walking for three. Eventually work your way up until you can run for five minutes straight.

After the first month, you should be able to run for the majority of your workout. At that point, it’s time to introduce hills to your regimen. Benicia is the perfect place for this! Running hills is a fantastic way to improve your cardiovascular system and teach the body to operate efficiently, which will make your first race an enjoyable one. Because of its steepness, a great option for hill training in Benicia is Cambridge Drive. Select one day a week in your training schedule as your “hills” day. After a 10 to 15-minute warm-up, begin your workout by running as fast as possible up the hill. You don’t need to run all the way to the top and should instead time your climbs, not exceeding two to three minutes per climb. Walk or jog back down to your starting point and repeat the climb until you have completed four repetitions. In subsequent weeks, try to increase your repetitions until you can complete six to eight at the end of your second month of training.

As you enter your third month of 5K training, it’s time to introduce speed workouts and long runs.

Speed sessions don’t need to take place on the track. In fact, with its measured course, the Benicia State Recreation Area is an optimal location for these workouts. Once a week, schedule a “speed” day that entails ½ mile accelerations. After your warm-up, try to complete three, ½-mile repetitions as fast as possible. Take a five-minute break between your repetitions and, as with your hill workouts, gradually increase your repetitions every week. During this final month of training, you should also be incorporating longer runs into your schedule. If possible, try to complete one or two four-mile runs.

Being able to tell yourself on race day that you have run further in training is a major confidence boost.

Finally, the most important aspect of preparing for your first 5K is to go easy on yourself and not stress about your finishing time. Completing the race is all that counts. Be proud of the fact that you are taking positive steps towards improving your health. Congratulations!

Duncan Larkin is a professional fitness writer and former Benicia resident. B

16 • Benicia Magazine

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www.ci.benicia.ca.us BeniciaMagazine.com • 17

k s r o W y Reall

By Jeanne Steinmann Here’s an eye-opener: In 2010, Americans generated 250 million tons of MSW, or Municipal Solid Waste (technical jargon for trash) according to the US Environmental Protection Agency’s website, www.epa.gov/wastes/facts-text.htm. Per capita, that’s a staggering 1,617 pounds of garbage per person per year. Of that amount, on average, 34%, or 165 million tons, ended up in landfills. The rest was recycled, composted or incinerated.

Since there are laws regulating how much waste can go into landfills, Allied Waste, a division of Republic Services and Benicia’s provider, has an aggressive recycling program to divert as much material as possible from Keller Canyon, the landfill that serves our area. Allied Waste is an award-winning, certified green business, and through their efforts, 60% of our “trash,” well above the mandated amount, is being diverted from the landfill. Additionally, the methane gas generated from Keller Canyon is sold to PG & E and piped to Alameda to produce electricity.

Marie Knutson, Allied Waste’s Recycling Coordinator, works with residents and businesses to find uses for materials that would otherwise end up at Keller. Knutson has a knack for getting unwanted and leftover materials, ranging from guitar strings to floor tiles, into the hands of folks who find creative uses for them, especially teachers and artists. Residents and businesses can contact Knutson before throwing out anything that could potentially be recycled, reused or repurposed.

Allied contracts with Pacific Rim Recycling to process the materials picked up from brown carts. Pacific Rim is located in the Benicia Business Park, where I recently had a tour. Allied’s trucks deposit the 18 • Benicia Magazine

The sorting process Non-permissible items

materials at Pacific Rim’s plant, where it’s scooped into a bin for two rounds of sorting by half a dozen or so gloved employees, 16 hours a day, 5 days a week. Metals, cans, hazardous materials, plastics, cardboard, paper, glass and non-recyclables get sorted into bins in a multi-step process. John Ryan, Pacific Rim’s Assistant Facility Manager, estimates that they process 250 tons of material each day.

Metals, glass and plastic are processed in the US, but the cardboard and paper get shipped to China to huge factories where it is cleaned, turned into pulp, bleached and remade into recycled paper and other products, much of which, unappealing as it sounds, is toilet paper. Allied’s “capture rate” is 93-97%, meaning only 3-7% of the sorted material is sent to the landfill.

Find detailed information on Allied’s website regarding new services (among others, curbside household hazardous waste pickup) and a comprehensive list of what can and can’t be put in brown carts. The “NO” column includes e-waste, medical waste (including syringes—a big no-no) milk cartons (due to the wax coating) Styrofoam and plastic bags. Especially plastic bags—they can’t be recycled and we’re using billions of them each year, most of which end up in landfills or in the ocean. The solution is simple: invest a few bucks for reusable grocery bags—it’s way past time to kick the plastic bag addiction. Get detailed brown cart, green cart, compost and other information at: 707.747.0680, www.awsccc.com or MKnutson@republicservices.com. B

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Promoting Wellness

Through Aromatherapy

By Beth Steinmann Aromatherapy refers to the use of essential oils for perfume and to promote general wellness. Essential oils are steam distilled from the volatile oils in certain plants. Although these fragrant treasures have enjoyed a particular resurgence in the last 40 years, the oldest discovered essential oil distillation unit—terra cotta fashioned—is about 5000 years old! They’ve played a key role in human history, blurring boundaries in their usage between medicine, aesthetics and spirituality. Today we know that essential oils affect both our minds/emotions and our bodies. Inhalation of different oils produces different effects on the mood (some may uplift the psyche while others may calm nervous tension), while topical application may assist (for example) in healing injuries such as bruising and sore muscles. Generally speaking, oils may be used in a diffuser or inhaled directly (by rubbing into palms of hands and breathing deeply) to enhance the mood.

Essential oils are distilled from various parts of plants including the roots, bark, leaves, stems, berries, seeds, flowers and fruit.

Fragrance profiles range between sweet, citrus, lemony, woody, herbaceous and pungent. Below are my top picks for different oil categories and a few tips for how to use them.

Oils to calm and relax: Lavender is worthy of its very own distinguished category. There exist a plethora of lavender types with diverse fragrance profiles, which also change depending on cultivation region. Though volumes could be penned in it’s name,

20 • Benicia Magazine

suffice it to say that this is the oil I always carry with me in my purse. Beyond its ability to immediately assist in relaxation of the mind and body, it can be applied directly to small cuts and scrapes for disinfection. It’s also a tried and true bubble bath addition.

Blue tansy is a fruity sweet oil related to chamomile. It’s helpful in relieving stress, tension and irritability. Add a few drops to a carrier oil (such as almond, olive or jojoba) and rub into sore muscles.

Oils with antimicrobial properties: Eucalyptus, Tea tree, Ravintsara. These pungent oils are both antiviral and antibacterial.

Add a few drops to an ounce of pure aloe vera gel for an alcoholfree hand sanitizer or to a load of laundry (after the water) for a fresh, clean scent.

Oils to promote sleep: Lavender, Chamomile and Clary sage.

Add a few drops of each to a bath before bedtime to help wind down the mind and relax the body, or put a few drops in palms of hands and inhale deeply several times to promote a deep, restful slumber.

Essential oils should always be used with caution as some can cause irritation if applied directly to the skin. Always consult a health care professional before using them. It’s also important to choose pure oils of the highest possible quality. Purchase high quality oils in Benicia at Wellness Wisdom, www. wellnesswisdom. us, or online from local producers at www.snowotus.org and www.simplers.com. B

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e c u d o Pr c i n a g r O , h s

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For all kinds of good reasons, the best food to buy is what's grown closest to us, and it's even better for our health and for the planet if the food is raised by organic methods. Small farms practicing sustainable agriculture in our region deserve support and need our dollars to stay in business. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a program that provides such an opportunity, beneficial to both farmer and consumer alike: urban folks can make a difference in a farmer’s life and livelihood while enjoying a variety of very fresh, in-season, sustainably raised fruits and vegetables that come from the land around us.

Benicia Community Gardens, our local non-profit, which currently supports two community gardens downtown (Swensen Garden, located behind Heritage Presbyterian Church, and Avant Garden, a “moveable” garden on First & D Streets), has chosen CSA as a new project to provide more choice for sustainable food to local residents. Our CSA partner, Terra Firma Farm, is located 40 miles from Benicia on 200 acres in Yolo County. Terra Firma sustainably grows over 100 diverse crops each year. You can learn more about the quality of their operation at Terra Firma Farm—CSA, Locally Grown Vegetables, Fruits & Nuts, terrafirmafarm.com/about. Choosing to purchase organically raised food directly from the farm, Benicia residents can support a small, diversified farming operation that follows ecological land management practices. Unlike industrial 22 • Benicia Magazine

By Elena Karoulina, Acting Executive Director, Benicia Community Gardens

agriculture’s methods, Terra Firma’s are truly sustainable: they encourage biodiversity, save energy and water, protect wildlife habitat, preserve and build topsoils through composting and cover-cropping, and therefore, do not involve use of toxic pesticides, herbicides or petroleum-derived fertilizers that end up depleting soils and contaminating groundwater. (Occasionally, the farm is allowed to use a very limited number of natural pesticides and fertilizers approved by the National Organic Program; you can read more about the rules at the Terra Firma website) A CSA program wouldn’t be possible without a central drop-off and pick-up site for the farm’s weekly deliveries and for the retrieval by CSA members of their individual boxes of fruits and veggies.

Benicia Community Gardens has teamed up with Heritage Presbyterian Church, whose pastor, Beverly White, is proud to have her congregation helping to provide for more sustainable food sources for Benicians, and to be “involved as much as possible in the community.” Heritage Presbyterian has been host to Benicia Community Gardens’ first garden, founded by Dr. Ed Swenson in 1999, and provides for public use of their buildings, as well as helping to cook and serve meals once a month at St. Paul’s. They also sell fair trade tea, coffee, chocolate and olive oil to their members and friends to support various mission projects.

Heritage Presbyterian’s participation in our “CSA-Central” program will extend

their church’s good will even farther into our community.

For the program to get started in January, we need at least 15 people to sign up with Terra Firma Farm. To become a member, please go to Terra Firma’s signup website, click on “New Members Sign Up,” choose “Benicia” and register. You’ll be asked to make your first payment; once we have 15 people registered, you’ll be notified about the delivery start date.

Produce boxes come in 3 different sizes: small ($14), medium ($24) and large ($32). You pre-pay for a few weeks of delivery ($100 and up) and you can get a discount based on the prepayment amount. New customers can try CSA for 2 weeks; you’ll be asked to deposit $28 to cover 2 weeks delivery of a small box. Once you’ve spent all of your pre-payment, you receive an email notification requesting a new deposit. Alternatively, you can sign up for automated payments. For more details go to www.terrafirmafarm.com. Boxes will be delivered every Wednesday, by 3pm, to Benicia Presbyterian Church and held there to be picked up by CSA members before 9pm. You will receive detailed instructions once you sign up.

We hope that many of you reading this may want to give CSA a try and enjoy a unique opportunity to support one of our regional sustainable farms and have fresh organic produce from Terra Firma delivered almost right to your door! B

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Me, Myself & iPhone take on Manhattan

By Christina Strawbridge Through the years I have become accustomed to navigating the streets of New York with a friend, husband or client. I recently had a day to rediscover this amazing city by myself. The plan was to see as much as I could in a six hour period starting with the wholesale district, then working my way back up to Central Park. I was armed with fingerless gloves, fur aviator hat, leggings and my iPhone. The November weather was clear and crisp and cabs were hard to hail, so I opted to walk.

As I headed down 7th Avenue I came across tributes to the area's history—the fashion and garment districts date back to the 1920's. The Garment Worker, 1984, is a life-sized bronze sculpture by Judith Weller, depicting an immigrant man at a sewing machine. The Fashion Center Kiosk, designed by Pentagram Architectural Services was awarded the 1995 Art Commission Award for Public Architecture. The giant needle and threaded button were built in 1995 as part of the Fashion Center. The Claes Oldenburg-inspired sculpture has a 31 foot long needle and the world's largest button. As I stood at the corner of 39th and 7th I saw large circles in the pavement that were part of the Fashion Walk of Fame, highlighting fashion stars such as Donna Karan, Pauline Trigere, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren and Betsy Johnson. My iPhone gave me insight into the history of the tributes and how they were funded.

My experience with New York during the holiday season is that they don't rush it. The week before Thanksgiving a lot of the windows were dark or being redesigned. Rockefeller Center and the 74 foot Norway spruce still had scaffolding surrounding them in preparation for the 30,000 LED lights and Swarovski crystal star that would not be illuminated until the week after Black Friday.

My visits included Norma Kamali, Henri Bendel and Bergdorf Goodman, all on or near 5th Avenue. Kamali has been a favorite of mine since the early 80's. Her Multi-level flagship store was all about white, from the marble walls and floors and alabaster furniture to the goddess-like mannequins. Her distinctive style extends to a new Wellness Café that offers an escape from the noise of New York with a continuation of 24 • Benicia Magazine Fashionista

a white-reflective environment, sounds of the beach and the scents of olive, citrus and florals. Offerings include teas, olive oil cupcakes, lavender bread and fresh popped popcorn with olive oil and sea salt.

Henri Bendel is a must for accessory-crazed fashionistas with 4 floors of jewelry, scarves, handbags, lingerie, and a beauty central. One eager salesperson pounced on me, wanting to show me some new revolutionary age reversing product. Before I knew it, my face had been lathered with creams and serums, while a mirror was produced so I could see instantly how much younger I looked. Luckily my phone rang and gave me the opportunity to escape another layer of shine and a $500 price tag.

Of all the windows in NYC, Bergdorf Goodman's are by far the best, representing the highest level of visual merchandising. I watched as the window artists were making the final arrangements to displays that were whimsical and told a story. I was famished and my iPhone directed me to lunch at Bergdorf 's 7th floor, a gorgeous French-style restaurant with views of Central Park.

Dining by yourself can be awkward; you can only look at the menu for so long. As I waited for mango curry chicken salad and glass of sparkling wine, my iPhone proved to be quite entertaining. I processed email and text messages and blogged and tweeted, bought tickets for a Broadway show and updated my Facebook page. It’s much more fun to have a real person to share New York with, but sometimes me, myself and iPhone can be great company. B

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Puerto Vallarta: ch a e B d Sun an in With h c a e R Easy

26 • Benicia Magazine

By Bob Ecker Photos left and bottom middle by Bob Ecker Puerto Vallarta is a warm, mid-sized Mexican city (population about 300,000) on the Pacific Coast in the state of Jalisco, very near the border of the state of Nayarit. Puerto Vallarta itself lies right in the middle of the C-shaped Banderas Bay, the second largest natural bay in North America. The village was founded 160 years ago and it has only been an official city for 43 years. With an average 330 days of sunshine per year, 20,000 hotel rooms, 1,400 taxis and more than 1,000 cantinas and restaurants—this friendly place was literally built for tourism. Many (but not all) of the hotels in the area are large, modern and American-styled, including the lush Casa Magna Marriott Resort & Spa, one of the only resorts in the world to produce their own brand of Tequila. What really put Puerto Vallarta on the map, however, was when the famous John Huston filmed “Night of the Iguana,” in 1964 starring Richard Burton and Ava Gardner (along with Burton’s still married consort, Elizabeth Taylor). Visitors can find tours of film sites, Burton and Taylor’s homes and statues dedicated to the couple.

Though the city has over 150 churches, the impressive Lady of Guadalupe Cathedral is one of the focal points in town, and an important landmark. Nearby, Puerto Vallarta’s Malecón, or boardwalk, has recently been expanded and is perfect for strolling and people watching. There are also quite a few bronze sculptures along the boardwalk, including Rafel Zamarripa's "Caballeo del Mar" ("The Seahorse"), which is a symbol of the city. The beaches are free, clean, and accessible for adults and kids, who sometimes set up beach soccer or volleyball games. Water sports like paragliding and wake boarding are available. Of course visitors will have no trouble finding a pleasant spot for simply relaxing on the beach.

There are many great dining and imbibing spots to choose from: fresh stands, beachfront restaurants, hopping bars and rowdy pubs.

Luxurious upscale restaurants can also be found in Puerto Vallarta.

One of the best is the gorgeous restaurant at Hacienda San Angel, a boutique property located just above the Lady of Guadalupe Church. This restaurant has also begun a fabulous Sunday brunch in their Puerta del Cielo event space. The food is exquisite and the view is impossible to better. This lovely terrace overlooks the Church dome and steeple, downtown, the Malecón and azure Banderas Bay. In addition to Puerto Vallarta itself, various intriguing coastal towns, beaches and resorts can be explored both north and south, including the small surfing town of Sayulita in Riviera Nayarit.

Bohemian, unorthodox and laid back, Sayulita has an easygoing vibe complete with requisite small shops, cantinas and bars. It is becoming very well known by people looking for an authentic town, along with a cool little beach and surfing scene. No big hotels here—and the prices are still reasonable. I enjoyed the restaurant Sayulita Fish Tacos, overlooking the town square. Various airlines fly in to Puerto Vallarta, including a new flight from Virgin America based in San Francisco. (It's definitely the way to go.) The sun, the beaches, the vibe and even the Church and fish tacos—Puerto Vallarta is a special place. B

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Ariane Cap

What instruments do you play? In order of learning: piano, recorder, vocals, flute, guitar, bass, upright.

What did you listen to as a teenager? Lots of classical music. Bach, Beethoven, my brother was into Wagner.

Bass player and educator, Ariane Cap, is “running away” to the circus! She will be touring for two years starting in January with a new Cirque du Soleil production. Ariane took a moment to reflect on her new adventure and her thoughts on leaving Vallejo.

Born: Innsbruck, Austria…think snowy alps, idyllic hills… a peaceful little town Resides in: Vallejo, California Favorite Food: Blueberries, strawberries and raspberries Favorite Book: St. Exupery, The Little Prince Favorite Song: "Something," by The Beatles Relationship Status/Children: Married with cat How did you end up in America? I got a scholarship from the University of Music to study at the University of Miami in Florida. I fell in love with the States and the possibilities the US has to offer to musicians and decided to stay.

How long have you lived in Vallejo? Almost a decade now.

ONGOING LIVE MUSIC The Rellik Tavern

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Upstairs at the Café

firststreetcafe.com 707.745.1400 Live music Thursday, Friday & Saturday night Jazz Sunday afternoon

What do you listen to now? Gosh, I love so much! I like Natalie McMaster a lot, Bruce Hornsby, Sting, Peter Gabriel, Bobby McFerrin is a huge favorite… those are just some folks I’d drive several hours to see. You’ll find plenty of Jazz on my iPod, some Classical, Salif Keita…

What's the first music you remember hearing? I remember my Mom playing Bach on the piano. I always loved that.

Who influenced your music? My grandfather was a conductor. He gave me a tape with a few Brandenburg Concertos on it, I listened to them over and over. As a matter of fact I piled up my little stuffed animals on my bed and would ‘conduct’ my orchestra. My brother practiced piano, so I wanted to as well. I always had a pretty good ear and picked up some of what he was playing by rote. Later on studying with folks like Steve Bailey, Victor Wooten, Chuck Rainey, Jimmy Earl and others just blew my fuses.

You started out playing piano, how did you end up playing bass? I played guitar and keys in a blues rock band. Our bassist quit and we had gigs, so somebody needed to fill that role. The drummer joked I could just learn it, after all I played guitar. I bought a red little

Wesla Whitfield & Mike Greensill

Your husband is also a musician, how did you meet him? Wolf was the hot shot bass player in the town I grew up in. I was just blown away when I heard him play. So, I wanted to get myself some “private lessons” if you get my drift!

You’re leaving Step Up Music to tour with Cirque du Soleil, what part of teaching will you miss most? Every student is different, so teaching often demands a lot of creativity and on-the-spot thinking. I love that. And I love putting myself into the shoes of the learner, it is a good place to be. My favorite thing though is when you see something in the student that they may not quite yet see, and then they see a glimpse of it. B

Robben Ford

Maceo Parker

142 Throckmorton, Mill Valley Thursday, January 26, 8pm 142throckmortontheatre.com

Napa Valley Opera House, Napa Tuesday, January 10, 8pm, nvoh.org

DEVO, The Fillmore, San Francisco

Sticky Rice Chinese Bistro & Bar

Wonderbread 5, Hopmonk Tavern Sebastopol, Friday, January 13, 8pm hopmonk.com

Favela’s Fusion, Fairfield favelasfusion.com 707.421.8484 Live Mariachi music the first Friday of the month

What’s a traditional Austrian song from your childhood? Me and my Mom used to sing canons (Froh zu sein bedarf es wenig) and traditionals (I woass net soll I aufe soll I owe) in the car. Once she drove singing into the car in front of us. We sure were getting into it!

Napa Valley Opera House, Napa Monday, January 23, 8pm, nvoh.org

Friday, January 13, 9pm livenation.com

Fairfield stickyricebistro.com 707.863.7500 Live Music every Saturday night

What was your best moment on stage? Any moment where the music flows through and I feel relaxed is a great moment. I think my favorite stage moment though was when Victor Wooten asked me and another bassist up on stage during a show in Philly. For some reason him trusting me to play in his show was amazing beyond words. I was so relaxed and just had fun, it was great!

Piedmont Piano Company, Oakland Sunday, January 8, 8pm piedmontpiano.com

The Empress Theatre, Vallejo

empresstheatre.org/ 707-552-2400 Live music and movie every Friday night

Ibanez Soundgear and played my first gig a few weeks later!

Susan Graham, mezzo soprano Zellerbach Hall, Berkeley Saturday, January 14, 8pm calperfs.berkeley.edu

Hanz Araki Band

Kevin Russell “Cream of Clapton”

Silo’s, Napa Friday, January 27, 8pm silosnapa.com

Zoran Dukic, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, San Francisco Friday, January 27, 8pm performances.org

Montrose, Uptown Theatre, Napa Friday, January 27, 8pm uptowntheatrenapa.com

David Lanz, Firehouse Arts, Pleasanton Saturday, January 14, 8pm firehousearts.org

Oakland Symphony

The Roberta Donnay Jazz Quartet

Franc D’Ambrosio, Silo’s, Napa Saturday, January 14, 8 pm silosnapa.com

West of the Next, Armando’s, Martinez Saturday, January 28, 8pm armandosmartinez.com

Sourdough Slim

Chamber Music Sundaes: Ginastera String Quartet, St. John’s Presbyterian

Cash Tribute Show: featuring James Garner

Special Events: George’s, San Rafael Thursday, January 5, 8pm georgesnightclub.com

Freight & Salvage, Berkeley Saturday, January 7, 8pm thefreight.org 28 • Benicia Magazine

Church, Berkeley Sunday, January 22, 3pm chambermusicsundaes.org

Paramount Theatre, Oakland Friday, January 27, 8pm paramounttheatre.com

El Campanil Theatre, Antioch Saturday, January 28, 8pm elcampaniltheatre.com B

January Calendar

1/4-1/25

Toastmaster’s Group

1/5-1/29

Gallery 621, Thursday-Sunday 12-5pm

1/21

Benicia Main Street Annual Garage Sale 8am-1pm

Crab Feed 6-9pm

1/7-1/29

1/7

Wednesday evening 7:30-9pm Learn to speak with confidence in a friendly environment 601 First Street, Suite 100, Benicia 707.745.5694 Larry Miller Featuring the gallery artists & guest artists 621 First Street, Benicia Gallery621.com 707.746.6211

Capitol & Fischer-Hanlon House Tours

Weekends only 10am-5pm Fischer-Hanlon tours 1st & 3rd Sundays, & 2nd Saturday At 1, 2 and 3pm, Jan. 14 & 15 (closed New Year’s Day) 115 West G Street, Benicia, 707.745.3385

Men of Worth in Concert 8pm

Celtic Music Benicia Historical Museum, 2024 Camel Road Beniciahistoricalmuseum.org 707.745.5435

1/13

Benicia Plein Air Gallery Reception 5-7pm

1/14

Friends of the Library Book Sale 10am-4pm

1/18

Evening Book Club for Adults 7-8pm

Featured artist is oil painter Joanne Corbaley 307 First Street, Benicia, Beniciapleinair.com

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BeniciaMagazine.com • 29

By Jerome Page (2nd in Series) Part one of legislation passed at the Benicia Capitol in 1853 dealt with how we got the capitol in the first place. Part two concerns the matter of divorce, and property rights of women.

I found the following legislation from 1853 interesting for several of its relatively enlightened elements, and for its very loose “bed and board” proviso. Most interesting however is its handling of the age of consent and/or non-consent!

“An act concerning Divorces, passed March 25th, 1851 and approved April 1, 1853” Divorces from bed and board, or from the bonds of matrimony, may be granted.

FIRST: For natural impotence existing at the time of marriage.

SECOND: When the female, at the time of the alleged marriage, was under the age of fourteen years, and the alleged marriage was without the consent of her parents or guardian, or other person having the legal custody or charge of her person; and when such marriage was not voluntarily ratified on her part, after she had attained the age of fourteen years.

THIRD: By an act of adultery by either of the parties; but no divorce shall be granted upon the application of the party guilty of the act of adultery complained of, nor if it 30 • Benicia Magazine Looking Back

Legislative Acts Passed at the Benicia State Capitol in 1853 shall appear to the court that the adultery complained of was by collusion of the parties; nor when it shall appear that the parties have lived and cohabited together as man and wife, after knowledge of the act of adultery complained of.

FOURTH: For extreme cruelty in either party, or for habitual intemperance, or for willful desertion by either part for the period of two years; or for willful neglect on the part of the husband to provide for his wife the common necessaries of life, having the ability to provide the same, for the period of three years.

FIFTH: When the consent of either of the parties to the marriage was obtained by force of fraud, upon the application of the injured party.

SIXTH: In case of the conviction either party for a felony after marriage, where the punishment is not less than imprisonment for two years.

For a view of the property rights of women, the following Act just might not pass feminist scrutiny!

An Act To amend an Act entitled “An

Act defining the rights of Husband and Wife,” passed April 17, 1850.

The people of the State of California, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:

Section 1. The ninth section of the “Act defining the rights of Husband and Wife,” passed on April 17, 1850, is amended to read as follows: The husband shall have the entire management and control of the common property, with the like absolute power of disposition, as of his own separate estate; and the rents and profits of the separate estate of either husband or wife shall be deemed common property; unless in the case of the separate property of the wife, it shall be provided by the terms of the instrument whereby such property may have been bequeathed, devised or given to her, that the rents and profits thereof shall be applied to her sole and separate use; in which case the entire management and disposal of the rents and profits of such property shall belong to the wife, and shall not be liable for the debts of the husband.

Approved, May 12, 1853! B

ROBERT A. SCHROTH, CFLS Attorney at Law

Family Law and Estate Planning Optimal Results for clients from 35 years experience in:

• Divorce Litigation • Wills and Living Trusts • Trust and Probate Administration Certified Family Law Specialist, State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization

177 Military East • Benicia, CA 94510 707.745.0130 • BeniciaLegal.com

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Ronald J. Tosch, DDS l 118 West K St., Benicia, CA 94510 707.745.2130 l www.toschdental.com BeniciaMagazine.com • 31

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32 • Benicia Magazine Listening

-Jim and Kathy