Benicia Magazine August 2011

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Features Mills School Comes Full Circle with Opening of Community Center

Editor Graphic Design

Budget-friendly, Provenc´al Backyard Makeover 14

Departments From the Editor 5 Fashionista Reconnects with Friends and Fashion Through Social Networking 12 Currents 16

Margaret Bowles

Contributors

Samuel J. Adams Mary Marino Christina Strawbridge Sue Sumner-Moore

Photography

Jerry Bowles

6

Making a Day of Art—Benicia’s Public Art & Art Galleries 10

Jeanne Steinmann

Advertising 707.853.5226 Published by Polygon Publishing, LLC

editor@beniciamagazine.com Printed locally with soy ink & no trim waste Please recycle PO Box 296, Benicia, CA 94510 T 707.853.5226 • F 707.745.6757 Ad changes/editorial deadlines: the 1st of the prior issue month New ads: the 8th of the month

What’s New at Beniciamagazine.com 19 Looking Back: August Throughout History 22 Listening: Live Music & Local Musicians 24 Interview with Thomas Hamilton Co-owner of Benicia’s Rellik Tavern 25 Calendar 26 Cover Illustration by Margaret Bowles

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Benicia Magazine

All opinions expressed in this magazine, including articles and paid advertisements, are those of the authors alone.

Benicia Magazine does not endorse any product or service in editorial content or advertisements, and can not be held liable for their use.

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From the

Editor Perhaps because I moved frequently as a child, I have come to embrace change. Change can be hardâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s comfort in the familiarâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy to become complacent. But I view change as a necessary part of life, and a portal to better things. Here at the magazine it has always been our goal to celebrate whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great about our town as it grows and changes, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time for us to mirror that growth so we can more accurately reflect who we are as a community today. With the September issue, we will print in a different formatâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;an all-gloss, standard size magazine with a paper stock that has an elegant matte finish. This give us an opportunity to do three things: better serve residents, more accurately portray our town to outsiders, and print in a sustainable way.

Having lived in Benicia for 30 years, I have watched it evolve into the extraordinary place it is today. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no other small town in the Bay Area that can rival our rare combination of natural beauty, waterfront location, cultural richness, vibrant downtown and historic significance. It is truly a different place than when I arrived in 1980, before the Raleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shopping center, new Library, new Fire Department, restoration of the Depot, City Park Playground of Dreams, Benicia Historical Museum and half of Southampton came into being. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve retained what has always made us unique, but over time, evolved from sleepy antiques town to a vibrant city.

And so it is with the magazineâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;as we strive for excellence, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll retain the elements readers have come to expect in our seven years of publishing. Distribution in Benicia will stay the same, and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll continue our external mailings in rotation to seven Contra Costa cities, but will add Glen Cove and Green Valley to our monthly distribution.

Equally important, the new format allows us to print with the most sustainable practices available. Being a green business is important to us, especially when so many magazines are produced and flown-in from China, with petroleum-based ink and other environmentally-insensitive practices. Moving forward weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be printing on a mixture of recycled and Forest Service Certified paper with vegetable-based inks.

On another front, Beniciaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new Community Center opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 6, with our mayor, city council members, county supervisor, city staffers, department heads and other dignitaries in attendance. Members of the Good Neighbor Steering Committee were also on hand to receive thanks for their efforts in negotiating with Valero to garner the $3 million needed to complete the renovation of Mills School into the exemplary community center it has become. For an interesting perspective on the conversion, see page 6, where Samuel J. Adams, a talented writer and Mills graduate, tells the story through the eyes of a former student.

Mills School closed the year I was elected to the School Board, and I was the liaison to the 7-11 committee empanelled to find a new use for the empty building. It was a challenging time for all concernedâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the closure was akin to an arrow through the heart of the Mills community. The school housed Beniciaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most socially diverse, economically disadvantaged population of children, but the staff provided such a safe, homey atmosphere and innovative learning methods that they achieved the remarkableâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;test scores skyrocketed and the school was the second in the District to achieve the Distinguished School Award.

The official grand-opening of the center is not until this fall, but you can get an advance peek of the building through our photos. Not only did city staff manage to retain architectural and other elements that keep the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unique spirit alive, they incorporated sustainable practices and qualified for a LEEDS Silver rating for green building. Such a tremendously positive result brings about a feeling of closure for neighboring residents, and healing for those of us who were involved in the closureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s aftermath and early stages of reuse planning. We have come full circle, and proven that working together collaboratively, we can accomplish great things. Extraordinary indeed.

The September issue will arrive in your mailbox in the new, smaller sizeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;I welcome your feedback. â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Jeanne Steinmann

BeniciaMagazine.com

Mills School Transitions Naturally into New Community Center

By Samuel J. Adams Seconds after entering the new Benicia Community Center, I encountered a familiar face—hundreds of them actually. We entered the building from K Street, and there, completely intact, stood the walls of tiled self-portraits, complete with signatures and dates, of the many different Mills students who’d executed a craft project of surprising longevity. Some of the tiles were getting on twenty years old, a few indicating folks who now had elementaryready children of their own. I recognized some of the tiles because I knew the person, but others were distant visual memories suddenly strengthened and brought to life: there was the blue kid with the square head, the moptopped blonde fellow with the face-stretching grin, and the mysteriously bespectacled older lady. All these faces were friends of a sort to me once when I was a student at Mills Elementary School, a place so kind and loving that even the walls smiled one’s way.

Now, these faces will begin to regularly greet an expanded and more varied demographic as the former elementary school becomes a centralized community center primed to serve the entire city. The building may’ve had a shift in purpose, but its spirit remains the same.

Unsurprisingly, many of my fellow nostalgia junkies are disinclined to visit the new center and risk superimposing its image over memories of our old school. While it is to the great credit of our community center that it feels like an intentional and organic structure, remnants of the school are easy to find. Traces of the tricycle track still

6

Benicia Magazine

stand outside the former kindergarten room, the curtains in the auditorium are the same ones that parted for our Christmas recitals, and the clocks, those meticulous recorders of time and progress, are the same ones we watched when we were antsy for recesses.

But other elements of the school have (deservedly) vanished into another era. If you hadn’t attended Mills you wouldn’t have believed it existed; even my fellow alumni and I check our remembrances against each other to make sure they haven’t been exaggerated into mere dreams.

Though sweet to its core, the school was rough around the edges. For example, whoever designed the playground pit decided that the wisest way to obvert the shoe-clogging, cat-inspiring messiness of sand and the tacky itchiness of bark was to fill the pit with the hard gray dusty stones which settled many more private gripes than our dear yard duties would have liked them to. During a tour of the building I bring up the playground with Mike Dotson, then assistant director of Benicia Parks and Community Services, who grins, nods, and says, “yeah, it was a little out of code.” Dotson collaborated on the project with Mike Alvarez, whom Dotson will succeed upon Alvarez’s retirement. Other artifacts of unruliness were likewise obliterated, including a sea green wall that flanked the field and was responsible for countless games of butts up—and the welts and tears the game caused. The wall and the playground were only the beginning of our wild time; later, Mills began exporting its older kids to Liberty High’s field for recess, and there, feeling a world away

from our school, we’d get even wilder, tossing grass clods and battling with branches. When we did a reading unit on Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are, we felt a strong kinship with the monsters.

These excursions seem now like plain fun, but they illustrated an important thing about Mills. Though as intimate and insular as a favorite aunt’s bear hug, Mills was never a bubble. It lay right in the middle of things, and drew heavily on its downtown location. And our long marches to the Capitol or the City Park—mere shuffles with my present feet—seemed both epic and perfectly natural. A focus on community engagement was big in the school: there were regular ice cream socials, haunted houses erected by volunteers and music classes held in the neighboring district office. It served the economically disadvantaged, and multiculturalism was a reality instead of a mere rhetoric.

And though not situated in a bustling metropolis, Mills was basically a downtown school, lined up perfectly with the post office, City Hall, and the police station. Before it was shuttered in 2005, Mills was the longest standing neighborhood school in town (it opened in 1951 and its fiftieth anniversary triggered a fifties themed celebration with doo-wop and poodle dresses).

The closure was tough on a lot of people. The folks in the school district (which is currently led by a former Mills resource teacher) had it especially hard. As though the pain of its shuttering wasn’t enough, district officials didn’t have the option of putting it out of their mind. They looked at it every day they went to work.

For over five years, the old Mills building wasn’t much to look at. Acquired by the city for a $10K per month fee paid to the district, the school endured the physical pangs of idleness. The asphalt that used to scuff up kids’ shoes collected windblown trash, the molding for the windows was left to expand and contract at the will of the elements, and bowed-in fences greeted the neighborhood instead of the welcoming smiles of old.

Now the Community Center is ready to make good on the site’s convenient location and unique structural arrangements, and quite possible to use its presence to increase the parameters of Benicia’s downtown. City Council member Mike Ioakimedes, whose children attended Mills and whose motherin-law once ran the kitchen, feels the center could be instrumental in bringing forth an “Eastward expansion.” Ioakimedes, who lives only a few blocks away, notes that, “once you get past Maria Field there’s only residential, nothing in the old civic mode.” He feels the new center could attract the kind of pedestrian traffic and community attention that would liven up the town, creating a social plaza shared by a variety of different age groups, from the kids heading off to Scout meetings (the scouts have their own wing), to retirees enjoying the shade of the

circular benches on the beautiful wooden deck.

Ioakimedes attended the July 6th ribbon cutting ceremony, and having visited the site during the early days of construction, he was very impressed with the results.

“I was surprised by how well they were able to use the existing space and layout. I didn’t get the feeling that this is a remodeled school, I got the feeling that this

spaces line up a against a long stretch of concrete that will soon boast solar panels.

One of the most iconic things about Mills was what Lyn Hannafin (a former Mills mother who now works at the district office) calls “the long sloping hallway,” a ramp that connects the different wings of the building and runs from K Street to L Street. “I’ve always wanted to take a skateboard down it,” she says, a feeling in keeping with the bounding and bouncing method kids used to descend the declivity. It’s an architectural eccentricity, but removing it would’ve required a total teardown.

Instead, they’ve made it an asset, with an attractive color splashed around each flat section.

Hannafin attended the grand opening as well, and while it was bittersweet, she’s very optimistic about the center’s future. “We always had those [community] services in different places and spread out in old buildings…having all the programs under one roof gives it such a positive energy… instead of it being piecemeal or patchwork.”

Still, the connection to the old school is a real one, and she’s glad, as we all are, that those connections remain. “I’m pretty sure I found my daughter’s tile on the wall,” she says, before chuckling. “Her handwriting looks the same.” B

“The building may’ve had a shift in purpose, but its spirit remains the same.” was a cool community center.”

Part of this impressiveness doubtless comes from the cool technology and clever design wizardry on display.

The Heating and A/C for the whole building is operated by a large computer, the two dance studios have hardwood floors and floor-to-ceiling mirrors, and there are nifty projector screens in every room. The parking lot, built at the base of the old playground, has its spaces demarcated with flat strips of stone rather than painted lines, and all

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Making a Day of Art “What art offers is space— a certain breathing room for the spirit.” ~John Updike If art soothes the soul, we are fortunate indeed to live in a place that’s rich with artistic abundance. The creativity flowing from Arts Benicia and the Arsenal’s rabbit-warren of artist studios has spilled over into downtown, which now boasts many galleries, collectively allowing the viewer to experience art in different mediums. What better way to spend a summer day than gallery-hopping and public art viewing, with a break in between for an alfresco lunch at one of our local eateries?

We’ve designed an art tour that can be done in whirlwind “see it all in a day” fashion, or broken into pieces to absorb over time. The tour begins at the bottom of Rose Drive, heads downtown, then to the Library, Community Center and Marina before ending at the Arts Benicia Gallery. When you need a rest, we suggest Java Point Café, which has outdoor seating, really good food, espresso drinks and a wall of local art. And for the he trulyy art-hardy, stop in the many stores along First Street who offer wall space to local artists. ts.

Galleries

Public Art

Downtown

Benicia Bench, Robert Arneson, bronze, south side of the Benicia Marina

621 Gallery, 621 First St. Plein Air Gallery, 307 First St., 745.3157, beniciapleinair.com air.com Studio 41, 700 First St., 745.0254, studio41.com Lindsay Art Glass, 109 East F St., 748.1336, lindsayartglass.com Nourot Art Glass, 675 East H St., 745.1463, nourot.com/nourotwordpress/ Smyers Art Glass, 675 East H St., 745.2614, smyersglass.com Benicia Public Library Marilyn Citron O’Rourke Gallery, 150 East L St., 746.4343, benicialibrary.org Bill Parsons Art Gallery, 131 First St., 925.689.8973, billparsonsart.com Mernie Buchanan Studio & Gallery, by appointment or happenstance, 117 East D St., 745.5694, mernie.com

Dicta, Sandra Shannonhouse, bronze, Benicia Public Library, 150 East L Street Us, Alice Hager, at the entrance to the Benicia Public Library, 150 East L Street Untitled, Gregg Renfrow, polymer, pigment on cast acrylic, Benicia Public Library, 150 East L Street (pictured bottom) Dona Benicia's Mantilla (envelops the General's chair), Linda Fleming, laser-cut steel, Harbor Walk, First Street and East B Street (pictured top)

Arsenal

Mural Tiles, Guillermo Granizo, ceramic, along First Street in sidewalks, both sides of street

Arts Benicia Gallery, 991 Tyler Street Suite 114, 747.0131 artsbenicia.org

Self-Portrait Tile Walls, 1987 Mills Elementary School students, with instruction from Guillermo Granizo, Benicia Community Center (formerly Mills School), 380 East L Street, 746-4200, ci.benicia.ca.us

For a complete description of Public Art and Benicia galleries, visit beniciamagazine.com.

Contact galleries for hours of operation. B 10

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FASHIONISTA

Social Networking for Fashion and reconnecting with the Past

By Christina Strawbridge I have a web site, two Facebook pages, several fashion apps on my iPhone and sometimes I Tweet. I subscribe to online sites for Vogue Magazine and Daily Candy, which give me up-to-the-second fashion and trend tracking in selected cities. Technology is influencing what we wear with the touch of a keyboard or iPad. Information is constant and sometimes overwhelming. And I can't get enough of it.

Besides the online fashion stream, I receive several magazines and newspapers that editorialize trends on local, regional, national and international perspectives.

As a teenager growing up in the Midwest, August meant the fall issues of Seventeen and Glamour magazines were available with back-to-school trends. I imagine our mailman was not thrilled about squeezing the two-inch thick volume of fashion into our mailbox. It would take several hours for me to analyze every picture and article from cover to cover while sitting by the pool or in my semi-private bedroom shared with my little sister. I would tear out photos of styles I thought I could copy and read about parties and models who lived in exotic places like California and New York.

There were ninety-two of us in our senior class at Ladywood, an all girl’s school in Indianapolis, Indiana. We had to wear uniforms of tan blazers, white blouses and brown, heavily pleated skirts, which could never be worn above the knee. If there was a question about the length, we were asked to kneel so Principal Sister Dorothy Mary could make sure the hem touched the floor.

Shoes had to be brown and most of us preferred penny loafers or saddle shoes until one of the upper class divas wore a pair of Bass tie weejuns, and the rest was footwear history. Shoes were one of the only ways of making an individual statement, even though there were several attempts to modify the dreaded uniform. We rolled the waistband of the skirt to make it short, hoping to have enough time to unroll it when we

saw the The original was later replaced h nuns coming. i Th i i l uniform if l l d by a herringbone suit with a collarless jacket, box-pleat skirt and Peter Pan collar blouse. It definitely didn't resemble anything being worn in Seventeen Magazine in 1969. Modifications were continued with the new uniform, like filling in the herringbone fabric with a pen during Latin class.

Recently, I've been contacted by ten of my Ladywood classmates through Facebook.

These are women who I have not seen or heard from in over forty years. Did I say forty years? It started with a posted graduation composite photo, then lots of comments, more images and friend requests. It has been a bit like time travel as we learn what has been happening in the lives of girls that experienced the late '60s in a private school together. The class is scattered throughout the country and we have pursued diverse professions. Postings included specific memories of the good old days along with discussion about hair color and going gray, pets, ex husbands, children, grandchildren and tracking the missing. One of the missing was Carla Farnsworth, who by some miracle ended up in Benicia after having a career on Broadway as a dancer. Carla now teaches at Stage One Dance Studio and has been discovered by her Ladywood classmates through a link to the Studio's website.

It's August 2011 and I've turned off my laptop, iPad, iPhone and PC because the fall issues of my favorite magazines are due to be delivered any moment. Even though the internet is the way of the future, I still prefer a magazine with its special scent, glossy pages and beautiful images to the glow of the computer monitor. My collection of old magazines has grown through the years, and finding a place to store them is a challenge (currently in unused kitchen cabinets) because I can't part with them. It's great to reconnect with a click of the mouse or the turn of a page with a lifetime of friends, and of course, fashion. B

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Backyard Revamp

By Jeanne Steinmann With other home projects taking priority, a complete backyard renovation was not on the radar. But summer beckoned, and the space no longer reflected how we live.

Having said goodbye to our beloved dog last year, we didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need the small patch of grass where he loved to chase balls. We like to entertain, but the space felt carved up and lacked cohesion and purpose. What to do?

In the April 2010 issue, we featured a beautiful low-water, low-maintenance backyard belonging to local landscape designer Pam Hughes. Wondering if we could pull-off a Provencal-style, low-maintenance makeover on a thin budget and tight deadline, I contacted Hughes and asked her for ideas. A collaboration was born along with a brand-new space that not only has the French flair we wanted, but functions much better for empty nesters who like to travel.

Our small backyard is framed by a long fence, large curved gate, hedge and the

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CURRENTS

Humane Society Changes Name

A non-profit that is near and dear to many people’s hearts recently changed its name. Formerly known as the Benicia Vallejo Humane Society, the non–profit is now the Humane Society of the North Bay. Humane Service Director Peter Wilson says the name better represents the larger area they serve and reaches adopting families and the animals that come to them from all over the North Bay. The Humane Society provides care and shelter to animals in need, supports good Samaritans who bring in animals and works with animal guardians. The non-profit began service in 1987, staffed by volunteers. Currently, the Humane Society is made up of two divisions: the Animal Control Division and the Humane Service Division, which is funded through individual and corporate donations, fundraising and grants.

Some of the most common ailments animals are treated for are upper respiratory infections in felines, Kennel Cough in dogs, and foxtails on stray dogs. They advise not to forget that your pets need lots of water during warmer weather. Other services include: — Adoption for homeless animals — Necessary medical care for animals up for adoption — Micro-chip IDs — Low cost or no cost spay/neuter vouchers — Emergency Medical Care — Disaster Relief—rescued animals displaced by Hurricane Katrina For a complete list of services visit bvhumane.org. To volunteer or donate visit hsnb.org or contact Lacey Garza at lgarza@hsnb.org.

The Fairest of Fairs

New School Year, New Principal at Benicia Middle School

For one day each year, downtown Benicia takes on the charm of a European Market: vendors sell coveted items, the smell of food lingers in the air and the hustle and bustle of people can be heard the length of First Street. Antiques, memorabilia, clothing, collectables, trinkets, crafts, jewelry, handmade art and much more are sought after at the Benicia Peddler’s Fair. In its 48th year, the event will be held Saturday, August 13, 2011 8am-5pm.

Over 300 vendors will line First Street from J Street to the waterfront. Vendors and fair-goers will be participating in a tradition that dates back to 1963. And in addition to antiques, this year’s fair will feature handmade art and arts & crafts.

The fair was started by former rector Reverend Charles Eldon Davis to help maintain Benicia’s historic buildings. The Peddler’s Fair is sponsored by St. Paul’s Historic Trust, comprised of church and community members who are dedicated to preserving St. Paul’s Church. “The Fair’s reputation is built on quality - we work hard to maintain a high standard. We are invested in the Community,” says Linda Tremain, Peddler’s Fair Chairperson. A total of 10% of all net proceeds will be donated back to the community through various nonprofit organizations.

Whether you are on the hunt for a rare find such as a pocket watch that reminds you of your grandfather’s, or a piece of jewelry that has a unique story, the Peddler’s Fair has it all. For one day, people of all ages can take a walk through time perusing rare finds and appreciate that one man’s castoff is indeed another’s treasure. beniciapeddlersfair.org

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Benicia Magazine

This month, Mike Minahen takes the helm as principal of Benicia Middle School.

Minahen taught in Vallejo for many years, and worked as a coach and athletic director. In 2007 he was hired as one of three vice principals at Benicia High School where he worked for two years. For part strategic, part budgetary reasons, Minahen transferred to Benicia Middle School as vice-principals in 2009. At the time, BMS needed an additional VP, and Minahen had the leadership and management skills BMS was looking for. Sue Hutchinson, long-time Principal at BMS, retired in June, leaving an opening for the job. Minahen was strongly recommended by BMS teachers and staff. BUSD Superintendent Janice Adams fully supported the recommendation and hired Minahen as principal, citing his strong interpersonal skills and leadership abilities. Adams says Minahen “knows the kids by name, attends BMS events and is very visible and accessible to students, parents and staff.” We wish him well in his new role. beniciaunified.org. B

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Benicia Magazine

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LOOKING BACK

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in a Name â&#x20AC;Ś or a Month?

By Mary Marino AUGUST: The dictionary says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;1) Inspiring awe or admiration; majestic; 2) Venerable for reasons of age or high rank.â&#x20AC;? For us itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a month full of sun, swimming and vacations. The flower of the month is the very majestic Gladiola. For local youngsters, alas, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s back to school month. Do I hear a few moms cheering in the distance?

Our city was founded in 1847, and derives its name from the wife of General Mariano Vallejo, Dona Francisca Maria Felipa Benicia Carrillo de Vallejo, born on August 23, 1815.

Other August happenings include the first article proposing women's rights in America, written in 1775 by Thomas Paine for the Pennsylvania Magazine, of which he was the editor. However, it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t until 1920 that women received the right to vote on August 26, when the 19th Amendment to the Constitution was signed.

Five US Presidents were born in August: Benjamin Harrison, August 20, 1833; Herbert Hoover, August 10, 1874; Lyndon Johnson, August 27, 1908; Bill Clinton, August 19, 1946 and Barack Obama, August 4, 1961. Also in August, three states

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entered the Union: Missouri, August 10, 1821; Colorado, August 1; 1876; and the 50th state, Hawaii, August 21, 1959. George Washington created the "Purple Heart," decoration medal in August, 1782.

Isaac Merrit Singer was granted a patent for his sewing machine in August, 1851, different from others as it was â&#x20AC;&#x153;hands-free,â&#x20AC;? having the first treadle operated by the sewerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s foot. The National Park Service was established in August, 1916. In August, 1935, The Social Security Act was passed by Congress. The first Olympic Games opened in Berlin, Germany, in August, 1936.

Korea became an independent country on August 17, 1945; India became an independent country August 15, 1945; and Indonesia became an independent country August 15, 1947.

The Beatles concluded their fourth American tour with their last public concert at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, August, 1966. Oh, and it's National Left-Handers Day on August 13. Give a cheer for us southpaws!

Be sure to join us on Saturday, August 20 for the Russ Lorenson Songbook Concert, at 8pm in the Spenger Garden at the Benicia Historical Museum. B

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Benicia Magazine

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Listening Featured Musician: Steve Freund, artist, producer & bandleader Born: Brooklyn, New York, 1952 Resides In: Vallejo Favorite Food: Broiled or baked seafood with vegetables from his organic garden Favorite Book: Man Child in the Promised Land,

by Claude Brown Favorite Song: If I had to pick one song, it would be Rhapsody in Blue

by George Gershwin Relationship Status: Has a girlfriend

How do you feel about being a musician at this stage of your life?

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an economic struggle. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no security in performing arts, and the pay scale is not commensurate with the rising cost of living.

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My mother was a classical pianist, but Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m self-taught. I picked up a guitar when I was 16. I wanted to be a base player and saw a guitar I wanted to buy, but by the time I had saved enough money, someone else had bought it. I wanted to play so badly that I bought a regular 6-string guitar instead, and never went back to playing base.

When I was 24 I moved to Chicago to play full time, and lived there for 19 years.

I honed my skills by playing with thousands of bands. I got to play with legendary musicians, many of whom are no longer with us. I moved to Vallejo 13 years ago.

Playing in the San Francisco Blues Festival in 2003 with Otis Rush was one of the highlights of my career.

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When did you know you wanted to be a musician?

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Who was your biggest influence?

BB King.

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Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your music background?

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By Sue Sumner-Moore When he was growing up in Berkeley, Tom Hamilton dreamed of being an art or antique dealer. He even lived his dream for a time in the 1980s.

But dreams change over time, and Tom is now a part owner of The Rellik Tavern on First Street. The first stirrings of this latest dream came more than 10 years ago when he and longtime friend Delando Pegan considered opening a steak house or bar in the former Brewery. “But it needed a lot of work, and the police chief at the time was not crazy about the idea of another bar opening in that site,” he says.

Delando and Tom were both working in auto sales at the time, but the idea of opening a restaurant or bar stayed with them and evolved.

“What really drove us was that we were tired of driving to Walnut Creek or San Francisco for a pleasurable evening out,” says Tom, 59. “Both coming from the car industry, we wanted to work for ourselves and we wanted to create someplace that would be a destination for people where they could converse and enjoy fine spirits and hear great live music.”

Delando’s wife, Zoey, joined the partnership and the three opened The Rellik on June 19, 2009. The upscale tavern operates in the building once occupied by the Pastime, a longtime bar with a decidedly different vibe. That bar’s reputation caused some to resist the idea of opening another bar on the site, but the new owners transformed the building’s look and identity.

The Rellik features comfy sofas, flat screen TVs, and a VIP lounge. The bar regularly hosts fundraisers and showcases local artists on its walls.

“I love taking care of people,” Tom says. “I’m passionate about it. There’s no higher calling.”

Tom’s other passions are his significant other, Cathi Rubino, and his cat, Boo. “Our world was shaken when Cathi was diagnosed with breast cancer a year ago,” he says. “I’m very proud that she just had her one-year anniversary and she’s cancer free.” They have made their home in Benicia for seven years, drawn here by the sense of community.

As a new business owner, Tom is working to boost tourism. His current role is business liaison for the city’s Ad Hoc Tourism Stakeholders Committee.

“We all benefit from the tourism patronage.

You may make the sale in your business across the street, but those tax dollars keep everyone’s streets clean,” he says.

An Interview with

Tom Hamilton Why did you choose a raven for your signs and doors?

It’s some of the dark, some of the old world. Did you know the raven is the smartest of the crow family?

Did you ever think you’d be a bartender/owner?

When I was growing up, my greatest passion was art and antiques. That goes back to my childhood, when I had collectibles. I was the kid who had toys in their original boxes for 15 years until my mom gave them away.

So I worked in the auto industry for 16 years from the early 70s through mid-80s, then became an antique dealer, based in San Francisco. I specialized in European antiques. With the changing economy in the 1980s, I started waiting on tables. I worked at the San Francisco Hilton, Pacific Fresh in Alameda, then I moved from restaurants back to cars.

What’s the best story you’ve heard while behind the bar?

Bartenders keep secrets. Sometimes a bartender is like a therapist, and the information shared with a bartender has to stay confidential. You have respect that they trusted you and keep that information private.

the professionals come in and take over behind the bar. I leave here between 6:45 and 7 (in the evening) every day. Sunday is my one day off.

Did you envision working so many hours when you were planning to open?

No, no—I thought, “Thank God I’ll be going from 10 to 12 hours a day to eight hours a day.” I was really looking forward to shorter days. Someday we’ll be able to dial down, but an absentee owner shows in a business.

What do you sacrifice because you work so many hours?

My relationship with Cathi suffers the most. She’s very tolerant and she takes care of me even when I don’t take care of myself. We love to share intimate dinners together with our kitty cat, even if it’s just a grilled cheese sandwich.

What is your role with the Ad Hoc Tourism Stakeholders Committee?

I agreed to personally address the individual business owners, to try to see if I can get them to come to our next meeting.

If I have to, I’ll beg them to participate.

What are the committee’s goals?

What’s your schedule on a typical day?

How did you come up with the name “Rellik”?

Delando always wanted to open “The Killer Bar.” My concern was that it would be offensive to some Benicians. So we reversed it and became Rellik, bringing the old and new together. Delando and Zoey have traveled extensively through Europe and they like bringing in some of the old into a new space.

Delando focuses on keeping the business viable—notice I didn’t say profitable.

It’ll be years before we break even here.

He does the back-of-house work, and I concentrate on the front-of-house duties.

It’s really a labor of love—it’s not a wise economic decision.

So my day starts at 6:45 with coffee service. Then there are liquor and food deliveries, tracking inventory—every empty bottle is recorded, every opened bottle is recorded. We’re very hands-on. A business is only as good as the people who run it.

During the day, I’m waiting on customers, cleaning and preparing the equipment.

We’ve got a greaseless fryer, the coffee and espresso machines, the taps—all the regular maintenance.

A big part of our work is tasting new wines, sampling and tasting products.

We strive to educate our personnel and clientele on new varietals. I didn’t realize there are hundreds of types of grapes out there. We’re discovering new varietals all the time.

As the day progresses and it gets busy,

We want downtown business owners to work together and collectively improve the tourism experience. We want to improve the overall business climate and the relationship between individual business owners and the city so we can create a sustainable downtown.

The economy has taken its toll and that tends to make people bitter. Each time I’m at one of these meetings, someone stands up and says they’ve been coming for 20 years and nothing ever happens. With that attitude, nothing ever will. It’s a new day.

I’m not going to stand by and watch the town evaporate. We need to support each other. We can accomplish more by working together.

What is your vision for downtown Benicia in 10 years?

Ten years ago, I would have thought this would be a little Sausalito by now. The economy is partially responsible, but lack of vision is also partially to blame.

In 10 years, I think you’ll see a greatly improved downtown business district. You’ll see more choices in retail and restaurants, more retail, broader options. B

BeniciaMagazine.com

Calendar of Events

August 8/1-8/14 8/14

A Arts t B Benicia i i A Artist ti t IIn R Residence id (ABAIR) P Project j t

We Need You

Artists do site-specific installations at the Gallery 991 Tyler Street #114 Artsbenicia.org 707.747.0131

8/3

THE BENICIA HISTORICAL MUSEUM

Benicia Day at the Solano County Fair 11am-11pm Opening Day at the Fair which runs Aug. 3-7 900 Fairgrounds Drive, Vallejo Scfair.com 707.551.2000

8/4-8/25

Benicia Farmer’s Market 4-8pm Fresh produce, baked goods, food booths, arts & crafts First Street between B and D Streets, every Thursday Beniciamainstreet.org 707.745.9791

8/6-8/28

Capitol & Fischer-Hanlon House, weekends only 10am-5pm Fischer-Hanlon tours available some weekends 115 West G Street 707.745.3385

8/6

Find out how rewarding volunteering can be!

Call Us... We’d love to hear from you.

Benicia Plein Air Gallery Reception 10am-noon

Museum Days/Hours • Wednesday - Sunday • 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm 707-745-5435 • 2060 Camel Rd. • Benicia, CA 94510 www.beniciahistoricalmuseum.org

Featured artist is Michael Dadasovich 307 First Street, Benicia Beniciapleinair.com

8/6

Poet’s Picnic 12-4pm, Bring a dish and poem to share Join Poet Laureate Ronna Leon for poetry/guest speakers City Park Gazebo, First and Military Streets Benicialibrary.org 707.746.4343

8/13

Serving the community for over 60 years

Benicia Peddler’s Fair 8am-5pm Antiques and collectibles, arts & crafts, food & much more First Street, Downtown Benicia Beniciapeddlersfair.org 707.745.8680

8/13

Competitive rates; professional services Experienced relocation consultants Family owned/operated; outstanding reputation

Friends of the Library Book Sale 10am-4pm Benicia Library basement, 150 East L Street Benicialibrary.org 707.746.4343

8/17

Evening Book Club for Adults 7-8pm Library Dona Benicia Room Benicia Library, 150 East L Street Benicialibrary.org 707.746.4343

8/19

Outdoor Concert & Movie 6:30pm Free outdoor concert; movie “Tangled” starts 8pm First Street at Military West, City Park Gazebo 707.746.4285

8/20

Historical Museum’s Spenger Concert Series 8pm Russ Lorenson presents The Great American Songbook Benicia Historical Museum, 2024 Camel Road Beniciahistoricalmuseum.org 707.745.5435

8/27

A Great Dog Day by the Bay 10am-2pm Dog contests, doggie treats, demos & much more First Street Green, First & B Streets Beniciamainstreet.org 707.745.9791

26

Benicia Magazine

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Residential Relocations Packing & Crating Services Packing Material Sales Office Relocations Modular Furniture installations Commercial Distribution & Storage Records Management NAID Certified shredding Services Self Storage Pod Services Door to Door

METROPOLITAN VAN & STORAGE

5400 Industrial Way, Benicia, CA. 94510 800.824.0549

www.metrovan.com

Welcome to

Tosch Dental Schedule a check-up and cleaning and receive

off

Professional Bleaching

Ronald J. Tosch, DDS

l 707.745.2130 l 118 West K St., Benicia, CA 94510 l

www.toschdental.com

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980 Adams Street

746-0535

Monday â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Friday 8am-5pm www.simpkinsautocare.com , ;/ :;

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BeniciaMagazine.com

Celebrating 21 Years in Business

Excellence in Design and Function FREE VASE,

from the renowned Nourot Glass Studios, with the purchase of your kitchen Contractor’s License # 678979

From creativity/design to execution and delivery to installation, Susy, Mary Ann and Allan paid attention to every detail. We cannot say enough about their work.

Absolutely the best people we have ever worked with.

—Jeff and Kris

4852 East 2nd Street, Benicia Open M-F 9-5, weekends and evenings by appointment

CABINETS AND COUNTERTOPS

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