Benicia Magazine January 2017

$2.50 ***** ECR WSS ***** POSTAL CUSTOMER Volume 12 Issue 3 January 2017

Please deliver 1/4-6

ECRWSS PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID PORTLAND OR PERMIT NO. 2160

Yoga's Path to Wellness Benicia Home Prices Continue to Rise

CSL #891342

Voted #1 Flooring Company in Solano County

B FC

BENICIA FLOOR COMPANY

707-745-9024

M–F 10 to 5:30 l Sat. 10 to 3 or by appointment 84 Solano Square in Safeway Shopping Center, Benicia www.beniciafloorcompany.com

Large Showroom with Excellent Selection On-Time Installations Competitive Pricing Professional Reliable Hardwood Laminate Carpet Tile

Committed to Excellence in Customer Service

2 • Benicia Magazine

Years of Fashion

Celebrate Saturday, January 14, 2017 10-6 Fashion, Food, Friends

n

707.745.5125 ChristinaSBenicia.com • Facebook.com Open Every Day 370 First Street, Downtown Benicia ®

Fashion Destination

BeniciaMagazine.com • 3

Be

NEW PATIENT SPECIAL!

Benicia

Be

Celebrating our 12th Year

Be

magazine

Be

Benicia

Editor magazine Jeanne Steinmann

Solano Smile

Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry State-of-the-art facility/equipment with latest technology

Dr. Ramtin Nassiri, DDS, MSD & Associates Specialists in Orthodontics and Pediatric Denistry 321 Fist Street, Suite 203 Downtown Benicia, above Rookies

707.748.0500

Call for New Patient Special

Graphic Design Margaret Bowles

Benicia Web Specialist Yarrow Sweningsen

Contributorsmagazine

Eric Hoglund Elizabeth d’Huart Adriene Rockwell Sarah Rohrs Beth Steinmann Sue Sumner-Moore Photographers Jerry Bowles Lisa Duncan

Advertising sales Jeanne Steinmann 707.853.5226 adsales@beniciamagazine.com Advertising deadlines New ads: the 5th of the month prior to the issue month Ad changes: 6 weeks prior to the issue month

appetizers • soup & salads • sandwiches • burgers pizza • dinner entrees • delectable desserts locally grown produce • 33 large screen TV's signed sports memorabilia • NFL ticket specialty cocktails • 22 beers on tap always rotating wine & extensive selection of bottled beer

OPEN DAILY Mon-Fri 11am-12am Fri & Sat 11am-1am Sun 9am-12am

4 • Benicia Magazine

Locally owned; fun for the entire family!

321 First Street, Downtown Benicia

707.746.7665 rookiesbenicia.com

Contact Us 707.853.8159, Beniciamagazine.com editor@beniciamagazine.com Administration Office Manager Risë Goebel Copy Editor/proofreader Beth Steinmann Benicia Magazine is published monthly by Polygon Publishing, LLC. Copyright © 2016, 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, 372 First Street, Benicia, CA 94510. 707.853.8159, beniciamagazine.com.

B

From Red Tagged to Red Ribbon!

We’re Moving

Come see us in our fabulous new space at 216 First Street!

ESTEY Since 1946

Real Estate Sales & Professional Property Management

Celebrating our 70th year of Business

CaBRE # 00674738

After over 50 years in the same location, we are moving our offices to the waterfront.

The former location at First & J Streets has been red-tagged by the City as unsafe.

707-745-0924 216 First Street, Benicia • www.esteyrealestate.com

STROLL FIRST STREET with your sweetheart

and indulge in an afternoon of decadent chocolates, fine wines, and shopping!

February 4, 1-5pm Ages 21 and older

Wine and chocolate tastings available at participating downtown merchants.

$25 advance/$30 day of event or 2 tickets for $45 advance $55 day of event includes souvenir wine glass Tickets available at Benicia Main Street 90 First Street, or online at BeniciaMainStreet.org

707.745.9791

BeniciaMagazine.com • 5

Serving Benicia's orthodontic needs for over 25 years

CLASSES PERSONAL TRAINING STRENGTH SPIN CARDIO YOGA NUTRITION DAYCARE OUTDOOR AREA

Benicia Fitness Healthy for Life

Call to schedule a complimentary exam 707.745.1994 • 164 East H St., Benicia Beniciaparadocs.com

Try the gym for a day with this ad, exp. 1/31/17

Dr. Tom Campbell Orthodontics for children and adults

beniciafitness.com

606 First Street, downtown Benicia, 707.745.1511

NEW & USED BOOKS Toys, Calendars, Puzzles & more $5 off with purchase of $25 or more Can not be combined with any other offer, exp. 1/31/17

Full-line pet store Professional dog & cat grooming Do it yourself pet wash 1202 East 5th Street, Benicia 707.745.5016 • www.FeathererPet.com

AMERICAN PACIFIC MORTGAGE

636 First Street, Benicia Open Every Day 707.747.5155 bookshopbenicia.com 9th Year Anniversary!

We are passionate about Homeownership Alan M. Schwartzman

BREAKFAST • SEAFOOD • SALADS • STEAK • PASTA • WRAPS • FLATBREAD

Branch Manager

DRE 00681649/01215943 NMLS 238622/1850

ENTRÉE

ams@advancedmtg.com

Mon-Sat only, 6am-3pm

Mitchell S. Chernock Sales Manager

DRE 00583404/01215943 NMLS 236204/1850

Buy one breakfast entrée, & receive the 2nd of equal or lesser value With purchase of 2 drinks. Up to $7 value with coupon. Not valid with any other offer.

One coupon per table. Exp. 1/31/17

10

% off ENTIRE BILL

With purchase of 2 drinks.

Up to $7 value with coupon.

Not valid with any other offer.

One coupon per table.

Exp. 1/31/17

mitchell@advancedmtg.com

advancedmtg.com 6 • Benicia Magazine

e R d.

y Wa ial

Benicia Grill E. 2nd

on

Lic. by Dept. of Corp. under the CRMLA

615 First Street Benicia, CA 94510

Buy one entree & receive the 2nd of equal or lesser value

str

707. 746. 4920

ENTRÉE EVERY DAY

u Ind

• Purchase/Refinance • Conventional, FHA, VA, 203 K Rehab • Reverse Mortgages for Seniors • Native American Home Loans

St

680

With purchase of 2 drinks. Up to $7 value with coupon. Not valid with any other offer.

One coupon per table.

Exp. 1/31/17

707.751.0155

4760 E. Second St., Benicia Dinner-style lunch menu

Open every day 6am—3pm

It’s Our Biggest Floor Sample Sale Ever!

Save Up To 60%*

Choose from a large selec7on of luxurious Top Quality brands

Sales begins January 3, 2017 *Limited quan77es. See store for details.

Benicia Arsenal Showroom: 990 Grant St. Benicia 707/745-3559 707/747-1383 Ironhorsehome.com Facebook.com/ironhorsehome

BeniciaMagazine.com • 7

JANUARY

FEATURES

16

Reaping the benefits of tangy, fermented foods

20

A multitude of choices for practicing yoga

22

Embracing Feng Shui for harmony and balance

8 • Benicia Magazine

VOLUME 12 ISSUE 3

DEPARTMENTS 10 From the Editor 12 Backwards Glance

Bucolic Benicia views enjoyed for over 150 years 13 Bio Marleen Stam Gibbs, owner, Benicia Yoga and Wellness 14 Currents

A sizzling 2017 market for Benicia real estate

Shake off winter doldrums with local live music Local restaurants share their most popular dishes

24 Interview

Roger Lipman celebrates remission from leukemia by going surfing 26 Trends

Realities of the baby boomer generation 28 Calendar of Events The best events in Benicia and around the Bay

PLUMBIN

.1

96

32

.

INC

E

ST

IA

G

BEN IC

BENICIA PLUMBING INC.

975

CSL

32

“PEOPLE TAKING CARE OF PEOPLE...”

Repair or Replace • Water - Gas - Sewer Garbage Disposal • Water Heaters • Drain Line Clearing/Cleaning • Backflow Certification Testing Video Camera • Slab Leaks • Free Estimates

Residential & Commercial Service 24/7

(800) 746-2930 www.BeniciaPlumbing.com

Best Of 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2103, 2014 & 2015

A Wonderful Place For Gifts OPEN EVERY DAY 700 First St. Benicia, CA 94510

707-745-0254 www.studio41.com

FROM THE EDITOR

January 2017 Happy New Year everyone! Holiday excesses behind us, here we are in a brand-new year. I always enjoy January’s lighter load, where I can regroup, set goals and focus on positive images, thoughts and points of view.

I’m finding inspiration from this month’s stories: using Feng Shui to invite fresh energy, exploring fermented foods for a healthy start and trying yin yoga. Our interview features Roger Lipman, whose spirited sense of humor and a heap of gratitude helped him achieve the best outcome from a leukemia diagnosis; and our Bio is with Marleen Stam Gibbs, yoga therapist, who, setting aside her full time life here, was recently in Holland caring for her father. I’ve been channeling these and other special people who lead by example, living their lives and facing challenges with authenticity, grace, empathy and kindness.

To punctuate January’s crispness, there’s a peppy mix of local live music in restaurants, bars and event centers— including the James Garner Tribute to Johnny Cash at Vallejo’s Empress Theatre, and Blueberry Fields at Lucca Bar and Grill in Benicia. Even in winter, Benicia overflows with creativity. Take advantage of promotions and special offers as Restaurant Week kicks off January 21, and check out beniciamagazine.com for art events around town along with additional web exclusives.

—Jeanne Steinmann

Lisa Duncan Photography

Photo by Michael Van Auken

Subscribe!

Call 707.853.5226 or go to beniciamagazine.com Tweet, post or send your suggestions & ideas to: editor@beniciamagazine.com www.beniciamagazine.com Facebook.com/ beniciamagazine @Jeannesteinmann beniciamagazine

10 • Benicia Magazine

Urban Notions Home Gift Garden with a dash of whimsy

Journals Notebooks Decorative Items

is looking for a dynamic , experienced advertising sales person.

Greeting Cards Candles & More

Part time, flexible hours, starting January 2017

We need your talent!

For more information call 707.853.5226

Urban Notions

Send by January 31 to:

general@beniciamagazine.com

372 First Street • Downtown Benicia 707.853.8159 • facebook.com/urbannotions

V II TTA A LL SS II G GN N SS V New series starts January 8

Examine the V I TA L S I G N S of the 5 most important areas of our lives: our spiritual, emotional, financial, relational and physical health.

Join us every S U N DAY at 9 A M , 1 0 : 3 0 A M & 1 2 P M 2 2 0 1 L A K E H E R M A N R D, B E N I C I A

Northgate

visit us at T H I S I S . C H U R C H

BeniciaMagazine.com • 11

BA CKWA RDS GLA NCE

Benicia’s Tranquil Views Celebrated Over the Millennia

By Elizabeth d’Huart, Executive Director BHM Photo courtesy Benicia Historical Museum This tranquil, bucolic scene is a photograph of an oil painting in our archives painted by one F.A. Buttman, landscape artist, and teacher of drawing and painting at the Mills Seminary in Benicia from 1861 to 1865. The painting shows the view from Benicia’s eastern waterfront towards the Carquinez Strait and the Strait’s opening to the Bay (frequently called the “Silver Gate”) with Mount Diablo in the background. In the left foreground, named for its founder, we see the Peabody Hospital, the first hospital in California. In the right foreground is the wooden house and barn occupied by Mary Lane, a freed slave, who is buried in the Benicia Cemetery.

The house is still visible as a structural incorporation of the residence presently located at 216 West I Street. Both Dr. Peabody and Mary Lane are interesting individuals in their own right and deserve a longer narrative than this column can provide. Although a portion of these same brown hills are now dotted with the detritus of the current age, and the peaceful waters of long ago now teem with shipping containers and recreational vessels, Benicia’s view of the “Silver Gate” is still glorious—particularly during sunset as captured here in nuanced shades of blue, pink, and umber. How lucky we are to be able to call this view our own in a place where so many California “firsts” occurred. As the sun sets on 2016, I hope that 2017 supplies the beauty and peace so present in this painting—Happy New Year!

12 • Benicia Magazine

BIO • Serving the Benicia/Vallejo area for over 70 years • Only on-site crematory in the area • Funerals, memorials, VA Burials John “Sherm” Passalacqua

Passalacqua Funeral Chapel 901 West Second St., Benicia 707-745-3130 www.passalacquafuneralchapel.com Greg Silva

Twin Chapels Mortuary

Marleen Stam Gibbs The Road from Hydrogeologist to Yoga Therapist

By Adriene Rockwell Photo by Barbara Fredericks Dutch-born Marleen Stam Gibbs is a hydrogeologist (scientist who studies groundwater) by training. Hydrogeology is an important field where she grew up in Amsterdam, as the Dutch are renowned for their innovations in water management. She was working on her Ph.D. when she and her husband decided to move to the U.S. Her husband, also a hydrogeologist, had recently landed a job in Concord. On a whim one day, they took an off-ramp to explore Benicia and fell in love with its history and waterfront charm. “As a European, I crave those things,” she says. It’s been 15 years since they moved here to raise their two boys, and during that time Marleen’s plans to get her Ph.D. changed.

“It turned out that when you throw a 6-month old baby in the mix, that doesn't work out so well. Working 40 hours a week as a geologist with a small baby also didn't appeal,” said Marleen. “I still wanted to be able to visit my family in Holland.”

Becoming a Yoga therapist offered her the flexibility she needed, but it all started rather unexpectedly.

She joined Benicia Fitness on First Street to get back in shape after having a baby. “I had a lot of back problems. I tried the yoga class by Linda Barron, and although I couldn't do half the poses, I left feeling like a million bucks! That had never happened to me before with any kind of exercise. Before too long I was doing four classes a week. A year later I started the teacher training.”

Since then, Marleen has become the proprietor of Benicia Yoga & Wellness located in Benicia’s lower Arsenal, and continues to teach yoga while also specializing in Trigger Point Release and Thai Yoga Massage. She recently began pursuing a dream to become a Yoga Therapist through the Niraga Institute in Oakland. When she completes those studies, she’ll restructure her business around that.

“The lovely thing about yoga is that it can benefit anyone. If you can breathe, you can do yoga. It's not about the poses. Your yoga practice can be adjusted to you and your needs so that it can truly become transformative.” She believes, “No matter what condition you are in physically or mentally, we can find a way of practicing yoga that will make you feel better.”

1100 Tennessee St., Vallejo 707-552-6696 www.twinchapelsmortuary.com

Voted Best Funeral Home In Solano County 7 Years In A Row

...IT’S A FACT!

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS!

Residential & Commercial

CARPET • UPHOLSTERY TILE & GROUT CLEANING

25 OFF

$

Any Service (Min. charges apply)

800 First Street, Ste. A, Benicia • 707-746-8656

spotlesscarpetcleaning.net

Right-brain enhancing learning tools An incredible selection of puzzles, games, electronic kits & gifts Awarded NAMM's National 2015 Top 100 Music Retailers!

620 First Street 707-746-7565 2156 First Street Livermore, CA 94550

MUSIC • SCIENCE • ART mozarteinsteinandme.com

BeniciaMagazine.com • 13

CURRENTS

Rapid Rise in Home Prices with Room for More

14 • Benicia Magazine

By Eric Hoglund After a rapid increase in equity in both 2015 and 2016 in Benicia, expect to see 2017 continue to increase, but at a much more modest rate. Additionally, buyers and refinancers should expect to see interest rates to go up in 2017. This should not cause anyone to panic, as interest rates are at historic lows already and a modest increase will still have rates far below historic averages.

Please don’t let the sensationalism you will see and hear from national and local news prevent you from keeping things in prospective.

What does this mean for buyers? The best opportunity to capitalize on the lowest interest rates and the best overall sale prices will be in the first quarter. It is also a great time to view homes. I know everyone loves going out to open houses on a sunny Sunday afternoon, but the smart buyer loves a rainy day to see how the yard drains, and if there are any signs of leaks. Take advantage of the winter market and grab your umbrella, call your realtor, and get after it, your next purchase is waiting for you.

What does this mean for sellers? If you are selling, don’t be afraid to list your home in the winter months.

In California we may get some rain and stormy days, but those are mixed with bright sunny bluebird days in between. Look at it this way: if the best mortgage rates for the year are going to be had in the first quarter, why not get your home on the market to take advantage of the serious buyer who is willing to make a move in the winter? Additionally, once you sell your home you will likely be wanting to take advantage of those same low rates for your next purchase. Your agent can give you ideas on how best to stage and market your home during the rainy season.

Eric Hoglund, Broker Associate, California BRE Lic.# 01420325 Editor’s Note: Estey Real Estate & Property Management is celebrating 70 years in business, and after 50 years at their former building at First & J Streets, their offices have moved near the waterfront at 216 First Street (at B Street). Due to issues with unreinforced masonry, their former location, owned by the Masonic Temple Association, has been closed by the city.

Sales Data Courtesy Bareis Multiple Listing Service, Jan-Nov 2016 Benicia Single Family Homes Sold: Average Original List Price: Average Home Square Footage: Average Days On Market: Average Actual Sales Price: Average Actual Sales Price/Sq. Ft.: Average Original List Price/Average Sq. Ft.:

234 $624,012 2088 59 $622,767 $314/Sq. Ft. $315/Sq. Ft.

January Explodes with Local Live Music

By Sarah Rohrs While local events aren’t as plentiful in winter, it can be an excellent time to check out the area’s live music scene.

With so many good options, why not inject some vitality into the slow season? A little bit of the blues, some acoustic folk tunes, the symphony and Celtic songs are just a few of the diverse types of live music to be found in Benicia, Vallejo and in Solano and Napa Counties in January and February. Here’s what’s playing at a few spots around town and in neighboring communities: EMPRESS THEATRE 330 Virginia Street, Vallejo 707.552.2400, empresstheatre.org James Garner Tribute to Johnny Cash Jan. 4, 7pm The One Size Fits All - Tom Size Benefit Jan. 7, 6:30pm West Coast Songwriters, Jan. 9, 7:30pm Blues Extravaganza, Jan. 11, 7pm Bryan Bowman and the Vallejo Jazz Society Jan. 15, 4pm Nelson Illusions, Jan. 22, 1pm & 6pm Joe Henderson Legacy Big Band, Jan. 28, 7pm FAIRFIELD CENTER FOR CREATIVE ARTS DOWNTOWN THEATRE 1035 W Texas Street, Fairfield 707.940.0700, ext. 1, downtowntheatre.com Solano Symphony Orchestra Salute to Youth Feb. 11, 8pm Symphony also performs at Vacaville Performing Arts Theatre.

The Sun Kings, Feb. 25, 8pm

LUCCA BAR & GRILL 439 First Street, Benicia 707.745.3749, luccabar.com Her Sea, Jan. 6 & Jan. 20, 5:30pm Foxcatchers w/ Chris Cole and Jeff Tamelier Jan. 7, 5:30pm Jeramy Norris and the Dangerous Mood Jan. 13, 5:30pm Blueberry Fields, Jan. 14, 5:30pm GarageLand Rodeo, Jan. 21, 5:30pm 4th Fridays Don Bassey and Friends Jan. 27, 5:30pm Wasted Rangers, Jan. 28, 5:30pm SILOS 530 Main Street, Napa 707.251.5833, silosnapa.com Syria T. Berry, Jan. 4, 7:15-9:30pm Mike Greensill, 5-7pm Wednesdays through March

KESLERS COCKTAIL LOUNGE 125 Couch Street, Vallejo 707.642.1740, keslerslounge.com Xtreme, Jan. 6, 8pm Earley Riser Band Jan. 7, 8pm Route III, Jan. 13, 9pm Bobby Love Sugar Sweet, Jan. 14, 9 pm Mere Image, Jan. 20, 9pm Blues Night with Johnny & the B Goods Jan. 21, 8pm Johnny & Awesome Sauce, Jan. 27, 8pm The 7th Sons, Jan. 28, 9pm DW Edwards & Lighting Up the Soul Feb. 11, 9pm The Sun Kings, courtesy photo

VACAVILLE PERFORMING ARTS THEATRE 1010 Ulatis Drive, Vacaville 707.469.4013, downtowntheatre.com DRUMline LIVE! Jan. 13, 8pm.

Emmet Cahill’s Ireland, Feb. 23, 7:30pm UPTOWN THEATRE 1350 Third Street, Napa 707.259.0123, uptowntheatrenapa.com The Everly Brothers Experience, Feb. 3, 8pm Rufus Wainwright, Feb. 4, 3pm Jake Shimabukuro, Feb. 18, 8pm UPSTAIRS AT THE CAFÉ First Street Café, 440 First Street, Benicia 707.745.1400, firststreetcafe.com Dynamite Dave & The Detonators Jan. 6, 8pm American Songbook, Jan. 13, 7:30pm TuneRiders, Jan. 14, 8pm Tito, the Harmonic Three, Jan. 20, 8pm Mo B & Dick, Jan. 27, 8pm Marty Cohen & the Sidekicks, Jan. 28, 8pm TuneRiders, Feb. 11, 8pm BeniciaMagazine.com • 15

. . .

to

. . . .

. .

. . .

. . .

. . .

...

ann

By Beth Steinm

In addition to being delicious, fermented food and drink have historical importance spanning global cultures and are found in abundance in traditional cuisines. The earliest existing records of fermentation date back to 6000BCE, in the area known as the Fertile Crescent. Although the discovery may have been accidental, fermentation became one of the most important food preservation techniques, and a way to prevent microbial infection.

While the list of foods that can be fermented is almost endless and includes dairy, leavened breads, vegetables, fruits and even some meats, the number of microorganisms used to spark the process is relatively small. A handful of mold, yeast and bacteria species (lactobacillus being the most widespread), all of which belong to the Fungi Kingdom, are responsible for consuming starches and sugars and turning them into acids or alcohol that preserve the food or beverage. The addition of one of these agents to a food source (either solid or liquid) catalyzes the fermentation process and creates a “living” food or beverage, such as beer, wine, Kombucha, sauerkraut, yogurt, kefir, chutney, kimchi, etc.

Modern science is beginning to understand how consuming fermented foods may benefit health, both through chemical alteration of the food pre-consumption and subsequent integration of the beneficial microbes into intestinal flora. It’s an exciting area of research, some of which owes its foundation to exploration into traditional diets and high health levels of traditional cultures (see the large body of work on this subject by Dr. Westin A Price). We now know that the connection between beneficial bacteria and intestinal health may have implications in healing inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. Fermented food and drink have seen a huge resurgence in the US in recent decades with the rise of cottage food industries, integrative nutrition and DIY food preparation. If you have health concerns, consult your healthcare practitioner before consuming fermented foods.

The same microorganisms that preserve fermented foods can also cause them to spoil if the fermentation process goes awry, so DIY fermentation should be undertaken with attention and care. The process can be somewhat unpredictable, and a clean working environment and supplies are essential. The word ferment means “commotion” or “excitement,” descriptions that are apt for everything from the bacterial-level feeding frenzy, to the unpredictable nature of the process, to the zingy fizz and tangy taste of the foods themselves. Below are five fantastic fermented foods and drinks to try.

16 • Benicia Magazine

Kombucha

Kombucha is an effervescent drink made from a SCOBY (an acronym for Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast), which is a slimy, blobby, vaguely alien-looking disc that feeds on black tea and sugar. Although the sight of a SCOBY may be enough to make you run in the opposite direction, the drink it produces is usually deliciously sweet with a slight vinegary kick that has plenty of people hooked. Jun is a similar beverage that’s traditionally made with green tea and honey. Kombucha originated in Ancient China, touted as a health and longevity tonic. Its brewing time is 5-8 days, and many commercial kombucha brands add additional flavors such as fruit juices and herbal teas. Kombucha does contain approximately .5% alcohol (.005), and some sugar and caffeine remain in the drink after fermentation.

Kvass

Kvass is an acidic, bubbly drink originating in Russia, made from rye bread and brewer’s or baker’s yeast or live Lactobacillus culture. Traditional kvass was historically made without starters by letting stale rye bread soak in water for several days, relying on wild fermentation. The entire contents of the vat would be consumed, with the added benefit making the water potable, giving it the utmost utilitarian value. Kvass has a quick fermentation time and a slightly higher alcohol content than kombucha, ranging from 1-5% (.01-.05). Other ingredients, such as herbs and fruit, are often added to give the drink a signature flare. A popular modern twist is made with beets rather than rye bread, giving it a lower alcohol content, a deep scarlet hue and earthy taste.

Kefir

Kefir is a thick, fermented milk hailing from Northern Russia. It has a very fast fermentation time (starting at 24 hours) and is made by adding kefir grains (a mix of yeast and bacteria strains) to milk.

The legend of the origin of kefir grains is that they were given to Caucasus Mountain-dwelling Orthodox Russians by the prophet Mohammed, and passed down in secret from generation to generation. Kefir’s rumored success in the treatment of tuberculosis and intestinal diseases made it a soughtafter remedy and it was eventually brought to Moscow and made available for sale to the public. It tastes similar to yogurt but can be stronger and more effervescent in flavor, and is sold both plain and flavored with fruit and sugar.

Tempeh

Tempeh is a traditional fermented soy product from Indonesia, made with cooked soybeans and mold spores. This may sound gag-inducing, but the finished product is tastily nutty, well-textured, and a great source of protein for vegetarians and omnivores alike. It’s high in calcium, iron, magnesium and other minerals. Today, tempeh is also made with chickpeas, black eyed peas and even grains such as barley and millet. It can be added to soups, stews or chili, or served as a main dish in a sauce or marinade.

Kimchi

Kimchi is a spicy fermented cabbage that’s served as a condiment with almost every meal in Korea. Its base is Napa cabbage, which is combined with fresh garlic, ginger, scallions, Korean radish, Korean chili powder, Korean salted shrimp, salt, sesame oil and sesame seeds. The mix is either lacto-fermented or wild fermented for up to several weeks. Kimchi, like many other traditional fermented vegetable slaws, is high on the spice scale and not for the faint of heart, but has a very distinct, bold and delicious flavor.

Adventurous foodies will enjoy making this at home, but it can also be purchased at any Asian market and in many grocery stores.

FURTHER READING ON THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF FERMENTED FOOD: “Fermented foods, microbiota, and mental health: ancient practice meets nutritional psychiatry” ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3904694/ “Perspectives on the probiotic potential of lactic acid bacteria from African traditional fermented foods and beverages” ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4785221/ “The History and Health Benefits of Fermented Food” foodandnutrition.org/Winter-2012/The-Historyand-Health-Benefits-of-Fermented-Food/ “Probiotics and prebiotics in dietetics practice” ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18313433 Westin A Price Foundation westonaprice.org/ Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon

BeniciaMagazine.com • 17

greaT dealS for

duRing reStauranT weeK

By Sarah Rohrs The middle of January can be a pretty slow time of year for restaurants, but Downtown Benicia Restaurant Week may have people thinking twice about staying home and eating in. The annual campaign is meant to generate excitement with special promotions and offers, plus seasonal cuisines to match the wintery weather.

This year’s campaign coincides with the seventh annual California Restaurant Month aimed at bolstering statewide tourism.

Many First Street restaurants will participate in Benicia Restaurant Week, tentatively slated for Jan. 21-28. The way it works is that people pick up a dining passport at Benicia Main Street Program, Benicia businesses or online and then frequent their favorite eatery, bringing their appetite and sense of adventure. The passport gives diners a 15 percent discount, though some conditions may apply.

The overall goal is to promote downtown restaurants during a typically slow month in the industry, said Nancy Martinez, executive director of Benicia Main Street, which is sponsoring the event. The promotion will also include a contest to win $100 in Downtown Dollars. Last year 13 Benicia restaurants participated, offering diners a wide choice of cuisines and dining atmospheres. Martinez said many of the same restaurants will likely continue this year. For a list of participating restaurants, go to beniciamainstreet.org or call 707.745.9791.

To add to the fun, we asked several local eateries about their most popular menu item and their healthiest menu item. Here are the responses.

18 • Benicia Magazine

Aroma Indian Cuisine

Lucca Bar and Grill

818 First Street, Benicia Second location at 2032 Columbus Parkway 707.745.1870 aromabenicia.com Opened: 2006 Most Popular Dish: Chicken tikka masala Healthiest Dish: Cucumber salad

439 First Street, Benicia 707.745.3749, luccabar.com Opened: 2009 Most Popular Dish: Fried Chicken Special, Tues. & Wed. 5pm-close Healthiest Dish: Roasted beet salad with the addition of chicken

Benicia Grill 4760 East 2nd Street, Benicia 707.751.0155 beniciagrill.com Opened: 2008 Most Popular Dish: Mesquite steak sandwich Healthiest Dish: Fajita salad with chicken or steak

Rookies Sports Bar & Grill 321 First Street, Benicia 707.746.7665 rookiesbenicia.com Opened: 2011 Most Popular Dish: Rookies Burger with fries or rings Healthiest Dish: Rookies Salad

Camellia Tea Room

Round Table Pizza

828 First Street, Benicia 707.746.5293 camelliatearoom.com Opened: 1994 Most Popular Dish: Traditional Tea on 3-teired tray Healthiest Dish: Any of the entrĂŠe salads

878 Southampton Rd, Benicia 707.746.7000 roundtablepizza.com Opened: 1987 Most Popular Dish: Pepperoni Pizza Healthiest Dish: Salad bar

Java Point Cafe

Sandovals

640 1st St, Benicia Opened: 2005 Most Popular Dish: Eggs benedict Healthiest Dish: Warm chicken salad

640 1st St, Benicia 707.746.7830 Facebook - Sandovals Opened: 1985 Most Popular Dish: Chile verde Healthiest Dish: Chicken, beef and shrimp fajitas

Union Hotel Bar & Restaurant See beniciamainstreet.org for

Dining Passp ts

401 First Street, Benicia 707.746.7847, unionhotelrestaurant.net Opened: 2003 Most Popular Dish: Hanger steak with mashed potatoes Healthiest Dish: Ahi tuna salad

BeniciaMagazine.com • 19

Types, Styles and the Many Benefits of Yoga

By Beth Steinmann

Courtesy photos: Top and bottom center: Benicia Yoga and Wellness; Center and bottom left and right, Benicia Fitness Yoga is believed to have originated at least 5,000 years ago in Northern India, as a spiritual practice that was passed on by oral tradition until the first sacred Vedic texts, the Rig Veda, were written, sometime between 1700-1100BCE. What most people in the West now think of as yoga is Hatha yoga, a practice more focused on “asanas,” or physical positions, wasn’t developed until many centuries later, when yogis created techniques to cleanse the spirit through addressing pains and mis-alignments of physical existence. Hatha yoga was popularized in India in the 1920s, and in the US in 1947, when a Russian woman named Indra Devi (often called the mother of Western yoga), a student of the founder of the first Hatha school in India, opened a studio in Hollywood.

Today, yoga encompasses many diverse styles and philosophies that are rooted in the goals of aligning body, mind and spirit

20 • Benicia Magazine

and achieving balance and wellness. Many physical, or Hatha yoga practices emphasize regulated breathing, or pranayama, which is used as a vehicle for opening and purifying the body and focusing the mind.

Because the focus is meditative as well as physical, the benefits extend beyond the physical, but physical benefits include increased strength, flexibility, stamina, respiration, energy, cardiovascular health and protection from injury, to name a few.

According to the American Osteopathic Association, “Regular yoga practice creates mental clarity and calmness, increases body awareness, relieves chronic stress patterns, relaxes the mind, centers attention and sharpens concentration.”

On the flipside, any physical exertion also has the capacity to cause or exacerbate injury or misalignment, so a sense of inner body awareness should be cultivated. Yoga does invite self-reflection and a sense of caution, but beginners and those with known injuries should consult their healthcare practitioners and yoga instructors.

Types of Yoga There are upwards of 20 different modern yoga styles, and different yoga studios and teachers also have different flavors.

As many yoga practitioners have said, there are as many ways of doing yoga as people doing it—it’s about finding the style or styles of practice that work best for the individual and allowing natural evolution over time. Below is a brief overview of several popular types of yoga.

Iyengar

Iyengar yoga was founded by BKS Iyengar (1918-2014), who was a beloved yoga master to many people worldwide.

According to yogajournal.com, “By paying close attention to anatomical details and the alignment of each posture, Iyengar Yoga is the practice of precision. Poses are held for long periods and often modified with props. This method is designed to systematically cultivate strength, flexibility, stability, and awareness, and can be therapeutic for specific conditions.”

Power/Ashtanga Yoga

Ashtanga yoga is a vigorous practice that synchronizes breath and movement and focuses on a particular style of vinyasa flows (a sequence of continuously flowing postures) to activate core strength and build internal heat and circulation.

Power yoga is an offshoot of Ashtanga and is focused on fitness and stamina.

Hot yoga

Hot yoga is an umbrella term for several types of yoga where the room is heated to at least 85 degrees (ant up to 105), including Bikram yoga. The focus of hot yoga is detoxification and increased stamina and flexibility.

Restorative/Yin

Both Restorative and Yin yoga focus on postures done on the floor, held for longer periods of time, with plenty of props to make the body comfortable. Yin yoga focuses on the dynamic tension of breathing into one’s physical “edge” while supported in a pose so that the muscles remain relaxed and deeper connective tissues and ligaments are targeted. Restorative yoga is even gentler and is centered on achieving complete relaxation to restore the body’s natural energy and vitality through gentle twists and seated folds. Restorative yoga is indicated for injury and illness recovery.

Yoga Alternatives

Other types of yoga include Kundalini, Prenatal, Acro and Yoga Therapy. If you’re just starting out, most yoga studios offer a drop-in rate or even a free first class. Find a class that is open to beginners and tell the instructor it’s your first class. For seasoned practitioners, going back to focus on yoga foundations or recommitting to a daily meditation or pranayama practice can renew and re-invigorate. For those short on time, there are also many online yoga studios that you can join for a small monthly rate, but when starting out, it’s nice to receive assistance from someone who can help you to do the postures in a way that prevents injury and maintains proper alignment. Check out Benicia yoga studios and class offerings online.

Elementary Enrollment Beginning February 1st BUSD where all students achieve at their highest potential in an engaging, inspiring and challenging learning environment.

Enrollment for incoming Transitional Kindergarten, Kindergarten and new elementary students to BUSD begins February 1st Your child must turn five years old on or before September 1, 2017 to enroll in Kindergarten.

BUSD is also offering Transitional Kindergarten again this year for all Benicia students who turn five years old between September 2nd and December 2nd, 2017. Enrollment for this program is completed at each of our Elementary Schools starting the month of February.

Open Enrollment for all Elementary students desiring to attend a school outside of their school of residence will be held the month of March.

Forms can be picked up at any elementary site and information is on the BUSD website.

Please call any of our Elementary Schools for additional information and to schedule an appointment.

Benicia Unified School District 350 East K Street, Benicia, CA 707.747.8300 • www.beniciaunified.org

BeniciaMagazine.com • 21

Positive Beginnings

Through Feng Shui

By Sarah Rohrs An urge to clean up a messy closet when faced with annual tax forms could be more than procrastination. In the practice of Feng Shui—a philosophy that brings your environment into harmony— clearing clutter rids a space of negative energy and invites change.

Consequently, straightening up a closet could very well lead to a new job or relationship.

Based on the ancient Chinese study of energy flow, Feng Shui explores connections between you and your environment, Benicia Feng Shui practitioner Maria McCullough explains. It teaches the principles of energy flow and how to arrange rooms to set the stage for life improvements, including wealth, safety, productivity, health and love. The practice helps right what is wrong at home, work and in your life, offering a guide to happiness and personal growth, says McCullough.

While some consider Feng Shui to be a pseudoscience, its principles can offer practical (and cost-free) tips to freshen up a space. “Your home is a mirror of your inner self, so if your home is messy or if your business is messy, or there are issues or things you don’t like in your life, then you are drained,” she says. “Everything in your home either nourishes or drains you.”

“Often referred to as the art of placement, Feng Shui means wind and water, the essential natural elements that circulate everywhere on earth and permeate everything,” wrote expert David Daniel Kennedy, author of Feng Shui for Dummies. At the heart of these elements is what is known as chi, or universal energy.

Through Feng Shui techniques, environments can be influenced to tap into beneficial chi to improve life. “Feng Shui can be used anywhere as energy affects all facets of life,” says McCullough, who consults in homes, businesses, landscapes, classrooms and 22 • Benicia Magazine

health clinics. She was trained under Terah Kathryn Collins, author of The Western Guide to Feng Shui. A former school principal, McCullough’s interest in Feng Shui grew when a teacher asked to paint her classroom green, a color that evokes vitality and growth.

She asks clients what is working or not working in their lives, then focuses on a corresponding part of their home or office. Feng Shui has been around for centuries, and today is a popular component of home decorating, landscaping design and self improvement.

Feng Shui isn’t a magic formula, but can provide a visual reminder of those areas that are valued, or that you are working to improve.

McCullough calls this “empowerment through environment,” and added, “It gives you a sense of power. In life you don’t always have control. If you feel you are in control, you can start making changes.” The start of a new year is an excellent time to put Feng Shui into use—to consider what is holding you back, or causing conflict, she said, adding that a first step is to clean up and declutter. Getting rid of the tired and unwanted is vital, and sets the stage for new possibilities. At the start of a new year, McCullough gets rid of items adding up to 27, a multiple of the numbers 3 and 9, both important numbers in Chinese numerology. The next step involves evaluating an environment using an octagon (Bagua) to map out the energies of a home or work space. McCullough calls this a treasure map to your environment and life, and noted that each part of a house corresponds to different areas of life, such as wealth, health and love.

Essentially, Feng Shui is about living with what you love.

According to serious practitioners who believe wholly in its concepts and complexity, cleaning, de-cluttering, using plants, mirrors, fountains, crystals and other elements of this ancient practice can invite positive new beginnings.

Business

& Directory

Professional

Beautiful teeth.

Beautiful smile.

Beautiful life!

Michael Trahan • Interior Design www.michaeltrahan.com 707.748.1080

632 First St., Benicia

707.205.6960

Camellia Tea Room

707.745.1994 164 East H Street, Benicia, CA

Putting the HUMAN TOUCH back into travel planning

Lisa Koenen 707.748.7705 • 800.225.7750 www.travelfullcircle.com An associate of Black Diamond Travel

License #748221

Collectibles-Antiques-Music Consignment and eBay drop-off

Jacqueline Lim, DDS

828 First Street • Downtown Benicia 707.746.5293 camelliatearoom.com

CST#2015129-10

CHARLIE’S ATTIC

Lunch, afternoon tea, housemade desserts, fine teas & tea accessories

Interior/Exterior Residential & Commercial Painting and more!

707.747.0427 • hobsonpainting@gmail.com

hobsonpainting.com New Location

Hire My Husband

Steve McClure Home Auto

Business

Heritage Pantry & Spice

560 First St., Ste C103, Benicia

www.stevemcclure.net 707.745.0848

Furniture, Collectibles & Household Items

SPICES & RUBS

Special on grilling sauces & marinades! exp. 9/30/16

CA Contractor Lic. # 943231

Mexican Food

(707) 742-4142 364 First Street, Downtown Benicia heritagepantryandspice.com

Roberto’s Fine Jewelry

929 First Street

Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat 11am-6pm PLUS Frequently open until 10pm

707.745.4565

640 First Street 707.746.7830

519 First Street, Downtown Benicia

707.747.5262 BeniciaMagazine.com • 23

“Keep having fun...

Life really is short. ”

INTERVIEW WITH

Roger Lipman

By Sue Sumner-Moore Part 1 of 2 The news was unexpected; the prognosis was uncertain.

Roger Lipman “was feeling a little punk” after a trip to Spain in spring 2012. Blood tests and a bone marrow biopsy led to a diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a disorder in which the bone marrow does not produce enough healthy blood cells.

“I walked out and I was thinking, ‘I’m doomed,’” he recalls.

Online research provided some information but not everything he wanted to know. “With my somewhat mathematical background, I wanted to figure it out,” says Roger, who is retired from the insurance industry. “But you can’t solve the equation with so many unknowns.”

Direct questioning of doctors didn’t answer all his questions, either. “Physicians never talk about death. Physicians never talk about failure. Physicians never talk about what’s going to happen to you. Instead, they say we hope this will work, we think this should make an improvement.”

Roger learned the MDS had developed into leukemia in April 2013.

24 • Benicia Magazine Interview

An optimist, he hoped to get back to the daily activities he loved. Working on his ranch and vineyard in Lake County.

Spending time with friends and family. Traveling. Enjoying fine food. And dancing.

The path from diagnosis to restored health took him into unchartered territory, including an experimental treatment, a priceless gift from a stranger, and extended periods in almost complete isolation. The various procedures and prescriptions left parts of him new and improved while damaging others.

He credits his wife, Rebecca Barnes-Lipman, with doing the heavy lifting required to care for an extremely ill spouse and keep everything going smoothly with their rental properties, at the ranch and at their Benicia home. “Rebecca did the lion’s share of everything,” says Roger, who turns 74 this month.

He emailed friends throughout the journey to update them about his medical experiences, calling himself “Lab Rat” and “Bubble Man” as he endured chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. His sense of humor showed in many, and he ended each note with heartfelt reminders to enjoy life and love each other. Roger sent the last message in May 2016 when he went surfing in Hawaii and declared he’d met his goal of returning to normal life.

From his email telling friends about his MDS diagnosis (2012): At the present, I am asymptomatic other than getting tired once in a while. Nonetheless I am commencing planned treatment with scary drugs (a thalidomide derivative).

Please don’t avoid me or pour sympathy on me. I’m not going to give up or give in. Let’s have as much fun as possible and enjoy every day. I have had and am having a wonderful life and intend to live fully until …

Keep having fun: Life really is short.

How did you get a spot on the bone marrow transplant list?

MDS is manageable but you die eventually. I had a lot of transfusions, both platelets and red blood cells. But I was only on one medication when I was diagnosed. Dr. Chang (Roger’s oncologist at Kaiser Vallejo) said, “You’re the healthiest person I’ve seen with MDS—I’m going to see if you can get a transplant.” You have to petition for it. I got greenlighted and I was sent to Stanford.

What did you have to do to prepare for the transplant?

They had to kill all my bone marrow—that’s why I went through so many rounds of chemo. The first time, I got close but no banana.

The second time was at Stanford, and I also had experimental treatment with statins to help break down the cell walls so the chemo could get into the cells. They gave me something like 30 times the normal dosage. I had to be isolated. …

After 42 days, it wasn’t enough. So I went back to Kaiser for another round. I was down to 5 percent blasts after that—just enough to get the green light for transplant.

What convinced you to undergo the experimental treatment?

I asked Bruno Medeiros (Stanford doctor who worked on the experimental treatment), “If I don’t do anything, how long do I have to live?” He said six weeks. He was the one exception to the rule about physicians not telling patients information like that.

I polled a bunch a friends. I asked them what they would do. One of them said, “Why not? What’s the downside of trying it?”

The consensus among my friends was, “You’re so ornery, you’ll live no matter what.”

From his email with the subject ‘Lab Rat II’ (Aug. 8, 2013): Well today started the trial where they give me 1600% overdose of a statin to clear my system of most every bit of cholesterol, which in the researchers’ opinion will allow the cytotoxic (aka poison) chemotherapy drugs to get into my bone marrow easier. …

But wait, there’s more! Sunday they start me on the cytotoxic drugs in very high doses. All this is supposed to drive the blasts (cancer) into remission.

As strange as it seems, I feel great. I get to wander the halls and even go to the cafeteria.

Keep having fun and hug those you love, ah heck, hug others too.

What did you do to pass the time while you were in isolation?

I called it incarceration. …Think of living in a condo—you only get this one view all the time. My view was of an ivy-covered wall with construction going on beyond it. Same ivy every day. I hate television so I read books. Rebecca got me a full set of Patrick O’Brian’s books—16 books all together. I have no interest to go to sea, but I know all about ships now.

From his email with the subject ‘Lab Rat IV’ (September 2013): OK. So it has been five weeks at Stanford and still no degree.

The chemo has run its course and my bone marrow numbers are finally climbing towards normal. …

I’m now trying to think of what it will be like to be in the real world.

You know, where people don’t ask you about your bodily functions every day. … I will enjoy a walk, seeing birds, seeing things other than the view from my cell, talking to people who are not medical staff, having meals anywhere but in bed (trust me, breakfast in bed is really overrated), being able to wear clothes not pj’s (forget Hugh Heffner) and not being hooked up to a bunch of bags on a stand which I have to drag around.

I look forward to working on something—anything where my mind is involved in a physical aspect of the project.

If you find me talking your head off: Stop me. I need new ideas and new fresh information to make up for the very limited space of the environment I’m in now. …

Your friendship and many memos made every day a better day….

Thank you for your patience with this patient.

From his email with the subject ‘Lab Rat Metamorphosis’ (October 2013): I had a reaction to one of the chemo drugs which had the effect of adding almost 20 pounds of water to me. I looked like a sausage with a red glow all over. I became “The Lobster.” It’s abating now.

The good side is now can see what I would look like as portly. Not pretty.

From his email with the subject ‘Joyful Lab Rat’ (Nov. 8, 2013): The transplant will occur on Saturday the 23rd. … This is really more than a ray of hope. It’s a sunny beach of hope. ...

Nothing makes you think of the future more than when you’re not sure there will be one.

After that third round of chemo at Kaiser, when did you return to Stanford for the transplant?

Just before Thanksgiving (2013), we went back to Stanford. I had another round of chemo there. This one was really aggressive— well, they all were aggressive. …

The transplant itself is like a platelet transplant. They put a bag on the IV pole and it flows into you. Afterwards, the nurses brought me a birthday cake with a candle because it was my new birthday.

I had to stay near Stanford for 100 days after the transplant. One week after transplant, we moved to Mountain View.

From his email with the subject “Bubble Man in Isolation” (Nov.28, 2013): The transplant was uneventful. … What it portends however is significant. The game now is to wait. It will take about two weeks for the cells to attach to me and start to be productive. Once that happens then I will be able to go to our local apartment to wait for a few months to get fully engrafted. …

I have to say that I never thought I’d make it to here.

Editor’s note: Roger Lipman was first featured in a Benicia Magazine Q&A interview in July 2011. He sat down for this interview on Nov. 23, 2016, the third anniversary of his bone marrow transplant. “It’s my third birthday, so I want a pony and cake,” he joked. He agreed to tell his story in part to promote Be the Match registry (bethematch.org) for bone marrow donors.

“Why talk about this? Let’s talk about tomorrow instead,” says Roger. “But if it gets people to donate, that’s the bottom line for me.”

Part 2 of his story will be published next month and will cover the post-transplant period. Photo: Roger Lipman Surfing after his remission; courtesy photo.

BeniciaMagazine.com • 25

T REN D S

By Christina Strawbridge Photo: Christina in a Beatles duster,

by Lisa Duncan The Baby Boomer generation, with nearly 76 million Americans born 1946—1964, including myself, began to retire in 2007.

Could the Great Recession the world experienced be attributed to a generation of retiring hippies and yuppies? There are certainly plenty of online articles that point to boomers as the cause of the economic collapse.

Our generation came of age experiencing Beatlemania, Woodstock, protests against the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights Movement, Women's Liberation and our own type of fashion. Baby boomers were the first generation to grow up with television.

Music, most notably rock and roll, was an expression of the boomer’s generational identity. Transistor radios allowed teenagers to listen to The Beatles, Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan without parental involvement.

According to a July 2016 article by Bloomberg, entitled “The Richest Generation in U.S. History Just Keeps Getting Richer,” points out that thanks to a strong stock market, paired with post Great Recession jitters that kept boomers from spending, many retirees are likely to end up with more money than they know what to do with. Although not all boomers are wealthy, and especially for the “second wave” 26 • Benicia Magazine Trends

of boomers, the excesses of the "Me" generation were due in part to higher levels of income than our parents, and spending it on food, apparel, mortgages, entertainment, automobiles and more. As children, we were taught, and believed, that the world would improve with time.

It has been suggested that one thing that sets baby boomers apart from other generational groups is the fact that almost from the time we were conceived, boomers were pitched to by modern marketers.

Wikipedia cites that in the 1950s, television was the primary medium for influencing public opinion. Newspaper and magazine articles from the late 1940s support this, identifying the increasing number of babies as an economic boom.

For example, a 1948 Newsweek article titled “Babies Mean Business” pointed out that the purchasing power of this group was certainly not lost on marketers.

According to Wikipedia and other websites, baby boomers control over 80% of personal financial assets and account for more than half of all consumer spending—and boomers also buy 77% of all prescription drugs, 61% of over-thecounter drugs, and spend 80% of all leisure travel.

As a Boomer, the reality of getting older and looking at retirement is somewhat foreign to me. It's not that I am in

denial—or am I? Benicia is a great place to retire. But Boomers have tended to avoid discussions and planning for their life after work, and many of us are workaholics. It is also obvious that my generation is fighting the results of aging by the popularity of plastic surgery and the number of products that claim to have anti-aging and rejuvenation properties.

Scott started his early, semi-retirement this year, announcing that he wanted to work less. Why not? The kids are grown, the mortgage is paid, his health is good and he has planned financially for the future. He was tired of the monotony of 30-plus years of the same meetings and dealing with Bay Area traffic. He is at a crossroads: adjusting to a slower pace, less demanding schedule and the phone not ringing off the hook. He is definitely more relaxed!

I, on the other hand, am working more, and taking on new challenges both personally and professionally. Although the body is beginning to show signs of a 64-year old, my attitude remains hopeful and enthusiastic about the future. I am still me. For any generation, attitude plays a big part in how we deal with the reality of aging. My Mom, who worked until her mid 80's, stopped only because she couldn't find a job. Her attitude was always positive, believing that someday she would figure out a way to become a millionaire. That attitude—not giving up and believing in oneself—is something she instilled in me at an early age. I recently came across a torn out section from a church bulletin that she had sent me years ago, and wanted to share it with readers.

Attitudes

The longer I live the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do.

It is more important than appearances, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company ... a church … a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past ... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the on string we have, and that is our attitude.

I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.

And so it is with you. We are in charge of our attitudes.

-Author Unknown

Are you using more energy than your neighbors and friends?

Be Energy Efficient NOW Save $$ on utility bills—your one stop home improvement dealer!

• HVAC • Leaky house • Solar

• Windows • Insulation • Tankless water heaters

Don’t miss out!

Rebates from $1,000-$6500

(Limited time offer on qualifying equipment, product

s & in specific areas, call for details)

1768 Broadway Vallejo, CA 94589

707-645-0734 Lic# 719381

BM

ON DECK THIS SEASON FOR ALL YOUR BUILDING NEEDS.

In VALLEJO 707-557-3000

WWW.FOSTERLUMBER.COM

In FAIRFIELD 707-425-3400

BeniciaMagazine.com • 27

January 2017 Events

TuneRiders, courtesy photo

Shen Yun 10th Anniversary World Tour

12/27-1/15, days and times vary War Memorial Opera House 301 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco Through the universal language of music and dance, Shen Yun weaves a wondrous tapestry of heavenly realms, ancient legends, and modern heroic tales, taking you on a journey through 5,000 years of Chinese culture. Its stunning beauty and tremendous energy leave audiences uplifted and inspired. This Shen Yun performance features the world’s foremost classically trained dancers, a unique orchestra blending East and West, and dazzling animated backdrops—together creating one spectacular performance.

Shenyun.com/ca 888.633.6999

Where the Wild Things Are: Nature Hike

1/7, 9am-1pm King-Swett Ranch McGary Road and Hiddenbrooke, Vallejo Explore the hills between Fairfield, Benicia, and Vallejo. Solano Land Trust docents will guide hikers through this area, known as the King-Swett Ranches. They’ll share insights about the birds and other wildlife that call this area home, and give a great workout! Take advantage of this special opportunity, because the King-Swett Ranches are otherwise closed. All ages are welcome but the terrain is strenuous—be prepared for a 4-6 mile rigorous hike. Please arrive on time. Preregistration recommended as space is limited. See website for more important details.

Solanolandtrust.org/calendarlist.aspx 707.432.0150 28 • Benicia Magazine Calendar

Santa Rosa Symphony Presents Heavenly Harp

1/7, 2 & 8pm; 1/8, 3pm; 1/9, 8pm Weil Hall at the Green Music Center 1801 East Cotati Ave, Cotati Prepare to be swept away by the dazzling artistry of world-renowned harp virtuoso Marie-Pierre Langlamet! Principal harpist for the prestigious Berlin Philharmonic, Langlamet rejoins friend and fellow-countryman Maestro Ferrandis to perform the brilliant Concerto for Harp and Orchestra by Ginastera, contrasted with the romanticism of Dances Sacred and Profane by Debussy.

The orchestral suites from Ravel’s ballet Daphnis and Chloé provides a fitting close to this lyrical program.

Srsymphony.org 707.546.8742

Poetry by the Bay

1/12, 7:30pm The Hub Community Center for the Arts 350 Georgia Street, Vallejo Poetry by the Bay is a Spoken Word/Open Mic Event that’s been bringing artists together to share their work since 2008. A capella performances are encouraged. Poetry by the Bay focuses on the importance of the messages being said and encourages all to come share their work.

Sponsored by Prophetic Lyrics; free admission.

Poetrybythebay.com

Vallejo Art Walk

1/13, 6-10pm Georgia and Marin Streets, Downtown Vallejo Vallejo Art Walk takes place the second Friday of every month in the Downtown Vallejo Arts

District. Founded in February of 2014 by local artist Sean Murdock and a small group of dedicated vendors, it’s not an official event but a group of people that open and set up on the same night to show off their talent. Most locations are in the central core of the downtown, with some spread out a few blocks in each direction. See website for a full list of participating spaces.

Vallejoartwalk.com

TuneRiders

1/14, 8pm Upstairs at the Café First Street Café, 440 First Street, Benicia The TuneRiders perform upbeat hits of the legendary vocal groups of the 1960s and 1970s.

The Beatles, Eagles, Simon & Garfunkel, Van Morrison, Badfinger, The Rolling Stones and many others are on the lineup. The songs they perform allow the listener to relive memorable musical moments that brought previous generations joy and a reason to believe and dream. firststreetcafe.com 707.745.1400

Noir City: San Francisco Film Noir Festival

1/20-1/29 Castro Theater 429 Castro Street, San Francisco Featuring over twenty-five films, NOIR CITY: The San Francisco Film Noir Festival is an annual celebration of the historically acclaimed cinematic genre. Established in 2003, the festival features ten

days of rare films such as Crime Without Passion, Try and Get Me and The Window. Guests travel from far and wide to attend what has developed into a highly regarded and well-respected film festival.

Noircity.com

Downtown Benicia Restaurant Week

1/21-1/28 Downtown Benicia at participating restaurants Downtown celebrates California Restaurant Month with Restaurant Week in January. A dining passport offers a 15% discount at participating eateries (conditions may apply).

Beniciamainstreet.org 707.745.9791

Bunco Fundraiser for Tech Trek Scholarships

1/21, 6:15-9pm Benicia Senior Center 187 East L Street, Benicia Benicia-Vallejo American Association of University Women (AAUW) raises money for Tech Trek scholarship for a week-long math and science camp at Sonoma State University. For advance tickets, mail a check made out to Benicia-Vallejo AAUW, PO Box 1876, Benicia, CA 94510. Bunco is dice game involving 100% luck and no skill.

Beniciavallejo-ca.aauw.net 707.745.0808

Eagles, Hawks and Other Birds of Prey Workshop & Hike

1/21, 1-5pm Rush Ranch 3521 Grizzly Island Rd, Suisun City Join Larry Broderick for an interactive presentation covering birds of prey identification methods, natural history and threats, the importance of habitat protection and restoration, and resources to learn more. Then enjoy a guided hike to practice new identification skills.

Solanolandtrust.org/calendarlist. aspx 707.432.0150

Golden Bough in Concert

1/21, 7pm Stone Hall at Benicia Historical Museum 2060 Camel Road, Benicia Fan favorite Golden Bough returns

to Benicia to celebrate the release of their new CD Celtic Festival.

Rooted in the traditional music of the seven Celtic nations (Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, The Isle of Man, French Brittany and Spanish Galicia), Golden Bough has become a popular and in-demand group on both sides of the Atlantic. Since their formation in 1980, this trio of modern day minstrels has traveled great distances to numerous countries, to bring their music to enthusiastic folk fans the world over.

Tickets $25; no host bar included.

Beniciahistoricalmuseum.org 707.745.5435

Home • Auto • Motorcycle Boat • Business Policies 1440 Military W. #202, Benicia

707.746.0590 alonzosmall.com

Alonzo

Plumbing and Boilers Residential & Commercial Service, Repair & Replacement

10%

discount with this ad

707.751.1714

Slab leaks, repipes Water heaters, faucets Toilets, garbage disposals Remodels, gas lines & more Free Estimates Mike Pitta, Owner/Operator Lic. #969499 Insured & bonded

• up2codeplumbing.com

DON'T TOP TREES!

Vallejo Symphony Concert

1/29, 3pm; pre-concert talk at 2pm Hogan Auditorium 850 Rosewood Ave, Vallejo The bustle of midday is captured

by Haydn's Symphony No. 7, Noon, which offers virtuoso turns to all instruments, especially strings and horns. Shostakovich's Cello Concerto No. 1, with its complex syncopations and gorgeous melodies, is one of the most challenging pieces ever written for the instrument. Joining VSO to play this energetic work is Zlatomir Fung, 2014 Klein International String Competition Winner. Last, which symphony single-handedly revolutionized classical music and ushered in Romanticism?

Beethoven's Symphony No. 3, the Eroica. An audience favorite returns!

Vallejosymphony.org 707.643.4111

Small

Insurance Agency

Walk in a Food Forest

1/28, 10am Avant Garden First and D Streets Benicia Community Garden invites the public to see budding permaculture demonstration food forests established in 2015 and 2016. Attendees will have a chance to visit a different food forest each month, hear a talk by a permaculture or sustainable landscaping professional, and have a guided walk through these gardens in the back and front yards of Benicia residents.

January’s event is called “Barley’s Backyard,” with speaker David Shaw. People will see how rainwater is retained in the ground, how roofwater is diverted and harvested, what a difference greywater makes in a garden, and various plants selected either for their high yield food producing capacity or supporting role for these thriving ecosystems.

Beniciacommunitygardens.org

AND

Tree topping hurts trees & impacts home values

Topping is perhaps the most harmful pruning practice.

Topping: • Is a violation of the Benicia Tree Ordinance • Causes decay • Stresses a tree's health • Creates safety hazards • Is a high-maintenance pruning practice • Makes a tree unsightly and detracts from a home's landscape

Don't top your trees, learn how to prune correctly. www.ci.benicia.ca.us, Parks & Community Services www.beniciatrees.org

BeniciaMagazine.com • 29

Create a warm & cozy home with an energy-efficient gas fireplace or insert.

Quality Home & Leisure Products

707.745.5933

‌closer than ever www.calcomfort.com 4680 East 2nd St., Benicia

Celebrating Our 37th Year!

1350 Hayes St. Ste. C-4, Benicia, CA

707.742.4444 707.690.7672 www.beniciatransport.com

Huge savings on select in-stock models

Serving Benicia Families for over 30 Years

Family Health Center of Benicia

Dine In Carry Out Delivery Online Ordering

M I LY A F $

22.99

plus tax

A two-topping large pizza with 6 twists & 2 liter soda

Kenneth Bowers, M.D. Walter Zaks, M.D. Laura Dalton, M.D. Kristina Kim, D.O. Rachel Kennedy, P.A.

can not be combined with other offers, exp. 1/31/17

Banquet Rooms Available events, meetings & parties

Round Table Pizza

1440 Military West #101 Benicia, CA • 707.745.0711

Golden Bough In Concert

S PECI AL !

878 Southampton Road, Benicia

707.746.7000 • roundtablepizza.com

Benicia’s Award Winning

Speaker Company Exceptional Loudspeakers since 1986

Saturday, January 21st, 2017

♌ 8:00—10:00 PM

(DV

W Q

G 6

W

G

Tickets available at: ♍ Benicia Historical Museum ♌ 2060 Camel Road ♌ Benicia, CA 94510 (707) 745-5435 ♌ Beniciahistoricalmuseum.org

707-747-0122

:HVW ,QGXVWULDO :D\

5

This Celtic band fuses traditional Celtic music with contemporary acoustic sounds creating rich unique harmonies.

Now Hear This.

Q NH R /D HU P +

♌ Doors open at 7:00 PM ♌ Benicia Historical Museum —Stone Hall ♌ No-host Bar

ÂŽ

♍ BrownPaperTickets.com ♍Bookshop Benicia ♌ 636 First St. ♌ Benicia, CA ♌ (707) 747-5155

30 • Benicia Magazine

Speakers starting at $250 a pair

Dolby Atmos Certified

(select models only)

Welcome to Tosch Dental

Feel at home—even in the dental chair!

Full-service dentistry | In-house lab, ensures perfect fit | Orthodontics | 50% off bleach with exam & cleaning | Relaxed and comfortable environment Proudly serving Benicia families for over 25 years.

Ronald J. Tosch, DDS l 118 West K St. 707.745.2130 l www.toschdental.com

BeniciaMagazine.com • 31

“We thoroughly enjoyed working with the staff at Affordable Quality Cabinets. They were attentive to all our questions and concerns. Our kitchen is now the kitchen of our dreams” —Kim

Celebrating 26 Years

AFFORDABLE QUALITY

Receive either a 9" Nourot vase or a $150 gift certificate to Romancing the Home with the purchase of a complete kitchen.

Open Mon. - Fri. 9-5 weekends & evenings by appointment 4852 East 2nd Street, Benicia

Cabinets and Countertops

Contractor's License # 678979

707-745-2100 l aqc@aqchome.com