Benicia Magazine May 2014

Tasting Artisan Cheese along the cheese trail

Spring Planting Yields a new community orchard

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4 • Benicia Magazine

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Contributors Beth Steinmann Christina Strawbridge Sue Sumner-Moore William Tageson Photographers Jerry Bowles Malcolm Slight

Advertising sales 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

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 © 2014, 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, 611 First Street, Benicia, CA 94510. 707.853.8159, beniciamagazine.com.

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BeniciaMagazine.com • 7

Benicia MAY VOLUME 9 ISSUE 7

12

16

14

Features

14 16 18

A community orchard grows roots Day trip: an artisan cheese tasting tour Stylish and thoughtful gifts for mom

Departments 10 From the Editor 12

Currents Sharing and preserving the stories of our aging veterans

20 Downtown Map 22 Arsenal Map

24 Interview

Rick Knight, Superintendent of Parks and Building Maintenance

27 Backward Glance

Stumm’s downtown turn-of-the-century jewelry store

26 Trends

28 Calendar of Events

Fashion bridges communication

with an aging parent

30 Guide to local restaurants

Cover: Artisan cheese board, staged and photographed by Margaret & Jerry Bowles Wine barrel stave cheese board, Studio 41, studio41.com Above: Red Oak Victory, photo by Jerry Bowles Marin French Cheese sign, photo Benicia Magazine archives Planting the community orchard, photo by Marilyn Bardet

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BeniciaMagazine.com • 9

D

From the Editor May 2014

Photo by Malcolm Slight

o you find that life ebbs and flows in a logical progression, like the tides? Or that it’s feast or famine—with long periods of lull and then, wham!

Everything goes higgledy-piggledy all at once? I fall into the latter category. It seems that just as I settle into a gentle, soothing rhythm, the elements that comprise my routine get thrown into a virtual blender.

When one mixes the horrors of tax season with a home remodel, I suppose one gets what one asks for. And I know that many, if not most, of our readers would agree that there’s something fundamentally wrong about a tax code that is so complex that one is forced to pay large sums to the experts to figure it out for us. Though I am deeply grateful for my accountant, The Bookkeepers’ Jenny Davis, who deserves a shout-out for putting up with me, the whole experience is disturbing to one’s sense of harmony. And right on cue, for our home’s 20th birthday, its systems started to fail. Starting with the kitchen stove and ending with the downstairs furnace—with several other items in between, including the garage door—we began replacing what needed replacing, overlapping a planned update of our entire first floor, and complete redesign of our front yard landscaping.

There’s nothing like waking up to the sound of jackhammer addressing stucco early in the morning! But all the planning, decision-making, dust and discombobulation have been worth it. Now that we are nearing completion I wanted to acknowledge the local companies that have helped us, over time, to transform our space, for many more years of comfort and enjoyment. It’s remodel season, and we are really fortunate to live in a town with so many exemplary businesses, whose owners are also active in the community: A-1 Guaranteed Heating and Air, Affordable Quality Cabinets and Countertops, Ace Hardware (who has an amazing buy-one-get-one free offer on paint this month), IronHorse Home Furnishings, Scott Deane Construction, Benicia Floor Company, Benicia Plumbing, Pam Hughes Design, Mid City Nursery, Benicia Overhead Door, Judy Kendall Upholstery, Michael Trahan Interior Design and Quality Gardening and Landscaping.

Escaping the madness, Mike and I recently enjoyed a quiet respite in Sonoma County for a day-trip of cheese tasting along the Sonoma Marin Cheese Trail, captured in this issue on page 16. Sue Sumner-Moore talks with Rick Knight, the man behind keeping Benicia’s parks functional and beautiful; and with a nod to Memorial Day and appreciation for our local veterans, retired naval officer William Tageson (Tags to anyone who has ever met him) has a guest column about getting their stories. Finally, don’t forget Mom—we honor her May 11, and in these pages with gift ideas from local shops.

Enjoy the issue,

Jeanne Steinmann

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

10 • Benicia Magazine

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At the annual Open House, participating merchants welcome you inside for in-store promotions geared towards spring and summer.

Hats off to Downtown! Wear a hat (any hat) for a chance to win $100 in Downtown Dollars. Raffle tickets collected and deposited at participating merchants during event hours.

For more information, visit BeniciaMainStreet.org or call 707.745.9791.

BeniciaMagazine.com • 11

Currents

GHOST FLEET ARTICLE Prompts Desire to Preserve Veteran’s Stories

Guest Column By Benicia Veteran William Tageson After reading the April issue of Benicia Magazine, I would like to pass along a few thoughts about the fine article on the disappearing Ghost Fleet by Madra Rue. As a retired Naval officer, I have had some ties to a Victory ship and with the Suisun Bay site, as I once provided assistance to the overseer of the Glomar Explorer before she was brought to the reserve fleet anchorage. Early in my career I was the salvage officer and XO on the USS Conserver (ARS-39) and we were tasked with the successful freeing of the SS Norwich Victory. This Victory was loaded with 500 lb. bombs and had stranded on Triton Island in transit to DaNang in 1965. I often cruise in our family boat to Montezuma Slough, and my course used to come very close to my first salvage ship, the USS Reclaimer (ARS-42). I recently watched her being towed through the Strait on her way to the Texas ship breakers. I am quite familiar with the author’s descriptions of the different categories of ships berthed at the facility, as I see many of their newer sister ships currently assigned as active prepositioned ships in various oceans of the world.

One of Mr. Rue’s most interesting paragraphs concerned the historical ships SS Jeremiah O’Brien (ssjeremiahobrien.org), and SS Red Oak Victory (ssredoakvictory.com), both of which are now museums. As an avid reader of WWII history, I was familiar with both ships and would like to share more about the Red Oak Victory.

To me, who she represents is as significant as being remembered as one of the many ships produced in Richmond. The ship’s namesake was Red Oak, Iowa, a small town that had the highest number of servicemen killed in action per capita than any other town or county in the United States. The Red Oak Museum website links lead to the very well represented US citizens who were part of the mobilization mandatory for producing the tools needed to win the war. The number of ships produced, in record time at all of the Bay Area and nationwide ship production sites, was unbelievable and will never 12 • Benicia Magazine Currents

Photos by Jerry Bowles

be matched again. The resulting spirit and can-do attitude of the WWII generation, tasked with winning the war through unmitigated civilian mobilization, may be much more difficult to attain today.

The Red Oak website also contains interesting facts and links about the war and the town’s participation. One feature I particularly enjoyed was a living interview section found within the museum link. There are several short videos of Red Oak WWII veterans who served in WWII battles, and even some who were prisoners of war.

This is a very nice feature, to hear from aging veterans, all of whom have interesting stories. Although the videos are not the same level of effort as one finds with Ken Burns’ book and video series, The War, the Red Oak veterans tell it how they lived it.

The article prompted me to think about some of the WWII, Korean War, and even later veterans who reside in Benicia. Our town has book references, the Benicia Historical Museum covers our military past and celebrates Memorial Day, and we have a connection to past veterans at the Benicia Military Cemetery, but it would be great if our historians would do living interviews with local veterans. Did you know that the President of the Indianapolis Survivors Association lives here? Did you know that the USS Nautilus’s Navigator, who piloted the submarine to the North Pole in 1958, lives here? There are others, and some of their stories and pictures can be found at Computer 1 at 737 First Street. It would be a worthy effort if a personal touch could be added to the city’s website, creating a living history section. Next time you see an older person wearing an Army, Marine or Navy ball cap, ask them if they mind sharing their experiences. I recently met with a WWII B-17/24 pilot who survived 32 bombing missions over Germany—it was a very enjoyable visit.

Editor's note: Benicia Magazine wishes all our veterans a very happy Memorial Day!

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Benicia Community Orchard Comes to Fruition

By Beth Steinmann A dream came to fruition (literally) last month as a new orchard was planted near the Benicia Community Garden site on the grounds of the Heritage Presbyterian Church. Many years ago, the church donated the land for BCC’s Swensen Garden, the first of two community gardens in Benicia. Avant Garden, now in its third year, is on First Street.

On March 8, a group of volunteers planted 18 fruit trees in a veritable cornucopia of varieties, including apple, pear, apricot, almond, fig, Asian pear, plum, persimmon, pomegranate, and orange. According to Elena Karoulina, BCG’s Executive Director, this project was conceived as part of the nonprofit’s five-year strategic planning process last year. Karoulina says, “It became clear that in order to ensure sustainable food sources for Benicia, we'd have to turn our focus to perennial plants, orchards, food forests and permaculture gardens.”

The organization studied current trends in permaculture and orchard management to find the best ways to keep the trees naturally healthy, high producing and easy to manage. “We learned that the best strategy was to plant trees on full-size or semi-dwarf rootstocks, but keep them small with severe pruning—about eight feet tall,” says Karoulina.

The planting ceremony was a family affair. A group of both adults and children held a candle up for each tree and repeated together: “We promise to keep our orchard beautiful and productive, to use resources wisely, to work together in the spirit of cooperation and mutual respect, to share the fruits of our labor with community members in need, and to inspire a larger community of Benicia to learn and grow together.”

Getting the trees in the ground was hard work. 18 holes had to be 14 • Benicia Magazine

jackhammered into hard-packed clay and sandstone, along with an irrigation trench. Fresh, organic soil and fertilizers were brought in and brightly painted signs were created for each tree.

The Benicia Community Orchard was organized and installed by a group of founding members, with priority given to current BCG members, the BCG wait list, and members of the Heritage Presbyterian Church. This group will tend to the orchard and share the harvest with each other and community members in need. The land itself was generously donated by the church, and trees were obtained with the help of a partner nonprofit, Common Vision.

Karoulina is excited to invite the community to learn about small orchard management with upcoming workshops that will take place on a donation basis. The first class will be called Getting to Know Your Trees. “We’ll learn about all the trees we planted—their history, growth habits, yield and potential problems. We’ll also begin a conversation about food forests and managing an orchard as a thriving ecosystem. Watch for the announcements in local press or check our website, BeniciaCommunityGardens.org, for dates and times. We hope to see you there!”

There’s also a “gleaning group” in the works, which will provide labor, expertise and care (pruning, fertilizing and harvesting) to community members with fruit trees in exchange for a share in the harvest. Email info@beniciacommunitygardens.org with a description of your trees if interested.

Members of the BCG invite readers to stop by the garden, at 1400 East Second Street, to experience springtime in the new orchard.

Photos: Volunteers planting the new Benicia Community Orchard, photos by Marilyn Bardet

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y An Artisan Cheese Tasting Tour y ..

....

..

....

..

..

By Jeanne Steinmann Just wending your way through less-traveled, bucolic farmland is enough of a reason to visit the back roads of Sonoma and Marin, Norcal’s cheese country, especially in spring when hillsides come alive in many hues of green. Add in tasting artisan cheese along the way, and you have the makings of a day trip full of delightful surprises.

The Sonoma Marin Cheese Trail offers numerous attractions: farm tours, dairy tours, picnic grounds, historic buildings and more.

And then there’s the cheese. In the farmstead cheese movement, you’ll find goat, sheep and cow’s milk cheeses; and even cheeses made from water buffalo and bison milk.

Along the trail, one can meet the makers of handcrafted cheese produced in small batches, and sample the many styles and varieties that capture the flavor of the region. Attention to detail begins with the land, and continues with the animals, the milk and the processessing, all of which impart flavor to the end product. In visiting the tasting rooms and especially taking a tour, one begins to understand the passion behind the product.

The trail winds through 100 miles of countryside, with 10 open-to-the-public tasting rooms, 11 open seasonally or by appointment and another 12 that are not open for public visits but are identified on the trail map. Our excursion included two stops in Petaluma and two in Sonoma. Depending on your itinerary, and whether you are incorporating tours, picnicking or purchasing a meal, three or four tasting rooms is enough for a very pleasant day.

Meander through Point Reyes, Marshall, Valley Ford, Tomales, Two Rock and other picturesque communities along the trail. The 16 • Benicia Magazine

Sonoma Marin Cheese Trail map can be downloaded from cheesetrail.org, or picked up at any of the public tasting room locations. The map has information about area cheesemakers, farm tours, cheese making classes; and suggests itineraries, purchasing options and more.

We started at Petaluma Creamery, where self-tasting is conducted right out of the deli case using sampling toothpicks.

Our favourites included the Organic White Cheddar and Organic Pesto Jack. But for us, the hands-down highlight of the visit was the wonderful house-made Meyer Lemon Ice Cream.

Next we drove west to Marin French Cheese Company, which has the distinction of being the oldest continuous operating cheese factory in the U.S. We spent some time walking around the lush grounds, and then enjoyed tasting classic and flavoured Brie and Camembert varieties. Visitors can also assemble the makings of a great California-style lunch. Tasting much better than it sounds, the Peppercorn Brie was a surprise favorite, and not surprisingly, we walked away with a couple rounds of the award-winning Triple Crème Brie.

Heading to Sonoma, we stopped in at Vella Cheese, which we discovered 20 years ago, a couple blocks east of the plaza. We’ve been enjoying the Dry Jack ever since. In a historic stone building, the tasting room feels cozy and intimate; a real pleasure to visit.

We ended the day at Epicurean Connection, a small café and store just off the plaza where visitors can peruse the many gourmet condiments for sale, enjoy a sandwich, salad or cheese plate, and sample cheese tastings of the day. We enjoyed two fresh, delicately flavoured goat cheeses, the best we’ve ever had.

Photos

Opposite: display case of local, handcrafted cheese at Freestone Artisan Cheese store, photo by Jerry Bowles.

This page: Redwood Hill Farm and Freestone Artisan Cheese store, photos by Jerry Bowles.

Upper left, picnic grounds, Marin French Cheese; middle right, Epicurean Connection Cafe; bottom left and right, rural Sonoma, Benicia Magazine archives. Upper right: Fresh ice cream at Petaluma Creamery, courtesy Petalum Creamery.

Spring Hill Cheese Petaluma Creamery

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Marin French Cheese

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B. Julie Parsons Certified Massage, 310 Military West, Ste. A 1. Tosch Dental, 118 West K Street WE

2. Estey Real Estate, 935 First Street

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3. Adobe 2nd Chance Thrift Store, 929 First Street 4. Nine O Seven Grill, 907 First Street ES T

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11. Sandoval’s, 640 First Street 12. Fiber-Frolics, 637 First Street 14. Lindsay Art Glass, 109 East F Street 15. Advanced Mortgage SVF, 615 First Street

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20. Rookies Sports Bar & Grill, 321 First Street 21. Christina S Fashion Destination, 370 First Street 22. Sailor Jacks Restaurant, 123 First Street

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26. Kryss's Pathways to Healing, 841 First Street 27. Birnbaum Realty, 833 First Street

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20 • Benicia Magazine

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Benicia Marina

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Kryss's Pathways to Healing

Steve McClure

All natural skin care products

707.745.0848

560 First St., Ste C103, Benicia

Facials K Reiki K Waxing

Kristen Cote, Licensed Esthetician & Reiki Master

www.stevemcclure.net

841 First Street 707.225.2199Kkrysspathwaystohealing.org BOOKS • TOYS • GAMES • GREETING CARDS

BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER

636 First Street M-S 10-8, Sun 10-6 707.747.5155 bookshopbenicia.com

TUE-SUN 8am-9pm

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

Mexican Food 640 First Street • 707.746.7830

CHARLIE’S ATTIC

Benicia Golf Association BeniciaGolf.org

To find out more call Dale Thorne, 707.745.4852

Collectibles-Antiques-Music Consignment and eBay drop-off

Tannery Bldg, 129 First St., Benicia • 707.205.6960

Dudikoff Insurance Agency

Real Estate doesn’t have to be this painful!

Planning, Products, & Services

George Dudikoff, Agent, Lic. #OB13442 159 East D Street, Suite A, Benicia • P: 707.746.7395 • F: 707.747.6814

Residential & New Home Sales; Property Management 707.745.0759 www.judsonandcompany.com

www.farmersagent.com/gdudikoff Julie's Gift of Massage…a relaxing, therapeutic experience.

Fiber-Frolics

Julie Parsons, CMP, CAMTC New client introductory offer Mon-Sat by appointment 707.297.1371 • juliesgiftofmassage.com 310 Military West, Suite A, Benicia

Camellia Tea Room 828 First Street Downtown Benicia 707.746.5293 camelliatearoom.com

Specialty Yarns and Classes Giovanna Sensi-Isolani, fiber artist

637 First Street, Benicia • 707.747.YARN(9276) fiber-frolics.com

Home, gift, jewelry with a dash of fun

Urban Notions

611 First Street Downtown Benicia 707.853.8159 BeniciaMagazine.com • 21

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E. Arts Benicia, 991 Tyler St., #114 F. Benicia Plumbing, 265 W. Channel Court 2. Fat Shafts Archery, 3001 Bayshore Road #9 3. Gizzi & Reep, 940 Adams Street, Ste. A 4. Avanti Photography, 932 Grant Street

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22 • Benicia Magazine

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11. Grossman Financial, 940 Adams Street, Ste. L

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Parviz Hypnotherapy & Holistic Center 940 Adams Street, Ste. P Benicia, 707.655.7540 parvizhypnotherapy.com

Indoor Range and Pro Shop 3001 Bayshore Road #9, Benicia 707.745.0447 • Fatshaftsarchery.com

AVA NT I PH OTG RAPH Y Full Service Studio

BENICIA PHOTO

Camera Store & Lab Service

707.746.7777 • 932 Grant Street, Benicia

BENICIA

990 Grant Street 707.747.1383

SAN FRANCISCO

2 Henry Adams St., Suite 331

415.525.3725

Visit ironhorsehome.com or facebook.com/ironhorsehome.

License # 855587

Financial Planning • Investments • Fee Only Registered Investment Advisor

Lawrence I. Grossman, CFP ® AIF™, MBA, MA 940 Adams St., Suite L 707.745.8756 grossmanfinancial.com

Capitol Glass Co., Inc.

Your One Stop Glass Shop Specializing in showers, windows and mirrors 5000 East Second St., Ste H, Benicia 707.745.4570 • capitolglassbenicia.com

Michael Trahan • Interior Design www.michaeltrahan.com 707.748.1080

HOME, GIFT, JEWELRY WITH A DASH OF FUN

Urban Notions

611 First Street, Downtown Benicia 707.853.8159

Come visit our designer showrooms

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BeniciaMagazine.com • 23

Lake Herman Interview with

By Sue Sumner-Moore Portrait photo by Malcolm Slight Park photos by Lisa Duncan

Rick Knight

Rick Knight was juggling a view ordinance dispute, a reroofing project at a ballfield canteen, cutting water use at city parks, planning a kitchen remodeling project at the Senior Center, and overseeing cemetery drainage work on a drizzly morning in late March. A typical day for Benicia’s Superintendent of Parks and Building Maintenance.

Few jobs are as varied and require as much flexibility.

Rick might be helping a homeowner navigate the city’s tree ordinance requirements, then have to solve a plumbing problem at a park restroom. Or direct workers to lower city flags to half-staff. Or meet county health inspectors at one of the city’s kitchens.

Or address vandalism at a playground. Rick and a staff of 18 plus contractors deal with all that and more.

This is not what Rick expected he’d be doing when he majored in exercise science at the University of Utah. “My whole life was going to be athletics. I played pro football and after an injury, I went to baseball,” he says.

But during the off-season, construction work paid the bills. He went on to become a police officer but returned to construction after three years of undercover work.

Rick didn’t expect to stay on city staff very long when he was hired as a building maintenance worker in 1988.

“The pay was so low I figured I would only be here a couple of months,” he says, laughing.

Rick and his family moved to Benicia in 1990. He has a grown daughter and a toddler granddaughter. Rick, who turns 55 this month, and his wife, Mary Maloney Knight, live in town and enjoy golfing, playing bocce ball, cycling, and riding motorcycles.

24 • Benicia Magazine Interview

What work does your staff do at the pool?

We maintain the swim center and the pool, and that’s one of our biggest responsibilities. The maintenance staff there are all certified pool operators.

We have about 900,000 gallons of water to keep clean enough for people, so they work on chemically balancing the water, maintaining the pumps, filters and heaters.

Most people don’t realize it, but the bottom of the dive pool is below sea level. So every earthquake is felt and affects that pool. We’ve had three leaks since I’ve been here.

The pool will never pay for itself but it’s an important asset.

What projects do you have coming up this month?

We help with all department projects, and coming up is the Senior Center kitchen remodeling. That kitchen probably will be closed all of May. Also, (Parks & Community Services Director) Mike Dotson, (Department Management Analyst) Vic Randall and I are working on the waterfront master plan.

What’s the goal of the waterfront plan?

The goal is to come up with a plan! (laughing) We’ve had four or five community meetings, a couple of workshops and everyone agreed and the Council agreed to move forward. We’ve had premeetings with the regulatory agencies and those have helped. I don’t want to get a plan approved by the Council that can’t be built because of requirements from other agencies.

The tough part for us is that the land has been industrial since day one. Before the train bridge was built, everything came through here on its way to Oakland.

When the railroad went away, they did a little clean up, but just a little.

What do people want to see on the waterfront?

One of the biggest things people want is a train walk, which would be an elevated walkway above the marsh that would follow the old railroad. That’s one of the biggest things that people want, but it’s probably the hardest thing and the most expensive thing as well.

We’d like to fill in the old Lido area so we have more green and partly to deal with sea-level rise. We would like to raise the Marina Green as well, just to the level of First Street.

It’s a big project. It would be fun to build but it’s going to be tough. We’re going to get some of it, but not all of it.

Community Park

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Are you ready to give up those reading glasses?

Do you ever get a chance to enjoy Benicia’s parks?

You can!

I may walk my dog, but the tough thing is that when I’m walking, I’m looking at what needs to be done. I’m really never off. If I’m walking around the pool, I’m seeing what needs to be done.

What’s your favorite park?

Probably Turnbull and Community Park, the ones I helped build. Me and Jim Arruda (now a city building inspector) built Turnbull Park, and the picnic tables and arbor at Community Park.

Community Park really is a great park. The X Park is up there, the dog park is up there, and there’s access to open space, access to Lake Herman. We’ve added disc golf around the edges. In a perfect world, I’d love to build five tennis courts up there.

What’s been your biggest surprise during your years here?

I guess the biggest surprise is that I’m still here. I’m usually brutally honest with people and I’ve had to tone it down a little. I do my best to get along.

I’m really comfortable here. I like the people I deal with. I like what I’m doing. There isn’t a better team in the city. There isn’t anything we can’t do.

As Superintendent of Parks and Building Maintenance for Benicia, Rick Knight and his staff maintain: • 28 parks that cover 171 improved acres • Fields at Benicia High and Benicia Middle schools (20 acres) • Five landscape and lighting districts (25 acres) • Lake Herman Recreational Area (577 acres) • Two bocce ball courts • Two tennis courts • Five basketball courts • 13 ballfields for soccer, softball and baseball • 20 playgrounds • 68+ open space access areas (2,120 acres) • Grounds at the State Capitol • Benicia City Cemetery • 20 restrooms in city parks • Lights for three ballfields: Fitzgerald Field, Community Park, Benicia Middle School • Ninth Street boat launch ramp and restroom • Flags at five city sites (The Fire Department takes care of its own flags) • 35 city-owned buildings (about 227,500 square feet), including: • 11 historic buildings (Clock Tower, City Hall, Police Department, City Gym, Commanding Officer’s Quarters, Camel Barn and others) • James Lemos Aquatic Center (building, grounds & pool) • Benicia Community Center • Benicia Library • Benicia Youth Center

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888.820.9600 BeniciaMagazine.com • 25

Trends BENICIA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

A Shared History of Fashion Keeps Communication Alive

Preparing Students for the Future

BUSD offers the programs and services necessary for students to pursue and achieve their long-term academic goals.

BHS graduates are attending: — UC’s, CSU’s & community colleges — Public & private colleges & universities nationwide — Ivy League schools BHS & Liberty High students were awarded over a million dollars in scholarships last year.

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

20th Anniversary

VOENA

Gala

Dinner ~ Wine ~ Performance Saturday June 28th 2014 6:00pm - 10:00pm City Winery at The Historic Napa Valley Opera House 1030 Main St. Napa Reservations at VOENA.org Formal Attire ~ Black Tie Recommended Special Guests Gideon Bendile & Jeff Campitelli

26 • Benicia Magazine

Story and photo by Christina Strawbridge We were having lunch in a small French cafe near mom’s Florida home, reminiscing about working together at the same department store many years ago. She sold fashion designer clothing and luxurious furs while I worked in the women's sportswear department.

Mary Elizabeth Concannon Willis We have always had so much in common, and her love of fashion was a huge influence on me. She was also instrumental in helping me get my first job in the industry.

The conversation changed, however, when she asked how long we had known each other. Somewhat taken aback, I made light of the fact that she had given birth to me 60 years ago and that I was the oldest of her five children. She looked directly at me with her beautiful blue eyes and quietly said, "I'm not your mother!" At first I was shocked and in denial that this strong woman who had lived independently for nearly a century, and worked until a few years ago, had no recollection of who I was.

Since that luncheon, my Mom's dementia has worsened and she has a hard time recognizing her children and grandchildren, let alone remembering our names. I find it takes a lot of patience to understand what she is saying, sometimes picking out a word or phrase and building a conversation around it. I sense her frustration when she tries to tell me something and it just won't come out.

Living on opposite sides of the country has made communicating increasingly more challenging. My daily calls have to be well thought out before I hear her say hello and reintroduce myself. What has saved us is having a sense of humor and our passion for fashion, which has not been effected by her loss of memory. I have found that Mom enjoys hearing about current trends in style and color. Instead of asking about what she had for dinner, our conversation is about what she is wearing or what I wore to a function or event.

Mom still dresses up everyday, and applies her Cover Girl foundation and Revlon lipstick herself. A recent phone call was about a new hat that she wanted me to know about (in reality, it was one she already had). She put the phone down and went and put it on for me and then described it in full detail. She seldom leaves her home without one of her stylish hats, which usually draws compliments from complete strangers. She gets a kick out of someone who recognizes her style.

Living in south Florida, her wardrobe consists of mostly white pants and tops that she layers for the season. The caregivers who stay with her keep everything perfectly ironed, making her clothes look new, even though some of them date back to when she worked for Neiman Marcus 25 years ago. Mom worked her whole life, which gives me plenty of material to talk to her about. There are amazing stories about her working and living in Chicago and New York in the 1940's, and how she owned her own cosmetic company before she was married. I'm the one telling her story to her now, which gives me such joy and pride.

As we make the journey to the next phase of her life together, it's comforting to know that we share so much, including the fashion gene, and I will keep reminding her about how lucky I am to have her as my Mom.

Backward Glance

Stumm Building 626 First Street, July 1913 What is currently the home of Bookshop Benicia was once Stumm’s Jewelry Store, owned by F. J. Stumm, a pioneer from Germany. The store sold luxury goods of the day from 1880 to 1935. The clock in the photo was installed by the Stumms, to bring attention to the store. The original clock disappeared without a trace, but the Benicia Historical Society hopes to someday learn something of its whereabouts. The clock was replaced in 2006 by a custom built, reimagined landmark, donated to the citizens of Benicia by the Benicia Historical Society and Western Dominicans.

F. J. Stumm’s son Frank worked in the store, but found time to indulge his passion for photography and publishing postcards of local scenery from Benicia to San Francisco. These postcards are being commemorated in the exhibit Stumm’s Vintage Postcards—Views of Benicia and Beyond at the Benicia Historical Museum, 2060 Camel Road, through the first week of July.

Full-line pet store Do it yourself pet wash Professional dog & cat grooming

Benicia Historical Museum, 707.745.5435, beniciahistoricalmuseum.org Benicia Historical Society, 707.315.6434, beniciahistoricalsociety.org

1202 East 5th Street, Benicia 707.745.5016 • www.FeathererPet.com

Proper Tree or Shrub Selection Trees and shrubs have many functions and benefits: Evergreens: privacy & protection from winter winds Flowering: beautify & enhance Fruit: spring flowers & autumn harvest Others: shade, wind deflection, windbreak & sound barrier For more info visit: www.ci.benicia.ca.us, Parks & Community Services www.beniciatrees.org Photo courtesy Benicia Historical Museum

Plan, protect, prune correctly and preserve trees and shrubs to maintain value.

BeniciaMagazine.com • 27

Calendar of Events - May 2014 5/1-5/29 Benicia Farmers Market Thursdays 4-8pm

Fresh fruits, vegetables & baked goods Gourmet & hot foods, arts & crafts First Street between B & D Streets Beniciamainstreet.org 707.745.9791

5/2

Comedy at the Empress Theatre 8pm Standup comedians Don Reed and Ben Feldman 330 Virginia St, Downtown Vallejo empresstheatre.org 707.552.2400

5/2-5/10

BOTTG presents Same Time Next Year

By Bernard Slade, directed by Hester Schell Fridays & Saturdays 8pm, Sundays 2pm Beniciaoldtowntheatregroup.com 707.746.1269

5/2-11 Benicia High Performing Arts Spring Play

Guys and Dolls, Fri & Sat 7pm, Sun 2pm "Musical Fable of Broadway" beniciahighperformingarts.com 707.747.8325

5/3

Senior Center Craft Fair 9:30am-2pm 20 craft tables featuring blown glass, leather, scarves & bags Benicia Senior Center 187 East L St

5/3

Opening Day on the Straits 10am Celebrate opening activities on the waterfront Races, food and festivities Benicia Yacht Club, 400 East Second St Beniciayachtclub.com 707.746.0739

5/3-5/4

Benicia Artists Open Studios 10am-5pm Access to over 70 artist live-work studios View & purchase art 991 Tyler Street, Suite 114 Artsbenicia.org 707.747.0131

5/8

Solano College Spring Plant Sale Horticulture Club annual Spring plant sale Th 8am-8pm, Fri 8am-5pm, Sat 9am-2pm 4000 Suisun Valley Rd, Fairfield, 707.975.6856

28 • Benicia Magazine Calendar

Scan for more listings

5/10 Walk4Water 9-11:30am 5K walk to raise money for water wells in Uganda Sign up or sponsor a walker, Ninth Street Park Walk4water.com/benicia

5/10

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

5/10 Vintage Home & Garden Tour 11am-4pm

Self-guided tour of Benicia’s best homes & gardens Tickets: beniciahistoricialsociety.org, Benicia Main Street Bookshop Benicia, Camellia Tea Room & Steve’s Hallmark beniciahistroicalsociety.org 707.315.6434

5/10

Benicia Art Walk, self-guided tour 3-7pm View art in First Street galleries, studios & businesses Every second Saturday

5/10 Vallejo Symphony Spring Concert 7pm Handel & Brahms, Hogan Auditorium 850 Rosewood Ave, Vallejo vallejosymphonyew.bpt.me

5/11 Mother’s Day Picnic Historical Museum Garden

Enjoy a picnic with Mom at the lovely Museum garden Free exhibit admission!

Benicia Historical Museum, 2060 Camel Road beniciahistoricalmuseum.org 707.745.5435

5/16 BEF Spring Celebration 6-8pm Final auction of Parade of Pigs Benefits Benicia public schools Music, appetizers and dessert bar Veteran’s Memorial Hall, 1150 First St Beniciaeducationfoundation.org 5/17-5/18

Benicia in Bloom 11am-5pm Downtown merchants, restaurants & businesses showcase the latest Spring trends First St, Downtown Benicia Beniciamainstreet.org 707.745.9791

5/26

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BeniciaMagazine.com • 29

Guide TO LOCAL RESTAURANTS

SPOTLIGHT ON

NINE O SEVEN GRILL

Fresh American cuisine with a Mexican flair is served in this upscale café with a heated outdoor patio in the back, or at street-side tables.

The fish tacos are legendary.

8am-9pm Tues-Sun 907 First Street Benicia 907grill.com

707.746.0505

BENICIA GRILL Family-style food with an extensive menu.

Come with an appetite—serving sizes are generous. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in the dining room or on the patio.

4760 E Second Street, Benicia, 707.751.0155 beniciagrill.com

LUCCA BAR & GRILL The warm, urban décor with a friendly atmosphere lures diners in, and they are not disappointed.

Small bites, lunch and dinner are served in the dining room, bar and street-side tables.

439 First Street, #102, Benicia, 707.745.0943 luccabar.com

THE RELLIK TAVERN Live music and community events keep this upscale tavern hopping. Food offerings, ordered by iPad, include tasty tapas and a huge selection of specialty beers on tap.

726 First Street, Benicia, 707.746.1137 therelliktavern.com

BUON APPETITO Intimate dining at this downtown eatery serving contemporary Italian cuisine. Try the Risotto special for a dinner treat, or a variety of scaloppini favorites.

191 Military East #F, Benicia, 707.746.7410 buonappetitorestuarant.net

MATSURI SUSHI Favorite standby fresh Nigiri, sushi rolls and tempura are available along with specialty rolls, salads and sake. Lunch & Dinner.

920 First Street #102, Benicia, 707.747.1585

SAILOR JACKS Fine dining at its best with a spectacular view of the Carquinez Strait with terrific breakfast, lunch and dinner options served in a rustic, intimate atmosphere.

123 First Street, Benicia, 707.746.8500 sailor-jacks.com

CAMELLIA TEA ROOM Located in a beautifully restored Victorian building with ornate dining room, Camellia Tea serves traditional afternoon tea, along with lunch and desserts, all made fresh daily.

828 First Street, Benicia, 707.746.5293 camelliatearoom.com JAVA POINT CAFÉ With a street-side plaza strewn with tables, this popular café, known for their freshly made breakfast and lunch options, often has a line out the door.

366 First Street, Benicia, 707.745.1449 LITTLE THAI Pad Thai, savory soups and fresh, inventive salads and curry dishes along with other Thai favorites, served in a casual atmosphere.

870 Southampton Road Benicia, 707.747.9777 30 • Benicia Magazine Restaurant Guide

PALERMOS CUCINA ITALIANA Italian specialties at Palermos Cucina Italiana on Columbus Pkwy and Venticellos downtown.

Pastas, soup, salads, meats and seafood.

Lunch & dinner.

2050 Columbus Pkwy, Benicia, 707.748.1011 palermosbenicia.com

SANDOVAL’S MEXICAN FOOD The fun décor and good food make this Benicia institution a local family favorite.

Try the shrimp, chicken or steak fajitas; the salsa gets rave reviews.

Mon-Sat, Benicia, 707.746.7830.

ROOKIES SPORTS BAR & GRILL This casual sports bar and full-service, familystyle restaurant serves lunch, bar snacks and dinner. It’s pub-grub meets fine cuisine: salads, sandwiches, burgers and sensational sweet potato fries.

321 First Street, Benicia, 707.746.7665 rookiesbenicia.com

THE WORKSHOP This popular take-out spot serves up seriously delicious New Orleans-style dishes. Morning Beignets lead into lunch options of hot sandwiches and fresh made soups and sides.

511 Claverie Way, Benicia 707.7476028

ROSIE’S CAFÉ This sweet little roadside diner serves full breakfast and lunch options of hearty American fare. Try the biscuits & gravy or grits, and the homemade soups and chili.

3001 Bayshore, Benicia, 707.745.1154 cafebenicia.com

VENTICELLOS Italian specialties at Venticellos downtown and at Palermos Cucina Italiana on Columbus Pkwy.

Pastas, soup, salads, meats and seafood. Lunch and dinner; weekend brunch at Venticellos.

911 First Street, Benicia, 707.747.5263 venticellos.com

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BeniciaMagazine.com • 31

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32 • Benicia Magazine Trends