Benicia Magazine October 2015

October, 2015

A COMFORTABLE & CONVENIENT RIDE ON THE CAPITOL CORRIDOR TRAIN AUTUMN IN CARNEROS WINE TASTING & SO MUCH MORE

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Volume 10 Issue 12 October 2015

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Community Update For questions about Valero’s Crude by Rail project please email info@beniciaCBR.com or call (707) 654 - 9745

Crude by Rail Project: Prevention Preparedness and Response

The Valero Benicia Refinery is an important member of the Benicia community. A 2014 report by Andrew Chang & Company details Valero’s economic impact on our community:

Since the Valero Benicia Refinery submitted its Crude by Rail project to the City of Benicia for review in December 2012, additional rail safety regulations have been implemented at the federal and state levels. These new rail safety regulations are detailed in the City’s Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report (RDEIR). Among the many new provisions are:

l Directly employs over 450 local

workers.

l Employs 250 additional contract

workers onsite daily.

l Increased track inspections statewide. (RDEIR 2-77)

l Has paid over $3 billion to

contractors since 2006, generating $4.3 billion in economic activity.

l Provides approximately $7 million

in annual taxes to the City of Benicia, accounting for roughly 25% of the City’s General Fund revenue.

l Employees and the company have

donated over $13.7 million to local charities in the last decade.

Did You Know

?

l Upgraded braking systems, use of rail traffic routing

technology, lower train speeds, increased emergency response trainings and planning for emergency response capabilities. (RDEIR 2-77 – 78)

l Safety improvements in tank car design standards,

a sampling and classification program for unrefined petroleum-based products, and notification requirements.

(RDEIR 2-79)

l Enhanced standards for both new and existing tank cars,

more accurate classification of unrefined petroleum-based products and improved risk assessment and notification for rail routing. (RDEIR 2-80)

Approval of the Crude by Rail Project will mean $30,000 in additional tax revenue every month. That amounts to $360,000 a year – enough to fund vital public services.

Save the Date: Deadline for comments on Revised Draft EIR The release of the RDEIR on Valero’s proposed Crude by Rail project is the culmination of more than two years of analysis by the City of Benicia and independent experts. The RDEIR is the next step in a comprehensive review process. It provides supplemental information about potential environmental aspects of the project as it relates to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) rather than modifications to the whole DEIR document. We hope you will join us in voicing your support for the project by writing a letter to the City of Benicia. Submissions will be accepted until 5pm on October 16th. For more information or additional details on how to submit a public comment, please e-mail info@beniciaCBR.com or call (707) 654-9745.

BeniciaMagazine.com • 5

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Contributorsmagazine Elizabeth d’Huart Adriene Rockwell Bruce Rockwell Madra Rue Beth Steinmann Christina Strawbridge Sue Sumner-Moore Photographers Jerry Bowles Malcolm Slight

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

Contact Us 707.853.8159, Beniciamagazine.com editor@beniciamagazine.com Administration Office Manager Risë Goebel Copy Editor/proofreader Beth Steinmann

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Benicia Magazine is published monthly by Polygon Publishing, LLC. Copyright © 2015, 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

OCTOBER

FEATURES 16 18 20

E xploring Carneros wine, beer, art, eats iding high on the R Capitol Corridor train Harvesting and processing backyard olives

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 12

DEPARTMENTS 10 From the Editor 12

Currents

October ghoulish events

Previously unseen Granizo tile works at museum exhibit

Bewitching teas for a great cause

13 Bio:

Eric Hoenig, MD, hospitalist, diagnostician

18 Backwards Glance

Historic train bridge turns 85

22 Interview

Eric Upson, Benicia Chief of Police

24 Trends

Of dynasties and monarchies

26 Downtown Map 28 Calendar of Events

8 • Benicia Magazine

The best events in Benicia and around the Bay

BeniciaMagazine.com • 9

October 2015

FROM THE EDITOR Past my deadline, I’m typing madly from the front window at First Street Café, where I await a sausage and egg breakfast and watch the world go by. Couples walking their dogs, silverhaired gentlemen marching vigorously towards the waterfront, young people running with the ubiquitous white cord dangling from their ears, sidewalks being swept in front of restaurants.

It’s First Street coming to life on a beautiful Friday morning. The heat is on instead of air conditioning—a reminder that summer is waning and we’re about to enter my favorite season.

It’s already Fall in Carneros, the grape-growing region just 15 minutes up the road that supplies the many area wineries, where autumn came early—the grapes have already been harvested. It’s an area that begs exploring, and I hope our story on page 16 entices you to check out the tasting rooms, brew pub, art preserve and more. Another type of harvest altogether is something we can do at home. In this issue Bruce Rockwell makes the case for harvesting backyard olives, for curing or pressing into oil. Novice or expert, if you attempt it, drop us an email to let us know how it turns out.

As we enter October, we are half way through Benicia’s big events season. The second annual Film Festival, held Labor Day Weekend, was a huge success. Helaine Bowles worked tirelessly on the event, and was thanked at last night’s Benicia Chamber of Commerce mixer hosted by Benicia Soroptimist. By the time you read this, Councilwoman Christina Strawbridge, also at the mixer, will be basking in the afterglow of success of the 7th annual, star-studded Fashion Runway Weekend. And I’m looking forward to October’s ghoulish offerings that will provide us with an entire month of entertainment.

A big shout-out to those of you who have ordered a subscription to the magazine—thank you! To keep receiving every issue, stop by 611 First Street, sign up at beniciamagazine.com, or call 707.853.8159. Next month’s issue marks the beginning of our 11th year—we are 132 issues strong. My heart overflows with gratitude for this town and all of its incredible amenities, for our readers, and for the generosity of our advertisers, many of whom have been in the book since the first issue. Please continue to support these exemplary businesses, many of which are locally owned and contribute to our community.

Coming full circle, a pair of tutu-wearing young women just dashed into the café, then out again after speaking with some young men. They are so lovely that I snapped their picture. The bride is getting married tomorrow, and the guys in the café are the groom and groomsmen. The bridesmaid is here from England, and they are all heading for the Wine Train today. I really am watching the world go by. On my fifth cup of decaf, I feel like I'm the luckiest woman in Benicia to be part of this dynamic little burb by the Bay, as we close out year number 10.

Cheers to many more years,

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

Jeanne Steinmann

10 • Benicia Magazine

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BeniciaMagazine.com • 11

CU R R E N T S

OKTOBERFEST 10/3 GHOST WALK 10/2 & 10/16 HAUNTED DEPOT 10/16, 23-25, 30-31 ZOMBIE BREW CRAWL 10/17 HALLOWEEN COSTUME CONTEST & SIDEWALK STROLL 10/24 CANINE AND CRITTER COSTUME CONTEST 10/24

Benicia Historical Museum Unveils New Gallery and Exhibit

Exhibit opening and Museum gallery unveiling:

October 25 at 1pm

Admission and exhibits are free, light refreshments will be served and Granizo tile books and posters will be available for purchase.

For more information call 707.745.5435 or visit beniciahistoricalmuseum.org.

12 • Benicia Magazine

Scarecrows and Goblins and Ghosts, Oh My! October is a deliciously frightful month, and Benicia is bubbling with toil and trouble for all ages. Downtown merchants compete for best scarecrow and you can cast a vote for your favorite at Benicia Main Street, but beware, the depot will be transformed into a haunted house— enter at your own risk! Although the long-running Ghost Walk happens year round, they say the veils are thin in October when cultures around the world honor the dead, so experience Benicia’s ghostly side firsthand October 2 and 16. And speaking of cultural tradition, get your ‘German on’ October 3 at Benicia Human Services Board’s annual Oktoberfest fundraiser featuring German cuisine, beer, wine and live entertainment. October 17 is Benicia Main Street’s inaugural downtown Zombie Brew Crawl. You can sample tasty brains— er, brews, and small bites inside participating businesses. And don’t forget about the annual costume contest and sidewalk stroll October 24, a wonderful way for kids and adults alike to show off their Halloween finery, followed in the afternoon by the canine and critter contest.

We wouldn’t want to leave our furry friends out of the freakish tomfoolery! See the calendar for more details

By Elizabeth d’Huart Executive Director, Benicia Historical Museum

A Lesson in Local Art History or a History Lesson through Art? The upcoming exhibit Guillermo Wagner Granizo: Ceramic Tile Muralist at the Benicia Historical Museum asks, and answers, this interesting question.

The staging of this latest BHM rotating exhibit featuring the art of Guillermo Wagner Granizo begs the question, “Is this a history exhibit or an art gallerist’s offering?” The answer is a simple but emphatic, “Both!” Granizo captured Benicia’s history through his pavement portraits and pictorials that represent the people, events, and sites that express Benicia’s history. Part of our First Street landscape, literally and figuratively, they represent only a small portion of the work he produced over his career, most of which are large, densely colored glazed pottery tile murals that decorate the walls of many civic and community spaces in Northern California and elsewhere. Although the Museum has produced a book about the pavement tiles (A Walking Tour of the Painted Tiles and Historic Landmarks on Benicia’s First Street—A guide to Granizo’s Sidewalk Ceramics) and sells Granizo mural poster images in our gift shop, space constraints and restoration issues hampered the display of the Museum’s Granizo collection until now.

Thanks to the hard work of our volunteers, principally Jim Lessenger and Bob Rozett, the collection has been refurbished, hung, and is awaiting its unveiling along with the dedication of the museum’s new “mixed media” upstairs gallery. The framed tile pieces were structurally reinforced, cleaned, and equipped with the appropriate display hardware. The gallery is the perfect spot in which to arrange for art-related history and community education projects and programs. To that end, an elegant but rustic hanging system was devised that perfectly complements the industrial feel of the “Camel Barn,” and provides the desired flexibility and atmosphere for such an installation.

Ron Wagner, Granizo’s son, will be on hand to talk about his father and to share personal stories and insights into the artist and soldier who loved Benicia and captured her heritage so compellingly.

Granizo’s tools and other artifacts will be on display, augmented with photographs, documents and other materials.

The Spirits Descend October 25 for Annual Bewitching Tea The annual Bewitching Tea event returns Oct. 25, and offers a haunted hat contest, fashion show by Christina S, drawings and a traditional tea. Proceeds benefit two agencies that work with victims of domestic violence: STAND! For Families Free of Violence in Contra Costa County and SafeQuest Solano, which is based in Fairfield. “It’s lots of fun for a serious cause,” says Maryellen Hayes, co-owner of the tea room. She came up with the idea of the benefit after talking with Jerry Page, a longtime volunteer for STAND! in Contra Costa County.

She asked Soroptimist International of Benicia to help with the event, and the service organization has been a co-sponsor ever since. The event raises about $3,000 each year for the two domestic violence programs. Since 2006, the Bewitching Tea has raised about $27,000 total. STAND! estimates it serves about 10,000 people annually in all its programs, which include an emergency shelter, parenting classes, classes for teens on healthy relationships, support groups and presentations on violence prevention.

SafeQuest Solano serves victims of domestic violence and sexual assault throughout Solano County.

The program provides a 24-hour crisis line, an emergency shelter, counseling, support groups, education and other assistance. All services are free and offered in English, Tagalog and Spanish.

By Adriene Rockwell Photo by Malcolm Slight For eight days this summer, Eric Hoenig, M.D., of Benicia, seized the opportunity to experience his first medical mission in Ecuador, where he and a team of volunteers treated some 250 people each day. With a long-term goal to educate the community, the team set up clinics at schools and churches where families drove for miles to be diagnosed, sometimes five people piled onto a single motorcycle. “I got much more from the experience than I gave,” he said.

Eric chose medicine in part because of its range of opportunities, but also because it’s in his blood. As the youngest of five, he grew up in Lorain, Ohio. His grandfather and older brother became doctors, and his mother and aunt were nurses. He studied medicine at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, where he met is wife, Emily Ann Thomas. Together they completed their Internal Medicine residencies at Ohio State University before moving to Benicia in 1997, when they both took jobs at Kaiser Permanente.

Now Eric specializes in diagnosing patients who are sick enough to be admitted to John Muir Medical Center in Concord. As “hospitalist,” he is responsible for all patients on the hospital floor, and consults in the emergency room. “I enjoy the diagnostic aspects of the job; I’m a problem solver,” he says.

But he doesn’t just consider himself a physician. He works only two graveyard shifts a week so he can be home for his 14-year-old twin boys, Noah and Jacob, and their rescue puppy Nico. He rock climbs with the boys, and builds cabinets and furniture for his beautiful Victorian home, the historic Timothy Sage House, built in 1851. His wife Emily passed away from breast cancer in 2013, just six months after they moved in, but her love is palpable there. “Everyone who knew her will tell you that she had such a kind, big heart. And, she is the constant voice in my head,” says Eric.

As a couple, they dreamed about doing medical mission work together when there was more time.

Eric lived out that dream for the two of them. He looks forward to returning to Ecuador next year, perhaps this time with their sons.

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BIO ERIC HOENIG

BeniciaMagazine.com • 13

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BeniciaMagazine.com • 15

By Jeanne Steinmann At the confluence of the Napa River and San Pablo Bay lie the gently rolling hills of the Carneros wine region, boasting 31 Wine Alliance wineries. Here, in addition to tasting the acclaimed Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines, you’ll find other diversions that are worth exploring in their own right.

Country roads, good eateries, a craft brewery, an incredible art experience and more are only 20 minutes from Benicia, making it the perfect destination to sample the season at a casual, relaxed pace, without the crowds.

A cooler climate and encroaching morning fog in the Los Carneros AVA is ideal for the cultivation of pinot noir and chardonnay grapes. Carneros has a distinctly different feel than the vineyards that populate Napa and Sonoma further north. While distant travelers feel compelled to squeeze as many wineries as possible into their day further up the valley, Carneros wineries invite visitors to pause, and enjoy the experience.

A left onto Cuttings Wharf Road from Highway 29 and a couple of turns lead you to Bouchaine, the oldest continuously operating winery in the Carneros district. A boutique winery producing only 22,000 cases annually, Bouchaine is an excellent starting point for your tasting tour. The tasting room and lovely garden for sipping include views to the marshes beyond, and the winery offers tours by appointment and a walking map for a self-guided tour through the vineyards.

Bouchaine’s focus on sustainability and a commitment to working with the elements is reflected in the quality of the wine. Try the Dry Farmed Gee Vineyard Pinot Noir, an earthy, concentrated wine with flavors of red and black fruit with a hint of chocolate on the finish. Tastings: $20-30, Bouchaine.com, 707.252.9065 Nearby Acacia Vineyards is a larger facility, producing approximately 156,000 cases annually.

Tasting at Acacia’s 300-plus acre estate is a fun experience, by appointment; reserve online or call ahead. Southern-facing vistas capture both Mt. Diablo and Mt. Tam across the Bay. 16 • Benicia Magazine

On a recent visit, we were able to tour the winery during the crush and our guide, the highly knowledgeable tasting room associate, Valentina de Portu, gave us a behind-the-scenes peak at what’s new at the winery, with details such as what type of French oak barrels are used, the size of the bins that grapes are transported in from the vineyard for various wines and how many tons of grapes are produced in Sonoma County (255,000) and Napa County (175,000). Everyone you meet at Acacia seems passionate about winemaking, especially Senior Winemaker Matthew Glynn, who, on that day was taking a cake to an employee for his birthday along with freshly picked grapes to sample. Acacia produces Winery Select wines and Carneros Tier wines, mostly pinot noir and chardonnay. The “Country roads, grapes are followed carefully from vineyard to bottle—the winery select grapes are hand picked at night and arrive fresh at the good eateries, winery in the morning, where they are weighed and recorded, and at each stage of processing important decisions are made that a craft brewery, will influence the unique characteristics of the wine. 60% of the Carneros Tier wines that we see in local stores are gently machine an incredible art picked with a special picker, and very enjoyable for casual meals or events. The minerality and flavors of fresh apple and pear in experience and the 2012 Sangiacomo Chardonnay, awarded 93 points by Wine Enthusiast, found a home in our cellar, as well as the flagship 2012 Lone Tree Vineyard Pinot Noir, awarded 94 points by Wine more are only Enthusiast. Tasting options vary in price, Acaciavineyard.com, 707.226.9991.

20 minutes from Considering that fortification may be needed between or after tastings, try the popular Fremont Diner, where on weekends the Benicia...” wait can take an hour. Open for breakfast and lunch, patience is rewarded with seasonal country cooking with a southern flair, including house-made buttermilk biscuits, smoked, cured and grilled meats, and sandwiches, salads and freshly made pies.

Thefremontdiner.com, 707.938.7370.

If expectations, emotional associations and overall experience influence how we enjoy wine, as suggested by neuroscientist Daniel Salzman, surely having nearby tasting rooms to sample quality wines will make for happier palates. Whether you come to Carneros for the art at di Rosa, wine or beer tasting or enjoying one of the area’s eateries, you won’t be disappointed.

Photos: oppsite & bottom left, by Jerry Bowles; middle & bottom right, by Jeanne Steinmann

RESOURCES FOR MEMBER WINERIES: Carneros.com RESTAURANTS The Carneros Inn, Thecarnerosinn.com, 707.299.4900 Meritage Resort & Spa, Meritageresort.com, 855.318.1768 The Fremont Diner, thefremontdiner.com, 707.938.7370 Carneros Brewing Company Carnerosbrewing.com, 707.938.1880 di Rosa Preserve, dirosaart.org, 707.226.5991

BeniciaMagazine.com • 17

Traveling in comfort

on AMTRAK’S CAPITOL CORRIDOR

Story and Photo By Madra Rue It is still dark outside. A few people have gathered along the platform shaking off the sleep that ended too abruptly. It is quiet at that time of the morning. In the distance the faint sound of a train can be heard, almost lonely at first. Gradually it grows louder and soon a fierce light rounds the bend.

It’s the Amtrak Capitol Corridor train bound for Sacramento, the first of over a dozen for the day that will make the run between San Jose and Auburn. Set up as a commuter train, the Capitol Corridor is efficient, and in my experience, very timely.

It’s also quick—even with the train making two stops between Martinez and Sacramento (Suisun and Davis), I would be hard pressed to get there faster by car.

One of the best parts about taking the train is the route. With no concern for the needs of modern drivers, the train speeds along on rail beds that were established years ago. After you leave Martinez, you soon find yourself far from the freeway, speeding across stretches wetlands and farmland. As you pass through small farms and communities on the outskirts of Vacaville and the middle of Dixon, you’ll travel at a smooth 70+ miles per hour.

18 • Benicia Magazine

It’s also a surprisingly quiet and clean ride. While BART and the local ferry systems seem like they do the bulk of the peoplemoving, it’s interesting to note that the Capitol Corridor service (San Jose-Oakland-Sacramento-Auburn) moved over 1,701,185 people in fiscal year 2013 (Amtrak.com). The number is not surprising, given the onboard amenities.

The interior is roomy with large windows, and there’s a snack bar that also serves beer and wine. Each car has several tables for up to four passengers, where some riders take advantage of the free Wi-Fi to get some work done along the way. For those who need it, there are transfers available for some local transit systems, and bicycle accommodations. Each train has at least one car with hooks for hanging up your bike at no extra charge. This is great for commuting, but can also make for a fun weekend outing with new areas to ride and explore; and old Sacramento is just a 5-minute walk from the Sacramento station.

For convenience, comfort and a pleasant alternative to freeway driving, the Capitol Corridor comes highly recommended.

BA C KW ARD S G LAN C E

Farewell to the Ferry, Hello to the Bridge

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“PEOPLE TAKING CARE OF PEOPLE...”

ES

By Elizabeth d’Huart Executive Director, Benicia Historical Museum October 15 marks the 85th anniversary of the inaugural opening day of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company Bridge connecting Benicia and Martinez, signaling the end of the railroad ferry era that began in 1879. The 5,620 foot structure that crosses the Suisun Bay is, according to the “Bridge Browser” link from the Historic Bridges website (yes, there is such an animal—who knew?) is ranked, on a scale of ten, a seven in terms of both local and national historic significance. I beg to differ with the website author’s numeric ranking of the bridge, and would put it right up there with the Golden Gate Bridge in terms of its importance to the local communities, effectively ending the Brigadoon existence of Benicia and placing the City squarely in the path of the modern American world of the time, literally closing a problematic transportation gap and connecting us over water and land to Oakland, San Francisco and beyond.

One C.M. Kurtz was a construction engineer with the company that built the bridge, and his photograph shows engine #2442 of train #30 huffing and puffing as it travels west from Martinez to Benicia. Although I am as susceptible as the next person to the nostalgia of the old-fashioned look and sound of the trains of that bygone cowcatcher-and-smokestack locomotive age, I am sorry that the birth of the 1930 bridge signaled the end of the Solano Ferry, once the largest ferryboat in the world at a length of 424 feet and a beam (width) of 116 feet.

The Southern Pacific Solano Ferry’s rail deck accommodated no less than four parallel tracks that could carry two locomotives plus an additional 36 freight cars or 24 passenger cars. She transported an average of 30 trains per day between Benicia and Port Costa.

Tragically, she was repurposed as a breakwater in Antioch. Am I the only one who thinks that this was cruel and unusual punishment for such a lovely and hardworking lady? I keep hoping that someone will come forward with a video of the Solano as she works her way back and forth with her precious cargo of trains, goods, and humanity— that would be something to see.

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BeniciaMagazine.com • 19

Curing Pressing

Home-grown Olives

By Bruce Rockwell Olives are the earliest crop known to be cultivated by humans, having been grown and harvested for at least six thousand years. Originating from the Turkey/Syria border area, olives are a quintessential Mediterranean tree, and thrive in Benicia’s warm summers and mild winters. Several artisanal olive oil companies have sprung up in the area. In local gardens, their familiar gray-green foliage lends an immediate air of classical antiquity. But pressing and curing olives at home has become something of a lost art in this country. For the adventurous foodie with access to productive trees, it can be a richly rewarding pastime.

You may already have a fruiting olive tree or two in your yard, and wondered about how to bring it into production. John Mikolajcik, owner of Mid City 20 • Benicia Magazine

Nursery in American Canyon, says, “Olive trees are not that picky—they’re easy to grow.” If you don’t know what variety your tree is, some trial and error with harvesting and curing might be in order.

According to Rey Robledo of The Olive Tree Farm in Sonoma, Tuscan varieties (Cerignola, Frantoio, Leccino and others), the Spanish Manzanillo and the French Picholine are ideal for Benicia’s soil and climate. These bear excellent fruit for both curing and pressing. Sold only in containers, olive trees can be purchased in a wide range of sizes and prices and planted year-round.

Unlike many other fruits, the different colors that olives come in are due to the ripeness of the fruit, not the variety. Most olives are ready to harvest when the juice turns cloudy, at the “green ripe” stage in late September. They ripen to an uneven reddish-

brown through November, finally darkening to the “naturally black ripe” stage by early December. Olives in this stage have a high oil content and are easily bruised. If harvested for eating they need to be handled with care; handpicking is essential as damaged fruit will usually not survive the curing process.

For edibility, olives are processed, or “cured,” to remove the oleuropein, which is found in the leaves and fruit of the tree.

Oleuropein is non-toxic but extremely bitter. Curing neutralizes this compound in different ways, each resulting in particular tastes and textures. The easiest and quickest way to cure olives at home is with water. In this method, the freshly picked olives are sliced or cracked to expose the interior of the fruit, and then immersed in water, which is changed once a day for five to eight days. Then the olives are soaked in finishing brine with salt and vinegar. Kalamata olives are the most commonly known of water-cured olives, which retain some of the oleuropein and its bitterness.

Brine curing is also an easy method where the olives are soaked in a solution of water and pickling salt over a number of months. A fermentation process takes place during brining, which alters the flavor profile in characteristic ways. Dry salting is another simple option, resulting in a shriveled olive that is slightly bitter and quite salty. Lye curing is perhaps the last frontier for home olive processing, but it needn’t be intimidating. Following some basic precautions, lye will quickly and completely neutralize the oleuropein in the olives, leaving a buttery flavor that is most recognizable in the canned olives we grew up with.

After curing, olives can be preserved in different ways. The UC Davis Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources' publication, “Olives: Safe Methods for Home Pickling,” (Publication 8267), was written specifically for the home olive canner and includes recipes, curing methods, precautions for handling lye, and preserving methods.

In addition to curing for eating or cooking, olives can be processed at home for their precious oil. Historically relying on large stone grinding wheels drawn by livestock, DIY olive oil production is currently something of a wild-west scenario.

Expensive grinders and oil presses may be purchased, but with a streak of “maker” inventiveness and experiments of others posted on YouTube as a guide, the necessary equipment can be rummaged or cobbled together for much less, depending on the scale of the operation.

Whether the final product is olives eaten out of hand or from golden bottles of silky oil, harvesting and processing olives at home is a nutritional, gratifying reconnection with a deep agricultural and culinary history.

Celebrate Trees at Benicia’s

Annual

Arbor Day Festival Saturday, October 17, 2015

9am - 12pm @ Benicia State Recreation Area Local Vendor Exhibits Live Music • Art & Activities for Kids Tree Climbing Demo by A-Plus Tree Service Presentation of Awards for Annual Tree Challenge Art Contest

Additional Resources UC Davis Publication 8267 anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu/pdf/8267.pdf

Tree Planting and Maintenance Resources Urban Forest Challenge & Raffle

TREE PLANTING

Il Fiorello Olive Oil Company: ilfiorello.com Sepay Groves Olive Oil: sepayoliveoil.com Olive Tree Farm Nursery: olivetreefarm.com

For more information visit www.beniciatrees.org BeniciaMagazine.com • 21

By Sue Sumner-Moore Photo by Malcolm Slight A large whiteboard opposite Erik Upson’s desk shows staffing details and a list of needed upgrades for the Benicia Police Department. Officers’ names on the left side, a list of building and equipment needs on the right. But on a corner of the whiteboard behind the police chief’s desk is a drawing of colorful swirls and a quick note: “I love you Dad.” Erik, 42, became Benicia’s police chief in April and has spent the past five months getting to know the community. With his uniform and crewcut, he is easily recognized during his regular visits to neighborhoods, downtown and other business areas, and parks.

“I try to get away from the office as much as I can. I work a beat, I walk a park.

Nothing is as important as what happens on the street,” he says.

Erik came to Benicia after 17 years with the Berkeley Police Department. He was a captain—one rank below chief in that department—before coming here. He served in the Army and National Guard, and he earned a bachelor’s degree in American Studies with a minor in public policy from Cal Berkeley plus a master’s in emergency services administration from Long Beach State.

Interview with

How did 17 years with the Berkeley Police Department prepare you for this job?

You get so much variety in Berkeley that I often say that someone who has worked in Berkeley can work anywhere. You have an understanding of a Police Department’s role in a community. Having that understanding is very important. …

Most officers go into this line of work to be a public servant. Unless they come in very wise and mature, it does take time to learn how that really works, to learn to use discretion. You get a doctorate in that at Berkeley and you can take that knowledge and experience anywhere.

What experiences in Berkeley have you drawn on during your time here?

There’s very little here that doesn’t somehow connect to something I did in Berkeley. Things like the Crude by Rail issue—that’s a hot-button issue here and we had lots of issues in Berkeley that brought out a lot of emotion in people. I’ve had experience with that. I’ve got a lot of familiarity with special events. I know about technology, crime, homelessness.

The scale is different here, but so are the resources. The scope of the problems here— the amount of crime, the number of critical situations—is much less than in Berkeley. The civility here is much higher. There’s a willingness to make it better.

What have you learned about Benicia so far?

I grew up on an island (in Washington state) and I’ve come to see that Benicia is like an island.

22 • Benicia Magazine Interview

ERIK UPSON Everyone knows everyone, and they’re all connected—sometimes for several generations. There is a sense of uniqueness and independence of other jurisdictions. There’s a deep passion for the city, a deep passion for tradition.

It can be hard to make changes because there is such a passion for tradition.

Change is always challenging. It brings up its own turbulence.

The economics of the county are a challenge. Infrastructures are a challenge. We need to look at the infrastructure and to provide support for these great people in their work. It’s really good that we have the support that we do because there are things we need to do to move into the future.

Did you tour the police station before taking the job?

No, I didn’t. I was surprised. It’s a credit to the staff here and citywide that they really do get it done without the resources that other communities have.

That spirit is one of the things that strikes me. It’s just how they think. They’re going to step up and get it done. It inspires me.

How would you rate the facility’s condition? What is needed?

I would say it’s pretty poor. It wasn’t built as a police facility. There are lots of walls that we can’t move and that presents a lot of challenges for a modern police department. A purpose-built facility would be better. We need better prisoner holding cells, better locker rooms and changing facilities for our staff.

The IT structure needs improvement. Just the physical plant itself—the air conditioning, the lighting—we definitely need to look into that.

How does the job differ from your expectations when you started?

I don’t think you can ever be fully prepared until you are there as a chief and have the level of responsibility that comes with that. The responsibility is huge. Yet I find it very freeing in a way. It’s been an opportunity for me to step up to the next level of leadership, to give input, apply the leadership philosophies that I’ve learned in the past. …

We’re all human beings. Everyone makes mistakes so the challenge is to create an environment where you can learn from them. You don’t want to create an environment of fear. Mistakes of the head, we can work through and learn. But mistakes of the malignant heart will get you gone.

While he felt ready to become a police chief, he was choosy about where he applied.

“I was very selective, both professionally and personally,” he says. He considered a post out of state until talking to his wife and their four children about the move. “I withdrew from consideration there.” But he kept looking for a job that would provide the challenges he was seeking, a chance to connect to a new community and allow his family to remain in Pleasant Hill.

He now heads a department with an annual budget of almost $9.5 million and about 50 employees, including about 30 sworn officers, plus about 25 volunteers.

His assessment of taking the job here? “I think it’s an incredible fit.”

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Our vision is to be the greatest police department anywhere. That wasn’t my intention coming in, but coming here and seeing the support of the community, the support of my boss, the people in the department, I think we can do it. It’s going to take a lot of work, but I am an optimist.

We want to be deeply connected to the community, have an absence of crime and absence of the fear of crime without an overpresence (of police) in the community. I want people to feel safe.

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How can residents assist police?

They need to be actively involved in the neighborhoods and community.

Trust your instincts and call us if your suspicions are raised. When you feel something’s not right, call.

Our dispatchers are well trained. We can’t be everywhere, so we need the community to contact us if something is happening.

What do you to relax?

I read. I like to run—that’s my form of getting away. I go to lots of soccer games because two of my kids play at the club level.

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BeniciaMagazine.com • 23

TRENDS

Fashion Inspiration in Unlikely Places

By Christina Strawbridge Dynasty, the 1980s soap opera, had a cult following that I admit to being part of. I was hooked on the dynamics between Alexis Carrington Colby and Crystal Carrington and the clothing that defined them. As the series evolved, fashion became a weekly mustsee, personifying the era of extreme shoulder pads and opulence.

Costume designer Nolan Miller created stunning wardrobes for haughty Alexis, played by Joan Collins, and Crystal, played by Linda Evans, the epitome of goodness.

Miller projected naughty and nice with color, fabric and design, using soft pastels and blues for the blonde Crystal, and jewel tones with a lot of black for dark-haired Alexis. His designs were so popular that he had his own ready-to-wear Dynasty label and influenced fashion for years. Some of the most memorable scenes were catfights between the actresses, but they retaining their dignity and managed to project humor into the most ridiculous moments.

This year, Scott’s annual European meeting was in Edinburgh, Scotland. Before starting work, we visited our favorite haunts in Venice, Paris and London. Paris provided its usual fashion, food and Bordeaux fix. I attended a fashion market called “Who's Next,” showcasing clothing and accessory lines from around the world, and from up-and-coming designers from French design schools. As I searched the convention center for something new, I discovered that trends in the U.S. are very similar to what’s coming out of Paris.

This is somewhat gratifying but also a bit disappointing when you are looking for the next hot look. Street style, a good trend indicator, included flats and tennis shoes, ripped jeans, short shorts and quilted coats. Hmmm!

Upon arrival on the Eurostar Chunnel from Paris, London was abuzz with celebrations for Queen Elizabeth as Britain's longest

reigning monarch, surpassing Queen Victoria, who held the record of 63 years, seven months and two days. Coincidentally, it was the same day we were to arrive in Edinburgh, where Her Majesty would open the new Boarders rail connection. The Queen is respected as a hard-working monarch who has withstood the challenges of keeping the family and monarchy in tact. At age 89, there is no sign of her relinquishing the throne, which seems ok with her royal subjects.

Keeping calm and carrying on is certainly her mantra.

The weather in London was predictably drizzly and grey, and with less than a day to spend until our train to Edinburgh we chose Harrods, the famous department store, to spend the afternoon.

With six floors of the most luxurious lines of clothing, accessories, food and home goods in the world, it would take several days to see it all. After a jaw-dropping hour of shopping and a restless husband, we took a break at the Champagne Bar. Set amongst the glamour of international fashion, the contemporary bar gave us the perfect vantage point for people watching. Suddenly, through the doorway, Joan Collins entered with her assistant, looking for the Personal Shopping Service where she had an appointment. I recognized her instantly, even with the dark sunglasses, camel-colored, cashmerewrapped coat and matching espadrilles. They sat near us, asking the server to call the personal shopper. Dame Collins still exudes Hollywood glamour and looks amazing at 81 years old. The Queen recently awarded her the title for her charitable work. Harrods staff finally located her destination, and in true Alexis Colby Carrington character, she proclaimed, “This store has become a mall!” and made her grand exit through the doorway with all eyes on her.

Dynasties and monarchies may come and go, but a certain Queen and Dame have managed to hold onto their empires with grace, and a bit of attitude. Long live the Queen ... and the Dame!

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24 • Benicia Magazine Trends

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BeniciaMagazine.com • 25

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6. Camellia Tea Room, 828 First Street

9. Spotless Carpet Cleaning, 800 First Street, Ste. A

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Furniture, Collectibles & Household Items 11am-6pm PLUS Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat Frequently open until 10pm • 707.745.4565

BeniciaMagazine.com • 27

Sonoma Music Festival

10/2-10/4 All day Field of Dreams, 151 First Street West, Sonoma This year’s exciting lineup includes legendary bands such as Chicago, Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band, the Doobie Brothers with Michael McDonald, Gregg Allman, Edgar Winter, Tommy Castro & the Painkillers and more.

Sonomamusicfestival.com, 707.938.4064, ext. 124

Benicia Art Walk Two Trains Running 10/12, 12-6pm Downtown Benicia This monthly, communitydriven, family-friendly event features resident and local guest artists in a variety of venues. October’s theme is Day of the Dead. Look for blue Art Walk banners or download map at beniciaartwalk.org, 707.747.0131

10/16-11/8 Fridays & Saturdays 8pm; Sundays 2pm Historic BDES Hall 140 West J Street, Benicia Benicia Old Town Theatre Group's production of August Wilson's drama Two Trains Running focuses on people with loud voices and big hearts in 1968 Pittsburgh.

Beniciaoldtowntheatregroup.com 707.746.1269

Why Make Art? 25 Benicia Oktoberfest 2015 Artists Respond Haunted Depot 10/3, All day Historic Clock Tower, 1189 Washington Street, Benicia The Benicia Human Services Board’s annual fundraiser is an authentic Oktoberfest that features German food, beer, wine and live entertainment.

Break out the lederhosen while supporting a great cause.

707.746.4200

10/14-11/15 Reception 10/17 Arts Benicia Gallery, 991 Tyler Street, #114, Benicia This exhibition is a window into the collaboration between curator and artist. Curated by Hedi Desuyo and Mark Eanes, master photographer Desuyo’s Benicia artist portraits will be paired with the artist’s work.

Artsbenicia.org, 707.747.0131

Pumpkin Patch Visions of the Festival at Wild H2O the Western Railway Museum 10/10-10/25 5848 Highway 12, Suisun City Get Halloween pumpkins and Jack-o-Lanterns, test your strength with the pumpkin launcher and explore a huge hay bale fortress. "Pumpkin Patch Trains" from 9:30am to 5pm on weekends. The first electric express train leaves at 10am with departures every half-hour until 4pm.

Westernrailwaymuseum.org, 707.374.2978 28 • Benicia Magazine Calendar

10/16 & 10/17 Downtown Vallejo This festival connects nature, culture and community and will embrace all aspects of water: human needs, irrigation, wildlife habitat, recreation, Native American values, maritime culture and history, wetlands and creek restoration and scenic beauty.

Visionsofthewild.org

10/16-18, 23-25, 30-31 Southern Pacific Railway Depot 90 First Street, Benicia The Depot has been mysteriously transformed into a frightful depository of ghosts, goblins and spirits, daring you and your family to pay a visit.

Beniciamainstreet.org, 707.745.9791

Zombie Brew Crawl

10/17, 2-6pm First Street Downtown Benicia Zombies descend on downtown Benicia to sample craft beers and tasty bites inside participating businesses.

Beniciamainstreet.org, 707.745.9791

Family Art Day

10/18, 1-3pm Arts Benicia Gallery, 991 Tyler Street #114, Benicia Messy fun for all ages!

Children & their families are invited to drop in at the gallery for hands-on projects that engage and educate. Artsbenicia.org, 707.747.0131

Guillermo Wagner Granizo Art Tiles Exhibit Opening Reception October 25, 1pm Benicia Historical Museum Stone Hall, 2060 Camel Road, Benicia Opening reception for the new, mixed media space at the museum, featuring the tile art of Guillermo Wagner Granizo with a special talk by Granizo’s son.

Beniciahistoricalmuseum, 707.745.5435

Microcosmos: A World in Small Dimension

Halloween Canine and Critter Bewitching Tea Costume Contest Costume Contest & Sidewalk Stroll 10/24, 10am First Street Downtown Benicia A great time for kids of all ages during the popular Halloween costume contest and sidewalk stroll. First Street merchants get into the spirit of the holiday for all to shop and enjoy. Beniciamainstreet.org, 707.745.9791

10/24, 12pm First Street Green Downtown Benicia A contest for pets and critters, complete with awards and treats, is in conjunction with the Halloween Costume Contest and Sidewalk Stroll.

Beniciamainstreet.org, 707.745.9791

10/25, Seatings at 11am, 1pm and 3pm Camellia Tea Room 838 First Street, Benicia Traditional tea, haunted hat contest & fashion show

by Christina S, sponsored

by Camellia Tea Room and Soroptimist International of Benicia. Benefits Safequest and STAND. $45 per person, reservations and payment required in advance.

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10/29-11/29 Gallery 621 309 First Street, Benicia A juried exhibition of small works by artist/curator Chester Arnold features visual art from U.S. artists; the first national juried exhibition in Gallery 621’s new location in downtown Benicia. Gallery621.com, 707.297.6860

Haul of Illusions 10/30 & 10/31, 4-7pm Obtainium Works 510 Pennsylvania Street Vallejo Obtainium Works Haul of Illusions features classic Victorian Halloween illusions done with real smoke and mirrors. Stay for the trick or treats! obtainiumworks.net, 510.292.5879

BeniciaMagazine.com • 29

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30 • Benicia Magazine

...IT’S A FACT!

Residential & Commercial

Scarecrow Contest

Oct. 2 - Oct. 31 on display, Mon. Oct. 19 voting ends. Scarecrows decorated by downtown businesses and beyond. Ballots for judging available to the public at Farmers Market, Benicia Main Street and participating merchants.

Haunted Depot

Fri. Oct. 16, 23 & 30, 6-9pm Sat. Oct. 17, 24 & 31 12-4pm & 6-9pm Sun. Oct. 18 & 25, 12-4pm With donation of canned good: Adults $3; Children under 6, $2. Without donation: Adults, $6, Children under 6, $4.

Ghost Walk

Fri. Oct. 2, 16 & 30, 8pm Sat. Oct. 3, 17 & 31, 8pm Discover where Benicia ghosts hang out!

For reservations, call 707-745-9791.

Halloween Costume Contest & First Street Stroll

Sat. Oct 24, 10am Kids of all ages; Halloween Costume Contest & Trick or Treat, City Park. Local merchants get into the spirit by putting out candy, snacks and goodies! Canine & Critter Costume Contest at noon, First Street Green.

Farmers Market Finale Thurs., Oct. 29, 4-7pm Fresh fall produce, live music & more!

Come bid farewell to the Market till next season.

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BeniciaMagazine.com • 31

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4852 East 2nd Street, Benicia

707-745-2100 aqc@aqchome.com

AQCC did a great job with our kitchen remodel from end to end, on scope, on time and on budget. We are enjoying the new kitchen space! — Silvio and Susy

Receive a $150 gift certificate to Romancing the Home, or a Nourot Vase, with the purchase of a complete kitchen.