Benicia Magazine September 2015

CAPTURING CALIFORNIA

THROUGH LIGHT AND LENS

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Volume 10 Issue 11 September 2015

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2 • Benicia Magazine

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4 • Benicia Magazine

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COMMUNITY NEWS Need additional copies? Contact the Community Relations office: Valero Benicia Refinery, 3400 East Second Street, Benicia CA 94510

707-745-7534 September 2015

W

ater conservation successes at the Valero Benicia Refinery continue to add up to big water savings for Benicia.

With the completion of the Boiler Water Conservation Project in December, water savings for the first two quarters of 2015 show that the refinery is on track to conserve approximately 116 acre feet per year (AFY) of untreated water.

That savings equates to approximately 38 million gallons of water annually, enough to provide water to more than 330 average single family residences in Benicia.

Unlike the water treated and delivered by the City to homes and businesses, water delivered by the City for Valero’s industrial operations is untreated or “raw” water.

“What this means is that the water used for our operations does not go through the City’s water treatment process,” said Jerry Stumbo, the refinery’s Director of Operations and a Benicia resident. “Once the raw water arrives at the refinery, we treat the water to the necessary specifications for use in our boilers and cooling towers.”

Verification of the project’s water savings by a third party indicates that not only is water being conserved, but the

project is also reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As a result of the Boiler Water Conservation Project, the refinery is projected to reduce CO2 emissions by 7,527 metric tons annually – nearly twice what was originally forecasted.

Additionally, the heightened awareness by employees and contractors alike has led to the examination of other potential water savings projects. One such project dealt with low pressure boilers. A review led to procedural updates that will result in additional water savings estimated at more than 34 million gallons of water annually (104 AFY).

Benicians may recall that with the completion of the Condensate Recovery Project – Phase I in May 2013, the refinery began realizing more than 23 million gallons of water savings annually (72 AF), while reducing CO2 emissions by 2,300 metric tons annually.

These combined water conservation projects alone total approximately 292 AFY of water savings.

Currently, the Valero Benicia Refinery is cooperating with the City on its review of a possible City water reuse project that could provide the refinery with recycled water for use in its cooling towers.

Valero Volunteers Pitch in to Provide School Supplies; Flex Muscles at Habitat for Humanity Projects Solano-Napa Habitat for Humanity has been the grateful recipient of nearly 200 hours of donated time from Valero employees, along with a $25,000 donation from the Valero Energy Foundation.

School supplies and funds were collected by Valero Volunteers to create 85 schoolready backpacks for children.

Local nonprofit organizations like the Benicia Community Action Council and the Solano County Office of Education will distribute the backpacks.

Michael Petrellese, Senior Mechanical Engineer

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Jessica Dow, Process Engineer

The refinery’s 24/7 phone number for questions or concerns about refinery operations is 745-7534.

Autumn is the start of flu season. Visit the National Safety Council (www.NSC.org ) to learn ways to protect yourself and your family from the flu. You will also find tips on how to improve your focus on health and safety at home and at work.

BeniciaMagazine.com • 5

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Contributorsmagazine Elizabeth d’Huart Adriene Rockwell Mary Shaw Beth Steinmann Christina Strawbridge Sue Sumner-Moore Charles Young 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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707.748.0500 6 • Benicia Magazine

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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SEPTEMBER

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 11

FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

16

10 From the Editor

18

20

S tunning black & white photos of California at library exhibit nnual film festival A boasts U.S. and international selections

12

Currents

Benicia youth soccer takes to the field

Annual Arts Benicia gala auction channels the 1960s

13 Bio:

Joanne Dilley, Benicia’s most recognizable food server

14 Backwards Glance

Football season in Benicia circa 1918

19 Along the Waterfront Charles Young outlines priorities for the coming school year

Cover: Landon Elfstrom makes the kick, photo by Willie Watson Above, from Wind, Water, Land by John Beck, top: Nick Nourot, bottom, Brian Giambastiani; right: from the California As We See It exhibit, by Sheila Reid

8 • Benicia Magazine

22 Interview

John Beck, documentary filmmaker

24 Trends

Annual Fashion Runway Weekend features six Project Runway designers

26 Downtown Map 28 Calendar of Events

The best events in Benicia and around the Bay

Don’t miss an issue of

BENICIA MAGAZINE! Your #1 source for what's happening in town & around the Bay

Events Art & Culture Food & Drink Education People & Places Shopping & Style

Just $18 for 12 issues Subscribe at 611 First Street, downtown Benicia Subscribe online at beniciamagazine.com or Facebook.com/beniciamagazine

BeniciaMagazine.com • 9

From the Editor

September 2015

Photo by Malcolm Slight

I

n the never a dull moment way of our fast-paced world, things change so quickly that it’s sometimes hard to keep up. For example, I’m just beginning to figure out where things are at the wonderfully remodeled Raley’s, and now Safeway has a new manager who very well might confound us in the same way. These are small things that slow us down and keep us on our toes. On a larger scale, downtown continues to be an ever-changing landscape. This is not necessarily a bad thing. But we get attached to our routines, favorite haunts, people and places and when that changes it can flummox the most flexible among us.

Recent fluctuations include the closure of Harpins Spa and Personal Care, Posh Bed and Bath, and clothing stores Miguelena and Be Chic. Gallery 621 went into Be Chic’s space, and a new vintage collective occupies the space vacated by Posh. Lynn’s Invitations and Gifts left the Treasury Commons for a studio in her home, and Gracewood Printing and Gifts moved in. There are many other examples—some businesses sell and some owners are just moving on. There’s a common misconception that businesses only close because they are not economically viable. That’s possibly the case with some, but certainly not all, as in Benicia Bay Company’s case, and many others.

My own foray three years ago into boutique retailing has been a great outlet for creativity and to meet a lot of people. However, it’s time for me to focus on upcoming additions to the magazine and spending more time with family and friends. I’m looking forward to cavorting with my grandchildren and bringing travel back into my life. I’ve loved having the store, and although the decision wasn’t easy, it was the right one for me at this juncture, and Urban Notions will close this month.

One thing I know firsthand is how much merchants rely on, and appreciate their customers.

On their behalf I’d like to throw out some courtesy reminders, for kids as well as adults: bikes and skateboards are not allowed on sidewalks or plazas, where elderly folks are strolling, moms are pushing strollers and dogs are being walked. And speaking of dogs, remember to bring bags for your pet’s business. The lovely mini-gardens under the trees that line the street are part of a merchant’s home away from home.

Among other things happening at Benicia Magazine, we are mid-project on our rebuild at beniciamagazie.com, to bring you fresh content about Benicia and around the Bay. A huge advantage is that it will be responsive across all devices, so that you’ll be able to access the calendar, feature stories, people and places, where to eat, arts and culture and more on your smart phones and tablets, in an easy to read format.

Another big change, in case you missed it last month, is that due to USPS requirements that affect how we distribute, we are no longer able to mail the magazine free of charge to Benicia residents. Last month we began our transition into paid circulation here in town.

Thanks to those of you who have already purchased subscriptions! You’ll receive your free copy for a couple more months—subscriptions begin with the November issue. We so appreciate readers who have expressed delight with the magazine over the past ten years, and are excited to continue to be your number one source for all things Benicia and beyond.

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

Jeanne Steinmann

Feedback Editor: This is our vacation foray—million dollar views from our deck on Carlisle Way. We have seen much of the world and it is hard to beat our own backyard view.

—Virginia and Gary Cady Don’t miss a single issue! Subscriptions: $18 per year at beniciamagazine.com, facebook.com/Benicia magazine, editor@beniciamagazine.com or at 611 First Street

10 • Benicia Magazine

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BeniciaMagazine.com • 11

C URRE N TS

Benicia Youth Soccer in Full Swing

By Beth Steinmann The Benicia Youth Soccer fall season is up and running full tilt for both recreational and competitive teams, bringing back memories of my own brief soccer days as a teenager practicing at the community park for local games. Team spirit was integral to the program, and still is. Benicia is big on soccer, with close to 1,000 kids in the league. I enjoyed watching my younger sister’s games, traveling around Northern California in the heat of the summer and fall. She played sweeper for several years on the traveling team—as well as the game’s more aggressive cousin—winter indoor soccer at the Mare Island Sports Center. Her Arsenal coaches dubbed her “the gazelle” because she could cover the field lightning fast to keep the other team from scoring.

Today’s Benicia Arsenal Futbol Club covers the spectrum of all competitive levels, from select travelling teams to the in-house recreational league, and sponsors a range of camps and academies year-round to enable young players to hone their skills at all times.

Director of Coaching, Alex Lobban, has focused on fleshing out the program in order to develop each child’s potential at all levels of play, and building a professional coaching staff to support players. He says, “Benicia Arsenal F.C. strives to be the best extra-curricular activity for children in the city, and we aim to teach life lessons through sports in terms of leadership, teamwork, effort and reward, the importance of punctuality, dedication and hard work.

Our training staff aims to be role models for young children.

They have all competed at elite levels of high school, club, college or professional levels—they all love soccer and want to pass that passion onto the next generation of players.”

Although the club now has players competing at high levels of tournament, league and state cup play, the most popular program is the rec league that starts in August and runs until November, with ten weeks of league games. For more information, check out beniciasoccer.org.

Photos by Jim Lindemuth

12 • Benicia Magazine Currents

By Adriene Rockwell Joanne Dilley has a special way of making people feel right at home. That’s because she’s been like family to Benicians as a waitress for the past 19 years, at haunts like Victor’s (now Venticello’s), the Union Hotel, and most recently at Nine-O-Seven Grill. She took a break for a year to manage an office, but it wasn’t for her. Waiting tables is more than a job for Dilley, it’s her way of giving back.

“When I walk up to a table I want the customer to feel like they are in my home, and I will do everything I can to get them what they need. I’ve been known to go across the street to get a root beer or apple pie.” Her down-to-earth, no-nonsense style makes her easy to talk to, and many of her regulars have become lifelong friends.

“That’s what endears you in a small town,” she says.

She grew up in another small town, Red Bluff, and moved to Benicia 22 years ago with her husband David, the “love of her life,” who works at Benicia Fabrication & Machine. Her son Charlie, 19, is a waiter at Elvarita’s, and her daughter Jennie, 17, is a senior at Benicia High School. “Your greatest accomplishment in life is how your children turn out,” she says. “And mine are good people.”

She gave her family a scare recently when she passed out in her bathroom from what turned out to be pancreatitis and colitis. She’s been on medical leave for four months, and it’s been hard to slow down. She finally got some time at her favorite place—the beach—but she’s ready to go back to work.

“I’m a caretaker, it’s what brings me joy.”

Among other things, her work has taught her a lot about respect. “We need to teach our children about respect. Whether you're the president of the bank, a garbage collector, or the person who brings you a drink, we all put our pants on the same way,” she says. “And treating people with respect costs you nothing.”

BIO

Joanne Dilley

Flashback for a Good Cause

By Mary Shaw Arts Benicia is hosting a 60s party and you are invited! The 60s Experience: Mad Men to Magical Mystery Tour is the theme—so if you identify with Don Draper or Wavy Gravy, this is the place to be.

Saturday, September 19th, 6:30pm at the Benicia Clock Tower—be there or be square!

Arts Benicia’s 23rd annual Art Auction & Gala will be a festive event, featuring silent and live art auctions with outstanding works of art by leading local and regional artists, party packages, savory hors d’oeuvres and delectable desserts from First St. Cafe, fine wines and designer drinks served by the Rellik Tavern, live dancing with music by DJ Skate, and lots more. This is Arts Benicia’s signature event of the year. So join in the fun with other cool cats, beach bums, freaks and hippies to celebrate the 1960s and help raise much needed funds for Arts Benicia’s cultural and educational programs.

Arts Benicia’s mission is to “stimulate, educate, and nurture” cultural life in our community. At our art center and gallery in the Arsenal and throughout town at various business and civic locations, Arts Benicia presents dynamic exhibitions and offers creative classes and public programs for youth, adults, and families.

Arts Benicia’s The 60s Experience: Mad Men to Magical Mystery Tour auction and gala will be a memorable event, bringing together our community in celebration of our rich culture and artistic traditions in support of a great cause. Tickets ($45 for Arts Benicia members and $55 for non-members) are available online at artsbenicia.org/2015-annual-art-auction-and-gala, and at Bookshop Benicia, 636 First Street in Downtown Benicia.

Arts Benicia is a non-profit community art center. Gallery and classroom spaces are located at 991 Tyler Street, Suite 114 in the Historic Arsenal. For more information call 707.747.0131.

BeniciaMagazine.com • 13

B ACKWA RDS GLA NCE

Kicking Summer into Fall

Photo courtesy Benicia Historical Museum

By Elizabeth d’Huart Executive Director, Benicia Historical Museum It’s not just the turning of the leaves that signals the end of summer. Autumn also means the beginning of football season, and I am pleased to have been introduced to this Benicia Historical Museum vintage football photograph taken in 1918 by J.L. Molfino. Playing against the Mare Island Marines cantonment, known as the Mare Island Mariners, Benicia Arsenal lost 13-0, also losing to the same team the previous Sunday, 140. Their somber expressions seem to convey either their focus on the impending battle or their disappointment in their recent or previous defeat. Although only one team member is named (Baker), we can tell from the uniformed gentleman’s epaulettes that he is a captain and that the medal-shaped object pinned to his chest indicates his marksmanship designation. Records indicate that the game took place at Fitzgerald Field on East Second Street, with the Hafford and Clyne houses appearing behind the fence, top right.

Studying the image, we see that the uniforms are not “standard.” The man posing with the ball has the imprint of a “W” on his sweater. The padding varies from player to player,

14 • Benicia Magazine Currents

and the helmets are different styles. Wearing a helmet wasn’t required in the U.S. until 1943. The ball is more spherical than today’s ball. The football became more oblong as passing was introduced, and then made officially allowable as a part of the American game in 1905. Notes from a newspaper article indicate that this match was played as a benefit to raise money for baseball equipment for the Benicia Arsenal team, and that the team went out to dinner after the game at the Hotel Foreman, now known as the Benicia Inn on West J Street. The Mare Island Mariners are famous for “saving” the Rose Bowl in 1918, the college teams of the day having been decimated by World War I and the flu epidemic. They were volunteered to substitute for an absent school team, as was the Camp Lewis (Washington state) team, whom they beat. One of the Mare Island players was John Beckett, who is in the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame. He is the only man to have captained two Rose Bowl teams, and he later rose to the rank of brigadier general. Today, we honor those who played on this Benicia Arsenal football team as we honor their service to their country, even as we rally around our beloved Benicia High School football team—go Panthers!

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BeniciaMagazine.com • 15

California As We See It September 5—October 5 Benicia Public Library Marilyn Citron O’Rourke Gallery 150 East L Street 707.746.4343, benicialibrary.org/gallery

Right: Lorraine Castillo, Lost Islands Bottom left to right: Marilyn Verducci, Waterway; Lisa Franklin, The Almighty; Phil Lee, Day of the Dead; Cathy Yih, Chinatown

Compelling Phot at the

16 • Benicia Magazine

BENICIA

Black and white photography is an art form all it’s own—a delicate balance of light and shadow. Six Bay Area photographers, known as the LightCatchers Photography Group, whose members exemplify the art, are featured in an exhibition at the Benicia library’s Marilyn Citron O’Rourke Art Gallery beginning September 5.

Entitled California As We See It, the exhibit shows works from Lorraine Castillo, Lisa Franklin, Phil Lee, Sheila Reid, Marilyn Verducci and Cathy Yih. The images on display invite the viewer to see local and California people and places through the lens of the photographer, and ponder their vision. The photographs, some ironic, some humorous, some hauntingly beautiful and all thought-provoking, compel us to reflect on the contrasts between light and dark, rural and urban, beauty and balance, texture and form. The public is invited to an Artist Reception, September 19, 3:30-5:30pm.

tography Exhibit

A LIBRARY

BeniciaMagazine.com • 17

Benicia’s Second Annual

Film Festival

By Sue Sumner-Moore A total of 29 films, including international offerings, will be the stars at the second Benicia Film Festival. The Labor Day weekend event has more than twice as many films as the inaugural 2014 festival, and films will be shown at three new locations: Commanding Officer’s Quarters, Hayley Horn Auditorium at Benicia High School and the Majestic Theatre. “We wanted the Film Festival to grow,” says Jacquie DuBois, festival committee chair and a member of Benicia’s Arts and Culture Commission. The Film Festival Committee is a subcommittee of the arts commission. “We wanted to have more of a variety of films, which we do, and larger venues.”

Filmmakers from around the world submitted about 70 entries for consideration, DuBois says. Five Benicians, including a filmmaker, a film student and a film professor, made the final selections. International films from Turkey, Australia, Russia, the Netherlands, Scotland, and Spain, plus two films from Benicia High School students, made the final cut.

The film festival fits well with our creative community, says DuBois. “It’s another way of expressing the creative forces out there. We have visual arts in our city, which are wonderful, and we’re adding another layer to the visual arts.”

Benicia filmmaker John Beck presented two feature-length films in 2014 and will show a 20-minute film, Wind, Water, Land, at this year’s festival. “It's really cool to me that people are making the effort to put on a film festival here. It's very grassroots and feels like they are really trying to put on a good film festival. It feels very genuine," Beck says. “It’s always a great chance for people to see films they wouldn’t otherwise see.”

The first film festival attracted about 400 people to see both short and featurelength films. “We learned a lot from the first festival,” says Helaine Bowles, Benicia city staff liaison to the Film Festival Committee. “We learned we needed a better way to get films and we needed to advertise more outside Benicia.” A contact at the Napa Valley Film Festival directed them to withoutabox.com, a website devoted to linking filmmakers with film festivals around the world.

Organizers hope an expanded advertising budget will raise the festival’s profile and attract more people from out of town for a weekend of cinema. “Last year we basically broke even,” Bowles says. “Right now we have sponsors. If we didn’t have sponsors, we wouldn’t be able to put this on. We owe a big thanks to the community for its support.”

Visit beniciamagazine.com for a complete schedule and timeline of showings.

Photos from Wind, Water, Land, by John Beck, top: David Lindsay, center, Mike Kendall; below, from Jes and Lora, by Patrick Duncan

18 • Benicia Magazine

Waterfront

One of Benicia's lovely vistas from a downtown cul-de-sac: vintage boats and a shady picnic spot with the Carquinez Bridge beyond.

Photo by Jerry Bowles

BeniciaMagazine.com • 19

Continuing to Build Student Success

By Charles Young, BUSD Superintendent Throughout its long history, BUSD has experienced many successes and is recognized for its high-performing schools, award-winning programs and forwardthinking approach. A strong sense of pride runs deep in this community reflecting its commitment to providing the very best for its students. I feel this as I talk with parents, students, staff, trustees and community members.

Effective school districts need strong leadership and it is clear that Superintendent Janice Adams and the School Board worked closely in their efforts to provide an outstanding educational system. These efforts reflect the community’s belief in the importance of keeping students at the center of all decisions and daily operations.

Strong partnerships among students, parents, staff and city agencies have been cultivated, providing the foundation from which we will continue to build success toward the achievement of our goals.

When I think of the priorities for this school year, a few areas come to mind.

First, passage of Measure S was a powerful statement from the community reflecting the commitment to provide facilities that our students deserve. Effective bond management is key to high quality work and timely completion of projects. We are currently engaged in important work in the four areas of the bond categories, including: • Modernization and technology upgrades • Health, safety, and security improvements • Infrastructure improvements • Student support facilities

This is an exciting time in BUSD; these are necessary improvements and we can be confident they will all have a lasting, positive impact for students, staff and the community. Ongoing updates will be made available on our District website, including my own Twitter updates @BUSDsup.

On the teaching and learning side of the house, it is important to note that we are living in one of the most exciting times in human history, filled with innovation, opportunity and complexities that are new to the human experience. Our jobs as educators have many components, perhaps most importantly, to prepare our students for lifestyles and livelihoods that not only do not yet exist, but which we have yet to imagine.

In the September, 2014 edition of this magazine, author Adriene Rockwell discussed the Common Core State Standards. Full implementation of these new standards, including deep reflection on effective instructional practices, lesson design and innovative uses of technology is a priority and will drive our work for years to come.

While we prepare our students for these exciting new frontiers, it is vital that we do so in a manner that promotes safe and welcoming school environments.

Each student must feel valued, welcomed, challenged and supported every day.

An additional priority includes the successful implementation of the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP), required by all school districts in California.

The plan contains goals, actions and metrics covering three broad areas: • Conditions for learning • Pupil outcomes • Student engagement While broad in its scope, the LCAP does not contain all of the elements often reflected in a district strategic plan. The process for refreshing our current strategic plan may be considered during the course of this year.

As I learn more about the District, working closely with the board, students, staff and the community, other priorities will undoubtedly emerge. I look forward to sharing these developments with the community and partnering with you in this important effort.

Photo by Malcolm Slight

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BeniciaMagazine.com • 21

It won the Audience Award for best short documentary at the Austin Film Festival.

Then we did “Drag King.” It was shot in Lake County where they drag boats around without wheels, trying to crash into each other. From there, we did “Worst in Show” about the Ugliest Dog Contest in Petaluma.

These were all done on a micro budget.

What’s the difference between telling a story in print and on video?

Interview with

John Beck

By Sue Sumner-Moore Photo by Patty Hayes John Beck likes to tell stories.

Real-life stories about women who pick wine grapes in the middle of the night, or the Elvis impersonator who had plastic surgery to look more like The King. Interviews with musicians like Lyle Lovett or Esperanza Spalding. More poignant pieces that look at the lives of children whose parents are in prison.

A “wannabe novelist” in grad school, John became a print journalist when he moved to California. He branched out to short videos while at The Press Democrat in Santa Rosa. He now makes documentaries along with writing for newspapers and magazines.

His 20-minute documentary, “Wind, Water, Land,” will be shown this month at the Benicia Film Festival. The film is about the city’s first sustainable piece of public art, which has the same name as the film. The mixed-media artwork is displayed at the Community Center.

John, 44, spent more than a year on the project, periodically recording six Benicia artists at work and in conversation. “I have about 50 hours of video for those 20 minutes,” he says with a wry smile.

John collaborated with Petaluma film maker Don R. Lewis on documentaries before undertaking solo work. In addition to “Wind, Water, Land,” his completed solo projects include two films about distinct aspects of winemaking and a 30-minute video about restorative justice.

A Benicia resident since 2007, John’s enthusiastic nature is evident as he tells stories about making documentaries, his love of soccer and his family. He and his wife, Patty Hayes, have two preschoolers.

How did you get started in films?

I was a film minor in undergrad, but I really started working with video right at the beginning of You Tube. I used to do a weekend series, “60-Second Weekend,” for The Press Democrat. … I one time rode backwards on a motorcycle filming Lyle Lovett, and another time we did a Big Wheel race down Lombard Street in San Francisco.

Then I worked with Don Lewis from Petaluma on “Stringers.”

It’s about these guys with police scanners and video cameras who would hear something and sometimes reach a scene before the police. One was a Vietnam vet, one guy was in a wheelchair.

22 • Benicia Magazine Interview

I grapple with that all the time. In film, you have to get over lots of hurdles. You have to get people used to the camera being there—you want them to forget it’s there and just talk.

But you’re still trying to tell a story in the best way you can. There’s a reason UC Berkeley and Stanford have their documentary film programs in their journalism departments—you learn to tell the story.

How do you make people at ease on camera?

I shoot with DSL cameras (showing a small camera). The women in “Harvest” said they never felt uncomfortable.

With the monks—that was a tricky dynamic to get them to open up and agree to be in a film.

I’m very into them being as natural as possible. If you spend a lot of time with them, they forget there’s a camera around.

Does reality TV affect you when you’re making a documentary?

Reality TV has screwed up documentary film making.

There was a film maker who wanted to audition kids for a reality TV show about kids with fathers in jail. Audition—that’s not a word in the documentary lexicography.

Whatever the hot topic is, reality shows start coming around. Right now it’s mass incarceration. There are stories about it everywhere, and Obama just visited a prison in Oklahoma. So there’s interest in this, and I’m already working on a film for Project Avary about the cycle of incarceration. You call someone for an interview, and people think you are part of reality TV and they think you’re going to be out to get them. I think they’re expecting you to set things up.

I don’t put people in a situation. I try to be as much a fly on the wall as possible.

What projects are you working on now?

The Project Avary film (in Marin County)—I’m following the kids of prisoners.

Two have been in juvie, so they are already in the pipeline. Not having a father present

has a huge impact on their lives. That one should be done next year.

I’m also working on a documentary for Wine Road, a group of about 180 wineries in Dry Creek, Russian River and Alexander valleys. I’m documenting how wine marketing has changed over the past 40 years. That will be done next spring.

I’m also working on a long-term project about the artist Julius Hatofsky. He made enormous paintings. At one time, a New York Times art critic called him one of the greatest painters of the 20th century. He told his wife to burn all these things when he died. Instead, his widow, Linda, is trying to find homes for them. I want to tell a little bit about him, but I really want to tell the story of a widow who is left with this treasure trove of paintings and has to figure out what to do with them.

What have you learned since becoming a filmmaker?

I’ve learned a lot of technical stuff, and all the tech has become so accessible.

I’ve also learned that it requires a lot of patience. The logging takes so much time. I’m meticulous about logging clips by category. I have everything compartmentalized so I can drop it into the story, capturing just the pieces I want.

I’d never spent more than a few weeks on a story for print. “Harvest” had a defined time period: from the time harvest began until it ended. But it was a much longer process for Wind, Water, Land, and for the Hatofsky project.

How did the filming process work for Wind, Water, Land?

Brian (Giambastiani, lead artist) would call and say, “Hey, I’m cutting metal tomorrow,” and I’d go over and shoot. … For this project, the collaboration between the artists was impressive.

But it was tough to get them to talk about their art. Artists in general are not that interested in sitting down and talking about art.

To be around artists is so invigorating to me. My favorite thing about doing this is meeting people and learning things. I followed them over the course of more than a year. There’s movement to the work they do. It’s like dancing.

Do you have any advice for aspiring filmmakers?

Story first. You don’t get into this just to make a film. You get into this to tell a story.

What would you be doing if you weren’t doing this?

I’d be writing that novel (laughs heartily).

I would love to coach soccer.

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BeniciaMagazine.com • 23

TRE N D S

Six Project Runway Designers Featured at Benicia Fashion Weekend PROJECT RUNWAY DESIGNERS PARTICIPATING IN FASHION WEEKEND Richard Hallmarq Sacramento, Season 11

This is Hallmarq’s fourth time participating in Benicia Fashion Runway. He opened his own retail studio in downtown Sacramento and his collection can be found at Benicia’s Christina S.

Emily Payne San Francisco, Season 13

Payne has her own label, Leathertongue, and also designs children's clothing. She showed her collection last year in Benicia while still a contestant on Project Runway.

Melissa Fleis Los Angeles, Season 10 and All Stars Season 3

Fleis designs for the contemporary woman, recently focusing on handmade garments and accessories while building her brand through shows, gallery events and workshops.

Stanley Hudson Los Angeles, Season 11

Hudson has a formidable resume in costume design, with his work in films such as The Legend of Zorro; Yours, Mine and Ours; Gospel Hill; Public Enemies and Lemonade Mafia.

Bert Keeter Los Angeles, Season 9

Keeter has made his mark with a minimalist approach to design. He has worked with the who's who of fashion designers including Halston, Holly Harp, Arnold Scaasi and Bill Blass.

Ari South Honolulu, Season 8 and All Stars Season 3

Since becoming a top-three finalist on Season 8, South has been designing for Neiman Marcus and opened her own store in Honolulu. After completing her transition from Andy South to Ari South, she returned to compete on last season's show.

Photo by Tanya Kopper

24 • Benicia Magazine Trends

By Christina Strawbridge What happens after you appear on a reality TV show where millions watch weekly and your work is critiqued in front of the world? After the competition is over, people recognize you on the street and bloggers continue to post their opinions not only of your work, but about you, too.

Project Runway, Lifetime's reality fashion show, is now in its 14th year of challenging up-and coming designers, who create while the camera captures the tears, tantrums and jubilation of a win or a loss. Producers and hosts Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn return this season, and are joined by judges Zac Posen and Nina Garcia, along with celebrity and guest judges from film, music and other reality shows.

This month, Benicia Fashion Runway Weekend will welcome six designers who have participated in Project Runway during the past thirteen years. Two of the designers also competed in the spin-off, Project Runway All Stars Season 3. Each designer will be presenting their latest collections on the runway Saturday night, September 26, and will share their stories at a meet and greet at the Rellik Tavern Friday, September 25.

Working with these talents, I have found that appearing on Project Runway can open some doors and offer notoriety, but does not always prepare a designer for the harsh reality of the business of fashion. The filming for the show takes about 35 days and it’s broadcast for three months. Contestants have to leave their jobs or businesses in order to move to New York and compete; if they win, they go home with a huge check, endorsements and a new car, but no promise of success. Those who don't win are faced with the same realities (minus the loot) of working hard to becoming successful. It’s one thing to make a dress out of a garbage bag (a show challenge) but creating for real women is the reality of the business. Famed designer Calvin Klein is quoted as saying, "To have success and to really make it, you need staying power. It's not an accident. Those designers who are successful work at it all the time, they never stop."

The 7th Annual Benicia Fashion Runway Weekend, September 25-26, benefits Soroptimist International of Benicia’s efforts to build a women's shelter here in town. A raffle will be held during the weekend, featuring items donated from the designer collections and Christina S.

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BeniciaMagazine.com • 25

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26 • Benicia Magazine

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BeniciaMagazine.com • 27

September 2015 Fragments: the Art of Collage and Assemblage

7/29-9/9 Arts Benicia Gallery, 991 Tyler Street, #114, Benicia This exhibition celebrates the artistic achievements of 95 inspiring artists, and represents diverse approaches, and responses, to the innovations of collage and assemblage. Artsbenicia.org, 707.747.0131

Benicia Film Festival

9/4-9/6, all day Various Benicia locations Sponsored by the Benicia Arts and Culture Commission. Films will be shown on Friday evening, September 4; all day Saturday, September 5; and Sunday afternoon, September 6. The films will vary in genre and come from the United States and several other countries. Beniciafilmfestival.com, 707.746.4343

Sausalito Art Festival 9/5-9/7 Downtown Sausalito Sausalito’s yearly art festival has been showcasing stars from the contemporary art world since 1952. Browse fine art and crafts along the beautiful Bay Shore. Sausalitoartfestival.org, 415.332.3555

and ask the viewer to pause and notice what might otherwise go unseen as one walks past: to see the beauty in the mundane; the humor in the ordinary; the contrast of nature against the man-made.

Benicialibrary.org, 707.746.4343

Danville Art California as We See It and Antique Faire, 9/5-10/5, all day Recption 9/19, 3:30-5:30 Relics on Railroad Marilyn Citron O’Rourke Gallery at the Benicia Library This photography exhibit brings together photos by six East Bay artists collectively known as The Lightcatchers. The images explore people and places of California 28 • Benicia Magazine Calendar

9/7, 9am-3pm Prospect and Railroad Ave, Danville Discover timeless treasures from local antique dealers and artists.

Grab a bite at downtown eateries; enjoy live music, entertainment,

and fun for the kids while strolling through the streets of downtown.

Discoverdanvilleca.com, 925.837.2664

National Heirloom Exposition

9/8-9/10 Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Santa Rosa The fifth annual National Heirloom Exposition features more than 100 speakers and 300 food, farm and garden-related vendors. Join homesteaders, seed collectors and natural food enthusiasts as they come together to share best practices, favorite seeds, listen to world-renowned

speakers and enjoy great music.

Also known as The World's Pure Food Fair, speaker topics include GMO issues, pure-food, gardening, farming, heritage poultry/livestock, and more. Theheirloomexpo.com, 707.773.1336

SF Fringe Festival

9/11-9/26 Exit Theater and other downtown San Francisco locations This annual theater festival is a marathon of 40-plus shows with low price tickets and a wide variety of alternatives: classical, comedy, cabaret and new theater open to all performers on a non-curated basis. Sffringe.org, 415.931.1094

Events Benicia Art Walk

9/12, 12-6pm Downtown Benicia This monthly, community-driven, family-friendly event features resident and local guest artists in a variety of venues. This month’s walk features Arsenal artists.

Look for blue Art Walk banners or download map at beniciaartwalk. org. 707.747.0131.

42nd Annual Fine Arts & Crafts Fair

9/19, 10am-4pm First Street beginning at G Street, Benicia An extensive selection of artisans and crafters will display an array high-quality, handmade items.

707.745.2120

Coastal Cleanup Day

Sebastopol Cajun Zydeco Festival

9/12, 11:30am-7:00pm Ives Park, 7400 Willow Street, Sebastopol The best of New Orleans and dancing under the redwoods with Lil' Buck Sinegal, Curly Taylor and Zydeco Trouble, Jimmy Breaux, and Mark St. Mary and his Louisiana Blues and Zydeco Band. Savor Cajun cuisine, wine, beer, margaritas, and hurricanes!

Sonomacounty.com/sonomaevents/sebastopol-cajun-zydecofestival. 707.823.3631

9/19, all day Benicia beaches Take part in California’s largest volunteer event by joining other Benicians at local beaches. In 2014, nearly 67,000 volunteers participated statewide to remove over a million pounds of trash.

For info on what to bring, visit co.solano.ca.us/depts/rm/ planning/garbage_and_recycling/ coastal_cleanup_day.asp.

Arts Benicia Annual Art Auction and Gala

9/19, 6:30-10:30pm Arts Benicia Gallery, 991 Tyler Street #114, Benicia Each year, art lovers and collectors from around the Bay Area flock to one of Benicia’s most exciting and entertaining events. This year’s theme is The 60s Experience: Mad Men to Magical Mystery Tour. Festivities include hors d’oeuvres, Michael Van Auken’s fabulous photo corner, live and silent auctions, music by DJ Skate, dancing and dessert. This year, Arts Benicia will be adding an online preview of donated art two weeks before the auction.

Artsbenicia.org, 707.747.0131.

Vallejo Symphony Performance: Wild and Serene

9/20, 3pm Hogan High Auditorium, Vallejo Thomas Heuser conducting; Inna Faliks, piano. Smetana, Vltava (The Moldau) from Má Vlast; Rachmaninoff, Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor; Dvorak, Symphony No. 9 in E Minor, "New World."

designers and local luminaries.

A portion of the proceeds benefit Soroptimist International of Benicia’s efforts to build a local women’s shelter. Tickets available at christinasbenicia.com.

707.745.5125

Oktoberfest

9/25-9/27 Pier 48, San Francisco Celebrating in the true tradition of Munich's famed festival, Oktoberfest by the Bay will include nonstop music, singing, dancing and the very best in German food and drink. Headliners are the world renowned, 21-piece Chico Bavarian Band!

Oktoberfestbythebay.com

Wine Walk

9/26, 1-5pm Downtown First Street, Benicia Stroll First Street and taste over a dozen local wines being poured in downtown shops. Beniciamainstreet.org, 707.745.9791.

Photo by Jerry Bowles Find more events at beniciamagazine.com

Benicia’s Fashion Autumn Moon Festival Runway Weekend 9/19, 9/20 Grant Avenue between California and Pacific Streets, San Francisco This event features multicultural entertainment, traditional lion and dragon dances, arts and crafts, lantern village, moon cakes and children's activities. Moonfestival. org, 415.982.6306

9/26-9/27, all day Downtown First Street, Benicia This year’s fabulous fashion event features six Project Runway designers. Meet the designers on Friday and see the Grand Finale Runway Show and in-store trunk shows on Saturday. Rub elbows with TV star

BeniciaMagazine.com • 29

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