Benicia Magazine November 2013

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Celebrating our 9th Year

Benicia Editor Jeanne Steinmann

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Graphic Design Margaret Bowles

Web Specialist Yarrow Sweningsen

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Special Projects Advertising Coordinator magazine Joey Baker Contributors Bob Ecker Beth Steinmann Christina Strawbridge Sue Sumner-Moore

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Contact Us 707.853.8159, Beniciamagazine.com editor@beniciamagazine.com Administration Office Manager Risë Goebel Copy Editor/proofreader Beth Steinmann Benicia Magazine is published monthly by Polygon Publishing, LLC. Copyright © 2013, 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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Benicia Magazine NOVEMBER VOLUME 9 ISSUE 1

16

18

Features

14 Pomegranates: more than just a pretty fruit 16

Changes, passes and resort expansions for the upcoming Tahoe ski season

24 Thrill seekers find the ultimate rush in skydiving

Departments 10 From the Editor

20 Downtown Map

12

22 Arsenal Map

26 Fashionista

30 Calendar of Events

18

Currents Three performing arts options to kick off the holidays Food—Travel—Spirits Beaujolais, Much More than Nouveau

Elegant designer evening gown, made of paper, to benefit Benicia State Parks

28 Interview

Economic Development Manager Mario Giuliani

Cover photo by Jerry Bowles 8 • Benicia Magazine

MC2 Invitational Pro-Am

FUNDRAISER

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Benefits Local Charities

Photos by Malcolm Slight

Monday, September 23 at the PGA & LPGA MC2 Pro-Am at Green Valley Country Club, First Assistant Chandler Helmholz from Benicia was able to hold off a strong field of Northern California PGA Pros to capture his first place check of $3,500. Chandler was part of a two-day event that raised over $10,000 to get The First Tee started in Solano County. Three other charities benefited: Humane Society of the North Bay, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Fairfield's Jimmy Doolittle Air & Space Museum.

With virtual scoring in place, each player could see how other players were doing at the same time on their smart phones. There were 55” monitors in the Green Valley mansion showing player scores & team scoring hole by hole at the same time. Staff and players who had finished were glued to the monitors watching Chandler finish with a 71. Player Steve Snyder of Indian Valley Golf Club had to finish with a birdie to tie him or beat him. Chandler held off well-known names, his boss Mark Sherman of Green Valley Country Club, Charlie Gibson, Steve Snyder and others. We are very proud of Chandler, a graduate of Benicia High School.

MC2 Prom-Am would like to thank the local businesses, families and gracious sponsors that made the fundraiser a huge success.

Act Training Armstrong Family Be Chic Boutique Benicia Magazine Bink Wines California Glass Chamberlin Family Chevron Christina S Fashion Destination Corporate Vintage Elan Medical Featherer Pet, Inc. Gateway Insurance Griffin Fitness Impact Hair Salon J & O’s Market Deli Jelly Belly Keplers Golf Repair

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A huge thanks to Michael Trahan Interior Design BeniciaMagazine.com • 9

Photo courtesy visitseattle.org

From the Editor November 2013 Photo by Malcolm Slight

From the 35th floor, the view out my window is spectacular. I’m overlooking downtown Seattle, where the weather is sunny and temps are in the high sixties, which, in this normally wet climate, is making residents and tourists almost giddy. It’s my first time here; I’ve managed to hopscotch over it in previous visits to the Pacific Northwest.

Photos don’t adequately capture the city’s natural beauty. Historic brick buildings and treelined streets, juxtaposed against skyscrapers and the Puget Sound, is breathtaking.

Weekend getaways provide an opportunity to gain fresh insights and perspective. This fall, Mike and I have traveled to Denver, Santa Barbara, Squaw Valley and Seattle, with an upcoming trip planned for Las Vegas. Sometimes we travel for Mike’s work, as he attends meetings around the country, sometimes to visit family or friends and sometimes just for ourselves.

Getting away renews my sense of gratitude and appreciation for Benicia. As a long-time resident who lives and works in town, travel offers a respite from the sameness of existence—a treat for the senses. It’s fun to experience the unique vibe of a new place; and incorporate what you learn into daily life. Seattle, like many West Coast cities, is perfecting the concept of “live, work, play.” Like Portland, there’s a heavy focus on sustainability in all things—a livable environment with much to offer. Pike Place Market alone is worth a trip. A rabbit warren of food, restaurant and retail spaces in a long building overlooking the waterfront, displays stall after stall of farm-fresh produce, fish right off the boat, meats from locally raised, grass-fed animals, an incredible flower market, locally harvested honey, dried fruit and nuts, artisans and crafters, musicians and more are all jostling for space in the lively indoor/outdoor marketplace.

I indulge myself in a daydream about living in such a bustling, vibrant environment, where every direction affords a beautiful view, perhaps in a sleek condo on a street that still retains a bit of its urban grittiness. From that grittiness comes inspiration—in art, architecture, literature and style— that combusts into an effusion of creativity and fresh ideas.

But the flight home reminds me that I already live in one of the most beautiful areas on the planet, with many of the same attributes. Flying over the Wine Country and then the Bay, looking out the window at the Golden Gate, brings me back to a sweet reality. We are right in the middle of it all. And while Benicia lacks the pulse and excitement of a major city, here’s what it does offer: its own scenic beauty, the waterfront, acres and acres of parks, great schools and a welcoming sense of community. Oh, and the Civil War and gold rush are part of our story, AND, it must be one of the safest communities in America. So I’m glad to be back, for these reasons and one more, which I cannot hammer hard enough: We have our own amazing downtown. Come experience its offerings and immerse yourself in its own unique vibe.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Jeanne Steinmann

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voena.org BeniciaMagazine.com • 11

CURRENTS

By Beth Steinmann

Celebrate the Season with Benicia’s Performing Arts Organizations

Benicia Ballet Theatre presents The Nutcracker This season, Benicia Ballet’s The Nutcracker returns for its 23rd year, and children across town will have visions of sugar plum fairies dancing in their heads. I joined Benicia Ballet at age 4, and made my on-stage debut as a gingerbread cookie at age 6. I still remember the dance steps, twenty-five years later. Songs from this enduring ballet are part of our cultural holiday repertoire, and little girls debate about whether they’d rather be Clara or the Sugar Plum Fairy. Benicia Ballet’s performance is world-class, and will take place at Solano College’s state-of-the-art theater, accompanied by a full orchestra. Bring the whole family along to bask in the magic. Tickets range from $15-$22 and can be purchased at brownpapertickets.com. For more info, visit benicia-ballet.org or call 707.746.6757.

November 30 & December 14, 2pm and 7pm December 1 & 15, 2pm Open Dress Rehearsal November 29, 10:30am ($10) Solano College Theater, 4000 Suisun Valley Rd., Fairfield

VOENA unveils holiday season with local concerts VOENA choir singers, photos by Stuart Toomey

12 • Benicia Magazine Currents

Benicia Ballet Theatre dancers photos by Peter Lichty It’s hard to keep up with this world-traveling children’s choir. Led by director Annabelle Marie, the group has sung in many places internationally, including at the 2012 London Summer Olympics and at the White House.

They have sung for celebrities, dignitaries and presidents—even at a 49ers game. Luckily, there are several performances right here in the Bay Area for the holidays. VOENA participants sing music from many countries, all in the native language, promoting peace through the exchange of culture.

Ticket prices vary, check voena.org for more info or call 707.751.1515.

Benicia Old Town Theatre Group winds down fall season Delighting audiences for 50 years, BOTTG is winding down their fall season with the final days of Neil Simon’s play, The Sunshine Boys.

Two crotchety old comedians, who have chosen not to speak to each other for 20 years, are given a lucrative opportunity to reunite for a CBS television special. It’s Neil Simon at his best with this rich comedy, featuring Jerry Motta, Mark Jordan, Allan Kew, Natasha Harris and Janet Duhe, with Ken Hein, Brian Hough and Dan Clark. Doors open an hour before curtain for mingling and a no-host bar. Tickets, $1825, can be purchased at the door, at beniciaoldtowntheatregroup.com and at the Benicia Chamber of Commerce.

November 1 & 8, 8pm November 2 & 9, 8pm November 3, 2pm 707.746.1269 BDES Hall 140 West J St, Benicia beniciatheatregroup@me.com BOTTG actors, The Sunshine Boys photo by Joe Messina

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By Beth Steinmann Photo by Jerry Bowles

Eating a pomegranate is like eating rubies mined from the sun. The Skittles ad man who ingeniously coined the tagline “taste the rainbow” probably had pomegranates on his mind. You’d think Willy Wonka dreamt pomegranates up, along with snozberries.

But this ancient vitamin storehouse, fertility symbol and subject of myth and legend is in a class of its own. The pomegranate originated in the Fertile Crescent, in modern day Iran, and made cameos in ancient Babylonian texts, The Homeric Hymns, The Book of Exodus and The Quran. It’s been found in royal Egyptian tombs and carved into Sumerian clay tablets. Baby Jesus appeared in an early 4th century mosaic holding a pomegranate.

In Greek myth, when Hades kidnapped Persephone and took her to the underworld, Zeus ordered that Hades send her back to her mother, Demeter, who had ceased compelling green things to grow. However, Hades had tricked her into eating six pomegranate seeds (always refuse offerings of food or drink in the Underworld), so the fates ruled that she had to return to Hades’ domain for six months each year.

Pomegranates were originally carried outward from the Fertile Crescent by ancient hands, into China and India along the Silk Road, across the Aegean Sea and into Greece and the Mediterranean, and through Egypt into North Africa. In each culture they became a revered symbol of 14 • Benicia Magazine

steeped in lore and bursting with nutrients fertility, abundance and wealth, each fruit a mysterious treasure trove of jewel-toned arils; and a food and medicine of equal import. Early Egyptian scrolls espoused its use for tapeworms; rind and bark were used in Auyrvedic Medicine to treat dysentery and intestinal parasites, and seeds and juice for tonifying the heart and building the blood. In the culinary arts, Grenadine (from the French word grenade, meaning pomegranate) was originally made from pomegranate juice, sugar and water, and has been an essential ingredient in Middle Eastern dishes for countless generations.

Today there are over 500 cultivars worldwide.

Beyond its utterly unique and captivating appearance and out-of-this-world flavor, why has the pomegranate garnered such indelible fame? Well, its arils contain a virtual pantheon of vitamins and minerals, including a range of B vitamins, vitamins C, E, K, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium and zinc, along with flavonoids and tannins with antioxidant properties. Preliminary lab studies show effectiveness reducing heart disease and high blood pressure, and possible antiviral activity. Numerous clinical studies are underway to test effectiveness inhibiting a slew of other diseases.

Pomegranates enjoy the California climate, and are in season here from September through February. They make a striking (and somewhat voluptuous) fall centerpiece. You can purchase the arils

alone at some grocery stores as a time-saver to toss into salads or eat by the handful, but eat them fast as their shelf life is short.

Extracting arils from their casing can be a messy and time-consuming chore, unless you know the trick to quickly and effectively cut one open. Follow the directions below or search “how to open a pomegranate” on youtube.com for video tutorials.

How to Open a Pomegranate 1. W ith a small, serrated knife, cut inwards around the crown of the pomegranate in a cone shape, then pull the crown out.

2.

Turn the fruit over and cut the bottom quarter inch of rind off. The white membrane will be exposed on top and bottom.

3. Now gently score the skin lengthwise along each ridge. There should be about six ridges.

4.

Wrapping both hands around the fruit, gently apply pressure to the core and pull each segment off.

5. You will end up with several individual segments that you can easily pull the arils out of.

6. Enjoy!

Once you perfect this method, you will be able to open a pomegranate without squishing a single aril. I haven’t mastered it yet, but licking red juice off your fingers is part of the fun!

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The Ski Resort world has closely mirrored the contemporary American corporate landscape with the “big boys” buying up smaller resorts through merges and acquisitions. Fortunately, this often ends up to be a win-win for snow loving consumers. If you have the time, money and inclination to ski a lot this winter—you are in luck.

Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood are now truly “epic.” First of all, these fine Lake Tahoe area-mountains are part of the Vail Resorts team, offering the Tahoe Local Pass at $459, which offers unlimited skiing or riding at the three resorts—including Saturdays (some blackout dates apply).

The excitement expands by purchasing the full Epic Pass at $709. This pass offers unlimited, unrestricted access to all Vail resorts properties in California, Utah (The Canyons), Colorado (Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge), and five days skiing at selected resorts in Switzerland, Austria and France, such as Verbier, Arlberg and Courchevel. Check out epicpass.com for all resorts and important details. There’s even a contest for the first person to ski at all 26 included resorts.

The Mountain Collective Pass is back and better than ever. This pass—currently selling for $379—is more for the uber ski traveler but absolutely a great deal if you want to experience some of the best resorts in North America. It includes two ski days at Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows and also two days each at Alta/ Snowbird (Snowbird is awesome), Aspen/ Snowmass, Jackson Hole, Mammoth and 16 • Benicia Magazine

Ski Tahoe

Passes and Collectives Abound

By Bob Ecker

Photos Left: Squaw Valley Groomer, by Hank deVre Top: View from Heavenly, by Ross Barrow Center: Squaw Valley Tram, by Nathan Kendall Bottom: Northstar, by Chris Bartkowski Right: View from Squaw Valley, by Keoki-Flagg

Whistler Blackcomb. It would be hard to imagine a more impressive group of resorts to visit in a season. Find details and deals at mountaincollective.com.

Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort has invested $4.5 million into a new (and needed) 9,000 sq. ft. plaza in front of the resort that should streamline and enhance the visitor experience. Sierra Resorts has also joined the Powder Alliance, which allows unlimited passholders free skiing at twelve Western Resorts, considered boutique “Gems” of the West. Among others, these include: Crested Butte, Snowbasin, Timberline, Schweitzer, Arizona Snowbowl, Mt. Hood Skibowl and Bridger Bowl. It’s a steal at $379 but some restrictions apply, so see sierraattahoe.com for full info. Additionally, Sierra unlimited passholders can receive free early and late season lift tickets at both Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows. “We are just happy when people are out enjoying the mountains,” said Steve Hemphill, PR Director at Sierra-at-Tahoe. This season, Sierra-at-Tahoe is also offering free “Gates with a Guide” tours on Fridays, and guided snowcat tours focused on improving backcountry skills.

Other Tahoe news: Sugar Bowl is opening the new Crow’s Peak Chair providing access to 150 acres of advanced/expert terrain in the hereto hike-to-terrain Strawberry Fields area. The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe (located mid-mountain at Northstar) has named Stanley Miller the new executive chef of its signature restaurant, Manzanita. (Don’t miss if you’re at Northstar.) Mt. Rose-Ski Tahoe has begun a big, $23.5 million expansion that will include almost 100 acres of additional terrain, expanded snowmaking, a couple of new chairlifts and a new restaurant. They’ve also partnered with various Reno casino properties to offer excellent stay-and-ski packages starting as low as $79.

Pass deals aren’t for everyone, but if you’re interested, it’s best to act fast. Some passes will be sold out and the prices seem to go up as the snow comes down.

BeniciaMagazine.com • 17

Beaujolais, Much More than Nouveau

By Bob Ecker

Happy Beaujolais Nouveau Day! That’s what people will Beaujolais Nouveau, Beaujolais, Beaujolais Supérier, Beaujolaissay on November 21, the designated third Thursday in November Village and Beaujolais Cru. Popular Crus include: Brouilly, Côte de when Beaujolais Nouveau is allowed to be first sold in France, and Brouilly, Chénas, Fleurie, St. Amour, Juliénas and Moulin-à-Vent. around the world. Yes, this extremely young, fresh, light French wine Reliable producers include: Michel Despres, Marcel Lapierre, Michel Tête, Georges Duboeuf, Bernard means “party,” but wait, there’s more to this Beaujolais than meets Metrat, Claude Desvignes, David the eye.

Duthel and Jean-Marc Laforest.

The Beaujolais region of France is approximately thirty miles Higher tiered Beaujolais wines long and 8 miles wide, running south of Burgundy to just north can be quite good—often rich, full of the city of Lyon. The region is nearly bodied, and complex, and offer completely planted with the Gamay grape, excellent value. usually resulting in medium to light red wine.

La Folie Locally, various French restaurants There are a number of fine Beaujolais wines, 2316 Polk Street and wine shops will be celebrating however the Beaujolais Nouveau craze began San Francisco Beaujolais Nouveau Day with as a marketing ploy. In the 1970’s, French (415) 776-5577 special menus, music and of course, wine merchant Georges Duboeuf began the lafolie.com many wines. Roland Passot, Chef/ buzz about Nouveau by creating a race to Owner of San Francisco’s premier send this fresh wine to market—it helped get Left Bank restaurants La Folie restaurant and Left Bank cheap wine sold, fast. Officially, trucks can Larkspur, Menlo Park and San Jose Restaurant Group said, “Beaujolais Nouveau roll this fresh wine to market beginning at leftbank.com is a fun wine about getting in the mood, and 12:01am on the third Thursday in November. pairing with pâté or cheese, but in no way The trend really took off in the following should be compared to a Cru Beaujolais.”

Arlequin Wine Merchant decades and now over 65 million bottles of Passot, who grew up in the Beaujolais region, 384 Hayes Street (at Gough) Beaujolais Nouveau are sold and consumed suggests a hearty Boeuf Bourguignon or Coq San Francisco worldwide. Produced by a quick fermentation au Vin to accompany your wine. In Napa (415) 863-1104 process, which highlights the aromatics and Valley, Yountville’s Bouchon Bistro and Bistro arlequinwinemerchant.com fruitiness and virtually eliminates tannins in Jeanty will both be celebrating Beaujolais the wine, the result is a young, fruity, simple Nouveau Day, offering various French quaffing wine—the French sometimes refer Bouchon Bistro culinary delights with wine specials. For a to these wines as “gouleyant,” meaning “very 6534 Washington Street closer examination of the wine region, San drinkable.” Nouveau wines should be served Yountville Francisco’s Arlequin Wine Merchant in Hayes slightly chilled (about 50 degrees), and of (707) 844-8037 Valley is hosting “Beaujolais Bash” on the 21st, course, fresh. Today these wines are shipped bouchonbistro.com/yountville featuring more than 30 Beaujolais wines. It’s all over the world to be opened at 12:01 or later the place to really sample the best of the on said third Thursday and it has become an Bistro Jeanty Gamay grape from its home region including international party. Oddly, Beaujolais has 6510 Washington Street all ten Crus. Cost is $35 per person. become a victim of its own success, since Yountville So go this November 21st and seek out a the words “Beaujolais” and “Nouveau” are (707) 944-0101 place celebrating Beaujolais Nouveau Day somewhat synonymous, and do not represent bistrojeanty.com with fellow enthusiasts. It will be a fun and many higher quality Beaujolais wines. friendly intro into these intriguing wines.

Beaujolais produces five wine varieties: 18 • Benicia Magazine

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FIRST STREET BENICIA

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A. Judith Judson, 310 Military West WE ST B. S. Thompson, Farmers Ins., 310 Military West, Ste. D JS T. C. Julie Parsons Certified Massage, 310 Military West, Ste. A 2 1. Tosch Dental, 118 West K Street EA ST JS 3 2. Estey Real Estate, 935 First Street WE T. ST 4 3. Adobe 2nd Chance Thrift Store, 929 First Street IS T. 4. Nine O Seven Grill, 907 First Street 26 EA 5. RPM Mortgage, 376 First St. ST IS 28 W 6. Camellia Tea Room, 828 First Street T. ES T 6 H 7. Bookshop Benicia, 636 First Street ST .

8. State Farm Insurance, 560 First St., Ste. C103 EA Be 9. Spotless Carpet Cleaning, 800 First Street, Ste. A ST Ca nicia 9 H W p ST 10. Studio 41, 700 First Street ES itol .

TG 11. Sandoval’s, 640 First Street ST 24 .

10 12. Fiber-Frolics, 637 First Street 12 Ch am C E AS 29 om be 14. Lindsay Art Glass, 109 East F Street m ro 11 T G S WE erce f 15 15. Advanced Mortgage SVF, 615 First Street T. ST 7 F S 16 16. Urban Notions, 611 First Street T. 14 17. Reconnective Healing, 555 First Street EA 17 18. Charlie’s Attic, Tannery Bldg, 129 First Street ST FS 30 WE T. 8 19. Dudikoff Insurance, 159 East D Street ST E ST 20. Rookies Sports Bar & Grill, 321 First Street .

21. Christina S Fashion Destination, 370 First Street EA ST 22. Sailor Jacks Restaurant, 123 First Street ES T. 23. Benicia Main Street, 90 First Street 24. Dr. Tom Campbell, 164 East H Street 26. Kryss's Pathways to Healing, 841 First Street WE 20 ST 5 EAST 27. Vanite' Couture, 374 First Street CS DS 19 T. 27 T. 28. Birnbaum Realty, 833 First Street 21 29. Gallery 621, 621 First Street 30. Benicia Run House, 523 First Street

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Farmers Insurance Group

Fiber-Frolics

Samuel L. Thompson, Agency CA Lic. # 0502825 310 Military West, Ste D, Benicia

Specialty Yarns and Classes Giovanna Sensi-Isolani, fiber artist

Office 707.853.5800 E-Fax 888.501.7219

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

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We've Moved!

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

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All natural skin care products

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Facials K Reiki K Waxing

Kristen Cote, Licensed Esthetician & Reiki Master 841 First Street 707.225.2199Kkrysspathwaystohealing.org

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Benicia Golf Association BeniciaGolf.org

To find out more call Dale Thorne, 707.745.4852

Set your clocks back one hour November 3, by 2am

BeniciaMagazine.com • 21

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A. Buck Factory Outlet, 4680 E. 2nd Street B. Affordable Quality Cabinets, 4852 E. 2nd Street C. Benicia Historical Museum, 2060 Camel Road D. Capitol Glass Co., Inc. 5000 E. 2nd St. Ste. H E. Arts Benicia, 991 Tyler St., #114 1. Rosie's Cafe, 3001 Bayshore Road 2. Fat Shafts Archery, 3001 Bayshore Road #9 3. Gizzi & Reep, 940 Adams Street, Ste. A 4. Avanti Photography, 932 Grant Street 5. MC2Golf, 960 Grant Street, Ste. A 6. IronHorse Home Furnishings, 990 Grant Street 7. Judy Kendall Upholstery, 991 Tyler St., #122 8. 851 Music Studio, 1043 Grant Street 9. Avalon RV, 510 East Channel Road 10. Parviz Hypnotherapy, 940 Adams Street, Ste. P

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FREE FALLING over the Wine Country

By Beth Steinmann For those of you who are serious thrill seekers, jumping out of an airplane is probably at the top of your bucket list, and you’ve probably just been waiting for the perfect excuse to make it happen. Well, two locals recently got to check skydiving off their list, and you can too—in the heart of the wine country, just 1.5 hours north. NorCal Skydiving is in Cloverdale, nestled in next to the Russian River and Lake Sonoma. You can make it a day trip or stay the night to re-adjust to gravity and take in some wine tasting. Benician Neil Baker says, “The ride up was full of blue skies, beautiful views and loads of anticipation.

When we reached altitude the engine slowed, the door opened, the plane pitched and we fell into a 130-mile per hour free fall. The wine country never looked so good. When we hit the ground, my first thought was “again please.” Marene Babula reported that the terror did indeed pass, and it was the thrill of a lifetime. “I can’t wait to go again.”

All beginner divers jump tandem with a licensed instructor, so the pressure to perform important tasks such as, say, opening the parachute, is off and you can enjoy the ride and the view.

If your heart is now thumping loudly in your chest (in a good way), visit norcalskydiving.com to make your appointment.

And be sure to invest a little extra for a video so we landlubbers can live vicariously from the safety of our armchairs.

Free Falling over th

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

BeniciaMagazine.com • 25

By Christina Strawbridge Right: Naima Mora wearing a donated paper dress, Photo by Tanja Kopper My first exposure to fashion and design were paper dolls and their extravagant paper wardrobes. Paper dolls have been inexpensive children's toys for almost two hundred years. As I recall, the dolls came in a booklet that cost around 39 cents and had themes for a range of clothes using glamorous movie stars and other notables such as Jacqueline Kennedy. The doll was easy to get off the page with its perforated outline. The outfits were a different story since they had to be cut out meticulously. I graduated from the round tip scissors to the pointed style by the age of five, allowing me to punch holes in the center of a space to cut around a posed arm or leg. Each ensemble included shoes, accessories and sometimes a hat, which had to be cut separately and fastened with little tabs.

The paper dolls that influenced my passion for fashion are now collector's items. Paper dolls are still being created today and continue to feature popular characters and celebrities.

By 1959, I had packed up my paper dolls and replaced them with Barbie. There was no need to worry about accurate cutting or wearing out the tabs with Barbie and her nonstop fashion wardrobe. Barbie was eventually memorialized as a paper doll.

Paper continued to make its mark in fashion in the mid 1960's when the Scott Paper Company mass-produced paper dresses as a marketing stunt. Customers could send in a coupon and $1.25 to receive a dress made of "Dura-Weave," a cellulose material patented in 1958. A half million "Paper Caper" dresses sporting a red bandanna print or a black and white op art pattern were produced, starting a fashion craze. By 1967, paper dresses were being sold in major department stores for about $8 apiece, and paper clothing boutiques were set up by large department stores.

The fashion press speculated that paper would take over the entire clothing market since the trend captured the mod 60's youth movement. But by 1968 the novelty wore off, as it was recognized 26 • Benicia Magazine Fashionista

that the paper clothing was uncomfortable to wear, not very flattering, and flammable.

In 2013, paper continues to inspire artists and designers with the surprise factor that "it's paper!" Lady Gaga recently debuted her new single on Good Morning America, wearing a sexy white dress made of paper. Recently, Penny Stell of Papyrus/Schurman Fine Papers offered to donate a one-of-a-kind paper evening gown to Benicia Fashion Runway Weekend. The day of the show, the dress arrived and it literally took my breath away. It is a work of art with a fitted lace-up back corset with small circles of paper creating a scaled effect, fringed gold paper feathers surrounding the bodice, and draped tulle that cascades into a train. The colors are soft golds, peach and pinks. Each paper feather is cut and assembled by hand before it is adhered to the gown. All papers were courtesy of Schurman Fine Papers, and the fabrics and trims, from San Francisco’s Britex Fabrics.

Naima Mora (America’s Next Top Model, Cycle 4) wore the gown to open the runway show. It was announced afterwards that the company named the dress “the Naima,” which is being raffled for $25 per ticket. All proceeds benefit the Benicia State Parks Association. The drawing will take place on Saturday, December 7, 2013. For raffle tickets, call 707.745.5125.

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BeniciaMagazine.com • 27

How do personal relations help you do this job?

Early on, I was able to do my job because I knew people in the community. I had a breadth of experience in Benicia, and I was able to engage in conversations because of that.

The law degree helped—it added a level of credibility when people would say, “Hey, don’t you work in the Parks Department?”

I would explain that I also have a law degree and other experience.

I have the ability to listen to people and say, “What’s the issue with the permit?”

You know, people don’t come to City Hall to get a permit. They come to open a business in a fast and effective way. I help them with that. I believe in saying, “Yes, if…” instead of “No, because…” That helps you get where you want to be.

Interview with

Mario Giuliani

By Sue Sumner-Moore Photo by Malcolm Slight Mario Giuliani works in a world of master plans, action items and programs identified primarily by their initials. But Benicia’s economic development manager focuses on what his job is really about: Establishing connections with people on an individual level.

“It’s all about personal relations. My job is to interact with business owners and community members to facilitate a desired outcome,” he says.

The specific outcome varies depending on the circumstances, but his overall goal is to help businesses thrive in our community.

When he sat down with Benicia Magazine in early October, Mario was spending most of his time on four projects: • Downtown: providing support for downtown businesses.

• Electronic billboards: working on leases for three electronic billboards on Interstate 680 that will begin operation next year.

Broadband for Benicia Industrial Park: Preparing to review proposals that are due • Nov. 14. The City Council has committed $750,000 to improve network capability in the Industrial Park.

• Program to reduce energy costs and greenhouse gases for Industrial Park firms: implementing a city program that provides grants and loans to help companies make energy-saving changes.

In addition, he helps businesses navigate the permit process, meets with property owners to help fill vacancies throughout town, and finds funding for improvements to help businesses and the overall city. Also, the Office of Economic Development launched a new website on Oct. 1, beniciabusiness. com, that provides detailed information about Benicia for prospective and current businesses.

Mario, 35, started working for the city in 1994 as a lifeguard. He served on the school board from 2001-2005, while earning a law degree from UC Davis. He worked briefly for the Vacaville Police Department before joining Benicia’s Parks and Community Services Department in 2006. Mario began the transition to Economic Development in late 2010 and became the economic development manager in 2012. He first moved to Benicia when his father, Otto Giuliani, became the city’s police chief. A newlywed, Mario and his wife live downtown.

28 • Benicia Magazine Interview

Is there such a thing as a typical day for you?

Not really. I’m spending a lot of time now on the Business Resource Incentive Program. The city is providing grants and loans, using Good Neighbor money, to help businesses cut their energy costs and greenhouse gases. It’s a model program, and it’s won awards from the state and the International Economic Development Council.

I don’t work alone on this. Alex, who’s on the sustainability staff at City Hall, and Karen Majors, a contract staff member for the program, also work on it. It’s a marriage of economic development and sustainability.

What progress has that program made in cutting greenhouse gases and energy costs?

It’s saved one manufacturing business about $25,000 a year in energy costs and reduced its greenhouse gases by 359 tons.

Another company will reduce greenhouse gases by 117 tons over 25 years.

So far, 10 businesses are completed or nearly done. The program started in November 2012, and the first businesses came on board in January 2013. We’re working with high sales-tax businesses and those with high energy use in the Industrial Park.

We’ll reach a point at the end of this year when we’ll have data so we can let people know this is how local government is helping local businesses.

Your office also helped get the tree lights installed on First Street. How did that come about?

833 First Street Benicia, CA 94510 707.334.1220 cell 707.745.2600 office 707.746.6349 fax www.birnbaumrealty.com

When we were working with downtown businesses to develop improvements and benefits for which a Business Improvement District could pay, we wanted a dramatic goal, and one that would be financially viable for downtown businesses. I certainly encouraged and prodded the steering committee to consider the lights, but the credit and applause go entirely to the First Street business owners. I’m so proud of the merchants on First Street. In the middle of a recession, these business owners had the vision to assess themselves to create this.

BRE # 01257775

What is a Business Improvement District and how does our downtown district work?

A Business Improvement District is an assessment district designed to create a benefit or improvement. In Benicia's case, the benefit or improvement was the installation and maintenance of the decorative lights on First Street.

Benicia’s Business Improvement District is made up of all businesses that front First Street. The funds are administered by the Downtown Business Alliance. The business district was created in November 2012 and the Downtown Business Alliance began meeting at the beginning of 2013.

rachel@birnbaumrealty.com

...IT’S A FACT!

Residential & Commercial

What role does tourism play for Benicia and its businesses?

From a pure return on investment standpoint, the increase in sales tax revenues doesn’t justify the money spent on tourism.

But we had less than 2 percent growth in population in the last census, and we’re projected to have less than 2 percent growth in the next 10 years. If we don’t promote our downtown to outside communities, we won’t have a vibrant downtown.

That’s our front porch. What’s the return on investment if it decays? How will that affect property values?

What are your biggest challenges at this point?

Probably trying to identify the resources needed for investment in the industrial park. We do have a gem in our industrial park—it’s the largest in Solano County, and there are a lot of businesses there that use the port. The Industrial Park averages $1 million in sales tax every quarter. In comparison, the First Street/downtown district, which includes Solano Square, averages $40,000 to $50,000 a quarter.

But we’re losing businesses to newer industrial parks. We are aware that we are where the Concords and Brentwoods were in the 1990s. Then, Benicia had the new buildings and everyone came here. Fairfield now has the new buildings. We have to be competitive, and we need money for roads.

That’s where things like the electronic billboards come in.

That will bring in $750,000 a year. My job is to leverage the assets. We’ve increased city revenue over 50 percent from telecommunications towers, and we leveraged those dollars to set up the downtown Business Improvement District.

We’re working with Public Works on the roads needed in the Industrial Park. The challenge is city-wide. Gas tax revenues are going down and that’s a major source of road money.

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

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

Voted Best Funeral Home In Solano County 7 Years In A Row BeniciaMagazine.com • 29

C A L ENDAR O F E VE NTS

November 2013 11/1, 11/15 Ghost Walk 7:30pm

Spooky tales of Benicia's history with paranormal expert Space limited, preregistration required Visitbenicia.org 707.745.9791

Scan for more listings

11/1-11/9 The Sunshie Boys

Benicia Old Town Theatre Group’s fall production Fridays & Saturdays 8pm, Sundays 2pm 140 West J Street BeniciaOldTownTheatreGroup.com 707.746.1269

11/1-11/17 Arts Benicia Exhibit Evolution of Style

Curated by Jerrold Turner featuring work of eleven artists Arts Benicia Gallery Thursday-Sunday 12-5pm 991 Tyler Street, Suite 114 Artsbenicia.org 707.747.0131

11/1-11/24 Gallery 621 Exhibit

Featured Artist Lee Wilder Snider, painter Thursday-Sunday 12-6pm 621 First Street, Benicia Gallery621.com 707.746.6211

11/1-11/30 Capitol & Fischer-Hanlon House

Fischer-Hanlon tours Sundays & 2nd Saturdays, 1, 2 & 3pm Capitol self-guided tours Thursdays 12-4, Fri-Sun 10-5 Reserve tours 707.745.3670 115 West G Street, Benicia 707.745.3385

11/1-12/5

DOWNTOWN HOLIDAY SHOPPING SPREE Shopping Spree drawing $500 in Downtown Dollars Drawing will take place December 6 Beniciamainstreet.org 707.745.9791 30 • Benicia Magazine Calendar

11/9 Benicia Art Walk Self-guided

11/2-11/30 Botanic Garden Volunteers

Volunteer at the Forrest Deaner Native Plants Botanic Garden Saturdays through November 9:30-11:30am Highwy 780 at Columbus Parkway Beniciamagazine.com 707.980.4416

11/7 Lawyers at the Library 5pm Free 20-minute consultations 150 East L St Benicialibrary.org 707.746.4343

11/9 Friends of the Library Book Sale

10am-4pm Benicia Library basement 150 East L Street Benicialibrary.org 707.746.4343

Tour 3-7pm Every second Saturday Pick up a map First Street galleries, studios & businesses Pat Ryll 707.495.2940

11/20 Benicia Library Evening Book Club for adults 7pm Read the book and join in the discussion 150 East L St Benicialibrary.org 707.746.4343

11/23

EARLIER THAN THE BIRD! 9am-12pm Get a jumpstart on your downtown holiday shopping Beniciamainstreet.org 707.745.9791

11/26-12/24 Christmas Tree Lot in Benicia!

Fresh cut Trees, wreaths & garlands Noble, Grand & Douglas Firs 7 days a week, 10am-8pm 2060 Camel Rd beniciahistoricalmuseum.org 707.745.5435

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In 2007 we used AQCC to do our kitchen remodel and were so pleased with the quality of the cabinets and their staff, that we chose them again when we remodeled our master bedroom, closet and bath in 2012. We enjoyed the personality and professionalism of all the people at AQCC and consider as friends, Allan, Susy and Mary Ann, who were all delightful to work with. —Lee & Mary

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