Benicia Magazine March 2016

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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 March 2016

The Valero Benicia Refinery and its employees donated more than $1.2 million dollars in 2015 to local charities through its grant programs and United Way of the Bay Area.

78 refinery families currently reside in Benicia, as well as dozens of retirees and their families.

18 refinery leaders and their families live in Benicia, including 2 directors, 6 managers, and 10 supervisors.

Up to 225,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) will be reduced each year when Valero replaces marine shipments with rail shipments.

Approximately 1,300 contractors were hired for the recent planned maintenance at the refinery.

Since 2001, 6 City of Benicia firefighters have been offered a weeklong flammable liquids fire training class, paid for by Valero.

“Refinery employees just surpassed 4 million safe work hours without an employee lost-time recordable injury,” reports Safety Manager Ray Castro, Jr. “That is an amazing feat for any business, let alone a 24/7 industrial facility.”

The last employee lost-time recordable injury at the refinery was in May of 2012.

Key to the refinery’s safety success is its participation in the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) of the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA). Management commitment and employee participation are key elements of the program.

“Safety at Valero is truly employee-driven and supported by management,” said Castro, Jr. The Benicia refinery remains one of only two refineries in California approved as a VPP “Star Site” after passing rigorous voluntary safety audits by Cal/ OSHA. VPP is designed to recognize employers and their employees who have implemented safety and health programs that effectively prevent and control occupational hazards.

The refinery first earned its Star Site designation in 2006 and has been a continuous Star Site since then, undergoing two recertification audits.

The only other California refinery to have the VPP Star Site designation is Valero’s other California refinery, located in Southern California.

"VPP is what we do—every day," said the refinery’s VPP Coordinator Ric Irizarry. “The programs, practices and procedures we implement go beyond minimal Cal/OSHA standards and provide the best feasible protection at the site for our employees and for the community.”

Construction is well underway for the refinery’s new maintenance facility and laboratory. A ground-breaking ceremony was held last September.

The 47,210-square-foot building and 15,700-square-foot laboratory will replace existing facilities and are part of Valero’s continued investment in its local infrastructure.

At the high point of construction, 65 workers are expected on the construction job site.

Richmond-based Overaa Construction was awarded the construction contract. Like Valero, Overra participates in

the Cal/OSHA Voluntary Protection Program and is a recognized leader in the construction industry for worker safety and health.

“ The Valero Benicia Refinery is a tremendous local partner,” said Overaa’s Don Stock, who is also a Benicia resident.

“This project is just one example of the many employment opportunities the refinery provides to this community.”

Stock added, “It’s great to be able to live and work in the same community.”

Construction is expected to be completed by early 2017.

BeniciaMagazine.com • 5

Ben

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Celebrating our 11th Year

Benicia Editor Jeanne Steinmann

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Contributors Elizabeth d’Huart Adriene Rockwell Bruce Rockwell Sarah Rohrs Beth Steinmann Christina Strawbridge Sue Sumner-Moore

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

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Photographers Jerry Bowles Malcolm Slight

DECKS • FENCES • ARBORS • RETAINING WALLS

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Benicia Magazine is published monthly by Polygon Publishing, LLC. Copyright © 2016, all rights reserved. Contents of Benicia Magazine cannot be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of the publisher. Opinions expressed in Benicia Magazine editorial or advertisements are those of the authors and advertisers, and may not reflect the opinion of Benicia Magazine’s management or publisher.

Subscriptions $18.00 per year. Benicia Magazine, 372 First Street, Benicia, CA 94510. 707.853.8159, beniciamagazine.com.

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MARCH

VOLUME 11 ISSUE 5

FEATURES

16

Specialty area nurseries help homeowners meet landscape goals

18

18

DEPARTMENTS

Bees are buzzing in Benicia backyards

10 From the Editor

20

12 Currents

Proposed residential housing for Northern Gateway project

Dinner theatre and magic combine in Martinez

16

14 Backwards Glance

Plowing through Benicia’s fertile history 15 Bio Lisa Koenen, Benicia Education Foundation’s President

20

22 Interview

Jessica Joy, owner of The Edible Yard 24 Trends

Comic book superheros never grow old 26 Downtown Map 28 Calendar of Events

The best events in Benicia and around the Bay

24

8 • Benicia Magazine

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BeniciaMagazine.com • 9

NEW BEGINNINGS

Well, it’s official!

We’ve finally completed our move into our new space at 372 First Street, in the Treasury Commons building near Java Point. While our square footage is certainly pint-sized, our windows on the world are large and provide interesting context to Benicia life. There’s no better spot downtown for dog watching, with their people in tow, and the lively atmosphere provided by surrounding eateries and drinkeries is captivating. On this block, Rookies, Kinders, Java Point and the Chill are just a few steps away.

It took some time to get the space just right, certainly longer than we anticipated, but we’ve again combined the office area, where you can discuss story ideas and purchase magazine copies and subscriptions, with a small retail space carrying similar gift items to what was available at Urban Notions.

Since a whiff of spring is in the air, mostly evidenced by Benicia’s many beautiful flowering trees and the ensuing allergies they stimulate, along with warmer weather, two of our March features are centered on what we can create in our own yards. It became legal last year to keep bees, and many folks in town and on the outskirts are doing just that. Sarah Rohrs outlines the environmental benefits and how to get in on the movement.

Warmer weather rekindles the passion for gardening and getting outdoors. While it may be convenient to make a quick trip to the big box for plants and supplies, we hope our story on specialty garden centers around the Bay will entice you to enjoy a weekend diversion, delightfully perusing the uniqueness of nurseries that are locally owned—creative spaces with a larger range of items and higher degree of staff knowledge.

On a more whimsical note, don’t miss this month’s story by Bruce Rockwell and photos by his lovely wife Adriene, a dynamic Benicia duo who enjoy writing, taking photos and other creative endeavors in whatever time is left to them after family time and day job responsibilities are met. They recently spent an evening at the California Magic and Dinner Theatre in neighboring Martinez, which, by all accounts, was highly entertaining—just another outing to add to the list of things to get out and experience in March.

Enjoy the issue, —Jeanne Steinmann Tweet, post or send your suggestions & ideas to: editor@beniciamagazine.com www.beniciamagazine.com Facebook.com/beniciamagazine @Jeannesteinmann beniciamagazine 10 • Benicia Magazine

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BeniciaMagazine.com • 11

By Sarah Rohrs Residential is the key word in a new proposed mixed-use development concept for a 527-acre vacant lot in the Benicia Business Park. Owned by the Seeno family, the site is an oval-shaped parcel bound by East Second Street, Lake Herman Road and Interstate 680. The Concord-based Seeno Construction, one of the Bay Area’s largest developers, withdrew its business park proposal in 2010, citing economic issues and a changing market, according to city staff. A new proposal has now come forward.

The Schwartz Land Development Company is under contract with the owner and has an option to buy the property, according to a city of Benicia Community Development staff report. The concept includes a mix of industrial, commercial and residential land uses for the city’s last large undeveloped parcel. It does not contain specifics on how many housing units would be proposed, nor does it contain other components of a more fleshed out development application.

The Northern Gateway parcel is currently zoned light industrial and commercial. A residential component would require a General Plan amendment.

The Schwartz firm of Orinda has submitted a General Plan amendment application, but has not submitted a detailed Master Plan/Specific Plan application and zoning ordinance amendment, city Community Development Director Christina Ratcliff 12 • Benicia Magazine

said. A General Plan amendment would not go out for a public vote, she said, adding that the City Council would have the final say on the issue.

Schwartz The firm is currently seeking opinions on whether or not city officials would give the residential component a fair shake, said Ratcliffe. Toward that aim, the company presented its concept to the Benicia Planning Commission on Jan. 26, and was scheduled to go before the City Council on Feb. 23, Ratcliff said. A key concern for staff is that “the city has always held that land as industrial and commercial,” she added.

However, the Schwartz firm has indicated that residential is necessary to make the development financially feasible, she said.

Northern Gateway is proposed to have 86 acres of residential, 136 acres of industrial, 21 acres of commercial and 285 acres of open space, according to the city staff report. Current zoning would allow 482 acres of industrial, 45 acres of commercial, and zero acres of residential and open space. The proposed plan would retain a commercial site at the Lake Herman Road and I-680 interchange.

However, the applicant is proposing that parcel be zoned Community Commercial (rather than General Commercial) to allow for businesses to meet residential needs.

Planning Commission members and speakers at the Jan. 26 workshop weighed in on the concept, giving mixed reactions.

Nearly a dozen residents spoke under public comment. Some speakers indicated a need for transparency while others expressed concerns about water, traffic, loss of rural character, and the mix of uses in the industrial area, including close proximity to the Valero Refinery. Some supported the concept, saying the residential part would jump-start the commercial and industrial components and provided needed jobs.

Former Benicia Planning Department Director John Bunch said residential units would be isolated and residents would need to drive through industrial areas to get to other parts of the community. Former City Councilman Mike Ioakimedes urged the Planning Commission to keep an open mind. Meanwhile, planning commissioners, for the most part, indicated they would be willing to consider residential uses, but they had reservations, and that the decision to open the parcel up for residential could have major implications for Benicia.

Photo by Jerry Bowles Renderings courtesy City of Benicia

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B ACK W AR D S GLANCE

Plowing Benicia’s Fertile Past

By Elizabeth d’Huart, BHM Executive Director Above: A charming 1800s advertisement for Benicia-made agricultural plows, courtesy Benicia Historical Museum For this monthly column, I like to write articles that correspond to the calendar and season whenever possible. Surfing the museum’s online archives brought up this Baker and Hamilton advertisement, which appeared in the March 9, 1901 edition of the Pacific Rural Press publication (previously known as the Pacific Rural Press and California Fruit Bulletin). Over the years, the magazine absorbed a number of similar titles, becoming California Farmer before morphing into Penton Media’s Western Farm Press.

The ad features a contented farmer resting his foot on the handle of a plow and gazing off into the middle distance. He seems to be idly stirring something in his hand with his finger, perhaps seeds of some kind. This farmer is one natty dresser, by gum, and his clothing suggests a certain agricultural prosperity, no doubt due to his high quality instrument-of-choice, the Baker and Hamilton plow designed with “… special attention to the requirements of this coast.”

What follows is a severely truncated version of Baker and Hamilton (B&H) history: In 1879, the wholesale hardware company B&H bought the Benicia Pacific Mail Steamship Company plant and docks, into which they decanted their San Leandro-based 14 • Benicia Magazine

Sweepstake Plow Company. Prior to this final move, the company had been variously located on Mormon Island and in Sacramento and San Francisco. In its infancy, B&H sold mining tools, medicine chests and stable provisions. The explosive growth in California agriculture prompted a move into farm implements; the Benicia move also initiated a name change from B&H to Benicia Agricultural Works (BAW), the new name signaling their primary manufacturing focus. B&H world-famous plows were shipped all over the planet—at its peak, the firm employed approximately 400 workers. Competition from Midwestern mass-manufacturing companies resulted in falling profits and, in 1914, it was sold to Yuba Manufacturing Company, which has a long and interesting history of its own.

As reported by major news outlets, today, the largest cash crop is marijuana, followed by fruit and nuts. Since the DEA began its Domestic Cannabis Eradication and Suppression Program in the late 1970s, most California weed, including medicinal marijuana, is now sown and harvested in large grow houses, making the use of the plow in its planting and harvesting cycle totally redundant. I like to think that somewhere, perhaps in the Philippines or Holland or other far-away place to where the plows were sent so long ago, someone is still working the land with one of these implements, “... braced as no other plow is!”

BIO

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By Adriene Rockwell Photo by Malcolm Slight Most mornings after sending her sons off to school and feeding her rescue dogs, Lisa Koenen goes to Jazzercise on East Military before she sits down at her desk at 10am to begin her workday.

She’s the proprietor of Full Circle Travel, a home-based business she inherited from her mother. Lisa grew up in El Cerrito where her dad owned a donut shop, and at one time was the mayor of the town. Her mom started the travel business in a small corner of her father’s bakery, and Lisa started working for her just after high school. That was 25 years ago, and Lisa has since become an independent travel agent. “I come from a family of entrepreneurs.

We are all risk takers, and none of us have real jobs,” she laughs. Of course, that depends on how you define “real job,” because Lisa’s work is the real deal.

In addition to her home business, she is president of Benicia Education Foundation (BEF), a volunteer role she’s had for more than five years. Her focus has been on collaboration, and she has worked tirelessly to bridge the gap between parents, community and the school district. This year she’s the race director for the Run for Education, BEF’s signature event that raises nearly $40,000 each year for Benicia schools. The 9th annual 5K and 10K run will be held April 10, and the committee is hoping for more than 1,000 runners.

“Lisa has a remarkable ability to focus in deeply, but also see the whole landscape around her,” says Stacy Holguin, Vice President of BEF and friend since their oldest sons started kindergarten together in 2001. “She has so many interests, and they all revolve around family.”

Family is Lisa’s driving wheel. She has three sons: Will, a junior at Chico State; Peter, a junior at Benicia High School (BHS); and Danny, a freshman at BHS—where Lisa is an active volunteer. It was her leadership in the Parent Teacher Groups at her sons’ schools that led her to work with BEF. Her husband Matt is the owner of Fastbreak Consolidators, Inc. in the Benicia Business Park, and the assistant varsity basketball coach at BHS. Outside of her family and public education, Lisa’s passionate about animal rescue and travel. She’s travelled the world, this year to Peru, which she called “fascinating.” In her lifetime of travel, she says Bali and Indonesia were the most memorable. Her advice about travel is much like the way she lives her life: “Travel with an open mind and an easy spirit. Most importantly, get out of your box and explore someplace new.”

For more information about participating in Benicia’s 9th Annual Run for Education, go to beniciarunforeducation.org.

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707.751.0155 • 4760 E. Second St., Benicia BeniciaMagazine.com • 15

MORE THAN JUST PLANTS A t Sp eci a l t y G a rd e n Ce nt e rs

By Beth Steinmann

Annie’s Annuals RICHMOND If you’re interested in a cottage-style garden with vertical layers of beneficialinsect attracting flowers, Annie’s is the place for inspiration. Coming from humble beginnings 20 years ago, Annie’s is now a two and a half acre growing nursery. Starts are organically grown from seed outdoors in the dirt and are already adjusted to the elements at the time of purchase. On her website, Annie says, “I myself am partial to cottage gardens … I love plants that grow as Mother Nature intended, adding height and movement to the garden, plants that sway with the breeze.” Annie’s offers the largest selection of California native annual wildflowers and perennials available for retail.

Anniesannuals.com

16 • Benicia Magazine

Navalet’s/Sloat Garden Center MARTINEZ, PLEASANT HILL, CONCORD AND DANVILLE The four Navalet’s stores have been among Bay Area gardener favorites for many years. Navalet’s was just taken over by another independently owned Bay Area nursery, Sloat Garden Center. Navalet’s staff is all staying on board and the stores just re-opened with fresh upgrades in midFebruary. Sloat makes their own fabulous organic compost, soil mixes and mulches to build and enhance soil nutrients. They offer workshops and seminars around the Bay and have a unique search feature on their website that allows a search by both plant categories and properties.

Sloatgardens.com

Urban Tree Farm FULTON Whether you’re searching for cornerstone pieces for completely new landscaping, seeking to create a backyard orchard, or simply looking to add a few large shrubs or trees to your yard, Urban Tree Farm is the go-to, boasting over 20 acres and 2,000 varieties of container-grown perennials, shrubs, fruit trees and ornamental trees.

It’s worth searching their website to narrow down choices before you arrive at the nursery to cut down on overwhelm.

Qualified staff can answer questions about which varieties thrive best in a low-water environment, what’s best-tailored to your growing conditions and how to plant and care for trees so they’ll thrive. If you’re interested in backyard orcharding, there’s a comprehensive fruit tree help section on their website complete with how-to videos.

Urbantreefarm.com

W

ith the return of nice weather and a much-welcomed coat of green across Bay Area hillsides, home landscaping is on the mind for many of us. Big box stores may offer convenience and savings in the short term, but visiting a specialty nursery is a different experience with plentiful benefits. Jake Mikolajcik of Mid City Nursery in American Canyon says it all boils down to “quality, selection and knowledge.” With a more varied selection of plants to meet different needs, knowledgeable staff can assist if you’re interested in creating something special like a food forest, bee and butterfly garden, drought tolerant garden, or just adding some fresh components to existing landscaping. These nurseries will also have a larger selection of organic, native, exotic and heirloom annuals and perennials to choose from, and some have their own specialties within these categories. Depending on your landscaping focus and goals, there may be a nursery well suited to your needs. With specialty garden centers around the Bay, we are not limited for choice.

Morningsun Herb Farm Mid City Nursery VACAVILLE Rose Loveall-Sale and her husband started Morningsun 21 years ago, on a farm and walnut orchard her parents had owned since 1956. The walnut orchard still stands, surrounded by beautiful gardens. All plants are grown on site, which is different than many retail nurseries. Their specialty is culinary herbs, pollinator plants and highly drought-tolerant plants. They also grow medicinal herbs and orchard rootstalk.

Rose says, “People can wander the whole property through the gardens and the sales area. We have chickens on site to help with composting and three donkeys that we feed all edible scraps to. We offer a lot of classes and all kinds of fun events and talks.

People often bring their own lunches and make a day out of it and enjoy the gardens.”

Morningsunherbfarm.com

AMERICAN CANYON Mid City has been a family-owned business since its humble beginnings 62 years ago.

Jake Mikolajcik, the grandson of founders John “Mickey” and Wilma “Dollie,” says for him it’s all about service. “We love to serve the people and help them learn to garden.

We’re here to help people have a good experience getting outside and growing things.” The nursery offers a wide variety of fruit trees, roses, shade trees, perennials, shrubs, conifers, water plants, houseplants, cacti, succulents, annuals, vegetables and many others.

Midcitynursery.com

Orchard Nursery & Florist LAFAYETTE Started in 1946, Orchard offers a formidable collection of roses as well as all the other garden standbys, specializing in rare and unusual varieties. It’s worth a visit for the gift shop alone, the Lazy K House, nestled in a historic building on the property. The gift house is especially decked out around the holidays, with an impressive selection of blooming gifts for Easter.

Orchardnursery.com

Photos this page & page 16 left & right, courtesy of the nurseries. Middle photos, Benicia Magazine

BeniciaMagazine.com • 17

h t i w g Stickin

s e e B s ’ a i c i Ben

By Sarah Rohrs

Michelle Heberling has a green and buzzing patch of sustainability in her Benicia yard, including a garden, compost bin, chickens and a bee hive. She aims to grow her own food and teach her son Wesley, age 10, where food comes from while doing her part for the local environment.

Heberling is one of Benicia’s numerous beekeepers who have apiaries in their backyards, and in rural land north of town. Some beekeepers use honey and wax for their own uses or give and sell jars to friends, neighbors and co-workers. Others have many hives.

Jim Silbernagel of Benicia Bees sells his honey wholesale and at Heritage Pantry & Spice inside First Street’s Tannery Building. Local honey is also available at Pedrotti Ace Hardware in Southampton, where Goldrush Bay Area raw honey can be purchased.

Beekeeping was once illegal in Benicia, but that changed last July when the city lifted a ban and agreed to allow beekeeping in residential areas with a permit. Heberling said she feels good about the new ordinance and plans to secure a permit. Benicia Police Lt. Scott Przekurat said the city has not received any complaints.

Under the ordinance, beekeeping is not allowed in apartments, mobile home parks or condominiums. Apiaries must be registered with Solano County and restrictions apply on how many colonies can be kept according to lot sizes. Apiaries are allowed in back yards and ten feet from rear and side property lines. Screens and other barriers must be in place to direct flight paths of bees away from neighbors. The new ordinance is working fine, and the code is enforced only if the city receives a complaint, City Attorney Heather McLaughlin said.

Bee advocate Gretchen Burgess and Benicia Community Gardens Executive Director Elena Karoulina lobbied for the new ordinance for years. Karoulina said bees and beekeepers need to be protected in the wake of drastic bee colony collapses and bee die-offs. “With the drought we’re losing even more bees; and, unfortunately, our landscaping is very short-sighted. We replace grass with gravel and bark rather than plant a landscape that might attract and benefit bees,” she said. Bees greatest benefits are that they pollinate plants 18 • Benicia Magazine

as they gather nectar and carry pollen from flower to flower, said Karoulina. Bees maintain plant communities and ensure seed production. As bees struggle in today’s world, their fate might very well be found in the yards of amateur beekeepers, said Burgess.

Beekeepers approach the craft in their own ways. Heberling takes a hands-off approach, letting the bees do their own thing without much interference. She uses the honey in her Supper’s On organic food catering business, and the wax to make candles and lip balm.

She also gives honey to friends who suffer seasonal allergies. Those with such allergies ingest the same pollen that produces allergies that the bees have spread in gathering nectar and making honey. As such, they develop a tolerance.

Benicia teen Logan Bledsoe began his adventure with honey bees when he was just 5-years-old. He and his family had watched a TV documentary on bee colony collapse and he asked “What can we do to help?” His dad replied they should get some bees. The teen assists his dad with harvesting and other chores. The family’s bees travel up to seven miles to gather nectar, and Locan can tell from the honey’s taste and color if they’ve been in lavender or other flowers.

Logan sticks up for honey bees whenever he can. He dispels a common belief that bees will sting people repeatedly, unprovoked.

Honey bees only sting if they feel threatened, he said, stressing it’s in their best interest not to sting as they die immediately after. He wants to stick with beekeeping. “I like helping out nature. I love animals and I count bees as animals. I want to help them out for sure. We need them, not just for nature, but for us. They help out with a ton of crops. Without them we wouldn’t have a whole lot of nuts, fruits and vegetables,” he said.

For those who do not keep bees but want to help them, Silbernagel suggests they grow flowers and plants that bees like, and not use pesticides or other chemicals on them. Above all, he said to remember all the good bees do and how much people rely on them for their food and the Earth. “Healthy bees mean a healthy planet.”

For more information, go to ci.benicia.ca.us or facebook.com/ beniciasbeautifulbees.

BeniciaMagazine.com • 19

MAGIC DINNER THEATRE

a Hidden Bay Area Cultural Gem

By Bruce Rockwell Photos by Adriene Rockwell California Magic Dinner Theater is nestled along a cozy block of Main Street in the historic district of downtown Martinez.

Entering underneath a classic awning, we are greeted by tuxedoed gentlemen and immediately transported to an earlier, elegant time.

Equal parts dinner theater, magic shop, comedy club, historical museum and training ground for the next generation of conjurers, the venue is a shrine to all things magical, and a hidden Bay Area cultural gem.

Our tables are a cozy affair—definitely tight quarters, but comfortable. An ample selection of drinks is offered up as a snappy cadre of magicians stroll amiably about, performing close-up magic using our tabletop as their stage. They do an impressive dance with the waitstaff, who must navigate the same precious aisle space.

Time passes quickly amid the conversation, sips of wine and astonishing feats of legerdemain. Before long, an enjoyable threecourse meal of comfort food is served.

The table entertainments continue through the meal, and after dessert, lights are dimmed for the opening stage act by Christopher Oberle, an up-and-coming magician who keeps the audience enthralled. Tonight’s headliner is East Bay native and international sensation Alex Ramon, who explains that performers in an intimate club like California Magic Dinner Theater can present anything from card magic to small stage illusions, and are able to strike a more immediate, human connection with their audience than in a larger, Las Vegas-type spectacle. A kind of sweet spot in between close-up and stage magic, this is “parlor magic,” a rarity in the modern world. Magic aficionados know to expect some of the most beautiful performances in such rooms.

The wizard behind California Magic Dinner Theater is Gerry Griffin, who opened the club in downtown Martinez on April Fool’s Day in 2004, after a long stint owning the California Magic and Joke Shop in Pleasant Hill. Gerry caught the magic bug at a young age, and after high school became a regular at The Magic Cellar, 20 • Benicia Magazine

a club located underneath Turk Murphy’s jazz venue Earthquake McGoon’s, a lost San Francisco treasure near Chinatown. The Magic Cellar was a favorite hangout of magicians in the 1970s, steeped in the history and lore of magic—particularly surrounding the work of Charles Carter (A.K.A. Carter the Great), many of who’s antique posters now adorn the walls of Griffin’s club.

Gerry went on to become an accomplished close-up magician in his own right, performing for thousands of local restaurant tables, and at such venues as The Carnelian Room and Hugh Hefner’s Playboy Mansion. He has created many original magic effects, and a series of instructional videos on card magic.

Griffin’s years at The Magic Cellar ignited a passion for magical antiquity, which is plainly expressed everywhere inside California Magic Dinner Theater. Posters, letters and other memorabilia adorn the walls of this vintage space. “I wanted to capture a taste of the old night club or supper club era,” he explains. “A place where you could enjoy a delicious dinner in elegant surroundings rich with the history of magic, in an intimate setting.”

Currently enjoying a rare 5-star Yelp rating, California Magic Dinner Theater is Griffin’s dream come true, and its stage attracts some of the biggest names in magic. But at its heart, it is a family operation. Gerry’s daughter cooks the food, his friends work the tables, and Gerry himself functions as maître d’, master of ceremonies, cashier, curator, raconteur and frequent performer.

He grooms local talent—such as sixteen-year-old Jack Fowler of Pleasant Hill—some of whom, like Alex Ramon, go on to greater fame and successful performance careers.

One of the first acts when California Magic Dinner Theater opened, Alex Ramon is still a frequent performer here, and an ardent admirer. “It has a special place in my heart,” he says. “Of all the places I have performed around the world, Gerry’s club is unique, charming and classy. It’s a place where you fall in love with magic.”

For more info, visit calmagic.com or alexramonmagic.com.

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BeniciaMagazine.com • 21

By Sue Sumner Moore Photo by Malcolm Slight On an overcast January afternoon, Jessica Joy is thinking about warm spring days. Working in soil, tending to veggies and fruits. “It’s very exciting to watch all the sprouts pop up,” she says, her face lighting up in anticipation.

Jessica wants to be a farmer—a challenge given the price of land in California.

So she started thinking of ways to become a farmer in suburban Benicia. Her first idea—using local school yards for large, “food-forest” style gardens—didn’t pan out. Benicia Community Gardens then offered her a 600-square-foot plot at Avant Garden downtown and she grew more than 800 pounds of produce in her first two seasons there. “That filled my soul, that built my confidence.”

Jessica completed a Land Caretakers program offered by Benicia Community Gardens last spring and is taking agriculture classes at Santa Rosa Junior College. She is on track to earn her associate’s degree in sustainable agriculture in May. Last summer, she launched The Edible Yard and now consults with people who want to create sustainable food gardens in their yards.

She started her career as a skin care specialist and laughs heartily as she talks about her journey from working in spas to working the soil. The shift began during her time as co-owner of the Inn at Benicia Bay. She initially offered spa services and then opened a restaurant there, Vino Paladini.

“Even if you’d asked me in 2012, I wouldn’t have said I wanted to be a farmer,” she says.

The single mom lives in Benicia with her 7-year-old son and her mom.

Their garden has lettuce, bok choy, Japanese spinach, kale and chard this winter. She also has bunnies and plans to add chickens soon.

Interview with

Jessica Joy How did you move from skin care to raising food?

The whole reason I got into this is through the restaurant business. Vino Paladini was the first organic restaurant in Solano County. I’d go to farms in Petaluma, Dixon, the Suisun area.

When I started feeding people organic food, people were always coming up to me and grabbing my arm and asking, “Why does your food taste so much better?” I would tell them it’s organic and that it comes from nearby.

I think people are looking for sustainable food—food that is good for your body, that is good for the soil, that’s grown in a way that’s not degrading or hurting the workers. Food where there’s no waste, there’s no injuries.

22 • Benicia Magazine Interview

How did you get introduced to actual farming?

Have you heard of WWOOFing? It’s the World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms organization. A neighbor told me she always wanted to go WWOOFing in Italy. I was interested in farming after the restaurant closed, but I wanted to stay close. I went to Green String Farm in Petaluma for a year … One day I asked if it was a WWOOFing farm. The woman I asked got excited and said she’d just come back from WWOOFing in Italy. She told me I should go and gave me a phone number. … A few months later, I was on a plane to Italy.

That was 2012.

What is an edible yard?

In a perfect world, I’d like everything in a yard to be edible.

But flowers are imperative to attract bees. Without bees, there would be no food. Without food, there would be no people.

I have a friend who’s a beekeeper. Being around the bees was an experience. You realize the importance of bees. That vibration of the buzz is like nothing else. Being in the center of that was like being in the presence of God.

What makes up a “food forest” garden?

In a food forest, you create seven layers: the large canopy and the small canopy, which are fruit trees, are the first two layers.

Next are berries and then perennials like collard greens, kale—did you know there are 12 varieties of kale, not just what you see in the grocery store?

Then you have annuals like turnips, radishes, potatoes, spinach and bok choy.

Herbs are the sixth layer, then you have ground cover.

That’s the food. The rest is beneficial native plants. You want to create a habitat that is beneficial to insects like bees, butterflies, ladybugs. The most important is bees because you need them to pollinate the plants. That turns a food forest into its own eco-system.

Pruning stays on the ground; it’s called chop and drop. That way the organic material helps the soil.

You create swails—that’s a fancy word for ditches—for water.

You can even harvest rain water, or install a graywater system so you can use your laundry water in your garden. But you’ll have to change your soap.

What one thing would you recommend to start an edible yard?

Incorporate organic material into the soil to create the nutrients for your plants. You don’t have to buy nitrogen, you don’t have to buy potassium, you don’t have to buy Miracle Grow. There’s a really simple technique you can use, using wood chips and wood shavings to add organic material to your soil.

What should people be doing in their gardens in March?

Planting! They should have seedlings started earlier that are ready to plant in their spring garden—lettuces, beans, kale, chard, beets. And they should start their summer seedlings—pumpkins, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, melons and such—so they’ll be ready to plant by May when the ground starts warming up.

What do you do to relax?

I garden (laughing heartily).

I make jewelry. It’s another element of the earth that I get to play with. I only use semi-precious stones, gold and silver. I leave a crystal in all my gardens to link the two together.

What’s next for you?

My dream for Benicia is to establish a community café that would be a place for people to exchange food, sell sustainable food, have coffee and tea available, a place where high school students could work as part of ROP, and have a learning space for the community. I would love to have a place to teach people how to cook healthy food quickly and have it be delicious, a place to create feel-good food that really is good for you.

My personal dream is to have a farm either in Oregon or Hawaii, about two to five acres, and continue to educate people about the food they eat. I feel that my calling is to educate people about this.

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BeniciaMagazine.com • 23

TRENDS

ave H e r e h W

By Christina Strawbridge Comic books were a major source of family reading from the time our boys started school. During a parent conference, our son's fifth grade teacher suggested finding subjects of interest (even comic books) as a motivation for him to read. Batman, Wonder Woman, Superman and the Justice League became their Moby Dick, Huckleberry Finn and Robinson Crusoe of classic literary fame. I have fond memories of our weekly trips to the local comic book store where both sons were rewarded for improved grades, or maybe because they wore me down with lots of pleading. The collections grew, and the boys took on the characters with their play and costumes. The Batman and Robin Underoos (70's superherostyled underwear) were worn daily, usually on the outside of their clothes. Superhero figures became the "must have" purchases for birthdays, holidays or to add to their collections.

At some point in time, Batman went dark and was featured on the big screen as a complex super character. The Dark Knight has been played by a range of actors, including Michael Keating, Val Kilmer, George Clooney, Christian Bale and coming soon, Ben Affleck. This Batman is a far cry from the campy 1960s version starring Adam West as the masked crusader, and his sidekick, Boy Wonder Robin, played by Bruce Ward. The show took on the look of a comic book series with a technique called onomatopoeia. Superimposed, bright colored words like BAM! POW! and ZONK! flashed across the screen, replicating a comic book fight scene. The series attracted cameo appearances and reoccurring roles by stars of the era such as Julie Newmar as Catwoman, Cesar Romero as the Joker and Burgess Meredith as the Penguin. Holy movie stars, Batman!

Superheroes have found a home here in Benicia at Zeppelin Comics, which opened recently at 191 East H Street in the Powerhouse Building. Holy Superpower! Their location is significant, as the Powerhouse Building dates back to the 1890s where power 24 • Benicia Magazine Trends

the

was generated for the City of Benicia. The store is a comic book boutique with an industrial edge of steel and acrylic fixtures, high tech lighting, grey walls and dark grey hardwood flooring. The layout is cool with high ceilings and long windows housing not only an assortment of "must have" comic books, t-shirts, games and collectables, but a game room where clients can duke it out with their favorite villain. Local residents Natasha and Dan Curtis, along with their son Cooper, had been looking for the perfect space in Downtown Benicia to start their comic book company. Cooper is involved with the business and can be found most afternoons helping his Mom with the inventory or even writing reviews of a current series. Their logo is a hovering zeppelin, chosen for its combination of futuristic imagery/historic wonderment.

The dynamic Curtis trio has already developed a loyal following of comic book enthusiasts, both teens and adults, who stop by on a regular basis. A recent Gotham-styled grand opening with dramatic outside lighting washing over the brick exterior and parking lot attracted 100 fans, some of whom were in character. Natasha plans on doing more events that promote cosplay (costume play). She sponsored a cosplay event with the Benicia Library in February, an opportunity for teens and adults to learn how to cosplay, arriving in character, and meet likeminded people. They are also working with the library on Free Comic Book Day, May 7, when events will be held at the store and at the library. The Curtis' plan to host book signings throughout the year with a dedicated area for showcasing clients’ costumes.

My boys still refuse to part with their original comic books, partly out of nostalgia, but secretly I think they still read them.

Since superheroes are everywhere, at the movies, in video games and back on TV, it's comforting that they are appearing daily in Downtown Benicia.

Are you using more energy than your neighbors and friends?

Trees beautify our city.

They also create shade, produce oxygen and remove carbon dioxide.

City of Benicia

Tree Regulations Incorrect pruning includes tipping the branch or topping the tree, causing: — Unsafe sprouts — Dangerously tall branching — Branch weakening & decay Pruning and removal of trees may require a permit.

Call 707.746.4285 or visit www.ci.benicia.ca.us Parks & Community Services.

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BeniciaMagazine.com • 25

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March 2016 Events Exploring First Street & the Bay Trail

3/1 – 3/19, 1-4pm Benicia Library, Benicia The Marilyn Citron O’Rourke Art Gallery presents an early spring exhibit—two mature painters offering a bright, happy look at the town they love. Nancy Freeman’s colorful, geometric style has evolved from her roots as a textile and appliqué artisan. She observes Beniciascapes with a sophisticated use of color and playful treatment of shapes and perspectives.

Mernie Buchanan has devolved from a twelve-year interpretive exploration of museum masterpieces to painting things that make her happy. Closing reception Saturday, March 19, 1-4pm in the Doña Benicia room next to the gallery.

Benicialibrary.org 707.746.4343 Strait Across, 16 X 20 Oil on Canvas, by Benicia artist Mernie Buchanan.

Ghost Walk

3/4 8-10pm 90 First Street, Benicia A Paranormal history of Downtown Benicia is discovered on this fun, interactive tour led by a paranormal expert. Space is limited. $25 per person, prepaid reservations are required by calling 707.745.9791

American Legion's 1st Annual Spaghetti Feed

3/5, 6-9pm Veteran’s Memorial Hall 1150 First Street, Benicia The public is invited to this first annual Spaghetti feed—cost is $15 pre-sale or $17 at the door. Contact Patty Brock at kevinbrock26@yahoo.com or 925.237.7315

28 • Benicia Magazine Calendar

Berkeley Repertory Theatre Presents Aubergine

3/1-3/20, dates and times vary Berkeley Repertory Theatre 2025 Addison Street, Berkeley A bittersweet and moving meditation on family, forgiveness, and the things that nourish us. When language fails, when the past fades, the perfect meal transcends time and culture and says more than words ever can.

Berkeleyrep.org 510.647.2949

Annual Magnolia Bloom

Saturdays in March: 3/5, 12, 19 & 26, 2pm SF Botanical Garden Golden Gate Park 1199 9th Avenue, San Francisco One of San Francisco’s most breathtaking natural marvels, the annual bloom of nearly 100 rare and historic magnolias returns to

the SF Botanical Garden. Velvety silver buds on the often bare branches of these elegant trees open into dazzling pink and white flowers, filling the wintry garden with dramatic splashes of color and sweetly fragrant scents. The annual floral spectacle, with trees reaching 80 feet, is at its peak from midJanuary through March.

Sfbotanicalgarden.org 415.661.1316

Benicia Ballet’s Menagerie

3/5, 2pm & 6pm Vacaville Performing Arts Theatre 1010 Ulatis Drive, Vacaville Celebrating its 25th anniversary season, Benicia Ballet Theatre and Solano Community College Music Department present Menagerie with the Symphony Orchestra of Northern California.

Beniciaballet.org 707.746.6757

Make-A-Thon

3/5 & 3/6, All day Sonoma Mountain Village 1400 Valley House Drive, Rohnert Park Sonoma State University and the North Bay iHub host the North Bay Make-A-Thon that caters to programmers from the North Bay and the Computer Science department and the innovators at Sonoma State and beyond.

The categories for Sonoma State CELL Make-A-Thon are: Sustainability, Hand Made, Tech, Art, Education, and Awesome.

The general public is invited to participate and observe.

Sonomacounty.com/node/22798 707.664.MAKE

Vallejo Symphony Presents New Falcon String Quartet First Presbyterian Church 1350 Amador St, Vallejo This is the New Falcon String Quartet’s Debut Performance.

Vallejosymphony.org 707.643.4111

Sonoma County Restaurant Week

3/7-3/14 Various Sonoma County Locations The 7th annual Sonoma County Restaurant Week will continue the tradition of celebrating the finest Sonoma County food.

Participating restaurants will present great food at fantastic prices, with 2 course prix-fixe lunch options and 3 course prixfixe dinners. There are no tickets or passes required. Food lovers can simply dine out at as many participating restaurants as they would like during Sonoma County Restaurant Week, explore new dining opportunities, or enjoy old favorites. Reservations are strongly recommended.

Sonomacounty.com/restaurantweek

Sonoma County Bluegrass and Folk Festival

3/12, 1-9pm Sebastopol Community Center 390 Morris Street, Sebastopol This annual music festival features bluegrass, old time and folk acts. Check out the workshops and enjoy hearing some musicians just jamming.

Line up includes Roustabouts, Evie Ladin, with Kieth Terry & Erik Pearson, Sourdough Slim, Blue & Lonesome, the T Sisters and Gene Parsons & David Hayes with Mike Beck. Co-sponsored by the Sonoma County Folk Society and California Bluegrass Association.

Socofoso.com 707.479.5529

St. Patrick’s Day Beer Crawl

3/12, 2-6pm First Street, Benicia Shop and stroll as you express your Irish cheer and sample craft beers inside participating downtown businesses.

Beniciamainstreet.org 707.747.9791

Youth Ag Day

3/15 Solano County Fairgrounds, 900 Fairgrounds Drive, Vallejo The 14th Annual Youth Ag Day is a unique educational experience for third-graders to learn about the important contributions agriculture makes to their lives.

Free to participants, sponsorship donations appreciated to support the event. scfair.com/youthagday.html

Easter Eggstravaganza

3/26, 11am-1:30pm Jack London Park 684 Hastings Drive, Benicia If rain, 4858 East 2nd Street Benicia Join New Harbor Church at an Easter celebration, all are invited and everything is free: a BBQ lunch, crafts, Easter story and egg hunt. If it rains the event will be held at New Harbor Church.

Newharborchurch.com 707.745.4448

Saturday March 12th 2-6pm

Union Street’s 25th Annual Easter Parade & Spring Celebration

3/27, 10am-5pm Union & Fillmore Streets San Francisco The 25th Annual Union Street Spring Celebration and Easter Parade celebrates and showcases the diverse community of San Francisco and features some of Union Street’s best restaurants serving attendees in an outdoor bistro setting. A variety of children’s and family activities are the focus of the event and includes large inflatable bounces, kids’ rides and games, a climbing wall, a bubble jump, the Easter Bunny, fun costumed characters, face painting, a petting zoo, a pony ride and musical entertainment!

Sresproductions.com/events/ union-street-easter-paradespring-celebration 800.310.6563

19th Annual Sonoma International Film Festival

3/30-4/3, 4-11pm Sonoma Plaza, 453 1st Street East, Sonoma Now in its 19th year, the Sonoma International Film Festival will feature more than 90 hand-selected films including independent features, documentaries, world cinema, and short films. All films are shown at intimate venues within walking distance of Sonoma’s historic plaza. The Festival is dedicated to promoting independent film, supporting filmmakers around the world and inspiring film lovers.

Sonomafilmfest.org 707.933.2600

Let out your Irish cheer and sample craft beers inside participating downtown businesses. Wearing green is encouraged, but not required to have fun!

Ages 21 and older. $25 advance/ $35 day of event Designated Driver Ticket $10.00

Tickets available at Benicia Main Street

90 First Street, or online at BeniciaMainStreet.org

707.745.9791

BeniciaMagazine.com • 29

Voices of Broadway Concerts

May 21, 2016 7:00PM Lincoln Theater 100 California Dr. Yountville, CA 707.944.9900 lincolntheater.com Tickets at VOENA.org venue websites

30 • Benicia Magazine

Photo · Cindi Stephan · twoirises.com

May 14, 2016 7:00PM Napa Valley Opera House 1030 Main St. Napa, CA nvoh.org

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Lic. by Dept. of Corp. under the CRMLA

Best of 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2103 & 2014

615 First Street Benicia, CA 94510

advancedmtg.com

Welcome to Tosch Dental

Feel at home—even in the dental chair!

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

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

BeniciaMagazine.com • 31

Celebrating 25 Years

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

AFFORDABLE QUALITY Cabinets and Countertops Open Mon. - Fri. 9-5 weekends & evenings by appointment

"Allan, Susy & Mary Ann helped me so much just making the right choices. Thanks." —John L

4852 East 2nd Street, Benicia Contractor's License # 687979

707-745-2100 • aqc@aqchome.com