Benicia Magazine December 2020 Issue

A Holiday Night to Remember Hope for the Holidays

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Art Director Margaret Bowles

Benicia Contributors

KT Graham Patty Gavin Rebecca Gulick magazine Bitsy Hall Darrell Mcelvane Jeannine Mendoza Christina Strawbridge Scott Strawbridge

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Scott and Christina Strawbridge Benicia Magazine is published monthly by Polygon Publishing, LLC. Copyright © 2019, 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. Benicia Magazine, Downtown Benicia, CA 94510. 707.980.1563, Beniciamagazine.com.

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BeniciaMagazine.com • 5

December 2020

Contents Features

Kimono Restaurant

16 Hope for the Holidays

18 A Holiday Night to Remember

Around Town

21

Art & Philanthropy 10 Vallejo Choral 11 Benicia Artists at the De Young Community 12 Get Outdoors, Fun in the Snow!

14 Shopping Downtown Benicia Benicia Business 13 Benicia Real Estate — Kelly Dillingham Food and Drink 20 Kimono Restaurant 21 Unusual Pairings

Columns 8 From the Editor 24 Picket Fences — A Benicia Mystery 26 Dinner and a Movie 28 Trends — Kamala Harris Vice President with Style 30 Profile: Matthew and Emery Lee Cover: Artist Gay Roche- 8 x 10 watercolor painting on paper. 8x10. Globe with the Capital inside with flakes of snow and ten Benicia buildings. Gay Roche is a guest artist at HQ Gallery at 333 1st St, Benicia 6 • Benicia Magazine

Many of the people images in this issue are from years past when gathering was not restricted. Please picture everyone with their masks on. Happy Holidays and stay safe.

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Column

Out with the old and in with the new!

Letter from the Editor December 2020

Facebook.com/beniciamagazine beniciamagazine @beniciamagazine

Tweet, post or send your suggestions & ideas to: Editor@beniciamagazine.com Beniciamagazine.com 8 • Benicia Magazine

As we close the door on 2020, we breathe a sigh of relief. It was a tough year by anyone’s standards. With COVID, politics, injustice, fires and overall anxiety, we are eager to move on.

Throughout 2020, Benicia has faced all of the same problems as the rest of the country and we have faced it head on. The artist community jumped right in making thousands of masks as did other organizations. As the shutdown affected retail and restaurants they each came up with solutions. Restaurants pivoted and began to offer takeout dining, and create online order pages on their websites. When outdoor dining was approved, they created lovely little al fresco areas outside their restaurants. Of course there were some closures. We will all miss 1st Street Café, Camellia Tea Room and 907. Retail went digital, surviving on online sales and curbside pickup. Then when able to reopen, they did so while following mandated guidelines. The city created business grants and loans to help Benicia’s struggling businesses, and private sector companies put together a remarkable grant program that collected and disseminated over $150,000 in grants. We have done pretty well!

On to 2021, it has to be better, doesn’t it? And if we all had one collective wish to make while toasting the new year, most of us would probably wish for the same thing: an end to COVID. The pundits have predicted that COVID vaccines will be available summer of 2021 which means we’ll have to get through winter and spring. We can do this, really, we can. Most of us know what to do and how to act. Our charming and extremely walkable town lends itself to enjoying the outdoors, the changing seasonable landscape, and the holiday season. We are lucky to live in such a beautiful place with so many creative, thoughtful and generous citizens, and for this we are grateful. We will continue to find innovative ways to make our businesses survive and maybe even prosper and we will do so with grace and positivity.

Every calendar year brings a cycle of hope. We will make our resolutions to be healthier, stronger, smarter.

In 2021 we will have many challenges, but with a positive attitude and hard work, we can meet those challenges.

We wish you happy holidays from our BENICIA MAGAZINE family to yours!

Mary Hand Editor

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Around Town Art & Philanthropy

Perennial Chorus

Finds Its Voice in 2020

By Rebecca Gulick Who would’ve thought anything good could come out of this pandemic? When the very act of singing was singled out as a risky activity, it was a double whammy for those singers who are “herd animals.” Choristers need to gather in groups, so their prospects in 2020 were looking grim, but where there’s a will, there’s a way.

When the pandemic hit in March, Vallejo Choral Society shifted to online gatherings and a hodgepodge of programming to keep its community intact, and in June it produced a Guest Lecturer Series led by renowned Bay Area choral directors, which saw surprising success with attendees from all over the Bay Area, and beyond.

It was clear that choral enthusiasts craved the connection and a channel for keeping music in their lives, so the VCS Board collaborated with Artistic Director Derek Tam to design a unique online program to open its 103rd season. In September, it launched a 13-week series on the Bach Mass in B Minor that was part rehearsal and part music-appreciation course. About 35 people tuned in every Wednesday night as Derek led them on a Bach odyssey like no other.

"I like the opportunity to explore the history and composition of the beautiful Bach Mass,” said Suzanne Awalt, a Benicia choral singer of four decades. “I am surprised at how much I am enjoying Derek’s teaching and the low-pressure chance to sing right here at home.”

Suzanne and other experienced singers taking part in the program understand the rare opportunity to sing this Bach masterwork, which is especially challenging and seldom performed. “I have discovered that I am capable of learning and performing challenging choral music in small bites.

That is the best part. It is very gratifying to still be

10 • Benicia Magazine

able to make music by means of modern technical support.” Suzanne added, “I look forward to the sessions. Derek is delightful and enthusiastic about classical music. He makes it fun and accessible.”

On Saturday, December 5, at 4 PM, VCS invites the public to a free finale performance that will be livestreamed on YouTube. Derek and VCS President Laura Pyles will present virtual-choir performances of several movements from the mass that the group created throughout the Bach program, including

the Dona nobis pacem, which is accompanied by professional Baroque instrumentalists.

VCS will continue its online programming in 2021, and all are welcome to take part. Take it from Suzanne, “If you are an appreciator of outstanding choral music and want a deeper dive in a lowpressure setting, this is a great opportunity.”

For more information, visit the VCS website at www.vallejochoral.org, email info@vallejochoral.org, or call 707.653.6827.

Derek Tam, Artistic Director and early-music specialist, kicked off Vallejo Choral Society’s online Bach odyssey with an intriguing introduction, The Magnificent Enigma: J.S. Bach’s Mass in B Minor.

Around Town Art & Philanthropy

Local Artists at de Young Museum Patty Gavin Currently on exhibit at the de Young Museum in San Francisco is The de Young Open, with the theme of "On the Edge." The submissions are from artists who live in the nine Bay Area counties. A juried show, 762 artists were selected from 6,188 artists who submitted their work for consideration. Works from four Benicia artists were chosen for this prestigious honor: Mark Bremer, Joe Garcia, Diane Williams and Steve Mainini. In celebration of the 125th anniversary of the de Young Museum,

Homage to Michaelangelo, Steve Mainini

this community exhibition is not to be missed. The art is hung "salon style," installed edge to edge and floor to ceiling, filling the 12,000 square foot Herbst exhibition galleries.

Mark Bremer's drawing of a gray whale washed up on the shore at Point Reyes in April of 2019 was chosen for the exhibit.

Titled "Remains. Gray Whale, Limantour," it was one of half a dozen or so gray whales that washed up on local shores in the Spring of 2019, due to starvation; "a sad reminder of how their existence is, once again, on the edge." Bremer's work "is, almost exclusively, graphite pencil on paper." His focus "is on subjects with interesting and complex textures, with little restriction to the actual subject." Bremer grew up in the UK and settled with his wife, Muriel, in Benicia in 1987. His drawings were exhibited in several shows in the late ‘60s, but his profession as an engineer overtook his art until 2014, when he picked up his pencils once more. Bremer had a recent exhibit (August,

2019) in the gallery at the Benicia Public Library titled, "Works in Graphite-Forest Floor." He is grateful for the acknowledgement of his art by the de Young. "Being included in the exhibition, along with so many really amazing artists, is a real honor." Visit www.markbremerart.com Joe Garcia's featured work is a wall sculpture in mixed media titled "Below the Surface." The piece is one in a series of works inspired by his parents. Calling on the image of his mother's daily ritual of hanging wash on the clothesline and his father's skills in working with concrete, the materials and technique blend to "create layered imagery of life." The work's title is based on the many facets of their lives. "The ups, the downs, the laughter, the tears, the good times and the bad. In one's life there are many unique and complex truths formed by the past and present experiences which make us who we are today." As a practicing artist/architect, Garcia's works are influenced by "the built environment, discarded objects and the imagery that is created when juxtaposed with the natural world." He creates abstract works, in various media, creating a story that is unique to each piece. Of the opportunity to exhibit at the de Young, Garcia says, "it's an honor, and a highlight of my art career, so far." A 33 year resident of Benicia, Garcia has a studio located in the Historic Benicia Arsenal. Visit: @joegarciaart on Instagram Diane Williams' work at the de Young is a diptych titled "Bull and the Wild Hare." A large painting, at 62x72 inches, the work "reflects a meditative calm with the assurance of resiliency and resolve to heal the soul. Healing does not mean we are free from affliction, rather it means we calm our spirit and embrace our condition." She says, "we find the inner strength to adapt and connect on levels that are beyond the physical." In lockdown, as a result of the pandemic, Williams felt powerless and her usual approach to her artwork seemed out of focus.

She had the urge to express physical power on the canvas, so she put her canvas on the floor and with a large Chinese mop brush she put her entire body into the mark. Williams says, "I found my inner strength as a fluid expression in the sanctuary of my studio." CONTINUED ON PAGE 23

BeniciaMagazine.com • 11

Around Town Community

w o n S Day Catherine Crawford Okay, we don’t have snow days in Benicia, but that doesn’t mean we can’t travel to have one. There is something so serene about drifting snowflakes and the scent of pine trees, and I can’t help but think that a trip to the beauty of winter mountains would be a wonderful retreat.

Yes, I know about I-80 and I-50. There’s no doubt that you have to plan your trip carefully, because timing is everything. If at all possible, take your snow trip midweek. Traffic is light and accommodations are more plentiful.

If your only option is the weekend, the best thing you can do is to try to go earlier or later than the peak times. In my experience, if you can leave the Bay Area before noon on a Friday, you are usually in the clear. Or, go later, leaving Benicia around 7:00 pm on Friday evenings, because rush hour traffic has usually cleared by then. The reverse route is, of course, busiest on Sunday afternoon. For the return from Tahoe to the Bay Area, leaving before noon or after 6:00 p.m. on Sundays seems to work well on most regular ski weekends.

In Lake Tahoe you can take on the snow anywhere from zero to 80 miles per hour! Race down your favorite mountain on skis or a snowboard. Drive a snowmobile, or ride in a horse-drawn sleigh, or in a sled pulled by a team of huskies, or let gravity pull you as you sled and tube down a hill. Hike around in boots or snowshoes. Or, take a break from the snow and glide across ice at a skating rink. If you like slower-paced snow fun, build a snowman or throw some snowballs. For zero acceleration, sit indoors near a window and a cozy fireplace and gaze at the snow.

The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced a lot of uncertainty, but the ski resorts hope to operate as close to normal as possible, with several new protocols and safety measures in place to ensure the health and safety of guests and community. Please check with skicalifornia.org for updates on all California and Nevada resorts as information may change daily as conditions and restrictions are updated. They will require face coverings whenever physical distancing cannot be achieved. This includes both indoor and outdoor spaces, except when eating or drinking.

12 • Benicia Magazine

CALIFORNIA & NEVADA SKI RESORT OPENING SCHEDULE Resort Scheduled Opening Day

Bear Valley

Thanksgiving Weekend

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Nov 23

China Peak

Thanksgiving Weekend

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Nov 20

Homewood

Dec 11

Kirkwood

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TBD

Northstar

Nov 20

Sierra-at-Tahoe TBD Soda Springs Nov 27 Squaw Alpine Nov 25 Sugar Bowl

Nov 27

Tahoe Donner Mid-December Be sure to check before you head up to the high country, though, as opening dates are tentative and dependent on snowfall and weather.

Around Town Benicia Business

Benicia Real Estate Local agents answer your real estate questions

Title Insurance…

Protect your Investment!

You scrimp and save. Pass up the dinners out and the cute new boots….and finally save up enough money to purchase your first dream home! Among the many costs associated with this wonderful purchase, you see the “Title Insurance Premium” listed. It’s optional (in some cases), so why not waive it? Save a little money? Most people don’t realize that title claims on unprotected property that pop up AFTER you purchase can include: —O utstanding mortgages that affect your property from the previous owner —P ending legal action involving the property —U nknown heirs or other parties that may have a legitimate claim to your property —L iens to taxes judgments Title insurance protects, potentially, your largest lifetime investment from these issues and many others, both legally and financially. Also, in terms of closing costs, you can’t beat the value! Owner's Title insurance is a onetime fee that is very low relative to the value it provides – typically the cost is around 0.5% of the home's purchase price. Owner's Title Insurance also covers your heirs – as long as you or your heirs own your home, the Owner's Title policy protects your property rights. Each year, more than 80% of all America’s Home Buyers choose to get Owner's Title insurance. And the best thing it provides is the peace of mind of knowing your property is protected.

That is priceless!

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Around Town Community

Holiday Gif

Christina S Christina S Fashion Destination is located in charming Benicia, California. The amazing staff and Interesting mix of fashion attracts women from all over the Bay area. For December, check out the new vests, hats, scarves, gloves and more!

370 1st St, Benicia | 707.745.5125 | christinasbenicia.com

Creative Clips Grooming Creative Clips has been open for just two months and it is already established itself as not only a top full service grooming salon but as a creative and interesting shop for all things wonderful for pets and pet lovers.

191 E. H St. Benicia | 707.360.0700 | creativeclipsgrooming.com

14 • Benicia Magazine

Community Around Town

t Guide HQ Gallery

HQ Gallery is a Co-Op Gallery of 20 artists-20 different styles. Something for everyone! Gorgeous photographs, oil paintings, collages, stitcheries, watercolors , ceramic sculptures, found objects, computer generated art work and much more.

Come check us out!

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Happy Life Pottery B

A

333 1st St, Benicia | 707.319.1136 hqgallery.net

Happy Life Pottery is an Art & Gift Boutique that offers more than just pottery! We feature a variety of art pieces and jewelry from artists who are local, national, and International. We truly have a little something for everyone!

632 1st St, Benicia 707.742.3411 happylifepottery.com

Romancing the Home A home interior and specialty gift shop in Benicia since 2003. Offering quality home furnishings, delicious décor, gorgeous garden gifts, baby accessories and wonderful gifts. A home store that will win your heart with imaginative and quality goods.

617 1st. St. Benicia | 707.747.1717 Benicia-rth.com

A. Burkina Bronze Sculpture Brought to us by Swahili Imports, a Fair Trade company who supports the artisans in Africa, these beautiful cast metal sculptures are each hand crafted using the “lost wax” method. $80

D

D. Aprons Available in a multitude of themes, these fun & funky aprons have three pockets, an adjustable strap, are made in California, and are fully reversible! $29 - $40

B. Large Pottery Bowl Hand-made here in Benicia by artist David Stellato, this beautiful large pottery bowl is one of many hand-made pottery treasures available at Happy Life Pottery. $140 C. Pottery Pitcher Hand-made here in Benicia by artist David Stellato, this beautiful pottery pitcher is one of many handmade pottery treasures available at Happy Life Pottery $89

BeniciaMagazine.com • 15

Feature

Hope

for the Holidays Bitsy Hall “I think there must be something wrong with me, Linus. Christmas is coming, but I'm not happy. I don't feel the way I'm supposed to feel.” This holiday season, we might relate to the words of Charlie Brown a little more than we have in the past. Whether you celebrate Hannakuh, Diwali, Christmas, or Kwanza, you may be feeling a bout of the holiday blues. The holidays without many of our loved ones paints 16 • Benicia Magazine

a bleak picture, but just like the theme of every holiday movie, we have to remember what this season is all about: connection, love, and good will towards fellow man. Though we may have new parameters in place, we can still celebrate the season. Strengthen traditions, create new ones, and connect with others like never before.

Focus on what you can do while still celebrating safely.

1. Deck the Halls If you are celebrating Christmas, now is the time to go all out on your exterior Christmas decorations. Because one can practice social distance measures from the car, looking at Christmas lights may become more of a favored passtime.

Create a list of your favorite homes, start a scavenger hunt with little ones, or organize a contest.

2. New Neighborhood Traditions Not only does a decked-out house invite visitors to gaze, it can strengthen the sense of community in your neighborhood. Band together with your neighbors to create a theme for your court, block, or street. As some neighborhoods in Benicia can attest, these annual neighborhood rituals can become a cherished holiday tradition for years to come.

3. Doorstep Drop Off You can still abide by CDC Covid guidelines and share your traditions with friends and family. Your dough ornaments, Christmas cookies, and favorite holiday foods can be left on your loved ones’ doorsteps.

Happy Holidays

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Happy Holidays From Katie Quigg

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Happy Holidays From Katie Quigg

From the Nelson Family

Happy Holidays

4. Personalized Holiday Cards

From the Martinez Family Support

the post office and resurrect an old means of communication.

Christmas cards are a common practice in the holiday season, however they are seldom personalized for individual families. With the time you save this year staying local and not entertaining droves of visitors, you can individualize your holiday greeting for each recipient.

5. Charity It is well documented that giving is a mood booster. We feel better when we contribute to the well being of others. If you have not made a philanthropic holiday tradition in your family, now is an excellent time to start. There are several organizations in Solano County, alone: there is the Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano, Benicia Community Action Council, Solano Friends of Animals, Food is Free Solano, and much more!

As the end of the infamous year of 2020 comes to a close, the holidays can offer a small light of hope. While we may not celebrate with lavish parties and colossal family gatherings, we can rekindle the meaning of the holiday season.

BeniciaMagazine.com • 17

Feature

A Holiday Night Nigh

Here’s my celebratory holiday gift this year: Honey Basted Duck Balsamic Lentils Crispy Roasted Broccoli and for dessert Citrus Sorbet with Brown Edge Wafers

KT Graham The holidays are often a mixed bag (with mixed blessings!) of gifts, both given and received. Sometimes they are funny gag gifts exchanged with a Secret Santa at work. Or maybe it’s a whole week of gift exchanging, in which you score a scarf, some sweets, a book, and gift cards. Inevitably, the gifts range from wonderful, to the pair of socks you will never wear. Gift giving can present a whole range of dilemmas. Many people are mindful about not filling up their lives with more stuff and say they don’t want anything.

Or, you might find yourself sharing the holidays with someone who seems to have everything. What could you possibly give them? Others have been unemployed for months and might be uncomfortable or unable to exchange gifts on limited funds. As we approach this holiday season, still in the throes of a pandemic and still gathering in small numbers, we once again need to savor the best of who we are, and share it with those we love.

My fondest memories always involve a table filled with food and surrounded by friends and love, the kind of meals that take up an entire evening and involve deep discussions and laughter, leaving everyone sated in both body and soul. In so many ways, preparing a good meal for others is the very best I have to give of myself.

In return, I am gifted with a chorus of delighted oohs and ahs as they taste their way through the evening and request seconds or leftovers to take home. No matter how you plan to celebrate this season, remember that a gift from your heart is the very best you have to give. Coming together to share a meal is a cherished memory that will last a lifetime.

18 • Benicia Magazine

A 5 – 6 lb duck will serve 3 adults, but there won’t be any leftovers. While the recipe calls for 1 duck, if you have more than 3 guests, or want to have leftovers, it is easily doubled for 2 ducks. Personally, I always want leftovers to make a duck risotto. In anticipation of that, I save the giblets in the fridge, save the carcass after the meal, and then make duck stock the next day. And of course, save the duck fat that gets poured off to use with potatoes!

Stored properly, it will keep for months in the fridge, and longer in the freezer.

The broccoli is easy to make while the duck is resting after it comes out of the oven. Just toss broccoli florets with olive oil and a little salt, and spread them out on a baking sheet. Make sure the florets are well separated and not touching, for maximum crispness. Once the duck is done, turn the oven up to 425F. When the oven is ready, add the pan of broccoli and roast for 20 minutes.

Pinot noir is the classic wine to pair with duck and it certainly works here. If you prefer to go French, get a Burgundy since both are made with the same grape. If you’d like to try a white wine with the duck, look for a riesling.

After a rich meal, dessert wants to be a simple palate cleanser. A citrus sorbet is perfect. The brown edge wafers add a nice crunch and can be made a day ahead and stored in a well-sealed container.

t to Remember Honey Basted Duck

3 servings Prep Time: 30 minutes the day before Cook Time: 2 hours, 45 minutes Duck 1 ½ teaspoons chopped fresh thyme 1 ½ teaspoons Herbes de Provence 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper ½ teaspoon salt 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 5 – 6 lb duck Basting sauce ¼ cup honey 1 ½ teaspoons Herbes de Provence 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar 1. Combine 1st 5 ingredients in a small bowl.

2. R emove giblets from the duck cavity, snip wing tips and add to giblets to store in the fridge. Rinse duck with cold water and pat dry.

3. W ork your hands under the skin to loosen it over the breast and legs. Rub the herb mix under the skin, covering as much of the breast and legs as possible, without tearing the skin. Cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours or overnight.

4. Take duck from the fridge, and preheat oven to 300F. 5. S core duck skin over breasts taking care not to cut the meat underneath.

6. Place in roasting pan, breast side up and cover the pan tightly with foil. Roast for 1 hour.

7. While duck is roasting, combine basting sauce ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.

8. Remove duck to holding platter and carefully pour off accumulated fat into a mason jar or heat proof bowl.

9. R eturn duck to roasting pan, breast side down and cover again with foil. Roast for 1 hour.

10. R emove duck to platter and pour off fat into the jar or bowl.

11. R eturn the duck, breast side up and baste with the honey sauce. Roast for 30 minutes, uncovered, basting every 10 minutes with honey sauce.

12. Remove duck to the platter and tent with foil to rest for at least 10 minutes.

13. I f you’re roasting broccoli, turn the oven to 425F as soon as the duck is out.

Balsamic Lentils

Brown Edge Wafers

3 servings Cook time: 45 minutes

Prep time: 30 minutes Cook time: 10 minutes, plus cooling

Lentils 1 cup green lentils 1 small shallot, peeled and halved 2 whole cloves 1 garlic clove, peeled 2 cups water Balsamic – Mustard mix ½ cup balsamic 1 ½ teaspoons Dijon Pinch of salt Vegetable sauté 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 teaspoon fresh thyme ½ cup finely chopped shallot ¼ cup finely chopped carrots Pinch of fresh ground black pepper Lentils 1. Stud each shallot half with a whole clove.

2. C ombine shallots, lentils, garlic, and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil.

3. R educe heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.

4. Turn off heat and leave covered for another 10 minutes.

5. D iscard shallot halves with cloves, and drain lentils.

2 sticks unsalted butter 1 cup sugar 2 eggs 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (180 grams) 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon vanilla 1. Using an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar until fluffy and pale.

2. Add the eggs and mix thoroughly.

3. A dd the flour and salt, and mix well to combine.

4. Add the vanilla and mix well.

5. P lace cookie dough in fridge to chill for 20 minutes.

6. Preheat oven to 400F. 7. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and drop dough by teaspoonfuls onto the baking sheet, at least 1 inch apart.

8. Bake for at least 8 minutes. You want a wafer that is still pale in the center but has a brown edge.

9. A llow wafers to cool on the pan enough to firm before moving them to a wire rack.

Balsamic – Mustard mix 1. While lentils cook, bring balsamic to a boil in a very small pan or skillet, and reduce to about 2 tablespoons (approximately 10 minutes). Keep a careful eye on it so it doesn’t burn.

2. Turn off the heat and stir in Dijon and salt.

3. Leave to cool.

Vegetable sauté 1. Heat olive oil over medium heat.

2. Add all ingredients and sauté for 3 minutes.

When lentils are done, stir balsamic – mustard mix and vegetable sauté into lentils and toss well to blend.

FOR THE RECIPIES FOR “A HOLIDAY NIGHT TO REMEMBER” PLEASE GO TO BENICIAMAGAZINE.COM BeniciaMagazine.com • 19

Around Town Food and Drink

Kimono Japanese Restaurant Jeannine Mendoza Ed.d As restaurants reopen, and we get used to the “new normal” of social distancing, facemasks, and outdoor seating, we have the opportunity to enjoy establishments like Kimono Japanese Restaurant. Occupying a former family restaurant venue on busy Second St., Kimono has transformed the previously low key neighborhood eatery into a stylish and inviting venue.

Patrons are seated with groups socially distanced from each other. The owners recently erected an attractive outdoor patio/party room that is apart from the main building. This addition is very

private, and perfect for small family parties or holiday get-togethers.

Kimono offers a variety of delectable Japanese specialties for lunch and dinner in an elegant setting. The

20 • Benicia Magazine

owners have updated the former seating arrangement and added eight teppanyaki grills that are used to cook meat, seafood and vegetables in a manner made popular by the Benihana chain. Kimono has five, six and seven course meals, with soup, salad, appetizer, main dish, rice and dessert. Watching the chefs deftly cut the vegetables, meat and seafood into bite-size pieces is enjoyable and entertaining to all, but especially to children who get a closeup view of their food’s preparation.

But you don’t need a large appetite to enjoy Kimono. A tantalizing variety of appetizers and soups are available to suit any appetite. On a chilly day, nothing will warm and satiate you as well as a comforting bowl of tempura udon or Kimono’s spicy seafood soup. Calamari or shrimp tempura or a zesty salmon poke bowl can cure that empty, midafternoon feeling. And besides grilled food and appetizers, Kimono provides tempting made-to-order sushi rolls to enjoy by themselves or as an appetizer. The sushi roll options include old favorites, like Spicy Tuna Handroll, and new taste treats like the Scallop

Arsenal Roll with spicy crab, fried scallop and jalapeno pepper.

Kimono offers a full bar including specialty cocktails like mojitos made with Bai gingo sake or cucumber jalapeno margarita.

Both cold and hot sake are available, and the wine list includes a variety of appealing red and white selections from California wineries.

They have ten types of domestic and imported beer, and four kinds of Japanese beer. Non-alcoholic beverages are available as well and include soft drinks, Japanese soft drinks, lemonade and iced tea.

Having lunch at Kimono recently made me glad that the COVID situation has improved enough that we can once again dine at welcoming establishments.

The creative menus and comforting fare salves our souls and makes us feel able to face the world, once again. All this and safe practices too!

Use the OpenTable app to make reservations.

Around Town Food and Drink

Unusual Pairings Catherine Crawford When it comes to pairing a meal with the perfect glass of wine—whether it be white, red or sparkling—we already know the classics: A crisp white with fish or an antipasto hour of light bites, a full-bodied red with dark meat or rich pasta, and bubbles with briny oysters or to offset a sweet treat. However, what about the more obscure, unexpected pairings with casual or ethnic food types?

Champagne and Fried Dishes A simple fried dish and a luxurious bottle of Champagne is a match made in heaven.

Champagne’s bubbles and cool acidity cut the fatty richness and saltiness of most fried dishes, making for a delicious combination. Some of the fried dishes that go well with Champagne are fried chicken, fries, pork chop, and fish n’ chips.

A pro-tip is finding a Champagne that is clean and acidic but has a biting nature. Avoid Cava and Prosecco as they are more on the fruity side.

Pinot Noir and Chocolate Ice Cream Wine and chocolate are classic and romantic pairs, but pairing wine with the best wine ratings with ice cream is a whole new level to discover. A light red Pinot Noir makes a delightful dessert experience when paired with a creamy chocolate ice cream.

The soft, ripe, and red fruits of this wine will work well with the smooth cocoa butter in a chocolate ice cream.

Wine and Mexican Food

Sushi with Sherry

We typically enjoy Mexican dishes with Tequila or beer, but wine can be a great pair too!

Tacos and guacamole are perfect with flavorsome and medium-bodied red wines like Grenache. Grenache is also a fantastic partner for beef or pork, rice burritos, and loaded nachos because of its juiciness and roundness that works with the savory flavors of rice, beans, cheese, meat, and avocado.

If you want to enjoy a robust chili con carne dish with spicy peppers and fresh tomatoes, pair it with a Merlot or Shiraz as these wines have wonderful berry flavors that will complement it perfectly.

Sparkling wines, such as Cava or Crémant, are perfect for spicy meat like chorizo or Mexican sandwiches like torta and pambazo. At the same time, the aromatic fruit balances from Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, or Albariño will do great and complement the heat, spice, and complex flavors of Mexican dishes with plenty of lime, cilantro, jalapeño, or tomatillos.

The aromatic fruit balances out the heat and spice.

Many people already pair sushi with wine. However, these pairings usually focus on the fish. Sushi is combined with soy sauce, ginger, wasabi, and seaweed while most of the raw fish has a mineral tang. These flavors are pretty robust and can overpower the palate. The bold flavors of sushi with all its sauces are amazing with Manzanilla Sherry. Sherry has layers of flavor and loads of floral characteristics that suit Japanese cuisine, while the saltiness of Manzanilla works beautifully with the raw fish and pickled rice. You surely won’t regret this combination if you give it a try!

Don't worry! Our regular wine and cocktail expert, Maura Sullivan will be back in January.

BeniciaMagazine.com • 21

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11 When informed that her work was accepted for the exhibit, Williams said, "This was nearly the impossible dream. My reaction was a mix of surprise, delight, disbelief and pride. I was honored and humbled to be among the talented local artists to be selected." Committed to the Benicia community, she has been teaching our students online during the pandemic. Williams' art was to be featured in the gallery at the Benicia Public Library in July/August of this year. It had to be postponed due to the pandemic, but hopefully will be rescheduled for sometime next year. Diane has a studio in the Historic Benicia Arsenal. Contact: zioniani@yahoo.com Steve Mainini has two of his works featured at the de Young. "Wonderland for Ava" and "Homage to Michelangelo" are pastel drawings on Lenox 100 paper.

Both are part of his virtual reality series that investigates how a computer sees and digests information through pixels. Mainini explains "I focused on how a computer sees, versus how we see, and then combined the two.” In "Wonderland for Ava," based on "Alice in Wonderland," his daughter was the stand-in. "Homage" was "highly technical and laborious" to create, and "speaks for itself." A visual arts teacher at John F. Kennedy High in Richmond, Mainini created his works in the classroom and uses them as a teaching tool. He feels that when the students can actually see the works in progress, they are encouraged and inspired to try something new. About learning that his work was selected for the exhibit, Mainini says, "It's quite an honor." Knowing that his work "is going on the walls of the de Young is... it's unbelievable. That's one of the things that I've always dreamed of." Mainini is a 13-year resident of Benicia. View past and present work at: @ stevelmainini on Instagram All of the artists presented in The de Young Open are offering their pieces for sale, and will retain all of the proceeds. The exhibit runs through Sunday, January 3. Those who are interested in purchasing any of the featured pieces can access The de Young Open Web Gallery to explore artworks in the exhibition.

Instructions for purchase can be found on this site. If you have any questions, please refer to the de Young’s FAQ page on their website.

BeniciaMagazine.com • 23

Column A (Soap Opera) mystery story unfolds each month There will be clues as the . ies ser ry ste my ia nic to “Picket Fences.”

Join us for a Be ing conclusion. Welcome rify ter d an d cte pe ex un leading to an

s e c n e F t Picke Darrell Mcelvane

Previously in Picket Fences …

Angela begins to tell her husband about a terrible accident that occurred on Kellyn Court which has haunted her for years and is now threatening the life she has built. Where we left off in Angela’s recollection, both Angela and Carol are terrified by Carol's husband who has a gun and has just shot Carol. In the ensuing struggle, the husband, Shane, is struck unconscious.

Angela checked Carol’s arm, “It’s only a flesh wound, you’ll be okay.” She hurried into the kitchen to find some towels and a first aid kit. Returning to Carol with items in hand, Angela looked over at Shane, who was still out cold. “You need to listen to me; we don’t have much time,” said Angela as she dressed Carol’s arm. “What are we going to do?” Carol asked, tears streaking her face.

Angela finished dressing Carol’s arm. “How do you know to do that?” Carol asked. Ignoring the second question, Angela started explaining her plan. “What we are going to do is take Shane up the stairs and push him down, so he breaks his neck and it looks like an accident.

You will call the police and tell them you heard a thud and found Shane at the bottom of the stairs.” “No, no, no,” Carol replied, her eyes tearing up. “Look at him,” Angela snapped, “when he wakes up, he’s going to kill you!” Softening, she cupped Carol’s face in her hands, “It’s the only way, trust me.” “Won’t the police figure out what really happened?” Carol asked. “Fish only get caught when their mouths are open,” Angela answered, “the less you say, the better.” “You sound like you’ve done this before…” Carol ventured, aghast. “Come on, we don’t have much time!” Angela exclaimed. With the plan laid out the two women dragged Shane out of the study, through the foyer and up the stairs. At the top of the stairs the tired women sat to catch their breath. Carol noticed that Shane was beginning to come to. “Angela…

Angela!” Carol shouted. “What the hell… What’s going on?” Shane looked at Carol by his feet and then looked up at Angela. He grabbed Angela’s leg just as her foot collided with his nose, breaking it. Recovering, Shane got to his feet and lunged for Angela. Carol tried to pull 24 • Benicia Magazine

Shane back, but he knocked her against the wall, dazing her for a few seconds. He grabbed Angela’s arm, pulling her up and around. Thrown off balance, the heel of her boot snapped, and she toppled over the banister. The only thing keeping her from falling was her tight grip on Shane’s shirt. “No!” Carol screamed while Angela and Shane struggled. Angela heard Shane’s shirt starting to rip and felt his weight shift as Carol began pushing him from behind. Knowing she didn’t have much time she braced her legs on the edge of the banister, pulling Shane over as Carol pushed. At the last second, Angela grasped the ledge of the landing as Shane toppled. Her sweat soaked fingers quickly lost grip and she plummeted. Carol heard two thuds. She scrambled to her feet and reluctantly looked over the banister to find Shane lying in a pool of blood on the white marble floor, Angela splayed on top of him.

Angela opened her eyes, pain shooting through her back as she rolled off of Shane’s cold body. “Carol…

Carol!” Angela cried out. Getting to her feet, she realized Carol was nowhere to be found. Angela limped to the phone and dialed 911, leaving the phone off the hook.

She staggered out to the running car, almost out of gas, and headed home…

Angela looks at Bruce as she finishes her story.

“Say something,” she says. Bruce looks at her with an expression she’s never seen before. Without a word, he gets up and walks out the door, leaving Angela at the table alone.

To Be Continued…

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Column Dinner and a Movie

Dinner and a Movie The fourth in a series of at home food and movie pairings.

Cinema Cat & Gourmet Gracie

Aung MayLiKa and The Ladies Diary Please note: Aung MayLiKa may have moved by publication time!

New address is 333 First Street in the Washington House building downtown.

Now this is the place to go for Burmese specialities! Burma, also called The Golden Land, now Myanmar, is a Southeast Asian country with more than 100 ethnic groups. It borders China, Thailand, India, Bangladesh and Laos. Think about all of those traditional flavors!

Aung MayLiKa is owned and operated by family members born and raised in Burma and with recipes developed over generations.

Don’t miss the Tea Leaf Salad – what is that, you say? An unusual blend of Burmese fermented tea leaves with peanuts, sesame and sunflower seeds, garlic chips, fried yellow beans, tomatoes, jalapeños and romaine lettuce. Spectacular – I dare you! The Coconut Chicken Soup is reminiscent of ramen but with a Burmese twist. Rich coconut milk, noodles, chicken, with hard boiled egg, cilantro, onions and wonton chips; this soup is a meal in itself!

The Garlic Noodles are addictive. There are amazingly good Chicken Wings, even for those who are not typically “wing fans.” Don’t miss the Honey Walnut Shrimp, Biryani, Samosas and Lettuce Wraps, and especially the Palatha (fried bread) with curries for dipping.

The varied menu offers a lot of options during this crazy holiday season. The friendly staff is always accommodating with special dietary needs. This place brings happiness! Enjoy.

Aung MayLiKa 836 Southampton Blvd, Suite E Southampton Center Aungmaylika.com, 707.361.5675 Open every day. Takeout, always.

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26 • Benicia Magazine

BENICIA PLUMBING INC. “PEOPLE TAKING CARE OF PEOPLE...”

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Quick! Tell us what you know about Burma! Okay, Burma: 1. Yummy, spicy food, per Gourmet Gracie. 2. New name: Myanmar. Oh, and 3. Cats – beautiful sable-coated cats. The ones breeders in the US charge big bucks for. They linger on street corners and relax in monasteries in Myanmar.

We have authentic Burmese cuisine in Benicia, so let’s take a complementary tour of Myanmar. Happily, The Ladies Diary provides just that.

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This Month’s 2 Minute Movie Review is of The Ladies Diary

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In this 2020 documentary, we learn right away that Myanmar is a young democracy, its people having removed a brutal military dictatorship. Now, the women of Myanmar are growing into their new freedoms.

This emerging world of Myanmar is revealed in the course of one day in the life of six different women: the teacher, the boxer, the journalist, the Buddhist nun, the tour guide, and the rock star. As you can imagine, each has a life quite different from women we might know in the United States with the same job titles. It is fascinating to peer into their daily routines presented over a backdrop with rich detail of cities, workplaces, villages, homes, families, and countryside.

Their irresistible personal stories pull the viewer in and hold her by force of imagination.

Look how they are bridging the old ways, the historical mindsets, and turning toward their own new world! Indeed, look how they are creating it.

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Column Trends

Kamala Harris Vice President with Style Pearls, pantsuits and high top sneakers.

Christina Strawbridge Kamala Harris is a woman for the 21st Century, with her political experience, multi-racial background of African American and Asian American, California upbringing and relaxed attitude when it comes to fashion. Her place in history will be legendary and, as she says, she may be the first woman to occupy the office of the Vice President, but won’t be the last.

In observing her style during the campaign, we have noticed how easily she wears her clothes, showing up in cool casual wear that epitomizes California.

She wowed the media and her supporters with a white pantsuit when she appeared as Vice President Elect. She follows the lead of many powerful women who have chosen to wear white, dating back 100 years to the Suffrage Movement.

Other women that have worn white for historical moments are Shirley Chisholm, the first African American women elected to Congress in 1968, Geraldine Ferraro who was the first woman Vice Presidential runningmate in 1984 and Hilary Clinton when she was nominated as the Presidential Democratic nominee in 2016. The last two State of the Union Addresses saw

28 • Benicia Magazine

women lawmakers wearing white to show solidarity and commitment in defense of women's rights.

The white pantsuit rumored to be designed by Wes Gordon of Carolina Herrera was copied in just a few hours so that actress Maya Rudolph could do a spot-on imitation of Harris' victory speech on Saturday Night Live that same night.

It seems as if the pantsuit is her go-to look for important occasions, worn with a neutral colored heel, sometimes a high top tennis shoe and a bowed blouse. Her go-to accessory is a simple strand of pearls that are

classic and yet modern in size and color.

One of the top Halloween outfits for little girls was to dress like Kamala in mini pantsuits and signature pearls.

Kamala also has a thing for high top sneakers; mostly Converse Chuck Taylor All Star sneakers.

She has worn them on the campaign trail to speak and greet crowds. Her vast collection includes black leather, white leather, lace up and non lace up, platform to wear with the pantsuit and even a sequined pair that have not been seen as of yet…

Inauguration??

When Senator Harris tried wearing a pair of Converse sneakers into the Congressional Chamber, she was told to use the cloakroom because of strict dress codes. Sandals and sleeveless dresses worn by women were not allowed until 2017! The first order of business might be to relax the dress code in Congress for both men and women and bring it into the 21st Century. Sneakers for all.

Although there are serious challenges for the new administration and our Country in 2021, fashion enthusiasts will be looking for any sort of new trend coming out of Washington DC and from the new female Vice President from California.

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Matthew and Emery Lee Scott Strawbridge It's not often that you find Benicia teenagers interested enough in Benicia City Government to volunteer to work on a candidate's campaign. You don't have to look any further than Benicia High School students Matthew Lee and his sister Emery.

While both are not old enough to vote, Matthew is in the 10th grade and Emory is a 9th grader, they wanted to contribute to the community and decided to get involved with the 2020 election.

After researching the various candidates running for office through their websites and social media platforms, and considering their personal concerns over cannabis dispensaries in Benicia, they decided on Christina Strawbridge for Mayor.

Because of Covid-19, volunteers had different duties and rules in order to spread the word about a candidate. Matthew and Emery's main job was to distribute a campaign flyer to thousands of Benicia residents' doorsteps. They were not allowed to knock on the door or have personal contact with a Benicia voter and always wore a mask.

Emery stated "I wasn't sure what I was signing up for and it was a lot of walking." Matthew added, "I was surprised the work was so physical!"

Both agreed they were not sure if they wanted to do it again.

30 • Benicia Magazine

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