Benicia Magazine August 2011

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The Daycation Staycation's Rebellious Younger Sibling Benicia Art & Jazz Fest and Other Live Music Torchlight Parade and Fireworks The Inside Scoop on the Annual Freedom Festival

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Features Staycationing is Stale!xxx Three Ideas for an Au Courant Daycation 6

Editor Graphic Design

Margaret Bowles

Contributors

Jan Eldridge Mary Marino Beth Steinmann Christina Strawbridge Sue Sumner-Moore

Photography

Jerry Bowles

Finding Some Answers to the Puzzle of Modern Art 9

Departments

Jeanne Steinmann

Advertising 707.853.5226 Published by Polygon Publishing, LLC

Feedback 5 editor@beniciamagazine.com

Looking Back: Music, Exhibits & 90 Years of Fashion 9 Fashionista Goes Window Shopping Around the World 10 Currents 12 Interview with Roger Lipman—At Home in Beniciaxxx and a Ranch in Lake County 14

Printed locally with soy ink & no trim waste Please recycle PO Box 296, Benicia, CA 94510 T 707.853.5226 • F 707.745.6757 Ad changes/editorial deadlines: the 1st of the prior issue month New ads: the 8th of the month

What’s New at Beniciamagazine.com 15 Listening: Live Music & Local Musicians 20 Calendar 22

Cover photo: Benicia State Recreation Area Hiking Trail, by Jerry Bowles Photo top left: Ninth Street Park, by Jerry Bowles

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Benicia Magazine

All opinions expressed in this magazine, including articles and paid advertisements, are those of the authors alone. Benicia Magazine does not endorse any product or service in editorial content or advertisements, and can not be held liable for their use.

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From the Editor The June issue of Sunset Magazine, preeminent magazine of the West, featured a story on Benicia.

Big deal? YES! After a very dismal May, merchants reported a better start to June when some of Sunsetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fifty-five million readers came to see what Benicia is about. And this little bit of magic, courtesy of the Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s investment in a tourism program, has generated a bit of buzz far beyond the borders of the Bay. In a recent exchange at a Chamber of Commerce networking meeting, where merchant struggles were being discussed, it was suggested that Southampton residents do not come downtown. Someone took offense and refuted the statement.

The bottom line: Southampton is a big place. Some residents come downtown and some donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t.

As empty nesters and downtown residents, my husband and I attend events, shop and eat downtown. But I remember what weekends looked like when we were raising two small daughters in Southampton. Reading the newspaper over a leisurely cup of coffee at a downtown eatery on a Saturday morning? Not so much. Soccer, gymnastics, girl scouts and swimming were jammed between groceries, cleaners and other errands of the day. Ditto shopping: most of what the girls needed was generally found at a mall. And once there? Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just too easy to get all of what you need. So perhaps Southampton dwellers are getting a bad rap.

On the other hand, I personally know Southampton empty-nesters with disposable income (kids out of college!) who never go downtown. To them, I would say this: Downtown is our community living room, where people have impromptu meetings with old and new friends, and develop a sense of place. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fun, and you are missing out.

Funding for the tourism program has been controversial, but I strongly believe that tourism is a necessary and viable option for increasing sales tax revenue. The investment is already bearing fruit. It started as a trickle, from advertising dollars spent in Bay Area magazines alerting day-trippers to our charms, and continues to build. The Sunset article was a coup, as was the city's participation in the Sunset Weekend Celebration, where thousands of potential tourists learned about our fair city. We welcome them, from wherever they hail, including our own Southampton. â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Jeanne Steinmann BIG CHANGES coming to Benicia Magazine in September, keep reading!

â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Art, Leadership clubs & Drama â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Band, Yearbook & Service clubs â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Football, basketball, baseball & softball â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Swimming, Water Polo & Track

Benicia Unified School District 350 East K Street *To enroll your new student, visit beniciaunified.org

FEEDBACK Waterfront Park The article about our Benicia Marina was both hopeful and informative. I appreciate the correct naming of the body of water at the end of First St.â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Carquinez Strait. We are unique and not on the Bay. It is hopeful to hear that Benicia's acting Economic Development Manager is informed and on it! The realization of an artfully done Waterfront Park will enhance the quality life for Benicians and stimulate valuable tourism activity. This is the type of reporting that can be so valuable to our Northern California communities. Well done! â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Pat Ryll Benicia Icon I am a satisfied recipient of Benicia Magazine. The articles rival those in national magazines and the photography is exceptional. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a Benicia icon I look forward to each month. Hats off to your talented and professional team. â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Samuel Maurice Send Feedback to editor@beniciamagazine.com, facebook.com/Benicia Magazine or Twitter, @BeniciaMagazine

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Three Memorable Daycations —a New American Tradition Photos by Jerry Bowles; top & middle right: Ninth Street Beach.

Bottom, Lake Herman, middle left, Benicia State Recreation Area

By Beth Steinmann If you haven’t spent the past few years living under a rock, you’ve heard the buzzword of the great economic meltdown of the late 2000’s: staycation. According to Wikipedia (yes, this term is Wiki-worthy), “staycations achieved popularity in the U.S. during the financial crisis of 2007-2010.” Webster’s Dictionary went so far as to add the term to its ranks in 2009, although Microsoft Word has yet to delete it from its spellcheck list.

At least the economy is finally picking up at the pace of a limping gastropod, but most of us middle-class folks still won’t be shelling out cross-country plane fare for the whole fam this season. So we at Benicia Magazine would like to jump on the bandwagon before it heads to the nearest local beach, and embrace this strange new American tradition. In fact, I’ve always fancied myself a bit of a trendsetter, so I’d like to take it one step further and welcome staycation’s rebellious younger sibling: the daycation. The daycation is more than just a twist on it’s predecessor, the day-trip, because it packs all the excitement of a vacation into a single day—sans layovers and jetlag—and is way more fun-loving than its serious older sibling, the staycation, because it looses the implications of having to stay behind.

The daycation is hip to the thrifty, eco-friendly and exercise-nut vibes, as it offers up the possibility of free transportation. Some daycations are bike-able, even walkable. Of course, one can come at the daycation from different

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Benicia Magazine

angles. There’s something to be said for that simple, sweet take-only-what-I-can-fit-on-my-back mentality, which is quite conducive to a trip on foot, by bike, or even via skateboard, rollerblade or unicycle. This approach kinda goes out the window when you have young kids. Plus, a motorized vehicle can make that daycation destination ohso-accessible, and open up a plethora of new options—we’re talking barbeque fixings, sports equipment (Frisbee, football, soccer, croquet), comfortable seating for optimal tanning purposes (bring sunscreen), shade to avoid the lobster look, fishing gear, kayak—you name it. But it’s all about having options.

For our readers, we have taken the liberty of choosing three prime daycation spots in Benicia for their beauty, versatility and accessibility. All three are foot-worthy, bike-worthy and car-worthy—easily tailored to any individual or family’s needs.

Lake Herman is a 22-acre reservoir located on Sulphur Springs Creek. It was completed in 1905 and is owned by the city of Benicia. Since it’s used as a secondary water supply, no human contact such as swimming or boating is allowed, but it’s a great spot for fishing, picnicking and hiking. It’s a catch and release lake, home to bass, catfish, crappie and sunfish.

Reports vary as to the availability of fish in the lake, but

Continued on page 8

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Three Memorable Daycations continued from page 6 wildlife abounds with sightings of otters, osprey and herons, to name a few. According to one testimonial, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a family of otters that live at Lake Herman and they have first choice on the big large-mouth bass.â&#x20AC;? The lake is connected to the 50-acre Community Park as well as the Bay Area Ridge Trail, and has a quiet, peaceful feelingâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;perfect for the contemplative style daycation or the hiking enthusiast. Lake Herman is a 5.5 mile one-way bike ride from the bottom of Rose Drive or a short walk from the park.

The Benicia State Recreation Area is a treasure with an uncertain future. The park is slated to close in 2012 along with nearly 70 others in California. Benicians are searching for a local solution to keep this and the Capital and Fischer-Hanlon House open. Meanwhile, this summer is the perfect time to visit and appreciate the beauty and resources this park has to offer. For veterans and first-timers alike, the park has more than can be experienced in one visit. Also part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail, features include a par fitness course, 2.5 miles of smooth trails for running, walking, roller-skating and biking, picnic tables, bird watching and fishing. Wetland preserves encompass 70% of the park, and are home to river otters, beavers, herons, muskrats, and the endangered California Clapper Rail. The Forrest Deaner Botanical Garden is a newer feature of the park and comprises 3.5 acres of land. It includes butterfly and hummingbird gardens, a wildflower meadow, residential and sensory gardens, and a Native American garden. This colorful display of native flora is a collaborative project by the California Native Plant Society and the California Department of Parks and Recreation. A labor of love by many committed individuals, the garden is an educational gift for the senses. Adding in a little bird watching and wildlife spotting makes a State Park visit quite the informative daycation, while also allowing plenty of chill time in the sun with a fishing pole in one hand and a BBQ-fresh burger in the other. The main park entrance has plenty of parking, but is less than a five-minute bike ride from the bottom of Rose Drive, and less than a 2 mile ride from First and Military Streets.

My favorite spot to grill growing up in Benicia was always Ninth Street Park. Flipping burgers on a bluff over the straights while a warm breeze blowsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s quintessential Benicia.

This beach is the perfect place to hunker-down for a full-on daycation extravaganza with family and friends. Sand and swimming for the kids and their four-legged companions and a beach volleyball court are among Ninth Streetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s assets. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a stellar place to launch the kayak or canoe and paddle around the local inlets. A picnic blanket, beach umbrella and cooler full of beverages keep the grownups content while the kids run free on the sandy beach. Plenty of grass for touch football and soccer also makes for the perfect kite launch pad, especially when that telltale Benicia breeze picks up. Biking distance is less than 2 miles from the bottom of Rose Drive and about 1.2 miles from First and Military Streets.

If our readers permit my brief pontification, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve prepared a pair of philosophical points in summary of our plot. First, that the neurotransmitter serotonin is a well-known contributor to feelings of well-being, and that the following are also known to increase said serotonin levels: physical exercise, Vitamin D, and feelings of love. In other words, playing in the sunshine with friends and family causes happiness (beware folks)! Second, if happinessâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;as they sayâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;is a state of mind, physical location may just be secondary to these other factors. Money spent and distance travelled are not how memories are made. Good times with good people are really what itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all about. Throw in a little nature, some fine eats and one of those nifty nylon Frisbees, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be a daycation to remember.

Find daycation BBQ ideas and great beach reads online at www.beniciamagazine.com. B

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Finding Some Answers to the

Puzzle of Modern Art

By Jan Eldridge Most people appreciate and understand the art work of the Impressionists and Post Impressionists (Monet, Rodin, and Van Gogh), who are easily accepted as real artists. But modern art forms, especially those that are abstract, can be a bewildering turn-off for those same people. Confronting the unknown is threatening, and this unknown is no exception.

Mistake number one is using the same rigid standards and methods of evaluation for all forms of art. What is it?

What does it mean?

Generally we do not immediately dive into a close relationship with a complete stranger. Art is personal, and like people, it is complex. Everyone who looks at an art form sees something different, and brings different experiences to their viewing.

We will go beneath the surface in order to find some answers to the puzzle of modern art. We will do this with Mary Oros, a sculptor whose home base and studio is now in the Benicia Arsenal. By the time Oros graduated from the Cleveland Institute of Art, she had already won awards and recognition. Originally majoring in two-dimensional art, the paint became increasingly thicker until someone suggested that maybe she should work with that third dimension in sculptural forms.

Both of her parents were industrial designers. Maybe the gene pool and environmental influences led her initially toward commercial forms. Following a move to New York, she started creating cast bronze furniture hardware and cast resin costume jewelry. But, as she says, “This just wasn’t the real deal for me like making art was.”

We can find some clues and possible kinship with Oros’ art forms. A lot of life consists of dealing with opposites. And in her work, she is dealing with emotional issues, yet using the normally heavy-duty, static material of cement. So right away we seem to be dealing with opposites. We usually associate cement with the functional, the practical, the stable; the opposite of emotions. Like the form you see here, her art is

organic; it just grows naturally. Not exactly a characteristic of most cement forms.

The cement that Oros uses is a special mixture that is similar to clay. Her inspiration is always emotional. She starts with a drawing of the image. She claims to need this as a discipline in order to maintain her focus on the original inspiration, to make it more concrete. That pun just slipped out, but it is literally true. Emotions are slippery and change rapidly and constantly. Without the drawing, Oros would keep altering the form and waste a lot of time exploring other possibilities. Her next step is to create a wire armature and begin the layering of cement that will inevitably lead to the end result.

Let’s go back for a moment to her childhood: When Oros was very young, she would say over and over again, “Poor Mary has no sandbox.” “Poor Mary has no sandbox.”

Eventually her father gave in to her plea and built that sandbox. A truckload of sand later led to many hours of creating forms from moist beach sand.

The piece you see here is typical in size, an outstanding feature. Inside Out is the title of this 7’9” x 31”x 32” sculpture.

The haunting human-like presence, with its characteristic openings and coverings is symbolic of Oros’ consistent theme of expressing the vulnerability and defensiveness in all of us. Oros says that she is “communicating with things that are not spelled out.” She relates to her sculptures as “kind of like beings.” The process involved in creating them is like a back and forth communication between two beings. When we are more open and drop our defenses, we can sense that these beings are fragile yet strong. Although allowing us to see their openness, they also defend themselves with a layer, a wall, or a covering against our intrusion. Empathy is finding the self outside the self. This is often what a modern art form is trying to communicate. We may not get the message at first glance, but if we remain receptive, some of that sense of the human condition in art forms may reach us. B

Mary Oros Inside Out, Concrete, 7' 9" x 31" x 32", 2008

LOOKING BACK

Fashion, Music, Exhibits and Something for Kids:

Now That’s a Museum!

Mary Marino Look back to the 1850s through the 1940s and envision the styles of yesteryear with an upcoming fashion event.

Perhaps mostly for the ladies, but gentlemen are welcome— join the Benicia Historical Museum for an afternoon of historic fashions presented by the Goodwill Bags on Saturday, July 9 at 11:30am in the museum’s Stone Hall. A box lunch will be served, and there will be a no-host wine bar available.

For music lovers, the second concert in our Summer Series brings the Houston Jones Band from San Francisco to the Spenger Garden. This is a group of musicians who play an original blend of folk, blues, bluegrass and gospel.

This evening under the stars event takes place Saturday, July 16 at 8pm.

On Sunday, July 17, you are welcome to the 2nd Annual Kid’s Day, FREE, with refreshments, 1-4pm. All of our exhibits will be open, visitors of the four footed and winged

variety will be on hand and activities will include corngrinding, pictographs and doing laundry the old-fashioned way; story time, a special membership for visiting stuffed animals and more. Come with readiness to see and hear of life when the Museum buildings were new.

These events are in addition to the Museum’s current exhibits: the Vietnam exhibit, photos of the earthquake of 1906, and the Patwin exhibit. The Industrial Exhibit and the Powder Magazine will also be open. Make the Museum one of your stops during the month of July! And don’t forget to watch for us in the July 3rd Torchlight Parade.

Tickets for the fashion event are in advance only, $25 per person, and tickets for the Summer Music Series event are $20. Both are available at Bookshop Benicia, Benicia Main St., the Museum and the Museum Office.

For more information, log on to our website, beniciahistoricalmuseum.org, or call 707.745.5435. B

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FASHIONISTA

Fashion Half-way Around the World

and Back to Benicia

By Christina Strawbridge The last two months afforded me many fashion opportunities from Paris, Venice and Australia.

In mid April, I roamed the streets of Paris, peering into the grand windows of stores that line Avenue Montagne, Rue St. Honore and Boulevard Saint Germain. Zigzagging from the Right to the Left Bank, my mission was to capture the seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trends in a photo or memory shot. The big apparel news of the week was the outlawed burka-style Islamic veil. The controversial new law bans wearing the veil in public throughout the City.

The move affects a tiny minority of the country's Muslim women, but has had significant symbolic repercussions. Muslim women who wear the niqab or burka can face a fine of 150 Euros ($205 U.S.) under France's veil law. On the day it became law, two burka-wearing women from Avignon demonstrated against the ban in front of Notre Dame Cathedral and were arrested by French police. On that same evening, while strolling the Avenue Des Champs Elysees, we watched as a woman wearing a burka accompanied by her husband (dressed in Western clothing) crossed the bustling thoroughfare. Interestingly, no one seemed to notice, not even the uniformed foot patrol. Significant trends besides the veil were boots, leggings and of course, scarves.

The scarf is now the â&#x20AC;&#x153;it" accessory for both women and men. Perhaps itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s becoming the burka alternative.

In Venice, the maze of cobblestone pathways and countless bridges revealed world-class shopping with gorgeous leather handbags, Italian clothing and lots of glass. The stores are tiny, but utilize space in surprising and innovative designs that don't compromise their historic integrity. One boutique had taken a boathouse and created a retail space with a water view of the canal under Plexiglas floors. In one of the courtyards near a marble fountain, we found an antique fair with treasures dating back hundreds of years. I was especially fascinated with the jewelry, and imagined who might have worn these delicate pieces and how they made their way to the 21st Century. Venice holds romance and a certain joy for me. There is nothing better than sitting with your husband at one of the

restaurants or cafes on the Grand Canal, sipping red wine and watching the water taxis, gondolas and cruise liners navigate the waterways of this magical city.

Australia in May is a bit of a time travel experience as the seasons are the opposite of ours.

So our Spring is their Fall and their Winter is our Summer. You lose a day going and gain a day on your return. The 14 hour plane ride gives you ample time to figure it all out between 6 movies, audio entertainment, a few meals and cocktails.

We were invited to attend a black tie event in Melbourne for Australia's construction industry's 50th anniversary, and were treated as international dignitaries. Since I'm not the long, evening gown type, I wore a modified tuxedo with a large crystal necklace. Formalwear choices included mostly cocktail dresses with sparkle, lace overlay designs, and a lot of little black dresses. The Aussies know how to throw a party: great music for dancing, an entertainer who sounded like Neal Diamond and lots of beer and champagne. There was no evidence of a recession in Australia. There were very few vacancies in the retail areas, and stores were full of fall and winter merchandise. An Australian friend took me on a tour of Melbourne, including its neighborhoods. We spent the most time shopping and having lunch in Brighton, which is close to Port Phillip Bay. On my return to Benicia, I was greeted with the June issue of Sunset Magazine, and the article about Northern California Weekends, which featured Benicia. This was a major media coup from the City's tourism and marketing campaign and Wolf Communications.

Benicia also participated in the annual Sunset Weekend Celebration, a two-day event sponsored by the magazine. It focuses on tourism destinations, top chef cooking demos, home and garden design and lots of wine tasting. Benicia is finally getting the attention it deserves as a "Great Day By the Bay" and can give any of my world city stops a run for their money with a marvelous a combination of art and glass blowing, California history, fashionable shopping, eclectic dining, and a bridge-to-bridge waterfront view of the Carquinez Strait. There's no place like home when it's Benicia! B

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CURRENTS

Horse Vaulting Meets Homework Club Just across the bridge but worlds away, there’s a kid's camp in a lovely setting that features horses at the core, but also brings a bit of Disneyland to the area. Bella Oaks Stables is a ranch that offers 17 different camps for kids ages 3½ to 15, including the popular Indiana Jones camp.

Based on a similar theme to the movie, kids search for lost treasure. Along the way, archaeology, adventure and mystery are incorporated into learning about such dangers as poisonous plants, snakes and spiders; while campers also navigate an obstacle course, conquer brain teasers and gain skills during their trek.

Tucked into the hillside just minutes from downtown Martinez, Bella Oaks Stables is across the street from the northern end of Briones Regional Park, giving riders access to the park’s many trails. The setting is idyllic— large oak trees shade a meticulously-kept facility for the camps, riding lessons, swim lessons, homework club and other programs; and the ranches’ horses, chickens, rabbits and goats. Bella Oaks also offers vaulting dressage, the equestrian sport of combining horseback riding with gymnastics (yes, that’s gymnastics on HORSEBACK.) The camp works with Girl Scouts on merit badges; and Foster a Dream Foundation. Bella Oaks Stables, 120 Vaca Creek Way, Martinez CA, 94553. www.bellaoaksstables.com, 925.229.2171.

Jazzing-up the

Summer Festival

Freedom Festival

Torchlight Parade

As the sign in City Park proudly announces, we are a California Main Street City, so designated in 1987, and the annual Freedom Festival Torchlight Parade is about as “Main Street America” as it gets. A perennial favorite, Benicians come out in droves to line First Street’s mile-long route to watch the 105 parade entrants make their way slowly from the waterfront to the Gazebo.

One of downtown’s many events put on by Benicia Main Street, the parade will draw a crowd of an estimated 5,000 residents and visitors, who will descend on the street for prime viewing and to picnic, hobnob and generally enjoy the celebration honoring our nation’s 235th birthday. The parade is a family-friendly, alcoholfree event. Benicia Magazine will participate again this year, watch for us along the route! Torchlight Parade: July 3, 6-9pm; Fireworks: July 4, 9pm. B 12

Benicia Magazine

There’s something about the American Jazz Fest. Long-time staples of major U.S. and world cities, the jazz festival is popping up in smaller cities everywhere, including Benicia. What’s behind the increasing popularity of these events?

Jazz has always had a large fan base, but seems to be attracting a new audience. Families and young adults are flocking to the festivals in much larger numbers. Jazz seems to have a cachet that eludes other music genres: it enjoys a more refined image that evokes richness and purpose along with the fun. Perhaps it’s because jazz festivals are often combined with art, as here in Benicia, or wine, as in Healdsburg. Or because many of today’s jazz festivals raise money for charities or nonprofits: ours benefits Benicia Main Street’s coffers to fund downtown events. Healdsburg has a population of fewer than 11,000; yet their jazz fest is a week-long event that takes place in the town square, in local stores, restaurants and vineyards.

This month the Benicia Fine Art and Jazz Festival will enter its third year. It’s a familyfriendly weekend event happening July 30 & 31.

Jazz musicians from the Bay Area and beyond will be performing from 11am-8pm Friday and 11am-6pm Sunday. An art activity area for kids, juried fine art marketplace, and beer, wine and gourmet food round-out the weekend’s offerings.

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An Interview ew with ith

Roger Lipman

By Sue Sumner-Moore A little work at the computer, a spell on his tractor, dinner with friends, and a movie at the end of the day add up to the good life for Roger Lipman.

At 68, he finds his life expanding as his career demands decrease. He left full-time commercial insurance work about five years ago and now is involved with International Pro Insurance on what he calls an emeritus basis. He also serves on the board of a mechanical engineering contracting company. “Retirement is a process you go through,” he explains.

For Roger, part of that process is taking place at his ranch in Lake County. He and his wife, Rebecca Barnes-Lipman, divide their time between Benicia and their 40 acres north of Calistoga. “We’ve got two ponds, the vineyard, an orchard, a greenhouse, 63 olive trees, water leaks,” he says. “We press our own olive oil, make our own bread and jams with fruit from the orchard. We just put in bees so we can have our own honey.”

Roger moved to Benicia in the early 1970s and served on the City Council from 1978 to 1982. He was on the board of the YMCA in the 1980s and, in the 1990s, he chaired the Solano County Private Industry Council during a tumultuous time in its history. He’s also known around town for his work with good friend Steve Gizzi as Arts Benicia auctioneers.

“We never want to move from Benicia. We love it here,” he says, citing the town’s sense of community as a prime reason to stay.

His life now provides more time for friends and travel, and a chance to think about what is important to him.

“You know, my theory is you should never work hard. I didn’t work hard—though my wife would disagree with that statement,” he says. “I had fun. I worked smart and I had fun.”

What lead you to serve in public office and with nonprofits?

I’ve always done that. This is Philosophy 1A for me …

Somebody helped me throughout my entire life, not with a handout, but many people gave me opportunities throughout my life. I want to pay it forward to others. Everybody helped me do things. Why shouldn’t we help someone else?

There was a saying I heard when I was 12 about passing through this world but once. So anything good I can do, let me do it for I shall not pass this way again. That’s not the exact wording, but that thought caught with me when I was 12 and I lived it. I’m sure I could have done some things differently—I’m not perfect.

How did you prepare for this stage of your life?

I’ve been a planner my whole life, always thinking about what I wanted to be doing in 20 years. I always say that I don’t know what I’ll be doing for dinner, but I know what I’ll be doing in 20 years, at least in general.

When I was a teenager and filling out my Social Security card form, they didn’t require birth certificates and I thought that if I put down that I was born in 1940 instead of 1943, I could retire three years earlier. Even then I was planning for the future—what teenager does that?

So we bought the (Lake County) property in the 1980s.

When it came time to build, we spent five, six, seven years stealing ideas for it. We finished construction in 2006. In 2007, we put in the vineyard— a half-acre of cabernet franc.

Do you love wine in general?

I like to drink wine, but I’m not a connoisseur.

So why did you decide to plant wine grapes?

We moved in, and then we needed something to keep us busy. Grapes were a logical choice. … Remember, grapes are weeds, they grow naturally. And probably in terms of the long run, properties with vineyards have a greater resale value. We have 800 vines of cabernet franc.

How did you choose cabernet franc grapes?

It’s a blending wine grape. By using that, I can always sell it. In 2009, we had enough grapes to make wine. In 2010, we sold the grapes. …

We’re trying to grow super-premium grapes as organically as possible. We have a yield of three to four tons per acre.

What have you learned?

I’ve learned how hard farmers work. I think about farmers who work every day, and a crop can get wiped out in a single day. The first year, the birds flew in one afternoon and the next morning, we had no grapes. Now we have nets. But I’m

14

Benicia Magazine

a hobby grower, I’m not pressured to have a return to pay investors or bankers or the bills.

I’ve also experienced the pleasure of watching things grow.

I grew up in Oakland, so I’m a city rat. Watching things grow is so cool, seeing the little buds turn into little grapes and then get bigger.

What’s a typical day on the ranch?

I get up, work at the computer, then I get dressed about 9 and go out and the day goes on from there. I walk around all day. …. When you’ve got a ranch, you’re always working. At the end of the day, we fight over the cooking. We both like to cook.

How does that differ from a day in Benicia?

Down here, my favorite thing to do in the morning is go the Rellik to get espresso and a bear claw. But I have to share the bear claw, I can’t eat a whole one by myself.

When I’m here, I’m usually working with one company or the other. We like having dinner with friends, going to the theater in San Francisco. We love to entertain.

Do you have any advice for those who want to start planning for their future?

In your 30s, you get your best ideas. The brilliance you have in your 30s sets so many things in motion. It’s the time you form your career, solidify your family. And you should be looking 20 years out at a minimum. The 30s are time to solidify your plans.

In your 40s, you have your chance to really bond with your kids, make friends who will last a lifetime, and then get serious about your finances.

The 50s are tough on males. We’re not what we once were.

Most guys go nuts because they realize this is the best they’re going to be and it’s not nearly as good as it was. You try to prove everything in your 50s.

From the 60s on—well, I don’t know about the 70s yet—it’s time to have fun. I don’t have to worry about a lot now. And you realize you don’t have to win an argument. Kindness is the root of it all.

In your 70s, I think you have a great time just watching what’s going on around you.

What will you be doing in 20 years?

Number 1, I’ll be old. I think I’ll be puttering around. Not much will change. I’ll still enjoy all the things I enjoy, but maybe not at this pace.

What have you realized as you moved through the different stages of life?

People are good, life is fun, love everyone—and dance. I love to dance, but it’s been awhile. B

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Benicia Magazine

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Benicia Magazine

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Listening

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Featured Musician: Kevin Frazier, saxophonist Born: San Francisco Resides in: Benicia Favorite Food: Sushi Favorite Author: Stephen King Relationship Status: Single

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How do you feel about being a musician at this stage of your life?

It's great to be at a place in life where I can choose to play what I really love.

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your music background?

I have been playing saxophone around the Bay Area for over thirty years and have shared the stage with Huey Lewis, Elvin Bishop, Davey Pattison and many other local musicians. I play public concerts and private events. In Benicia, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m at the Farmerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Market at least once a month and I play with Jazz Explosion on Thursday nights at the Union Hotel. I have played on a number of jazz recordings and was recently featured on a 2011 CD release titled â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sierra Nights,â&#x20AC;? which is available on my website, kevfrazier.com. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m also the president of Grid 1 Audio LLC, makers of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first 60 watt battery-powered tube guitar amplifier and a battery-powered pedalboard called the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pedal Jeanie.â&#x20AC;?

Who was your biggest inďŹ&#x201A;uence?

David Sanborn. I met him on my 40th birthday. I told him that I learned to play sax just by listening to him play.

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Live Music - July The Rellik Tavern therelliktavern.com 707.746.1137 Live music Friday & Saturday nights at 9pm. July 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 Featured Bands: Jami Jamison, Haight Ashbury Orchestra, Hall 1, Orison, Smokin' J's

Upstairs at the CafĂŠ firststreetcafe.com/upstairs 707.745.1400 Live music Thursday, Friday & Saturday nights at 8pm: July 1, July 8, July 9, July 15, July 29 Featured Bands/Singers: Doug Houser, Calaveras, Steve Meckfessel, Bev Barnett & Greg Newlon

Historical Museum beniciahistoricalmuseum.org 707.745.5435 Live music: Saturday, July 16 at 8pm Featuring: Houston Jones

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Benicia Magazine

Vino Paladini at The Inn and Spa at Benicia Bay theinnatbeniciabay.com 707.746.6203 Live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday 6:30-8:30pm Featuring: Tony Robins, Bizzy Lewis

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Downtown Benicia beniciamainstreet.org 707.745.9791 Jazz Festival: July 30 11am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 8pm, July 31 11am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 6pm Live performances by top jazz musicians from the Bay Area and around the U.S.

Downtown Vallejo vallejosymphony.org Free Pops Concert July 4th at 2pm, behind the library on Santa Clara Street

Main Street Martinez mainstreetmartinez.org 925-228-3577 Live Music every Friday evening from 6-8pm: July 8, July 15, July 22, July 29 Featured Bands/Singers: Tone Pony, Rockinghorse, Hopeful Romantics, So what!

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BeniciaMagazine.com

Calendar of Events 7/1-7/29

July

NEW Treasures Arriving Daily

I Read the News Today, Today Oh Boy! Visual Artists and Poets respond to the news in a creative collaboration of new works Benicia Public Library, 150 L St. benicialibrary.org, artsbenicia.org

7/2-7/31

Capitol & Fischer-Hanlon House Guided Tours 1, 2 & 3pm Capitol open weekends only, Fischer-Hanlon tours 7/10, 7/16 115 West G Street 707.745.3385

7/3

Torchlight Parade 6:30pm Includes music, dancers, floats, horses, clowns First Street Downtown Beniciamainstreet.org 707.745.9791

7/4

Blue Goose Antiques Tue-Sun 10:30-5:30 622 First Street Downtown Benicia 707.745.1715

Benicia Farmer’s Market 4-8pm Fresh produce, baked goods, food booths, arts & crafts Thursdays, First Street between B and D Streets Beniciamainstreet.org 707.745.9791

7/8

Benicia Plein Air Gallery Reception 5-7pm Featured artist is watercolorist Pat Ryll 307 First Street, Benicia Beniciapleinair.com

7/9

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Picnic in the Park/Fireworks Noon-7pm, Fireworks 9pm Arts and crafts, food, entertainment, kids’ activities City Park, First & Military, fireworks at foot of First St. Beniciamainstreet.org 707.745.9791 Anniversary Event

7/7-7/28

ANTIQUES

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Friends of the Library Book Sale 10am-4pm Benicia Library basement, 150 East L Street Benicialibrary.org 707.746.4343

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7/22

Outdoor Concert & Movie at the Park 6-8pm Free outdoor concert followed by Yogi Bear at 8pm City Park Gazebo, First & Military Street 707.746.4285

7/24

Benicia Festa - Holy Ghost Celebration, Parade 10am Lunch 1pm, auction 2pm, dancing 3pm, dinner 6pm B.D.E.S. Hall, 140 West J Street Beniciaholyghost.org 707.745.0285

7/30, 31

Benicia Fine Art & Jazz Festival Saturday 11am-8pm, Sunday 11am-6pm Top jazz musicians, fine art, food, wine & beer “Art of the Cars” auto display Foot of First Street, beniciamainstreet.org 707.745.9791

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Benicia Magazine

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