Benicia Magazine July 2023 Issue

Caring, Compassionate Service

Greg Silva Twin Chapels Mortuary

1100 Tennessee St., Vallejo • 707-552-6696 www.twinchapelsmortuary.com Voted

Mary

Darrell Mcelvane

Cooper

Jean Purnell

n From the Editor and Publisher

Greetings fellow Benicians,

We have some news regarding changes at Benicia Publishing. Don’t worry, it’s all good.

We are creating a hybrid Benicia Magazine. What does this mean, you ask. Simply put, the printed version of the magazine will now be quarterly, printed in fall, winter, spring, and summer. The monthly version of the magazine will be published digitally, to be received in your inbox or viewed online. What will be the difference between Benicia Quarterly and Benicia Magazine?

Let’s first talk about Benicia Quarterly. Expect season-specific content alongside some of your favorite columns and writers. Benicia Quarterly will also have a more regional focus, allowing us to reach beyond Benicia’s borders for interesting news and events. Included in the new Benicia Quarterly will be a tourism section focusing on Benicia with itineraries for day trips and overnight stays in town. Benicia Quarterly will be distributed as usual via mail to Benicia residents but will also be distributed via Visitor Centers in other cities including San Francisco, Sacramento, Solano County, and some of Contra Costa County.

Now, let’s talk about Benicia Magazine, monthly. This digital-only edition will be a selectively curated version of Benicia Magazine that will include Benicia-specific and timely content alongside some of your favorite columns and writers.

Those individuals who have a story suggestion or event they would like covered in the printed Benicia Quarterly will need to submit their materials in a timely manner. We are currently developing content for the Fall Issue, and will be doing so through mid-July. Please contact editor@beniciamagazine. com as soon as possible if you have a fall-related story. The Fall Issue will cover September, October, and November!

You might ask, why is this happening? As you may have surmised, the culprit is rising production costs. Like many small businesses, we were barely able to weather the pandemic and continue to produce the monthly printed magazine. Unfortunately, a monthly printed magazine is no longer sustainable. Since the pandemic, costs for printing, shipping, postage, and just about every other service required to produce a magazine have increased dramatically. By reducing our print frequency, we can continue producing the magazine and, in fact, improve upon it. Thus, making lemonade out of lemons. Feel free to email Mary or Genevieve with any questions or concerns.

As ever, thank you for reading.

Educators Celebrating

n Dr. Gethsemane Moss, Ed. D

In addition to July 4th, this month also includes July 30th, National Support Public Education Day. An often overlooked celebration day, let’s take a moment to dive into why such a day is necessary.

Taking a snapshot of public schools in Solano County, I couldn’t help but pull some data on some of the other school options available to parents. Solano County has about 60,492 students and there are about 5,892,240 statewide. According to the California Department of Education, an estimated 12 public charter schools in Solano County serve about 4,649 students, some with on-site learning and others with independent studies learning. There are an estimated 28 private schools throughout Solano County, as well. Many parents have also decided to homeschool their children, and based on some sources, homeschooling continues to rise.

No doubt, education faces many challenges, from the budget to school safety. According to EdSource Magazine, teachers are leaving the profession due to a variety of reasons. These include being unhappy and burnt out with the work, concerns about site safety, stress over political warfare, and a combination of factors lingering over from the pandemic; another layer of stress that educators, students, and families had to navigate. Educators thrive in a safe environment just as the students do. Staff shortage also has been problematic for many districts. This shortage leaves the teachers and administrators with the task of covering classes and delivering instruction beyond their capacity. Funding also continues to be an issue, and the starting salary for a teacher is about $39,000 per year, which makes it difficult to lean into the profession.

Whichever education plan and path parents decide to take for their students, showing appreciation is always welcomed by those who serve in what has long been considered a thankless profession. You may not have the luxury of donating your time at the school, but a nice thank you note, a positive email, or even a small gift card to a local coffee shop or bakery goes a long way.

“It is like the weight of every family and the social climate crisis is on their shoulders, and they are constantly trying to balance the world in a space that has become engulfed in confusion. Imagine how wonderful it would be if they could focus on the facilitation of instruction and helping students.”

At the end of the day, parents and professional educators want what is best for every student so that they can succeed. Parents can help support educators by showing appreciation throughout the school year. Give a joyous shout-out or send a positive note to a school employee (the paraeducator, the principal, the custodial, the crossing guards, the superintendent, or anyone else who works at a school). Educational staff members deal with a lot of trauma daily, sometimes including physical and verbal abuse, and they aren’t thanked enough for their daily sacrifice. It is like the weight of every family and the social climate crisis is on their shoulders, and they are constantly trying to balance the world in a space that has become engulfed in confusion. Imagine how wonderful it would be if they could focus on the facilitation of instruction and helping students. They can’t just do their jobs because they are too busy verbally and physically dodging bullets.

Whether your student attends public, private, home, or charter, you can still partner with your student’s school and the community, find ways to keep the line of communication open and participate in helping students navigate success. Get involved and volunteer. Find out what programs are offered. Maybe there is a need for instruments to help support early music programs. See yourself as a potential resource. Meet with your child’s teacher(s) at the beginning of the school year. Set up a time to meet with the site administration and the superintendent. Building positive relationships creates a foundation for what is possible instead of waiting for what could go wrong. When actively engaged, we understand what is taking place in the classrooms and on the school campuses. B

Artist Peter McNeill Portraying the Outdoor Light

n Jean Purnell

“I always drew as a kid,” recalls Peter McNeill, sitting in his bright, high-ceilinged studio in the Benicia Arsenal. “I remember being allowed to draw pictures if I finished my lessons. My parents encouraged it without pushing it.” He liked to draw people, landscapes, and things from his imagination. He started painting in high school and has never stopped. McNeill’s art is primarily representational, devoted to plein air landscapes of northern California and life drawings. Recently, he has also created abstract works.

Peter grew up in Green Valley and attended Fairfield High School. He enrolled at UC San Diego for two years, then transferred to San Luis Obispo to study architecture, but lasted only a short time in that program. “I had always been interested in art and architecture, and I took painting classes at San Diego. I liked architecture, but somehow didn’t see myself as an architect.” He briefly attended California College of the Arts. He put college on hold for a while, took odd jobs, and traveled a bit, eventually completing a degree in design from UC Davis in 1984.

McNeill settled on a day job with AT&T

in 1986. He started in outside plant engineering, drawing copper telephone cable jobs. By the time he finished, 32 years later, he was a staff manager writing guidelines for putting in fiber optic cable. “My career spanned the technical evolution from copper all the way to fiber optics.” He retired in 2018.

McNeill describes his landscapes as “plein air realism,” using oil paint with assorted brush types and sizes. He strives to portray the outdoor light and color, with an intuitive sense of space and distance. “It’s important not to hide the fact that it’s a painting. I’ve been trying to teach myself to work faster. Just get the paint on. Put a stroke of color on there and that’s enough to look like it.” He works on small surfaces outdoors.

Studio paintings allow him to work larger, but not always with the same vigor and immediacy. He lives in Walnut Creek, less than a mile from Mt. Diablo State Park, with his spouse Jenny, also an artist. “I’ve painted the same scene one mile inside the park at least a dozen times.”

Peter attributes his focus on color combinations and the color of light to the influence of plein air painter and teacher Kevin Milligan, now a Carmel gallerist, who he studied with in his early 40s. “He’s a tremendous colorist. He awoke new sensibilities in me, mainly about color. Colors can tell you so much about what it’s like being there, how warm, humid, or dry it is. That’s what’s interesting to me, trying to paint what I can’t see, the air.”

McNeill has been studying life drawing since the late 1970s. His figurative drawings are done with Conté crayon and charcoal pencils. He often uses a white Conté crayon on dark paper for the pop of contrast. He drew with a group in Crockett for almost twenty years prior to the interruption of the pandemic.

His abstract works grew out of an experimentation with how paint acts and how fast it dries when applied thin or thick. “For a long time, I needed to have a subject in front of me from which to work. It’s only been in the past few years that I felt comfortable painting abstract work that is my own. I started with simple shapes, rectangles, that suggested different things to me … like flags if they were horizontal. I take colors I like, lay out a basic shape, and then let the paint pool or drip. I’m not trying to do anything specific, I’m willing to watch accidents happen. I’ve had a few people come in and see color field stuff in my work and say ‘Rothko.’ But it’s very different. His works have layers of paint put on, very subtly, as opposed to mine, with layers put on so thick that they can drip. I think a drip would have insulted Rothko’s sensibilities.”

“That’s what’s interesting to me, trying to paint what I can’t see, the air.”

In addition to the abstract works of Diebenkorn and Rothko, McNeill admires the “incomprehensible technical abilities” of John Singer Sargent. He keeps physically active by playing tennis, attending a yoga group, and playing the piano about a half hour a day. “It’s good for the brain. It’s physical, emotive, analytical — every part of your brain is working at one time.”

In addition to participating in Benicia Arsenal Open Studios, McNeill has been showing his work at the Valley Art Gallery for the last twelve years. The gallery is located at 1661 Botelho Drive, Suite 110, in Walnut Creek. To see more of McNeill’s work, and for hours of operation, visit valleyartgallery.org/artist/peter-mcneill/.

Photography Contest

Calling all Benicia photographers!

Benicia is a community of creatives. This waterfront town is a magnet for artists and individuals with a unique eye for beauty. It's no surprise that awe inspiring photographs of our little town have flooded local galleries, camera roles, and Instagram feeds.

In an attempt to bring a bit of Benicia beauty into your homes, we are hosting a photography contest for our Autumn Patreon merchandise.

Photo entries must be taken in Benicia. The winner's photo will be made into a magnet for our Patreon members*, be posted to our social media platforms, and get a special shoutout in our next issue of Benicia Magazine.

To enter, send your photo to editor@beniciamagazine.com**

One entry per person. Deadline for entry is August 15th, 2023.

Winning photo will be decided by our Patreon subscribers.

* Good Neighbor tier excluded. ** Photo must be 300dpi, image will be cropped to 1.4 : 1 aspect ratio.

My interview started with Larnie and Bodil Fox playfully bickering over whether the Dogpatch District of San Francisco was always called that, or if the name had more recently caught on. It makes me smile. Instantly, I can feel that they are, in many ways, super comfortable with challenging one another while still remaining very best friends at the core.

However long it’s been called the “Dogpatch,” it’s where these two talented creatives met one night.

“Since we’re both artists, we tend to go to events that feature art of some kind,” says Bodil. “There was a place that played B movies—not the big screens…there were drinks, but I’m not even sure there was popcorn. We had some mutual friends and that’s how we connected, through the art world. Having mutual friends helps.”

“I thought she was way out of my league,” admits Larnie. “But reaching over her bean bag chair, I spotted a bit of vulnerability. So, I invited her out for sushi.”

Their first date was not sushi, as Larnie got sick. They settled on a mellow encounter with hot-and-sour soup. An early test of the relationship, if you will, to see how easily each could bob and weave in unexpected circumstances. Their relationship has, without a doubt, stood the test of time.

Eventually, the couple was looking to move out of the Excelsior area of San Francisco. Larnie landed as Director of Arts Benicia, and the couple fell in love with the community. They cherish all of the

THROUGH THEIR DIFFERENCES AND SIMILARITIES, BENICIA RESIDENTS LARNIE AND BODIL FOX WORK TOGETHER IN ART AND LOVE.

connections they’ve built due to Larnie’s job within the arts community—though Larnie also enjoys Benicia’s birdwatching by the water and Bodil has a huge appreciation for the plethora of dogs.

While Larnie’s expertise is painting and Bodil’s is textiles, they both share a bond over growing up with different creative influences in their lives.

“I’m from Denmark and there are really long winters,” Bodil says. “You sit inside. My mother and grandmother, my aunties—were all into embroidery, knitting, doing stuff like that. And they were teaching me from age 5 or so. It has kind of stayed with me since then. In my case, I was taught the traditional way of doing things…I have worked to try and take that tradition into another direction.”

“My mother too, she is a really good painter,” Larnie adds. “I’ve been trying to live up to her standards of handling color, expressing qualities my whole life, and she taught me how to do it. I’d get lessons with brown paper bags with crayons, around age 8-12...it was a natural progression for me. To have somebody around that has the skills, the passion early on, that’s huge.”

Though they do solo projects, the couple has found many ways to work together, such as for an interactive sound sculpture they co-created for a show called “Probability” in Oakland. It’s not always smooth sailing or a clear answer as to how that will go off the bat, however.

“We had to figure it out; if our tasks are identical, it gets more difficult as we both think we are the authority on it,” says Bodil. “By trying to figure out our strengths, it helps. I’m much more detail oriented, while Larnie is more of a freeform painter.

How do we put together these strengths with something we can be happy about? If there are failures, we come back and find something that really works.”

“It’s not always easy…but the result is different and better than something we could come up with on our own,” adds Larnie.

True to character, Larnie and Bodil want to encourage the younger generations in our community to explore art—but they have their own paths and messages for sharing this hope.

“I recently taught drawing for Joe Henderson Elementary’s STEAM program,” Larnie says. “It’s really satisfying work. Fifth graders especially, they really are longing for some kind of realism, but there’s not enough art anymore in the schools…the important thing is giving them the stepping stones and permission to do this. It’s socially acceptable to be a maker, a designer, a creative thinker, but it doesn’t come naturally; it has to be nurtured.”

“I encourage parents to be creative with their kids,” adds Bodil. “We clearly benefited from our parents. It’s fun. Don’t think you have to make a career out of it. It’s for enjoyment and just feeling like you had a good time. You’re doing it just because you’re enjoying it, like doing a puzzle. Create your own, sit with it, be with it.”

If you’d like to see some of their work for yourself, there will be opportunities right in town. Larnie will have his solo show at First Street’s NY2CA Gallery next month. A joint show is also scheduled for February 2024, and you can catch Bodil’s that August. B

n Caitlin McCulloch

Photo by Luke George

July 29 — 30

Benicia celebrates its picturesque waterfront over two days with live music!

Saturday Wake the Neighbors 11:30-1pm

Other People’s Money 1:30-3:30pm In Living Cover 4-6pm

Sunday House of Floyd 11:30-1pm Tin Man 1:30-3:30pm Tortilla Soup 4-6pm

For ticket prices and event details, visit us at beniciamainstreet.org

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

PRESENTEDBY

Saturday and Sunday 11am to 6pm

First Street Green | BeniciaMainStreet.org

Phoenix Rises again in Benicia Phoenix Rises again

Gaskill and Copper: Bronzing, Hemphill. The members of the Company furnished a light collation (light meal) on the occasion of bringing home their new apparatus.”

Painted on the side of the Phoenix is the motto, Surgo Lucidius (I arise in radiance), which was once the adage used by the Phoenix Engine Company of Philadelphia. The Phoenix was in service until 1854. The Daily Pennsylvanian dated April 21, 1854, page 3, states, “The career of the old apparatus, is not uninteresting and worthy of notice. She was bought by two members of the Company and sent to California for sale. Last February she was paraded with the San Francisco Fire Department, and after the parade was tried by the members of the Pennsylvania Fire Company, of that city, [Pennsylvania Fire Company of San Francisco] when she threw two side streams over the City Hall. The apparatus was subsequently sold for $3,500, to the Pacific Mail Steamship Company for the works at Benicia.” An interesting side note regarding the painting on the pumper, the art was created by Eisenbrey and refers to his brother, George L. Eisenbrey, who was a member of the Phoenix Hose Company. On June 24, 1841, he was battling a large fire with his company, when he was killed by falling brick walls. The fire was located at Mulford & Alter’s Wholesale Grocery Store, 247 Market St., above 6th St. The brick wall in the painting refers to that tragic incident.

Benicia is a city steeped in California history, much of which can be seen at the Museum of History-Benicia, formerly Benicia Historical Museum. When the Benicia Fire Museum decided to close its doors in 2021, the Museum of History, Benicia (MoHB) stepped in to save the museum’s artifacts by taking over the museum. All artifacts had to be reviewed, researched and cataloged. It was, and continues to be a big job.

The fire trucks (two engines and three hand pumpers), are the largest artifacts in the museum, and the jewel of the collection is The Phoenix. The Phoenix is the oldest of the group, and was built around 1839 by John Agnew of Philadelphia. It is a hand-pumper built in the Philadelphia style, and requires several people to operate it. Firemen stand on the upper duckboards and alongside the engine, pumping on either side of the mechanism which draws water from a tender or nearby water source to project through one of its buffalo hide hoses. The Phoenix appears in historical records as a wellknown and widely celebrated pumper; it first resided at the Phoenix Hose Company No. 11, in Philadelphia. The company went out of active service on March 15, 1871, when the paid fire department was placed in service. The pumper was quite a celebrity in its time. The Public Ledger dated December 24, 1840, page 2, gave us the following description: “Decorative Painting, Eisenbright (misspelled); Carving, Smith: Engraving,

The Phoenix then was moved to Benicia, where, in 1863 it was moved from the docks to the fire station on East 7th St. above H St. While it was stored in the station belonging to the Benicia Fire Department (BFD), the Phoenix was manned by individuals with ties to the Pacific Mail Steamship Company. In 1878, Benicia Fire Department was able to purchase the Phoenix from Pacific Mail. It remained in service for BFD until June 5, 1923, when it was donated to the M.H. deYoung Memorial Museum in San Francisco. The deYoung displayed the Phoenix at the museum until the 1960s, when they loaned it to the Sutro Baths. The de Young then loaned the Phoenix back to Benicia via the Benicia Volunteer Fire Department in 1966. By a stroke of luck, members of the Benicia Volunteer Fire Department picked up the Phoenix from the Sutro Baths just before a suspicious fire burned the bathhouse to the ground.

There were several attempts in 1966 and 1967 to get the de Young to donate the Phoenix to Benicia. The BFD, the Native Sons of the Golden West, and the Benicia City Council worked hard to make it happen. Unsuccessful, they settled on the de Young loaning the pumper to Benicia.

When the Benicia Fire Museum turned its collection and business over to the MoHB, the museum Executive Director Jen Roger contacted the de Young to reestablish the loan between the de Young and the MoHB. She requested that the loan be converted to a deaccession on their part, and given to the Museum of History, Benicia. And that is what has happened: one hundred years, almost to the day, after the City of Benicia donated the Phoenix to the de Young, the Phoenix has returned home permanently. B

n Mary Hand

Photos by Luke George

Jen Roger and Mike White

France California

n Mary Hand and Jeannine Mendoza, Ed.D

I get it. You spend many evenings planning a fabulous French vacation. You want to visit the castles, the art museums, the stately cathedrals with their lofty spires and ancient stained glass windows. You want to experience world renowned food and wine and while away the time at a French café. You want to experience the awesome art galleries and architecture. You scrimp and save, looking forward to a trip that might be taken only once in a lifetime. After you get home and you examine your zillion photos and try to make sense of how many euros you actually spent according to your credit card statement, you wonder if you could ever duplicate your outstanding experience again. And the truth is you can! Read on and find out how many of these same wonderful experiences can be had here in our own state, or at least in our own time zone!

French countryside / Yountville

Let’s begin our trip with a visit to the French countryside, right in the middle of Napa. Yountville is home to some of the top French restaurants in California with The French Laundry, Bouchon Bistro, and Bistro Jeanty. Wonderful French and California wines can be had at JCB French Style Tasting Room, and don’t miss Le Paris Bakery in downtown Napa.

Paris / San Francisco

A quick ferry ride will deliver us to San Francisco, also known as Paris of the Pacific. The French came to San Francisco during the gold rush and made their mark on the new rough and tumble city. The French influence can be seen in architecture and food. Perhaps most famous is the invention of sourdough bread by Frenchman Isidor Boudin.

Let’s begin our Parisian tour in authentic French fashion, with a croissant at Le Marais – a city favorite. Order a fresh croissant, espresso and a filling croque for the perfect leisurely morning. For a quick, and possibly hair-raising, tour of Paris in SF, rent a scooter. Head to Union Square to see the four-story rotunda topped by a dome of stained glass that showcased the symbol and motto of the city of Paris in what once was The City of Paris department store, and is now Neiman Marcus.

Next, let’s hop on our scooter and go to the heart of the French community, Notre Dame Des Victoires church on Bush Street, which was built in 1864. This area includes three French schools, the Alliance Française, the French-American Chamber of Commerce, and many French cultural associations.

Next, lunch! There are many French Cafes to choose from. Our favorites are Café de la Presse, Café Bastille SF and Côte Ouest Bistro where you can enjoy a true Paris experience. After lunch we will go to perhaps the most distinctive French building in the city, The Legion of Honor, modeled after the headquarters of the Légion d’Honneur in Paris. The museum covers 4,000 years of art history with a focus on European works. Heavy-hitters include

a large collection of more than 90 Rodin sculptures, including a bronze casting of The Thinker, and works by Picasso; more than 800 European paintings, including pieces by Monet and Rembrandt;. It's the closest San Francisco gets to the great art museums of Europe.

Time for apéro hour. Of the traditions that the French uphold with near-religious obsession, carving time in their schedules for a late afternoon/early evening drink at happy hour is perhaps the most important. Unwind from your day at one of these hot spots. Absinthe is a swanky brasserie that is relaxed, vintage-chic, and replete with all of the classic French libations. Amelie is another gorgeous option for a beautifully affordable happy hour with tapas in an atmosphere bathed in sultry red and filled with live jazz.

We’ll finish our day in “Paris” at one of the city's best French restaurants that turn out classic and contemporary Gallic fare utilizing California's bountiful cheeses and seasonal produce. These restaurants are the crème de la crème of SF French restaurants; Atelier Crenn, Monsieur Benjamin and O’ by Claude Le Tohic. Your tour of Paris/SF cannot be complete without a joyful nightcap at the trendy and intimate Le Petit Paris 1975. Bonne soirée!

Versailles/Hearst Castle

A trip to France wouldn’t be complete without a stop in Versailles. Versailles sits adjacent to the city of Paris and is well-known for the magnificent Palace of Versailles and gardens, built by King Louis XIII in 1661, and expanded by King Louis XIV. Built in the Rococo style, whimsy adorns the decadent halls, as do fabulous works of art. Napoleon used the Palace as a summer residence from 1810-1814, and in 1919, the Treaty of Versailles that ended World War I was signed in the famous Hall of Mirrors.

For California’s take on the Palace of Versailles, let’s visit Hearst Castle in San Simeon. Also known as La Cuesta Encantada or “The Enchanted Hill,” Hearst Castle was built by newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst from 19201947, with a six-year break for World War II from 1939-1945. Renowned architect, Julia Morgan (California’s first licensed woman architect!) spent years with Hearst, collaborating on his dream of a fabulous castle built in a mix of mediterranean architectural styles. Hearst filled the castle with art, antiques, ancient sarcophagi, centuries-old sculptures, silverware, tapestries, and more to entertain his celebrity guests. We’ll visit the 165 rooms, 123 acres of gardens, terraces, opulent pools, and walkways by booking a tour, or four. Let’s see if

we can spot the descendents of the zebras, aoudads, and Sambar deer from Hearst’s private zoo collection in the San Simeon hills!

Musee d’Orsay/ Getty Center

Musee d’Orsay opened in 1986 in a former train station and houses Impressionist art from the Jeu de Paume Museum and the Louvre Museum, as well as other museums. It rivals the Louvre in popularity with Paris tourists and boasts collections of Renoir, Monet, Degas, Manet, Cezanne, Seurat , Sisley, Gauguin and van Gogh. The former train station, an impressive Beaux Arts building, is well situated on the Left Bank of the Seine and affords visitors an opportunity to see Paris landmarks from the upper floor windows. Tickets to the d’Orsay start at 12 to 16 euros but the “skip the line” tickets start at 35 euros.

California's Musee d’Orsay is eccentric business mogul J.Paul Getty’s, Getty Center, located on a hilltop in the Brentwood neighborhood of West Los Angeles. Commanding views that span downtown to the ocean, impressive architecture that houses a rotating collection of thousands of art pieces, a central garden with fountains and lawns for picnics and relaxing, and over 400 notable paintings created before the 20th century, the Getty Center has plenty to see. Although it doesn’t boast the long history of other world class museums, the Getty Center does have world famous impressionist works, like van Gogh’s Irises (1889), Degas’ After the Bath (1895), Renoir’s Promenade (1870), Monet’s Wheatstacks (1891), and Sunrise (1872), among others. Tickets are free, but you must reserve an entry time to visit online. Parking is $20.00 per car, although you can take a public bus or private taxi and be dropped off, if you choose. B

Picture Perfect Places to Pop the Question

Photographer Luke George was on assignment on the Benicia waterfront preparing to capture that special moment when a groom-to-be kneels down on one knee, reveals the ring and asks the woman he loves to marry him. But something was amiss.

It was supposed to be a surprise. The bride-to-be did not know. Her future husband (he hoped!) had hatched the plan in secret consultation with George; they had agreed to cross paths at a certain pre-arranged spot where the big event was going to happen. Only, the two men had never met in person, talking only on the phone.

“I told him to look for the tall guy with the camera,” recalled George with a laugh. “Apparently there was another tall guy with a camera on the waterfront that day. He proposed and the bride said yes, but nobody took any pictures of it. When I showed up they had already left. No one was there.”

Fortunately, after clearing up the misunderstanding, the couple and George returned to the waterfront to re-enact that special moment for posterity. Everyone went away happy.

On the subject of the most perfect places in Benicia to pop the question, it would be hard to find a more qualified authority than the tall guy with the Nikon. A photographer for Benicia Magazine and other businesses around town, Luke George has shot weddings at the Jefferson Street Mansion and countless proposals. Now, however, he gets together with his clients inperson beforehand to avoid any possible mix-ups.

The most popular time and place for question-popping, according to George, is the First Street Pier at sunset. “The end of the pier is good,” he told me, “but really, pick your spot.” Another site he really likes is the Neptune’s Daughter statue on the public walkway behind the Tannery Building. “You can get layers of information in the shot. The amber hills, the waterfront, that old yellow building on the wharf. And without the crowds.”

Surprisingly, perhaps, considering how picturesque it is, the Benicia harbor is not big with the question-popping set. It is, nevertheless, very much in demand with families for family

portraits and pictures of new high school graduates. “The light is really great there for portraits. There’s a grassy area near the yacht club, and you can get the masts from the sailboats in the background.”

The quality of light is key for any photographer, professional or amateur. “Watch the light,” George advised. “What is the scene you’re trying to set? Pick the spot with the best light so that the picture turns out the way you want.”

Before every proposal he shoots, George checks out the agreed-upon spot and observes what the light will be like at the scheduled time. Then, on the big day, he poses as a sort of tourist who just happens to be taking a stroll on a waterfront promenade taking pictures. He and the groomto-be exchange furtive glances and when the man of the moment drops that knee, up steps Luke.

Another go-to locale is Ninth Street Park. Though it can be busy at times, at sunset when things settle down, it can provide lovely backdrops of the water, the flagpole on Commodore Jones Point, and those glowing amber hills across the strait. Benicia also has many pleasant camera-ready park settings (such as the gazebo at the top of First), but when it comes to creating Instagram buzz, you must have water in the shot, evidently.

Not all waterfront locations are created equal, however. The 12th Street Park, although pretty, is too darn windy. Nobody likes their hair blowing all around while getting their picture taken.

Restaurants on First Street have no doubt seen their share of pop-the-question moments, particularly the ones with water views. George often works with Michelle Heberling, a local caterer who arranges private dinner events that are held on the courtyard of the Sweetness and Light flower boutique. After enjoying a romantic dining experience with his (supposedly) unsuspecting sweetheart, the groom-tobe screws up his courage and does the deed just as the Houdini-like George appears from out of thin air.

The question must be asked: In his experience, has he ever seen a groom turned down? “I haven’t seen a no. Ever,” responded George. “The grooms are pretty confident, pretty solid that they’re gonna get a yes.” Hurrah for that! B

n Kevin Nelson

Photos by Luke George

COOL WAYS TO KEEP YOUR VINO COOL

The sun is shining, and it feels like a great time to kick up your feet and enjoy the Benicia breeze coming into your backyard. Problem is, you don’t have the stuff to make a great summer cocktail, and the white wine that would be perfect to drink is at a

Juice Ice Cubes for Cocktails!

I don’t know about you, but I hate when a ton of ice waters down a nice cocktail. Here’s a fun way to prep cocktails ahead of time without having to chill them in the fridge.

Fresh mint to your discretion

Make a blueberry syrup. Simply take frozen or fresh blueberries, add water and granulated sugar to a small pot and bring to a simmer for 10 minutes. Make sure to crush the berries to help bring out more of the flavors. After 10 minutes, or until reduced (not watery) let the syrup cool off of the heat. While cooling, add a few leaves of fresh basil to the pot and stir in gently. No straining needed. We want all the extra bits.

Once cool, use a large cube tray and pour the syrup into the tray. Add mint leaves to each cube. Freeze for at least

Add your rum, crush some extra mint at the bottom of your glass, add cubes and follow up with club soda. B

STAY COOL THE SMART WAY.

HAPPY SUMMER!

Blueberry Basil Mojito

BENICIA NEWS AND VIEWS

TRADITIONS

IN SPECTACLE

n Gene Pedrotti

Traditions make or break a community. Parades, fireworks, Grad Night, Peddler’s Fair…annual events like these define us and give Benicia its identity. So it was rather disturbing when the City announced it was withdrawing funding for fireworks and the annual tree lighting.

In my Crockett youth, boys and girls couldn’t wait for fireworks each July. The all-day event put all-hands on deck for the day: Crockett Lions ran the parade, John Swett High School band mustered to march downtown, Crockett volunteer firefighters produced the fireworks in the evening. It’s the same in Benicia! Everyone in town participates. However today, I’m sorry to say, Crockett is much quieter.

In 2003, working hard to promote Crockett, a few of us hatched an idea to create a grand opening party for the Zampa Bridge which had just started construction. Spectacles sell and I couldn’t help propose a fireworks show on the Bay. Produced by Pyro-Spectacular – the famous Sousa fireworks family – it was an expensive and elaborate show. At $110,000, the fireworks were set on a sand-filled barge and floated out east of the Carquinez Bridges. Our secret finale included three 12-inch shells weighing over 100 lbs each! (Why so big?! The gunpowder required to launch a firework is one-inch diameter per 100 feet of lift). We were awestruck to see these suckers soar to 1,200 feet, almost three times the height of the Zampa towers! Incredible!

Fireworks. Drone shows. Spectacles. The bigger the better. To ensure continuation of Benicia’s fireworks, Ace pivoted its drone show campaign and joining with Republic Services and Benicia Community Foundation, are making it happen. Special thanks to all of you who have contributed at Ace. And special gratitude to Republic Services and the Benicia Community Foundation for organizing and supporting the show!

With fireworks saved, it is time to take up the Holiday Tree Lighting. On that, it is my pleasure to announce that, starting this month, Ace will match all donations made at the hardware store, up to $10,000, towards the Tree Lighting. Your donations, matched by Ace, can raise $20,000 to help underwrite the event and ensure that Benicians can continue to gather for this year’s Tree Lighting! Limits of City funding should not discourage us, but rather challenge us! Fireworks and the Tree Lighting are important traditions that we need to preserve. As for the Drone show, I am not giving up yet! I would love to see that next year’s July 4th festivities expand to include a Drone show and waterfront entertainment! B

“Ace will match all donations made at the hardware store, up to $10,000, towards the Tree Lighting.”

Beautiful Exterior Color That Stands Up to the Elements

Beauti f u l Ex ter ior Color T hat

Sta nds Up to t he Elements

Element Guard® performs in any weather and is specially formulated to tackle one of the most difficult painting environments: high moisture.

Element Guard® per forms in any weather and is specially formulated to tackle one of the most dif ficult painting environments: high moisture

Pedrotti Ace Hardware 830 Southampton Road Benicia, CA 94510 707.745.NUTS (6887) acebenicia.com

Benicia Grill Grilling and Giving

n Caitlin McCulloch

Samim Azizi of Benicia Grill helps out his community. Maybe you’ve simply passed by Benicia Grill as you’ve driven through the Industrial Park, have stopped in for a meal there once or twice, or perhaps are a regular. It's off the beaten path and has been part of our community for 16 years— and is still being run by the original mastermind behind the small breakfast and lunch spot, owner Samim Azizi.

His journey in the restaurant business started long before Benicia Grill, however. He’s previously owned another restaurant, worked with gone but not forgotten Lyons and Buttercup in Vallejo. Attaining the position of general manager (within a month of being hired as manager, no less), winning manager of the year, and troubleshooting things like fixing food costs, have all been hats that Azizi has worn over the years. But he wanted his own space where he could bundle up all of this experience while having some control over his own hours.

“I was working 13-14 hours a day, sometimes even 15,” he explains. “I was just really tired and had decided I needed to take a whole year off before. But I’m a workaholic at heart. Restaurants are just my passion. Put me in some other business and I might not make it, but in restaurants I will. I love to cook, and I love to manage.”

Aside from the business and food aspects of owning Benicia Grill, Azizi relishes being in the community. He’s donated gift certificates and sponsored both Benicia Middle School and Benicia High School, along with donating food to seniors. Over the years, he’s grown quite close with anyone who patronizes his restaurant, too.

“Most of my customers are regulars. They know my name, I know their name,” Azizi says. “I appreciate my customer relationships so much.”

I was lucky enough to get to experience one of these connections during our interview.

“Bye, Jerry!” Azizi yells as we chat. “I’m sorry about that,” he says. “That was one of my regulars. He’s in here every single day with his wife. He orders the breakfast sandwich,

and it’s a waffle combo for Joann. We can see them from the kitchen as soon as they come in, so we’ll start their order. By the time they’re sitting at a table, their food is in front of them.”

Whether you’re a regular or a first-timer, Azizi invites you to try Benicia Grill’s food. You might just catch him cooking your meal himself, too.

“When I see that somebody called out, we’re shorthanded, we’re busy on a Saturday or a Sunday, I’m going in the kitchen to help out,” he says.

Popular choices include comforting biscuits and gravy and fajita omelets with shrimp or steak for breakfast; lunchtime brings filling selections such as a French dip and a mesquite pepper tritip sandwich. It’s a great time to come in and take advantage of some serious deals that Benicia Grill is offering right now— there’s both a breakfast and lunch menu with entrees that ring in at less than $10, without sacrificing quality.

“Our bacon has been the same since day one,” he says, referring to his policy of not compromising on the quality of meat he serves. “We never change it. Even [though] prices double, I’m not going to cut corners. I wouldn’t be here without my customers. This restaurant wouldn’t be open. The pandemic was a really hard time to stay open, and the people of Benicia supported me. When the inside was closed, my regulars would order takeout. I’m trying to help out the city of Benicia and surrounding areas by running these specials during tough economic times, when the cost of groceries is skyrocketing. My customers helped me out, now it’s my turn.”

Benicia Grill is open daily from 7:00 am-2:00 pm. You can also order food for delivery through DoorDash, UberEats, and GrubHub. B

Photos by Luke George

Book and Cocktail Club Just Haven't Met You Yet

by Sophie Cousens

Love at First Sip

Glasses from The Vintage Rug Shop

Ingredients

3 oz Blood Orange Juice

2 oz Coconut Water

1½ oz Pineapple Juice

1 Tbs Unsweetened Coconut Cream

½ oz Maple Syrup

Coconut Flakes

Preparation

1 Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice.

2 Rim a rocks glass with coconut flakes (optional)

3 Shake vigorously and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.

Sip Tip: Add your favorite rum or NA spirit for a little extra flavor!

n Cooper Mickelson

“Maybe life’s more about carving out happy chapters than finding a single happy ending.”

You didn’t think I’d let summer pass us by without choosing a sappy, romantic comedy as the Booktails pick, did you? Although it’s not my go-to genre, I’ve found myself picking up more and more romance novels to slide in between heavier reads throughout the year. Sometimes you just need a little break from the dark, depressing, and violent stories that crowd every bookstore's sci-fi/fantasy shelves.

There’s a little something for everyone in the romance genre. You can find anything from steamy westerns, for those who own John Wayne’s complete DVD collection, to regency romance, for my fellow fans of Bridgerton

So, in hopes of satisfying the broadest range of readers this month, I was on a mission to find a low-stakes contemporary romance full of belly laughs and butterfly moments. This hunt led me to Sophie Cousens's novel Just Haven’t Met You Yet

Laura Le Quesne was raised on stories of her parents’ remarkable romance that sparked from an adorable meet-cute. Growing up with this movie-worthy relationship setting her standards for love, Laura dreams of something equally spectacular. While waiting for her special moment, Laura interviews others about their romantic relationships for How Did You Meet?, a show on the “LoveLife” lifestyle platform.

When a couple lined up to star in the next episode wind up in jail, Laura is stuck scrambling to find a substitute story. The pitch that wins the support of her boss is a then-and-now style article surrounding her parent’s love story, complete with photos of Laura in the same

places her parents spent their first summer together. This is how Laura finds herself flying out to her late father’s home country, Jersey.

In a rush to start her adventure, Laura grabs the wrong suitcase on her way out of the airport. Inside, she finds the books, clothes, and sheet music of who she imagines to be her dream man. Convinced the universe has finally gifted her with the exceptional romance she’s always dreamt of, this accidental suitcase swap sets off a chain of events that will change every aspect of Laura’s life.

With the help of a cab driver, who resembles Tom Hanks in Castaway, Laura’s scavenger hunt for her mysterious suitcase man becomes more difficult than she’d expected. As her days in Jersey fly by, Laura reimagines the life and love she always thought she wanted.

Yes, this novel is full of scenes that will bring color to your cheeks, but Cousens finds a way to add more depth than you’d expect in the average fluffy romance. We get a surprising amount of heavy moments surrounding parents and the secrets that come to light as their children grow into adults and are forced to say goodbye, or help them settle into a new chapter of their lives. There’s also a prominent theme of throwing away the illusion of happily ever after and instead focusing on “being happy today, and for as many todays as we are lucky enough to have.”

Just Haven’t Met You Yet is a charming and comical story about how one moment can upend our expectations and result in unexpected joys. I thoroughly enjoyed devouring this book in one weekend, and I think it’s a great option to bring along on vacation or just a sunny picnic downtown. B

n Gourmet Gracie and Movie Magic

Here’s an idea…a gourmet coffee shop with pastries and PIZZA! And not just any pizza. Chef Monica sampled multiple kinds of pizza dough, none made the cut…so she customized her own. This Roman style dough takes 5 days of prep before baking—time for fermentation in between the labor-intensive folding, rolling and proofing. The result is a pleasing, soft-chew crust with crispy edges; surprisingly light with quality sauces and toppings. Options include the meat combo, prosciutto & arugula, veggie or Margherita.

Coffee, tea and lemonade options include Gracie’s favorite, the Butterfly Pea Lemonade—a lovely concoction served with a small beaker of pretty blue liquid that turns purple when added to the lemonade. Stunning and fun. Choose

Endless Summer

Following summer around the globe, searching for the “perfect wave,” Endless Summer is a joyous experience of surfing, travel adventures, wildlife and gorgeous photography. Michael Hynson and Robert August leave California and head for Hawaii, Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Tahiti, surfboards in tow. Bruce Brown, the director, photographer, writer, producer and narrator, used only the camera equipment he could carry to capture the events. He shows us some extraordinary “wave chasing” by local surfers in a variety of locations. They head for the previously un-surfed waters of Western Africa, where no one had ever seen a surfboard. They brave the sharkinfested waters of Australia. The scenes at the iconic “Pipeline” on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii, are breathtaking.

This movie is a time capsule of cultural significance—it still holds up today.

Drift

366 First Street

Benicia, CA 94510

from a broad selection of pastries/ desserts, toast, salads and snacks. The staff is warm and welcoming.

Benicia residents, Monica, and her partner, Ryan, completely renovated the former Java Point/Adarna space, with expert carpentry help from within the family. The beautifully designed wood tables from our local Teak Man draw you in, with lovely art and lots of green indoor foliage—there’s even a children’s corner. Monica’s Italian heritage and former restaurant ownership shine through. Ryan’s stellar design skills succeed—it feels peaceful and happy. It all started with that Mangia Squared food (pizza) truck!

Don’t miss the latest addition to Benicia’s dining scene. Indoor/outdoor seating. Open 7 am to 4 pm daily; later on Thursdays for Farmers Market.

Drift on into Drift—you’ll be glad you did. Salute!

Brown’s narration of hip surfer-speak, is kooky and entertaining. The groovy ‘60s music by The Sandals sets the tone. As Roger Ebert says (Ebert, the actual movie critic who was alive then), “there is a peculiar charm to this uncomplicated film, designed only to please.” And to share some surfing love. Watching these surfers grab their swim trunks and board wax and head out—simply in search of a good “ride”—gives us room for relaxation. Soon, you might find yourself drawn to that rhythmic ocean magic—you might even be inspired to “catch a wave.”

Trivia Tip: Bruce Brown, who passed away in 2017, was hailed as “the Bergman of the boards” and the “Fellini of the foam.” A bronze memorial statue of him with his camera is located on the Pacific Coast Highway in Dana Point, California.

Movie Magic gives Endless Summer 4 ½ out of 5 Moons. B

July 1

City Park

July

Heroes & Villains Market

10am-5pm

EVENTS

July 29-30

Benicia Waterfront Festival

First Street Green

11am-6pm

July 10-14, 17-21, 24-28, 31-August 4

Summer Clay Camps: Beginner Wheel Throwing & Intro to Hand-building

Happy Life Pottery

9-11:15am

These camps are designed for students with little to no experience on the wheel, ages 10-16. Registration for 1-3 weeks covers varying topics.

July 10-26

Ready for 6th, 7th, 8th Grade Math

Learning Circles

Costume up for Super Saturday 4th of July Weekend, Heroes & Villains! With food and artisans, this is a free event with with something for everyone!

July 3

Torchlight Parade

First Street

6:30-9pm

Benicia’s Independence Day parade stretches along First Street and includes dancers, floats, clowns, and entertainment. For more information go to, beniciamainstreet.org.

July 4

Fireworks Extravaganza

Benicia Waterfront

9:30-10pm

Fireworks lovers rejoice: beginning at 9:30 pm, catch the show along the end of First Street by the Marina Green. The spectacular visual will last for a full 30 minutes, finishing at 10:00 pm.

July 13-15

Benicia Historical Museum

White Camel Sale

Benicia Historical Museum

9am-3pm

3 days of junk hunting fun! Support your museum and have fun all at the same time. You never know what you are going to find. Ticketed pre-sale

July 13th (5-8pm).

Non-ticketed sale days are July 14 and 15 from 9:00am - 3:00pm.

The popular summer event is back with a splash! Benicia celebrates its picturesque waterfront locale with two days of live music, microbrew tastings, arts & crafts marketplace, delectable gourmet foods, and kids’ activity area.

Thursdays

Farmers Market

First Street

4-8pm

Benicia Main Street draws many people to its popular Farmers Market. The Market offers fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods, gourmet food, delicious hot foods, arts and crafts, live entertainment, and face painting.

Classes & Workshops

July 5-20

Children's Summer Yoga Program

The Elevate Company

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 1:45-2:15, 2:30-3:15

Innovative curriculum is designed to encourage self-regulation and stress management skills through movement and breath awareness. Hours split by ages.

11am-12:15pm

Better prepare your student for 6th, 7th, or 8th grade math this summer! 3-week series, 2 days per week. More info at learningcircleseducation.com

July 12

Rock Steady Juggling

Benicia Public Library Amphitheater

3-3:45pm

Come see juggler Doug Nolan entertain and educate you about water! Thanks to the Solano County Water Agency for sponsoring this event.

July 16

Introduction to Woodblock Printing Arts Benicia Annex

991 Tyler Street, Suite 116

12-5pm

Students will learn to: Make a registration board to position colors accurately, transfer key line print to other blocks, create multiple color woodblock prints.

July 25 - August 10

Children's Summer Yoga Program

The Elevate Company

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 1:45-2:15, 2:30-3:15

Innovative curriculum is designed to encourage self-regulation and stress management skills through movement and breath awareness. Hours split by ages.

July 29

Assemblage Workshop

Arts Benicia, 1 Comandant's Lane

1-5pm

July 30

"Like a Flower" : Making Monoprints with Recycled Materials

Arts Benicia Annex

991 Tyler Street, Suite 116

11am- 3pm

Come join Tricia in this experimental workshop as we print our way through this fun and surprising process of creating abstract prints from recycled materials that look “like a flower.”

Music & Entertainment

Tuesdays

Trivia with King Trivia

Mare Island Brewing Co.

First Street Taphouse

6:30pm

Grab your friends for craft brews, food, and a few brain ticklers from the quizmasters at King Trivia every Tuesday upstairs, in the Benicia Room.

July 7

First Fridays at the Museum:

Darlyn Pearl

Benicia Historical Museum

6:30-9:30pm

The Benicia Historical Museum warmly welcomes Darlyn Pearl back to the First Friday lineup. Live music, food trucks, no-host bar.

Lucca's Beer Garden Stage

439 First Street, Benicia

July 1

Patrick McGinnis (1:30-3:30pm)

Camp Jeff (6:30-9pm)

July 2, 2:30-5:30pm

Patrick Winningham Band

July 3, 4-6:30pm

BUNY!P + Jeff Tamelier & Tony Lindsay

July 4, 2:30-5:30pm

Randy Markham & The Boys

July 6, 6:30-9pm

Uncommonwealth

July 7, 6:30-9pm

Howell Devine

July 8

Diablo Rhythm Wranglers (1-4pm)

Kehoe International (6:30-9pm)

July 9, 2:30-5:30pm

Fog City Swampers

July 13, 6:30-9pm

Quattro

July 14, 6:30-9pm

Jeffrey Halford and the Healers

July 15

Chris Ahlman (1:30-3:30pm)

Groovy Judy (6:30-9pm)

July 16, 2:30-5:30pm

Chris James and the Showdowns

July 20, 6:30-9pm

Souldul Security

July 21, 6:30-9pm

Salvage Title

July 22

Lisa Long (1:30-3:30pm)

Westerly (6:30-9pm)

July 23, 2:30-5:30pm

Planetary Hum

July 27, 6:30-9pm

The Machine

July 28, 6:30-9pm

Don Bassey & Friends

July 29

SunHunter (1:30-3:30)

Crossman Connection (6:30-9pm)

July 30, 2:30-5:30pm

726 First Street, Benicia

July 28, 9pm-1:30am

Goth Night

Tuesdays, 7-10pm

Open Mic for Musicians

Wednesdays, 7-10pm

Karaoke with Glenn Snyder

Sundays, 6-10pm

Poker Night

Thursdays, 9pm-1am

DJ

Live music Friday and Saturday. Visit therelliktavern.com for the full lineup.

Empress Theatre

330 Virginia St, Vallejo

July 5, 6:30-8:30pm

Tia Carroll

Witness the amazing vocals of Bay Area blues singer supreme, Tia Carroll; one of the most sought-after female singers on the West Coast.

July 15, 8-10:30pm

Three Queens

Nathan Owens 3 Queens is a high energy tribute show featuring the legendary music of The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, Queen of Rock, Tina Turner, and the Queen of Motown, Diana Ross. B

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