Benicia Magazine June 2020

BENICIA HIGH SCHOOL

– Class of 2020

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Father, Cool Uncle, Great Kids, Family Business.

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Celebrating our 15th Year

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Benicia Editor-in-Chief

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Art Director Margaret Bowles

Benicia Contributors

Patty Gavin Bitsy Hallmagazine Genevieve Hand Jeannine Mendoza Jade Shojaee Maura Sullivan Christina Strawbridge Scott Strawbridge

Administrative Assistant Solofo Evans

Website Specialist & Editorial Assistant Genevieve Hand

Everything you need for your next paint project.

Photography Lisa Duncan

Social Media Specialist Bitsy Hall

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4 • Benicia Magazine

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Scott and Christina Strawbridge Benicia Magazine is published monthly by Polygon Publishing, LLC. Copyright © 2019, all rights reserved.

Contents of Benicia Magazine cannot be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of the publisher. Opinions expressed in Benicia Magazine editorial or advertisements are those of the authors and advertisers, and may not reflect the opinion of Benicia Magazine’s management or publisher. Benicia Magazine, Downtown Benicia, CA 94510. 707.751.0100, Beniciamagazine.com.

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June 2020

Features

Food & Drink

Benicia High School – Class of 2020

16

Brothers Trevor & Taylor – Dedicated to quality and craftmanship

Bruehol Best Burger Father knows best! — Dad’s favorite cocktails

18

People

Jerry and Maryellen Hayes Committed to Benicia

People & Places

Community

Yandell Truckaway, Benicia Business for generations June Blooms — garden artistry of Evangeline Gie Newhall

Culture

Katie Rubin! Healer, Comic, Coach

Health & Fitness

Take it Outside— Where to walk and hike

10 11 12 14

Philanthropy

Benicia Family Resource Center Working hard for families Soroptimist International of Benicia Award scholarships to six high school seniors 6 • Benicia Magazine

26 27

In Every Issue Letter from the editor

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Farmer's Market

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COVID testing

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Trends

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Our cover photo includes: Cool Uncle Taylor along with brother Trevor, father of three wonderful kids, Parker, Stella and Talen. Stella made sure the boys were properly posed and was a great help to our photographer Lisa Duncan. Photo above left Benicia Graduate by Dr. Teresa Van Woy; right by Lisa Duncan

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FROM THE EDITOR June 2020

We’re Open!

The one thing I know for sure, is that I don’t know anything that’s for sure. We are bombarded with information about what is happening with coronavirus, we receive constant updates from the federal, state, county and city agencies, all giving us different information, and many times the information is conflicting. I think the only thing that everyone agrees on is that they do not want to test positive for the virus and end up in a hospital. Other than that, we’re in-between and uncomfortable.

Our community of retailers and restaurants are starting to reopen.

They are followed by hair salons and barbers and hopefully by early to mid-June, gyms and fitness centers. All will have to observe specific criteria that is still being developed by state and county.

June is usually known for Father’s Day, weddings, and graduations. Weddings have been postponed, and Father’s Day will return to normal, but graduation from high school comes just once in a lifetime. Benicia School District has done everything in their power to make the graduating class of 2020, and their commencement, worthy of remembrance. Please see our article about how the school, the parents and the community are celebrating Benicia High School graduating class of 2020.

As restrictions on outdoor activities are eased, we are more than ready to get outside. Most of the State and National parks will remain closed, but there are many other areas that are available to hike, bike, run and walk. Our list of open parks and the new rules of the trail will help you plan a father’s day outing and our articles about “Benicia’s Best Burgers” and “Father Knows Best” brews and cocktails will take care of getting dad his favorite food and libation.

Like it or not (and there’s no one who likes any of this), we’re in the transition between “WTF” and “What next?” We can only hope that what’s next is better than what was.

Maybe.

Take care everyone.

Kind of.

@beniciamagazine

Stay safe. Be healthy.

Mary

Facebook.com/beniciamagazine

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Tweet, post or send your suggestions & ideas to: Editor@beniciamagazine.com

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People and Places Community

Yandell — Just Keep Truckin' Genevieve Hand If you’ve had a Bay Area commute at any point in the last 75 years, the name “Yandell” might ring a bell. Not sure why?

Picture the name in green cursive, splayed across the side of a semi-truck. Yes, Yandell Truckaway, Inc. is the company whose fleet of trucks has kept us company on the highways and helped supply many businesses, both local and farther flung,

for generations. What you may not know is that Yandell’s headquarters is right here, in the Benicia Industrial Park. We sat down with Yandell’s VP, Alicia Yandell Hamilton, to learn more about this company whose operations have become an integral part of the Bay Area business community.

10 • Benicia Magazine

BM: Please begin by telling us a little about the background of Yandell Truckaway, Inc. AYH: We are family owned and operated.

Our company was founded in 1945 by my grandparents, Jack and Dorothy Yandell. My grandfather was a heavyduty truck driver – one of the drivers who took the dirt out of the Caldecott tunnel and brought it to what’s now Treasure Island. It was my grandmother’s idea to start the company. Our first office was right down the street from the OwensIllinois Glass plant, so we were hired to bring empty glass from Oakland up to Napa Valley for various wineries, which established our relationship with the wine industry. At the same time, Martinelli’s Apple Juice was operating in Salinas, so since 1945 we’ve been the sole provider for Marinelli’s Apple Juice in the Salinas/Watsonville area.

In the 1950s, we got into the warehousing industry. My dad says it’s like a salt and pepper operation: when you have a warehouse, you need trucks to bring products in and ship goods out. Our big boon for the warehouse industry came in the ‘80s and ‘90s with the empty glass repacking business. This was around when we began establishing warehouses in Benicia’s Industrial Park and we’ve been present here ever since.

Historically, our trucking operations were domiciled in Oakland, San Leandro, and Pleasant Hill. When more space opened up in Benicia’s Industrial Park in 2016, we realized it was the perfect opportunity to combine our trucking and warehouse operations under one roof for the first time in the company’s history.

We are very committed to Benicia. From a logistical standpoint, it’s our sweet spot.

You can get to the port of Oakland, I-5, I-80, the Central Valley, Napa Valley, etc., all from Benicia. There’s also quite a talent pool that we can draw from in this area.

want to just be known as a “mom and pop” shop, but instead to compete with the bigger companies. We want to do that by reaffirming our focus on technology; pushing the tech platforms we’re currently using, ensuring that our clients are getting real time data. This is a time when everyone is used to the Amazon[.com] model when it comes to ordering and receiving, and that’s what we’re looking at moving toward, from an operational standpoint.

We’ve taken on an additional 100,000sq.ft. in the Industrial Park and have outgrown our flagship location.

Currently we have four warehouses in Benicia, one in Fairfield, we have a truckyard in Stockton, and we have a facility in the Salinas/Watsonville area that exclusively services Martinelli’s Apple Juice. We are frequently asked if we have plans to expand out-of-state, and while this isn’t off the table, it would take the right partnership with an existing company to make it worthwhile. Instead, we are extending operations here, in Benicia. We feel that this geographic location has a lot to offer.

The predominant industry we service is the wine industry – 50-60% of what we do is wine-related. But we’re also focused on sustainability. We were the first private fleet in the US to make a commitment to Tesla for the Tesla semitruck. To that end, we’ve been working with Tesla and communicating with the City of Benicia to determine how to power the trucks. We’ve also implemented a 1:2 ratio on the outbound of wine products.

For every load of empty wine bottles brought in, we send out two loads of wine. This creates a more sustainable circle of product transportation. We also have the capability of storing wine in our refrigerated warehouses, which assists shippers who might be consolidating distributions before hitting the road to Texas, Missouri, etc.

BM: What do you have planned for the future of the company?

BM: How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected business?

AYH: As we move into the 3rd generation of this company, we’re really pushing to be on the forefront of technology. We don’t

AYH: Under normal circumstances, I work from home two days per week so that I can help balance my kids’

schedules and spend more time with them. But now, with this whole COVID thing, I actually come into work more now than I did before since we’ve had to shift to more of a skeleton crew. I’ve actually been loving spending more time at the office and being more present.

I’ve talked to some of our wine clients and they’ve been seen a boom in sales of value wines, but a decline in sales of higher dollar bottles. So, we’ve seen a shift in volume of business from higher end wineries to those that produce more value product. In light of that we are doing well so far, but when it comes to long-term fallout…

I just wish I had a crystal ball. One of the customers we work with is Away Suitcases, who abruptly closed all of their retail. So, we’re just sitting on product, wondering when it’s going to move. Interestingly, we’ve heard from a lot of food manufacturers who are looking for warehouse space. So, it’s making us reflect on our customers and partners and try to determine whether they would be considered “essential” in the event that, God forbid, something like this happens again.

Before all of this happened, truckers and trucking companies had a terrible reputation, especially when it comes to environmental impact. But interestingly, through this horrible situation, we’ve kind of come out as knights in shining armor. People are realizing how essential this industry is in getting their food to grocery stores, delivering their online orders, etc. So, that’s been the one sort of positive thing for us in this situation.

BM: What can you say about the legacy of Yandell?

AYH: We have a powerful story to tell.

People like that we’re family owned and operated. We’re reaching the point (the third generation) when a lot of other multigenerational businesses either sell or close up shop, but we’re committed. I always tell my kids “hey, when you reach 8th grade, you’re going to be sweeping the warehouse floors, because that’s what we did, and that’s your legacy.”

I’m not forcing my kids into the family business, but I definitely think involving them early will give them a strong work ethic, like it did for me.

Vangi’s Garden Bitsy Hall As the number of our ordinary activities dwindle with shelter in place orders, two pastimes have surfaced as favorites: gardening and outdoor walks. Many Benicians taking their outdoor strolls have stumbled upon an oasis on the outskirts of First Street. Vangi Damayo’s garden encapsulates both of these pastimes and has become a town treasure through the years.

Vangi’s gardening interests began at a young age. Even before ever tending to a garden, she loved watching plants grow and change. While growing up in the Philippines, she helped her parents water their vegetable garden every afternoon.

She was eight years old when she would “fetch pails of water from a nearby stream.”

Her talent and interest in gardening later blossomed into a major hobby.

Before coming to the United States in 2008, Vangi spent her early twenties in Malaysia, where she currently keeps a second home. Having gardens in both California and Malaysia offer a unique look into the different gardening scenes. Most notably, Vangi says that “we can almost grow anything here in California,” compared to a more limited variety of only tropical flowers and vegetables in Malaysia. Due to California’s friendly climate, Vangi is able to incorporate tropical plants into her garden here as well. Beside her roses, passersby can find heliconias, frangipani, plumerias, or hibiscus plants that she collected from her garden abroad. Her Benicia garden exhibits a fusion of Malaysian and West Coast plants.

To Vangi and other green thumbs alike, the benefits of gardening go without saying. The therapeutic and social aspects are reason enough to start planting. Harvesting ripe vegetables or cutting fresh flowers offers a sense of accomplishment and pride. Vangi says that “being able to do what you like and enjoy seeing a plant grow to a nice flower, or harvesting your vegetables or fruits is something that only you can achieve for yourself.” Beyond the gratification felt from a successful garden comes the invitation of conversation. While gardening in her front yard, Vangi has had people in cars and pedestrians stop to compliment her garden. This has transformed her garden into not only a place of interest, but of personal achievement and community.

Vangi encourages fellow gardeners, both current and aspiring, to get to know their plants. Getting to know your plants is deeper than studying the seed package or researching online – ”you must spend time with them.”

BeniciaMagazine.com • 11

People and Places Culture

Katie Ruben How did we not know about Katie Rubin? When perusing the entertainment section of San Francisco Chronicle/ SFGate a few weeks ago, both the Strawbridges and the Hands noticed an article about Katie Rubin of Benicia, a comedian, healer, actor. Wait. What? Benicia?

Please enjoy this interview with Katie.

Jade Shojaee Photos courtesy of Katie Rubin After receiving her MFA in Acting from UC Davis, Rubin’s career as a solo performer took off with a bang when her original one woman show “Insides OUT!” received a nine week Equity run at The Sacramento Theater Company. “It was a real gift and it really started everything,” Rubin said of her experience touring the show. “I got regional equity jobs because of that show, learned the area and was able to really build a resume.”

“Insides Out” went on to tour nationally to some 100 venues over the course of 8 years and Rubin continued to write and produce several other solo pieces, all of which were commissioned by professional theatre companies across the country.

But Rubin’s career had more in store. An extensive background in spiritual healing inspired her to turn her ability to make people laugh into a vehicle for transformational healing for her audiences. “The urge I had to play characters went away,” Rubin said of her shift into the conscious comedy space. “Now I have the urge to speak to people about things that are important and to facilitate awakenings on this planet, and standup is such a direct, easy, simple way to do that. If you can make people laugh they will hear you say anything and when they laugh, their hearts are blown open.”

Rubin refers to this collective laughter as a state of unity consciousness. “I've always been a person on a path. I used to lay in my bed at ten years old thinking about the fact that the biggest lie we’re told on this planet is that we’re separate. I was always aware that a big part of my role in the world was to talk about unity.”

But what now, for Rubin and her audiences who are feeling that “separate-ness” more than ever during lockdown and craving that “unity consciousness” more than ever?

“I think this is a very deep thing that's happening right now,” she said. “The consciousness is being asked to remember itself. We're being asked to remember what matters, and what people are going through right now is deep and profound.”

According to Rubin, this forced isolation has given us the opportunity to undergo what she refers to as a transition detox experience. “People are being rebirthed, and everyone in different ways. The universe is saying ‘you didn't hear the whispers, so we're gonna scream it.’”

Rubin fans came together on April 17th and May 8th to enjoy her virtual performance of “What. The Hell. Is Happening?!” a motivational and spiritually-aligned standup comedy session powered by livestream platform, RushTix. Though they can’t physically be there to share their laughter with Rubin, she says many people participate and contribute their feedback via an online chat.

Rubin’s ability to seamlessly interconnect her backgrounds in performance and spiritual healing to create comedy that brings people together and creates a sense of unity (even virtually) is truly unique. Especially during a time that calls for unity despite separation, laughter amidst uncertainty, and the optimism to get us through these crazy times.

“When I’m helping people (spiritually), I’m making them laugh and that's how this Katie Rubin organism is made.”

To find out more about Katie visit https://www.katierubin.com/ 12 • Benicia Magazine

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People and Places Health and Fitness

Open Parks Trails and Lakes Staff writer Photo by Jerry Bowles We have made it through seven weeks of quarantine and we are ready to get outside! In the first week of May the state put out a detailed list of outdoor activities that are allowed, including hiking and cycling, as long as socialdistancing guidelines are followed.

The Bay Area has more than 20 agencies and districts that manage more than 150 recreation destinations. Each has its own county health department that set guidelines independently of other counties, park districts and watersheds, resulting in a mixed bag of rules that differ everywhere you go.

New Rules of the Trail

a plan before you go outdoors. Check the official websites of the places ° Hyouavewant to visit, and make sure they are open. Many parking lots are closed and

°

several parks are open only to those who can walk or bike in.

tick to trails within Solano, Napa and Sonoma counties. This won’t be a forever S rule, and this gives the opportunity to explore the beauty in our own backyard.

eep at least 6 feet of physical distance from others. That’s about two arm ° Klengths.

Give a wide berth to people passing if a trail narrows. Choose parks with trails that are wide (fire roads are excellent choices), and if you arrive at a park that’s crowded, consider another local park.

void gathering in large groups or with anyone you aren’t already quarantining ° Awith.

Keep to family units or those you’ve been sheltering-in-place with, at least for the time being.

ood hand hygiene goes a long way. Carry hand sanitizer or pack a biodegradable ° Gsoap and an extra bottle of water, along with a small towel in your pack, in case you need to wash your hands in a pinch.

ome things about hiking haven’t changed at all, like pack it in, pack it out. ° SFollow the Leave No Trace guidelines.

14 • Benicia Magazine

Benicia State Recreation Area – Parking lot is closed but the area is open for walking, biking, running and hiking. Maintain a physical distance of 6 feet or more. Gatherings, picnics and parties are not allowed. Visitors are being asked to leave if there are too many people at the park or on trails to allow for the required physical distance.

Solano County Parks – Beldens Landing Water Access Facility – Daily 24hr Launch Access Only Lake Solano County Park – Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday 8am-4pm Launch Access Only Sandy Beach County Park – Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday 8am-4pm Launch Access Only Lynch Canyon Open Space remains closed until further notice. All Day Use, Beach and Campground accesses remain closed.

Napa County parks and trails – all parks in the Napa Open Space District are currently open for trail users. Please practice social distancing and safe practices guidelines for park use. Please refer to napaoutdoors.org for detailed information.

East Bay Regional Parks – To limit unsafe overcrowding and maintain social distancing, the Park District has temporarily closed some parking lots and staging areas through Sunday, May 31, 2020, with some full park closures. However, most trails remain accessible on a walk-in, bike-in basis.

Hopefully, by the time you read this on June 1st, there will be more parks and trails open.

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BHS Class of

Bitsy Hall Photos courtesy of Dr. Teresa Van Woy Social interaction is intrinsic to events that mark the end of senior year. Grad night, senior trips, prom, and graduation are symbols of transitioning from adolescence to young adulthood. The significance of these events is often closely tied with the gathering of peers and family. For the graduating Class of 2020, the ending of senior year is playing out far differently than they could have imagined.

When COVID-19 started to surface in the news months before school closures, many students did not foresee the effects the virus would have on daily life. Emily Boe, a Benicia High senior, was not concerned when she first heard about the novel virus. While she was sad to hear about devastation abroad, she says “I didn’t really connect their situation and my own until much later.” Boe’s initial reaction was common – few of us could have predicted our current state under shelter in place.

Even when Benicia Unified School District closed its doors, it was anticipated to be temporary. While many of us hoped that the shelter in place would end swiftly, normalcy has yet to return months later. For some, finishing the school year online seemed to be a natural progression with the growing intensity of the virus. Cole MacDonald, a Benicia High senior, says “I think we all expected to finish the year in lockdown – it didn’t come as much of a surprise.” While

16 • Benicia Magazine

Benicia High School is planning a “polished and professional” graduation ceremony on June 6th, beginning at 11:00am.

no one suspected how drastically our personal world would change, many seniors grew to quickly understand that their beloved rites of passage would play out much differently.

COVID-19 has reshaped the conclusion of senior year for the Class of 2020. Given the parameters of social distance orders, community members and school administrators are doing what they can to fill the void. The accomplishments of the graduating Class of 2020 are not going unnoticed. Benicia High School is planning a “polished and professional” graduation ceremony on June 6th, beginning at 11:00am. The ceremony will be broadcasted at this time via YouTube and the Benicia Government Access Channel. Following the ceremony, students and their families will receive their diploma and graduation photo “drive-thru style” from 1:002:00pm. Benicia High School is encouraging the

community to come out, socially distanced of course, to wave and cheer seniors en route to receive their diploma. To further replicate tradition, seniors are encouraged to record themselves throwing their decorated caps into the air for a video montage.

This video montage is expected to show during the graduation ceremony.

Other efforts to honor tradition are taking place.

Benicia High School’s Leadership and Senior Reps are continuing to work on the senior slideshow.

Seniors are encouraged to submit up to ten photographs from any point throughout their high school journey for the slideshow. Additionally, the 2019-2020 yearbook is complete and ready for distribution, however it is expected to arrive late.

While the 2019-2020 yearbook will be missing the adornments of signatures, it will be a relic from a historical time of their lives.

BeniciaMagazine.com • 17

Broth

18 • Benicia Magazine

hers in Business Affordable Quality Cabinets and Countertops

Genevieve Hand In the midst of what seems to be a bit of a renaissance period for Benicia’s Industrial Park, a number of new businesses and industries have cropped up recently. But there are still a few of the old watch thriving, even if under new management. Among them is Affordable Quality Cabinets & Countertops, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.

Brothers Trevor Cotarelo and Taylor Kennedy took over AQCC three years ago. At the time, Trevor was working as head carpenter for Laverty construction company, who often worked with AQCC and its previous owner and founder, Allan Lemone. Taylor, who had gone to school for Business and Information Systems, had realized he hated working in an office every day and decided to join his brother at Laverty.

Trevor recalls the day Allan told him he was ready to retire; “And I was tired of breaking my back doing my regular work,” Trevor says with a laugh.

So, he and Taylor jumped on the opportunity to buy the business from Allan. They recognized the value that Allan had built into AQCC, so they decided to keep running things as he did; using the same trusted cabinet manufacturers (Columbia Cabinets and DeWils), designing the installation projects themselves, and delivering product and service that remains true to the name: Affordable Quality.

“We carry a couple cabinet lines that build to our specs, so we can measure the homeowner’s house, make a totally customized design, and have them built to that design. The factories our cabinets come out of are still very craftsman-style, with handfinished features and high-quality wood, not cheap particle board.” says Taylor. While they’ve been approached by other

cabinet suppliers, Trevor and Taylor have been hesitant to change from their tried and true manufacturers, whose quality they trust.

The brothers rely heavily on their close relationships with suppliers to cut costs as much as possible and pass along these savings to their customers. “We try to be more affordable than other full-custom lines,” says Trevor. “Being that we’re fairly contractor-based, we try to give the contractor discounts that can then be passed on to the homeowner, or offer those discounts directly to the homeowner.”

Between their work with contractors and now owning AQCC, Trevor and Taylor have gotten to know quite a few Benicia homes, and have also serviced homes in the greater Bay Area. While AQCC initially felt the chilling effects of COVID-19, the brothers are happy to report that business has been slowly picking up again.

“People are stuck at home looking at their old, crummy kitchens and are ready to redo them now,” jokes Trevor.

Originally from Riverside, the brothers and their family moved to Northern California in time for Taylor to spend his formative years in Benicia, graduating from Benicia High in 2006. Trevor is married with three kids, Parker is 10, Stella, 7 and Talen is 5. When asked if he plans to hand AQCC down to his kids one day, he replies that it’s not even on his radar. At the moment, he simply looks forward to them all attending the same school, Mary Farmar, for one glorious year before having to do the elementary-to-middle school sprint each morning. Trevor and Taylor credit their family for helping to support them in the process of their business acquisition and those first tough years. “It takes a village,” says Trevor, “and I’m lucky to have a wife and family that supports me.”

BeniciaMagazine.com • 19

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Bruehol Brewery: THE CROWLERS ARE COMING! Genevieve Hand Amid the scramble of businesses trying to secure small business loans, payroll protection funding, and grants of all kinds, Bruehol Brewery has been awarded a major windfall: a grant from the COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund, the largest grant that the Workforce Development Board of Solano County currently offers.

The grant is meant to help alleviate the economic stresses that small business owners might be facing due to the pandemic and aims to prevent potential layoffs or facility closures. According to the Workforce Development Board, the funds must be used for “permissible activities” aimed at creating “solutions that mitigate layoffs.” And what was Bruehol’s winning permissible activity? Buying a Crowler machine, of course!

What’s a Crowler, you ask? It’s very similar to its cousin, the Growler, however instead of being a refillable beer canister, it’s meant only for single use. This means that Bruehol will be able to comply with county requirements of one-way product and service while restrictions are in place. The Crowler machine will allow Bruehol to can 16oz and 32oz beers for takeaway orders until they are able to open their doors to patrons once more.

This machine will make it possible for Bruehol to keep its staff working, avoiding layoffs, and keep the taps flowing for Bruehol beer lovers.

At the time this article is being written, Bruehol has not yet acquired this game-changing machine, but the owners and employees alike eagerly await its arrival. In the meantime, you can connect with your beer-loving community and support Bruehol by participating in their virtual buddy board, where you can purchase beers for yourself or for friends that can be collected upon their reopening. You can also purchase or continue your Mug Club and/or Growler Club membership. We look forward to yet another way to enjoy Bruehol’s brews, even after all this is over!

Bruehol owners Natalie and Mark thank you for your support! https://www.brueholbrewing.com/buddy-board #bruehol #beniciabrewing #craftbeer #beer BeniciaMagazine.com • 21

People and Places

Food an d Drink

Best Burgers in Benicia Jeannine Mendoza, Ph.D In the movie, Pulp Fiction, Jules, one of the main characters, samples another character’s hamburger and says, “This is a tasty burger! I do love the taste of a good burger!” Although things do not work out well for the burger’s owner, Jules speaks for most of us: an appetizing burger or cheeseburger is a force to be reckoned with. A well-made burger harkens back to days of family barbeques and campouts; the smells of sizzling meat and warm, fragrant buns recall happy occasions from childhood. And here in Benicia, we are lucky enough to have many excellent restaurants serving outstanding, yet distinctive burgers. Give one a try and you are in for a treat.

The Cellar The Cellar offers an exceptional burger from Snake River Farms, a family owned operation that offers USDA prime ground beef from the Boise, Idaho area. The hamburger ($14.00) comes with arugula, pickled red onions and garlic aioli. For an additional charge you can add melted gruyere or bleu cheese, or applewood smoked bacon. An Above and Beyond vegetarian burger is also available. Sides to your burger include crispy fries, onion rings, Caesar salad or a wedge salad. The Cellar also offers a brand-new Thai-Spiced Shrimp Burger that is a completely different entity. The ThaiSpiced Shrimp Burger is a lightly fried shrimp patty on a soft brioche bun with arugula. This burger is seasoned in the Thai manner with lemongrass and ginger and is drizzled with a garlic aioli. The Thai-Spiced Shrimp Burger comes with French fries ($16.00). The Cellar has a variety of beer and selections from the local Bruehol brewery, as well as an assortment of fine wines from California and elsewhere by the glass or the

22 • Benicia Magazine

bottle. The servers are happy to help you select the beer or wine that best complements your food order. Although they currently are not delivering meals, they are open for takeout.

Bottom of the Fifth Well-known as a drinking establishment for years before the addition of food, Bottom of the Fifth is a popular “dive bar” in the Military East section of Benicia. Burgers were the first “bar food” items offered ($10.99), and many other tasty items have been added over the years, including fish and chips, tacos and garlic fries. The burger itself is from USDA beef that is fresh, never frozen, and shaped by hand. The meat is seasoned with a special spice blend that is unique to Bottom of the Fifth. Fresh lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese (American, cheddar, Monterey jack or pepper jack) if you want it, on a French or sourdough roll, or sesame seed bun, completes the burger. Bottom of the Fifth also offers a Buffalo Blue Burger with bleu cheese and buffalo sauce, a breakfast burger with cheese, bacon and a fried egg, and a patty melt on toasted rye bread with grilled onions and American cheese. Fries, onion rings, coleslaw, and side salads are extra. Since Bottom of the Fifth is a sports bar, you must be 21 or older to enter.

Lucca Bar and Grill Lucca Bar and Grill offers a very popular Lucca Burger ($10.00). A blend of ground chuck and brisket, the 8oz. patty is served on a brioche bun with lettuce, tomato, pickled onions, spicy pickles, and housemade thousand island dressing. You can add a slice of cheddar, pepper jack or provolone cheese, if you desire. Thick-cut steak fries ($6.00) accompany the

(what he likes)

burger. Onion rings, side green salads, coleslaw, potato salad, pasta salad, and a variety of chips are available as well. To complement your meal, Lucca has an excellent selection of beer on tap that includes Guinness, 805, Ballast Point, and others. Many inexpensive domestic and imported bottles of beer can be found as well. Most recently, Lucca Bar and Grill has started selling 32 oz. Growler Refills ($15.00) or 64 oz. Growler Refill ($30.00). Growlers are glass, ceramic or stainless-steel bottles used to transport draft beer, and have become popular in breweries. Essentially you have the convenience of a keg, but not the inconvenient size.

Lucca also has bottles of wine, both domestic and imported to enjoy with your burger. Many bottles of wine are currently half off, a happy circumstance for those who appreciate fine wine with their meal.

In addition to these three great restaurants, try Char’s Hot Dogs for amazing burgers and Rookies serves up a hefty half pounder on a brioche.

Maura Sullivan You had a successful Mother’s Day. The appreciation holidays are not over yet.

Father’s Day is coming. Just in case you forgot, it's June 21st. It’s ok, I had to Google it too.

Now that we’re all informed what day it is, let's break out the #1 Dad mugs and get to thinking!

We all know that most dads always appreciate that medieval themed spatula for the grill and the shiny red toolbox. He has all these things. It’s not his first rodeo. Get him something he can enjoy in the garage on a hot summer day or something that can be enjoyed as a nightcap. We’re in the Bay Area, the mecca of craft beers and distilled goodness.

A local spot very familiar to local dads is Mare Island Brewing Co. They offer “beefy” growlers and 16oz cans for to-go sipping. Picking up a Nuclear Sandwich Double IPA to pair with their M.I.B.C Burger (Grain-fed, Chef's blend 100% Beef, Aged White Cheddar, Balsamic Glazed Onions, Secret Sauce and Arugula on a Sciambria Bun, served with a side of Fries.)-MareIslandCo.com) makes for a perfect meal fit for a protective, hardworking dad. Pick-up available at the Ferry Building in Vallejo. https:// www.mareislandbrewingco.com/covid19 If you’re looking for something on the smoother side. My personal local favorite is Savage & Cooke Distillery. If you’re looking for a great bottle of bourbon, The Burning Chair is an exceptional choice for the sophisticated father. Warm brown sugar aromatics with a strong finish of oak, baking spices and baked apples. Not too hard on the budget, but hard on the alcohol. It’s 88-proof and can be found at Raleys, Whole foods or, specifically, the Glen Cove Safeway.

As always we hope this was helpful. We’re sure dads wouldn’t mind flowers for a change.

Happy Father's day!

Disclaimer: this will not change a paternal parent’s mind about your current boyfriend or belly button piercings.

BeniciaMagazine.com • 23

Benicia Certified Location:

First Street between B & D Street (please enter into the market at either one of these entry points)

The Benicia Certified Farmers Market will open Thursday, June 4th from 4-8pm, providing fresh, healthy food for the community.

Best practices will be implemented to protect customers, farmers, and staff to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, with guidance provided by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), California Department of Food & Agriculture, and California Alliance of Farmers’ Markets.

Note: Per orders of State & County, only Farmers and Prepackaged food vendors can attend the market. No sampling will be allowed.

There will be no hot food, arts & crafts, jump houses, face painter or music at this time.

Be sure to… ⚈ Come prepared and limit your visit time. We ask that you come

⚈ ⚈

⚈ ⚈ ⚈ ⚈ ⚈ ⚈ ⚈

ready, shopping list in hand, so you can get in and get out quickly.

Please treat the market as an essential activity, not as a social activity. And send only one family member if you can.

Wear a face mask/face covering. While not a requirement, it is highly suggested at the market.

Clean/Sanitize your hands. Please consider washing your hands before entering the market. We will have hand sanitizer at both entrances to the market, at First & B and First & D, and public hand washing at B Street parking lot next to the porta-potty.

Honor social distancing of six feet while at the market. Give space to those around you, at least 6 feet, while shopping and waiting in line.

Observe all posted signage and demarcated lines, which signal where customers should wait, six feet apart, while in line.

High risk groups should send another family/household member or neighbor to shop for them.

Always stay home if you are sick.

Visit booths with shorter lines first.

Always cough or sneeze into your arm or a tissue, away from people and food.

A s always, wash your fruits and veggies when you return home.

24 • Benicia Magazine

Farmers Achadinha Cheese: Cheese, butter, kefir, beef, lamb, pork Chay’s Farms: Berries and vegetables Diaz Farms: Cherries, grapes, nectarines, peaches, plums, apricots, pluots, lemons, raisins, walnut, pomegranates Jacobs Farms: Organic vegetables Medina Berry Farms: Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries Resendiz Farms: Onions, tomatoes, peaches, nectarines, plums, pluots, apricots, cherries, figs, melons, watermelons, grapes Rose Lane Farms: Tomatoes, nuts, fruit & vegetables, preserved & pickled food, jam & honey, flowers

Gourmet Packaged Foods Angelina’s Family Kitchen: Biscotti, cookies, brownies, apricot bars, macaroons Eat Right Edibles: Dried veggie chips, various corn products (chips, puffs, corn nuts), non-GMO gummies, dried fruits Gourmet Temptations: Mustard blends, marinades, jams & curds, dessert sauces, honey products, aged balsamics, blended olive oils Hummus Heaven: 10 hummus flavors, tapenade, tzatziki, dolmas, garlic spreads, olives, salads, pita bread & chips Roti Authentic Pakistani Food: Samosa, dip, chutney, naan, breads, garlic chips Upper Crust Baking Co.: Breads & desserts Way to Life: Vegan granola, cookies, cinnamon rolls, breads

SOLANO COUNTY

COVID-19 Testing

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Vacaville - 1681 E Monte Vista Ave, Vacaville, CA 95688 (entrance at the end of Nut Tree Road) Vallejo - 1121 Whitney Ave, Vallejo, CA (North Vallejo Community Center) The testing sites are walk-through and do not require a car. Walk-ins are not available - you will need to set up an appointment online to get tested.

Testing is available from 7am-7pm, Monday-Friday, until further notice.

Who can get tested?

The appointment-only walk-through testing sites are open to anyone in the community, regardless of symptoms, including agricultural workers, the homeless, undocumented individuals, and residents.

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How do I schedule for testing?

Testing is by appointment only. Online applications for appointments can be scheduled at lhi.care/covidtesting, or individuals without internet access can call 888-634-1123.

Are walk-ins accepted?

No, walk-ins are not accepted, testing is appointment-only.

What kind of test is provided at the testing site?

Testing is done by nasal or nasopharyngeal swab for live coronavirus. Testing for coronavirus antibodies is not available. Patients will receive a card at the time of testing with instructions on receiving test results, which should be available in 48 to 72 hours.

Information provided by Solano County https://www.solanocounty.com/ BeniciaMagazine.com • 25

People and Places

Philanthropy

Benicia Family Resource Center

Kendall Lara & Patti Baron Photo Google Maps The Benicia Family Resource Center is one of this city’s hidden gems that offers many resources to Benicia’s families with children. The center is also instrumental in providing support to community members during this time of crisis through emergency assistance.

The Family Resource Center, or FRC, opened its doors in 2004 and is part of a Solano County Network of Centers that was established in 1995. The grant-funded center is a city program that is under the supervision of the Benicia Police Department and is one of the six Family Resource Centers in Solano County.

True to its vision – “Safe Children, Strong Families” – FRC is a communitybased agency that provides information and referral services to families with children. It is rife with local resources for parenting information, crisis referral, mental health referral and child health and safety referrals. Most recently, the FRC has added the COVID-19 Citizen’s Assistance Program to its plate, with funding from the City of Benicia. The center has been administering emergency assistance to singles, couples, and families that have been hit the hardest by the COVID-19 lay-offs and shutdowns. The city’s goal was to act swiftly to assist in maintaining household stability. Although that specific program will end with the gradual reopening of the county, the Benicia FRC hopes to remain a resource to families in the difficult months to come.

All year long, the Benicia FRC provides limited basic needs assistance to families that are experiencing temporary financial hardship. Assistance could be in the form of partial rent assistance, utility assistance or food assistance.

The Center will coordinate with other organizations in town to make sure families are getting the best services they can within our community. As part of our basic needs assistance program, the Benicia FRC, in partnership with the Soroptimists Club of Benicia, operates the Closet of Opportunities and Provisions, also known as The SCOOP Closet. Community members in need can access the closet for basic needs items such as toiletries, cleaning products and diapers. Furthermore, the center also sponsors a number of annual events including a backpack and school supply drive in July, limited Thanksgiving assistance and Christmas assistance program. The holiday program is funded entirely by community donations. More recently, FRC is expanding to assist the Police Department with our homeless population needs. The FRC is blessed with a large network of Benicia businesses, clubs, organizations and individuals who all come together to make the holidays brighter for an incredible number of Benicia families in need.

Historically, funding for the FRC has come from a variety of sources, including, but not limited to Solano County, First 5 Solano, Kaiser, FEMA, United Way, and the Yocha Dehe Winton Nation. However, the center continues to find other sources of funding to further expand its services so that it can better serve the community.

For more information about the Benicia Family Resource Center, located at 150 East K Street, please contact Kendall Lara at the FRC (klara@ci.benicia.ca.us) or Patti Baron at the Benicia Police Department (pbaron@ci.benicia.ca.us)

26 • Benicia Magazine

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”

— Harriet Tubman

Soroptimist International of Benicia

Scholarship Awards

Benicia High School & Liberty High School Patty Gavin These are fitting words for this year's Soroptimist International of Benicia scholarship award recipients. All six recipients, two from Liberty High School, and four from Benicia High School, have exemplified strength, patience, and passion. Admirable qualities, admirable young women and men.

The Soroptimists of Benicia established a scholarship program at Benicia High School shortly after the club was founded in the city in 1979. Several years later a program was also established at Liberty High School. Originally two scholarships were given, one to a student at each high school.

Over the years the club has been able to not only increase the number of scholarships awarded, but also increase the scholarship amounts. This has been made possible because of successful fundraising by the collaborative efforts of the membership.

At Liberty High School, the scholarships are awarded in the names of Leeann and Bill Cawley. Longtime business owners in the City of Benicia, they have devoted countless hours to the good of our community. A founding member of Soroptimist, Leeann remains a contributing member of the club. This year, the two scholarship recipients are Brian Casillas and Elliot Foy. Brian has maintained an excellent GPA and perfect attendance at school, despite facing obstacles along the way. He developed an ability to stay on track, remaining motivated to become successful in his pursuits. Brian participated in an internship with Sustainable Solano, an organization that serves to promote ecologically sustainable, economically and socially just communities, in a world that works for everyone. He is interested in engineering.

Elliott Foy describes himself as creative and hardworking, and it is evident in his multiple year commitment to every available band program, including symphonic, jazz, and marching band. He also volunteered for many years with Lucky Ones Ranch, a non-profit animal rescue sanctuary. After moving past a difficult time in his life, he is focused on his future, looking toward joining the Job Corps. With a lifelong interest in the medical field, he would like to become a Certified Nursing Assistant and complete EMT training, entering the field of paramedicine and emergency medical services.

The scholarships at Benicia High School are awarded in the

name of Mary McKay. Mary was also a founding member of the club, and remained active in Soroptimist until she passed away.

It is vital to note that she was the first female to be elected to the Benicia City Council. Scholarships at Benicia High have been awarded to Sarah Hoyle, Tristan Keene, Grace Kioko Gabel, and Hannah Saitz.

Sarah Hoyle will be attending UC Berkeley in the Fall, majoring in Chemistry. Her ultimate goal after graduating with her BS is to obtain her Master's degree, and eventually enter the work world in the area of chemical environmental research.

A three year member of the S Club, the Soroptimist sister club for high school students, Sarah engages in an impressive array of activities, including service on Congressman Mike Thompson's Student Leadership Council. She maintained an outstanding GPA through her high school years.

Tristan Keene is a past recipient of Soroptimist International's Violet Richardson Award, given to a young woman who contributes significantly to her community through volunteer efforts. Tristan has been on the honor roll, served as the captain of the award winning debate team, and was the youth ambassador to Benicia's Sister City in Tula, Mexico. She will be attending a community college in the Fall, and hopes to become an immigration lawyer one day in the Bay Area.

UC Davis is lucky to get Grace Gabel in the Fall, where she will pursue a pre-veterinary course of study, with the goal of becoming an avian veterinarian. She maintained an exceptional GPA while involved in a wide range of activities, most notably, an internship at the Lindsay Wildlife Rehabilitation Hospital.

Her passion and devotion to her duties, and her willingness to take on independent learning landed her an invitation to become an assistant wildlife technician at the hospital.

Hannah Saitz will be attending Michigan State in the Fall, with an interest in the world of advertising. Her hard work and perseverance through challenging times has been extraordinary. She has a truly remarkable story of her journey to success, and as all of our award recipients, exemplifies those qualities of strength, patience, and passion.

Congratulations to the class of 2020 Soroptimist International of Benicia scholarship recipients. May your educational journey provide you with the opportunities to reach your full potential and live your dream.

BeniciaMagazine.com • 27

The Year of the Mask

Christina Strawbridge This has been quite the year for identifying trends, as Fashion is way down on the essentials list.

Vogue Magazine's June/July issue has a single rose on the cover with the caption “Our Common Thread.” The rose symbolizes “beauty, hope and reawakening.” Since their staff was under quarantine, the ability to do photo shoots and fill the issue with glamour was impossible. So, for the first time in 128 years, Vogue celebrated solidarity instead of celebrity.

There has been a spiraling effect in the fashion industry much like what other industries have faced during the pandemic.

Fashion designers and clothing manufacturers have been forced to shut down while their clients, the retailers, have waited for months to reopen. Spring and Summer clothing and accessories have been under lock down at a cost of millions of dollars and in the fast pace of fashion, would have normally been replaced by Fall 2020 collections arriving in June.

What to do if you are a designer? Masks are not only necessary, but in some cases mandated during the COVID era. Designers are filling the need in creating masks that not only offer protection but can also reflect your personality and even match your outfit.

Ok, maybe not your sweats.

Richard Hallmarq, who competed on Project Runway, Season 11, and is a Benicia favorite, jumped on the trend early, creating cool masks that are easy to wear and yet stylish, in fabrics that 28 • Benicia Magazine

are reminiscent of graphic artists and couture legends. He has been producing for companies that are using the masks as gifts to clients.

I was recently contacted by one of my reps who, because all the wholesale markets are closed, has started a PPE (personal protective equipment) collection for hospitals. Again, these garments are functional, and yet, have a design element.

As we focus on the new normal and stores start to reopen, will we find the needs of the customer have changed? While sheltering at home, they have spent months shopping online and having their purchases delivered to their door with easy pick up for returns. Many remain in the WFH (work from home) mode and, if they have a meeting on Zoom, can quickly throw a jacket over that PJ top. There have been opportunities for brick and mortar retail to open online stores, but realistically, it is a whole different business of developing followers and constant attention to inventory levels. Not the business we spent years developing and building loyal clientele.

I believe that shoppers are looking for a bit of normal and want to be able to reconnect with other human beings. They are thankful that retail is back in some form. Meanwhile, what has been the “common thread” in the first week of reopening? ... the mask! Everyone needs them, and in some ways they fulfill the need for retail therapy.

Remember, we are all in this together!

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Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01527235. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description.

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BeniciaMagazine.com • 29

People and Places

People

Jerry and Maryellen Hayes Scott Strawbridge Obviously, Jerry and Maryellen Hayes would have to be on any list of couples dedicated to the town of Benicia. Former Mayor, Jerry Hayes has served this City for many, many years.

He served on the Planning Commission from 1990-1992. He was elected to the Benicia City Council in 1992 and finally elected to Mayor in 1996-2000.

While serving as Mayor, he represented the City on many Boards and Commissions, regionally. These included the Solano Transportation Authority and Bay Area Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC).

Since Jerry left office in 2000, his service to Benicia has continued. He has been involved with the Benicia Library, Benicia Historical Museum at the Camel Barns, Benicia Main Street, League of Women Voters, and the Benicia Historical Society, of which he is the current president.

Mayor Hayes owned Hayes Supply in Vallejo for 41 years and had a Benicia branch for 3 years, where the Camellia Tea Room operates today.

Maryellen Hayes is not only the owner of the Camellia Tea Room, she is one of the most politically astute people in Benicia.

If you ever need some advice about Benicia politics, she is the person to talk to. She once gave me some sound advice, when my wife, Christina Strawbridge, ran for City Council in 2011. Maryellen told me that Christina had a chance of winning if I would keep my mouth shut! Obviously, that advice worked because she won elections in 2011 and 2018.

The Camellia Tea Room is celebrating its 25th Anniversary

30 • Benicia Magazine

in July. It is well known for its extensive choices of teas and amazing lunches. People love to lunch at the Camellia Tea Room with their family and friends, for special occasions or simply to enjoy each other’s company over a good cup of tea.

Since opening in 1995, the Camellia Tea Room has hosted the popular Teddy Bear Teas, a holiday tradition for generations of families that benefits Benicia Main Street. The Tea Room also sponsors the Bewitching Teas in October and the Spring Teas in March, with proceeds helping Benicia Soroptimist and their efforts with domestic violence and the establishment of a safe house in Benicia.

While dining at the Camellia Tea Room you may run into regulars, like Council Member Tom Campbell and his wife Kerry Carney, along with Heather McLaughlin, the former City Attorney.

My family has known the Hayes' for 30 plus years and consider them good friends. They have 3 daughters: Casey and Beth, who are involved with the operations of the Tea Room, and Patty, who works as a communication specialist in Fairfield.

Jerry and Maryellen have been married over 56 years and have 8 grandchildren. Jerry & Maryellen are committed to the preservation of Historic Benicia and have shown that commitment with their investments in our Downtown Historic District.

Thank you, Jerry and Maryellen, for all that you have brought to Benicia and its residents. You both set the example of commitment.

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Ronald J. Tosch, DDS l 118 West K St. 707.745.2130 l www.toschdental.com BeniciaMagazine.com • 31

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