Benicia Magazine June 2022 Issue

Rad Dad marty jones

Renel! $

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Volume 17 Issue 8 June 2022 Please deliver 6/1/22

ECRWSS PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID PORTLAND OR PERMIT NO. 2160

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4271 Park Road, Benicia, CA 94510 www.harmony-organics.com • (707) 747-5051

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Providing honest and reliable service since 1996

Your Electrification Experts

Beniciamagazine.com Celebrating our 17th Year Publisher

Mary Hand

Editor in Chief Genevieve Hand

Art Director

WHY CHOOSE A-1 GUARANTEED? • Better Business Bureau, 25 years • Voted best heating/cooling company, 17 years • Voted best of the Bay for 5 years, Kron 4 TV • Angi’s Super Service Award, 3 years • Energy Upgrade participating contractor • Factory-trained installers & techs • Drug-free environment enforced & maintained • Better Business Honor Roll, 21 years • Diamond Certified • North American Technician Excellence certified • Bay Area certified green business • All employees fully background checked

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Contributors

Mary Hand Linda Hastings Darrell Mcelvane Caitlin McCulloch Jeannine Mendoza, Ed.D Cooper Mickelson Gethsemane Moss, Ed.D Kevin Nelson Jean Purnell Maura Sullivan

Photography

Business Headshots

Luke George

Administrative Assistant Solofo Evans

Social Media Specialist Bitsy Hall

will elevate your brand!

Advertising Sales 707.980.1563 Adsales@beniciamagazine.com Advertising deadlines New ads: the 5th of the month prior to the issue month Ad changes: 6 weeks prior to the issue month

Contact Us

707.980.1563, Beniciamagazine.com editor@beniciamagazine.com

PUBLISHER

Benicia Publishing, LLC

Architecture/Virtual Tours Promotional Video/Headshots Custom Weddings www.lukegeorge.com 925-719-9995

4 • Benicia Magazine

Benicia Magazine is published monthly by Benicia Publishing, LLC. Copyright © 2021, all rights reserved.

Contents of Benicia Magazine cannot be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of the publisher. Opinions expressed in Benicia Magazine editorial or advertisements are those of the authors and advertisers, and may not reflect the opinion of Benicia Magazine’s management or publisher. Benicia Magazine, Downtown Benicia, CA 94510. 707.980.1563, Beniciamagazine.com.

Celebrating Our 100th Anniversary!

Benicia's best BBQs begin here!

For the finest brands in BBQ, visit Ace! Your headquarters for fuel, accessories, sauces and rubs!

See the Ace SkyShow following the Torchlight Parade - July 3rd!

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

BeniciaMagazine.com • 5

Contents June 2022

Features

16

|

Renel!

20

|

Rad Dad: Marty Jones

Hidden Benicia

Lisa Duncan Photography

6 • Benicia Magazine

30

Departments Columns 8 From the editor

Professional mobile pet grooming Professional salon pet grooming

26 Booktails

Happy Hour by Marlowe Granados

28 Dinner and a Movie Mariscos and Encanto

Premium Dog & Cat Food

31 P icket Fences A Benicia Mystery

Around Town FOOD AND DRINK 10 Bar None – Pride Libations ART SCENE 12 Open Studios

www.FeathererPet.com 1202 East 5th Street, Benicia 707.745.5016

Drs. Carney, Campbell, Vitakes and Lim

Benicia Arsenal Artists host

COMMUNITY 13 Congratulations Grads 14 S ky’s the limit with eye-popping drone show From America’s Got Talent to July 3rd in Benicia

15 E ast Bay Mudd brings Motown to downtown Brian Hough has history with Pedrotti Ace

19

Events Calendar

22 P ersonalized Fitness

The Fitness Relationship

24 C ity of Benicia Advertorial 30 Hidden Benicia – Strollin’ in the Park Cover: Benicia dad, Marty Jones, with daughter, Dylan, and son, Barrett.

Photo Luke George Photography

As a team, Drs. Carney, Campbell, Vitakes and Lim, have over 125 combined years of experience in all phases of general dentistry and orthodontics.

May Special

Exam and X-ray for $99

164 East H Street, Benicia, CA 94510 707. 745-1994 | beniciaparadocs.com BeniciaMagazine.com • 7

column Editor's letter

FROM THE EDITOR

FROM THE PUBLISHER

June is a month for celebration and recognition. Father’s Day, graduations, Pride, and Juneteenth all fall in this month – not to mention the official start of summer. Summer has always been my favorite time of year due to the warm weather (yes, I’m one of the few people who actually enjoys the heat!), longer days, the numerous outdoor events that take place in Benicia and the surrounding Bay Area, and the generally care-free feeling that comes with the season – undoubtedly ingrained in us in childhood by the hallowed summer break from school.

As Father’s Day is upon us, I’d like to take a moment to highlight my own dad, Jon Hand. Ever steady, yet goofy, my dad is what some would consider a “classic” dad – coming complete with corny yet beloved “dad jokes.” He has always been the mellow counterpart to my mom’s spitfire demeanor. He taught my brother and me the value of patience, of balancing one’s checkbook, and of basic vehicle maintenance, among other key life lessons. When I was beginning pointe work in ballet, he sewed my ribbons and elastics for me until I was able to do it myself.

It wasn’t until I was in high school that my dad found his ultimate career path in IT. And it wasn’t until a few years ago that he picked up drumming again, reconnecting with his love of music (he was in drum corps in high school and, in his twenties, played for a rock band that had a music video debut on MTV). In the past year, much to his initial chagrin, he joined my mom for ballroom dancing lessons, which he eventually admitted were “kind of fun.”

All this is to say, my dad has been a great father and role model.

And to our recent high school and college grads, take note from my dad’s life that if you don’t have it all figured out just yet, there is plenty of time to discover what you are good at and what feeds your soul. Sometimes it takes stepping outside your comfort zone to discover the things that light up your life. Congrats, Grads!

You might wonder why there’s an article about Renel BrooksMoon in Benicia Magazine. Here’s the story. I was invited to a baby shower by London Breed and John Konstin. John is a close friend and the owner of John’s Grill in San Francisco on Ellis Street. He is also active in trying to correct politics in SF. I don’t often get an invite from Mayor London Breed, so I decided to attend with Genevieve. Since the baby shower was for John’s first grandchild, he pulled out all the stops. Over 250 friends, politicians, media, and a few beat cops. It was over the top. We were fortunate to sit with Renel and her charming husband Tommy. I’ve known Renel personally since 2008 and have been a fan for much longer. So, I asked if she would do an interview for Benicia Magazine, and she said yes. Genevieve and I were thrilled. Renel is hilarious and charming and we knew the interview would be fun. And she was indeed charming and funny and full of baseball stories, but there was another very somber part of the article. We interviewed her during the same week as the Ketanji Brown Jackson confirmation hearings. She started off the interview saying that she was not doing well and that the hearings were very triggering for her. She told us of the many difficulties that she encountered in her career as an African-American woman, both as a radio and broadcast personality and as the Voice of the Giants. This was a very different Renel than the one that I knew. The interview lasted over an hour and 45 minutes, and it covered much of her life. We were not able to include everything in the magazine but will have a more complete article on our website at a later date.

Father’s Day is always a bit melancholy for me. I lost my dad when I was 14 and I still think about all that he missed. He was a happy, generous and thoughtful man and a great father. He was adventurous; he faked his I.D. when he was 15 years old and joined the Merchant Marines, sailing the Great Lakes. He then enlisted in the Marine Corps and fought in the Korean War, where he received a Purple Heart. He taught my sister and I how to play baseball, volleyball and had us running around the track. He was a health enthusiast before it was popular and would treat us to various healthy concoctions which we didn’t really appreciate. He died on Mother’s Day in 1968 of an asthma attack. I miss him, still.

—Genevieve

—Mary

@beniciamagazine

To all the Dads out there, happy Father’s Day!

Facebook.com/beniciamagazine

beniciamagazine

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

Beniciamagazine.com 8 • Benicia Magazine

COMMUNITY INFORMATION NIGHT

Benicia Refinery The Valero Benicia Refinery Community Advisory Panel (CAP) invites Benicia residents to learn about the refinery and our hiring process. Benicia residents are invited to attend the CAP meeting on

Tuesday, June 14th 4:30 – 5:30 pm The meeting will be held at

Valero East 610 Industrial Way, Benicia, CA (Please park in the back of the building)

For further information, please contact:

Valero Community Relations Department 3400 East 2nd Street, Benicia 707-745-7534 or Pam.Fischer@valero.com BeniciaMagazine.com • 9

around town Food and Drink

e d e i d r i r P P libations

n Maura Sullivan

In honor of Pride Month, we are toasting to the LGBTQ+ legends. Cheers to the brave and the fabulously free. Cheers to the ones who pushed the boundaries, destroyed walls, defined androgyny and spoke out for those who had been silenced.

Stormé DeLarverie

An American woman best known for igniting the Stonewall Uprising, a series of demonstrations in 1969 to end police raids attacking Gay and Lesbian bars in Lower Manhattan. This protest helped open the door to allow people to be open with their sexual orientation without fear of being arrested. Other than being an icon in the gay civil rights movement, she was PERFECT STORM also an entertainer who performed and hosted at the Apollo theater, embraced 2 oz. Spiced rum the look known as “butch lesbian” and ½ oz.

Lime juice, freshly would probably bounce your ass at any squeezed club. She is the true first drag king.

2 dashes Angosutra bitters To honor Stormé, we choose a Perfect Storm. A classic but spice forward Ginger beer, chilled, cocktail. This is a reinvented Moscow mule to top with rum and extra bitters.

Garnish: lime wedge

Jackie Shane

Jackie Shane, originally born and raised in Nashville Tennessee, escaped from what she called “Jim Crow South,” eventually flourished in Toronto, Ontario Canada in the 1960s. A soul and rhythm and blues singer, she is best known for their hit single “Any Other Way,” produced in 1962. Full of surprises, this singer even toured with Frank Motley and his Motley Crew. Jackie was described by journalists as a male singer who performed and dressed in “such femininity.” Looking back at interviews, she only referred to herself as male on two occasions and generally avoided the discussion of gender. Although she never identified herslef as a Transgender Woman on SIDECAR record, she inspired others to be who they truly are. The first Transgender 2oz. Remy Martin VSOP pioneer. Listening to Jackie sing, 1oz. Orange liqueur I’m craving a sidecar. A strong ¾oz.

Lemon juice yet refreshing cocktail, properly Lemon or Orange peel balanced between sour and sweet.

B

10 • Benicia Magazine

Spotless Carpet Cleaning

is now the proud owner of Floors on First

Each company has served the community for 25+ years.

Benicia residents Tim Wirbick and Rich Marchant are now the owners of both companies. Bob Totherow and his daughter Hillary Neil from Floors on First will remain part of the business. Together these four floor experts have over 100 years of experience and are excited to continue providing Benicia with the best cleaning and flooring services in town.

We thank you for your continued support and look forward to delivering only the best to our community.

Spotless Carpet Cleaning and Floors on First are both located at 840 First Street.

Spotless (707)746-8656 Floors on First (707)747-5999

LK A W , SIP OP! H S &

pm

o5 t 1 , 8 e1

n u J , y da r u t a Ages 21 and older S Stroll Downtown Benicia from shop to shop, tasting fine wines for an enjoyable afternoon to “sip, walk, and shop” with friends.

$30 advance/ $35 day of event $55 advance for two tickets Includes up to 15 tastes Tickets at Benicia Main Street, 90 First Street, and online at

BeniciaMainStreet.org • 707.745.9791

BeniciaMagazine.com • 11

around town Art Scene

Open Studios June 11-12, 2022 n Jean Purnell A popular attraction returns to Benicia this summer with the Benicia Arsenal Artists Open Studios, taking place on Saturday and Sunday, June 11 and 12.

Visitors are invited to meet over 40 artists in their working studio spaces in the historic Benicia Arsenal, where artists will display, sell, and talk about their work.

The Arsenal is a former US Army base with beautiful architecture dating from the Civil War which became home to many artists and small businesses after the Army vacated the base in the 1960s. A number of nationally acclaimed painters, glass blowers, and ceramicists put Benicia’s artist community on the map in the 1970s and it has continued to flourish for the past fifty years. Some artists have lived and worked in the Arsenal for more than 30 years.

Open Studios has been a longtime feature of the Arsenal artists and Arts Benicia, the non-profit visual arts organization who has long anchored the Arsenal space and hosted a broad, city-wide open studios program each spring for over 25 years until COVID19 interrupted the continuous run. This 12 • Benicia Magazine

year, the artists themselves are hosting and producing the event, which is focused on the Arsenal area. Nationally known landscape and figurative painter Randall Sexton, who relocated his studio from Crockett to Benicia in late 2020, is heading this year’s event. “This place is so full of history, quirky stories, amazing light, and views for painting,” Sexton said. “It’s an inspiration for artists, and a fun and unusual place for visitors to explore as well.”

As a relative newcomer in Benicia, Sexton is motivated to meet people from this area and introduce them to his artwork. His subjects range from everyday still life compositions, urban interiors and landscapes, to intimate portraits, and painterly depictions of natural settings, many painted “en plein air” (outdoors). Some works capture the subject in a highly realistic manner, while others are impressionistic or abstract. “Painting has enabled me to be more observant and appreciative of the beauty and richness in everyday life.”

Sculptor Mike Wittels will display his tabletop sculptures, two-dimensional reliefs, and large ongoing installations which mainly incorporate post-use plastics. “I use industrial heat guns as

around town Community

Over 40 local artists open their studios! sculpting tools. My aim is to create novel forms rather than to repeat those that other artists have developed. Although my art may refer in some ways to waste and recycling, it is not about those things. For me, art is not about something; it is something.”

Vicki Dennis, an acrylic and collage artist, is one of the newer artists in the Arsenal. “Open Studios was one of the first things I learned about when I moved to Benicia in 2014. Open Studios gives me a chance to talk to people interested in art, to chat with them about my processes and techniques, color and themes in my work.” Dennis, retired from a long career as a writer and public relations consultant, is mainly self-taught.

“I always considered myself to be a storyteller. These days, I use pigment, paper and water to tell stories instead of using words.”

Jan Blythe has been living and working in the Bay Area as an artist and textile designer for the past fifteen years. Originally from Glasgow, Scotland, her current work includes painting, creating installations, sculpture and works on paper. “I collect stuff. My studio is bursting at the seams with things that I’ve gathered from flea markets, hardware stores and nature.”

Blythe incorporates these things into works that are abstract or may reference nature or the human form. “The thread that runs through all my work is the process of experimentation, with a sense of play and curiosity.”

Artist studios are located at 940 Tyler Street, 991 Tyler Street, and along Jackson Street from 991 to 1075, and are open from 10am to 5pm each day. Participating artists include abstract, figurative and landscape painters, printmakers, sculptors, photographers, stained glass and mixed media artists, fashion

Glad to be a

Grad

n Cooper Mickelson

“It’s an inspiration for artists, and a fun and unusual place for visitors to explore as well.” designers, and more. Parking is plentiful.

Additionally, Arts Benicia is participating through its two Arsenal locations. Ten Arts Benicia Printmakers are displaying their mono-prints, etchings, woodblocks, lino-cuts, and fine art prints at 991 Tyler Street, Suite #116. Printing demonstrations will be given on both Saturday and Sunday. Arts Benicia is also hosting the printmakers in a gallery exhibition at its main gallery location, the Commanding Officer’s Quarters, 1 Commandant’s Lane. A second exhibition at Arts Benicia, titled Tattoo You, features approximately 40 artworks selected by juror Kevin B. Chen related to the art of tattoo design and application.

Benicia’s first downtown Art Walk of 2022 also coincides with the event on Saturday, June 11. From 1 to 5pm the participating First Street galleries will welcome locals and out-of-town visitors to view member artists’ works and feature demonstrations and special activities.

For more information about artists and events, visit www. beniciaarsenalartists.com and artsbenicia.org B

Caps off to this year's Benicia High School graduates! The community could not be prouder of you. You did the dang thing and new adventures are about to begin!

Graduation is the bridge to the next part of your life, and all of the things that got you to this point—hard work, drive and confidence—are going to carry you across to a future full of actualized aspirations.

I'm sure this will be only the first of many proud, successful moments for you all, and we'll be cheering you on for everything that follows! Some of your fellow Benicians wanted to give you their best bits of advice to take with you on this exciting journey.

"You never need to pretend like you know what you're doing, no onw knows what they're doing."

"Travel as much as you can!"

"Start investing in an IRA now! Putting a little away now means huge, huge payoff later."

"Don't be afraid to ask for help."

"If what you're studying doesn't bring you joy and satisfaction, don't be afraid to reconsider your course choices." B BeniciaMagazine.com • 13

Pedrotti Ace Hardware – Advertorial

Sky’s the limit with eye-popping drone show

From America’s Got Talent to July 3rd in Benicia

n Richard S. Freedman Gene Pedrotti was looking for the “wow!” factor to help celebrate Pedrotti Ace Hardware’s 100th anniversary during Benicia’s Independence Day Weekend. He believes he found it – and more.

Pedrotti says the community will be “amazed and dazzled” when 200 synchronized drones are sent skyward by Verge Aero, a Philadelphia-based company launched into national prominence last year with a stellar “America’s Got Talent Extreme” appearance.

Even the notorious Simon Cowell was impressed by the presentation that included drones programmed to illustrate a threestories high in the sky United States flag followed by the closing visual of the AGT logo. “I think drones are some of the most annoying things on the planet … until now,” Cowell said. “That was just sensational.”

Pedrotti agreed, immediately tracking down Verge Aero reps after the six-yearold company was found in a Google search.

Because Verge was booked July 4 for Lake Tahoe, their team was available July 3 for a Benicia presentation. “When I first saw the America’s Got Talent Extreme show, like the viewers, I was blown away. I was both excited … and fearful,” Pedrotti says. “There was no question that we wanted them – their show was incredible – but I was fearful that somebody else would grab them once people saw the [AGTE] episode.”

Though three of the four-man core Verge Aero founders were college buddies, it 14 • Benicia Magazine

was Nils Thorjussen who brought years of entrepreneurial and entertainment industry experience to the company. “I’d say we are 100% in line with our vision,” Thorjussen says by phone, joking that he lives “in a suitcase and on planes,” though Park City, Utah, is his base after living 30 years in Palo Alto.

Thorjussen recalls his first conversation with Pedrotti earlier this year. “He became aware of what we do and was very excited about the concept,” Thorjussen says. The July 3 extravaganza following Benicia’s traditional Torchlight Parade will be Verge Aero’s first public Bay Area showcase, Thorjussen says.

“Since I’ve spent a lot of time in the Bay Area, I’m excited to do the show,” says Thorjussen, promising that Benicians “will see a really awesome show that’s designed specifically for this event. It’ll be a big celebration and exciting.”

Thorjussen believes Verge Aero’s elaborate drone show will eventually complement fireworks displays globally. “I think it’s situational — certainly in California with wildfire risks with fireworks getting banned and the issue with [fireworks and] wild life,” Thorjussen says. “I do think it will be a very long time before fireworks go away completely. I think drones together with fireworks can be impactful. We’ve done some cool shows with fireworks.”

Though Thorjussen says the “only barriers are the laws of physics and the FAA (Federal Aviation Association), there’s also the human attention span. “It keeps getting shorter and shorter,” laughs Thorjussen. “That’s good for

us, since the battery life [of a drone] dictates a show between 10 and 12 minutes. The ‘sweet spot’ is eight to 10 minutes for a show.

We can do a very well-crafted show in that duration that can capture people’s attention.

The story and music are critically important.”

Acknowledging that some people want to “deal with the negative feedback about drones,” Thorjussen said Verge Aero’s presentations are all positive. “We make people happy,” he says. “People love what we do. It’s really fun and exciting. It can be emotional in certain situations.”

During COVID-19, Verge Aero was virtually shut-down, but the founders were intent on thanking first responders and came up with a dazzling sky show in Philadelphia that opened with “Thank U Heroes” spelled out. “That was incredible,” Thorjussen says. “In the middle of the first surge of the coronavirus, people were scared and working hard. We just flew (the drones) across the street of local hospitals.

As a team, we met and decided we had to do something positive. That was a really nice feeling. It turned out to be phenomenally well-received.”

The Verge staff has grown to 14, thanks in great part to the America’s Got Talent Extreme appearance “that was pretty mind-blowing,” according to Thorjussen.

“The ‘validating power’ of Simon Cowell is beyond belief. It’s like winning an Oscar.

It’s incredible. People who were doubters and thought we were crazy are now believers.” B

Pedrotti Ace Hardware – Advertorial

East Bay Mudd brings the

Motown to downtown Brian Hough has a history with Pedrotti Ace

n Richard S. Freedman Brian Hough retrieves his trusty bass guitar and slowly plucks a catchy riff from “Express Yourself,” the 1970 funk hit by Charles Wright & The Watts 103rd Rhythm Band. The 73-year-old long-time Benician can’t help but smile. Some 22 years after a life-saving liver transplant, Hough is grateful his health and his musical ability remains intact.

“Just living the good life,” he says, granting an afternoon chat about the eagerly-awaited big post-Torchlight Parade performance July 3 with East Bay Mudd in celebrating Pedrotti Ace Hardware’s 100thanniversary. “I’m really looking forward to it,” Hough says of the Marina Green concert. "It’s probably been 10 years since we’ve played down there.”

Hiring Hough and his eight bandmates for the big show isn’t just a simple business transaction for East Bay Mudd and the Southampton Shopping Center hardware store. As with Pedrotti Ace Hardware itself, Hough and Gene Pedrotti have a history. Hough was selling carpet in 1996 and approached Gene when he moved Pedrotti Ace Hardware from the former

Dan’s Hardware on Fifth Street to its current location.

“I went in and gave him a bid,” Hough said. “I didn’t get the job.” He did, however, connect with Pedrotti, who, 18 years later, hired Hough as a part-time store employee.

Hough lasted from 2014 until he and several others were temporarily relieved of their duties when COVID hit in 2020. Though Hough got called back, he decided his non-musical employment days were over.

“I had a good time at Ace. I enjoyed it,” Hough says. “A lot of the job was just stocking after the store closed at 6pm. I’d put earbuds in, crank up the music and for four hours, would have the time of my life. I called it ‘rockin’ and stockin’.’”

Through the years, Pedrotti attended several East Bay Mudd performances “and he would rave about us, saying we sounded ‘just like the record’” of whatever artist was featured, Hough says, reiterating how grateful he is at being The Chosen Band for Pedrotti Ace’s anniversary. “I was very happy when he asked me to do this.

It’s going to be amazing,” Hough says.

Founded some 25 years ago by Ken Leach, East Bay Mudd was originally almost

entirely Benicians. Now Hough is the lone local, though, he emphasizes, far from the only talent. “I appreciate everyone’s musicianship. They are all great players,” Hough says.

The rest of Mudd includes: guitarist Bob Cedro, the senior engineer at Dunlop Manufacturing in Benicia; keyboardist Cote Reece; baritone saxophonist Cookie Reece; guitarist T Moran; vocalist Reco Kemp; trombone player Craig Bryant; sax player Michael Peloquin, and trumpet player Marcel Marchetti. Hough has been with East Bay Mudd since 2003, though he wasn’t sure he would play again after the surgery in 2000. “Once I started feeling good, I asked myself, ‘Do I even want to be in a band anymore?’ or would I feel that it was enough? A friend of mine asked me to play with him and afterward I thought, ‘I want to keep doing this,’” Hough says. “I started practicing every night. I’d put on headphones and listen to a CD.” Hough remembered his first step to joining East Bay Mudd, running into Leach, who asked the bass player to sit in for a local gig that week. “I went in, did a one-nighter, and nobody’s told me to leave in 20 years,” laughs Hough. “I just keep showing up.”

And he keeps playing the music he loves: Classic soul from the 1960s and ’70s, with plenty of Earth, Wind & Fire, Tower of Power, and Stevie Wonder. “Songs of that genre that people just like,” Hough says.

“And if they know East Bay Mudd, they know the band will sound good.” Count on hearing Hough’s favorite from Tower of Power: “You’re Still a Young Man.” “I still get chills with the opening,” he says.

Nothing, however, could generate the adrenalin like getting back on the horse, with East Bay Mudd returning to rehearsing after months of COVID-related hibernation.

“As I said, we’re really excited to do this for Gene,” Hough says. “Ace has been a Benicia fixture for so many years, we’re happy to be part of the 100th anniversary, though I can’t guarantee we’ll be available for the 200th.” B BeniciaMagazine.com • 15

Wit and Wisdom n Gethsemane

Moss, Ed.D and Jeannine Mendoza Ed.D Mary Hand and Genevieve Hand Benicia Magazine’s editorial staff had the recent pleasure of interviewing Renel BrooksMoon, the former radio celebrity and current public address announcer and Voice of the San Francisco Giants. Known simply as “Renel,” she has dominated the airwaves since 1986 when she joined KMEL’s The Morning Zoo. In 1997 she launched KMEL’s sister station 98.1 KISS FM as host of Renel in the Morning Show until 2017. When she transitioned to baseball it was a perfect segue for her, having grown up in a baseball loving family. A little known fact is that before working for the Giants, Renel worked for the Oakland A’s Television in the 1980s.

Renel’s success as an interviewer and commentator is in part due to the development and honing of her own style. She recalled an interview with Mark McGwire in which he tried to shake her confidence prior to going on air: “Are you nervous?” he asked Renel as they sat together minutes before going live. “Oh, I’m ready,” she replied. Renel believes in deep research on anyone she interviews. She keeps up to the minute facts ready. These are the techniques she has developed for interviews: Do your research. Ask questions they don’t expect.

She co-writes and edits game day scripts for each Giants game. Her direct and unflappable demeanor, as well as her renowned sense of humor, has served her well in her 40-plus years in broadcasting.

Renel was recognized by the Baseball Hall of Fame during the 2002 World Series when she became the first woman to public-address announce a Championship game in all of professional sports. She succeeded Sherry Davis, who was the announcer while the Giants played at Candlestick Park (1993-1999). Renel was honored to be selected as PA announcer in 2000 when the team moved to Pacific Bell Park, becoming the third female PA Announcer in major league history and the second African-American.

The following Question & Answer session took place recently in a Zoom meeting between Benicia Magazine’s editorial staff and Renel. The answers have been edited for length.

16 • Benicia Magazine

ACCOLADES Renel was recognized by the Baseball Hall of Fame as the first female announcer of a championship game in any professional sport for her role in the 2002 World Series. 8 years later, the Giants won the World Series, when San Francisco defeated the Texas Rangers in 5 games. They won the World Series again in 2012 in a 4-game sweep over the Detroit Tigers, and won the 2014 World Series in 7 games over the Kansas City Royals.

In July 2018, Brooks-Moon served as the "Mistress of Ceremonies" at the inauguration of London Breed, the 45th Mayor of San Francisco.

Renel received two honorary doctorate degrees, the first, Doctor of Arts and Letters from her alma mater, Mills College, and the second Doctor of Humane Letters from the University of San Francisco.

feature Q: You were in radio from 1985-2017 (106 KMEL 1985-1997, 98.1 KISS-FM 1997-2017). You were an onair personality and celebrity, who could seemingly riff on absolutely any subject with great comedic timing. Do you ever miss the spontaneity of radio?

A: Renel admits that she sometimes misses those early freewheeling days of her career, but acknowledges that amusing opportunities still exist. A good example is when she is a guest on local sports shows, revisiting and analyzing local games and the latest news of Bay Area sports teams. Other gigs, such as hosting community events, galas, and Giants television, also offer opportunities for spontaneous merriment and astute observations.

Q: Benicia staff were big fans of Renel’s morning show, particularly “Celebrity Grapevine.” What was the inspiration behind that segment?

A: Celebrity Grapevine was Renel’s own take on what was happening in celebrity news. Renel’s brainchild was a spoof of Entertainment Tonight, which had debuted earlier in the ‘80s. The general consensus was that she was hilarious as she lightly ridiculed celebrities, while always letting it be known which celebrity hottie she was admiring that day.

Q:

My morning was ruined if I missed “Celebrity Grapevine.” What was the inspiration behind that segment?

A: Celebrity Grapevine was Renel’s own take on what was happening in celebrity news. Renel was inspired by

Entertainment Tonight, which had debuted earlier in the ‘80s. The general consensus was that she was hilarious as she lightly ridiculed celebrities, while always letting it be known which celebrity hottie she was admiring that day.

Q:

Did you experience any challenges as an announcer/radio personality that were due to race or gender?

A:

Renel explained that most of the power players and upper management in the broadcast world are white men. Within that group resides a great deal of power and privilege and the ever present “good old boys’ network.”

Consequently, the voice of Black women in the business is rarely acknowledged. For Renel and most women of color, this is a fight to be recognized, a fight to be heard. The recent confirmation hearings for Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson were very triggering for Renel and other minority women professionals, because, once again, a highly qualified woman of color was grilled by a group of angry males hellbent on keeping her “in her place.”.

Q: Who were some of your role models in the field of journalism?

A: “No female broadcasters influenced me as I was growing

up, because there were none. There were no females of color on the radio or television covering news or sports in the ‘60s and ‘70s. My role models came once I got into the business. Belva Davis was the first Black woman reporter on the West Coast, and she opened the door for the rest of us. She has won eight Emmy Awards and was recognized by the Women in Radio and Television, and the National Association of Black Journalists.” Other influencers were Barbara Rodgers Channel 5, Carolyn Tyler Channel 7 — now San Francisco’s newest Film Commissioner — and the late Faith Fancher. Renel explained that this is why she mentors young women now, because of the dearth of mentors in the early days. Renel said that the main influencer in her life was her father. He was a trailblazer, he was the first Black high school principal in San Francisco in 1968 and was deeply involved in his community. He passed on his vast knowledge and love of music and

BeniciaMagazine.com • 17

Feature sports, which led her to her career. Renel said, “My father was preparing me for my career from the beginning and I didn’t even know it; he was my hero.”

Q: There must have been incidents of great joy, pain, and hilarity during your lengthy broadcasting career. Can you tell us a story that conveys one of these moments?

A: While Renel was disc jockey at KMEL, she had the opportunity to attend a record

release party for her idol, Luther Vandross. Renel stated, “I was the biggest geek! I told him I was his biggest fan. This led to on-air radio interviews, after concert interviews and attending a surprise birthday party for Luther. He even once sang my name at a concert.“ Other thrilling moments include covering the Grammys Red Carpet for CBS 5, and interviewing attendees like Queen Latifah and Usher. As far as Giants baseball is concerned, there are too many to mention, but winning the first of three World Series was exhilarating. Being a part of the 2010 championship parade and receiving a World Series Ring was an unexpected delight.

Another notable moment of joy was receiving an Emmy in 2019 as the host of the television series “Forever Giants.” Renel says she didn’t see that one coming!

Q:

You have supported many charities and have been personally involved in community activism. You served on the board of the San Francisco Giants Community Fund, supported Glide Memorial Methodist Church and the Glide Foundation, and currently serve on the Advisory Board of the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, to name a few. Are there other organizations that you are working with currently?

A: Renel says, “I am also on the Advisory Board of Real Options for City Kids (ROCK)

in Visitacion Valley, providing critical services to at-risk youth.” Renel works with and is a mentor for Girl Scouts of Northern California. She is a Girl Scout Emeritus and recently received an award from the Girl Scouts. In lieu of making a speech, Renel was interviewed by two Girl Scouts, whom she has since “taken under her wing,” including them in the group of young women who she mentors on an on-going basis. The list of organizations Renel is involved with goes on, and she reports that it is some of the most rewarding work she does. Renel was led by the example of her father who was a trailblazer and community leader so many decades ago. Renel is a community activist because she is committed to using her voice for those who have no voice.

The following are actual quotes from the interview that demonstrate the essence of Renel’s lengthy odyssey in broadcasting.

– “I don’t shy away from painful or difficult decisions and I speak up for what I know is right because I am my fathers daughter.”

– “I learned to help my community from my parents and, to this day, people share with me the impact that my parents had on their lives.”

– “I want my legacy to be that I helped bring about significant and lasting change at the Giants and in Major League Baseball.”

– “ We, as women, have enough battles to fight. We must not fight each other.

We should uplift and support each other.”

– “[I] Always have to prove myself, always have to prove that I know what I’m doing, still, after 30 years in broadcast… I am grateful, but really tired.”

– “Everyone sees the glitz and glamor of what I do, but no one knows what I deal with. There is still racism both covert and overt in Major League Baseball.”

Q: What advice would you give to your younger, 16-yearold self?

A: Renel stated, “You have to be strong. You have quite a

journey ahead of you that will be extremely challenging on so many levels. Stay strong.”

She might also have encouraged herself to ask her parents to transfer her from the high school she attended that was not in her neighborhood. Besides a 30 minute bus ride to and from Woodside High School, there was also the fact that rocks were thrown at the bus by white students opposed to integration. Yes, this was still happening in the early 1970s in the Bay Area. Being a teenager is hard enough without the daily struggle of being one of a small minority in an overwhelmingly white, middle class majority.

CONCLUSION

Renel closed the interview with a Shout Out to the fan base. They give so much love, support and appreciation: the fans ride hard for her. Although she receives a lot of love from the fans, she describes a lingering institutionalized lack of respect for Black women in her field. B

18 • Benicia Magazine

around town Community

www.benicia.com Events Calendar Every

Wed

Karaoke with Glenn Snyder Sing your heart out with the help of some fun cocktails and friends!

7pm-10pm Rellik Tavern Benicia Farmers Market

Enjoy some fresh produce and fresh cut flowers along with arts and crafts vendors, specialty foods, baked goods, face painting, and more!

11

1pm Benicia ClockTower

18

11:30am-12:30 Benicia Historical Museum

Thurs 4pm-8pm First Street

Event Ticket: $50 Includes hors d'oeuvres and wine.

More than 40 artists open their studios to visitors. Live music and art demonstrations can be found throughout the Arsenal on both days.

11-12 10am-5pm Along Tyler and Jackson Streets

Benicia Historical Museum welcomes back a member of the recreated 10th cavalry Buffalo Soldiers to look at the San Francisco Presidio during WWI.

Welcome summer with a wine tasting in our beautiful downtown!

Participants must be age 21 and over.

Purchase tickets at Benicia Maine Street, 90 First Street, or online at beniciamainstreet.org.

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Red Carpet Fashion Show and Boutique

Benicia Arsenal Artists Open Studios

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18

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1pm-5pm First Street

BeniciaMagazine.com • 19

Feature

20 • Benicia Magazine

I appreciate the

n Caitlin McCulloch In honor of Father’s Day, meet one local dad who’s going above and beyond for his family and community.

What is it about Benicia that keeps so many people in town for decades? Is it the unparalleled views of the water, the unique downtown shops, or the schools?

While answers will undoubtedly vary, some common themes come to mind. For Marty Jones, it’s a mixture of location and relationships.

“I get to be close to family and people that I grew up with, went to high school with, and developed relationships with— it has that small town feel,” he says. “I work a lot in the East Bay, and when I tell people I live in Benicia, I love it when they ask ‘where’s that?’ I always respond with ‘don’t worry about it,’” he laughs. “It also offers great proximity to industry, business, and everything else Californians enjoy.”

Jones, a St. Patrick-St. Vincent alumni, has been a Benician his whole life. He took a brief hiatus from our tiny water town to attend Chico State, but he returned right after graduation—and has been doing tons for the community since.

One undertaking has been serving as a volunteer member of the Economic Development Board to bring issues to light with the city and aid business owners in understanding what resources are available to them.

“I’m sort of a liaison between businesses and also city council/ government, in general,” he says.

Though Jones has been a board member for six or seven years, Covid-19 times proved to bring extra challenges for business owners, and he was happy to do what he could to make things easier.

“It’s been quite an interesting couple of years,” he says. “I want everyone to know which programs to find help in, where to apply for grants, or how to get involved in different business groups that can help you network. What needs to be done to keep your business afloat?

It’s one of those things that was a lot, but at the end of the day, you know you’re helping people.”

Jones, along with his wife Dana, has

community that Benicia

absolutely love it.”

This journey has also sparked a passion in Jones to do everything he can to assist in the revitalization of our beloved Fitzgerald Field for future generations to come.

“When I was growing up, it was always Friday night baseball games at the field with everyone having a good time,” he says.

“Now every kid’s going out of town and traveling all over NorCal without ever getting to play at home. There really isn’t that type of environment where kids can have a similar experience that I did, so I work on an ad hoc committee with the city to raise funds and give this project the attention it deserves.”

Jones isn’t done with his goals for Benicia; though his current endeavors (and two young kids!) are keeping him plenty busy right now, he plans to be an active member of the community in various capacities for years to come.

Whatever the future holds for Jones and his family, you can count on seeing them around town.

“We’ll be staying in Benicia for the long haul,” Jones says. “I appreciate the community that Benicia is—how people help each other, kind of in that ‘you know your neighbor’ type of situation. You just don’t get that in big cities. In Benicia, you know your police officers and business owners, and you develop relationships with those people. It’s definitely something I want to have in my life and want my kids to experience.” B

is—how people help each other, kind of in that ‘you

know your neighbor’ type of situation.

two kids: five-year-old Barrett and his little sister, three-year-old Dylan. Having children has opened up fun and nostalgic ways for Jones to experience the town.

“Obviously we love the staple events, like the tree lighting, the Third of July Parade, those kinds of things that bring the whole town together,” he says.

‘Those are things that not only my family, but also all my friends’ families, can enjoy together— it's kind of neat. I went to St. Pat’s and all of my high school friends who lived in Vallejo…every single one of them now lives in Benicia. We all have kids, for the most part under 10 years old, and it’s been nice to see them be exposed to new things in Benicia.”

Aside from enjoying all of the annual festivities Benicia has to offer, Marty is also currently the head coach for the Benicia Little League Mariners.

“Both Dana and I grew up in sports and had parents involved in coaching; it felt natural for us to do the same thing,” he says. This first year of T-ball was quite an adventure—you can imagine a bunch of five and six-year-olds playing in the dirt. It’s a blast! They definitely enjoy their time out there. The past few years, they’ve all been starved for interaction and socialization. They

BeniciaMagazine.com • 21

around town Community

The Fitness

Relationship n Brandon Britton, CPT/Nutrition Specialist Hello movers! I’m Brandon Britton, an evidence-based fitness coach and author based here in beautiful Benicia, California. I’m here to simplify the science of fitness and behavior change for you. There’s no onesize-fits-all approach to your training and nutrition; I know that you have your own needs and goals, and I want to make fitness work for you, not the other way around. I’m a certified personal trainer with distinction through the American Council on Exercise (ACE, *CPT), a TRX, Spin, and HIIT Instructor, and author of The Direct Fitness Approach (2021), which teaches people how to master their mindset, training, and nutrition strategies.

As I stumble through a career of providing fitness services to a variety of entities, I find myself fighting many of the same battles my clients come to me to solve. “How do you stay motivated?” A question I get asked often. “It must be easy for you to stay healthy, you do this for a living.”

We expect a lot from the practitioners we hire, and personal trainers are no exception. But there is some truth to the assumptions made about us — sometimes. For example I do consider myself motivated, but only after so much pain, trial, and error after humiliating error just to be in a place that I can look back and say, “Damn, I made it through that. Clearly, I can press on through anything!” But whether your motivation comes from somewhere inside or from the heroes and heroines we look up to, staying healthy is a common battle for us all. A battle I prefer to look at as a relationship. One of give and take.

Injury, pain, illness, genetic predisposition and a gamut of human experiences create challenges in this relationship making it feel like a battle sometimes. And your personal trainer is right there with you! His/her job is to show up for you even when you may struggle to. This is part of what some might call “their calling.”

Life can be hard and sometimes we need a hand executing some of the fundamental lessons we’ve known our whole lives. That’s all we are. A system of support for those in our community who are able to recognize when support is needed.

I always say, “The hardest part is starting!” That goes for anything, but once you do, treat your fitness like a relationship with yourself and you are on the receiving end of your own integrity. Then perhaps at that moment you’ve won the battle. B

"The Direct Fitness Approach (2021),

which teaches people how to master their mindset, training,

and nutrition strategies."

22 • Benicia Magazine

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BeniciaMagazine.com • 23

CIty of Benicia – Advertorial

Toree McGee

Benicia’s 4th Of July Celebration After a two-year hiatus, Benicia’s beloved two-day 4th of July celebration is returning in a big way. When you think "4th of July," barbecues, fireworks and parades come to mind. And that’s what you can expect this year. A fun filled parade, family activities, live music, a drone sky show and, of course, fireworks. The barbeque is up to you!

24 • Benicia Magazine

Jose’s Junk Removal JULY 3RD

The much-loved Torchlight Parade will stretch along First Street and it will include everything fun in Benicia: dancers, floats, bands, local groups, and all kinds of entertainment.

The parade begins at 6:30pm and lasts about two hours. This year, the parade is followed by Pedrotti Ace Hardware’s Centennial celebration which starts at 8pm with rock band East Bay Mudd on the mainstage at the waterfront. As soon as it’s dark, a spectacular drone performance begins.

Mainstreet Parade 6pm

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First Street Green Live Entertainment starting at 8pm

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Verge Arrow Drone Performance starting at Sunset – ­­ 9:30pm approx.

DEPENDABLE and KNOWLEDGEABLE agent seeks customers looking for real PROTECTION and long term RELATIONSHIP.

Festivities End at 10pm, sharp

JULY 4TH

Begin your 4th festivities at the Family Festival on Benicia’s waterfront. The waterfront festival will include activities, vendors, and food. Linger until the sun sets and enjoy the firework extravaganza.

SCHEDULE

Family Festival starting at 3pm (Food, Vendors and Activities)

First Street Green Live Entertainment 3 ­­– 9:30pm Fireworks Extravaganza 9:30pm Festivities End at 10pm, sharp

ADVENTUROUS CAT LOVER seeks adventurous cat owner. Please be employed and willing to relocate.

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to jump in and join the fun. Military training would be helpful.

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(707) 980-3331 BeniciaMagazine.com • 25

column Booktails

Happy Hour

Book and Cocktail Club

By Marlowe Granados n

“An intriguing look into the literary value of the unlikeable “party girl''.”

26 • Benicia Magazine

Cooper Mickelson

“I feel as though becoming a woman is like a long tradition of going through things and coming out strong, but I am tired and weary!”

Due to some extremely mixed reviews, I was a bit nervous when I first picked up Happy Hour by Marlowe Granados.

Some reviewers felt like they were watching a mid-season episode of Gossip Girl, while others consider it a glorious work of social criticism. I was pleasantly surprised to find that I related more to the latter.

Happy Hour is a diary-style contemporary fiction following two twenty-one-year-old girls as they navigate a summer in New York.

Completely broke and wildly problematic, Isa and Gala are primarily concerned with pursuing pleasure in all of its forms.

During the day, Isa and Gala sell clothes at a market stall, barely making enough money to cover the rent for their shared bed in the city. They move through varying neighborhoods at night, bumping elbows with celebrities, artists, entrepreneurs, comedians, stuck-up intellectuals, and boorish grifters. The girls attempt to convert their social capital into real cash with jobs as nightclub hostesses, au pairs, paid audience members, and even a short attempt at foot modeling. But, as the summer continues and their money runs out, their friendship is tested.

Reading Happy Hour felt like reading a book all about being young and human, specifically the experience of coming of age during late capitalism.

Through Isa’s voice, Granados perfectly captures the thrill of grappling for a life of glamor and adventure with nothing but

youth, natural charm, and a particular talent for skipping out on the bill.

The less alluring moments of Isa’s summer, such as some debilitating hangovers and far from romantic hook-ups, are brushed over in the narrative, making some readers feel that Granados has forced rose-tinted glasses over the experience.

To me, it felt like the subtle mentions of these moments of struggle amplified the severity of Isa’s situation.

The narrative also tends to change focus quickly and without warning, causing Happy Hour to feel unhinged. Was this done intentionally to mirror the characters' lives and emotions? Or was it an accident born from a lack of planning on the author's end? Personally, I don’t care. I loved the unbalanced and slightly off-kilter vibes of this novel. If it was an accident, it was a happy one that heightened my enjoyment and understanding.

Happy Hour is an intriguing look into the literary value of the unlikeable “party girl”. Yes, at times, it seems empty or surface level with obvious observations on the stereotypes that crowd New York. But I believe Happy Hour has used descriptions of cute outfits and newly dyed blonde hair to express some relatively radical politics.

But don’t just take my word for it; pick up a copy of your own and share your thoughts! I highly recommend it for fans of My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh or Gentlemen Prefer Blondes by Anita Loos.

Isa’s Breakfast Old Fashioned The Bloody Mary and Mimosa might be the most popular “Sunday Scaries” cure, but that doesn’t make them the best. So next time you’re trying to recover from a late night out, or you’re just having some friends over on a Sunday morning, give this breakfast-style Old Fashioned a try!

INGREDIENTS: 2oz bourbon 1/2oz non-creamy coffee liqueur (Bittermens New Orleans is my favorite) 1/2oz coffee syrup (equal parts coffee and sugar warmed and stirred until fully dissolved) 1 tsp maple syrup 2 dashes orange bitters

PREPARATION: 1) If you’re feeling fancy, garnish your old-fashioned by rolling half of the glass rim in maple syrup then dusting it with espresso powder. Set aside.

2) Combine bourbon, coffee liqueur, coffee syrup, maple syrup, and orange bitters in a mixing glass and fill with ice.

3) Stir until chilled and strain into your glass over one large cube of ice (or however many ice cubes you can find in your freezer).

4) Express an orange peel over the cocktail and let it bring you back to life! B

24 HOUR

Community Information Line:

707-745-7534 Questions? Contact:

BeniciaCommunityRelations@Valero.com

BeniciaMagazine.com • 27

column Dinner and a Movie

The twenty third in a series of at home food and movie pairings.

n Gourmet Gracie and Movie Magic What a find! This mariscos (seafood) restaurant is named for the state of Sinaloa in Mexico. Family owned and operated, they have a wildly extensive menu—ask your server for translations if you need them and recommendations to fit your taste. Gracie was told that any combination is possible here—they have many specialities and local favorites.

Micheladas? Yes, please. What is a Michelada, you ask? This Mexican drink is made with beer, lime juice, sauces, spices, tomato juice, chili peppers—so many variations—Mariscos has the best

El Sinaloense and

and most fun. Fabuloso! Let’s get started with guacamole and ceviche appetizers and go from there.

Chicken and shrimp enchiladas, Seven Mares Soup with fish, squid, octopus, mussels, oysters, carrots, broccoli in a mildly spicy broth, Surf and Turf Super Burrito—what’s your pleasure? Oyster shooters? Of course. You can find it here— authentic, flavorful Mexican food with a serious emphasis on fresh seafood. The street tacos made Gracie want to dance… and there is always great Mexican music to put you in the mood.

Enchiladas and fajitas are made to order.

There is a surprising selection of fresh seafood and deliciousness, highlighted by wild prawns, fresh oysters and mussels. A simple kid’s menu includes churros and Mexican Flan.

Modest and clean, well-priced with a great selection of specialty Mexican dishes along with the standard fare— remember, this is a SEAFOOD restaurant, order accordingly, relax and enjoy.

Lunch and dinner. Closed Tuesdays.

Delivery, takeout and outside seating.

Convenient parking lot. Super family friendly staff. Delicioso!!!

Mariscos Restaurante El Sinaloense 541 Benicia Road | Vallejo, CA 94590 | 707.652.2515 | www.elsinaloensevallejo.com

28 • Benicia Magazine

Encanto The definition of encanto: a place that’s charmed or spiritually blessed where magic and reality merge. This is the movie — charming and blessing us with the message that we don’t need superpowers to be worthy heroes and good people.

This is the heart warming story of the Madrigal family who live in a Colombian village named Encanto. Each family member possesses a marvelous, magical gift—except one, Maribel. This is her story, to find her identity through adventure and humor and joy—she is the primary reason why Encanto is such a spell-binding watch.

Enchanting, vibrant and beautifully animated, it works for the entire family. There’s a bit of history, a bit of culture, diverse characters and lots of music to make us happy. The Encanto soundtrack is playing everywhere—those would be the original songs of the amazing Lin Manuel-Miranda doing his usual extraordinary and heartfelt work. A beautifully composed story that is most interested in the love and struggles of family without side characters or romantic leads. And, oh, so colorful, it will take your breath away.

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes rate this 91% on the tomato meter with an audience score of 93%—this is very good! Strong character development, plot twists and unconventional surprises—some are saying this is the best from Disney in recent memory. Whimsical with exuberant sweetness—aaah!

2021. 2 hours. Animated Musical. Rated PG. Directed by Byron Howard, Jared Bush, Charisse Castro-Smith Streaming on Disney+, Apple TV and Amazon Prime.

Movie Magic gives this magical film 4.5 Moons out of 5.

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BeniciaMagazine.com • 29

around town Hidden Benicia

STROLLIN’

in the

PARK

n Kevin Nelson Pop quiz: After First Street, what is the next most popular promenade in Benicia for walking, strolling, bicycling, and taking a family outing?

That’s easy, you’re probably saying: Dillon Point Road in Benicia State Recreation Area. That’s the road that leads to Dillon Point, another popular hangout. On a sunny weekend day as many as 300 people can be seen strutting their stuff there. At the height of Covid, when people were not traveling as much but still needed to get outdoors, more than a thousand came out on the weekends.

The Davises are one family you may see out there. “We love it,” said Mom, beaming. “We come here all the time.”

She was pushing their baby in a stroller while Dad was busy tending to their daughter, who had tired of riding her pink trike and was going on foot.

Where you park your car will influence what you do. Many park (free) on West K Street rather than in the ($6) east lot which, in the late 1940s, was the site of a Spenger’s fish restaurant located in a converted ferry boat on the shore of 30 • Benicia Magazine

cyclists take over. Families like the Davises go strolling, women walk and chat, a father watches warily as his young son rides his bike hands-free, and cyclists in colorful garb whizz past. Unlike at JFK Drive, vehicles are permitted in but they generally drive cautiously, and there is a dirt trail to one side of the road where those on foot can feel safe.

Up the road is a grassy, shaded picnic area and a native plants garden tended by the California Native Plant Society. After the gold rush, an Irish immigrant stonecutter named Patrick Dillon set up a quarry business and built a ranch house here with his wife Bertha. The house and quarry are long gone, but the rocky bluff became so identified with Dillon that they named it after him. Its original name was Rocky Point.

Dillon Point is a scene unto itself. A walking trail bends along the water’s edge with sparkling views of the Carquinez and its bridges.

The afternoon we were there we saw a young couple taking engagement pictures, a Filipino family hosting a boy’s ninth birthday party, and some men with weathered faces packing up their fishing gear and heading home after a long morning.

Behind the picnic area on Dillon Point Road, a trail runs up to the top of the bluff. If you take it, look for a grouping of sandstones on the hillside; these were ancient grinding rocks used by the Patwin tribe. They lived here before the Spanish and Americans arrived, and for a time after. Using stones, the Patwin women pounded oak acorns for food, and they did it so much and for so long they created indentations in the rock— bedrock mortar holes. There aren’t many holes and they’re not big, but they’re there.

With a little imagination you might be able to picture those women doing their work, chatting and gossiping while keeping an eye out for their children playing nearby, as the men of the tribe fished down at the shore. People have been enjoying this unique little habitat for centuries. Be sure you’re one of them. B

Southampton Bay. You can then walk or ride along the paved Taugher Trail until it

"People have been enjoying this unique little habitat for centuries.

Be sure you’re one of them. " connects with Dillon Point Road.

Another place to park is in the neighborhood behind Columbus Parkway. Cross the freeway bridge and you’ll find yourself at the vehicle entrance for BSRA. It costs $6 to bring a car in for the day (nothing for walkers and bicyclists). The road curves around the mudflats before it dead-ends at the Dillon Point parking lot.

Dillon Point Road on a nice day is Benicia’s version of JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park on a Sunday when they keep out the cars and let the pedestrians and

column A (Soap Opera) mystery

s e c n e F t e Pick Previously in Picket Fences …

Madalyn and Hank rekindled their relationship at the F.A.C.T. fundraiser, but Hank’s affair with Saraya still lingers. Martin Cray was reunited with his father thanks to Connie and Angela. n

Darrell Mcelvane

As the bay water begins to calm in Benicia, the event begins to wind down to its conclusion.

Hugging Hank, Madalyn notices the time. “I have to find Angela, the action is almost over. We have to say our thank you’s. I love you, we’ll talk more at home,” Madalyn says, leaving Hank to find Angela.

Saraya emerges from the shadows “I thought she’d never leave,” she says temptingly as she rubs Hank's shoulders. He recoils at her advances. “I can’t do this with you anymore,” he announces. Saraya, surprised by his words, says, “What are you saying, Hank, what does that mean?” “I can’t keep hurting my wife,” he says with guilt and slight agitation. “I see. You don’t want to hurt your wife anymore,” she says with false sincerity. “But it’s perfectly fine to Hurt me and it’s okay to throw me away, is that what you’re saying, Hank? I don’t mean anything to you?” she says with tears welling up. “Let’s not pretend that you’re not what you are,” Hanks says to Saraya. Crossing her arms, she asks, “What am I, Hank?

I wanna know since you have so much insight.” Hank looks at her,

taking her chin into his hand ever so gently. “You’re fun, but make no mistake, Saraya; you’re nobody’s wife,” Hank says, breaking her heart and leaving her speechless.

Hank continues, “Did you think we were going to run off together? I mean… look, we had our fun.” With that, he leaves Saraya to sit in her heartbreak.

Saraya wouldn’t be the only one facing some hard truths.

“It’s been a long time, son. I'm so glad we could reconnect, we need to solve some family business,” the senior Cray says, rubbing his hands together. “Yeah, we do… let’s start with why you wanted to find me so bad,” Martin says, taking a flask out of his pocket. Connie and Angela look at each other feeling the tension in the room. “Why don’t we all have a seat?” Connie suggests. Mr. Cray gives Connie a nod, suggesting he has this under control, so Connie steps aside. “Son, I reached out to find you because we needed to talk…I know I haven’t been the best father I could have been, but let me start now.” “‘Not the best father’,” Martin mocks, “You're joking … you didn’t even come close… or try. You took my mother away from everything she’d known and you

drained her dry of happiness and money until she had me. Then we at least had each other,” he says fighting back tears. “You took her away from me knowing she was all I had in this world. “You… you’re a monster. You were no father,” he says. Mr. Cray, feeling his son’s anger, still thinks he can talk his way out of the situation. Calming himself down, Martin continues, “Let’s talk about why you’re really here, and why you wanted to find me so bad. Does Aunt Beverly ring a bell, Dad?” Recognizing his son is on to his plan, Mr. Cray’s eyes grow big and he starts to fumble over his words. “Now— now, listen here—” Martin interjects, “Aunt Beverly died two years ago and left her whole estate to Mom and when Mom died, everything went to me.

Next of kin, funny how that works.

And suddenly dear old dad wants to reconnect.” Mr. Cray is standing in shock. “How did you know about your aunt?” he asks incredulously.

“When you hired Connie to find me, she told me your whole plan.”

Angela, having just learned the whole plan herself, turns to Connie, “You were playing both sides?” B To be continued..

BeniciaMagazine.com • 31

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