Benicia Magazine June 2023 Issue

Jean

It's a-BOAT time youtookavacation! SEAyouinJuly!

n From the Editor

Summer is finally here! After what felt like a very long and unusually wet winter, it’s nice to be back to warm weather and sunny skies, though we’ll undoubtedly also have some classic June gloom spells. Hopefully you found the list of summer camps in our May issue to be helpful and you’ve already gotten the kids enrolled in some programs that will help keep their minds growing during the summer break –and give you a much needed break as well.

June is the month to celebrate dads, grads, Pride, and Juneteenth. Take a look at our spotlight on local dad, Lionel Largaespada for some fatherly wisdom. Read about Lavender marriages in LGBTQ history. Take a trip out to Vallejo to commemorate Juneteenth with a festival and parade downtown. Try your hand at being a tourist for a day in our own city with a fun staycation idea from art director and columnist, Cooper Mickelson. And read about the monument being erected to honor hometown hero, Harold Bray.

This month, I’m looking forward to taking more adventures with my dogs and working on the mile-long project list for my new home. Build in 1920, it’s full of character and fun surprises, including original pocket doors, hidden cubbies and trap doors, cracked plaster hiding under a century’s worth of wallpaper and paint, and a mini panic attack with each doorknob turn (those screws are hanging on for their lives). Yes, my summer is going to be quite busy.

There is no letter from the publisher this month. This is because, as I write this, our intrepid publisher is journeying back from what I’ve been told has been a wonderful and much needed vacation, sans writing assignments. I’m sure she’ll tell us all about it next month.

Finally, I wanted to mention an accidental omission from our April issue’s list of local charities and community service organizations in the piece “Plant a Seed in the Community.” We neglected to include the Benicia Lion’s Club, an organization that has given much to the community. Our apologies to the Lion’s Club and thanks for being good sports about the mistake.

As ever, thank you for reading!

June is the month to celebrate dads, grads, Pride, and Juneteenth.

Benicia Refinery

The Valero Benicia Refinery Community Advisory Panel (CAP) invites Benicia residents to learn about air monitoring and incident response. Benicia residents are invited to attend the CAP meeting on Tuesday, June 13th 4:30 – 6:00 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

Lavender Marriages

n Dr. Gethsemane Moss, Ed. D

For many actors during the 20th century, identifying as gay, lesbian, or bisexual was against the rules if one sought a thriving career on the big screen. It was important for their images to appeal to the opposite sex. Actors speculated to be gay, lesbian, or bisexual had to sign a contract with a moral clause indicating that they would not reveal their sexual identity if they identified in those three categories. If an actor came out to the public, they were released from their contract. As a result, Lavender Marriages, were created by Universal Film Company. These were façade marriages between man and woman.

One example of this marriage was the union of Rudolph Valentino and Jean Acker. The couple later divorced. These forced unions went on for decades and included actors such as Rock Hudson, Danny Kaye, Barbara Stanwyck, and Vicente Minelli, to name a few. Some actors chose to live openly gay, like actor Williams Haines, said to be the first openly gay Hollywood actor.

While some individuals can openly share about themselves and how they identify, there are still people today in various work environments, communities, and countries who live in silence and or fear for their safety and well-being.

On June 28, 1969, nine New York Police found themselves in a riot at a bar in Greenwich Village. The patrons at Stonewall, a gay club in New York City, were arrested, which sparked days of riots and protest, thus sparking notoriety and activism worldwide. In many states, being gay meant being subject to detention, fines, and even mortal harm, which is still an occurrence. Suicide is reported as the second leading cause of death among young people. Those who identify as LGBTQIA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual) are four times more likely to seriously consider suicide (Hedegaard, Curtin, & Warner, 2018; Kann et al.,2018; Johns et al., 2019), yet there are still efforts to out and silence individuals instead building a space for dialogue or support systems.

The first Pride event was held on June 27, 1970, the anniversary of the Stonewall uprising. The Solano Pride Center is located in Fairfield, CA, and was founded by the Committee for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth in 1988. The Solano Pride organization holds a variety of events along with support services and networking. The organization is holding a summer festival on June 3rd at Andrews Park in Vacaville, CA, from 12-4 PM.

https://www.solanopride.org/

“Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilization.” Mahatma Gandhi B

Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilization.

— Mahatma Gandhi.

Possibly the

n Kevin Nelson

in benicia history

Steve Jennett, the bar manager and bartender at Sailor Jack’s, has a unique distinction. He may be the longestserving bartender in Benicia history.

He has worked at the First Street waterfront restaurant for 33 years. Add in nine more years of tending bar at two other popular Benicia establishments prior to that, and you have a man who has arguably poured more drinks to more thirsty Benicians than any other.

“I was a quiet and shy kid,” he says. “The restaurant business gives quiet and shy kids like myself a chance to come out of their shell. The appreciation and love we get from the customers is the biggest reward. It makes everything worthwhile.”

Being the quiet and shy type, like many good bartenders Steve would rather listen to your story than tell you his own. But he has a pretty good story, worth hearing. Now the proud father of a 22-year-old son Thomas, he enlisted in the Navy as a senior in high school. While stationed at Mare Island, he got to know Benicia and after finishing up his hitch in the service at a base in Washington state, his Honda motorcycle pointed him in one direction: south, toward the spot that reminded him of the Connecticut valley where he grew up.

Back then, when he first started listening to people’s stories and pouring them drinks,

People’s tastes have naturally shifted since the eighties and nineties when, as he says, “we used to serve a lot of Scotch— JB and water, Cutty water. We rarely get that anymore. Now people are more interested in mescal, single malt Scotch, craft bourbon, craft beers. They drink Old Fashioneds and Manhattans, made with small craft Bourbons.”

They also drink less than they used to, he reports, being more conscious of their health and the dangers of drinking and driving.

First Street boasts a number of fine drinking and dining establishments, all with their own distinct charms and all more than happy to mix up a Cadillac Margarita or any other adult beverage with whatever variation you prefer. Like the other barkeeps at these places, Jennett has to stay up on the trends in a demanding, trend-driven business. “There are a lot of trends. You’ll see a new drink being featured on an Internet home page and a few days later somebody will come in and ask for it. That’s how we get a lot of information. From our customers. They ask for certain drinks and we’ll add it to our menu.”

Also like other First Street eateries, Sailor Jack’s has found a way to survive and even thrive amid lockdowns, Covid, supply chain breakdowns, wildfires, an incredibly wet winter, and high prices for everything. The mood downtown seems lighter and brighter than it has been for a long time. People seem happy to be out among other people, enjoying what this little town on the strait has to offer in the way of a good time.

Characteristically, Jennett is quick to give credit to Carey and Jim Morgan and John Hernandez, the owners of Sailor Jack’s, for the way they run things at the restaurant. But he also speaks warmly about past owners and managers of Captain Blyther’s (the former name of Sailor Jack’s) and other people he has worked with in the restaurant business, citing them all by name. This may be one of the secrets to his success and longevity. If he learns your name, he will do his best to lock it into his memory. “I try as well as I can to remember people’s names,” he says. “I write their name down or put it in my phone. It’s very important.”

Four names he knows very well are Li’l Tone, Colette, Brando and Angel. They are four of the friendly ghosts that, according to legend, frequent Sailor Jack’s. Another of the phantoms is named Karl, who on some nights is said to sit out on the brick patio of the restaurant sipping a bourbon. Long ago the building that houses Sailor Jack’s was a house of ill repute. A lady who worked there, Rebecca, met an untimely end at the hands of a patron in an upstairs room and her gentle spirit hovers around, too.

Late at night, when he’s closing up the bar, “you do feel Rebecca’s presence,” Steve confesses, adding that he takes comfort from the idea that her spirit, as well as those of Karl and the others, are “still watching over us.” If you’re ever in Sailor Jack’s and you see a ghost, it may be a sign that you’ve had too much. Or, conversely, it may be the perfect time for a good stiff belt of craft bourbon. In any case, now you know the person who can fix it for you.

Photo by Luke George

Bruce Pope

Playing With How Things Look

“I was always an artist, I don’t remember not being one,” reflects Bruce Pope, talking about his life-long pursuit of both painting and photography. Pope displays his artwork at the HQ Gallery on First Street in Benicia, which he joined in 2020. He was drawn to paint at an early age. Growing up in San Diego, he remembers making sand paintings at the beach. “I’d try to get sand to stick onto a board. It would always fall off, but I kept trying,” he laughs. Witty and playful, Pope is careful not to take himself or his art too seriously.

Pope began his photography around the age of 10, after getting his first Kodak Brownie camera. “I’d just go out, reportage style, photographing what I saw on the street. City scenes, buildings, and people … I was interested in how things looked. Like, if you’re taking a train, and you look over into an open window and somebody’s in there. What I see leaves a little snapshot in my brain that I remember for a few months.” Incorporating these observed, everyday scenes and figures into the narrative content of his work, Pope learned to create unique imagery by manipulating various processes. Early on, these were darkroom experiments. Later they were done with digital tools.

“When I was in high school, I learned to do darkroom work. In my 20s I started my experimentation putting an infrared filter on the lens. Infrared changes everything. Skies become black. The only light that passes through is infrared light. After printing an image, I would bleach it all back to get the

grain to come out, until I liked how it looked.” Pope compares his artistic experimentation to putting something into a blender: it comes out different. “My artistic journey could be characterized as a series of mistakes. In the darkroom, a lot of things could go wrong. You could overexpose a print and then bring it back to something good through a toning process. I really cherish the mistakes that work out.”

Bruce’s goal was a career in photography. He studied at the Brooks School in Santa Barbara. In the 1980s and ‘90s he worked with advertising agencies, doing photography for magazine articles and covers for magazines, books, and albums. He incorporated his painting skills into his photography, sometimes hand painting or airbrushing a black and white photo. A portfolio of his work at the time consisted of a collection of transparencies bound together in paper sleeves. “It’s old school, it’s how we presented our work before Facebook. But I got into galleries with that kind of stuff.”

Pope moved to San Francisco in 1985 and got a job in a top photographer’s studio. “I didn't get enough work with agents and needed to make a living, so I went to work painting the backgrounds and sets for commercial photography. It was a full-time job.” He tried briefly in the 1990s to engage advertising agencies in promoting his work, this time in New York, but once again, found no traction.

“In the late ‘90s, everything changed to digital. I love the possibilities of digital photography, but it took away all the work that I was doing. There was no need for anyone to paint backgrounds or sets. All of that can be done digitally. I had to leave photography as a career, and I went to work for an environmental company. I got a job monitoring Bay Area waste sites and wrote inspection reports.” The work became a career, and Bruce moved his family to Crockett and later to Benicia as his job location changed. “I retired from the company a few years ago to take care of my parents. I was able to paint during this time and it was a way to get back into my art.”

The aesthetic of Pope’s paintings reflects that of his photography, often capturing a moment in narrative fashion, with the use of playful, fanciful, shadowy, or altered imagery. His work generally represents autobiographical memories, or a commentary on the human situation. He paints with oils, and uses graphite, modeling paste, wax medium, oil sticks, and charcoal. He creates works that are thick with texture, using fabric collage materials, tissue paper, metal leaf and bits of chicken wire, or by applying paint with wadded up plastic. “I like the figurative, abstract expressionists of the ‘50s. I like David Park, Manuel Neri, and Elmer Bischoff. Image-wise, I think that’s what I go to. A lot of the imagery in my painting, I’ve taken from my photographs. And a lot of the painting techniques that I stumbled upon for those photographers’ backgrounds, I use now.”

To see more of Bruce’s artwork, visit the HQ Gallery at 333-D 1st Street, and also https://brucepopeart.org and https://www. hqgallery.net/. B

n Jean Purnell

"I was always an artist, I don’t remember not being one"

Hometown Hero

Harold Bray

n Genevieve Hand

It was December 7th, 1941. Pearl Harbor had just been bombed, triggering the United States entering World War II. Patriotism was high and young men and women clamored to join the war effort. Young Harold Bray was no different, but at only age 14, he would have to wait three long years before he could join up with his buddies. Finally, at age 17, he convinced his father to sign off on his joining the Navy.

Bray originally hails from Ramsay, a small ore mining town in northern Michigan. In a 2020 episode of Hometown Hero, Bray recalls growing up in a poor, close-knit family. He recalls going to boot camp at Great Lakes and the culture shock of suddenly being away from family for the first time. “There was nobody holding your hand,” he says, “You better do what you’re told and do it right the first time.” He says this was a mentality he adapted to easily, perhaps owing to his father’s influence, a military man himself who served in World War I. “But you ate better,” he laughs, referring to boot camp’s three square meals a day, compared with the meager rations his family was able to provide. “Never ate so good.”

Harold was then shipped out to Mare Island in Vallejo, California, where he joined the crew aboard the USS Indianapolis, Roosevelt’s ship of state. The embattled ship had been undergoing repairs after the battle of Okinawa in spring 1945 and wasn’t scheduled for any immediate missions. But, when the USS Pensacola was unable to deliver its payload, the USS Indianapolis was tapped to complete the mission.

“I was out on liberty,” says Bray, “and we got called back: ‘everyone with Indianapolis, get back to the ship right away.’ We didn’t know what for.” Bray then describes setting out on his first ever mission and the ship stopping at Hunter’s Point, “And that’s when we picked up the bomb, I guess.” “The bomb” was, as WWII history buffs might know, components for Little Boy; the atomic bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima. It was the first nuclear weapon to be used in warfare and its detonation, along with that of its sibling Fat Man, effectively ended WWII. “We didn’t know until we were in hospital in the Philippines that we were even carrying a bomb. The skipper didn’t even know what we had. And of course, we didn’t really know until we dropped it.”

The crew on the USS Indianapolis successfully dropped off its precious payload at Tinian Island. A request was made for an escort as they were expected to be traveling through enemy-laden waters. That request was denied. On the night of July 30th, 1945, the USS Indianapolis was struck by two torpedoes fired by a Japanese submarine. The ensuing 12 minutes was a frenzy of activity as crewmen abandoned ship and the mighty USS Indianapolis eventually sank. Bray, who would normally sleep below deck, had been given permission to sleep topside that night to escape the heat. This undoubtedly saved his life as the torpedoes struck just outside of his assigned bunk. It also allowed him to aid

the wounded and successfully find a life raft. He recalls helping pick up 80 more crewmen who clung to the raft and crash net in the Philippine waters.

Though the crewmen didn’t know it, an SOS was never sent, so Bray and his fellow servicemen settled in for what would be a harrowing almost five-day wait for rescue. Bray had sustained burns on the left side of his body, which were aggravated by salt water and oil spilled by the ship. “We were covered in oil – in your eyes, in your mouth…I still taste it to this day,” says Bray. They were stuck in the water with no food or water, many of them injured; and then the sharks came. Bray recalls seeing his fellow crewmates falling victim to sharks lured by the scent of fresh injuries. Others went mad from exposure.

All the while, planes flew overhead, but they were too high to see the stranded sailors. The USS Indianapolis had never been reported missing, so no one was looking. Finally, a plane spotted the survivors by chance and radioed for help. It would be another day and a half before that help came. Bray was pulled to safety along with the other survivors and they were shipped to a hospital in the Philippines. Bray had lost 35 pounds in nearly five days.

Of the nearly 1200 men on board the USS Indianapolis, 900 survived the sinking, but only 316 survived the wait for rescue. It is considered the worst disaster at sea in US Naval history. Bray counts himself incredibly lucky to have survived. Bray was honorably discharged in 1946, after which he moved to Benicia, where he met his wife, Stephanie, and served as a police officer for 25 years – a career he had wanted since boyhood.

Bray is the last living survivor of the USS Indianapolis and an effort is underway to honor him as Benicia’s hometown hero, both for his service to our country and to our community. The Benicia Community Foundation, in partnership with the Veteran’s Memorial Hall, the City of Benicia, and Solano County, is spearheading a project to unveil a life-size bronze statue of Harold Bray on July 7th, 2023, at 6pm at the Commandant’s Quarters, in front of the Clocktower. The impressive statue’s design, engineering, and creative oversight have been thanks to the donated time of Architect Brian Marshall, Engineer Rod Sherry, and General Contractor John Laverty. The statue will have various easter eggs, such as the wristwatch which is stopped at the exact time Harold Bray would have hit the water.

You, too, can help bring this project to fruition by donating through the Benicia Community Foundation’s website. Those who donate will get various honorable mentions, the opportunity to have their name enshrined in the monument’s design, and unique challenge coins, designed specifically for this occasion. The use of challenge coins in this endeavor is fitting as, in the military, they are given as an honor of service and are often used to raise spirits and foster a sense of camaraderie – key elements that undoubtedly helped Bray and his fellow servicemen survive such an arduous ordeal. The Harold Bray Challenge Coin can be awarded for community service, and for a limited time through contributions.

The Annual USS Indianapolis Reunion Dinner and Dance and a special tribute to Harold Bray will take place on July 8th at the Clocktower (ticket sales end June 1st). Harold Bray was also recently honored at San Francisco’s Memorial Day celebration on May 28th. Bray was awarded a Purple Heart and the WWII Victory Medal. In 2020, the final sailing crew of the USS Indianapolis was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. B

Benicia Refinery COMMUNITY INVESTMENT

Quarterly Review April–June 2023

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

The Valero Benicia Refinery was proud to host students who are part of Benicia High School’s Career Technical Education (CTE) program on March 30th and the University of San Francisco’s Energy Systems Management (ESM) program on April 7th during a recent educational tour and Q/A period at our refinery.

Benicia High School students participated in a ‘Job Shadow’ event with members of Valero’s Maintenance department and visited different workshops that focused on welding, how to use an acrylic pump and other functions related to the safe operation of the refinery. Graduate students that are part of USF’s ESM program toured the processing block of the refinery and received a hands-on overview of the refining process.

Resources for Benicia Residents

5 ways to stay informed about Valero Benicia Refinery

1 Valero’s 24-Hour Community Relations Phone Number: 707-745-7534 email: BeniciaCommunityRelations@valero.com

2 Sign up for Refinery Notifications at Valero Benicia Refinery Community Relations website: www.beniciarefinery.com

3 Sign up for Non-Emergency Notifications with your email or telephone number at the City of Benicia’s Public Information Bank website: www.ci.benicia.ca.us/publicinfobank

4 Valero Benicia Refinery Community Advisory Panel (CAP) website: www.beniciacap.com

5 Benicia Refinery Air Monitoring Program website: www.beniciarefineryairmonitors.org

Please call 707-745-7534 for additional questions.

For more information about the above events please go to www.beniciarefinery.com

LIONEL LARGAESPADA INSPIRATIONAL

n Genevieve Hand

Father’s Day is this month, and to celebrate, we wanted to highlight a local dad who is not only there for his kids, but also for the community. Lionel Largaespada fits that bill. He has given back to our community through both community and civic service and, in partnership with his wife Jennifer, has thoughtfully raised their two daughters, Graciela and Viviana.

Lionel is a first generation U.S. American. His parents were from Central America and came to the United States to escape the political reality there and to provide a better life for their family. Lionel was born in San Francisco and his parents divorced when he was quite young. Both remarried and Lionel began moving around the country with his mom and stepfather, a surgeon. He ultimately spent most of his youth in Hercules and went to Pinole Valley High School, where he was voted both student body president and class clown in the same year. Lionel would then go on to undergrad at St. Mary’s College of California, where he studied philosophy and government, and then Boston University to pursue his master’s in mass communications.

His passion for politics was clear early-on as he volunteered for political campaigns during both high school and college. He credits his parents and grandparents for fostering this

passion within him. “We always talked about current events as a family,” Lionel says, “My grandfathers were the ones that really talked politics in the house — there was historical context to everything they said and believed. It was part of their purpose and reason they came to this country.” His family also imparted this lesson upon him: the best thing you can do in life is be a good servant.

Lionel met his wife, Jennifer, while at school in Boston. They eventually moved to San Francisco and then, when they were ready to start a family, found Benicia to be the ideal place to settle down. “Fatherhood changed my life, my hopes, my future, how I spend my time,” Lionel says. “I live for my daughters and my wife. I love them more than I love myself.”

Having their daughters also inspired Lionel and Jennifer to get more involved in the Benicia community, first at the school and extracurricular level. Then, with Jennifer’s prompting, Lionel got involved with the Economic Development Board, and then local politics. He is an active volunteer for many local community organizations and events, including Benicia Community Foundation, Benicia Dog Festival, Benicia Grad Night, Benicia Litter Pickers, Benicia Main Street, Benicia Peddlers Fair, Benicia Reads, Benicia Tree Foundation, and the Tim & Jeannie Hamann Foundation. He also supports the Benicia Community Action Council (CAC), Benicia Historical Society, and Kyle Hyland Foundation/Benicia Teen Center. All

Photos by Luke George

LARGAESPADA INSPIRATIONAL

the while, Lionel also works as the director of marketing at Benicia-based F3 & Associates.

How does he balance being a good father with everything else? “I do the best that I can, and it isn’t always easy, but I do my best to put [my daughters] first. The role of a dad is to be present, physically and mentally. For me, that means being in the front row of every dance performance and making sure to be there to say goodnight every night,” he answers.

Lionel shares that parenting is “as terrifying as it is joyful.” He stresses that his and Jennifer’s approach to parenting revolves around the specific responsibility of shaping their daughters’ vision of the world, and never losing sight of what an awesome responsibility that is. Lionel hopes that his leading by example – diving headfirst into what he’s passionate about – will inspire his girls to do the same. His philosophy is never about perfection, but about encouraging them to be persistent and do the best they can. So far, the lessons seem to be working. Both Graciela and Viviana grew up dancing. Graciela, now 18, still dances and is set to pursue studies in public health at Arizona State in the fall. Viviana is still in high school and is pursuing her own passions as an artist, baker, and musician.

Lionel shares his hope that his daughters will remember him as someone who loved them, who gave them everything, and was also kind to everyone he met. “That’s how I spend my days as a father. Providing that example.” He finishes our interview with some learned fatherly wisdom: “Listen first. Lead by example. They don’t like to be preached to.” Hats off to Lionel for being the embodiment of his family’s dreams, for fostering our community, and for his thoughtful views on parenting. B

“Fatherhood changed my life, my hopes, my future, how I spend my time, I live for my daughters and my wife. I love them more than I love myself.”

for a TOURIST

DAY

n Cooper Mickelson

It’s no secret among Benicia residents that our town is full of fun activities and unique businesses. From parks and trails to restaurants and shopping, this little community on the strait is bursting with things to do. That being said, we can be creatures of habit. Walking our dogs on the same route every day, ordering the same thing from our favorite restaurant on Fridays, and meeting our friends at the same bar for Sunday mimosas. Now, I thrive on a good routine, but even the most introverted homebody needs to switch it up occasionally.

Let’s introduce a game to shake things up.

When I’m traveling in a new city, the first thing I do is find an interesting-looking coffee shop or bar near me, order a drink, and start chatting up whoever is serving me. Next, I ask them their favorite place to eat, drink, hike, etc., and add it to a list on my phone. Then, as I visit these places, I ask the same questions to whoever I meet there. This has led to some of my all-time favorite vacation memories. Experiences I never would have had if I’d stuck to whatever Google Maps or Lonely Planet recommended.

This summer, I realized I could apply the same concept to a day in my hometown. This is how it went.

6AM- YOGA AT THE ELEVATE COMPANY

I’ve been meaning to try out a yoga class at The Elevate Company since they opened, but I hadn’t taken the leap yet. New experience number one…check! Everybody in the class was so lovely, and the room had an indescribable energy that helped me begin my day feeling energized and uplifted. As everybody rolled up their mats, I asked the woman beside me where I should get my morning coffee. She recommended Drift, a newer coffee shop that also sells pastries and pizza.

7:30AM- COFFEE AT DRIFT BENICIA

Drift opened in May, so this was my first time trying it. The cafe felt cozy and welcoming, with one of the owners greeting me as I entered. I ordered an iced oat milk latte and vegan croissant and found a spot at a picnic table outside. Then, I spent an hour reading in the sun before asking the family next to me where they’d suggest for breakfast in town. They were quick to name Benicia Grill.

10AM- BREAKFAST AT BENICIA GRILL

I’d only been to Benicia Grill once before, and honestly, I’m not sure why I hadn’t been back until now. Benicia Grill has a small-town diner feel where 90% of the patrons are regulars, and the servers waste no time getting your brunch cocktail order in. The menu is massive, but I finally landed on the veggie skillet. Large portions and mindblowing country potatoes left me feeling satisfied and ready to get my body moving again. I usually drive into the hills of Oakland when I go for a hike, so I had to ask around for some Benicia trails to try out.

3:30PM- FIRST STREET SHOPS AND ACTIVITIES

Before starting my adventure, I knew I wanted to check out Pink Arrows Boutique. I was trying to find some summer goodies and saw Wendi (of Sweetness & Light) rave about their clothes online. I immediately picked up much more than I needed (to be fair, there was a sale) and had so much fun trying things on in their gorgeous changing room area, complete with a large, selfie-worthy mirror. While checking out, I was pointed toward The Filling Station as my next destination.

The Filling Station, now located in what was the Camellia Tea Room, is full of zero-waste refill products, fun Benicia-themed accessories, and much more. With some stickers and a new journal in hand, I was searching for one last thing to do before dinner. Inspiration struck when I ran into some kids who had just picked up the mugs they painted for their mom at Artcentric.

Artcentric is a long-standing First Street staple. I grew up going there for birthday parties and random weekend outings. I was a little nervous about going there solo as a 28-year-old, but I had a blast painting a little gnome with nothing but my audiobook for company.

11:30AM- BAY AREA RIDGE TRAIL AT ROSE DRIVE

Ultimately, I landed on the Bay Area Ridge Trail. The trailhead is on Rose Drive behind Kinder Care and will pop you out either in Vallejo at Ascot Parkway or the Community Park in Benicia. I opted for the Vallejo path that passes the soldier memorial, where you get stunning views of Mt. Tamalpais, Mt. Diablo, and Mt. Saint Helena. This hike took me longer than expected, so by the time I was back in my car, I was in dire need of a refreshing drink and a quick snack. With no humans in sight, I asked my friends on Instagram about their favorite lunch spots in town. I got a lot of great suggestions, most of which I already frequent, making this a difficult decision.

2PM- LIGHT LUNCH AT MARE ISLAND BREWING CO. FIRST STREET TAPHOUSE

I wanted to keep lunch light and quick. MIBC’s First Street Taphouse was perfect for this. Their menu had plenty of lighter options, with a nice seat on their front patio. I enjoyed their burrata & confit tomato crostini and a soda. First Street Taphouse has a large selection of beer and wine, but only a few non-alcoholic and vegetarian options are available.

6PM- DINNER AT THE RELLIK

By now, a few online friends knew about my mini staycation experiment, and one of them recommended I try out pizza at The Rellik. This was far from my first time visiting The Rellik on a Sunday, but I don’t usually order food. I loved this suggestion because I knew this bar had an NA beer I loved and bartenders I hadn’t seen in ages. So I ordered the pesto pizza, which came out surprisingly fast for how busy it was, and caught up with old friends.

As a fan of early bedtimes, I ended my day here, feeling proud to call Benicia my hometown. The people I spoke to throughout the day were passionate about this little town and their favorite businesses that make it up, allowing me to see the town I’ve lived in for years through new eyes.

Grab a friend and try this experiment; if you’re feeling shy, you can follow my itinerary. Let us know your favorite discoveries, and share your recommendations. Don't forget to mix, mingle, and meet new friends along the way. B

Understanding Our Budget

Benicia is known for its small-town charm, history, great schools, open area, parks, low crime and high quality of life.

Benicia Magazine had a meeting with Interim City Manager, Mario Giuliani to talk about the state of the city, and it was a sobering conversation indeed. The city has a fundamental financial imbalance that will affect services provided. Why is that? Here's Why. And here’s the impact.

Why

+89 People

Population Decline

— Benicia’s population grew by only 89 people in the last twenty years!

— It is expected to decrease by 3.7% in the next five years.

Minimal New Development

-992 People

— Between 2010 and 2023, only 126 new residential units were built, and only 4 commercial/ industrial units.

— We have 4.3 million square feet of warehouse space, which is most of our industrial buildings. Warehouse space generates little revenue for the city.

— There are few vacant parcels for new businesses, which limits new revenue opportunities.

Insufficient City Employees and or Services due to attrition

— Benicia City employees’ median salaries are 15.6% below median of surrounding cities’ salaries, leading to poor retention of employees.

Fewer city employees now than 10 years ago

231 210

Impact

Public Safety

— Benicians rely on local taxes to fund crime and fire response, landscaping and infrastructure maintenance, disaster response, open space maintenance, and more.

— With a reduction in workforce and lack of funds, public safety response will be negatively impacted.

Quality of Life

— In Benicia, we are used to a certain quality of life provided by the City.

— City-funded quality of life services include public library access, public pool access, historical preservation, open space preservation, parks maintenance and more.

— Without new funding, we will lose access to these existing services.

2013 2023

Benicia has 2046 acres of open space

making up 25% of our total land area.

Parks and open spaces require maintenance by the City or by City-funded contractors.

Benicia has 28 parks

that's one park per 1,000 people, over twice the national average."

Mario says, “Our city’s budgetary issues are serious, but we are taking the necessary steps to address them. My task is to inform the community of these budgetary issues and offer clear choices for residents. I am keenly aware of the high cost of living in the Bay Area and the challenge for residents anytime a city raises taxes and fees. Yet, we cannot continue to function as a municipal corporation based on a funding structure that is more than 30 years old. There are a variety of actions to take and there is always nuance, but ultimately it comes down to a choice to either increase local revenue and continue to provide the services we enjoy today or reduce the type and number of services we offer. This choice is not meant to be punitive, but pragmatic.”

Each Tuesday, Interim City Manager Mario Giuliani is visiting a local coffee house from 7:15 am to 8:15 am, to meet with residents, drink a hot beverage and discuss how best we can meet the needs of our community. We will publish the coffee house information in Benicia Magazine, in our newsletter and on our website. You can also find out by signing up for Mario’s weekly newsletter at www.ci.benicia.ca.us/cobtw.

www.ci.benicia.ca.us/BudgetChallenge

TULUM

in a glass

n Maura Sullivan

I’ve returned from Tulum, Mexico, with several mosquito bites and fresh juice cocktails on my mind! We may not have fresh fruit from Mexico that grows off the Pacific coast with seemingly 100% humidity, but store- or farmer’s market-bought will work just fine.

Of course, this blend can be mixed with your choice of clear spirits, but also works as a refreshing mocktail and even helps cure hangovers.

INGREDIENTS

1 oz

2-3

2 oz

1/2 oz

1 oz

1 tbsp

Cilantro juice

Large slices of

fresh ginger root

Pineapple juice

Lemon juice

Coconut water

Honey

PREPARATION

If you don’t own a juicer or a lemon squeezer, a blender and metal tongs will work just fine.

The tongs are a great replacement

Fireworks and Holiday Tree Lighting CANCELED?!!! The Show Must Go On!

n Gene Pedrotti

In his weekly newsletters to the community, Interim City Manager Mario Giuliani has shared his growing concern about the rapidly ballooning budget deficit and how the City is struggling to contain it. Caused by many factors, it has been exacerbated by unexpected crises, including the collapse of the pedestrian crossing on Military West and a massive break in the City’s main water line last winter. As lower priority projects with nonessential expenses, City officials made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s annual Fireworks and Holiday Tree Lighting events. Expected savings: $70,000.

The Fourth of July Fireworks and Holiday Tree Lighting are part of the traditions that make Benicia great. When they were suspended during the pandemic, the community shared great disappointment. Facing another cancellation of these popular events is simply untenable!

But hope is on the way, and you can help!

Early this year, Ace initiated a funding campaign for a spring drone show, and what we witnessed over three wet winter months was incredible! Nearly 1500 individuals contributed and this speaks to the community’s desire to celebrate.

The drone event this season has also been suspended for the same reason, but this gives us an opportunity. Working with the

City to ensure that the Fireworks and Tree Lighting continue, Ace is pivoting our fundraising efforts and re-naming our campaign to: “Save the Shows!” With that, we will continue to accept donations at Ace with the goal of saving the fireworks show. And if successful (I know we will be!), Ace will continue the campaign all summer so that we can save the Tree Lighting, too! And then, back to the drone show for 2024!

You can help! On your next visit to Southampton Center, stop by Ace and make a contribution at the register. Help save Benicia’s traditions and Save the Shows!

Save the Show!

Current funding for the Drone Show 2023 campaign will be redirected to July fireworks. However, past drone show donors wishing a refund may request one by visiting Ace by July 1st . Simply approach a Cashier. After July 1st, remaining funds will be directed to the new campaign. B

Photo by Luke George

An of Shops

n Caitlin McCulloch

While present-day First Street offers a plethora of local businesses to browse, our town also holds hidden gems that are off the beaten path, especially in the Arsenal District. Read on to explore different options—there’s something for everyone!

FOR THE HOME

Benicia is a historic town, so why not incorporate that spirit into your home decor? Score periodical wallpaper, like a vintage 1920 pattern or something from the Colonial Revival era, from Bradbury and Bradbury. Spruce up your bathroom or living room spaces with candles from Island Memories (the Lake Tahoe scent will bring the vacation to you). IronHorse Home, which has been around for over two decades, is the place to be for some new designer furniture. Shop online at Will & Atlas, a home goods shop which offers high-quality, hand-made, ethically sourced items. They also do an occasional warehouse sale, for those on their mailing list. If you could use a little extra help from the professionals, get your pad staged with SpaceLift, or hire an interior designer from Le Reve Design & Assoc.

ART, PHOTOGRAPHY, AND MUSIC

Our small city is undoubtedly filled with many talented arts and a vibrant photography community. Create your own work of art at Creativity Unleashed Ceramics, where you can paint your own pieces or have a group canvas paint night. For the musically inclined, learn to play guitar, drums, or piano, or up your vocals at 851 Music Studio. Arts Benicia features hundreds of local and Northern California artists. Check out the “Reimagining History” exhibition through June 25, or explore a unique class at Arts Benicia Annex. Coming up later this month, you’ll find “Strait” Ahead – Carquinez Plein Air Painting and Introduction to Pastel Painting. The Arsenal is home to a variety of artists studios – hopefully you had a chance to check them

out during Open Studios last month! From the abstract paintings of Jeffrey Tover Contemporary Art to the Frank Lloyd Wright inspired Arthur Stern Architectural Glass to Michael Van Auken Photography there is a variety to feast the eyes upon.

FASHION, GIFTS, AND BEAUTY

Whether you’re looking for a gift, household items, or clothing with a modern-meets-vintage flair, Femmage is for you. Stop by Thursday, Fridays, and Saturdays to browse for the perfect items. If consignment shopping is your thing, head over to Rags to Riches, where you can find name-brand clothing items for much less than at a typical store. For those who are into taking care of their skin, Luminance Skincare offers everything from moisturizers to masks to natural soaps made with 100% essential oils. They hold an impressive website, but we’re lucky enough to have easy in-store shopping access Monday through Friday. For the pup in your life, check out Bubbly Bulldog Grooming for all their pampering needs.

WINE

A New Zealand wine just so happens to hold its US headquarters in Benicia. Mt. Beautiful Wines, a globally recognized winery, can be ordered online. It’s also often carried at local haunts like Lucca’s Bar & Grill and The Chill.

FITNESS

If fitness classes are your thing, Copas Crew is the place for you. Try your hand at cardio kickboxing, cycling, barre, or even floating yoga, which is done in a hammock. On Grant Street, you’ll find both Shotokan Karate, which offers traditional karate instruction, as well as Ildefonzo Martial Arts for various options like Kajukenbo, a martial arts hybrid program with Hawaiian roots.

TOWN HISTORY

Education and fun go hand in hand when you visit the Benicia Historical Museum at the Camel Barn. Looking for a way to keep the kids occupied this summer? Callie’s Kids Summer Camp runs weekly from June 12-July 26, offering rotating themes like History Detective and Archy Adventures. For a fun night out, First Fridays at the Museum are only $15 for non-members and feature entertainment, food, and a no-host bar. If you’re planning a wedding, perhaps you’d like to do so locally at the historical Jefferson Street Mansion, where generals Grant and Sherman once were. B

Book and Cocktail Club

Woman, Eating

by Claire Kohda

The Night Shift

Ingredients

½ c. Tart Cherry Juice

1 Thumb ginger, microplaned

½ Lime (juiced)

2 oz Coconut cream

Orange zest

Sparkling water

Blue food dye

(optional)

Preparation

1 Combine all ingredients except for coconut cream.

2 Pour over ice.

3 Mix the coconut cream (use a frother for a fluffy texture) and pour over top! If you’re using food dye, add it to the coconut cream before frothing.

4 You can make an orange zest salt rim and lime slice for fancy garnish!

n Cooper Mickelson

“I’m not really sure what I am anymore, though — whether I am a monster or whether I’m just a woman, or both.”

Usually, June is full of fluffy romance novels and cozy mysteries perfect for reading on a sandy beach. However, we’re doing something a little different this year. If you haven’t noticed, a new trend has popped up in bookstores. End caps are being filled with displays titled “#booktock,” “He’s a 10 but”..., and my personal favorite, “Unhinged Women.”

This June, in support of women's rights (and wrongs), we’ll be devouring an inventive and charming revival of the vampire genre, Woman, Eating by Claire Kohda.

This mischievous debut follows a mixed-race woman vampire caught at a crossroads. Lydia is hungry. She can’t stop searching YouTube videos titled “What I Eat in a Day,” obsessed with watching other people eat ramen, bubble tea, ice cream, and home-grown veggies. But Lydia can’t eat any of it. Her body doesn’t work the way a human’s does. Her body can only digest blood. Unfortunately, her usual food source, pig’s blood, isn’t as easy to find in London as it was in the small town she previously lived in with her mother. Now that her mom is in a nursing home and Lydia is alone in a new city, her life has become much more complicated than anticipated.

Lydia is surrounded by humans. The other artists at the studio space, the people working at the gallery she interns at, the strange man who seems to be following her after dark, and Ben, a goofy yet loveable artist she has growing feelings for. These humans are her

natural prey, but Lydia can’t bring herself to feed on them. As she navigates the stressors of adulthood and a quickly intensifying hunger, Lydia considers her place in the world. She has immortality and perpetual youth, two things most humans would kill for, yet she feels deeply isolated and starved for something beyond nourishment.

Woman, Eating touches on intense topics, including cultural alienation, disordered eating, emotional abuse, sexual assault, and caring for an aging parent, with a refreshing sensitivity. Something that I haven’t seen often in similar stories. Kohda conveys Lydia’s disconnection from the human experiences she desperately wants in a profoundly visceral way, allowing the reader to identify with what would usually be the story's villain.

As far as vampire novels go, Woman, Eating is modern and essential in this new era of literature. Lydia’s thirst for blood isn’t nearly as chilling as the creepy men she encounters throughout the book. Through these encounters, Kohda does a great job of portraying Lydia’s alienation and sense of powerlessness. More dark novels, vampirethemed or not, could learn a thing or two from the feelings of intimacy Woman, Eating allows.

Although there is a much longer list of things I enjoyed about Woman, Eating, there were a few structural problems within the novel. The pacing was uneven, and some plot strands were left hanging. As someone who loves a “no plot, just vibes” book, these issues didn’t ruin the story for me, but they might ruin it for you, so I want to mention them.

Woman, Eating by Claire Kohda is now out in paperback! Order a copy from Bookshop Benicia to devour on your next flight. B

ambrosiapizzeria.com

707.750.5396

Ambrosia Pizzeria

191 Military E., Suite F (at Second Street) Benicia, CA 94510

n Gourmet Gracie and Movie Magic

Welcome to Benicia! Although Ambrosia opened more than a year ago, some of us are just trying them for the first time. Gracie was impressed! Pizzas are flavorful, pastas are tasty, salads are fresh, crispy and large enough for two.

Design your own custom pie or choose one of their specialties. Your pizza will arrive with plentiful toppings, a mediumthick hand made crust and homemade marinara sauce, garlic pesto sauce, dried tomato and garlic pesto sauce, BBQ pizza sauce or Alfredo sauce. The ingredients are top-notch with super flavorful pepperoni, surprisingly tasty mushrooms and your choice of cheeses…mozzarella, cheddar, Parmesan, feta, 4-cheese blend or vegan mozzarella.

The Pizza Margherita is delightful with fresh and tangy flavors. For meat lovers, the Meat Ambrosia is amazing! Comes with pepperoni, salami, sausage, bacon,

Elsa & Fred

1hr, 37 min; 2014; PG-13

Elsa (Shirley MacLaine) is a feisty, slightly ditsy, good natured and somewhat magical human, living alone in an apartment building in New Orleans. Fred (Christopher Plummer) arrives as an unhappy, crotchety old neighbor who would prefer to be alone, no matter what his children think he needs. This sweet story of love and connection in the autumn of life is charming, unpredictable and ends on a satisfying note. The chemistry between Fred and Elsa offers some inspiration for what’s possible, no matter your history or the habits of a lifetime. This couple manages to step away from what’s expected—giving them the freedom to follow their hearts and experience the resulting joy.

Many references to the Federico Fellini movie, La Dolce Vita (the good life), and the Trevi Fountain scenes in the eternal city of Rome give us something to dream about. Elsa tells outlandish stories that could be true or not. Fred discovers his smile and offers a supremely romantic gift. Time is precious and what have they got to lose?

Set in New Orleans, this lovely film also stars Marcia Gay Harden, George Segal (his last role), Scott Bakula, James Brolin and Chris Noth. Directed by Michael Redford. Order in, grab your favorite libation, let go of reality and escape into this easy, entertaining movie.

Magic Moon gives Elsa & Fred ---- 3 ½ Moons out of 5. B

ground beef, Canadian bacon and your choice of cheese. The Skinny Lady Pizza (not a weight loss guarantee!) has dried tomato and garlic pesto sauce, spinach, red onions, bacon, pepperoncini peppers, mozzarella cheese, topped with artichoke hearts and fresh basil—the flavor combo is awesome.

The fettuccine Alfredo is receiving raves and the Mediterranean salad is delicious! Five hand-made garlic knots, for $5, come with your choice of dipping sauces—you won’t be sorry.

Dine-in or takeout. Easy ordering online. Gluten-free available. By the slice or by the pie. Beer and wine available. Small, comfortable inside dining. Ultracompetitive prices.

Is it pizza New York style? Maybe. Chicago deep dish? Nope. Greek Pizza? I don’t think so. California pizza? Sometimes. Benicia Pizza? Yes, it is!!!

Streaming on Amazon Prime and Apple TV Comedy, Drama, Romance

EVENTS

June 10

Artist Reception at NY2CA

NY2CA Gallery

617 1st Street, Benicia

3-6pm

Artst reception for NY2CA exhibit featuring photographer Melina Meza and fine art basket maker Melissa Woodburn. Music and no-host wine bar.

June 15-18

Solano County Fair

Solano County Fairgrounds

12-10pm

Come for the carnival rides, fair food, and entertainment, and see the special talents of your neighbors celebrated. It’s time to kick up our heels and Celebrate Solano!

June 17

Big Truck Roundup

Benicia Historical Museum

10am-2pm

An opportunity for kids of all ages to get up close and personal with their favorite construction trucks, fire trucks, police vehicles, service trucks, and more! Food trucks, no-host bar, ice cream, kids activities.

June 17

Wine Walk

Downtown Benicia

1-5pm

Stroll First Street on a beautiful afternoon and taste over a dozen wines being poured inside downtown shops. Tickets $35 in advance; $60 for pair; $40 day of event. For more information go to beniciamainstreet.org.

June 17

Salsa Saturdays

332 Georgia Street, Vallejo

9:30pm

Enjoy local makers and specialty artisan products and services, stick around for a FREE dance lesson.

June 17

33rd Annual Vallejo

Juneteenth Festival & Parade

Martin Luther King Junior Park, Vallejo

11am-5pm

Enjoy a festival commemorating freedom with local Black-owend businesses and a parade in downtown Vallejo.

June 30

Shaken Not Stirred Martini Contest

Benicia Historical Museum

6:30-9:30pm

Benicia Historical Museum's First Annual Martini Shake-Off! $50 ticket includes multiple martinis, music, dancing & appetizers. Specialty drinks, wine & beer may be purchased.

Classes & Workshops

June 3

Create it Yourself Workshop: Eco-Printing Dye Flower Silk Scarfs with Monica Medeiros

Benicia Public Library

2-3:30pm

This free workshop is limited to 25 pre-registered adults who will create their own dye-flower silk scarfs.

June 3

Assemblage Workshop

Arts Benicia, 1 Comandant's Lane

1-5pm

Angela White will offer a fun and inspiring hands-on entry into the world of found-object, assemblage art.

June 4

White Line Relief Printmaking

Arts Benicia Annex, 991 Tyler Street, Suite 116

10am-3pm

Join Gary Comoglio for White Line Relief Printmaking, a multi-color printmaking technique innovated by American artists who lived in Cape Cod in the early 1900s.

June 4

Sunday Afternoon Pottery Project: Flowers!

Happy Life Pottery

11am-1pm

These beautiful flowers look great hung on a wall or nestled in a flower pot. No experience necessary.

June 6-28

Ready for 6th, 7th, 8th

Grade Math

Learning Circles

11am-12:15pm

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

June 7

Yoga + Live Music

The Elevate Company

7:30pm

Elevate Power 2 with Laura Mary and music by Phil Strauss.

June 10

Portraits with Pastel and Colored Pencils

Arts Benicia, 1 Comandant's Lane

11am-4pm

Review the techniques used for noting proportions, locating the features, and defining form with Deirdre Shibano.

June 13-29

Children's Summer Yoga Program

The Elevate Company

1:45-2:15 and 2:30-3:15

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Innovative curriculum is designed to encourage self-regulation and stress management skills through movement and breath awareness.

June 17-18

"Strait" Ahead

Carquinez Plein Air Painting

On location locally

9am-4pm

A Plein Air exploration of the Carquinez Strait with Randall Sexton!

June 19-23

Summer Clay Camps:

Beginner Wheel Throwing & Intro to Hand-Building

Happy Life Pottery

9-11:15am

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

June 24-Aug 20

Yoga Teacher Training

The Elevate Company

200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training. More information at theelevatecompany.com

June 24

An Introduction to Pastel Painting

Arts Benicia, 1 Comandant's Lane 10am-2pm

Music & Entertainment

June 2

First Fridays at the Museum: Dirty Cello

Benicia Historical Museum

6:30-9:30pm

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

Empress Theatre

330 Virginia St, Vallejo

June 3, 8-10pm

Anthony Paule Soul

Orchestra

June 7, 5:30-8:30pm

Allen "Ace" Vega

June 14, 5:30-8:30pm

Takezo Takeda

June 21, 5:30-8:30pm

Johnny Rawls

June 28, 5:30-8:30pm

Aki Kumar

June 30, 8-10:30pm

Dance to the Music

726 First Street, Benicia

June 30, 9pm-1:30am

Goth Night

June 9, 5pm-1:30

The Rellik Tavern 14th

Anniversary Party

Tuesdays, 7-10pm

Open Mic for Musicians

Wednesdays, 7-10pm

Karaoke with Glenn Snyder

Sundays, 6-10pm

Poker Night

Thursdays, 9pm-1am

DJ

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

Tuesday Trivia with King Trivia

Mare Island Brewing Co.

First Street Taphouse

6:30pm

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

Lucca's Beer Garden Stage

439 First Street, Benicia

June 1, 6:30-9pm

JazSynergy

June 2, 6:30-9pm

Crossman Connection

June 3, 1:30-3:30pm

Tal and Ryann DUO (1:30-3:30pm)

Camp Jeff (6:30-9pm)

June 4, 2:30-5:30pm

Aldwin London

June 8, 6:30-9pm

The New Frantic

June 9, 6:30-9pm

GarageLand Rodeo

June 10

Jinx Jones (1-4pm)

2nd Planet (6:30-9pm)

June 11, 2:30-5:30

Michelle Lambert

June 15, 6:30-9pm

Jeff Temelier & Tony Lindsay

June 16, 6:30-9pm

Midnight Flyer

June 17

Out of Town Couple (1:30-3:30pm)

Papa Joe and The New Deal (6:30-9pm)

June 18, 2:30-5:30pm

Family Trust (Father's Day)

June 22, 6:30-9pm

The Business

June 23, 6:30-9pm

Don Bassey & Friends

June 24

SunHunter (1:30-3:30)

The Tuneriders (6:30-9pm)

June 25, 2:30-5:30

Johnny Rawls (Mississippi)

June 29, 6:30-9pm

The Real Thang

June 30, 6:30-9pm

around town | Events BeniciaMagazine.com • 31