Benicia Magazine March Issue 2020

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Benicia Contributors

Kathryn Renfrow Patty Gavin magazine Rebecca Gulick Genevieve Hand Kenneth Hand Jeannine Mendoza Christina Strawbridge Scott Strawbridge Maura Sullivan

Administrative Assistant Solofo Evans

Website Specialist & Editorial Assistant Genevieve Hand

Photography Lisa Duncan

Social Media Specialist Maura Sullivan

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

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March 2020 Features Benicia High School Band plays the Big Apple

16

Digging out from Winter Prepping your garden for spring

14

People and Places Food and Drink All things Irish Fine whiskey, great beer and an Irish meal

10

The Cellar What’s the buzz? Fabulous food in the heart of the industrial park

11

Community Creating a sustainable garden Saves water, builds community

12

26

People Bob & Carol Berman

18

Philanthropy Soroptimist Tea Mad Hatters Tea fundraiser

19

Art Arts Benicia: The Next Generation Biennial Exhibition Showcases Benicia’s Young Artists

22

Michael S. Moore Further Afield - Marilyn Citron O’Rourke Gallery

23

Culture Vallejo Symphony “Great and Noble”

24

11

In Every Issue From the Editor – Harbingers of Spring

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Trends – International Automobile Festival

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Calendar of Events

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Music Calendar

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FROM THE EDITOR March 2020

f o s r e g n Harbi Spring As I write this in early February, there are already harbingers of Spring. It appears that the groundhog did not see his shadow and spring will arrive early. In Benicia, March is our greenest month, the hills are covered with a bright, almost Ireland green and the trees begin to show tiny buds that turn into vivid leaves.

In this issue we take a look at planning and planting our gardens. With guidelines on preparing your garden for the planting and blooming season, you’re sure to have a successful yield.. In addition, Sustainable Solano gives extensive information on how to create a food forest garden – vibrant, edible and waterwise. Sustainable Solano provides classes and workshops to people of all ages who show interest in garden planning in 2020.

Speaking of green things, here comes St. Patrick’s Day! Having a family tree full of Irishmen makes me very susceptible to the celebration. I enjoy relating the many comments from my long gone Irish family. “Those are "lace curtain Irish," said my great aunt Bergetta of the wealthy Irish neighbors. Or, as my grandmother would say, “bless your little pea pickin’ heart,” and, “oh my stars and garters!”

Let’s face it, you just don’t hear comments like that anymore!

My grandparents never revisited their homeland, but they did instill a love of the old country in my sister and me, and we in turn made sure our children were taught to appreciate all things Irish and Scottish. We celebrate accordingly.

@beniciamagazine

There are many Benicia establishments in which to imbibe traditional Irish drinks, from whiskey to beer (but please not green beer). Our resident expert on all things Irish, Maura Sullivan, guides us on what to eat and drink, and instructs us on how to make the best possible Irish Coffee.

This St. Patrick’s Day will be extra special for the Benicia High School Marching Band as they take off to New York City to participate in the largest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the world.

We are proud of the accomplishments of Benicia High School’s marching band as they have won many awards and have performed in numerous other prestigious parades. We will watch their St. Patrick’s Day performance from our own emerald city.

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Enjoy the green!

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

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People and Places Food and Drink

Bring out the

IN YOU

By Maura Sullivan You’ve just received your 23 and Me results which confirms that Grandma’s story is true: your uncle’s 3rd cousin twice removed, married an Irish man fleeing the streets of Galway. You knew deep down that you had a little Irish in you. That 3% Irish/British European is the proof and St. Paddy’s Day is the holiday for you! You run to your closet debating whether wearing that “get lucky” shirt from Target is appropriate for work tomorrow.

We suggest you just stick with plain green.

Everyone knows the typical routine, green, Guinness, Irish whiskey. What if you don’t drink whiskey and Guinness is not your cup of tea? Don’t worry, we’ll help integrate you into the festivities. We’ll even help with the corned beef and cabbage. Yes, we have an Instant Pot recipe.

Welcome to the Sullivan’s Irish Guide!

It’s highly suggested to have a full stomach before partaking in the evening’s festivities. Corned Beef and cabbage are simple enough, but getting those flavors right is extremely important. Though not mentioned in this recipe, I suggest adding a yellow mustard garnish as a finishing touch.

Here is an instant pot recipe that I tested over the weekend. It’s foolproof.

INGREDIENTS 1 large onion, cut into wedges 1 (2-lb.) corned beef brisket, with seasoning packet 4 c. low-sodium chicken broth 1 small head cabbage, core removed and cut into wedges 1 lb. baby potatoes, halved 4 medium carrots, sliced and cut on the bias 3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil Kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper Freshly chopped parsley, for serving.

DIRECTIONS 1. Place onion in bottom of a 6-quart Instant Pot. Place brisket on top and add seasoning packet. Pour in broth and seal lid. Set to pressure cook on high for 90 minutes.

2. Follow manufacturer's guide for quick release, then remove corned beef and onions from Instant Pot. Keep remaining cooking liquid inside Instant Pot. Cover beef and keep warm.

3. Add cabbage, potatoes, carrots, and oil to Instant Pot. Season with salt and pepper, then seal lid. Set to pressure cook on high for 4 minutes.

4. F ollow manufacturer's guide for quick release, then remove lid and serve vegetables with corned beef. Garnish with parsley and spoon additional cooking liquid over beef, if desired.

Of course, a Guinness would go great with this Irish feast, but maybe you would prefer something a little lighter. You can always go half and half. Literally! Black and Tans. Half Guinness, half ale. The Chill offers a black and tan, with the tan being the Anchor Steam’s California Lager. If you would like it to be on the sweeter side, you can replace the lager with a hard cider. This variation is known as a “snake bite.” Several ciders work for this, such as Angry Orchard Hard Cider.

If you’re wondering where the bubbles are in this article, I have the solution. The black velvet cocktail. Traditionally it is Extra Stout Guinness with French champagne. Of course, some of us are on a budget, any sparkling wine will work just fine.

Can’t finish the night without an Irish coffee! If you’re wondering if they are any different in Ireland, they certainly are. The cream and the whiskey are what really makes the drink. Surprisingly, the whiskey used in Dublin usually isn't

Jameson. What is commonly used is Powers whiskey. Powers Whiskey is a wonderful tribute to Ireland. Powers John’s Lane works perfectly for Irish coffees. The aroma of vanilla and sweet tobacco bring out wonderful spices in the brew. If you’re having trouble locating Powers Whiskey, Tullamore is a great alternative. Buena Vista Café in San Francisco uses this wonderful import. It’s the closest I’ve come to Dublin’s Irish coffee. Now the topping. Do not! I repeat, Do not reach for the whipped cream can. You will regret it. Use heavy whipping cream, a teaspoon of confectioner sugar, and a few drops of vanilla extract. Whip it together with a blender until soft peaks start to rise. Scoop your whipped creation on top of the coffee to finish it off. Add sugar cubes for sweetness.

Remember to kiss your Blarney Stone goodnight.

10 • Benicia Magazine

P.S. Kilts are welcome

The

By Genevieve Hand Tucked away from the bustle of downtown, The Cellar sits like a hidden gem on Stone Road amongst its industrial warehouse surroundings. Though the establishment has been there for several years, its ownership recently changed hands. Now, nothing but the name remains the same.

New owners Jenn Heitz, Michael (Mikey) Robertson, and Dave Williams, are all staple figures from Benicia’s downtown scene. Jenn and Mikey have 25+ years’ experience in the restaurant business, both with notable stints at Lucca’s Bar and Grill and various other downtown Benicia establishments. Jenn now wears many hats – primarily handling the management of their new acquisition. Mikey is the head chef whose background includes Le Cordon Bleu education and experience cooking for multiple high-end eateries in San Francisco and beyond. Dave, a hold-over from the previous iteration of The Cellar and with a background pouring for The Chill, handles most front of house duties along with his graphic design work. Dave also handles the special events including live music at the Cellar.

Together, this team has been working tirelessly to revamp the restaurant, starting with the menu. While the previous owners embraced the diner atmosphere, catering to warehouse workers’ lunches with sandwiches and the like, The (new) Cellar aims for more of a gastropub vibe. “Mikey’s food is always unique,” says Jenn, “He’s always trying to get people to ‘eat outside the box.’ He’ll go back to old recipes and throw something together that you wouldn’t think would work, but somehow it always does. I don’t know how he does it… he’s just creative like that.” Seasonality is the name of the game, with the goal of offering only the freshest, locally sourced ingredients for Mikey’s creations.

Jenn is also working on developing the bar at The Cellar. With local beer and wine as staples on the menu, she also plans to expand the wine offerings to compliment Mikey’s “eat outside the box” philosophy. Look forward to unconventional pairings from imported wines alongside the list of your favorite Bruehöl beer or Vino Godfather wine.

“We want to do things that downtown isn’t doing,” says Jenn.

With the goal of bringing something different to Benicia’s dining scene, The Cellar periodically offers specially curated tasting menus. These are unique evenings for couples or groups to sit

down together and enjoy a 3-course prix fixe meal. The Cellar also offers brunch on Sundays with live acoustic music and bottomless mimosas.

The Cellar is still frequented by many of the old lunch crowd, and there are plans to start offering a box lunch option for neighboring Industrial Park workers. Catering and private event options are in the works, as well as plans to expand their outdoor seating area.

The Cellar’s somewhat unconventional location helps feed the owners’ creativity. By keeping things new and exciting, the trio hopes to lure people out of the comfort zone of downtown.

“We can’t be stagnant,” says Jenn. The reinvention of The Cellar reflects a growing trend of redevelopment or repurposing of industrial spaces statewide (see places like Mare Island, Santa Cruz, etc.). As traditional retail spaces in downtown sectors become increasingly expensive, many businesses are looking for the next hub that will allow them to flourish. “Why not come this way? Who knows what the Industrial Park is going to become?”

The Cellar

685 Stone Rd. | Benicia, CA 94510 BeniciaMagazine.com • 11

People and Places Community

Sustainable Gardens in Benicia Bring Water Savings and Build Community

Standing in her kitchen, Suzanne Briley looked out the window at the bustle in her garden. A group of people of various ages and backgrounds planted trees, leveled trenches to capture rainwater, spread cardboard and pushed wheelbarrows full of compost and mulch across her garden, shaping the space that would become a new food forest garden — a vibrant, edible, waterwise garden.

"Look at this," she said. The sight touched her. As the group built the new garden, they were also building community.

This winter, two Benicia gardens have been transformed into demonstration sites of what can be accomplished with sustainable landscaping and permaculture practices to create gardens that rely on captured rainwater, greywater and drip irrigation. These are the first demonstration food forest gardens Sustainable Solano has built in Benicia since 2014, when it created seven food forests at private homes around the city and launched what would become its Solano Sustainable Backyard program. Sustainable Solano is a nonprofit that started more than 20 years ago as Benicia Community Gardens and has since grown to include sustainable landscaping, building a local food system and bringing skills to the public and students.

The creation of these two gardens came out of a new leadership and workforce development program that is helping to transform Benicia yards in ways that save water and sequester carbon. In particular, Sustainable Solano is focusing on lawn conversions, greywater and rainwater — replacing standard lawns that can use up to 70,000 gallons of water a year with food forest gardens that, when mature, use about 20,000 gallons. In Benicia alone, the seven existing demonstration gardens save about 500,000 gallons of water a year with their lower water requirements and reliance on rainwater, greywater and low-water drip systems.

Sustainable Solano started two Land and Water Caretakers courses in January. One is offered through Benicia Adult Education, 12 • Benicia Magazine

while the other is a pilot internship program with Liberty High School students. Both are funded through the second amendment to the Valero/Good Neighbor Steering Committee Settlement Agreement, which focuses on bringing more water savings to Benicia, and have additional support from Republic Services.

Caretakers participants work with a designer through the process of meeting with homeowners, planning and creating a garden. They also learn about rainwater capture, laundry-tolandscape greywater systems that channel water from the washing machine out to trees in the yard, and installing drip irrigation. The lessons go beyond that hands-on work, with classes focusing on complex systems within a garden. Participants discuss healthy soil, conserving water, how plants work together within the system and beneficial insects. They also hear from experts, such as talks on personal and business finance from Travis Credit Union.

Caretakers will take what they have learned from their hands-on garden projects and create garden designs for two other Benicia homes this spring.

Mayra Arce, a Vallejo resident, said she signed up for the Caretakers course to learn more about permaculture and how to create green spaces that serve a purpose.

"In my lifetime, I hope to one day be able to create a garden in my native El Salvador and bring this teaching to that community," she said.

Suzanne's yard was the demonstration site for the adult education Land and Water Caretakers program. Suzanne said her personal gardening philosophy aligns closely with permaculture, which promotes supporting natural systems and cycles in the garden — working with, rather than against, nature. She started her garden with an abundance of pollinator plants and wildlife habitat. When she heard about the new program, she applied to be an installation site.

"I wanted to have a beautiful permaculture garden that would inspire other people to do the same as well as make me happy," she said.

She envisions making her garden an experiential education space where others, particularly children, can learn about nature. It's a way of doing her part to make the world a better place.

"I'm extremely concerned about the future of the environment and saddened by people's lack of connection to nature and lack of understanding of ecology," she said. "I think education is a good way to turn that around."

In addition to the adult education Caretakers students working with installation instructor Lauren Bennett and class instructor Shawn Carter on the design process at Suzanne's home, there were three weekends of public workshops funded by the Solano County Water Agency. The workshops covered rainwater capture and sheet mulching to build healthy soil and sequester carbon, a laundry-to-landscape greywater system to reuse and conserve water, and creating plant "guilds" that work together to create a healthy garden.

Kimyia Taylor with Challenge Academy in Fairfield brought six 16- and 17-year-olds to the first workshop. Challenge Academy hopes to put in a fruit and vegetable garden that can provide food in the community. She wanted the young men to see what went into creating a garden and ways to do it that address waste and conserve water.

"We wanted them to see how much work it takes — it's not an overnight process," she said.

Other attendees were seeking inspiration for their own yards or wanted to learn more about permaculture.

The Land and Water Caretakers programs are only the beginning of Sustainable Solano's leadership and workforce development work in Benicia. There are plans for additional educational programs, with all of the programs having a tangible impact through water savings and carbon sequestration that comes through hands-on projects that include lawn conversion, waterwise garden design and greywater systems.

Sustainable Solano will be looking for more public and private demonstration sites in Benicia to support future instruction.

Converting lawns into waterwise, edible landscapes gives people a way to actively participate in solutions to many of society's problems, said Shawn Carter, who is leading both the adult education Caretakers course and internship.

"When we build resilience into our social and agriculture communities ... we can proudly say we did our part on the micro level to regenerate the macro for future generations of plant, animal and human life," he said. "We are the solution to all our problems."

JOIN OUR AWARD-WINNING SCHOOLS BUSD New Student Enrollment Enrollment for incoming Transitional Kindergarten, Kindergarten and new elementary & secondary school students to BUSD opens in February.

Your child must turn five years old on or before September 1, 2020, to enroll in Kindergarten.

BUSD is also offering Transitional Kindergarten again this year for all Benicia students who turn five years old between September 2nd and December 2nd, 2020. Enrollment for this program is completed at each of our Elementary Schools starting the month of February.

Open Enrollment for all Elementary students desiring to attend a school outside of their school of residence will be held the month of March.

Forms can be picked up at any elementary site and information is on the BUSD website.

Please call any of our Elementary Schools for additional information and to schedule an appointment.

Ready to create a sustainable garden?

Check out SustainableSolano.org for resources, classes and events. Benicia homeowners interested in being considered as a demonstration site for creating a sustainable yard can contact Allison Nagel at allison@sustainablesolano.org with program questions or to request a Sustainable Landscaping Interest Form.

Benicia Unified School District 350 East K Street, Benicia, CA 707.747.8300 • www.beniciaunified.org

BeniciaMagazine.com • 13

Mulch?

Dirt?

By Kenneth Hand

For many gardeners, the winter months can be a trying time. We find ourselves racing the sun after work, trying to complete the smallest outdoor task before the details of our surroundings are lost to night and we have to retreat inside. Valiant efforts begin to dwindle and your once vibrant garden seems to fall into disarray overnight. Before you know it, December 21st, the shortest day of the year, is upon you.

A light at the end of the tunnel!

As quickly as our world fell into darkness, it begins to pull out of it.

At a rate of roughly 2 minutes and 7 seconds per day, the earth marches towards spring. Luckily, for those of us in Benicia, spring always comes early. While the rest of the country is trapped in an arctic freeze, most of California is waking up from its short winter slumber, and that means you should as well. Here are just a few important things you should do to get your garden ready for the growing season.

1. Clean up!

Think of your yard as an extension of your house. Just as your house has a certain amount of organization to it, so should your yard. Organize your tool shed and make sure everything has a place and is in working order.

Along with making sure your tools are clean and organized, make sure that your yard is clear of clutter, such as wayward pots, branches and twigs.

14 • Benicia Magazine

2. M ulch and give new life to soil

Early Spring is a good time to add fresh mulch to your garden beds. Whether it’s store bought hardwood mulch, or leaves that have collected from the previous fall, organic matter helps breathe new life into tired soil.

When dead and decaying organic matter is broken down by worms and microorganisms, nutrients that were stored in the previous generation’s tissues are returned to the top layer of your soil. Mulch also helps retain soil moisture and suppress weed growth.

3. Wage war on weeds

Weeding, for the most part, is an endless chore, but if started at the very first signs of spring you can save yourself from a hot, dry, prickly mess and an endless game of tug of war in the summer. Weeds will take advantage of the cool wet days of spring to germinate, so while their roots are small and the ground is soft you can dispose of a majority of the weeds before they have a chance to flower and spread their seeds. Keep up with early spring weeding, perhaps adding a little pre-emergent corn gluten as an herbicide, and you will notice the quantity of weeds in your garden dwindle to a manageable amount.

4. Feed with fertilizer

As a rule of thumb, the best time to start fertilizing is early spring when shrubs begin to grow new foliage. An all-purpose fertilizer that is slightly higher in nitrogen will make your plants grow large and bushy, stimulating new leaf growth. As the season progresses, switch to fertilizer that is higher in phosphorus for flower, fruit, and root development.

5. Prune

Pruning in late winter and early spring is advantageous for the health and structure of your plants. Pruning when plants are dormant can help you to see the structure of the plant without any leaves blocking your view. You can cut off dead and crossing branches and shape the plant to a desired size and form. Some plants that respond well to early pruning are crape myrtles, butterfly bush, Russian sage and ornamental grasses. Avoid springtime pruning of plants that flower early in the season such as camelia and lilac.

These are just a few things to think about as you get ready to dive into your garden this spring and get it ready for the upcoming seasons. Now that the days are getting longer and the sun is shining brighter, it’s time to get to work and play in the dirt!

This is a great month to plant.

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Small town band hits the Big Apple

By Jeannine Mendoza What a happy revelation to discover that our own Benicia High School Marching Band, the Panther Band, will be performing at New York City’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade this year! Under the direction of Patrick Martin, the Panther Band is known for being one of the top performing groups in Northern California. This group participates in numerous band competitions and concerts, both in our immediate vicinity and outside the state, and prides itself on its high level of proficiency.

The Panther Band is united by a common creed: Panther Pride. This pride and constant desire for excellence has helped maintain the quality of the program for over thirty years.

The band has performed at local events such as parades, regional band reviews, and out of state events in New York, Chicago, New Orleans, the Rose Parade and at countless others.

Handling the logistics of a large group such as an entire marching band is daunting, but the Panther Band is assisted by a local Benicia organization aptly titled World Projects.

World Projects presents music events for instrumental and choral ensembles from across the globe. Each festival is an unforgettable experience that provides an outlet for inspirational performance opportunities and first hand cultural exchange, all while sharing the joy of music.

Their festivals and tours are carefully customized for all types of music ensembles at every level of music education.

16 • Benicia Magazine

World Projects assists the different musical groups in applying for the various festivals and events, helps them submit a video as part of the application, and once the musical group is accepted, World Projects handles the logistics of the entire trip itself. In effect, the musical group, in this case Benicia High Panther Band, is free to concentrate on their performance, and leave the details (plane reservations, room reservations, transportation to the venue, etc.) to World Projects. How fortunate we are that such a symbiotic relationship exists that enables our excellent high school band to enjoy these once in a lifetime musical opportunities!

For more information regarding Benicia High Panther Band’s schedule, check out the website, bhspantherband.com For more information on World Projects, feel free to contact Deborah Gibbs at 707.556.5885.

People and Places People

Pillars of our community

Carol and Bob Berman

Photo by Scott Strawbridge

18 • Benicia Magazine

By Scott Strawbridge In February, we highlighted Jim Ponder and Deanne Sandoval Ponder as our Benicia couple. This month we are presenting Bob and Carol Berman in our ongoing series. The ironic part is that they live across the street from each other on West K Street.

Bob and Carol moved to Benicia in 1978. Bob grew up on Long Island, New York and is well known as a New York Mets fan. The couple have served Benicia in different ways. Carol was a dedicated teacher in the Benicia Unified School District, teaching at both Mary Farmer and Joe Henderson grade schools. She has been dedicated to getting young people involved in the Benicia community, especially in the arts.

Along the way, she has served as the President of the Benicia State Parks Association (2007-2015).

She assisted in costuming with the Benicia Old Town Theatre Group and appeared in the production of Cabaret in 1982.

Carol has been active in the Benicia Historical Society and the Benicia Library Foundation, along with its Annual Benicia Trivia Bee. For many years she was an integral member of Benicia Community Arts that preceded Arts Benicia. She now spends more time sculpting and as a doting grandmother.

Bob is well known in Benicia for his background in planning, but more specifically as a 40-year political advisor to Benicia officials. He started his Northern California career in the Fairfield Planning Department in 1973. He became politically involved in many Benicia campaigns, starting with Gary Winston for City Council.

He later advised directly for Mayor Marilyn O'Rourke, Mayor Jerry Hayes, and the current Mayor Elizabeth Patterson. Bob has always been involved with the Solano Land Trust and open space issues in Solano County.

He was a founder of the Solano Land Trust in the early 1980s, and has been a champion of urban growth boundaries, which allowed for open spaces between Solano Cities. Bob served on the Benicia Planning Commission for 8 years and retired in 2017 from his firm, Nichols-Berman, Environmental Planners.

He also served with Carol, his wife of 52 years, in the Benicia State Parks Association. He continues his involvement with the Bay Area Ridge Trail, which is a planned continuous 550-mile multi-use trail encircling the ridges throughout the Bay Area. Approximately 380 miles of the trail currently exist. Bob is very proud of the 23 mile Carquinez Strait Scenic Loop Trail, that covers both the Benicia and Carquinez Bridges for hiking and bicycling. You can find Bob virtually every morning working out at Benicia Fitness on First Street on the elliptical machine.

Wow, both Carol and Bob have served the Benicia Community well!

Philanthropy

By Patty Gavin It's that time of year: tea time! More people drink coffee than tea, but even if you don't care for tea, there are abundant reasons why you will want to consider attending this annual spring tea event, co-sponsored

by Soroptimist International of Benicia and the Camellia Tea Room.

The Soroptimist Spring Tea began seven years ago, following the highly successful Bewitching Tea that takes place every year around Halloween. Mary Ellen Hayes, owner of the Camellia Tea Room, expressed an interest in supporting the Soroptimist programs and projects that benefits women and girls. She donates a portion of the proceeds to this worthy cause from both the Bewitching Tea and the Spring Tea. Originally, the Spring Tea ran with Benicia Main Street's spring promotion, with a variety of themes over the years, but now it is the Mad Hatter's Tea. Attendees are encouraged to dress in costume or wear a hat.

Several fun loving Soroptimist members will dress the parts of the Mad Hatter, the White Rabbit, Cheshire Cat, the Red Queen, and of course, Alice!

Soroptimist International of Benicia

Mad Hatter's Tea

"Sipping tea is a soothing ritual that gives you an opportunity to chat and catch up with friends and family. " There are numerous, especially good reasons to attend the Mad Hatter's Tea. First and foremost is that it raises funds for Soroptimist of Benicia’s many programs, including the Safe House, scholarships for Liberty High and Benicia High School students, and the Live Your Dream award. You will sit down to a threetiered tray of assorted delectable sandwiches, scones with Devon cream and jam, and a delicious assortment of desserts. It feels special, and it is! Sipping tea is a soothing ritual that gives you an opportunity to chat and catch up with friends and family. You can live in the moment, in a lovely setting, without your cell phone or laptop begging for your attention. An added plus is the informal modeling that will be provided with fashions from Christina S Fashion Destination. Of course there will be raffle prizes, and the S Club from Benicia High School will be there to assist.

Come enjoy this special event. Sip some soothing tea, enjoy great food, and relax.

The Mad Hatter's Tea is Sunday, March 22nd, with sittings at 11:00, 1:00, and 3:00 p.m. Call the Camellia Tea Room for reservations at 707.746.5293. Call soon, as it fills up quickly! Advanced payment is required, cost is $50.00.

Photo courtesy of Soroptimist International of Benicia

BeniciaMagazine.com • 19

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Arts Benicia:

The Next Generation Biennial Exhibition Showcases Benicia’s Young Artists

By Rebecca Gulick This month Arts Benicia presents its biennial Next Generation Exhibition, featuring works of art by students from every school in Benicia.

In an epic endeavor, Arts Benicia staff and volunteers collaborated with teachers throughout the Benicia Unified School District to produce the exhibit.

Teachers at each school curated about 35 pieces, resulting in the installation of over 200 works across all art genres— painting, illustration, drawing, mixedmedia, collage, 3D sculpture, digital art, and photography.

“The exhibition is always an interesting mix of artwork produced by students at every level between kindergarten and twelfth grade,” says Jeremy Throne, Youth Art Coordinator at Arts Benicia, “I can’t wait to see who, and what, will be on our walls this year!”

Arts Benicia, the non-profit organization now in its third decade, enthusiastically takes on the challenge to partner with the district and support the youth of the community, according to Executive Director Celeste Smeland.

“It’s an inspiring exhibition because you see the talent from all these schools.

We’re really proud of our community and we love working with our schools.”

All the art pieces are professionally displayed in the Arts Benicia gallery using fine-art mounting and presentation techniques. “We treat it like we do all 22 • Benicia Magazine

our exhibitions. We take this seriously,” Smeland explained, to give students the opportunity to see their creations in a professional gallery setting. “It’s wonderful to have them come in with their families and see their work in the gallery.”

An exhibition of this scope, with myriad moving parts, takes extraordinary leadership as well as teamwork. Coordinating the daunting undertaking is Arts Benicia Board Secretary Barb Duvall, who serves as the Next Generation Exhibition Project Chair.

“I'm looking forward to this wonderful event that is truly a collaborative effort in our community.” Duvall manages the project with the help of Susan Bunch, Chair of the Youth Arts Education Committee. The staff at Arts Benicia take on various roles and Duvall adds, “the event wouldn't happen without the efforts of our educators, parents, and volunteers in the community.”

Having recently retired from teaching herself, Duvall made it her goal to streamline the process to make teacher participation much easier this year. Work began in October, when invitations to take part went out to the schools, and that was followed by establishing the key liaisons to keep everyone informed about event dates, submission requirements, and exhibition guidelines.

Finally, gathering all the individual

pieces and hanging the exhibit was a tremendous logistical feat.

“This year, we are thrilled to have received a Local Impact grant from the California Arts Council to support the planning and implementation of the Next Generation Exhibition,” Smeland says. “Additionally, the Wilson Family Foundation helps to support the exhibition reception and the free Family Art Day.” The Next Generation Exhibition opens March 7 and runs through April 12 at the Arts Benicia gallery, located at 991 Tyler Street, Suite 114, in the historic Benicia Arsenal. Gallery hours are 12 to 5 PM Wednesday through Sunday. The public is invited to attend an opening reception celebration on Sunday, March 8, from 1 to 3 PM. In addition, the next Arts Benicia Family Art Day coincides with the exhibition, slated for Sunday, March 22.

Children and their families are invited to drop in between 1 and 3 PM and explore the creative world of art with handson projects that engage and educate.

Family Art Days are free and open to the public.

For more information, visit the Arts Benicia website at www.artsbenicia.org or call 707.747.0131.

Photos: Purrfect by Skyler Jacome, Blue Dog by Madeline Villalon

Further Afield Paintings by Michael S. Moore at the Marilyn Citron O’Rourke Gallery

By Kathryn Renfrow Michael Shannon Moore lives in a world of visual memory. Continuous travels between his studios in Benicia, California, the Smoke Creek desert in Nevada, and Huerfano County in southern Colorado are for him “memory voyages,” inscribing enduring images in his mind, which eventually come to realization at one of his three studios in drawings, watercolors, and landscape based abstractions. “After years of moving around the country, the impressions are so deeply layered that I can never predict what will come back to me in a painting.” The common subjects in his work are “light, silence, and the paint itself.”

Moore’s paintings pertain to memory of place rather than to straightforward depiction, the dominant subject matter being landscape, particularly the remote regions of the Northern Great Basin (southeastern Oregon, northern Nevada). He has been making “voyages of discovery” to these empty, practically unknown territories since the 1970’s, taking many trips a year in vehicles specially modified for that purpose. After converting a deaccessioned radar station near Winnemucca to a studio in 1985 and working there several months each year for over a decade, he built a studio at Wall Spring, Nevada on the edge of the Smoke Creek Desert. He has spent years restoring the land, wildlife habitat and watershed on what was a derelict ranch,

and works there at all seasons, dividing his time between there and his studio in Benicia. He also spends two or so months a year in the mountains of Southern Colorado.

In 1988, Moore and his wife, sculptor Linda Fleming, had established California studios together in a warehouse in San Francisco’s Mission district. They also travelled in the summertime and winter to Fleming’s studio at Libre, in Colorado, where Moore eventually built a studio as well. In 2000, they relocated their Bay Area residence and workplaces to Benicia, converting a historic brewery and saloon to studios and a home. This is currently the base for their work and for the cyclical migrations to their rural studios, which provide a catalyst in the continuing development of their work.

For Moore, his travels and explorations, revisiting the landscape of the Great Northern Basin in real time and in memory, and experiencing and remembering the endless variations of weather and light, are essential elements of his art practice.

With a few side roads into political and narrative territory, the majority of his work addresses the landscape. The urge to re-experience the particular places that evoke the alluring idea of “large, empty country” takes him back again and again for the conjuring that transpires, and enables him to get it onto the canvas in his singular, spare, light-and-silence infused way.

“In the beginning flurry of random horizontal swipes at the canvas, so much is left to chance that the image almost conjures itself, after which I pursue these things a long time, weeks, even seasons, each at its own pace,” says Moore.

“Aside from landscape proper, a common (though not universal) thread could be described as composite mnemonic. Visual memories cram onto the field, stacked or else layered as if in extreme telephoto. Making the image, watching it develop during the process, becomes a device of memory wherein I am reminded of something previously seen even if not remarked specifically at the time of seeing. Images trigger images, which trigger alterations on the canvas in approximation of what the images on the canvas brought back in the first place; a feedback loop whose ‘why,’ beyond the pleasure of it all, remains, after years of working, mysterious,“ says Moore.

Beginning on March 17, the Marilyn Citron O’Rourke Gallery at the Benicia Public Library is featuring Moore in an invitational one-person show entitled “Further Afield.” The exhibition will be on view through April 23rd.

There will be a reception for the artist on Saturday, March 21st, from 3 to 5 PM, to which the public is cordially invited.

Photos: PTG. 3, 2016-2019, 24 x 24” Seven Troughs, 2017, 24 x 24” Provided by Michael S. Moore BeniciaMagazine.com • 23

Vallejo Symphony

Rises

By Jeannine Mendoza Imagine living in the Benicia/Vallejo area during the Great Depression, before the freeways, bridges and industry transformed the landscape to what we see today. Vallejo Symphony was launched during that difficult time, providing the growing community with concerts, operas and other musical events, and establishing itself as a cornerstone of Vallejo and the adjacent communities’ cultural life in the decades since.

Vallejo Symphony is part of 22 Philharmonic and Opera Companies in the Northern California area. These 22 companies range from as far north as Santa Rosa, as far south as the San Jose area, and east to the San Joaquin Valley. The 22 companies also share the local talent: one musician might be in as many as six different companies. These musicians also might be music instructors at local colleges and universities, leading to the nickname of “The Freeway Philharmonic."

Concerts are held at the Empress Theatre, a historical landmark in downtown Vallejo that was originally a 1911 vaudeville theatre. Located at 330 Virginia St., this charming edifice has ample street parking, and is adjacent to eateries and shops. The Empress also has a beautiful cocktail lounge.

For many years concerts were held on Sunday, but recently attendance has doubled so that Saturday concerts are now offered as well. This big change in patronage was due to the leadership and efforts of Maestro Marc Taddei, Vallejo Symphony’s most recent Music Director.

Marc Taddei was appointed Music Director of Vallejo Symphony in 2016 and Orchestra Wellington (New Zealand) in 2007. He creates engaging, erudite and innovative programs, and has a close audience connection. Maestro Taddei has earned an unsurpassed public following and continuous critical acclaim. Marc guest-conducts the major Australian orchestras every year and returns each year to conduct in the United States.

Marc’s debut with the New York City Ballet led to an immediate 24 • Benicia Magazine

re-invitation for three Balanchine ballets the following year, and last year he made his mainland Chinese debut with the Xiamen Philharmonic Orchestra.

On April 16, 2018 Maestro Taddei initiated a new program, Music for The Schools, which invited 800 students (aged 6 to 18) from Vallejo, Benicia and American Canyon, to a special performance/talk about Mozart and his Symphony No. 41. Members of the VSO performed twice in one day at the Empress Theatre and were enthusiastically received. The 2019 school concerts featured violin soloist Alina Kobialka playing Mozart’s Violin Concerto No.3. This season’s program will be March 2, 2020. These mini-concerts by a trio of professional musicians, who are also experienced educators, introduce children to classical music in a fun and engaging way.

This season’s closing concert features the most famous symphony ever written— Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9, “From the New World,” composed in the U.S. and inspired by AfricanAmerican folk traditions. American maverick Charles Ives wrote his Symphony No. 3 just 15 years later, but it was not premiered until 1947, when it won the Pulitzer Prize for Music. Last, it is a great pleasure to welcome one of the orchestra’s own, Principal Horn Meredith Brown, to join Adler Fellow Zhengyi Bai in one of the great song cycles of the 20th century: Benjamin Britten’s Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings. Pre-concert talks are presented one hour before each orchestra performance and feature conversations between Maestro Taddei and guest artists, offering insights into the program. Maestro Taddei will also present videos called A Minute with Marc through the online newsletter, website, and Facebook page. If you cannot attend the concert, there will be a rebroadcast on KZCT 89.5 FM on May 1, 2020 at 10:30 am. vallejosymphony.org Email: VallejoSymphony@gmail.com | Phone: 707.643.4441 Empress Theatre: 330 Virginia St., Vallejo, CA 94590

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Would Napolean have driven a Bentley?

By Christina Strawbridge Napoleon Bonaparte was considered a tyrant, savior, megalomaniac, military genius, education and culture reformer, conqueror and an iconic historical figure.

Because of his short stature he even has an inferiority complex named after him along with towns, streets, ships, and cartoon characters. His life has been well documented in film, art and literature. From this we know that Napoleon and his wife Josephine were the trend setters of their time.

Following the French revolution, they were both known for setting the bar for fashion in the early 1800's. The couple established France as the fashion capitol of the world with their powerful influence on style. Empress Josephine discarded her corset and adopted sleeveless, transparent tunics with Greco-Roman inspired columnar chemise dress designs. The Empire waist, popularised

by Josephine and still worn in 2020 is a high waisted silhouette created with a ribbon or belt worn high under the breasts. Many portraits of Josephine show her favour to this liberating design.

Napoleon is often portrayed wearing a large bicorn 2 cornered hat with a hand-in-waistcoat gesture a reference to several portraits from the era. In 1804, Napoleon's goal was to make France a fashion leader. He halted the import of British textiles, revived French lace making, and forbid women to appear at court in the same dress more than twice.

Paris February 2020: Just a few steps from Napoleon's elaborate tomb in the The Hôtel des Invalides, this year's International Automobile Festival was staged.

26 • Benicia Magazine — Trends

Now in its 33rd year, the “Fashion week of the Motor Car” brings together the greatest international designers, and the most beautiful concept cars, under a white tented 32,000 ft. venue with theatrical lighting, a champagne bar and wall to wall $$$$$.

Highlights of this year's edition: the vote for the most beautiful car of the year, which the public could take part in, the awarding of the festival's major prizes, and the exhibition of more than twenty concept cars and car designs. This is a big opportunity for the top companies to unveil the latest versions of their vehicles, some of which will never be produced.

I would not say I am a car aficionado, but I do love to look at cool cars and can appreciate beauty in design.

When our friends Robert and Jean invited us to tag along with them to the exhibition, we couldn't resist. It was a chilly but clear day in Paris and the sun was shining on the distinctive gold dome of the Hôtel des Invalides. As we made our way to the outdoor exhibit, through the museums and war galleries, then passing the final resting place of Napoleon, I couldn't help wonder what the Emperor might have thought about a conceptual automobile exhibit at his door step.

The Bonaparte quote "Imagination rules the world" is the perfect statement about a design competition of participating international companies like Bentley, BMW, Aston Martin, Mercedes, and Land Rover. Napoleon remains a ruler of style for the ages. I think he would be thrilled!

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Calendar

MARCH Events Calendar WHERE’S JACK LONDON?

Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum Concert: Richard Glazier

March 1 – 31 Downtown Benicia, First Street , Benicia FREE Benicia Main Street celebrates downtown Benicia’s “Antiques, Vintage & Collectibles” with a chance to win $100 in Downtown Dollars. Look for the framed picture of Jack London at participating businesses and email the keyword found on the frame to Benicia Main Street to enter in the drawing for Downtown Dollars.

Details at www.BeniciaMainStreet.org.

707.745.9791 info@beniciamainstreet.org www.BeniciaMainStreet.org

Vallejo Symphony Concert II Iconoclast March 1, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm Empress Theatre 330 Virginia Street, Vallejo $35-$65 Marc Taddei, conductor Harris Symphony No. 3 Prokofiev Violin Concerto No. 2 Amalia Hall, violin Dvorák Symphony No. 8 707.643.7076 vallejosymphony@gmail.com vallejosymphony.org

AAUW hosts: "2020: Hopes and Fears for Women in Solano County"

March 7, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm John F. Kennedy Public Library 505 Santa Clara Street, Vallejo The Benicia-Vallejo branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) will host a panel of local experts representing three generations and ethnicities will share their perspectives on what they experience that gives them hope in the coming decade.

They will also address issues they fear can affect women negatively. The program is free and open to the public. Individuals interested in leadership, particularly students, are

28 • Benicia Magazine

March 15, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum 734 Marin Street, Vallejo Join award-winning pianist and master storyteller Richard Glazier on Sunday, March 15 at 2:00 p.m. for a musical tour of Broadway and Hollywood, featuring sensational songs written by everyone from George Gershwin to Marvin Hamlisch.

707.643.0077 valmuse@pacbell.net vallejomuseum.org

St. Patrick’s Day Beer Crawl

encouraged to attend the presentation 707.235.5341 BeniciaVallejoAAUW@gmail.com beniciavallejo-ca.aauw.net

Downtown Vallejo Second Friday Food and Art Walk

March 13, 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm Downtown Arts District Georgia and Marin Streets, Vallejo The Vallejo Art Walk is a year-round event that takes place rain or shine. Between November- March there are no street closures, so you will find artists selling and sharing their work on the sidewalks along the participating streets as well as inside the “Cal Maritime Community Art Gallery” located at the Cal Maritime Anchor Center in partnership with El Comalito Collective Cultural Arts Center and Cal Maritime Conference & Events. If it rains or conditions are harsh, Cal Maritime has generously made the Anchor Center available for artists to set-up which allows us to be a year-round event. Thank you Cal Maritime Conference & Events! info@vallejoartwalk.com vallejoartwalk.com

March 14, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm Downtown Benicia, First Street, Benicia $25 The Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day, let out your Irish cheer and sample craft beers inside participating businesses. Tickets are $25/ advance or $35/day-of, while they last.

707.745.9791 info@beniciamainstreet.org BeniciaMainStreet.org

Run for Education

March 29, 8:00 am - 11:00 am First Street Green, First Street at East B Street, Benicia $25 Run or walk along Benicia’s beautiful waterfront and through the historic district while supporting Benicia schools.

There’s something for everyone with 5K Run, Kid’s Fun Run, Virtual 5K Run, and Shop N Stroll. Early-bird registration begins January 5. Entree fee increases January 31. beniciarunforeducation.org

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Live Music

MARCH Music Events Empress Theatre

The Rellik Tavern

707.552.2400 330 Virginia Street, Vallejo Empresstheatre.org

707.746.1137 726 1st Street, Benicia therelliktavern.com

Ticketed events go to empresstheatre.org/events for more information

Wednesday: Acoustic performers, Thursday: DJ and bands, Friday and Saturday: Live bands

Sun 1, 3PM The Vallejo Symphony Wed 4, 7:30PM Pete Escovedo and Peter Michael Escovedo – Music in the Lounge and Special Pete Escovedo Art Show in the Café Thur 5, 7:30PM West Coast Songwriters Sat 7, 8:00PM Wilson Brooks Birthday Concert Wed 11, 7:30PM Five Ten Music Celebrating the Art and Music of Pete Escovedo Thurs 12, 7:30PM Film Club – Thomas Edison’s 1914 Land Beyond the SunsetMax Fleisher – The Mad Scientist Max Fliesher – Billion Dollar Limited – Live Music Accompaniment Sat 14, 8:00PM The Billie Holiday Story – Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill Sun 15 Vallejo Jazz Society – Ray Obiedo Sextet Wed 18 Wednesday Night Live with Angela Maserati Band Thur 19, 7:30PM Johnny Rawls Special Thursday in the Lounge Sat 21, 8:00PM Danse Macabre Ball – Goth Dance Night Wed 25 Special WNL with Mio Flores Celebratign the Music and Art of Pete Esovedo Thur 26, 7:30PM Right in the Eye Movie Concert with George Melies Sat 28, 8:00PM The E Family and Friends Celebrate the Art and Music of Pete Escovedo Sun 29, 3:00PM The Amazing Bubbleman

30 • Benicia Magazine

Sun 1 Mike Badinger Wed 4 The Breedloves Thurs 5 Lark & LeBlanc 9PM-1:30AM, DJ Alex Jordan 5:30 to 8:30pm Fri 6 The Band E11even Sat 7 Dakila Sun 8 Bizzy Lewis Wed 11 Ralph Woodson Thurs 12 Half-Bunched with Billy and Dave 5:30pm-8:30pm, DJ Jerry Ross 9pm-1:30am Fri 13 Running With Scissorz Sat 14 Uncle Buck Sun 15 Bray from Neon Velvet Tues 17 St. Patrick’s Day: Cloudship: 4pm to 8pm (live music) DJ Alex: 9pm to close Thurs 19 You Front The Band (guests sing with the live band) 8:30PM-12:30AM Fri 20 Bray and The Dens (CD Release party) Sat. 21 Dr. Tequila and The Mission Mob Sun 22 Lark and LeBlanc Wed 25 Chris Ahlman Thurs 26 Goth/Industrial Night with DJ Takyon Fri 27 Pontiac Dream Sat 28 Junk Drawer

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Ridge Real Estate Group 707.315.9803 RREG@RidgeRealEstateGroup.com RidgeRealEstateGroup.com DRE 01998765

Welcome to Tosch Dental

Feel at home -- even in the dental chair !

Full-service dentistry | In-house lab, ensures perfect fit | Orthodontics 50% off bleach with exam & cleaning | Relaxed and comfortable environment Proudly serving Benicia families for over 35 years.

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

Benicia's KITC H E N A ND B AT H E X P E RTS

Receive a $150 gift certificate to Romancing the Home with the purchase of a complete kitchen.

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AFFORDABLE QUALITY Cabinets and Countertops

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