Benicia Magazine May 2022 Issue

OPENING DAY ON THE STRAIT RETURNS BENICIA’S MOTHER & DAUGHTER BUSINESSES

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Contributors

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Benicia Magazine is published monthly by Benicia Publishing, LLC. Copyright © 2021, all rights reserved. Contents of Benicia Magazine cannot be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of the publisher. Opinions expressed in Benicia Magazine editorial or advertisements are those of the authors and advertisers, and may not reflect the opinion of Benicia Magazine’s management or publisher. Benicia Magazine, Downtown Benicia, CA 94510.

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Contents May 2022

Features 16 18 12

6 • Benicia Magazine

11

25

10

14

Opening Day on the Strait Returns

Benicia's Mother & Daughter Businesses

Departments Columns

8 From the editor 26 Booktails

Chouette By Claire Oshetsky

28 Dinner and a Movie

Bottom of the Fifth and Cheers — TV Show

25 Picket Fences

A Benicia Mystery — online

Our new travel section Benicia+ will be hitting inboxes soon! Subscribe today on beniciamagazine.com.

Around Town COMMUNITY 10 Mother’s Day Picnic

Picture-worthy picnics on beaches, at parks, and in backyards

11 K id Craft Corner — Nature Crafts 12 A Mother’s Love

The Foundation of Intentionality and Support

14 T ip, Tap, Toe

Drs. Carney, Campbell, Vitakes and Lim

Dancing Their Way to Excellence

20 N uts & Bolts – A Comic Superhero Saves A Family Institution

22 C ity of Benicia Advertorial 30 Hidden Benicia – War of the Plant Worlds

The battle between native and invasive plants

FOOD AND DRINK 13 Bar None – Rosé Pisco Sour Perfect to put your mom in the Mother's Day mood

BENICIA BUSINESS 24 P rices Are High, Should I Sell My Real Estate?

Buy? Sell? What’s going on in today’s real estate market

ART SCENE 25 Michael Van Auken, Visual Storyteller Cover Photo Luke George Photography

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column Editor's letter

FROM THE EDITOR May is the month to celebrate mothers. You’ll notice that general theme throughout this issue of Benicia Magazine, from this month’s Booktails pick to our feature on motherdaughter run businesses in town. One mother-daughter business we didn’t have room for in this feature was this business: Benicia Magazine. So, if the kind reader will indulge me, I’ll write about it here.

I have been helping out at Benicia Magazine since my mom, Mary, became the editor back in 2019. I’ve enjoyed watching her put her own flavor and some of her signature personality into the magazine and have reveled with her as readers have generally responded favorably. As has been the case with many businesses, the pandemic created a real challenge for the magazine. But if you know Mary, you know she is tenacious. Under her leadership, the magazine persevered and made it a priority to give voice to some of the people and small businesses who needed support during the lockdowns.

She has since purchased Benicia Magazine, given herself the new title of publisher, and brought me on as editor. We work collaboratively on all issues of the magazine, and it has been a privilege to learn from her years of business, marketing, design, and publishing experience.

There is another mother-daughter team of sorts at work here at Benicia Magazine. Our art director, Margaret Bowles has been a part of the magazine since its inception. Of late, she has been working with her daughter-in-law, Cooper, who has been creating illustrations for the magazine and sharing some of the design load. We love that this, like the other mother-daughter businesses in town, can be a collaborative effort between generations.

Speaking of my mother, there is no “From the Publisher” from her this time. My mom, after evading for over two years, finally caught Covid. At the time of writing this, she is on the road to recovery, but doesn’t feel up to writing. Look forward to hearing from her again next month.

—Genevieve

@beniciamagazine

Facebook.com/beniciamagazine

beniciamagazine

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

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around town Community

Mother’s Day Picnic Supper’s On creates picture-worthy picnics that can take place on beaches, at parks, and in backyards.

Michelle Heberling

And so 9 years ago, Heberling began Supper’s On as a specialized meal delivery service.

She was able to use local, sustainable, and seasonal foods to accommodate a variety of dietary needs. By seeking out ingredients meeting this criteria via farmers’ markets and homesteading, Heberling was able to “cut out the middleman” and provide her customers with high quality and delicious foods. In addition to meal delivery services, she catered events from big to small—some as intimate as two and some as large as 300. While the larger scale events had their perks, Heberling preferred the intimacy of smaller events.

The parameters put in place

by Covid allowed her to truly master the art of intimate, small gatherings that she n Bitsy Hall, M.Ed. was already drawn to. and owner of Learning Circles In 2020, the loss of indoor dining Photos by Luke George during lockdown in no way erased the In order for businesses to survive the desire to leave the house for dining out. unpredictability of Covid, a high level of Heberling understood this need and adaptability and ingenuity is essential. was able to provide Covid-safe events Luckily for Michelle Heberling, owner outside at varying locations downtown of Supper’s On, revitalization and for “Enchanted Dinners on First Street.” flexibility is an intrinsic part of her Paired with the success of Enchanted nature. Prior to her former job as an Dinners and the CDC recommendations IT project manager, she did events for for outdoor socializing, Heberling began large corporations. When she made a new side of her business: intimate the switch to IT, she was able to travel picnics. Ever since, she has created around the world. This international beautiful, artistic, and personalized exploration fostered her love for picnics all over the Bay Area. Her global cuisine. When she was laid off picture-worthy picnics take place on from her IT position, she decided to beaches, at parks, and in backyards. pursue her other passion in lieu of Heberling’s picnics and services are continuing on the IT path. After this job an excellent choice for a Mother’s Day loss, Heberling tapped into the food celebration. If you’re looking to have a industry through self-employment. Mother’s Day picnic put on by Supper’s Before fully committing to Supper’s On, you can arrange for a deeply On, Heberling had experience with personalized and unique picnic made event planning and catering on the to suit the mother you are celebrating. side. She was encouraged by friends If you’d rather do some of the prep and family to use this talent and skill yourself, you can rent supplies on her for a full time job. website and do the setup on your own.

10 • Benicia Magazine

For those of you who want to try your own hand at throwing a Michelle Heberling inspired picnic for Mother’s Day, she has plenty of suggestions: 1. Check the weather. This was her #1 suggestion before anything else. The weather can completely derail your picnic plans if you are not prepared.

2. Decide on the feeling you want your picnic to have. Do you want your picnic to feel warm? Happy?

Celebratory? Romantic? Pick the feeling and let it guide the rest.

3. Find the location.

4. Scout out your location. Never assume that it will be available without staking your claim.

5. Make a list of everything you want to bring. Here are some of her supply recommendations: Table Cloth or Blanket Pillows to sit on Place settings Any decor to beautify your setup Bag for garbage 6. Clean up after you finish!

Never leave garbage behind.

7. Make it look better than when you arrived.

A Supper’s On picnic is an experience to enjoy local scenery, good company, and high quality food. You can enter for a chance to win a free picnic by Supper’s On for a party of two! Follow Supper’s On on Instagram (@supperson_events) for instructions on how to enter. The package is sponsored by SupperOn and Photography by Luke George. B

around town Community

KID CRAFT CORNER

Nature Crafts n Bitsy Hall, M.Ed. and owner of Learning Circles

May is upon us! It’s that joyous time right in between spring and summer–we can still soak up the glory of the California super blooms all around us and (as my mother would say) “spit to summer!” These crafts go beyond just keeping idle hands busy; they encourage children to venture outside and bask in the floral beauty of May. B

People in Bloom

Nature Crowns This activity is best suited for children 6 and under, but there’s no reason bigger kids can’t partake. This craft requires exploration in nature, works fine motor skills for little hands, and gives your child a crown that is somehow reminiscent of Where the Wild Things Are. To begin, you’ll need: 1 O bjects from nature. Think leaves, flower petals, berries, and sticks. *You can make a whole outing of this activity. Take your kids to the park or on a walk to procure these items!

2 T hick construction paper or cardstock 3 A stapler 4 Scissors 5 Double sided tape Directions: 1 Gather leaves, sticks, other objects found from nature.

2 Cut the paper into strips to desired thickness. If you’re not sure, go for about 3”.

3 Put the strips of paper around your child’s head to gauge size.

Fold, tear, or mark with pencil.

4 Cut the strips of paper where the size was marked in step 3.

5 Staple to create a strip of paper the circumference of your child’s head.

6 Lay out your paper on a flat surface and begin arranging the items from step 1. Have your little one help with this step!

7 Once you and your child are happy with the arrangement, use the double sided tape to secure your items to the crown. Gently lift it up to make sure everything is taped down. *You can also tape as you go, it’s up to you.

8 When your arrangement is secured, attach both ends with the double sided tape. If you’re having trouble with the tape, you can staple both ends, instead.

9 P ut the crown on your child and let the fun continue.

This is a fun craft for kids of any age (yourself included). Due to the various types of print you can use for this, it can be suited for any skill level. Not great at drawing faces or people?

No problem-–you can use a printed picture from the computer or a magazine ad. Are you artistically gifted or just enjoy drawing? Use your own creation!

Items needed: 1 P etals, leaves, sticks, berries, or any other items found in nature that speak to you.

2 A photograph or drawing of a person.

3 Liquid or hot glue.

Directions: 1 P rint from your computer, draw, or pull a picture from a magazine with a person. In this step, there is huge artistic freedom.

2 Arrange the items to become different parts of the person or their clothes from step 1. For example, you can use rose petals for skirts, leaves for hair, or berries for earrings.

3 Secure items with liquid or hot glue.

4 Let dry and hang up!

Snap a picture of your craft and tag @beniciamagazine on Instagram. We would love to see your versions of these May inspired crafts!

BeniciaMagazine.com • 11

around town Community

A Mother's Love The Foundation of Intentionality and Support

n D r . Get h sem a ne M o s s , E d . D .

Being a parent might rank high as one of the scariest yet most rewarding jobs one can ever take on, and you only get one chance to do it right. A parent's task is multifaceted because while instilling morals and principles within our children and keeping them healthy and safe, helping them become independent is crucial as they move into adulthood. A child's foundation and safety are essential to their opportunity.

The cost associated with parenting can be astronomical. The Bureau of Labor Statistics 2017 data estimated that the cost to raise a child from birth to age 18 is roughly $267,233.00, and that does not include college. This number considers childcare, food, healthcare, a few of the expenses, and could be considerably higher when considering unexpected costs. Becoming a parent is a life-changing experience, but many would not trade it for anything. Watching your children grow into adulthood and transition into independence can be rewarding.

Benicia resident Jacquelyn Lewis i a proud mother of two. While both of her children, graduates of Benicia High School, are now thriving young adults, Lewis was intentional in her parenting.

Lewis made an effort to cultivate her children’s qualities, having been influenced by her own mother’s wisdom: "Look at your kids as individuals and understand their characters and their unique qualities." Lewis stated, "My mother knew I was an overachiever, and she helped me understand that it's not always about seeing your child through their grades but also paying close attention to the teachers' comments and seeing them as who they truly are." Lewis shared the importance of ensuring her children were good people who treated everyone with dignity and respect. Lewis

12 • Benicia Magazine

stated, "It was important for me to raise nice children and raise them in the Lord."

Lewis recalled a recent conversation she had with her daughter, who shared that she was grateful for her mother teaching her how to pray because she could console her friend's family in a time of tragic loss. Lewis shared how important it was for her children to have a solid foundation, stating, "It is difficult to say it was just me because my relationship with the Lord and my church was instrumental in my kids’ success."

Schooling was essential in the Lewis household. While Lewis greatly supported their athletic skills and ability, she wanted her children to embrace their academics. Parents don't always get the opportunity to select their child's teacher, and Lewis recalls trying to have her children matched with the right teacher that would fit their personalities.

Lewis shared, "I knew my kids weren't just a number, and the process of how students were placed with teachers wasn't acceptable. My kids are human beings, not just a number." Lewis stated, "I fought every year to make sure my kids were placed with the right teacher by writing letters to the board and showing up at the schools."

Lewis was a strong advocate for her children. She shared that she decided to put her career on hold to be present at all of their activities. Lewis stated, "I am a good balancer. I put my career on hold by not taking the high-ranking positions because my kids were my priority, and still are." Now that Lewis's children have graduated from college, she is working as a high-level Executive in a local company. Lewis earned her master’s in

International Business and her undergraduate degree in Business Management. "I earned my master’s when my kids were young, so they learned how to study just by watching me," stated Lewis.

Lewis's children are off to successful careers, working in jobs aligned with their passions. Lewis's daughter, Ja'Nae, earned her bachelor's from the University of San Francisco (USF) and is now pursuing her master’s at Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA. Ja'Nae is pursuing a career as a Mental Health Counselor to work specifically with children with autism. Ja'Nae has been a dancer and trained at Stage One Dance Studio until graduating from Benicia High, and then studied dance while attending USF. Lewis shared that her daughter was one of three students selected to enter the dance program at Benicia High School as a Freshman, a spot reserved for Juniors and Seniors.

Lewis's son, John Henry Lewis III, earned a football scholarship upon graduating from Benicia High School and attended Menlo College in Atherton, later transferring to California Lutheran University and earning a Bachelor in Criminal Justice and Criminology. John completed the police academy and is now serving as a police officer in the city of Berkeley.

Lewis talked about allowing her children to choose their paths based on their interests. While Lewis's daughter is a professionally trained dancer of many years, she chose the course of working with students. Lewis stated that her

around town Food and Drink Bar None

"Don't try to make your kids be what you think they should be. It is on you to help guide their organic interests." son, John, has wanted to become a police officer since he was 11. Lewis said, "Don't try to make your kids be what you think they should be. It is on you to help guide their organic interests." Lewis shared, "Ja'Nae danced from the age of two, all through school, and her dream wasn't to dance; it was to work with students differently abled. Having a son who wants to be a police officer in these troubled times is tough, but you just have to pray." Lewis stated," I did drill down to the why, and he said, if not me, then who." Lewis said the quote that inspires her son is "Be the Change You Want to See." She knows that the career path her children decided to take is what they believe they have been called to do.

Lewis shared some encouraging words for young women starting their careers and young families, stating, "Put your family first by taking positions that give you the flexibility to be engaged with your children's activities. I never missed baseball, football, track, soccer, cheerleading or dance competitions. I was the taxi driver for my kids and never let them quit." Lewis shared that it was important for her children to finish the activities they started.

Lewis stated, "You have to be a finisher, and I don't raise quitters. You don't have to do it for the rest of your lives, but you can do it for three to six months, however long it takes; but you will finish."

Lewis shared that her greatest joy was watching her children graduate from college in four years and spending time with her family and friends. After 39 years of service as a Director of Operations, Lewis is looking forward to retiring, working in the community, mentoring young women, traveling, and having grandchildren in the near future. B

MIX UP SOME LOVE FOR YOUR MAMA the refreshing Rosé Pisco Sour n Maura S ul l i van Let's get our hard working Mamas off their feet with a cocktail in hand.

I have a cocktail recipe from William Sonoma Taste that's sure to impress and refresh.

Rosé Pisco Sour A pure delight to enjoy during and abnormally hot spring day. Perfect to put your mom in the Mother's Day mood after a long brunch with the in-laws.

Herbal aromatics with a soft pink hue and an off-dry sweetness to finish.

Perfect to serve in any cocktail or wide wine glass.

Garnish with a flower from the bouquet you purchased, or a thin lemon slice.

Just in case you don't recall my directions for a pisco sour, here's a recap.

In a cocktail shaker, add one egg white, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, pisco and lots of ice.

Shake vigorously to create the fresh foam. Once you've shaken, strain gently, pouring into your glass.

Slowly pour in your rosé. A soft Gamay Noir rosé would be perfect for any wine lover.

Add a few dashes of your choice of bitters; orange blossom bitters would be best. Add garnish and serve. B

INGREDIENTS ● 1 3/4 (50 ml) Pisco ● 1oz of your choice of Rosé - suggestions are Maison L'Envoye Rosé or Josh Rosé ● 3/4 oz (20 ml) fresh lime juice ● 1/4 oz simple syrup ● 1 egg white ● Full glass of crushed ice ● Orange blossom bitters, or bitters of choice

BeniciaMagazine.com • 13

around town Community

Dancing Their Way to Excellence At Tip Tap Toe, there’s more to dance than striking that perfect pose. n Caitlin McCulloch People choose to participate in dance for many reasons. For Nicole Ceccarelli, owner of Tip Tap Toe, it’s always been a deeply rooted safe place and an important form of self-expression.

“I was adopted when I was four,” she says. “At first, I was really introverted with my adoptive parents. They tried putting me in soccer, baseball, basketball…so many sports. Then they put me in dance.

its mark on our small town. As they celebrate their 10-year anniversary with many of the original staff members seeing Tip Tap Toe grow throughout the years, their competition team EDGE has also been awarded the prestigious Studio of Excellence Award by the ADCC (Association of Dance Competition).

“They check out a bunch of dance studios that are at 3-day competitions,” says Ceccarelli. “The award is based on what they see backstage: interactions

their fellow dancers. It’s really cool.”

From extra touches like coveted WOW cards for going above and beyond (have you stayed to help clean up the studio? Did you help tie a younger dancer’s shoes?) to unique opportunities to participate in Dance The Magic at Disneyland (this year will be the SPOOK-Tastic Halloween Parade, September 31st-October 2nd), it’s clear that Ceccarelli is deeply passionate about creating this special environment for all. After the past few years undoubtedly being a challenge for many, this award is extra meaningful—it forced an unprecedented opportunity for a bigger bond to develop organically within the studio, too.

“You think that you’ve seen it all, and you go through COVID,” she says. “It was tough on so many levels, but there were positives that came out of it. Kids had to learn to speak through their own body language and eye contact. The littlest ones navigated how to put their own shoes on and go to get their own water, so they became more independent. And with the waiting rooms being closed, the parents had to really trust us with their kids (the waiting rooms reopened in April and Ceccarelli shared that the parents were so excited to see what they’ve been doing).

Ceccarelli was initially wondering what would happen to the studio with COVID, but participation interest has only continued to grow. She has recently added more classes, including

“we see them grow as human beings,” says Ceccarelli.

“Our goal is for you to leave this studio not a better dancer, but a better person.”

That was the thing that clicked. That was the thing that helped me communicate who I am. So we love the dancers who are firecrackers, we love the ones who are compliant, we love every form of them because we see them grow as human beings,” says Ceccarelli. “Our goal is for you to leave this studio not a better dancer, but a better person.”

Located in the Industrial Park of Benicia, Tip Tap Toe has clearly made

14 • Benicia Magazine

between teacher-to-student, student-toparent, student-to-student. They value striving for excellence, but also how everyone interacts with one another in a positive way. And it’s really special for us to receive, because we all support one another. It’s exciting to get an award, to have them see who we are inside this studio. We have students that aren’t on the competition team that show up in the morning and stay all day just to root for

on Saturdays, to make space for more students wishing to dance.

“For somebody like me, who hasn’t always had a family, it’s incredible to see it come tenfold,” she says.

If your child is interested in getting in on the fun, May is the time to do so!

Auditions for the EDGE competition team are May 21st and 22nd, open enrollment for existing students is May 23rd, and open enrollment for new students is May 27th. Find out more information at tiptaptoedancestudio.com. B

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BeniciaMagazine.com • 15

Feature

n Jeannine

Mendoza, Ed.D Photo by Luke George

The popular and beloved Benicia Yacht Club will once again celebrate Opening Day on Saturday, May 14th from 10:00 am until 10:00 pm. The Club promises more than twelve hours of music, water activities, vendor booths, and food and drink as well. Last year’s Opening Day was canceled due to the pandemic, and in response, BYC has outdone itself in organizing this event.

This is a great opportunity to explore all the amenities the club has to offer, as the usually private facilities are open to the public all day.

BYC History Founded in 1977 by Russ Blanchard, the first Commodore, Benicia Yacht Club sits in the Carquinez Strait, midway between San Pablo Bay and Suisun Bay. Blanchard wanted to support sailing, yachting, and all types of water sports.

He helped to create a platform for sea otters with the help of the Sea Bees, who were part of the Navy construction crew sent to Benicia. At first BYC’s meetings were held in members’ living rooms, in barracks in the Industrial Park, and at the Clock Tower. In the early 1980s, their building, an old army office structure, was purchased from the military and moved to its current location at 400 East 2nd St. In 1985 the clubhouse was formally dedicated. Forty-one years ago, founding members Veronica and Dick Tipton organized the Benicia Yacht Club’s first Opening Day with dingy/ rowboat races in the marina. This is a far cry from the jam packed agenda promised for May 14th.

The Benicia Yacht Club, along with many other yacht clubs in the Bay Area, maintain a Cruising Program where BYC hosts visiting yacht clubs and in turn, BYC is hosted by other yacht clubs as well. The Cruising Program allows members to enjoy different clubs’ facilities while practicing the fine art of seamanship. This popular PYC custom affords members the chance to visit other seaside locations and meet like minded and fun loving individuals who enjoy boating as well.

16 • Benicia Magazine

“I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied; And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying.

And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the seagulls crying.”

— Sea-Fever

by John Masefield

History of Opening Day

Benicia Yacht Club

Opening Day is a time-honored tradition in many boating communities. It harkens back to the 1800s when boats were finally allowed back onto the open seas in the spring. Benicia Yacht Club is a member of PICYA, the Pacific Interclub Yacht Association, which launched an annual celebration called Opening Day in 1917. The Benicia Yacht Club is on the Carquinez Strait, hence the name Opening Day on the Strait.

A common tradition on Opening Day is the annual Blessing of the Fleet. Originally, the Blessing of the Fleet began centuries ago in the fishing communities of the Mediterranean to ensure a safe boating and an abundant fishing season.

As always, the Benicia Yacht Club welcomes and encourages everyone in the community to celebrate Opening Day on the Strait as the event that not only embraces sailing and boating traditions, but also celebrates our beautiful waterfront, its stunning views, and everything BYC has to offer. Members and non-members alike are excited and eager to enjoy Opening Day after a long hiatus due to the pandemic.

BYC Opening Day As mentioned before, Opening Day on the Strait is open to the public. According to Dena Stults, Vice Commodore, a full day is planned with arts and crafts vendors on the lawn at 10:00 am.

The Outrigger Club will be present and will offer demonstrations of their water sport. The Youth Sailing group will also offer information and demonstrations. A supervised kids’ play area will have fun activities for the younger attendees. The Club’s Ship Store will be open for shoppers to purchase BYC t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, napkins, burgees, and other assorted gear.

The BYC dining room will offer lunch and dinner featuring a menu courtesy of the Club’s own Chef Carlos. Opening ceremonies will take place at noon with remarks from civic leaders, flag raising, and the singing of the National Anthem. There will be a Blessing of the Fleet and a decorated boat parade at 1:30pm. Live music will be played throughout the day, with the first of several bands beginning at 11:00 am and concluding with dancing upstairs in the Norton Lounge until 10:00 pm.

Yacht club members will be available to answer questions about the club “Forty-one years ago, founding members regarding membership, youth sailing program, the Veronica and Dick Tipton organized the aforementioned cruising program, volunteer Benicia Yacht Club’s first Opening Day with opportunities, and dingy/rowboat races in the marina. This is a entertainment activities.

Membership is open to far cry from the jam packed agenda promised both boaters and nonboaters of good character. for May 14th.”

Vice Commodore Stults stresses that Benicia Yacht Club is a great way to meet new people and have fun. Trivia Night , Karaoke Night, Talent Night and other seasonal celebrations round out the monthly events. Benicia Yacht Club functions throughout the year, and its facilities are open Wednesday–Sunday. What more could one ask for? B

2022

BYC – 400 East Second Street, Benicia, CA 94510 707.746.0739 for more information.

BeniciaMagazine.com • 17

feature

&

Mother Daughter Entrepreneurs Wheels Up Wealth Frances and Bridget Harkins are the mother-daughter duo behind Wheels Up Wealth, a local financial planning firm.

Frances’ career in the financial sector is what inspired Bridget to forge her own path in the field. When we spoke with the Harkins’, Bridget recalled watching her mom navigate her career while always being the one to handle the family’s finances, and credits her with her own early financial education. So, although Bridget grew up singing and acting, it’s no surprise she chose to follow a career path similar to her mom’s.

Frances’ career began in the banking industry, moved to the US Treasury, and eventually landed in the Financial Planning industry. Bridget’s career began in the corporate world at Dimensional Fund Advisors, where she quickly moved up the ranks to become

Regional Director. Bridget described having a “lightbulb moment” there, when she realized that she could help women navigate their finances and have the opportunity to work with her mom by opening her own firm. While Wheels Up Wealth doesn’t exclusively work with women, they’ve developed a niche by acting as a beacon of allyship for women, who so rarely see themselves reflected in financial professionals.

The Harkins women described the way they learn from each other and how their previous experiences – tax planning and real estate investments for Frances and research-driven global investment design for Bridget – have come together at Wheels Up Wealth to serve their clients with multifaceted expertise. Bridget noted how working with Frances has allowed her to see a

different dimension of her mom as she works with clients. Frances reflected on how enjoyable it has been to watch Bridget grow in her career and how thrilling it is to see the enthusiasm and confidence the next generation of women is bringing to financial services.

at an early age that one day she wanted to own her own business.

Eventually, Michelle grew up and went to college to study design. While she was in school, her mother tragically passed away from complications from an autoimmune disorder. It was in helping to arrange her mother’s funeral sprays that Michelle first came to appreciate flowers. As she continued on with her post-grad life, Michelle was working in corporate America, helping to arrange corporate events.

At these events, she would see fantastic displays of flowers coming together to make an event feel magical.

Inspired, she viewed this as another call toward working with flowers.

So, she quit her corporate job and started

looking for flower shop jobs on Craigslist to gain some experience. From there, she combined the notion she had as a young girl – owning her own business – and this new notion – working with flowers – and thus, Daughter of Luna was born. The name of the shop is an homage to her mother, whose name in Chinese means “moon.” Michelle describes her mother as tireless and hard working. She clearly was an inspiration.

Michelle is opening another shop on First Street called Bell and Brass, which is scheduled to open this spring. Bell and Brass is an expansion of Daughter of Luna, focusing more on home goods and furnishings. While Michelle currently has no children, she hopes to one day have a daughter of her own who she can pass the reigns to.

Daughter of Luna As we suspected, there is a sweet mother-daughter story behind the name Daughter of Luna. The owner, Michelle Yong, told us about her parents who immigrated to the US, landing in San Francisco in the 1980s. They opened a gift shop in the Mission, which they ran for 20 years and at which Michelle helped out from a young age. This was a formative experience which h e l p e d Michelle decide

18 • Benicia Magazine

n G e ne v i e v e

H a nd

This Mother’s Day, we decided to shine a light on some of the inspiring mother-daughter stories that can be found in our small business community.

Fox and Fawn Fox and Fawn is a grandmothermother-daughter operation that started in 2011. It began by operating out of owner and lead baker Tara Allen’s home and has since become a vegan sensation on First Street.

Tara grew up baking with her mom, whose traditional recipes were always crowd pleasers. When Tara decided to become vegan, she started adapting her mom’s traditional recipes to make equally delicious vegan baked goods.

She began selling her wares at the Farmers Market and eventually decided she needed a storefront.

When the bakery near their Farmers Market stand, Rosanna’s Bakery, closed, she jumped at the opportunity

to fill the vacancy. Happily, the landlord agreed to the renovations necessary to give the bakery a full kitchen so that all confections could be crafted onsite.

All the while, Tara’s mom was there, lending a hand where needed.

Since then, Tara’s mother has stepped back a bit and her daughter has stepped up. Having been homeschooled for the past three years, she has been able to keep up with her traditional studies and gain a little business education on the side by helping out at Fox and Fawn.

Fox and Fawn has been enjoying steady popularity from vegan and nonvegan patrons alike – a testament to Tara’s creations. She plans to reopen

the interior of the shop to patrons this summer.

Sparkly Ragz and Le Sparkly Chateau A treat for many mother-daughter duos is the hallowed shopping experience. At least, this has certainly been the case for Holly Conse and her daughter Salina. Holly, a self-proclaimed impulse buyer, has always been an avid shopper.

When only daughter Salina came along, she of ten found herself

buying something for herself and something for Salina, which eventually led to a collection, of sorts. Eventually all those items would end up being donated to make room for more things.

Eventually, Holly decided to start consigning as a way to deal with the excess. However, she became frustrated by the limitations of some consignment shops. So, she decided to make her own – one that would offer “high end without the high prices.” Thus, in 2013 Sparkly Ragz was born, initially in Suisun. When it opened, Holly and Salina stocked the entire store with their own things – over 100 items.

Salina, an actress by training, decided to help out at the shop in between gigs.

With Holly still working her full time job, Salina quickly became the face of the business, running day to day operations. Eventually, they became

successful enough to allow Holly to quit her corporate job so they could run the shop together; and in 2020, they were able to secure their current location in Benicia (where they had always intended to open). They credit the late Deb Machado of Romancing the Home with helping them find their storefront.

Sparkly Ragz has developed from solely a consignment store to also offering new goods produced by Benicia and greater Solano County artists and makers. Holly told us that Salina has expertly carried out their shared vision – so well, in fact, that there simply wasn’t enough for them both to do at Sparkly Ragz. So, they opened another shop, Le Sparkly Chateau, just up the street from Sparkly Ragz. Le Sparkly Chateau focuses on new goods for home decor, accents, small gifts, barware – all things “sparkly and bubbly.” B

BeniciaMagazine.com • 19

around town Nuts and Bolts

A Comic Superhero Saves A Family Institution

n Gene Pedrotti The office was closet-sized. Squeezed inside sat an old gray filing cabinet topped by a black desk phone with no dial; these were the days of operatorassisted calls where the caller lifted the handset and waited for an operator. The phone number was 262. Crammed next to the cabinet was a rolltop desk so old and weathered that, though made of oak, it had a soft, furry surface. Tucked underneath was an iron pedestal wood stool that could spin endlessly if desired.

And there, on a hot summer afternoon in that tiny office, was a ten-year-old boy spinning the seat round and round. Until the boss said, “Stop that!”

The boss was my father and he grew frustrated watching me spin the seat… round and round. Sensing my boredom, he reached over my head, where, between many catalogs was a hardbound book the size of a yearbook; it’s cover gray with black text. He grabbed it and handed it to me. Looking it over, I grew excited. “Wow, this is a comic 20 • Benicia Magazine

book!” I said, as I immediately began reading.

And a love affair with hardware began. From a comic strip.

Titled Forty Years With Mr. Oswald, the book was a compilation of monthly comic strips writer Russ Johnson had been creating for Hardware Retailing, an industry trade magazine.

In 1925, while working at his father’s hardware store in Gibson City, Illinois, Johnson began crafting cartoons for the magazine. Two years later, he formalized this with a monthly series in a twelve-panel format known as big-foot style. It featured a bespectacled Oscar S. Oswald, a hardware store operator who eagerly raced around to help customers and handle daily operations. It had plenty of drama and comedy provided by the exaggerated antics of its characters – townsfolk asking about everything but purchasing nothing or whose mischievous behavior and insistence that “the customer is always right” was apt to give one pause. Employees would frequently stand around and gossip. And then there was Higgins and Higgins Hardware, a stealthy competitor located across the street; they routinely caused Oswald grief.

Written over decades, Johnson’s work captured the essence of each decade: chapters focus on eras like the

Great Depression and War in Europe, Rationing, a Post-War Recovery and then, Inflation! All sounds like modern times, right?! Fortunately, these are followed by Prosperous Times and an economic recovery. My favorite was the Chapter when Johnson introduces readers to shopping centers; in Oswald’s town it was called Dippy Center. Nothing killed American downtowns faster than the invention of cars and of shopping centers. Dippy Center became Oswald’s foil.

By the 1980s and in my mid-twenties, I returned from college to work with my father, Larry, and Uncle Al in their 850 square foot shop. One day, while catching up on Hardware Retailing, I noted an odd article sharing the discovery of cases of Johnson’s book which had been put in storage.

R e t u r n e d to Johnson, the article encouraged readers to purchase copies by writing him.

Instead, I picked up the phone and called him directly, pleading for a dozen copies. Soft-spoken and very polite, he responded that with so many requests he could only spare six copies… at ten bucks each! Delighted, I sent him $120 and when they arrived, included in the three parcels of autographed books was a comic strip personally addressed to me. I have since

given away all but one copy; it and the personalized strip along with the roll top desk, are some of my most treasured possessions. All three now sit in my office.

According to Rob Stolzer in Hogan’s Alley (hoganmag. com), an online magazine of the cartoon arts, “Mister Oswald might very well be one of the best comics strips that scarcely anyone knows about.” Stolzer interviewed Johnson in July, 1995 when Johnson was 101 years old; he had fully retired only six years earlier, proud to have penned a strip continuously for 62 years! He passed away five weeks later on September 7, 1995.

For a ten-year-old boy, Forty Years With Mr. Oswald was magical and I was fond of him. That Oswald shared a striking resemblance with my father only enhanced my affection. And while the tales were funny, the book itself was a history lesson.

In adversity, it taught perseverance. In service of customers, it taught patience and understanding. In life, it showed that humor is healthy and essential. As I spent that summer of 1967 pouring over Johnson’s masterful strip, Oswald became my Superhero that I began to see a future and purpose in the industry that would eventually result in my taking over the family business. As we now enter into our centennial year celebrating the 100th anniversary of Pedrotti Hardware, I must acknowledge Mr. Oswald, Comic Superhero, for our longevity.

And to my father and uncle, as they were Superheroes, too!

As we find ourselves today under the shadow of a pandemic, political unrest, inflation, and war in Europe, re-reading Forty Years With Mr. Oswald is helpful to gain a perspective... of the joy “...chapters focus on eras in helping others and of our American resilience. like the Great Depression Like Oswald, we will and War in Europe, Rationing, survive. B Mister Oswald a Post-War Recovery and fans can connect on then, Inflation! All sounds like the Mister Oswald Facebook Page modern times, right?!” (facebook.com/Misterald-307549112769044/).

www.benicia.com Brenda Turner-Adams

Your Partner in Real Estate

707.738.9671

Experience Excellence

brenda@benicia.com 1015 First Streeet Benicia, CA 94510 BRE01039726

Creating a Trusted Space for Financial Growth

Financial Planning & Investment Management that Puts You First wheelsupwealthinc.com Frances Harkins, CFP®, AIF® Bridget Harkins, CFP® 602 West K Street | Benicia, CA 94510 info@wheelsupwealthinc.com 707.400.0992

BeniciaMagazine.com • 21

CIty of Benicia – Advertorial

Measure C Saves City Services

What is measure C and why should I be congratulated?

You have probably noticed all the signs around town about Measure C and you may have seen other messages on social media and other places. And you may have wondered exactly what Measure C is and what does it have to do with you? The signs, ads and other media are a message to the people of Benicia congratulating the citizens on their foresight to vote for measure C back in 2014.

On November 4, 2014, Benicia voters passed "Measure C": a one-cent-onthe-dollar sales tax that went into effect on April 1, 2015. Measure C, also known as "Benicia’s Quality of Life Measure," creates funding that allows the City of Benicia to continue offering essential community services and address public safety, parks and infrastructure needs.

Benicia is a full-service city and what that means is that we have our own Cityrun police, fire, park and water services. Without the revenue that Measure C provides, the City would likely have to cut back on locally controlled services that help maintain our community’s quality of life.

22 • Benicia Magazine

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April 2022 marked the seventh anniversary of Measure C. Since April 1, 2015, Measure C has generated $45,441,007, which the City of Benicia has invested right back into our community. To see what all has been accomplished please take a look at www.ci.benicia.ca.us/measurec, where you can "see your success" and "measure your accomplishments" that have been made possible through revenue from Measure C. So while you are out enjoying your city parks, your marina, beaches, trails, bike paths, baseball fields and the many wonderful events that we all enjoy so much, remember that it was your vote that made it happen. Congratulations!

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around town Business

PRICES ARE HIGH Should I Sell My Real Estate? n

Eric Hoglund

Every day I am asked when the bubble is going to pop. I hear people ask good questions and make reasonable statements like: “Is this market bound to crash?”

“I do not think it is a suitable time to buy, I will just wait until the prices come down.”

Hearing this from my friends, family, and customers, I have been doing a lot of research into the topic and the underlying economics behind what we are seeing.

I have read and listened to many really smart folks from different financial sectors and have pieced together a few observations that may help you answer these questions.

These are the factors that everyone is talking about, inflation, the rise in interest rates, lack of inventory, and growing

“...factors that everyone is talking about, inflation, the rise in interest rates, lack of inventory, and growing interest in further legislating income properties in CA.” interest in further legislating income properties in CA. Let me take each of these factors, one at a time, and try to make some sense out of it all. I recently heard Robert Hahn (a dynamic market and strategy consultant in the real estate space) speak at a national property management conference and his hardhitting quote was: “Home Prices haven’t gone up. The Dollar has been devalued.”

24 • Benicia Magazine

We have all heard that inflation is here, fueled by the pandemic and several other factors. What most of us do not realize is that the way we measure inflation changed in 1980, and the problem is actually much worse than you might have imagined. If you look up the current rate today, you will see it is around 8%, but if you were to measure it the way we used to, pre1980, the number is much closer to 18%.

Believe me, Wall Street sees this disparity and more and more large hedge fund investors are not placing their reserves in safe T Bills, but in Real Property and REITS (Real Estate Investment Trusts). In 2021 Morningstar REIT Index outperformed the S&P 500 by 6.1%. It seems to me that if the largest money minds in the world see the dollar value retention of investing in real estate, we might want to consider doing that too.

Interest Rates are on the rise.

This is true, in fact we expect the rates to go up as many as six more times this year. What does that mean for you? Buying real estate, even if it is at a seemingly high price, will be offset over the life of the loan by capturing as low an interest rate as you can right now. Let me be clear, interest rates are still well below the 50-year average. In fact, anything under 8% is considered below the median since 1971. So, while the dollar is losing value, the fact that you can lock in a low interest rate and ride out a season of inflation by investing in real estate really makes sense.

The real problem is a lack of inventory.

Even if you want to buy, can you find something that will be suitable for your needs? With a reduced workforce coming out of the pandemic, the soaring prices of materials due to inflation and supply chain

problems, and the red tape involved in building in CA, it is no wonder we have a lack of housing on the secondary market.

According to the National Association of Realtors, the average buyer searched for eight weeks and viewed an average of eight homes before getting an offer accepted.

Legislation in CA is running hard against easing the inventory issue. Rising calls for Rent Control in areas make holding on to rental property, let alone investing in more, a scary proposition for the momand-pop investor. As mom-and-pops cash out and sell their rentals, these properties are snatched up by first time or move up home buyers. This effectively removes that inventory from the rental pool, thus adding to the rising rent problem and the continued lack of available rental properties. My question is, where can the mom-and-pop investor put their money from the sale of their investment that will give them a better return than owning the real estate they just sold? The factors listed above make the case that they are losing more than they are gaining, when you consider the true rate of inflation and the fact that real estate is outperforming even the S&P 500 right now.

Here is my takeaway. I will personally either continue to hold my real estate investments, or if I sell, I will reinvest the proceeds in a move-up property purchase. I believe real estate is the only way the average middle-class individual can build wealth in America; I help folks buy, sell, and manage their real estate investments, but I also invest in real estate myself. B

around town Art Scene

MICHAEL VAN AUKEN

Visual Storyteller

n

Jean Purnell

Throughout his 40+ years as a photographer, Michael Van Auken has been connecting the regional visual environment with the lives of creative people. “It’s a combination of fine art and people-focused photography. My goal is to create a story by integrating portraits of amazing people into natural and urban landscapes.”

Raised in the Walnut Creek/Pleasant Hill area, Van Auken became interested in photography in high school. “I thought it would be an easy class and a great way to meet girls,” he confesses about his motivations. By his senior year, Van Auken was taking photos at high school events and was a school newspaper and yearbook photographer. He continued his study at Diablo Valley College and Laney College. “I was drawn to the landscape photography of the greats – Ansel Adams, Edward Weston, Imogen Cunningham, and others.”

He opened his own studio in Pleasant Hill in 1982. “At that time, you had to have a storefront to convince your clients that you were worth what you were charging. The main source of advertising was the yellow pages.” He promoted his business through art fairs, charity events, give-away promotions, and eventually a website. His portrait and commercial photography evolved alongside the emergence of digital technology. He began working with internationally recognized photographer Bambi Cantrell of Cantrell Portrait Design in Walnut Creek in 2002.

Van Auken discovered Benicia

while taking wedding photos for a couple getting married at the Jefferson Street Mansion. “After exploring the area, I invited my clients to do their photoshoot in the Arsenal with its urban funky vibe … and they loved it.” Other clients did, too, making the Arsenal area a favorite backdrop for his portrait photography, as well as his urban landscapes and still lifes. When Cantrell Portrait Design relocated to the Benicia Arsenal in 2006, he moved there as well. They drew customers to Benicia to enjoy “an escape by the bay.”

Benicia has been central to Van Auken’s work. “I was inspired to photograph the creative people I met here — artists, actors, and other creators.

I was fascinated with their studio workspaces and wanted to photograph them in their own environments, and in the beautiful landscapes here. When I studied landscape photography in college, I felt the landscapes lacked a story. By blending people into these amazing environments, I have been able to create a visual story.”

During the early months of the pandemic, Van Auken divided his time between landscape photography and a series of “front porch portraits,” capturing fun and engaging photos of families and artists in their shelterin-place environments. “I’ve always valued the idea of family portraits as a way of recording our family history, a history that will be passed down through generations. I wish I had more photos

“By blending people into these amazing environments, I have been able to create a visual story.” of my own family – unfortunately, I only have a few of my early childhood years.”

Fellow photographers and youth have benefited from Van Auken’s creative skills and abilities through mentoring and teaching. He was a cofounder of California Photographic Workshops and Northern California Professional Photographers, for which he served as their first president.

More recently, Van Auken has taught a series of classes at Benicia’s Liberty High School. “In my professional work I use the Nikon D4 series, but for these classes we use the iPhone, since that’s what everyone has to work with.” He teaches skills in lighting, composition, how to create unusual angles, how to see unique things in common places, as well as basic camera phone operation.

“You can always learn, no matter how long you’ve been at it. I’ve been all over the Arsenal taking photos for years, but these kids took photos from perspectives I’d never thought of. After the class, I went back and created my own versions of the photos that they created. I was inspired by them. Now I use some of these photos as examples in my teaching.” B To see more of Michael Van Auken’s visual stories, please visit https://www.mvaphoto.com and on Facebook, https://www.facebook. com/michael.vanauken.583, and on Instagram, https://www.instagram. com/mvaphoto1/ BeniciaMagazine.com • 25

column Booktails

Book and Cocktail Club

“You're my fate

By Claire Oshetsky

and you're my dire necessity. You're my refuge when I'm lost, and losing you would kill me.

Your flights and falls are dreamlike and perfect and I'm blessed to be the one to witness them.”

26 • Benicia Magazine

n

Cooper Mickelson

This novel was one of my many impulsive book purchases inspired by a beautiful cover. I skimmed the synopsis on my way to the register, and the mention of an "owl-baby" was intriguing enough to convince me it was worth buying. I'm a proud dog and cat mom, but since I don't have any human children of my own, I was worried that I wouldn't connect to or completely understand this novel. Although I'm sure mothers will get even more out of Chouette than I did, I still found it an intense and creative look into the emotions that come with every step of birthing and raising a child.

Tiny is pregnant, and her husband could not be more thrilled, but this is in no way a normal pregnancy. Instead, Tiny is expecting an "owl-baby," conceived from a secret rendezvous with a female "owllover." However, her husband believes

Tiny is just experiencing pregnancy jitters and that their child will be born perfectly normal.

When Chouette is born small and with broken wings, Tiny devotes all of her time to meeting her daughter's needs.

With a child more predator than baby, she vows to raise Chouette to be her genuine and authentic self. Even when Chouette's behavior turns violent and bizarre, Tiny's love and commitment to her daughter never falters.

Eventually, Tiny's husband forces Chouette into starting a treatment that will "cure" her, and Tiny is required to make a huge decision: Should her daughter be raised to fit in or be herself?

Chouette is Claire Oshetsky's first novel, and it succeeded in making me an immediate fan. It feels like a dark, feminist fairytale with just a touch of suburban gothic. Oshetsky describes

her debut novel as being inspired by her experience raising non-conforming children and being autistic herself. As a result, scenes in Chouette will feel familiar to any reader who is part of a family that experiences disability or neurodiversity.

Disability as a horror trope can quickly turn tasteless and offensive, but that isn't the case with Chouette. As a whole, Chouette is an exhilarating allegory for a mother's love and its ability to crush society's failure to accept anything peculiar.

With moments of dark humor breaking up the strange yet beautiful narrative, I wouldn’t be surprised if you devour this book with the same voracity I did. The characters and vivid imagery weaseled into my dreams for weeks. There’s enough here that even non-mothers can feel the intense love that grows from raising a child. Mistakes will be made, disagreements with one’s partner are inevitable, and the time will come when children must leave home and strike out on their own. Oshetsky masterfully presents this journey into motherhood for every type of reader.

Order a copy of Chouette from Bookshop Benicia and sip on this less conventional rosemary cocktail while you immerse yourself in the strange suburb Oshetsky drops you in. B

Smoky Rosemary and Scotch INGREDIENTS: (for the rosemary syrup) 1 cup water 1 cup sugar 3 tbsp rosemary

(for the cocktail) 1 sprig dried rosemary 2 0z scotch whisky ½ oz green chartreuse liqueur ¼ oz rosemary syrup

PREPARATION: (make the rosemary syrup) 1. In a small saucepan, bring the water to a slow boil.

2. Add the sugar and stir until it’s entirely dissolved.

3. Reduce heat, add the rosemary, and cover the pan. Let simmer for about 15 minutes.

4. R emove the pan from the heat, let cool, then strain out the rosemary and bottle the syrup in a glass jar.

5. Keep refrigerated. It will keep for 2 weeks. (make the cocktail) 1. S moke a coupe glass: light the dried rosemary sprig on fire, extinguish the flame, and place it inside the glass.

2. Fill a mixing glass with ice, scotch, green chartreuse, and rosemary syrup. Stir well.

3. Remove dried rosemary sprig and strain the cocktail into the glass.

4. Lay back (with a good book) and enjoy!

Check our Instagram (@beniciabooktails) for the grapefruit rosemary mocktail!

24 HOUR

Community Information Line:

707-745-7534 Questions? Contact:

BeniciaCommunityRelations@Valero.com

BeniciaMagazine.com • 27

column Dinner and a Movie

AND

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

“Beginning with City Drug Store in the ‘30’s then as owners of The Towne Club in the 60’s and 70’s, you could say the family has been medicating Benicia for over 80 years!”

Bottom of the Fifth Sports Bar & Grill n Gourmet Gracie and Movie Magic For those who know, we really know, that BOTF is the tastiest, friendliest, most excellent place to be if you’re looking for just the right brand of neighborhood sports bar. Open early and open late, the food is just fresh and delicious, the service is easy and comfortable and you know you just found home.

This is Benicia’s oldest bar. Bruce Adams moved to East Fifth in 1990 from First Street and opened Bottom of the Fifth in the old Ships Inn/Landmark Inn Building. In 2013 he saw the need for quality late night food and the rest is

history—pumping out fresh and excellent food ever since. Nothing frozen, all prepared on-site.

When Gracie moved to Benicia in 2014 she was hesitant…you know, a sports bar, a single woman…will I be okay in there by myself?? The answer is absolutely YES! I needed to follow my favorite NFL team, landed at Bottom of the Fifth on a Sunday at 9:30 am, just before my game started, and was warmly welcomed by the bartender when I stepped in—she took care of me for the next three hours. The lunches are fantastic…excellent burgers, fries, sandwiches, but don’t miss Taco Tuesdays--$1 each and just like they’re

supposed to be—crunchy, beefy, spicy!

The once a week special steak dinner is more and better than you bargained for. The drinks are generous and nicely priced. And, you can’t beat the corned beef hash on a Sunday morning.

Laughter, conversation, community, comfort food and tasty treats, it’s all right here.

498-A Military East Street Benicia, CA 94510 707 745-9949

www.bottom5th.com

YEARS 1946 ~ 2021 Continuing to Build Community Copyright: @NBC Universal, Inc.

We think you’ll love the comfort and old-fashioned glee that this sitcom offers us still today.

CHEERS – TV Series You know the series, right? Where “everybody knows your name”! As we march through these unsettling times, recovering from the pandemic, watching too much world news…this show is perfect to stream and has just the right amount of humor and camaraderie. Sam Malone (Ted Dawson) is the amorous bartender, a former relief pitcher for the Boston Red Sox—he was widely known as “Mayday Malone” back in the day. Second bartenders , Coach Ernie (Nicholas Colasanto) and Woody Boyd (Woody Harrelson ) are regulars. Kelsey Grammar stars as Frazier Crane, his wife, Lilith Sternin is played by the amazing Bebe Neuwirth. These characters show the best of life, the joys and the heartbreak, the inconsistencies and synchronicities over more than a decade. Many of us remember “Norm!!”

(George Wendt) who was a bar regular and shared his angst and many foibles. And then there’s Cliff (John Ratzenberger), the know-it-all postal worker who gained fame on Jeopardy!.

Diane Chambers, played by Shelley Long is the somewhat uptight and annoying girlfriend. Kirstie Alley has a turn as Sam’s love interest as well. Rhea Perlman as Carla Tortelli shines as well. We think you’ll love the comfort and old-fashioned glee that this sitcom offers us still today. This will make you laugh… hooray. B

275 half-hour episodes Filmed on location at the Bull and Finch Pub on Beacon Hill, Boston Most popular series in history before ending in 1993 Amazon Prime Movie Magic gives this lasting storyline 4 big Moons out of 5. Cheers!

ESTEY Since 1946

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BeniciaMagazine.com • 29

around town Hidden Benicia

WAR

of the

PLANT WORLDS n Kevin Nelson

There is a silent war being waged in Benicia State Recreation Area and Bert Johnson, a city resident and a toptier botanist, is standing in one of its battlegrounds. “See this?” he says in a disgusted tone. “This is a bad, bad actor, a serious pest.”

This bad actor is a green shrubby plant known as a privet, whose branches are snaking around a willow tree in this tunnellike canopy of foliage just off the east

side parking lot of BSRA. The privets are slowly pushing the willow out of this green space and will eventually destroy it, which is what makes Johnson so upset: “This is an invasive, obnoxious weed that spreads 30 • Benicia Magazine

“This is a bad, bad actor, a serious pest.”

and raises hell with our waterways and creeks. In my opinion, it’s the number one enemy to California ecology in this area.”

The privet is, in botanical lingo, an “exotic,” a non-native plant originally hailing from the Far East. The willow is an indigenous California tree often seen around water. Come across some willow trees, and there’s likely a creek nearby.

Being an evergreen, however, the privet sucks water from creeks and dries them up, striking a death blow over time to the willow.

From the understory Johnson leads me further down the dirt trail that curves around the edge of Southampton Bay. We stop at two willows engaged in a kind of mating dance. “Willows are males or females,” he explains, pointing out the female of the species, which has greenish “catkins” or flowers that are starting to emerge. Cozying up to it is the male.

The male flowers are yellowish in color.

Bert laughs. “You can tell I’m a plant nut,” he says. “Totally. Some people consider people like me to be crazy. And we are a little eccentric, I admit.”

A retired gardener with the Regional Parks Botanic Garden and an acknowledged botanical expert (he was featured in last month’s issue of the magazine), he nonetheless expresses serious displeasure at how badly the California native plants are faring in their centuries-old struggle with foreign transplants such as the privet.

We walk past a thick clumpy row of Himalayan blackberries, which also hail originally from foreign shores and have found a home in the mild climes of

California. In spring they produce little berries that people pick and eat. “So, what’s so bad about that?” I ask.

There’s nothing wrong with that, says Bert, except for the rolling effect that the loss of natives, such as the willow, has on birds, bees, insects, butterflies, and other natural life in the area. “Birds nest in willows,” he remarks. “The Indians would weave baskets using willow bark. It’s been part of the California landscape forever.”

The privet, Himalayan blackberries, fennel and other exotics tend to create what Johnson calls “monocultures.”

They dominate an area and squeeze out most everything else. Whereas, he says, “Natives grow sporadically. They don’t take over everything. They allow space for other plants to grow with them. Which creates diversity and balance, a living ecosystem.”

We have moved to another part of the trail where the alkali goldfields make their home. The goldfields are one of many native plant species found in BSRA, including common tules and California tules, California sunflower, toyon or California holly, pickleweed, Western needle grass, the pipevine plant, Western dock, and marsh butterweed. To our west is the expanse of pickleweed marsh that occupies so much of Southampton Cove.

It is early spring, and the surrounding hills are a vibrant green while the marsh is a dreary grayish-brown. But, as Johnson points out, practically in the blink of an eye the script will flip: golden brown hills, green marsh.

“The whole scene changes. It’s a total reversal,” he says with boyish wonder.

“Nature is amazing, isn’t it?” Next month, in the last in our three-part series on BSRA, we go on a promenade in the park. B

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