Benicia Magazine November 2020 Issue

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Celebrate Small

Thanks & Giving

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Celebrating our 16th Year

Benicia Editor-in-Chief

magazine Mary Hand

Art Director Margaret Bowles

Benicia Contributors

KT Graham Patty Gavin Bitsy Hall magazine Genevieve Hand Darrell Mcelvane Jeannine Mendoza Maura Sullivan Christina Strawbridge

Administrative Assistant Solofo Evans

Website Specialist & Editorial Assistant Genevieve Hand

Photography Lisa Duncan

Social Media Specialist Bitsy Hall

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PUBLISHER

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

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

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November 2020

Contents Features

16 Celebrate Small

18 Thanks & Giving

Around Town

14

Benicia Business 10 Benicia Real Estate — Judy Foster Community 11 Carquinez Review 12 Bookshop Benicia — what Benicia reads 13 Early winter hiking and biking 14 Holiday shopping, dining and sipping Food and Drink 20 Recipes for a small gathering 21 Thanksgiving Wine & Spirits

16

Performing Arts 30 Benicia Ballet – A New Chapter

Columns 8 24 26 28

From the Editor Picket Fences — A Benicia Mystery Dinner and a movie Trends — R.B.G

Cover: A Small Thanksgiving is admired

by Sasha & Victoria Rodriquez

Table styling is by Michael Trahan Interior Design,

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Bella Siena outdoor dining area

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18

12 Gerald Bowles Craftsman, artist, creative and curious, a true renaissance man. He loved music and a good craft beer. He enjoyed the outdoors where he and his sons Jerry and Sam would hike and bike around Benicia and the Bay Area. He loved his family and his Benicia roots which date back to the 1940s. He contributed to Benicia Magazine from the very first issue with photography and articles. He was husband to Margaret, our wonderful art director. Gerald passed from cancer in mid-September and will be greatly missed.

BeniciaMagazine.com • 7

Column

Letter from the Editor November 2020

In spite of everything, joy, love, beauty and new beginnings still happen.

Kenneth Hand & Karina Escalante had a very small but lovely outdoor wedding in Tahoe.

Facebook.com/beniciamagazine beniciamagazine @beniciamagazine

Tweet, post or send your suggestions & ideas to: Editor@beniciamagazine.com Beniciamagazine.com 8 • Benicia Magazine

When we were in the beginning phase of the coronavirus shutdown we thought, “well okay, we can handle this for a couple of months,” congratulating ourselves on how tough we were. As additional months of shutdown were added we were dismayed, but resolute. Surely, this will be over by summer. And certainly by fall and absolutely by the holidays. We were wrong.

We have had to adapt our thinking, planning and working to a new reality.

In this issue we look at alternative and creative ways of celebrating all of November, and particularly, Thanksgiving. So, if you're looking for a way to downscale this holiday (or if you're just looking for some new traditions to implement), there are several ideas for a small Thanksgiving to try out this year.

Before you roll into the holidays we suggest getting outside where it’s much easier to be thankful about the season. Gain perspective on where we are and how very lucky we are to live in Benicia, the Bay Area and the magnificence of northern California. Take a look at our article on early winter biking and hiking, complete with photos and directions, and head outdoors.

As you begin to plan your smaller, more intimate Thanksgiving, take a look at our article on Celebrating Small in which we talk about the silver lining of a more intimate gathering, one of which is much less stress and a slower and more graceful gathering.

With that in mind, we provide you with wonderful ideas for a recipe for your small gathering, as well as interesting libations to accompany your dinner.

After your holiday is complete, we invite you to curl up with a good book. Bookshop Benicia and Benicia library have been providing soul-stirring literature and food for thought to our avid reading community for a great many years. In our conversation with Christine Mayall, owner of Bookshop Benicia, we discover the latest reading trends.

And finally we must look at the reason for the season. Being Thankful. In the article about Thanks and Giving, we talk about why we are thankful and why it’s so important to give back.

There are many more people and organizations that are in need.

We can be thankful for our blessings and do whatever we can to share those blessings. Take time to contribute your money, your time and your energy to those in need. When you do this, you complete the circle of giving thanks and simply, giving.

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Around Town Benicia Business

Benicia Real Estate Local agents answer your real estate questions

You focus on business We focus on COVID Small Business Safety

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Seasonal flower arrangements for the porch. Add a new doormat and seasonal wreath. Even lining your walkway with pumpkins is a great touch.

Here are a few things that are easy to do inside.

Clean all your light fixtures, make sure all bulbs work. Clean off all horizontal surfaces in the kitchen, accent that counter space. In the bedrooms, keep the floors clear; this helps showcase the size of the rooms. Backyards should be cleared of clutter; it’s winter – no one expects blooming gardens, but potential buyers want to see that you have loved and cared for your home. Try to engage the entire family in getting the home ready for each showing.

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Around Town Community

Carquinez Review

Writings from the Carquinez Strait shoreline communities Benicia's Literary Society and book publisher, Benicia Literary Arts have launched a new book of short stories, Carquinez Review, encompassing selected prose writers from Benicia and throughout the North Bay region.

Benicia Literary Arts' editor in chief, Mary Eichbauer describes the collection as “26 introspective pieces set in disparate places, from Vermont and Oklahoma, to Mars and beyond.”

There were many submissions and the stories selected by a panel of six judges represent the best of the region's growing community of talented writers. "Benicia's poets and authors, as well as our artists, are familiar names at open mics, in bookstores and at exhibits throughout the Bay Area," says Jim White, Carquinez Review's Project Editor in his introduction.

Great writing is nothing new for the North Bay and Carquinez Review is following in the footsteps of a precursor. "If this book were a ship, it would be on its second sailing, not its maiden voyage," Jim adds. An earlier edition, published in 2000 by Dave Badtke, showcased Benicia and the North Bay region’s artists and writers with an eclectic mix of memoir, fiction, poetry, photography, and art.

Carquinez Review will be available for purchase on Amazon and at local bookstores, such as Bookshop Benicia.

Benicia Literary Arts encourages reading and writing in the community by producing events, creating a community of writers and readers, encouraging their development, and publishing works of high quality in all genres. Previous Benicia Literary Arts publications include, The Book of Joel, Late Harvest Green, poetry anthologies and collections by Benicia poets.

Wildflower, A Tale Of Transcendence Local author Dr. Teresa Van Woy’s new book Wildflower, a Tale of Transcendence will also be released in November. It is a memoir that begins in 1974, when Teresa's much anticipated summer vacation falls apart when 5 of her 8 siblings board a Greyhound bus in California headed back to their home in Florida. Teresa demonstrates that her survival in overcoming poverty and abuse leads to finding a life of abundance, meaning, and inspiration.

Dr Teresa Van Woy currently lives in Benicia, California with her husband and three daughters. She is a board certified podiatrist with a passion for world travel, writing, photography, martial arts, and woodworking.

BeniciaMagazine.com • 11

Around Town Community

Bookshop Benicia Reading in the Time of Pandemic Jeannine Mendoza Ed.D Longtime Bookshop Benicia proprietor Christine Mayall has never had a year quite like 2020. Her bookstore on First Street is a veritable fixture, having moved from the Southampton Shopping Center in 2012, where she first set up shop in 1993.

Her cheerful store has a wide selection of books for children and adults, as well as book-related merchandise, like toys, cards and gifts. Book signings, book clubs, book reviews and other literary events were commonplace. Book orders and online sales were welcomed. Business was booming, and then the pandemic hit.

In the beginning of the COVID pandemic, people were too stunned and distracted to concentrate much on reading.

Suffering from news overload, facing isolation from friends and family, and discarding one’s daily routine, threw everyone for a loop.

As the days and weeks passed, people became accustomed to the pandemic lifestyle. They began ordering books; picking them up at the store, and ultimately staying home more, Christine noticed that people were reading about other pandemics, in particular the 1918 Spanish Influenza. Readers were also drawn to science fiction that pertained to dystopias, other worlds and fantasy universes. Mid-May the store reopened with limited

12 • Benicia Magazine

shoppers and the requisite facemasks, and Christine noted that readers began binge-reading books much as they were bingewatching television series. The main choices were comfort books, favorite authors, beloved classics and lighter fare. As the summer wore on, non-fiction titles dealing with racism and politics became popular, reflecting the issues Americans are facing nationally. Now that school has started online, Christine has found that many parents are purchasing books, workbooks and other materials for their school-aged children.

Benicia has always had a reputation as a reading community.

Benicia Unified School District has continuously had stellar test scores and an enviably high standing in the state. BUSD is aligned with community activities such as Benicia Reads, an early literacy program that offers support for all children from birth to age five, and community programs with the Benicia Public Library, as well. The consequence of this enlightened community attitude and support for reading is that Christine’s Bookshop Benicia is not facing financial failure like other area bookshops, and is solvent, so far. Benicians understand that small businesses underscore and extend a desirable quality of life in a community, and show their regard for restaurants, mom and pop stores and independent bookstores with their muchappreciated patronage. And this attitude benefits us all.

Community Around Town

Late Fall Hikes Genevieve Hand As we descend deeper into fall and begin to feel the heralding chill of winter, you might be tempted to pack away the hiking boots and hunker down on the couch. But don’t give in!

This season still offers a lot to see and explore. Below are some top picks for late fall hiking around the Bay Area and beyond (Your couch and Netflix queue will be there when you get back, we promise).

Owl Trail to Slide Ranch (Muir Woods)

Length: 2.1 miles, out and back Difficulty: Moderate This is a short hike from Muir Beach Overlook to Slide Ranch, a nonprofit educational farm that’s open to the public year-round*. The trail follows an oceanfront path and offers plenty of wildlife-spotting opportunities. This being gray whale migration season, it’s the perfect time to give this trail a try.

Bring a snack and a thermos of your favorite hot beverage to enjoy at Slide Ranch’s picnic tables. *Masks required within 6 feet of anyone not in your household group.

Benicia State Recreation Area, Martinez Regional Shoreline

Length: 1-2 miles each Difficulty: Easy These areas are flat and marshy. Perfect for winter birdwatching. Walk along the coastline to see local waterfowl and shorebirds such as the Greater and Lesser scaup, Canvasback, Bufflehead, and Common Goldeneye. The wetlands are home to Black-necked Stilt, American Avocet, several Plovers, Willet, and many more. The rare Black Rail has been spotted along the Martinez Regional Shoreline, specifically. For more information on birdwatching areas near us, visit baytrail.org.

Skyline Park Perimeter Loop (Napa)

Length: 9.1-mile loop Difficulty: Difficult This is a fairly strenuous hike with rolling hills. The route includes Lake Marie, Tuteur Loop, and Sugarloaf Peak. It can get quite cool in the shady areas of the trail, but there are gorgeous views of Napa, in addition to the lake and mountain.

If you go early enough in the month, you might catch the tail end of late harvest vines.

Mount Diablo via Summit Trail (near Danville)

Length: 7 miles, out and back Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult This is a trail that offers several options. The full 7-mile hike is strenuous, with a rock scramble near the top, but the views on a clear winter day are well worth it. In addition to stunning views, there is also the opportunity to view a multitude of wildlife and, after the first rains of the season, waterfalls can be found along neighboring trails. If the full 7-mile hike isn’t for you, the summit is also accessible by car. There are multiple camping sites along the way up, for those who wish to gaze upon the dazzling lights of the surrounding area by night or catch an above-the-clouds view first thing in the morning.

BeniciaMagazine.com • 13

Around Town Community

“...our downtown area and its stores are still open for business, and eager to assist you in that hunt for the perfect gift.”

Jeannine Mendoza Ed.D Ten years ago American Express launched Small Business Saturday on a national basis to encourage holiday shoppers to patronize local small businesses on the busiest shopping weekend of the year. Small Business Saturday is scheduled to fall between Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Normally, here in Benicia, we kick off every holiday gift-giving season with a Holiday Open House & Tree Lighting that takes place the evening of the first Friday in December.

This much anticipated regional event has occurred for the past 30 years, as First Street businesses welcomed shoppers, walkers, and other casual observers to enjoy some holiday refreshments and goodwill as they perused holiday merchandise, goods and services.

During the tree-lighting ceremony, carols and other entertainment propelled all attendees into a jolly mood and ushered in the holiday season in an enjoyable and convivial manner.

This year, however, nothing is normal, and although the tree lighting and Open

14 • Benicia Magazine

House festivities have been cancelled, our downtown area and its stores are still open for business, and eager to assist you in that hunt for the perfect gift.

So begin your holiday shopping with Benicia’s Small Business Saturday, which falls on November 28th. The First Street merchants are mindful of existing health precautions, but everyone can socially distance themselves from others, wear face coverings, and still enjoy the season.

Benicia is as charming and picturesque as it was before the pandemic, and the longsuffering shopkeepers and restaurant owners would appreciate and welcome your patronage.

Shopping can make you hungry and yes, thirsty, so include a couple of breaks in your gift search and indulge in the bevy of restaurants, bars and eateries in the Benicia area. The restaurant hosts look forward to keeping you well-fed and hydrated during the holiday shopping season. They are available for carryout, dine-in and good times. And this year, especially after all we have been through, we really need some good times.

Community Around Town

Benicia Shops and Restaurants Retail & Other

Restaurants, Bars, & Pubs

Adobe Second Chance Thrift Shop, 431 First St., 707.999.0039 Angel Heart 4 You, 501 1st St, 707.745.2024 Arata Art Gallery, 637 1st St, 707.297.6151 Artcentric Pottery & Glass Studio, 307 1st St, 707.745.9553 Arts Benicia, 991 Tyler St #114, 707.747.0131 Benicia Plein Air Gallery, 307 1st St, 707.297.5903 Bookshop Benicia, 636 First St, 707.747.5155 Christina S Fashion Destination, 3 70 First St, 707.745.5125 Collektive Boutique, 935 First St, 707.742.4031 Computer 1, 737 First St, 707. 747.0417 Daughter of Luna Floral Design, 931 1st St, 707.750.5167 Elisa’s Cottage, 622 First St., 707-712-9038 Gallery 621, 309 First St, 707. 297.6860 Gallerie Renee Marie, 1038 First St., 707.480.5501 Happy Life Pottery, 632 First St, 707.742.4311 HQ Gallery, 333-D First St., 707.319.1136 Mozart, Einstein & Me, 620 First St, 707.746.7565 Pedrotti Ace Hardware, 830 Southampton Rd, 707.746.6887 Pink Arrows Boutique, 374 1st St, 844.264.6456 Pups N Purrz, 422 First St, 707.748.7433 Romancing The Home, 617 1st St, 707.747.1717 Rags To Riches, 946 Tyler St, Ste C, 707.747.5050 Sparkly Ragz, 560 1st St Ste. B-160, 707.426.4303 Succulents and More, 433 1st St, 707.400.5565 Sweetness & Light Flowers, 707.652.5599 The Little Art Shop, 129-E First St., 707.771.6667 The Steffen Collection, 627 First St., 707.745.1170 Timeless Memories, 129 First St., 707.745.6600 Two Days Jewelry, 612 First St., 707.747.0941 Wheels in Motion Skate & Bike Shop, 707.746.8856 Zeppelin Comics, 929 1st St, 707.297.6126

Aroma Indian Cuisine, 818 First St, 707.745.1870 Aung Maylika, 836 Southampton Rd #E, 707.361.5675 Bella Siena Restaurant & Bar, 127 First St, 707.805.0575 Benicia Coffee & Tea Company, 2036 Columbus Pkwy, 707.746.1242 Benicia Grill, 4760 E 2nd St, 707.751.0155 Benicia Main Street See's Candies, 1383 E 2nd St, 707.745.9791 Bottom of the Fifth, 498 Military E, 707.745.9949 Char’s Hot Dogs, 131A First St, 707.745.4476 Dianna’s Bakery & Cafe, 639 First St, 707.297.6186 Elviarita’s Mexican Bar & Grill, 727 First St, 707.751.1705 Ensenada Restaurant, 864 Southampton Rd, 707.745.5563 Farm & Flour, 700 First St, 707.750.5345 Fox & Fawn Bakehouse, 305 First St, 707.280.0667 Freshly Rooted Tribe, 252 First St, 707.315.5947 Got Plate Lunch, 1034 First St, 707.745.4751 Izakaya Japanese Tapas & Sushi, 920 First St, 707.853.8262 Java Point Café, 366 First St, 707.745.1449 Juice House Co, 611 First St, 707.400.5638 Kaigan Sushi, 560 First St, 707.747.1084 Kimono, 1654 E Second St, 707.750.5418 Lucca’s, 439 1st St, 707.745.3749 Mai Thai Cuisine, 807 First St, 707.747.1868 Mirchi Indian Grill, 2032 Columbus Pkwy, 707.297.6328 Napoli Pizza, 2062 Columbus Pkwy, 707.746.8906 One House Bakery, 918 First St, 707.361.5919 Pacifica Pizza, 915 First St, 707.746.1790 Pearl Thai, 879 Southampton Rd, 707.747.9777 Pizza Pirate, 72 Solano Sq, 707.745.1667

Rosie's Café, 3001 Bayshore Rd # 1, 707.745.1154 Round Table Pizza, 878 Southampton Rd, 707.746.7000 Rrags Caffe, 1383 E 2nd St, 707.748.4247 Sailor Jack’s, 123 First St, 707.746.8500 Sandoval’s Mexican Food, 640 First St, 707.746.7830 Sepay Groves Olive Oil, 364 First St, 707.434.8222 South Villa Chinese Restaurant, 2040 Columbus Pkwy, 707.747.1688 Sprankle's Deli, 155 Military E, 707.297.6119 Szechwan House, 500 First St, 707.745.4743 The Cellar, 685 Stone Rd #1, 707. 297.6457 The Loft Wine Bar & Restaurant, 280 First St, 707.745.4200 The Workshop, 511 Claverie Way, 707.747.6028 Union Hotel Restaurant & Bar, 401 First St, 707.746.7847 Venticellos, 911 First St, 707.747.5263 Whipt Cookies, 1440 East 2nd St #A, 707.742.3125

Cocktails, Wine & Beer & Bites Bottom of the Fifth, 498 Military E, 707.745.9949 Bruehol Brewing, 4828 E 2nd St, 707.327.6768 Cullen’s Tannery Pub & Saloon, 131 B First St., 707.637.5300 Rookies, 321 First St., 707.746.7665 The Chill, A Wine & Beer Bar, 362 First St., 707.746.5530 The Rellik Tavern, 726 First St., 707.746.1137 Photo, courtesy Downtown Benicia Alliance

Feature

Celebrate

Small Bitsy Hall

“ …with a smaller guest list, this year’s more intimate celebration may lend itself to more connection.”

16 • Benicia Magazine

In March of 2020, the thought of Covid persisting beyond a few months seemed unlikely. We felt sad for our friends with March and April birthdays, until we realized we would all get a Covid birthday. Now in November, we are still limiting social interaction and getting groceries in our PPE. It’s without a doubt that we will be celebrating Thanksgiving much differently this year.

When we envision Thanksgiving, we imagine warm autumnal gatherings with mounds of comfort food and the buzz of the kitchen. We think of a home bursting with activity, noise, and heaps of family. Many of us look forward to visiting our seldom seen loved ones and watching family tradition unfold before us. Now, none of us are quite sure what our first pandemic-era Thanksgiving will look like.

Per Centers of Disease Control recommendations, Thanksgiving is going to look a lot different. The CDC recommends keeping your gathering local, small, shorter in duration, and, preferably, outdoors. Your far away relatives may have to join your meal via Facetime, perched at the end of your table on a laptop.

You’ll have to celebrate with your closeby relatives and friends and keep the gathering small. No need to add a leaf to your dining room table – you won’t

“Now, none of us are quite sure what our first pandemic-era Thanksgiving

”

will look like.

have to accommodate extra seating. After all, you may even be eating your turkey on the patio.

While the thought of your traditions taking pause may rob you of some joy, one must remember the silver lining of gathering small. By having more intimate gatherings, we are able to experience the seemingly impossible: a relaxing and calm holiday. Complete and total grocery store mayhem? Not as much. Picking up your in-laws from the airport with traffic to boot? Not a chance. Floor to ceiling dishes and kitchen mess?

Probably, but not nearly as much.

In addition to the minimization of the less favorable parts of the holidays, with a smaller guest list, this year’s more intimate celebration may lend itself to more connection. Rather than having multiple short-lived conversations with your many relatives, you can delve deeper into conversation with a select few. You have the opportunity to get to know that local relative

or friend more deeply. Perhaps you have roommates or tenants you will celebrate with, who normally wouldn’t make it to your Thanksgiving table. When we someday have a Covidfree holiday season, you might have new guests, new recipes, and a greater appreciation for relaxation and connection.

Though none of us can accurately predict when we will socialize without the worry of Covid, we all know for certain that human interaction and celebration has new meaning.

With the absence of touch and closeness on a large scale, we have grown to appreciate time with people off-screen and the simple joy of hugging our loved ones like never before.

When some semblance of normalcy someday returns and we are able to gather fully, what we took for granted will bring us more joy than it ever has. This Thanksgiving, what we miss may steer us towards a new depth of gratitude. In the meantime, take a pause to enjoy the relaxation and new connections.

BeniciaMagazine.com • 17

s & k n a Th n i v i G

Feature

Patty Gavin

18 • Benicia Magazine

ng

It's different from Thanksgiving, or giving thanks. It's thanks AND giving. The time is ripe. Gratitude is making a comeback.

Really. With all that's going on around us, the pandemic, wildfires, civil unrest, hurricanes, and political turmoil, for what, you might ask, can we have gratitude? Plenty. And then, instead of just expressing gratitude through words, how can we put gratitude into action? First and foremost: before you can step out with an attitude of gratitude you have to take care of yourself.

In the words of White Eagle, an indigenous Hopi woman, "This moment humanity is going through can now be seen as a portal and as a hole. The decision to fall into the hole or go through the portal is up to you." She cautions that you will fall into the hole if you spend your day listening to the news, with little energy, nervous all the time, with doom and gloom on your mind. But if you take the time to look at yourself, take care of yourself and others, "you will cross the portal." For some, embracing the spiritual in a time of crisis might be helpful. For others, it may be meditation, or enjoying the outdoors, or yoga that is needed to be well and strong. Perhaps it's food that's good for you that will bring you to health and contentment. Our pets can bring us a sense of calm. Art, music, dance, or a good book can feed the soul. And of course, our family and friends who bring love and laughter to our lives can help us "go through the portal." Have you seen someone lately do a good deed? Have you watched a group of children play, or have you gone outside on a clear night to spend a few minutes gazing at the moon and stars? Beauty and goodness surrounds us. There are plenty of simple things to do, see, and experience that help us take care of ourselves, plenty of simple things for which we can be so very grateful. But, as Gertrude Stein once said, "Silent gratitude isn't very much use to anyone."

The forces of nature have created a perfect storm of victims of the pandemic, hurricanes, and wildfires. Job loss, hunger, and homelessness are all around us, along with a multitude of other issues that come with tragedy and catastrophe. Benicia is not immune, but the goodness and generosity of people will sustain our local community and beyond. Studies have shown that giving time, money, goods, or other resources to a cause brings happiness to the giver. We enrich our own lives and perpetuate the lives of others through the joy of giving. With the reminder from Gertrude Stein that "silent gratitude" is not very useful, the challenge is to put gratitude into useful action, by giving what you can to those who need help. Donations of service, goods, and money are all welcome. The time is ripe for thanks AND giving.

Perhaps you have your own favorite charity, but if not, some suggestions of where to give are listed below.

American Red Cross Community Action Council Family Resource Center FEMA Go Fund Me Meals on Wheels

Mission Solano Solano Food Bank St. Vincent de Paul Sustainable Solano Wildfire Relief Fund

BeniciaMagazine.com • 19

Around Town Food and Drink

Thanksgiving Party of 4 KT Graham Thanksgiving has always been about large family gatherings, extended family and all the partners and children and cousins. People who can’t be with their families often come together with their besties for Friendsgiving.

However you spend it, chances are it has always been with a loud, boisterous, loving family of your making. This year is likely to be quite different for so many of us. We aren’t comfortable traveling, and we certainly don’t want to run the risk of making anyone we love sick. The good news, though, is that we can still gather in smaller numbers with our immediate families or even with our social bubbles, and we can still have turkey. Unless you have a big empty freezer, I wouldn’t recommend buying that 25lb turkey this year. I have a recipe for turkey thighs (I’m a dark meat fan), but you could also use it for a bone-in turkey breast. If you were coming over to my house for a smaller Thanksgiving celebration, here’s what would be on the menu: Turkey with Porcini Sauce Fondant Sweet Potatoes Sautéed Spinach with Garlic and Pecorino Romano and for dessert Parmesan, Rosemary, and Walnut Shortbread Cookies with coffee or tea I love fondant potatoes and the great thing about them is that you can cook them on the stovetop while the turkey is in the oven. Some recipes for the potatoes call for a hotter oven than the turkey needs but they also turn out great on the stove.

For the spinach, plan on 1 lb of fresh spinach for 4 servings. Heat a couple of tablespoons of olive oil and then add the spinach and a couple of cloves of chopped garlic.

Just when the spinach is wilted, add a ½ cup of finely grated pecorino romano cheese and stir it in to melt.

For the wine, I would offer either a Merlot or a Syrah. The fruitiness of these wines will work beautifully with the meal.

If you’d prefer a white, get a Chardonnay that has some oak in it. The lighter whites with more acid wouldn’t really work with this meal.

The shortbreads are small and savory, just a wonderful treat to go with coffee at the end of the meal. Be sure to notice in the recipe that the dough needs to go back in the fridge for at least half an hour before baking. After the turkey comes out of the oven, the shortbreads can go in and they’ll be done in plenty of time for dessert. They’re not sweet and won’t leave you wondering why you thought you had room for that piece of pie. Of course, if your Thanksgiving isn’t complete without Aunt Ethel’s famous pumpkin pie, by all means, make it!

20 • Benicia Magazine

Turkey thighs with porcini sauce 4 servings. Time: 1 hour 25 minutes

2 turkey thighs, 1 pound each (OR 1 turkey breast, bone in, 4 – 5 lbs) 2 T olive oil 2 t each salt and garlic powder 1 t pepper 1 large onion, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced ½ oz dried porcini ¼ cup dry sherry 6 leaves of fresh sage 4 sprigs of fresh rosemary 1 bay leaf 2 t very cold butter

Place porcini in a bowl and cover with 1 ½ cups boiling water to soak for 20 minutes.

Preheat oven to 325F. Pat thighs dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder.

Heat olive oil in cast iron skillet, med-high, and sear turkey, skin side down first, 5 minutes on each side. Remove to a plate.

Drain porcini, reserving soaking water, and chop roughly.

Add chopped onion, garlic, and porcini to the skillet and sauté to soften onion, 5 – 7 minutes. Deglaze skillet with sherry, then turn off heat.

Add turkey back to skillet. Strain 1 cup of reserved porcini liquid and add to skillet. Tuck sage, rosemary and bay leaf into broth around turkey.

Cover and place in oven. Cook 40 – 45 minutes until thigh registers 170F (Breast should register 160F).

Remove turkey to a plate and tent with foil to rest for 10 minutes.

Strain the sauce, add back to the skillet, and add cold butter, 1 pat at a time, whisking it into sauce until melted. Serve sauce on the side with turkey.

Continued on page 23

Around Town Food and Drink

Thanksgiving Wine & Spirits Maura Sullivan Thanksgiving is coming up quick.

The COVID results have come back negative and the social distancing table is set! Let’s face it, this year our recycling bins have been quite impressively full. You’ve been drinking the good stuff and saving that strange looking two buck chuck to regift, or for a guest whose taste is questionable. The whiskey is down to its last drop and all you have left in your fridge is your least favorite flavor of White Claw. Don’t panic, I have the solution for your wine pairings and some festive cocktails that will keep your auntie happy and the political conversations at bay.

Note: if you have a very outspoken relative that will get on their soapbox and spurt their opinions over your beautiful thanksgiving spread, we suggest adding additional alcohol to any of these recipes, for you or for your politely quiet guests.

Let’s start off with something easy and festive, something to greet your guests at the door. German Glühwein (glue-vine). A recipe that my parents brought back from the German Christmas markets.

We had a bit of an obsession with this during the cooler months. It is a spiced warm wine that can be made with either white or red wine.

This beverage will heighten your holiday senses with its fresh orange slices and the warm spiced aroma of cinnamon, ginger and a strong berry compote. We prefer the red wine recipe to pair with appetizers such as baked brie, dried fruit or any hardy hors d'oeuvre. A strong dry red such as a shiraz or cabernet would do just fine. If you are interested in the white wine version, I always suggest a sweeter riesling or light chardonnay. No need to use your expensive bottles. That regifted two buck chuck can get the job done for this.

Now, let’s get into the main course pairing. We have your standard stuffing, mash potatoes, cranberry sauce, green vegetables and the turkey you worked so hard on.

We’ll need to sort out the bottle options.

Pinot noir is always a great red for the table. A light bodied, floral aroma will complement any homemade cranberry sauce or dark meat. I recently picked up a bottle of La Crema from our local Raley’s; a wine that’s great for a heavy dinner and is also kind to your wallet.

La Crema Monterey Pinot Noir 2017 - $18.56 per bottle A juicy pinot, aromas of ripe strawberries, and freshly cut plums. On the palate, raspberry compote, dark berries with a spice finish.

Of course, we are going to need a white wine option. A bright chardonnay will do the trick. We don’t want to weigh the dinner down with a heavy, overly oak or buttery Chardonnay.

Leeuwin Prelude Chardonnay 2018 - $36.00 per bottle Aroma is light lemon and poached pear with hints of floral. The palate is smooth with hints of clear fruit and a light creamy finish. A Chardonnay anyone will love. Pairs nicely with light and dark meat. Compliments any hardy stuffing and refreshes the palate for the next course. This can be ordered at obcwines.com, a local importer in Napa. They deliver and offer pick up options. They are currently offering 20% off your order with coupon code HOUSECALL. Dessert is what makes any great meal complete. We all know the pie is coming, but maybe you’d rather have a night cap. I recently tried a recipe that will satisfy any whiskey lover. The apple whiskey sour. A recipe that I found on Selfproclaimedfoodie. com, this cocktail is great if we’re still experiencing some heat waves or if someone has the fireplace going.

Ingredients 3 oz bourbon whiskey – I recommend Burning Chair (Savage & Cooke) or Bulleit Kentucky Bourbon 3 oz of apple cider (Trader Joe’s Natural Apple Cider), Chilled 1 oz of simple syrup 1 oz of lemon juice 1 half glass of ice Combine all ingredients in a mixer, shake well and strain (optional).

Garnish with lemon and sprinkle cinnamon on the top.

I hope you stay safe, have a DD for the ride home (if you choose venture out) and enjoy the holiday.

Continued on page 23

Cheers BeniciaMagazine.com • 21

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Thanksgiving Continued Party of 4

Continued from page 20

Parmesan, Rosemary, and Walnut Shortbread Makes 30 pieces

8 T (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature 4 oz freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese (yes, buy the good stuff) 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 T minced fresh rosemary 1/2 cup walnuts, toasted at 350°F for 10 minutes, then chopped 1/2 t kosher salt 1/4 t freshly ground black pepper Using an electric mixer, cream the butter. Add the cheese, and mix well.

Stir in the flour, rosemary, walnuts, salt, black pepper.

Form the mixture into 1-inch-wide logs (makes 2 logs), wrap them in plastic, and refrigerate for at least half an hour, or up to 3 days.

When you're ready to bake the shortbread, position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment. Cut the logs into 1/4-inch-thick slices, place the slices on the baking sheet, and bake for 20 minutes, or until golden at the edges.

Remove the shortbread slices and cool them on a wire rack.

Wine & Spirits

Continued from page 21

Glühwein Ingredients 1/2 medium orange 3/4 cup water 1/4 cup turbinado or granulated sugar 20 whole cloves 2 cinnamon sticks 2 whole star anise 1 (750-milliliter) bottle dry red wine Rum or amaretto, for serving (optional)

Instructions

1. Using a vegetable peeler, remove the zest from the orange in wide strips, taking care to avoid the white pith; set aside. Juice the orange and set the juice aside.

2. Combine the water and sugar in a large, nonreactive saucepan and boil until the sugar has completely dissolved.

Reduce the heat and add the cloves, cinnamon, star anise, orange zest, and orange juice. Simmer until a fragrant syrup forms, about 1 minute.

3. Reduce the heat further and add the wine. Let it barely simmer for at least 20 minutes but up to a few hours. Keep an eye out so that it doesn't reach a full boil.

4. Strain and serve in small mugs, adding a shot of rum or amaretto and garnishing with the orange peel and star anise if desired.

BeniciaMagazine.com • 23

Column A (Soap Opera) mystery

Join us for a Benicia mystery series.

There will be clues as the story unfolds each month leading to an unexpected and terrifying conclusion. Welcome to “Picket Fences.”

s e c n e F t Picke Darrell Mcelvane

Previously in Picket Fences …

Connie, someone from Angela’s past, has confronted Angela in her home about a scandalous act she committed. We pick up with Bruce, Angela’s husband, meeting her at their home so she can give him, and us, a glimpse into that past.

Bruce walks into the house to find Angela sitting at the dining room table, sipping a glass of wine with a tear-stained face. “Angela… what’s wrong? What happened, is Payton ok?” He joins her at the table.

“Payton is fine, but I have to tell you something,” she says, wiping her cheeks dry. “Okay,” he says, cradling her hands.

“Do you remember Carol and Shane Baxter and the clock tower fundraiser?” Angela asks. “Yeah, F.A.C.T. – Feed America's Children Today, right?”

Bruce replied. “Well, I found out Carol stole $25,000 from the online donations.” Shaking, Angela gathers her thoughts and begins recounting the event at the Baxter house…

Angela had arrived at Carol's house intent on confronting her about the missing money. She let herself in and called out furiously, “Carol! Carol, I need to talk to you.” “I’m back here, in the study,” Carol responded, “what’s wrong?” Angela entered the study to find Carol at her computer. “There is no easy way to say this… Did you take $25,000 from the F.A.C.T. account?” Angela asked with an accusatory tone. Carol’s look was a plea for mercy, “I was going to give it back! You don’t understand… Shane got us into some really deep trouble. Look what I found —” Angela interrupted, “I don’t care what you need it for, how could you steal from a charity? That’s —” Shane Baxter entered the study. “I’d like to know why you need the money,” he said coolly. The women 24 • Benicia Magazine

looked shocked. “How long have you been standing there?” Carol asked, desperately hoping he hadn’t heard. “Long enough,” Shane replied. Angela tried to apologize for the trouble. “No need for apologies, Mrs. Wingate. I would like to talk to my wife, alone,” he said calmly. Then he added, “We will make every effort to get that money back to the charity.” Angela looked at Carol, who was mouthing the words “don’t go.” Pretending she didn’t see, Angela headed toward the door and out to her car. Starting the car, she thought to herself, “This isn’t right, I can’t leave her like that.” With the car still running, she ran back into the house to hear screaming and what sounded like a gunshot. Entering the study, Angela saw a gun in Shane’s hand and blood soaking through the sleeve of Carol's blouse. “Stop!” Angela screamed while she reached for a crystal globe on a nearby desk. Shane started to turn but Angela, propelled by fear, smashed the globe into the side of Shane’s head as hard as she could. He went down. Angela ran to check on Carol. “Thank you for coming back,” Carol murmured while holding her arm. The two women looked over at Shane, who was still breathing. “He’s going to kill me, I know too much, I'm a dead woman,” Carol said, crying. “We’ll take care of that…” Angela said, cradling her. “Just let me think.”

To Be Continued…

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For participating businesses, go to www.BeniciaMainStreet.org BeniciaMagazine.com • 25

Column Dinner and a Movie

Dinner and a Movie The fourth in a series of at home food and movie pairings.

Cinema Cat & Gourmet Gracie

and the docu-series

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The extensive online/take out/delivery menu includes 26 • Benicia Magazine

pantry items such as freshly butchered meats, dairy, produce, pot pies, soups, sauces, dips and jams. In addition to the flaky french pastries, daily family dinners are offered. Recent selections have included pork tamales in ancho chili sauce, biscuits and sausage gravy with fried green tomatoes, BBQ chicken with arugula peach salad, and bacon/cheddar pierogies. Daily updates can be found on Facebook and Instagram. Kids meals are also available.

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Our Two Minute Movie Review this month is not about a movie, but a 4-part docu-series, a must see for foodies and avid cooks of all stripes. Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking, brings something we weren’t sure was possible – a fresh perspective on the fundamentals of cooking.

James Beard Award winning Chef Samin Nosrat, a California native, earned her chops (pun intended!) at Cal Berkeley, Chez Panisse, and around the world while immersing herself in the history and nuance of cooking’s key components.

Despite the series’ title, the first episode is devoted to fat, and Nosrat travels to Italy, of course, to learn about olive oil. While she studies the intricacies of this indispensable constituent of so many dishes, we are simultaneously treated to a visual feast – Liguria, Tuscany, magic light. She speaks near-fluent Italian and charms the locals who take her, and us, into their specialized spheres, their beautifully simple and profound understanding of something most of us toss off as routine, or even pedestrian.

And so it goes to Japan for salt – 4000 different kinds! – and Mexico for the dimension (yes, dimension!) of acid, giving us a sour edge, or citrus or fermentation, and finally back home to Berkeley for heat, the sizzle, the splatter, the crackle of transformation.

Chef Nosrat is down-to-earth and delightful. She is a participatory learner too, which makes fun viewing for her willing students (us). As she would say, “So good!”

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(707) 747-9300 BeniciaMagazine.com • 27

We’ve come a long way...

maybe?

Christina Strawbridge In 2020, much attention has been given to the 100 year milestone of the 19th Amendment guaranteeing a women’s right to vote. The term for the movement was called Women’s Suffrage.

The Feminist Movement in the ‘70s sought equal rights and opportunities in the workplace along with greater personal freedoms for women. The term used was Women’s Lib. In 2017, the #MeToo movement was born with Women’s Marches held around the world bringing attention to reporting sexual abuse and sexual harassment in the workplace. The movement encouraged women to speak out and know they would be supported by their “sisters.”

Ruth Bader Ginsburg was the legal crusader for gender equality and women's rights that ultimately led to her appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court. Her departure has left us with an enormous void. She was the first Jewish woman and only the second woman to serve on the Court. She became known as

28 • Benicia Magazine | Column Trends

the Notorious RBG and her career as fiery liberal justice was popularized by a book, movie, documentary and even an opera.

Her pop culture status has inspired her image on everything from a bobblehead doll, to t-shirts, to children's coloring books and even Halloween costumes and socks. The diminutive super-hero justice set herself apart on the Court with her many collars that were worn to make a statement. She had a dissenting necklace to show condemnation, a yellow jabot to channel approval, and a Stella & Dot necklace that resembled spiky armor to show disapproval. Her favorite and most notable was the simple white lace jabot from Cape Town, South Africa.

These two RBG quotes have personal meaning to me.

"My mother told me to be a lady. And for her, that meant be your own person, be independent."

"I said on the equality side of it, that it is essential to a woman's equality with a man that she be the decision-maker, that her choice be controlling."

My own mother was before her time in acknowledging that women could and should be independent. By her example, I learned the significance of being your own person. She would often remind me to stand up for what I wanted because no one else would do it for me.

I believe that if my mom were still alive, she would be proud of my accomplishments, knowing that I achieved them as my own person.

In 2016, I ran for City Council. That same year, as I stood in line to vote at the Senior Center polling location, I was approached by a woman and her three little girls.

She expressed her excitement at seeing women like me on the ballot and said that she brought her daughters with her so that they could witness her vote. She wanted to impress upon them the importance of voting and show them that, one day, they could run for office, too. With the absence of Justice Ginsburg, we must lift each other up, continue the fight for equality, and strive to be our own persons. This is the RBG Movement.

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BeniciaMagazine.com • 29

Around Town Performing Arts

Benicia Ballet: A New Chapter

Genevieve Hand After calling the Arsenal home for 34 years, Benicia Ballet has officially moved.

Facing the imminent loss of half of their studio space, they opted to find a new home at 390 Military East, where Stage One Dance Center used to be. They’ve also undergone a recent leadership change; Teresa Taylor, who has worked with Benicia Ballet for a number of years has taken up the helm of Artistic Director and now presides over the school.

In a recent interview with Taylor, she expressed regret at having to leave their studio in the Arsenal, but also gratitude for the new space. “It’s great; the building is already set up for use as a dance studio and we have greater visibility now, being right out there on Military East.” Of course, they haven’t been able to use the interior of the building for much other than broadcasting virtual classes, so far. But they have been able to partner with their neighbors at Benicia Jazzercise to create an outdoor studio in Jazzercise’s fenced-in back parking lot.

The outdoor studio features a canopy for shade and lights for the evening classes.

Taylor reports that the dancers seem to thoroughly enjoy being able to come together (socially distanced, masked, and after being COVID-screened) and dance in the outdoors. However, on smoky days with poor air quality, Taylor closes the outdoor studio and reverts to virtual classes for the safety of her students and faculty.

30 • Benicia Magazine

With all this change and the strain of COVID, Benicia Ballet is currently offering about 30% of their normal classload, but has retained roughly 50% of their students and is now seeing growth in new registration. Taylor commends the students for their dedication to their craft through these hard times.

She describes a moment in the outdoor studio when a student was auditioning with a particularly challenging variation.

“Even when she got winded (we’re all a little out of shape these days), she dug deeper. In that moment, we saw her become a dancer.”

Of course, Benicia Ballet Theatre’s annual live Nutcracker performance is cancelled. Instead, in a collaboration with BBT faculty, as well as local videographer with 7DC Studios and BBT dad, Louis Dela Cruz, Taylor is crafting “Nutcracker ReImagined,” an artfully edited video version of the production.

The students are rehearsing for this production and will be filmed in small pods to limit exposure risk. The final product will be available for viewing on December 26th, 2020. More information can be found on their website beniciaballet theatre.org.

Taylor started out dancing with the State Ballet of Oregon and has taught at Boston Ballet and Berkeley Ballet Theater. Hailing from southern Oregon, Taylor hopes to one day work with the City of Benicia to produce something like the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, but in the genre of ballet, with “Ballet in the Park.” For now, however, she is just appreciative of the support she has received from the City and County so far.

If you would like to help support Benicia Ballet Theatre, a 501(c)(3), there are a number of ways you can do so.

You can contact Benicia Ballet Theatre about their current fundraiser (at the time of this writing, it is a popcorn sale), you can buy BBT attire, and you can shop on Amazon.com/smile (be sure to select Benicia Ballet Theatre Inc. as your charity of choice).

Photo: Outdoor studio Courtesy Benicia Ballet

www.benicia.com Brenda Turner-Adams

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