Benicia Magazine June 2018

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Benicia

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Celebrating our 13th Year

Benicia

Be

Benicia Editor Jeanne Steinmann

magazine

Graphic Design Margaret Bowles

Web Specialist Yarrow Sweningsen

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Contributors magazine Adriene Rockwell Sarah Rohrs Madra Rue Christina Strawbridge Sue Sumner-Moore Courtney Tait Tomoka Red St. Johns

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Photographers Lisa Duncan Jerry Bowles

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Jeanne Steinmann 707.853.5226 Adsales@beniciamagazine.com Advertising deadlines New ads: the 5th of the month prior to the issue month Ad changes: 6 weeks prior to the issue month

Contact Us 707.853.8159, Beniciamagazine.com Editor@beniciamagazine.com Administration Office Manager Risë Goebel Copy Editor/proofreader Beth Steinmann Benicia Magazine is published monthly by Polygon Publishing, LLC. Copyright © 2018, 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.

Subscriptions $18.00 per year. Benicia Magazine, 372 First Street, Benicia, CA 94510. 707.853.8159, Beniciamagazine.com.

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JUNE

12

VOLUME 13 ISSUE 8

18 14

Features 16 Early commercial activities along Benicia's waterfront 18 Pirate-speak and costumes welcome at annual

Vallejo festival

Departments 10 From the Editor

Q&A

Art

24 Kirk Keffer, inspiring and most interviewed Benicia police officer

12 Fiber art exhibit takes a fresh, contemporary direction 13 Paintings by Susan Johnson at Benicia Plein Air Gallery

Calendar 26 The best events in Benicia and around the Bay

Currents 14 Great seats, events and a spectacular backdrop at Sonoma Raceway

Trends 27 Navigating public transportation using travel apps

Bio

Live Music

20 Annette Fewins, BHS teacher and department chair for Career & Technical Education

28 Music lineup at area venues

The Dish 21 Food nourishment in its purest form at Juice House Co.

COVER: Remnants of Benicia's waterfront history,

by Jerry Bowles Left: Pod Cluster by George Ann Bowers, right: BlackBeard at NorCal Pirate Fest, courtesy Byron Dazey

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FROM THE EDITOR

June 2018 Fake News When one of Benicia’s charming stores recently closed, I was repeatedly asked if its owner was “going bankrupt,” which seems an odd little phrase. Does one “go” bankrupt like one goes to the grocery store?

This conclusion seemed to be a perception based on, what, exactly?

Some folks, when asked, reported that they “heard it from someone else.” Someone said that someone said it was true—so, true it must be!

While shopping downtown a few weeks back, I was surprised to hear from a merchant that someone had told her Benicia Magazine had also “gone bankrupt.” Since it was deadline week, would anybody think less of me if my first reaction was, “GREAT!” Let’s catch a plane to Tahiti! Or Epcot! Or, really, anywhere. But reality sunk in—I really did have to work late that night. Printer deadlines are inflexible. Tahiti will have to wait.

This amusing bit of fake news was due to the fact that I realized running two full time businesses was no longer fun, so after five years of retail, I closed Urban Notions gift store to focus my energy in different directions—ok, let’s just be honest—it was about spending time with our adorable 3-year old grand twins, who light up my universe. Because Lisa Duncan Photography

retail space is at a premium on First Street, our former magazine office gave way to the wonderful gift store that landed there: a fun shop I love to frequent.

In other news, and as far as I know it isn’t fake, this issue’s stories

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

are informative and engaging: our features include Benicia’s fascinating waterfront history of ferries and shipbuilding, and family fun at the annual Pirate Festival on Vallejo’s waterfront. In Bio, BHS teacher and department chair Annette Fewins has a passion for helping kids thrive in vocational endeavors, and in Art this Month there’s an extraordinary fiber exhibit at the Arts Benicia gallery. Susan Johnson is the featured artist at the Plein Air Gallery on First Street.

@Jeannesteinmann

Our Q and A highlights Benicia Police Officer Kirk Keffer, and how he helped a young man in need; The Dish showcases healthy, locally

beniciamagazine

made juices at The Juice House Co. Madra Rue gives a peek into all that is available for fans at Sonoma Raceway and in Trends, Christina Strawbridge talks about the ups and downs of travel apps while crisscrossing the country.

There you have it in a nutshell: we’re still here, producing yet another issue—it’s our 152nd, but who’s counting—highlighting the good things about Benicia with many more planned for the future. If you hear otherwise, please let me know so I can book my trip to Tahiti.

—Jeanne

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ART THIS MONTH

Non-traditional Fiber Art at Arts Benicia Exhibit Staff writer Arts Benicia’s June exhibition features an exciting textile show that redefines perceptions of what fiber art can be. Thread Count: New Directions in Fiber Art, includes 42 works of textile and fiber art from artists across the country.

A non-traditional take on traditional methods of fiber art such as embroidery, knitting, crocheting, doily-making, felting, tapestries and others are presented in the form of wall hangings, wearables, sculpture, installation art, and in participatory art, where viewers can take part in an art project. Many of the pieces in the show are large-scale works.

Artist Erna Metzger used Joomchi, a century-old, labor-intensive Korean paper felting technique, to create her piece titled Remnants and Recollections. Fiber and sculptor artist Bodil Fox works with unusual materials such as fortune cookie notes and lampshades; her piece, More, is made with fabric and wood. Simplicity Girls, by professor Lanna Frisby, is a delightfully detailed embroidery of a vintage pattern image.

Exhibition juror Susan Taber Avila, whose work has been widely exhibited nationally and internationally, is Professor of Design at UC Davis. She “focuses on repurposing waste from the garment industry into new textile structures and combines traditional handcrafts with technology,” according to her website. Themes for some of the artwork include war, death, racism, misogyny and nudity, so discretion may be advised for children.

Four events are planned in conjunction with the exhibit. First up, June 2 at noon is the public reception for the exhibition opening, with complimentary wine 6-8pm. On June 3, Family Art Day will feature a free fiber art activity in the Arts Benicia classroom, then on June 7, 6-7pm; Arts Benicia members are invited to enjoy a guided walk-through of the exhibit at Meet the Juror, led by Taber Avila. June 9, 2-5pm, Ramekon O'Arwisters offers Crochet Jam, a thought-provoking social engagement project that began in 2012, where audiences are invited to participate in public art making.

Arts Benicia, the hub of our arts community, puts on varied exhibitions and events throughout the year. Memberships start at $35 per year, but for $100, members receive two North American Reciprocal Museum cards, which includes free admission to art institutions all over North America, including California museums such the deYoung, Legion of Honor, Crocker Art Museum, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Oakland Museum, Asian Art Museum, Di Rosa and many others.

Courtesy photos top, Simplicity Girls, by Lanna Frisby center, Things To Come by Linda Hubbard

Thread Count: New Directions in Fiber Art at the Arts Benicia Gallery

June 2-July 1 2018 991 Tyler Street #114 707-747-0131 artsbenicia.org

Public Reception June 2, 6-8pm Family Art Day June 3 Crochet Jam June 9, 2-5pm

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Journey to the Land of Enchantment Staff writer A few years back, Benicia artist Susan Johnson took up painting with surprising joy and ease. Years of observation and a passion for beauty imbued her with a sophisticated sense of color that translates to her oil paintings.

Forty years ago the artist lived in a crumbling, primitive adobe that she found beautiful: the turquoise shutters, cadmium yellows, ocher hills, white clouds, blue skies and red chilies influenced her painting style. Johnson has also lived in Paris and Provence.

Johnson is the featured artist this month at the Benicia Plein Air Gallery on First Street. She recently visited New Mexico to capture the colors and cultures that inspired her latest paintings: Abiquiu, the Sandia Mountains, Taos, Santa Fe, Truchas villages and the Turquoise Trail. These new works will be on view through June with an artist reception Saturday, June 9, 2018, 4-6 pm.

Photos courtesy of the artist. Top, Bonnieux, France Bottom, Hopi Mesas Arizona

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By Madra Rue The San Francisco Bay Area has a lot to offer in terms of culture, entertainment and dining, as most cities do. But we are fortunate enough to also have a top-notch racetrack right in our backyard that’s the envy of motorsports fans.

Sonoma Raceway, in the heart of the wine country, is host to national race series, as well as locally based events for every level of driver. The raceway also offers a chance for every fan of internal combustion to immerse themselves in the sights, smells, and excitement of the track.

For the motorsports fan who enjoys modern competitive events, there are several options. For NASCAR fans, there is the Toyota/Save Mart 350 that takes place in late June.

There are two drag race events in July—the NHRA division 7 drag races, presented by Korbel, and the Toyota NHRA Sonoma Nationals. Both drag races have night events under the lights that can be really exciting to watch. This year the MotoAmerica Superbike series will happen in Sonoma for the first time. If you have not been to a Superbike road race, then this is an event not to miss. If you prefer to hit the track yourself, there are options for that as well.

Sonoma Raceway also opens the track for use by private car clubs, as well as organizations that promote using the track to teach high performance driving in the controlled environment of the racetrack. To learn more about these 14 • Benicia Magazine

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Best Of 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2103, 2014 & 2015

and other programs go to sonomaraceway.com/events/ road-course-schedule/. In addition to the modern race machine, there is an opportunity to step back to the glory days of motor racing.

Each year, vintage racecar events offer an amazing variety of pre- and post-war racecars from around 1925 to 1991 Trans Am and Stock cars. In between are a wonderful array of open wheeled, production and GT and sports racing cars. And the best part is that the pits are open to explore, see the machines up close and talk to owners, who seem to genuinely enjoy talking about their vehicles.

There are not many places where you can stand next to a 50’s era Ferrari or Jaguar, and then hear it roar to life and hit the track.

The next time you are looking for something to do with family or friends, take a look at the Sonoma Raceway track schedule, and you might be pleasantly surprised. And when world-class racing is over, there is always time for a stop in the nearby Carneros wine tasting region on the way back home.

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BENICIA’S ERA of

FERRIES & SHIPBUILDING

By Sarah Rohrs Photo by Jerry Bowles These days Benicia’s waterfront on the west side is a prized area; homes have million dollar views and corresponding price tags. But turn the pages back in time and a different picture emerges, with a large shipyard, a tannery and other industries flanking the water. It’s a similar situation on the east side. At one time, the end of East Fifth Street bustled with ferries crossing to Martinez.

At the foot of West 12th Street, old footings and concrete platforms from the Matthew Turner Shipyard, the park’s namesake, may appear at low tide. Master shipbuilder Matthew Turner set up his Benicia shipyard in 1883 between West 11th and West 13th streets, according to the city’s Historic Context Statement, prepared in 2010. Turner is considered one of the greatest individual American shipbuilders of his time, so notes the Benicia Historical Museum in the book Images of America: Benicia. He was certainly one of the more prolific, launching 228 ships over 35 years, including 169 from the Benicia yards. A famous one built in Benicia is the Galilee, used for a magnetic survey of the Pacific Ocean. Two pieces of the ship are on display, the bow at the Benicia Historical Museum and the stern at Fort Mason in San Francisco. In 1903, Turner closed his Benicia shipyard, but continued building ships in San Francisco. He died in 1909 at his Oakland home, with much acclaim, including medals from Queen Victoria of England and King Haakon VII of Norway, for his bravery rescuing men during sea storms.

After exploring the history of the west side, the Turnbull Park at the foot of East Fifth Street is a good spot to contemplate early modes of transportation, namely the ferries that once crisscrossed the Carquinez Strait carrying passengers, wagons, animals, cargo and trains. Benicia’s founder, Robert Semple, launched the first ferry service in 1847, but it wasn’t always efficient; sometimes you had to wait two days to cross to Martinez, according to the Benicia Historical Museum. In 1850, Oliver Coffin took over the operation, and with his brothers, bought a new ferryboat, the Carquinez. They also built the Ferry Street Wharf in Martinez. This ferry took Pony Express riders from Benicia to Martinez, before they galloped on to Oakland or San Francisco with sacks of mail. Several different ferries ran between Benicia and Martinez, including the City of Seattle, that ran up to World War II, according to the museum, and the Issaquah, beached in Sausalito and last seen in the 1965 movie Dear Bridgette. Martinez-bound ferries first departed from the foot of First Street and later from the East Fifth Street wharf.

Built at the Robertson shipyard in 1916, the Charles Van Damme was the world’s first auto ferry and served on the Benicia-Martinez route until 1955. Other ferries, including the massive Southern Pacific Solano that carried trains, as well as smaller ones that workers used to get to Mare Island Naval Shipyard, plied the waters, too. But bridges and new highways brought change. The opening of the Benicia Martinez Bridge in 1962 replaced the last automotive ferry in the San Francisco Bay Area, and signaled an end to a long era of water transit. The East Fifth Street pier, however, is still in operation.

The city leases it to Bay Area Ship Services, which specializes in spill control.

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Remnants of Benicia's bygone shipbuilding era near 12th Street Park BeniciaMagazine.com • 17

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for Vallejo Waterfront

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By Tomoka Red St. Johns Avast, ye lubbers and scalawags!

Set yer spyglass toward Vallejo’s Waterfront Park. The Northern California Pirate Festival, where thousands gather for swashbuckling adventure on Fathers Day weekend, is returning right on schedule.

This is the Festival’s 12th year. It began when a group of Renaissance fair entertainers, seeing the fun “pirates” have invading those fairs, decided the Bay Area needed its own pirate event. Some of the organizers are part of the Sea Dogs Elizabethan Privateers and the Paddy West School of Seamanship from the London Docks of the Dickens Christmas Fair.

When they finally launched the inaugural festival, they were giddy at the prospect of 5,000 people attending.

Instead, about three times that number showed up the first day. “It was crazy—an insane number!” Anna BenincasaMorales recalled. She and her fellow performers looked out from the stage at the crowd that filled the park. “It was amazing.” Some people have attended every festival.

Acts and displays change through the years. After a scorching 2012 event, the organizers—who are volunteers rather than commercial producers—made the tough decision to charge admission for the first time and rent a large tent for shade.

Plus, the event needed more revenue. Vendor spaces and donations weren’t bringing in enough. “We thought we’d get some sort of city sponsor support to help move things along, to ensure it would stay a free event,” Benincasa-Morales said. That never happened.

Fortunately, their audience decided the event is worth the cost. “We’re keeping the ticket price as low as we possibly can. We want it affordable to as many people as possible,” she said.

The Northern California Pirate Festival bills itself as family fun. It attracts all types, from dedicated pirate enthusiasts to movie aficionados to those who want to experience something new. One year, a California couple whose distant ancestor had been a pirate in his brief life attended dressed for the party and waved their genuine “family” pirate flag.

People come from across the United States and other countries as well as nearby locales, and there’s plenty to do. Children can fence with real foils or slide down The Kraken.

At Anne Bonny’s and “Calico” Jack Rackham’s School of Piracy, they learn sailing terms, swing aboard a ship to knock down wooden opponents and design a pirate flag. Storytellers and minstrels have songs especially for the younger crowd.

Adults can watch the Dive Bar mermaids and Serpent Siren bellydancers, hear pirate rock bands Pirates Charles and O’Craven and other entertainers, see several historic pirates—and pirate hunters— and learn about authentic pirate history.

This year’s festival is reconfigured. Admission will be from the street, not the parking lot. The large tent will be replaced by other shade that won’t obstruct the waterfront breeze or isolate the stage, and the “adult” Buccaneer Bash is on hiatus this year.

A new privateer ship, the Sea Eagle, with striking stripes and skulls on its sails, will fire its guns at the B.O.O.M Pirates, who will return fire from land during the popular ship-to-shore battle.

First-timers often don’t know what to expect, Benincasa-Morales said. “They want to play, too, and get a bit more into it.” Before long, they are dressing as pirates for the day, after visiting the many vendors. That’s part of the appeal, she said. “Escapism—you don’t have to be just you.” Newcomers are welcomed by “veteran” pirates. “I’ve seen amazing, friendly interactions over the years,” she said. “People get that everybody’s welcome, and they’re going to have a good time.”

The Northern California Pirate Festival will take place from 10am to 6pm Saturday, June 16, and Sunday, June 17, at Vallejo Waterfront Park, 298 Mare Island Way, Vallejo.

Adults pay $12 for a day or $20 for the weekend. And children 12 and younger get in free. Tickets are available online at norcalpiratefestival.com.

Photo, pg. 18: Canons blast at the NorCal PirateFest, courtesy Byron Dazey. Clockwise from left: Families learn about The Age of Sail; Pirate Booty; and Free Pirate School. NorCal Pirate Festival, by Byron Dazey

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BIO

Annette Fewins

By Adriene Rockwell Lisa Duncan Photography Proving that it’s never too late to follow your passions, Annette Fewins started her college career in her 40s, and over the past 20 years she’s earned more degrees and credentials than we can count—all so she could pursue a career that she loves. Annette is an esteemed teacher and department chair for Career and Technical Education (CTE)—otherwise known as vocational skills—at Benicia High School.

When Annette was in high school in the 70s, she took shorthand and learned other business and vocational skills that prepared her for a job right after graduation.

She took the road less travelled, postponing college and securing a job at Bank of America. After moving on to a management position at Pac Bell for more than a decade, she chose to stay home with her three young children.

In 1996, her family of five moved from El Sobrante to Benicia, and in 1998 she took an entry-level job at Benicia High School as a computer resource technician. It wasn’t long before she realized she wanted to be a teacher, and her collegiate journey began.

It turned out that her business background would give her some advantages in earning a CTE credential, and while working full time and raising her children, she began taking night classes at CSU Sacramento. One of her first and favorite jobs was teaching high school yearbook, but this eventually required an English credential, so she went back to night school at Touro University in Vallejo.

To top her game, she continued to earn several CTE credentials through UC Berkeley’s extension programs, including information technology, graphic arts, media and entertainment, business and finance. “For me, I think it boils down to dedication, sincerity and a lot of hard work,” she says. “I’m not a genius like some of the teachers I hire.”

The CTE department she’s helped build over the past two years is like a team of Marvel superheroes with extraordinary skills.

Andreas Kaiser teaches Engineering and Architecture, AP Computer

Science and the Robotics program. Steve Shields joined recently to teach Building Construction and Auto/Welding.

A registered nurse, Sonya Seslar is teaching Introduction to Medical Careers. Annette teaches Digital Media, Freshman Technology and iQuest.

There’s a lift in her voice as she talks about iQuest, a senior internship program that allows students to explore careers first hand. Students are placed at the Benicia Fire Department, Police Department, City of Benicia, Public Library, engineering firms, real estate offices, veterinarian offices, orthodontists, major hospitals, and creative venues like Film Mare Island. What’s more, most CTE courses are accredited with local community colleges allowing high school students to earn college credit.

“I have a passion for helping kids get off in the right direction, into careers they can enjoy,” she says. “And, not every child is college bound, they need a place where they can be free of their desks, and working with their hands.” This could be why Annette was voted Benicia High School’s Teacher of the Year in 2018, and just in the nick of time too, because she is retiring this month.

“My decision to retire took me by surprise,” she says.

For the first time in 20 years she took a summer off from professional development classes to travel with her daughter to Greece. “It gave me a taste of what retirement might be like, and I knew what I had to do.” She’s looking forward to taking up photography again with David, her husband of 38 years, who retired some years ago from East Bay Municipal Utility District. And, she’ll savor time with her children and two grandchildren. Her daughter Kristen teaches 9th grade, her son Trevor is a physician’s assistant, and her eldest son Michael is in construction like his father.

“I am extremely proud that they all have selected careers that better people’s lives,” she says, like a true career counselor.

It’s still going to be hard for her to let go. “I’ll stay involved at the high school, and I would love to start a program at the middle school,” she says emphatically.

“I’m not done. I’m not ready to be done!”

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THE DISH

HEALTH IN A BOTTLE AT

Juice House Co.

By Courtney Tait Courtesy photo While most of Benicia is still asleep, sisters Tiana and Kelsea Duvauchelle are starting the day’s tasks: grinding organic fruits and vegetables, brewing kombucha, and preparing nut “mylks” made with almonds and cashews. It’s 4am, and the women and their Juice House Co. team are hard at work in a commercial kitchen in the Industrial Park, crafting concoctions Tiana describes as “food energy.” With names like Green Machine, Popeye Power, and Ginger Up, the glass-bottled products not only look and sound healthy, they offer food nourishment in its purest form: raw. “My sister and I have always played around with juicing,” says Tiana, “and always felt better when we did it.”

The concept for Juice House Co. was sparked in 2016, when Tiana and Kelsea started brewing batches of kombucha and flavoring them with homemade cold-pressed juices. Tiana, who also owns Yoga House Co., shared the brew with friends at the studio. “They thought it was amazing and told us, ‘You guys should sell this’,” she says. Kelsea was visiting from Hawaii at the time, but within a year she moved to Benicia to embark on the business with her sister. In January of 2018, the co-owners opened the doors to their storefront location—a bright, cheerful space on the corner of First and F Streets.

On a recent visit, I tasted several samples—offered freely by staff—before deciding on something green and delicious. The juices have three to five ingredients, all organic, and the coldpressed technology they’re made with ensures they don’t lose any nutrient content. “You feel good when you drink the juice,” says Tiana, and I have to agree. While the organic price tag ($9$11 per juice) might feel like a splurge, the quality is undeniable.

Along with juice and kombucha, Juice House offers elixirs (AFA blue-green algae, for example, or activated charcoal), nut mylks, and cold brew coffee from Vallejo-based roaster Moschetti. The nut mylks provide an alternative to dairy milk,

with ingredients like cinnamon and vanilla bean rounding out the nut flavours with a touch of sweetness.

Juice House Co. ingredients are sourced primarily from farms in Northern and Central California, enabling its owners to communicate directly with vendors who visit the farms. “The farmers are being treated well and paid fairly for their work,” says Tiana.

“We’re all working together in unity to create something bigger.”

While the sisters anticipated serving a health-conscious crowd, they have found a diverse range of people walking through the doors.

A typical day might bring in a mom whose child isn’t eating enough vegetables (“We’ll find a way to get your child to drink kale,” says Tiana), a student on a study break asking for “brain food,” or a daughter concerned her elderly mom isn’t getting enough nutrients in her diet. “Being a part of a community is our number one goal,” Tiana says. “We’re all in this together, and we want to help people in whatever way we can.”

For those who want to take juicing a step further, Juice House Co. offers a range of 1-day or 3-day cleanses, which come with 5 juices, 1 nut mylk, and 1 elixir per day. (Unless you opt for The Junkie, which skips the nut mylk and replaces it with another low-sugar juice.) The cleanses are designed to give your body maximum nutritional benefits while eliminating processed foods. I’m tempted to try one myself, but I can guarantee it would be The Rookie, described as “perfect for newbies.”

Looking ahead, Tiana says she and Kelsea are working on adding food options to the menu: items like vegan muffins, energy balls, and raw organic bars. “We want to create a bigger community around health and healthy options,” says Tiana.

“We’re honored to be a part of First Street, and super stoked that Benicia is well receiving of our goods.”

Juice House Co. 707.400.5638 611 First Street, Benicia juicehouseco.com

BeniciaMagazine.com • 21

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22 • Benicia Magazine

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BeniciaMagazine.com • 23

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Meet Kirk Keffer, Benicia’s most-interviewed police officer.

People magazine, CNN, the Washington Post, CBS, ABC, Inside Edition and many others interviewed Sgt. Keffer in 2016 to tell the story of a police officer who stopped and then helped a young man who was walking seven miles to his Vallejo home from his job in the Benicia Industrial Park. The young man, Jourdan Duncan, was often at Kirk’s side for the interviews.

Kirk convinced the Benicia Police Officers Association to get a bike for Jourdan, and officers later launched a Go Fund Me page to cover the costs of a car and college for the then 18-year-old.

The positive outcome of a white officer stopping a black man on a dark street provided a stark contrast to other encounters between police and young men of color. The Washington Post named Kirk one of the 11 most inspiring people of 2016, based on the chance meeting that started an ongoing friendship.

“It could have gone very differently. It could have been, ‘Hey, what are you doing out here?’” Kirk says, using a gruff tone.

“But that’s not how I do things. You have to treat everyone as an individual.”

Kirk doesn’t take it personally even when exchanges with the public don’t go well. “Attacks are not personal. They’re just looking at the patch and for them, I’m the same bad experience they had when they were 15,” he says in an easygoing manner.

His police career began when he was 34. Kirk went to the police academy after working for Costco, as a newspaper delivery contractor, teaching martial arts, installing satellite dishes, operating a hauling business, competing semiprofessionally in bodybuilding, and more. “I always had two or three jobs until I got to Benicia.”

Kirk, 46, joined the local force in 2008 after two years with the Contra Costa Sheriff ’s Department. He was a corporal when he met Jourdan.

Kirk and his wife live in Benicia with three of their four children and their dogs, including Kirk’s retired K9 partner. A grown daughter lives in Fresno, where Kirk grew up.

By Sue Sumner-Moore Lisa Duncan Photography

How did you decide to become a police officer?

I’m LDS (Mormon). There was a lieutenant from the CHP in our church, and we were in charge of the young men’s group— taking them camping and all that. He saw how I interacted with the group and asked if I ever thought of going into law enforcement. I told him I’d always thought about it.

I went on a ride-along with the CHP. I just fell in love with it and I decided I was going to take the leap. There goes the retirement, the benefits from Costco.

Why had you always thought of becoming a police officer?

My brother got in some trouble (as a teenager), so we had some interaction with the police. I admired how they conducted themselves.

Also, growing up in Fresno, you’re exposed to drugs at an early age, to violence at an early age. You’re exposed to a lot of things at a very young age. I wanted to make things better.

What was it like attending police academy at age 34?

Having this young kid yell at you to break you down—that was tough. I almost quit that first week. They break you down to build you back up, but you don’t see that at first. I decided if I’m going to fail, I’m going to fail because I tried, not because I didn’t try. …

What did you think when you first saw Jourdan walking alone at night in the Industrial Park?

It caught me off guard. You don’t see people walking in the

24 • Benicia Magazine Q & A

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Industrial Park, especially at night. I thought maybe his car broke down. I asked him, “What brings you out here?”

He had the same courtesy for me. He could have been defensive, but he gave me a chance to talk to him, and he talked to me. He saw me for who I was, and we were able to have a conversation.

Why do you think this was such a prominent story?

I think people needed to hear that there’s still human kindness in the world. People can offer an olive branch without expecting anything in return.

Are you still in touch with Jourdan?

We are. He works at the San Francisco airport. He loads planes, backs them up. He still wants to join the CHP.

What's the difference between what we see on police TV shows and doing the job in real life?

When you see it on TV, you’re kind of separated from the emotion of it. When you’re actually doing the job, you’re seeing the best that humanity can offer and the worse humanity can offer. …

You see someone who was drunk driving who’s taken a life—a successful person who was out celebrating a promotion or something. You see how lives change overnight.

When you’re working at Costco, you’re kind of sheltered from that.

What do most people misunderstand about being a police officer in Benicia?

They think nothing happens. We have vehicle burglaries, theft from unlocked vehicles. Heroin is on the rise. There’s lots of opiates. When I started, you’d see maybe two people in one full year with heroin. Now there are hundreds a year. All officers are issued Narcan.

What do you like most about your daily work?

I love being a sergeant. As a sergeant, I have the power of making decisions that change the outcome. It’s nice having that authority, that discretion, to get a good outcome and to have the support of the department to get that good outcome.

We can tow a car if the registration is six months or more overdue. But if that family is really trying and that car is their only form of transportation, we can use discretion.

What’s next for you?

I’d like to continue down this path. I just started a security consulting business. … I show people how to prevent becoming a victim, or, if they’ve been a victim, how to restore a sense of security.

What’s the best advice you ever got?

Probably that you can’t control others, that you can only control yourself.

BeniciaMagazine.com • 25

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JUNE EVENTS Thread Count: New Directions in Fiber Art

6/2-7/1 Arts Benicia Gallery 771 Tyler Street, Suite 114 This exhibit is an opportunity for artists to illustrate the unique qualities of thread and textiles in conveying meaning through mark-making and structure. Stitch, surface, construction, joinery, embellishment: contemporary fiber artists use these methods and others to link craft and design, invoke social and environmental concepts, and alter or refresh views of fashion.

Qualified entries include sculptures, wearables, and wall-hangings.

Artsbenicia.org 707.747.0131

Dog Adoption Faire & Fundraiser

6/2, 10am-2pm Benicia Family Dentistry 175 East N Street, Benicia This event, hosted by Humane Society of the North Bay, Benicia Family Dentistry and Benicia’s canine celebrity, Meaty, benefits the North Bay Humane Society. The faire includes pets for adoption, free goodies for the first 75 guests, a raffle, and a meet and greet with Meaty the dog.

Hsnb.org 707.645.7905

Berkeley World Music Festival

6/1-6/3 Downtown Berkeley Berkeley World Music Festival is a free world music & cultural weekend that features musical genres from every corner of the world from the finest international musicians who live in the Bay Area. Friday night there’s a kick-off party; Saturday, a world music tour and Sunday a pedestrian plaza with more music. The best starting place is the main information booth at Telegraph and Haste.

Berkeleyworldmusic.org

Benicia Certified Farmer’s Market

6/7, 14, 21, 28 First Street from B to D Streets Benicia Benicia Certified Farmers Market offers fresh fruit & vegetables, baked goods, gourmet food, delicious hot foods, arts & crafts, live entertainment, and face painting. Market is on First St. between B & D Streets. Beniciamainstreet.org 707.745.9791

Benicia Art Walk

6/9, 2-7pm First Street, Benicia Celebrate Benicia Art Walk 2018 on the second Saturdays in June, July, September and October on First Street in downtown Benicia. Come for lunch or stay for dinner and tour eight amazing galleries that host the fun with great art, live entertainment, small sips and other activities. Look for the blue banners or follow the 2018 Benicia Art Walk Map. Visitbenicia.org/arts/visual-arts-crafts/

41st Annual Fairfax Festival

6/9 & 10 Downtown Fairfax The Fairfax Festival embodies the values that are dear to all Marinites and fun for visitors: community, family, social responsibility, sustainability and, of course, a great party. It kicks off with a traditional Family Film Night with Moana in the Contrati Park ball field Friday night at 8pm; parade at 10am on Saturday, then enjoy two full days of celebrating the good things in life. Hear great local music at three stages, shop for crafts and flea market treasures, enjoy fresh, wholesome food, beer, organic wine tasting, entertain the kids in the expanded children’s area and ponder social and environmental issues at the Ecofest.

Fairfaxfestival.com

20th Annual Black Film Festival

6/14-17 Various locations, San Francisco SFBFF’s mission is to celebrate African American cinema and the African cultural Diaspora, and to showcase a diverse collection of films from emerging and established filmmakers.

Showings at various venues in San Francisco, forums discussing the state of Independent Film, plus discussions about music scores and show music documentaries supplemented by live shows with Q&A’s. This festival is for everyone! Come share the culture that helped shape San Francisco and enjoy great films that are of entertainment and importance to all.

Sfbff.org

Wine Walk

6/16, 1-5pm First Street, Benicia Stroll First Street on a beautiful summer afternoon and taste over a dozen wines being poured inside downtown shops.

Contact Benicia Main Street for info and tickets.

Beniciamainstreet.org 707.745.9791

Northern California Pirate Festival

6/16 & 17, 10am-6pm Vallejo Waterfront Park 298 Mare Island Way, Vallejo The Norcal Pirate Fest, swashbuckling fun for the whole family, is in its 12th year. Festivities include fencing, piracy school, pirate flag designing, pirate rock bands, dive bar mermaids and serpent song belly dancers for adults, a ship-to-shore battle, minstrels and storytellers, food, vendors and more.

Norcalpiratefestival.com

Movie Night Unter the Stars: Beauty and the Beast

chairs and sit back and enjoy the entertainment. Food and beverages are welcome, so don't forget your picnic dinner. Viewers are asked to clean up after the movie. This is a family event so please, no smoking and no pets. Pets are not allowed in the park. Please note that the playground closes at dusk. FREE admission and popcorn during the movie. Movie begins at dusk.

Ci.benicia.ca.us/pcs

7th Annual Rob Moglie Car & Bike Show

6/23, 10am-3pm Veteran’s Memorial Hall 1150 First Street, Benicia Sponsored by Brock’s Garage & Garage 101, and held in memory of Rob Moglie, this car and bike show supports local cancer patients and also raises money for school scholarships. Registration is $25 per vehicle. Everyone is welcome and festivities include food, raffles, silent auctions, music, awards presentations and more.

Brocksgarage.com 925.457.2915

Film Screening: Symphony of the Soil 6/27, 6-8pm Benicia Public Library 150 East L Street, Benicia Symphony of the Soil is a 104-minute documentary feature film that explores the complexity and mystery of soil.

Filmed on four continents and sharing the voices of some of the world’s most esteemed soil scientists, farmers and activists, the film portrays soil as a protagonist of our planetary story. Using a captivating mix of art and science, the film shows that soil is a complex living organism, the foundation of life on earth.

Sustainablesolano.org

6/22, 8pm City Park First Street at Military West, Benicia Bring pillows, blankets, low-back

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HAVE APP WILL TRAVEL

By Christina Strawbridge Traveling by yourself is somewhat liberating, and a test of your abilities using today’s technology. A recent trip to Savannah, Georgia for a few days gave me new insight into what is available by using a multitude of apps.

I have found BART an efficient way to get to San Francisco Airport, bypassing commuter traffic and extreme parking fees.

There is a BART app that gives you the location of your train by touching a station on the transit map on your smart phone. As of January 1, 2018, there is a $.50 surcharge for printing BART Blue tickets. Buying online in the future may be the way to go to save some cash and avoid lines of less than savvy travelers at the ticket machines.

My United app allows me to book flights and keeps me posted on real time departures, gate changes, the rare upgrade and even onboard entertainment. A lot of United’s planes have phased out cabin and individual screens, relying on the passenger to use their own devices. Through the United App, I watched the movie The Greatest Showman On Earth on my iPhone. This was a bit of a comedown from the big screen, but kept me occupied for the four-hour connection through Chicago.

Checking arrivals and departures can become addictive, especially when there are close connections and different terminals. Chicago O'Hare is the fifth busiest airport in the world, considered a Mega Hub. This status is defined by the highest ratio of possible scheduled international connections to the number of destinations the airport offers. It also has a great food court, which I had to bypass on this trip, as I literally ran to the boarding plane from Concourse B to Concourse F. Upon arriving at 9pm in Savannah, I decided to forgo using my Uber App in favor of hailing a cab. Although my experiences with Uber have been positive, it can be a bit creepy when you

TRENDS

June BenMag Vol13 v8.indd 27

are by yourself at night in an unfamiliar area, getting into an unmarked car. I made my way to the cab line and was assigned a driver almost immediately. Usually, there is some help with your bag or at least the door but not with this guy.

Even though I had been traveling for nearly 12 hours, I tried to engage the driver in small talk about where he was from, how long he had been a cab driver, the Savannah weather (which, of course, I already knew, because I had been checking the weather app for days).

Steve, I discovered, was alone in the world, as his grandfather had just died. He hailed from Brooklyn, but left when his mother committed suicide when he was 17 years old. He came to Savannah because he had a drug problem, and would never know his father because his mother was a victim of rape.

To say the least, I was moved by how sad a state this man was in, and tried to lighten up the conversation, asking about the hotel where I was staying, and because it was late, where I could eat. I joked that the most I had eaten was a bag of pretzels on the last flight. With that, Steve came alive, saying he loved those little pretzels. As we pulled into the Bohemian Hotel, I prepared to give him my credit card and a generous tip. This time, Steve opened the door for me and got my bag out of the trunk. In the side pocket of my bag, I found a bag of pretzels from one of the day's flights, which I casually gave him as he headed back to his cab. You would have thought I had presented him with gold. He thanked me and once again told me how much he loved those little pretzels.

Traveling has lost some of the personal connections from the past. There is less need for human connections, getting lost in the latest app, tech toy or media gadget. My trip to Savannah was a reminder that a little bit of kindness can go along way, even if it's just giving away a bag of pretzels.

BeniciaMagazine.com • 27

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JUNE LIVE MUSIC Empress Theatre

Uptown Theatre Napa

707.552.2400, 330 Virginia St, Vallejo EmpressTheatre.org

707.259.0123, 1350 Third Street, Napa Uptowntheatrenapa.com

June 2, 8pm June 6, 8pm June 9, 6pm

June 13, 6:30pm June 22, 8pm

DW Edwards & Lighting Up The Soul Band $20 Online, $25 Box Office & Phone Unauthorized Rolling Stones $20 Online, $25 Box Office & Phone Vallejo Jazz Society Presents Tammy Hall $20 General, $10 VJS Members, Box Office & Phone Wed. Night Live feat. Suspects of Soul $10 General Admission Antsy McClain and the Trailer Park Troubadors $20 Online, $25 Box Office & Phone

Lucca Beer Garden 707.745.3749, 439 1st Street, Benicia Luccabar.com No Cover Charge

June 1, 5:30pm – 8pm June 2, 1pm – 3:30pm June 2, 5:30pm – 8pm June 3, 2pm – 5pm June 7, 5:30pm – 8pm June 8, 5:30pm – 8pm June 9, 1pm – 3:30pm June 9, 5:30pm – 8pm June 10, 2pm – 5pm June 14, 5:30pm – 8pm June 15, 5:30pm – 8pm June 16, 1pm – 3:30pm June 16, 5:30pm – 8pm June 17, 2pm – 5pm June 21, 2pm – 5pm June 22, 5:30pm – 8pm June 23, 1pm – 3:30pm June 23, 5:30pm – 8pm June 24, 2pm – 5pm June 28, 5:30pm – 8pm June 29, 5:30pm – 8pm June 30, 1pm – 3:30pm June 30, 5:30pm – 8pm

Wasted Rangers JimBo Trout Tuneriders An Afternoon of Irish Music w/Vince Wolfe, Lewis Santer & Friends The FOXCATCHERS are Jeff Tamelier & Christopher Cole GarageLand Rodeo The Breedloves Jeff Campitelli & Friends for Marty’s Birthday Unplugged Acoustic w/ Bruce Brophy & Paul Trombetta B3B4 Dawdlers Dave Andre Eamonn Flynn Band Unplugged Acoustic w/Andy Brunt TBA Don Bassey & Friends Jim Funk, Jeff Tamelier & Jeff Campitelli Ken Cooper Uncle Buck Unplugged Acoustic w/ Chris Ahlamn AgapeSoul Don Bassey, Leah & Schrammie’s Bday Bash Duo Gadjo Jinx Jones

June 6, 8pm June 8, 8pm June 28, 8pm June 30, 8pm

Brian Setzer’s Rockabilly Riot $60 - $90, Ticketmaster or Box Office Ziggy Marley - Rebellion Rises Tour 2018 $41 – $81, Ticketmaster or Box Office Chris Isaak - Rescheduled $75 - $115, Ticketmaster or Box Office Mary Chapin Carpenter $40 - $80, Ticketmaster or Box Office

Freight & Salvage 510.644.2020, 2020 Addison Street, Berkeley Thefreight.com All Tickets are subject to a $4 facility fee

June 1, 8pm June 2, 8pm June 3, 8pm June 5, 8pm June 7, 8pm

June 8, 8pm June 9, 8pm June 10, 1pm June 13, 8pm June 14, 8pm June 15, 8pm June 16, 8pm

June 17, 1pm June 17, 7pm June 20, 8pm June 21, 8pm June 22, 8pm June 23, 8pm June 24, 7pm June 27, 8pm June 28, 8pm June 29, 8pm June 30, 8pm

Pacific Mambo Orchestra, $30 ADV/$34Door Zigaboo Modeliste & the New Aahkesstra $16 ADV/$20 Door Mouths of Babes, $18 ADV/$22 Door Slaid Cleaves, $26 ADV/$30 Door Laurie Lewis & Tom Rozum, Blame Sally, Thompsonia, Jenner Fox - River of Song-A Musical Celebration of California’s Lifegiving Waters, $35 ADV/$40 Door Maurice Tani, $20 ADV/$24 Door Dance Party with Red Meat & I See Hawks In L.A., $18 ADV/$22 Door Motown Sing-Along w/Tammy Hall Free Ticket w/reservation Justin Townes Earle w/Lydia Loveless $75 VIP/$26 ADV/$30Door Edgar Pantoja and the Afro-Cuban Tribe $16 ADV/$20 Door Moonalice, $12 ADV/$16 Door Mark Hummel’s Summer Folk Blues Series w/Guy Davis, Barbara Dane, Lazy Lester, Joe Beard, HowellDevine & Deep Basement Shakers, $40ADV/$44 Door Father’s Day w/ Steve Seskin, Keith Greeninger & John Lester, $20 ADV/$24 Door Barrio Manouche: Gypsy Jazz & Flamenco Fusion, $30 VIP/$15ADV/$19Door Nels Cline & Scott Amendola are Stretch Woven $24 ADV/$28 Door Perla Batalla in The House of Cohen $24 ADV/$28 Door Kittel & Co. feat. Jeremy Kittel, $20 ADV/$24 Door Shawn Colvin, $145 Premium VIP/$65 Premium/$50 ADV/$54 Door Shawn Colvin 145 Premium VIP/$65 Premium/$50 ADV/$54 Door Ramana Vieira – Portuguese Fado Singer $20 ADV/$24 Door Don Arbor w/Susan Anders, $16 ADV/$20 Door Red Molly, $24 ADV/$28 Door Guitar Shorty, $22 ADV/$26 Door

28 • Benicia Magazine Calendar

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ALK W , P I S OP! & SH

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5p 1 , 6 ne 1

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

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Residential & Commercial Service, Repair & Replacement

10%

discount with this ad

707.751.1714

Events Things to Do Food & Drink Art & Culture People & Places

Slab leaks, repipes Water heaters, faucets Toilets, garbage disposals Remodels, gas lines & more Free Estimates Mike Pitta, Owner/Operator Lic. #969499 Insured & bonded

• up2codeplumbing.com

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist No. 97517

1350 Hayes Street, Suite A33 Benicia, CA 94510

(707) 980-3331

Web-exclusive stories

Beniciamagazine.com

Full-line pet store Professional dog & cat grooming Do it yourself pet wash 1202 East 5th Street, Benicia 707.745.5016 • www.FeathererPet.com

30 • Benicia Magazine

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5/21/18 5:29 PM

www.benicia.com

66 Admiral Callaghan Lane (707) 644-6581 7am - 9pm Every Day! Locally owned and operated

Vallejo

Brenda Turner-Adams

Natural - Free of artificial ingredients and preservatives O rganic - Meets USDA standards Specialty - Premium quality, gourmet or artisanal Healthy - Gluten free, dairy free or diabetic friendly

Your Partner in Real Estate

5 $10 OFF $

Valid June 1-15, 2018 only

OFF

$25 minimum purchase

(excludes alcohol, dairy & gift cards)

Valid at Vallejo Grocery Outlet only (66 Admiral Callaghan Lane).

One coupon per person. Not valid with any other offer. Duplicated coupons will not be accepted. Valid June 1-15, 2018.

Valid June 16-30, 2018 only

707.738.9671

Experience Excellence

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

$60 minimum purchase

(excludes alcohol, dairy & gift cards)

Valid at Vallejo Grocery Outlet only (66 Admiral Callaghan Lane).

One coupon per person. Not valid with any other offer. Duplicated coupons will not be accepted. Valid June 16-30, 2018.

Welcome to Tosch Dental

Feel at home—even in the dental chair!

Full-service dentistry | In-house lab, ensures perfect fit | Orthodontics | 50% off bleach with exam & cleaning | Relaxed and comfortable environment Proudly serving Benicia families for over 25 years.

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

BeniciaMagazine.com • 31

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

“It was a pleasure to work with AQCC throughout our kitchen remodel. We didn't know quite where to begin when it came time to choose a functional and attractive kitchen style and design. Trevor and Taylor were very knowledgeable and helpful in their suggestions and design layout. We couldn't be happier ... not only with the quality and functionality of our kitchen but also the beauty. We truly love our kitchen, it's the very best part of our home! We highly recommend AQCC and we're truly thankful!”

— Nick and Kim Raven

Open Mon. - Fri. 9-5

weekends & evenings by appointment 4852 East 2nd Street, Benicia

AFFORDABLE QUALITY Cabinets and Countertops

707-745-2100 aqchome.com Introducing the new owners Trevor Cotarelo and Taylor Kennedy

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