Rookies to cook ribs to benefit Benicia High's athletic department

(Originally published in the 4/8/16 edition)

Saturday, April 24 will be a day to honor Benicia High School's extracurricular programs. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., a classic car show will be held along First Street to benefit the BHS Panther Marching Band. As patrons gaze at the wonder of a 1968 Buick, Rookies Sports Bar and Grill will be hosting its Rib Cook-Off to raise money for Benicia High's athletic department.

   Rookies has been hosting its annual Rib Cook-Off for five years now. Bar manager Alex Storelee says her father, Rookies owner Rob, probably came up with the idea when the bar received a new smoker grill.

   "He decided a cookoff would be a good way to raise money for our schools," she said.

   Interested participants will be part of a team, who will have to pay a $50 entry fee.  Each team will receive two racks of traditional St. Louis pork ribs. Entrants will provide their own supplies and equipment, such as tables, chairs and cooking utilities. The teams will unload their vehicles and supplies as early as 6 a.m., as cars will not be allowed in the cooking area after 8 a.m.

   The teams are allowed to use whatever spices or sauces they want, but the ribs may only be cooked over charcoal or wood. Propane and bottled gas is prohibited.

   The judging will begin at 2 p.m. sharp. 

   "It will be a blind taste test judged on things like taste, tenderness and flavor," Storelee said. 

   There will be first, second and third place awards for winners.

   Additionally, there will be barbecue plate specials featuring meats cooked on the big red smoker that inspired the cookoff to begin with. There will also be a sports memorabilia raffle featuring items from Bay Area sports teams. Entrants can win paraphernalia associated with teams like the San Francisco Giants and Golden State Warriors, including a signed photograph of Stephen Curry.

   "It's a fun day for everyone of all ages," Storelee said. "It's a way to support our local high school sports program as well as our local business."

   The cookoff will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, April 24 at Rookies, located at 321 First St. Stop by Rookies to pick up your entry form or look in the Herald for Rookies advertisements. All teams will need to send at least one representative to attend a kick-off meeting at Rookies, 6 p.m., on Friday, April 22. For more information about this event, contact the bar at 746-7665 or visit its Facebook page at Facebook.com/rookiesbenicia.

Places to be in Benicia/Vallejo on New Year's Eve

(Originally published in the 12/30/15 edition)

   The end of the year is a time of celebration, and everybody celebrates in their own way. However, if you live in Benicia, you do not have to drive very far to take part in festivities outside of your home.

   First of all, many local businesses will be offering various kinds of entertainment as well as deals. Sailor Jack’s, located on 123 First St., will have a four-course preset menu featuring such items as ahi tuna stack, Alaskan halibut, lobster tail, vegetarian wellington and a dessert. The entire meal will be $89 per person. There will also be live music upstairs from 9 to midnight by The Baker Street Band, a Reno-based classic rock cover band led by Adrian Baker, a former touring member of The Beach Boys and The Four Seasons. For more information, call 746-8500.

   Down the street, The Rellik Tavern, located at 726 First St., will be hosting its seventh annual New Year’s Eve Party. The doors open at 9 for a set by Oakland-based rock band Muncie, and there will be a champagne toast at midnight to ring in 2016. The event will have a $10 cover charge and limited VIP and bottle service. For more information, call 746-1137.

   Rookies Sports Bar and Grill, located at 321 First St., will have a more low-key New Year’s. There will be a DJ and $5 cover at the door, and TV screens will be broadcasting both the East Coast countdown to 2016 before 9 p.m. and the West Coast countdown before midnight. For more information, call 746-7665.

   There are events beyond Benicia too. The Front Room at the Wharf, located at 295 Mare Island Way in Vallejo, will be hosting a dinner and dance party. The meal- which will consist of an appetizer, soup or salad and a choice of entree and dessert- will be served at 5:30 p.m.. There will be live entertainment by local jazz and R&B singer Darrell Edwards from 9 p.m. to 1 in the morning. For more information, call 649-8889.

   Also in Vallejo, The Mic Gillette Band will be performing a special New Year’s Eve show at the Empress Theatre, located on 330 Virginia St. For more information, visit EmpressTheatre.org or check out the article in the Dec. 29 edition of The Benicia Herald.

   If you are planning to drink lots of alcohol and don’t have a designated driver, do not get behind the wheel. AAA will be offering its Tipsy Tow program from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Call 800-222-4357 for a free tow home of up to 10 miles. Tell the AAA operator “I need a Tipsy Tow,” and a truck will be sent over. Service is restricted to a one-way ride for the driver and his or her vehicle to the driver’s home. You do not need to be a AAA member to use this service. 

   The Herald would like to remind you to have a safe and happy new year. Enjoy 2016.