Sac State professor will cover California's geologic history tonight at Camellia Tea Room

(Originally published in the 4/21/16 edition. The print edition accidentally left out the headline.)

   Many talks by the Benicia Historical Society focus on the local history of Benicia and California as it pertains to people and places. Tonight’s lecture will focus on a different kind of history: California’s geologic history.

   Steven Skinner, an assistant professor of geology and geophysics at Sacramento State University will be delivering the talk. Skinner’s work has researched the history of subduction zones and rifted margins using field observations and geophysical methods. Other areas of interest include the tectonic applications of paleomagnetism and plate reconstructions. His line of work has brought him to study rocks in places like Antarctica, Peru and El Centro. 

   Skinner’s talk will go over the geologic history of California as it pertains to the tectonic assembly of the western coasts of America and Canada. His main focus will be the geologic events recorded in rocks around the Carquinez Strait.

   The talk will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight at Camellia Tea Room, located at 828 First St. Admission is free for members and $5 for non-members. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, visit BeniciaHistoricalSociety.org. 

"American Pickers" coming to California seeking applicants with unique antique collections

(Originally published in the 2/2/16 edition)

   The stars of “American Pickers” are coming to California, and they could be digging through your junk.

   The hit reality TV series, which airs on History, stars Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz as a pair of antique pickers who drive across the U.S. in their Ford Transit and show up at people’s houses to buy their antique items, which are often resold at their shop Antique Archaeology in LeClaire, Iowa. The items are usually very rare and valuable, ranging from an old Rock-Ola jukebox to a 1952 Volkswagen Beetle. 

   “We've picked everything from oil cans to a real dinosaur bone, and just about everything in between,” casting associate Tamar Herman said. 

   The duo will be making their return to California in March, and they are looking for interesting characters with interesting items in all regions of the state. Among the articles they look for include vintage vehicles and toys, movie memorabilia, old advertising, military paraphernalia, folk art, early firefighting equipment, pinball machines, automotive items and more. 

   “We are interested in hearing from anyone with interesting, large, private collections,” Herman said. “That said, they love finding anything of interest that they've never found before.”

   If you or somebody you know has a large, private collection or any unique items, send your name, phone number, location and a description of the items to AmericanPickers@cineflix.com or call 855-OLD-RUST. 

   New episodes of “American Pickers” air 9 p.m. Wednesdays on History. 

El Nino poses possible danger for drought-stricken dead trees

(Originally published in the 11/5/15 edition)

   On Monday, an inch of rain dropped on the Bay Area, offering a potential prelude of the El Nino winter that is expected to hit within the next few months. This could be perceived as a relief for a state that has experienced four years of drought, but it is important to consider the negative effects that could result from an El Nino season. One of them concerns dead trees.

   On Oct. 30, Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency regarding the tens of millions of trees across the state that have been infested by bark beetles as a result of the ongoing drought.

   “California is facing the worst epidemic of tree mortality in its modern history,” Brown wrote in a letter to Tom Vilsack, the secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “A crisis of this magnitude demands action on all fronts.”

    According to Tina Marchetti, executive director of the Benicia Tree Foundation, dead trees pose a threat not only in wildfires but can also be carried away in floods or mudslides as a result of El Nino.

   “Luckily, Benicia is not as impacted by this as many other parts of the state,” she said. “But it is still important for homeowners to realize the dead trees on their property can pose a threat.” 

   Brown has called for dead trees to be removed through controlled burns. Additionally, Marchetti says there are other things people can do to minimize the impact of El Nino on dead trees.

   “It is important to continue to care for trees during the drought, even if the tree is located in a lawn area that you have discontinued watering,” she said. “It’s important to not let the tree die.”

   Marchetti also added that homeowners should trim branches so they aren’t near roofs or gutters, as they could break during heavy winds. Additionally, she suggested working with tree removal companies or arborists, such as A Plus Tree Service in Vallejo. 

   As for when to start this process, Marchetti advised that homeowners start landscaping right away.

   “It can sneak up on you,” she said. “We had a pretty heavy system just a couple days ago, so the sooner the better.”

   Marchetti noted that Benicia Tree Foundation is willing to help people replace their dead trees. The organization will be planting 150 new trees in the next month, including at Benicia High School and the Benicia Housing Authority from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Nov. 14. 

   “We welcome help from the public if they would like to volunteer and help plant young trees,” she said.