SUMMER OF '09 ARCHIVES: Published standalone pictures

I have exactly one article left to post, but I'll hold off on it for now. Today, I'd like to post some of the pictures I took that weren't part of any articles but rather were used to fill space.

The "Everybody loves a carnival" package has an interesting story behind it. On my way to work, I noticed what looked like a mini-carnival. I told Marc about it, and he had me go back out and grab some pictures of it. It was part of a summer camp put on by Benicia's Parks Department, and I got information on it from the coordinator.

The other three pictures came from a day when I wasn't really doing much, so Marc sent me out to shoot as many pictures of First Street as I could, and he'd publish them whenever he needed to fill space. I think the "Views of Benicia" pictures were actually published after I'd left. (By the way, the offer to take pictures and send them to beniciaherald@gmail.com is still valid. We do like having visuals on the front page.)

St. Patrick's Day Beer Crawl to be held for second year in a row

(Originally published in the 3/8/16 edition)

   St. Patrick’s Day isn’t until next week, but you can get a head start on the festivities Saturday by visiting downtown Benicia businesses.

   Benicia Main Street will be holding its second annual St. Patricks Day Beer Crawl where participants can pay a small fee to sample craft brews at participating businesses. Administrative assistant Susie Harper said Benicia Main Street was looking for another event to do in March besides the annual chili cook-off. The first St. Patrick’s Day Beer Crawl turned out to be a huge success. 

   “It sold out and was very popular,” Harper said. 

   The winning outcome of the first event meant a second was inevitable. Once again, participants will be given a sampling glass, map of participating businesses and identification wristband upon purchasing tickets. From there, they can sample some of the finest craft brews from the Bay Area and beyond. Among the brews to be served are Irish staples like Guinness Stout, craft beer titans like Samuel Adams’ Rebel IPA and Dogfish Head’s 60 Minute IPA, and beers from local breweries like Lagunitas in Petaluma, Napa Smith Brewery in Napa and Heretic Brewery in Fairfield. Additionally, Benicia Main Street will be serving beer from Benicia’s very own Bruehol Brewing, which specializes in pale ales, German-style lagers and dark ales. 

   Other participating businesses include Jordan Real Estate, Studio 41, Bookshop Benicia, Dianna’s Bakery and Cafe, Dot’s Consignment, Leather & Lace, Tina Marie’s, Romancing the Home, Vintage Owl and more. The businesses will also be serving foods to pair with the beers like sandwiches and various finger foods.

   “The merchants do an excellent job with their pairings,” Harper said. 

   New this year will be a designated driver ticket. For $10, a ticket holder will be given a bottle of water and will be allowed to sample foods from the participating businesses. 

   Harper says this will be a good chance for participants to support Benicia businesses.

   “We’re excited for the customers to visit the merchants that are participating and increase their sales,” she said. “We hope they have a great time and spread the word.”

   The beer crawl will run from 2 to 6 p.m., Saturday, March 12 in downtown Benicia. Check-in starts at 1:30 p.m., and participants must be 21 or older. Tickets are $25 in advance and $35 the day of the event, and they can be purchased at Benicia Main Street, located at 90 First St. The event will be held rain or shine. For more information including a full listing of businesses and the beers they will be serving, visit BeniciaMainStreet.org. 

Library exhibit captures Benicia's waterfront

(Originally published in the 3/3/16 edition)

   “When you’re alone and life is making you lonely, you can always go downtown.”

   Tony Hatch might not have had Benicia in mind when he wrote Petula Clark’s biggest hit, but his words are definitely applicable. As citizens become bogged down in the bad news of the world and the implications of the presidential election, they can find solace in walking down First Street and beyond.

   Or as Mernie Buchanan and Nancy Freeman put it in the title of their newest exhibit at the Benicia Public Library, “Let’s go for a walk.” 

   For the next four weeks, visitors of the Marilyn Citron O’Rourke Art Gallery will be treated to paintings by the two artists that capture the lighthearted essence of Benicia’s waterfront. Buchanan says the exhibit was inspired by her chihuahua Faun.

   “In the two years since I’ve had this little dog, I’ve been forced to get out and walk twice a day,” she said. “I’m usually a hermit in my studio.”

   In that time, Buchanan has gotten to know her neighbors and see a different perspective on the town she has been painting in for 28 years. 

   “I have met more of my neighbors walking along the trails on the waterfront and seeing everybody else with their dogs,” she said. “It’s so bright and pretty and friendly.” 

   Last summer, Buchanan began doing paintings of scenes along the waterfront and figured it would make for a good library show. Having done three prior solo exhibits at the library, which she said take a lot of work to fill the gallery’s space, she decided she would recruit another local artist and settled on Freeman.

   “I love Nancy’s style,” she said. “She’s got a unique way of painting very sophisticated paintings in sort of a primitive, fun way. You never get bored looking at her work.”

   Buchanan approached Freeman with the possibility of the two of them doing an exhibit at the library.

   “Boy, that would be a project for the winter,” Freeman responded. 

   After the idea was accepted by the library, the two spent months capturing scenes of Benicia with their paintbrushes, and Buchanan was thrilled with the results. 

   “We painted all winter, and it turned out to be just beautiful,” she said. “It’s better than I even imagined.” 

   The two painted scenes as varied as the Thursday farmers market, the marina and lots and lots of dogs. The largest painting in the gallery is Buchanan’s “Dog Friendly,” which has various dogs and their owners by the First Street shops.

   “it’s the first one I did in this series just to see if I could do this huge painting capturing the feel of how dog friendly this town is,” she said. “They’re all really friendly with each other- both the people and the dogs.” 

   Buchanan says she hopes the exhibit will inspire people to explore their town more.

   “Even if you don’t have a dog, get out there and walk along the trials,” she said. “Just open your eyes to what a blessing we have with all these beautiful trails along the waterfront. Pretty much the title says it: ‘Let’s go for a walk.’”

   “Let’s Go For a Walk” will be on display through Saturday, March 26 in the library’s Dona Benicia Room, located at 150 East L St. A reception will be held from 1 to 4 p.m., Saturday, March 19 where patrons will view the art, enjoy treats and light refreshments and meet the artists. For more information, visit BeniciaLibrary.org/gallery. 

"First Street Thursday Evening" by Mernie Buchanan

"Dog Friendly" by Mernie Buchanan

"Buoys and Gulls" by Nancy Freeman

"12th Street Gang" by Nancy Freeman

   

   

Police to enforce citations for parking too long in 30-minute zones

(Originally published in the 2/18/16 edition)

   After Friday, if you park in front of a downtown business for too long, you could be receiving a ticket. 

   The Benicia Police Department has begun a campaign to seriously enforce citations against people who park in front of designated 30-minute zones, which are identified by a green painted curb. According to Lt. Scott Przekurat, the police department had been receiving complaints from business owners about people parking in front of their stores for too long. 

   “Some of the businesses have been complaining about people parking in front of their establishments for long periods of time,” he said. “They’re concerned that that may keep people from shopping in their businesses because of limited parking.”

   According to Przekurat, there are about eighteen 30-minute parking zones on First Street which have been there for years, but the Police Department generally has never enforced them. However, after receiving an influx of complaints, the department has decided to seriously impose the parking laws. For a two week period that began on Monday, Feb. 8 and will run until Friday, Feb. 19, the department has been placing warning notices on vehicles that park in the designated spaces for longer than 30 minutes to determine how many drivers have been violating this rule. Following this Friday, the violations will be enforced for people who park excessively in the green zones. 

   Przekurat says the department will try to enforce the citations as much as possible, but he said it will largely depend on the availability of staff.

   “We don’t have anybody to just enforce that parking,” he said. “It will be on a case by case as resources allow. If we have staff to mark the tires on these cars starting next week and they’re still there after 30 minutes, then we’ll issue citations.” 

   If cars park in the green zones for too long, the drivers will receive written citations and receive an as of yet undetermined fine. 

   “We’re hoping residents will comply with the law,” Przekurat said. 

   For more information, contact the Police Department at (707) 745-3411. 

Discounts available at downtown Benicia restaurants for Restaurant Week

(Originally published in the 1/17/16 edition)

   The time has come again for Benicians to support their local downtown eating establishments at a lower cost for Downtown Benicia Restaurant Week. 

   This is the third year that Benicia Main Street has hosted Restaurant Week, which coincides with California Restaurant Month, put on by the nonprofit tourism organization Visit California. The month was designated for January to draw people to their local restaurants, whose patronage typically dwindles after the holidays. 

   “January is a rather slim month for restaurants, so it was a way to promote business for the downtown restaurants,” Susie Harper, administrative assistant for Benicia Main Street, said.

   Throughout the week, people can stop by Benicia Main Street’s offices to pick up a Dining Passport, or they can download it from the organization’s website. With this, they can enjoy discounts at Aroma Indian Cuisine, Dianna’s Cafe and Bakery, Double Rainbow, First Street Cafe, Got Plate Lunch, Kinder’s BBQ, Lucca Bar & Grill, Mai Thai, Rosanna’s Bakery, Sailor Jack’s, The Rellik Tavern, Union Hotel and Venticellos Ristorante Italiano. The discounts are typically 15 percent off a patron’s meal with a minimum purchase of $10, but Venticellos will be offering a 20 percent discount. Some of the deals will exclude purchases of beverages or alcohol.

   Additionally, Benicia Main Street will be holding a Dine Downtown Contest through its Facebook and Twitter pages where its followers are encouraged to take a picture of their meals and email the picture to info@beniciamainstreet.org for the opportunity to win $100 in Downtown Dollars, which can be redeemed at a large number of downtown businesses. The pictures can be taken at any downtown restaurant, not necessarily just the ones participating in Restaurant Week. The contest will run through Jan. 31, after which a winner will be chosen by random. 

   “The goal is to bring in business and help support the restaurants downtown,” Harper said. “It’s a rather quiet month after the holidays are over.”

   Restaurant Week begins today and will run until Saturday, Jan. 23. For more information, to download a Dining Passport or view discounts, visit BeniciaMainStreet.org. 

   

Small Business Saturday a success in Benicia and beyond

(Originally published in the 12/3/15 edition)

   All across the nation on Saturday, shoppers showed their love for independently run businesses for Small Business Saturday.

   The holiday was founded in 2010 by American Express to get people to support their local merchants. Small Business Saturday typically is held the day after Black Friday.
   According to the Post-Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey from the National Federation of Independent Business and American Express, a record 95 million consumers shopped on Small Business Saturday this year, which marks an 8 percent increase over 2014. Additionally, roughly $16.2 billion was spent at small businesses, up 14 percent from the $14.3 billion that was spent last year.

   That success was realized in Benicia, one of the many towns that participated.

   “Studio 41 had a great day,” Benicia Main Street Executive Director Nancy Martinez said. “We certainly did at Benicia Main Street. We had Downtown Dollar promotions available for the first people who showed up (at Benicia Main Street) at 11. When I got here at 11, there were already 10 people at the store.”

   According to Martinez, restaurants drew a lot of customers, including Dianna’s Bakery and Cafe, which had just opened up two days prior. Romancing the Home almost had a line out the door, Martinez said.

   “I saw a lot of people on the street Saturday,” she added. “I’m hoping they were out shopping and not just walking their dogs.”

Benicia's Gallery 621 holds first national juried exhibition

(Originally published in the 11/1/15 edition)

   Gallery 621 is currently hosting its first ever juried show, and the only big thing about it is the scope it covers. 

   “Microcosmos,” the gallery’s new juried exhibition, features a wide range of work from artists across the United States. Despite attracting artists from such a wide-reaching area, the works of art themselves are small. 

   According to artist Nikki-Basch-Davis, that’s the point.

   “Large work sometimes speaks volumes,” she said. “Small work can be ignored or dismissed or just not look important enough next to a large canvas. Here, we’re showcasing everything small so the viewer has a chance to really study the small work and discover how much strength small two or three-dimensional works can have.”

  Basch-Davis said Gallery 621 had been meaning to do a juried show for a while, but the move from the original 621 First Street location meant the gallery members still had to settle in. The idea to focus on just smaller works was based around fitting hundreds of items in a small gallery.

   “We felt we could accommodate more work if we limited them to 12 x 12,” she said. 

   The exhibition will feature not only paintings but also smaller sculptures and more abstract works. One three-dimensional piece features over 50 plastic toy horses packed into a replica of a pasture.

   After searching for a prospective juror, the gallery was able to settle on Sonoma-based artist Chester Arnold. Arnold’s work is revered across the Bay Area and has even been featured in the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C. 

   The gallery put out a call for artists across the country through a site called CallForEntry.org, according to artist member Linda Stevenson Dunlop.

   “We had to narrow it down from close to 400 works to 133,” Basch-Davis said. 

   After being selected, the artists were notified of their inclusion in the show. Many sent their work in through the mail, but others came by the gallery to drop them off.

   “Some people brought their physical work in,” Dunlop said. “Rather than send them in through the mail, they actually dropped them off here from as far away as L.A.”

   All in all, 133 works of art by artists from 30 different states are on display. Prizes will be given for the first, second and third place entries as well as honorable mentions. The winners will be announced at the reception on Nov. 14. 

   Basch-Davis says she hopes the exhibit will give viewers appreciation for a different kind of art.

   “It’s easy to make an impact on a 4 X 4,” she said. “it makes you curious about who’s behind it.”

   She was also impressed by the amount of effort that went into each small piece.

   “These are not digital,” she said. “Every mark is done by hand.”

   The two artists agreed that the exhibit would bring something unique to the gallery’s visitors.

   “It’s different from what we show throughout the year,” Basch-Davis said. “It’s an appreciation to a different scale of art.”

   “Microcosmos” will run through Sunday, Nov. 29 at Gallery 621, located on 309 First St. The gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday through Sunday. A reception will be held from 5 to 9 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 14. Additionally, there will be an artist talk from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 19, which will be facilitated by Arts Benicia Director Celeste Smeland and will feature presentations by five local artists. The paintings at “Microcosmos” will be available to purchase. For more information, visit Gallery621.com. 

Depot may become national historic site

(Originally published in the 10/25/15 edition)

   The Southern Pacific Train Depot, located at the end of First Street, has been many things over the years: a train station, a haunted house and the home of Benicia Main Street. In a few months, it could be something else: a national historic landmark.

   The Benicia Historical Society is submitting an application for the building at 930 First Street to be recognized by the National Register of Historic Places, an official list of historic places across America that are deemed worthy of preservation. On Thursday night, the Historic Preservation Review Commission voted to approve the application, which means it will go through another few rounds before it can officially be added to the list.

   If selected, the Depot would share a list with over 90,000 buildings across the country. Benicia currently has nine sites on the Register: the Benicia Arsenal, the Benicia Capitol State Historic Park, Crooks Mansion, the Joseph Fischer House, the Old Masonic Hall, the Stamboul whaling bark site, the Von Pfizer General Store, the USCGC Storis and the Carr House on East D Street which was demolished in 2000.

   The Depot itself has a long history. According to Bonnie Silveria, the president of the Benicia Historical Society, the structure was built in Banta in the 1800s. In 1903, it was shipped over to Benicia where it served as a railroad depot for the Southern Pacific Railroad until 1930.

   “At that time, it came to the end of First Street out there by the pier, and then the railroad trains would be put on a ferry across to Port Costa,” Silveria said. 

   The building remained operational until 1958 as the home for the family of a station agent. 

   “They did bring trains down back when there was still industry on First Street,” Silveria said. “When I was a young girl, it was where you went to send a telegram.”

   The building was purchased by the city in 1975. By the late ‘90s, the building was in disarray and was frequently surrounded by floods. The city made an effort to restore the building, which was completed in 2001. It now houses the Benicia Main Street program with a gift shop and See’s Candies. 

   Once a building is placed on the Register, restrictions are put in place over what can be done to it.

   “If someone came in and bought it, they couldn’t tear it down or do improvements that aren’t within the improvements that can be done to a historic building,” Silveria said.

   The Depot will then need to be approved by Benicia’s Parks and Community Services department and then City Council. Afterwards, the application will be submitted to Sacramento and then Washington, D.C. for national approval. 

   “I would be very surprised if we didn’t make it,” Silveria said. “But then again, I’ve been surprised before.”

Day of the Dead is theme for season's last Art Walk

(Originally published in the 10/8/15 edition)

   The Mexican holiday known as Dia de los Muertos- or Day of the Dead- is traditionally celebrated Nov. 1, but it will be coming to Benicia several days earlier as part of the city’s Art Walk series.

   Benicia’s Art Walk was launched in 2012 as a grassroots movement spearheaded by local artists. The event recently started being run by the city and partnered with Arts Benicia for the first time this year, Art Walk Coordinator Judi Morales Gibson said. Past event themes have included the works of Arsenal artists, glassblowing and steampunk.

   This event’s theme will be Day of the Dead. The holiday, in which family and friends gather to remember those who have died, is typically celebrated after Halloween. However, since this will be the last Art Walk event of the season, Gibson felt it was best to get a jumpstart on Day of the Dead.
   “We wanted to do something that was cultural and would appeal to families,” she said. “We’re going to go out with a bang.”

   The event will feature lots of activities that will appeal to kids, including face painting, mask-making and paper flower-making. They will even be able to meet Frida Kahlo model Flor de Azalea Magallnes.

   There will also be plenty of artwork. From 2 to 7 p.m. at Avant Garden on First Street, visitors can see jewelry made by Cheri Mendieta, original drawings by Corey Johnson and upcycled steampunk clothing by Cinder Garden Steampunk. At the same time, Treasury Commons will be featuring Mexican folklore art by Adela Juarez and hair accessories and jewelry from Siren Sticks in Vallejo. Finally, from 4 to 6 p.m. the Plein Air Gallery will be hosting a reception for award-winning  local artist Rolando Barrero. Barrera will be promoting his latest exhibition “Street Scenes and Sketches in Watercolor” in which he shows off watercolors of his travels in America and overseas.

   Gibson says she’s received good responses from people and is impressed with the Day of the Dead artwork’s cultural roots.

   “It’s so rich and authentic and very colorful,” she said.

   Gibson encourages people to come check out the variety of artwork.

   “We’re trying to support local artists and craftspeople,” she said. “We want to be able to offer two-dimensional paintings. We want to be able to offer other types of artwork and crafts.”

   The Benicia Art Walk will be held from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday along First Street. The event is free and open to the public.

   

   

Scarecrow competition is now underway

(Originally published in the 10/6/15 edition)

    If cooler weather and grocery shelves lined with pumpkin products aren’t enough to indicate that Halloween is just around the corner, the many scarecrows standing outside Benicia businesses should do the trick.

   Benicia Main Street will be holding its 8th Annual Scarecrow Contest through Oct. 31. Over 100 businesses on First Street and all across Benicia will be designing scarecrows to display either inside or outside their buildings. 

   Three mystery judges will pick their first, second and third place choices, and the public will be able to vote in the “People’s Choice” competition by picking up a ballot at participating businesses. Voting will end Oct. 19, after which the winners of both contests will be announced.

   Event Coordinator Deborah Housman said the idea for the event came about during a promotions committee meeting in 2008 to attract people to the downtown area. It has since extended to other parts of town, including Southampton Shopping Center, Solano Square and Rose Drive.

   “The response has been tremendous, especially since we’ve extended it outwards,” Housman said. “We have 128 participants this year.”

   The scarecrows offer a chance for businesses to show off their creativity. Last year, Pups ’n’ Purrz on First Street won the “People’s Choice” award with an evil-grinned black cat that was placed on the roof. First Impressions Salon & Spa, also on First Street, won first place in the mystery judges’ contest for its scarecrow depicting a skeleton woman with a beehive hairdo and curlers and a cardboard sign reading “A Look to Die For.”

   Housman noted the creativity of these scarecrows has been good for business.

   “A lot of them attract attention when they’re creative or funny,” she said. “They don’t even have to tie in to what the business is.”

   A lot of the scarecrows are inspired by popular culture, Housman said. Last year had two entries related to the Minions, the inescapable breakout characters from the “Despicable Me” films who had their own starring movie this past summer.

   Housman says voter turnout will be good for businesses who promote the contest.

   “When you have a business, you’ll have more of a chance to talk it up to customers and motivate them,” she said.

   Overall, Housman is pleased with the growth of the contest in past years and hopes it will become a tourist attraction for people visiting from out of town.

   A directory of this year’s participating businesses can be found at BeniciaMainStreet.org or any of the involved businesses. The winning scarecrows will still be on display after voting ends. To see a gallery of past contests, visit Benicia Main Street’s Facebook page.