Thompson to make rounds in district in next 2 days

Rep. Mike Thompson, Benicia's representative in the U.S. House, will be in Vallejo tomorrow to discuss the newly enacted tax bill and its potential impact on seniors. (File photo)

 Rep. Mike Thompson, who represents Benicia in the U.S. House of Representatives, was in Washington, D.C. this weekend as the country was in the midst of a government shutdown that ended on Monday, but he is back in the Bay Area. The Democratic congressman is going to have a busy schedule in the next two days as he travels to cities throughout his district to meet with constituents. 
   First, Thompson will be in Santa Rosa today for a town hall meeting, which is open to all residents in California’s 5th District. The meeting will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Building, located at 1351 Maple Ave. 
   Thompson has two events on Thursday. The first is a Coffee with Our Congressman event for Pinole residents to meet with Thompson and learn about services available in the area through Thompson’s local office. This event will be held from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the Pinole Senior Center, located at 2500 Charles Ave. After that, the congressman is off to Vallejo from 3 to 4:30 p.m. to host a town tax hall for seniors. The event, open to all constituents of California’s 5th District, will discuss how the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act-- passed by both houses of Congress in late 2017-- will impact senior citizens. The meeting will be held at the Florence Douglas Senior Center, located at 333 Amador St.
   For more information on any of these events, contact Thompson’s Vallejo office at 645-1888.

GUEST POST: Letter: Following Benicia's example

Following Benicia's example

   The city of Benicia has been an inspiration to the city of Vallejo. Just last month, the Vallejo City Council voted to place a measure on their November ballot that would ask residents if Vallejo should allow "A" license cannabis activity (adult use) at their eleven "M" license (medicinal) dispensaries. Now they have abruptly changed course and scheduled a study session next month on "A" license activity. They have even started an online poll similar to the Town Hall survey on cannabis our city took several months ago. It appears the steady leadership on regulated markets in our city has not gone unnoticed by Vallejo and others. 
   The fact that Vallejo has a whopping 10 percent added tax on all sales that will shift most Vallejo consumers to Benicia may have also played a role in their sudden but expected revisit on the issue. Money talks, and Vallejo stands to lose a lot of it by restricting cannabis to medicinal sales only, not to mention burdening consumers with an added tax on top of sales and excise taxes. The Vallejo City Council can elect to lower their added tax, but at even more cost. 
   Meanwhile, Benicia is poised to capture the markets of several surrounding cities in Solano County as well as parts of Napa and Contra Costa counties that ban cannabis activity except for deliveries. While some in our community have said we are going "too fast" on cannabis regulation, other Bay Area cities have taken notice and are now playing catchup, following our lead. I predict American Canyon will be the next to reconsider a cannabis ban. The city of Napa is now looking at regulated storefronts as well. Were they inspired by Benicia's leading edge example?

Stan Golovich,
Benicia

GUEST POST: Letters: BHS meetings, Clocktower fence, Art & Culture Commission and more

Missed opportunity in BHS meetings

   It is commendable that Andrew Kelly is a senior at Benicia High School and cares enough about the future curriculum planning to attend the recent school informational meetings on proposals for new graduation requirements.  He and a group of students actually attended twice - in the a.m. only to find out the conference was actually in the p.m.  But the real injustice is they weren't able to address their concerns about aligning all students to UC and CSU's requirements.  It's unconscionable that only a few minutes were set aside for comments.   
   The BUSD missed a wonderful opportunity to find out what these students may have wanted to discuss. It seems to me that the very nature of their concern shows that they have reached a level of maturity where their input would have been invaluable.

Dona Rose,
Benicia

Remove Clocktower fence

   What's up with the new cyclone fence on the front corner of the historic Clocktower fortress building?  When I went out there last week and saw the fence, at first I thought that there was a construction project going on.  Then, I looked more closely and could see that someone has installed a permanent modern shiny silver cyclone fence on the right front corner of the building. I couldn't believe it at first, since I know the city of Benicia has architectural and historical guidelines in place for any alterations to historic buildings and properties. The fence changes the entire historic facade and appearance when looking at the building.
    If a fence is needed, it should be compatible to the historic architecture. This fence certainly is not, and would not pass muster on any commision's review. It ruins the historic aesthetic and viewing experience of that building, which by the way, is one of the top five most significant Gold Rush-era masonry structures in town, if not in the entire state of California.  Please remove the fence ASAP.

Tom Quinn,
Benicia

Clearing up ACC inaccuracies

   I am writing in response to a letter submitted by Donnell Rubay ("Support a local nonprofit," Jan. 14) to address some inaccuracies presented about the Arts and Culture Commission and the Film Festival it sponsors. As a former member and chair of the ACC (Arts and Culture Commission), I have firsthand knowledge that I would like to share.
   The first ACC Film Festival was in 2014. Funds for this startup were not provided by the city of Benicia. The funds were garnered by commissioners pounding the pavement in search of donations from the community, and that provided just enough to get the Film Festival up and running. In addition, ad space was sold in the program, which also helped with the overhead. Every year the Film Festival has made a profit, and never has the city of Benicia_provided funding for it. The city gives the ACC a small yearly stipend to cover the cost of copy paper, stationery, and stamps.
   Rubay insinuates that a staff person was wasting city resources in aiding the Film Festival Committee, a subcommittee of the ACC, when in fact every city commission has a staff person assigned as a liaison. The Film Festival Committee has the program well in place now, and, as mentioned previously, has made a profit every year. In fact, part of the revenue is put aside yearly to fund next year's festival, with any remaining profit going to the Public Art Fund.
   Which brings me to my final point. The ACC sponsored a one-night screening of "Casablanca" at the Majestic as a fundraiser for public art in the city of Benicia. It had nothing to do with the ACC Film Festival. For someone to think that this was stealing the theme from the North Bay Festival is ludicrous. 

Patty Gavin, 
Benicia

AAUW says thanks

   On behalf of the Benicia-Vallejo branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), I wish to thank the businesses whose generosity provided donations for the 24th annual AAUW Bunco fundraiser to help provide funds for educational programs, community projects and the Tech Trek scholarships for six 7th grade girls selected from Benicia and Vallejo middle schools to attend an exciting weeklong residential science, math, and technology summer camp which will be held in June at Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park.
   To learn more about joining American Association of University Women, please contact http://beniciavallejo-ca.aauw.net/.  Tax deductible donations may be made to AAUW California’s Special Program Fund at CA - AAUW.SPF, and sent to: AAUW, P.O. Box 1876, Benicia, CA 94510.
   Thank you to the following merchants and businesses of Benicia, Vallejo and beyond:

* Pedrotti ACE Hardware      
* Congressman Mike Thompson     
* Costco Wholesale No. 132
* First Street Cafe    
* Mozart, Einstein & Me  
* Pups ‘n’ Purrz Studio 
* Bookshop Benicia    
* Griffin Fitness    
* Studio 41
* Lindsay Art Glass       
* Fantastic Sam’s Salon 
* Arts Benicia    
* Cameilla Tea Room    
* Kinder’s Meat-Deli-BBQ    
* Collektive    
* Wholeself-Health 
* Linda Cook, Remax Gold 
* Carquinez Village
* SAC’s Hot Dogs    
* Starbuck’s Coffee Solano Square     
* Lucca Bar and Grill    
* North Capital, Inc.   
* Benicia Coffee Company    
* Scandia Family Fun Center
* Roberto’s Fine Jewelry 

   Also, a special thanks to the members of AAUW who helped gather donations, organize baskets, wrap raffle gifts, provide appetizers, and all the other details that help to make our annual January BUNCO fundraiser a great success.
   AAUW advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research.  We truly appreciate the community of Benicia and Vallejo and their support.

Mary Hammonds,
AAUW Benicia-Vallejo event chair    

GUEST POST: Benicia Letters Once More: He Was a Good Man

By James Garrett
Special to the Herald

The following "letter" is part of the continuing series from the unpublished novel by James Garrett, "Benicia Letters Once More". He does not plan to publish the book but instead is choosing to share the letters with the readers of the Benicia Herald. The letters continue the storyline of Garrett's first novel "Benicia and Letters of Love". Each "letter" tells of love in one of its many forms from a separate point of view. Benicia is represented prominently in the letters because of Garrett's deep fondness for the city of Benicia. He hopes readers see themselves or others they know in the letters because the concept of "Love" is universal.

Dear Mr. Garrett,
   There was a man I met long ago and talked with many times over the years. I never thought we were close. We knew each other for years, had lunch together occasionally, and told each other of our history. That was all it was. I knew his family and he knew mine, but there was never any socializing between the families. He and I were just guys going through life. We watched each other's sons play for Benicia High over the years. Our sons were never teammates because my son matriculated prior to his.
   After he died his wife came by the house. We probably sat and talked for two hours. I learned he liked to hear me whistle. I told her he taught me the way to make a certain type of sandwich.
   Our visit came to an end. As we walked to the front door, I told her if she ever needed anything, with which I could help, I'd do the best I could.
   She replied she and her husband always knew that about me. Then she said something which remains with me today and always will. She said her husband had loved me. I never knew. I just thought we were two guys who spent a little time together over the years.
   I didn't understand until years later that I loved him also and miss the times we shared. We didn't always agree. Maybe that was part of the love we shared. He was a good man. I'm proud to have known him and to have shared those times together we were allowed by fate to have. I would have liked to have had more. Perhaps I would have understood while he lived that he loved me and I loved him.
Scott

James Garrett is a lifelong resident of Benicia and a former teacher at Benicia High School. He is the author of the following novels: “Benicia and Letters of Love,” “The Mansion Stories,” “Chief Salt,” and “One Great Season, 9-0!” He also compiled a three-volume work titled “The Golden Era: Benicia High School Football, The 1948 through 1960 Seasons, “A” History with Comments.” 
He can be contacted at jgstoriesnpoetry@aol.com.

GUEST POST: Police, Fire Department transition to new radio system

By George Johnston

 Benicia’s police and fire departments have transitioned to a new radio system, according to the city’s weekly newsletter.
   The switch to a new radio system came after the police and fire department secured funding from Measure C-- a revenue initiative approved by Benicia voters in 2014 that set aside $4 million for projects that would improve the quality of life for Benicians-- to make this change possible. The old system was replaced with the East Bay Regional Communications System Authority, a network of communications systems throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties and based in Dublin. The goal of EBRCSA is to operate a P25 compliant communications system for the public agencies within both counties. The inclusion of Benicia took about a year to go into full effect. The million-dollar project would not have been possible without the support of the community both departments said in the newsletter.
   In other Benicia happenings, the city’s Human Resources Department is taking applications for a paramedic firefighter position, which can be found online at http://agency.governmentjobs.com/benicia/default.cfm and returned to the Human Resources Department at City Hall, located at 250 East L St. Also, this Thursday at 6:30 p.m., the Benicia Public Library is having a sleepover, and teddy bears, stuffed animals and their like are all welcome. Children ages 5 to 8 are invited to let their teddy bears and stuffed animals spend the night at the library. The next, morning library staff will allow children to see what shenanigans stuffed animals can get up to at night when their owners are asleep. The Library is located at 150 East L St.
   For other items in this week’s “City of Benicia This Week” newsletter, visit ci.benicia.ca.us/citymanager. 

Vallejo boxer preps for upcoming fight

 (Yes, back here again. The site has exceeded its bandwidth, so I'll be posting here again for the time being).

  Global Boxing Organization light heavyweight champion Ryan Bourland was given three months to prepare for a Feb. 10 fight against Jose Hernandez at Cache Creek Casino Resort. Nonetheless, the Vallejo boxer says he is up for the task of defending his title.

   “We got the notice about two months ago,” he said. “I’ve been at it two months straight.”

   Bourland, nicknamed “Rhino,” hosted a Media Day on Saturday where he invited people to watch him train at his Benicia studio for his fight against Hernandez. Bourland runs a business called Team Rhino Boxing, which operates out of the space of Pro-Faction Martial Arts in the Industrial Park, where he provides boxing instruction lessons to youth and adults. When he is not teaching, he is preparing for his own fights, where he has maintained a healthy career with the Global Boxing Organization, having only lost one fight out of 14 in the last four years. During this time, he delivered five knockouts.

   Bourland, 29, began boxing at the age of 11 after having gotten in trouble in school numerous times.

   “My parents thought it would be good for me to get into a boxing gym and get some aggression out,” he said. “I ended up really liking it.”

   He took a short break from boxing during his teen years but got back into the ring and has been at it ever since. Bourland enjoys the large amount of effort one has to put in if they want to become a successful fighter.

   “You can go as far as you wanna go if you work hard,” he said. “It’s all about as much work as you put in. You can come from nothing and have everything if you put the work in.”

   For Bourland, the greatest accomplishment has been coming as far as he has in his career, especially winning the light heavyweight belt. For someone who had difficulty in school in his younger years, he is proud to have become a role model for others.

   “I got in a lot of trouble growing up, and now it seems like there’s a lot of kids looking up to me,” he said. “I remember when I was getting in trouble, nobody would be around me. I’m proud to change my direction in life.”

   Now Bourland is busy training for his fight against Hernandez, another light heavyweight boxer with a record of 18 wins— nine of them resulting in knockouts—, three losses and one draw. Nonetheless, Bourland says he is ready to take on Hernandez.

   “This is my 16th fight,” he said. “It’s a tough opponent, so we were gonna have to cross each other’s paths sooner or later and now is the time. It’s a step up for me, and we’re ready for it.”

   Bourland and Hernandez will be sharing a bill with the main fight between Alan Sanchez and Cleotis Pendarvis and four other bouts. The first fight will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10 at the Cache Creek Casino Resort, located at 14455 Highway 16 in Brooks. Tickets are priced at $95 and $125, and can be purchased at cachecreek.com/entertainment. This event is for ages 21 and older and will not be televised or streamed. No cameras will be allowed. For more information on Bourland or Team Rhino Boxing, visit rhinoboxing.com. 

   

Boxer Ryan Bourland (Left) trains against coach Tony Armenta for his upcoming fight against Jose Hernandez. (Photo by Nick Sestanovich)

   

   

The site is back!

I have good news to report: the site is up and running again. Thanks to Bob Mutch for his help.

Granted, the site at this point is not searchable through Google, but it can be easily accessed by clicking on or highlighting and pasting the link below:

http://beniciaheraldonline.com

It was nice to post content here again, but I'll have to wait until we run into another technical mishap. For now, continue browsing the main site as usual.