Benicia Magazine April 2024 Issue

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Photo by Michael Van Auken

Presented by BHS Marching Band Boosters

Enrollment

Kindergarten and new Elementary & Secondary school students to BUSD opens in February.

For Kindergarten: Your child must turn five years old by September 1, to enroll in Kindergarten

For Universal Transitional Kindergarten (UTK): BUSD is also offering Universal Transitional Kindergarten for all Benicia students who NOW turn five years old between September 2 and June 2. These dates are firm and exceptions are not considered.

All enrollment including for Universal Transitional Kindergarten is completed at each of our Elementary Schools starting the month of February and information can be found at https://beniciaunified.org/families/newstudent-enrollment/

Open Enrollment for all Elementary students desiring to attend a school outside of their school of residence is held the month of March. The form will be opened on March 1 and can be found at https://beniciaunified.org/families/intradistrictopen-enrollment-overflow/ on the BUSD website.

Please call the School directly for additional information and to schedule an appointment to complete the enrollment.

April's Ale Affair

n From the Editor

It seems as though winter has had trouble letting go of us this year, doesn’t it? With dreary, rainy days persisting through much of March, we’ve been celebrating each sunny respite we get. Now, we welcome April, and with it, even more sunny days on the horizon. Ah, yes, the California sunshine. The same phenomenon that inspired so many artists to put lyrical pen to paper, from Waylon Jennings to Dr. Dre.

Along with a little more sunshine (and probably a few final showers), this month brings us National Beer Day, which you can celebrate by visiting one of our local breweries. It also brings us National Stress Awareness Month – perhaps a fitting reminder for the same month in which many of our taxes are due. April also brings us the start of our local Farmers Market season! In this issue, we revisit the history of Benicia’s Farmers Market and provide information about this year’s season. For Earth Day this year, consider swapping out your jewelry for a sustainable clay option and support a local business. April is also a big month for the arts in Benicia. Visit new exhibitions and take advantage of Benicia Art Weekend – a joint effort of Benicia Arsenal Artists’ Open Studios and downtown galleries. Read all about it in this issue.

We had an unexpected death in the art community last month. Terry Twigg, artist, jewelry maker and co-owner of NY2CA passed away on March 18. There will be a celebration of life along with an exhibition of Twigg’s work on April 20th from 5-8pm at NY2CA. The community is invited. B

Benicia's Farmers Market

n Christina Strawbridge

with updates by

Mary Hand

The History

Benicia Certified Farmers Market opened in 1993 with much anticipation and excitement. The lead up to the opening on Thursday, June 3 took planning and community involvement. Community members lobbied and petitioned for a weekly market that would offer fresh produce from local farms while creating a reason to come downtown on a regular basis. That first market, the rain came down in buckets, but Benicia came out in droves to welcome the beginning of an institution for our town.

The City named Benicia Main Street as the coordinator to oversee the development and management of the market. Producing a public outdoor event that runs every week for 6 months takes specialized talent. There was discussion about hiring an outside firm representing a consortium of markets and farmers but the case was made that it was important to keep our farmers market independent. The Council approved a one time amount of $25,000 to Benicia Main Street. It would be up to Main Street to finance the ongoing costs through booth fees and sponsors. Much of Benicia’s Market was inspired by San Luis Obispo’s Farmers Market which is considered the granddaddy of all farmers markets. Patti Baron, who was the executive director of Benicia Main Street at the time, was accompanied by Mike Loakimedes, the President of the organization, to SLO to check out how this established market works. It was concluded that (like SLO’s market) Thursday night was preferred because of its recognized importance to retail and that the market would reflect a festival approach with cooked food, arts and crafts, music and entertainment for children.

THE LOCATION

The location on First Street between D and B Streets made sense as there were plenty of vacant lots along that portion of the street (since then, filled in), making it easier to maneuver trucks and tenting. It also drew customers all the way down the street to shop. As market managers, Main Street’s job was everything from recruiting farmers and vendors, to scheduling entertainment, traffic mitigation, working with state and county agencies along with the set up and take down each week. They were very fortunate to have Richard Bortolazzo and his Coldwell Banker Realtors volunteer to man the Main Street booth, welcoming market goers as well as punching frequent shopper cards. Another fixture of the market was Adobe and their workforce which helped set up and take down the large equipment and clean up at the end of the evening. After all these years, they both remain integral parts of the market.

THE PEOPLE

In nearly 3 decades there have been some memorable characters that gave the Benicia Certified Market, shall we say, personality. Who can forget Twee Twee the Clown, the white bearded Moses, the egg guy who traveled the market on roller skates, Strawberry the 6’3″ pink bear mascot, cantankerous Jerry who sold oysters from his family farm in Tomales Bay, and a host of vendors that kept the market vibrant and fun? And let’s not forget Gloria from Two Days Jewelry. Some of those family owned farms still travel to Benicia every Thursday during the season. Medina Berry Farms from Watsonville is one of the originals with Diaz Farms as a close second.

The Benicia Certified Farmers Market opens its 32nd season one week early on Thursday, April 18th from 4-8pm AprilAugust, and 4-7pm SeptemberOctober 24th. Located on First Street between B and D Streets, the seasonal market offers farm fresh produce along with arts and crafts vendors, specialty foods, baked goods, and numerous gourmet food vendors. There’s always music, whether an acoustic act or DJ Bob Flournoy. Children can enjoy activities like face painting and the inflatable bounce house on the First Street Green.

Benicia Main Street continues to run the show with Nancy Martinez (Executive Director)

and Deborah Housman as market manager and their volunteers, including Mike Caplin who is Board President. The popularity of the event has grown through the years with over 3500 customers a week. It has become a gathering place for the community to see their neighbors, buy produce that is direct from the farm and meet the farmers who grow the food. It also is an opportunity to support First Street merchants and restaurants along the way. Benicia, get ready, it’s Market time! B

29th annual

Benicia Classic Car Show

The family-oriented event is free and open to the public. Sunday, April 21st, from 9AM to 3PM.

n Mary Hand

With the likes of Elvis and Chubby Checkers singing in the background, and a sea of chrome that seems to go on forever, you know you have arrived at the Benicia Classic Car Show.

The 29th Annual Benicia Classic Car Show will draw classic car enthusiasts from all over the Bay Area. Some will be attending as spectators who want to check out the unique and rare vehicles, others go to connect with fellow car buffs.

Whatever the reason, it will be a day of fun that includes vendors, a silent auction, prizes and music reflective of the many decades represented by the classic cars as well as live music from Benicia High School band. Show plaques will be awarded for numerous categories, voted on by other entrants.

The show takes place on the First Street Green and lower First Street. The event presents pre1989 American made cars

and trucks – there will be about 400 vehicles on display and over 5,000 spectators. Also included are a beer and wine garden area, food and merchandise vendor area where you can purchase custom printed T-shirts and sweatshirts, and BHS bands playing during the day.

Presented by the award winning Benicia High School Marching Band Boosters, this event is their biggest fundraiser. The show raises money to support the high school marching band and color guard, as well as jazz and concert music programs. Car show attendees are invited to enjoy downtown’s many retail shops and restaurants. B

Susan

Melissa

Leslie

David

Bruehol

Sara

JoAnn

Terry

Lesley

Juliet

Dennis

Beer Day National with Local Brews

n Alexa Manning

As the weather warms, a cold beer sounds perfect, doesn’t it? April is the best month to explore breweries in and around Benicia because National Beer Day just so happens to be Sunday, April 7. Celebrate all month by visiting breweries in the area and trying their most popular brews. Not sure where to start? Kick things off with your horoscope beer match.

Bruehol Brewing Benicia, CA

Bruehol Benicia Brewing operates in Benicia’s industrial area. They specialize in German pilsners, West Coast ales, and IPAs among others.

Bruehol’s most popular brew is the Old Capitol Pilsner (ABV 5.2%) which is a Bavarian lager-bier from the Pilsner region of Germany. It has an overall crisp flavor, floral hops and a whisper of dry malt breaks through on the tongue. The finish is slightly spicy from the Czech Saaz hops.

Old Capitol Pilsner is so well-loved in part because of its versatility. As co-owner Natalie says, “you'd be hard pressed to find something that our Old Capitol Pilsner would not pair perfectly with,” especially with all the great restaurants in town.

The versatile nature of this beer makes it the perfect brew for the Geminis (May 21-Jun 21) and Libras (Sep 23-Oct 23) out there. Capricorns (Dec 22-Jan 19) would benefit from a pint, seeing as they need help breaking up their routines and trying new things.

Mare Island Brewing Co. Vallejo, CA

This brewery is captained by two winemakers on a voyage to create handcrafted beers worthy of Mare Island’s legacy. Benicia is lucky enough to have the Taphouse located on First Street.

War Bond (ABV 5.2%)—a California Common brew—is Mare Island Brewing’s most-ordered pint. California Common is a historic beer style that the Bay Area can claim as its own, originating from the Gold Rush period. However, War Bond is anything but common. Order War Bond if you are looking for a light bodied brew with a smooth caramel maltiness.

Mare Island Brewing Co. suggests that you pair a glass of cold War Bond with the pork belly bao buns at the First Street Taphouse.

The smooth—or should we say smoove—personality of War Bond is similar to those of Leo (Jul 23-Aug 22) and Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 21). Order a pint and feel yourself come alive, but stick to just one or two so things don’t get too wild.

Five Suns Brewing Martinez, CA

Five Suns is the passion project of a group of friends coming together to fill a gap in the Martinez community. Their downtown venue is always lined up with bands and events while maintaining a laid back atmosphere.

The Way (ABV 6.7%), a Hazy IPA, is Five Sun’s most popular beer. Full bodied and tropical, this juicy IPA has a citrus tang followed up by a smooth, aromatic finish. Because The Way is low in bitterness, this is the best brew to stock up on for summer.

The flavors of The Way pair best with charred foods and caramelized vegetables. Five Suns states that this is the go-to beer for BBQ cookouts.

The Way’s social nature is perfect for Pisces (Feb 19-Mar 20) and Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 22) who will definitely RSVP “yes” to your cookout. Virgo will also benefit from the push to get out of their shell.

Side Gate Brewery & Beer Garden

Concord, CA

Side Gate offers craft beer and seltzer, brewed on-site, for their taproom and beer garden. Similar to a traditional German biergarten, outside food is welcome at Side Gate’s garden, but food trucks are conveniently parked close by 6 days a week.

The most popular beer at this brewery is the Planter Box Pilsner (ABV 5%). This brew is clean and crisp with an herbal aroma layered over the bready malt. Planter Box Pils is a year-round classic, but shines in the warm weather.

Though Planter Box Pils can pair with almost anything, Side Gate suggests that you order a pint to enjoy with a meal from any of the Asian food trucks at the Beer Garden.

Planter Box should be ordered by Aries (Mar 21-Apr 19) and Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 21) who are most likely to order something spicy, but also might need the clean brew to remind them to keep it cool.

Epidemic Ales

Concord, CA

Epidemic began as a hobby that turned into a brewing system. Besides serving their brews at their taproom, Epidemic Ales can be found in bars, taprooms, restaurants, and beer fests.

Lager at World’s End (ABV 4.5%), Epidemic’s most popular beer, won the Gold at the 2020 Great American Beer Festival. It is the perfect beginning for newbies to the world of craft beer. This American lager is traditional and crisp—so refreshing that it takes a moment to be enjoyed, even if the world is ending around you.

Epidemic suggests that you try World’s End with some birria tacos, complete with dipping consomme, from OG Tacos. OG Tacos food truck is at Epidemic Ales every Tuesday (Taco Tuesdays) and every Friday 4-8pm.

World’s End is the perfect beer for Taurus (Apr 20-May 20) and Cancer (Jun 22-Jul 22). Perhaps the two most universally liked signs, Taurus and Cancer are extremely palatable, just like World’s End.

Wh At IS ORTA nT

TO m E . I WA nT Th E

pAI nTI ngS TO BE BRI ghT A n D v Iv ID, WITh COLORS Th At

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n Jean Purnell

“I had nothing to do at all with art, while growing up. My formal art training ended at high school,” laughs Tom Strychacz, whose solo exhibition of paintings, “Twixt: Soulscapes in Oil,” is on display at the Marilyn Citron O’Rourke Gallery at the Benicia Public Library through April 8. Born in Wolverhampton, England, Strychacz attended the Wolverhampton Grammar School where he took some art classes during high school, including ceramics. “For me, it was a disaster, as my pot would not stand up. It collapsed and ended up as a doorstop. I still have my report from that semester, and it said, ‘Thomas should give it up,’” he smiles. “I wasn't really interested in art until perhaps ten years later when I was working on my PhD. I got some oil paints and tried some still lifes, you know, what everyone does. It was much harder than it looked.” Tom found he was better at and more drawn to painting landscapes of the English countryside, a subject he has continued to develop to the present.

His solo exhibition includes representations of English and California landscapes, towns and storefronts, and snow and water scenes, in his own romantic and slightly whimsical style. “Some people might call the style of my paintings naïve or primitive,” he notes, “but I prefer one viewer's description of my work as ‘the least cynical paintings I've ever seen.’ Color is what is most important to me. I want the paintings to be bright and vivid, with colors that leap off the canvas. I'm more concerned with getting the right color matches than worrying about whether the house in the background is too big for the one in the foreground, or a faithful representation of anything.”

Painting with oil, Tom may spend a month or more on each work. He starts with a rough sketch of main shapes and colors, and proceeds, step by step, adding detail to each scene. “A lot

of my paintings incorporate messages that are meaningful to me. Some works are experiments, such as trying different sky colors to see how they work. I’m sure that comes from having no formal training. Whatever I do, it's me just inventing it from scratch. Sometimes I work from photographs, using bits of each and cobbling it all together in one painting, and sometimes I just make it up completely.” He works on several paintings at a time, perhaps one or two hours a day. “I'm not in a rush to finish anything.”

After graduating from the University of Warwick, Tom moved to the US to complete his MA and PhD in American Literature at Princeton University. He married fiction writer Kathryn Reiss and they had their first child. Painting was a way for Tom to unwind from the stresses of writing his dissertation, teaching for the first time, and raising a family. “I found painting to be a relaxing thing to do as a break from my work. It puts you into a left-brain mode, it slows you down. You can lose yourself for hours.” His career in American Literature took him

to the University of Michigan, followed by Mills College (now part of Northeastern University) in Oakland in 1988, where both he and Kathryn have taught in the Department of English Literature and Languages for over 30 years. They moved to Benicia in 1997, where they raised seven children.

“It wasn’t until the pandemic that I started using my study at home a lot more, and I finally set up all my painting gear there. It gradually became my studio. Before then, I really never had a designated space to paint, I just put my easel wherever there was space, and toted all my things over. So now, that is where I work.”

“My research still engages me,” Tom says, although he and Kathryn are planning for retirement. “We have always dreamed about having a house in England and spending part of the year living there.” They have recently purchased a Jacobean cottage, built in 1630 and refurbished it as an apartment attached to the nineteenth century country estate Bretby Hall. They hope to begin spending time there this summer.

"... SI n CE m OST O ARE EITh ER O f Eng C ALI f OR n IA , Th ERE TWIXT TO IT, BETWEE

An D m OST O f m Y pAI nTI ngS hav E

Th At I n- BETWEE n quALITY.”

“My mum used to say, “there's many a slip twixt cup and lip,” Tom explains, referring to the title of his exhibition. “Basically, it means you can never count on anything. Like Murphy’s law. If something can go wrong, it will. Kathryn and I thought it was a good title for my show … you don’t quite know what it means when you see it. And since most of my paintings are either of England or of California, there is a sort of twixt to it, between two places. And most of my paintings have that in-between quality.”

For more information, visit www.tomstrychaczart. com and benicialibrary.org/about/gallery. B

nAtIO n AL STRESS AWARE n ESS mO nTh

prioritizing our mental health

n Dr. Gethsemane Moss, Ed.D.

April is filled with exciting days to observe and take part in. From April Fool’s Day to National Peach Cobbler Day, Good Deeds Day, Go Fly a Kite Day, and Adult Autism Awareness Day, including observance weeks such as Be Kind to Spiders Week, World Music Therapy Week, and National Public Health Week, observed April 3 to 9th. There are also observances throughout the month, such as Parkinson's Awareness Month, and National Youth Sports Safety Month. In addition to all these things, April is also National Stress Awareness Month.

Stress, and in particular, chronic stress, can alter human life. Stress can play out in different ways for different people, and can impact the human body. We must find ways to manage our stress and prevent it from taking a toll on our well-being.

Considering your mental well-being is important because when you feel overwhelmed with life, it can make it almost impossible to take part in the things that bring you joy. Our work environments are essential and also play a part in contributing to mental health. In the movie Horrible Bosses, a group of friends are subjected to poor leadership within their various workspaces. They aim to take down their bosses because they believe their lives have been made miserable in the daily workspace because of them. While that movie is a fictional comedy, in real life, some individuals feel trapped in dysfunctional work environments. When mental health is a priority for employees, productivity is the best outcome. Prioritizing mental health for employees can provide solutiondriven environments and result in each employee reaching their highest potential.

According to the World Health Organization, the costs related to poor mental health in the workplace are in the billions of dollars and can mostly be attributed to lost productivity. Some companies now offer mental health days for employees to use at their leisure. When you experience mental health challenges in the workplace, it can result in negative results for what you are attempting to accomplish; it could result in more mistakes or even low morale. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, if companies want to retain employees, considering policies and programs that support mental health is a step in a positive direction for retention.

The bottom line is that leaders are responsible for providing safe, healthy, and thriving environments for their employees. They may also provide resources that can assist employees with mental health support options. Employers can provide policies and establish social norms that support the well-being of all employees, and individuals can also take steps to maintain a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

Chronic stress can lead to other issues, such as depression. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the cause of depression is not always easy to pinpoint. It can be attributed to several factors such as environment, hereditary factors, and psychological factors. Other contributing factors can be life experiences that can be so overwhelming that it feels like no solution is obtainable. Over-consumption of alcohol and drugs are also key contributors. It is also reported that over 16 million people suffer from depression every year, and this can happen to anyone.

Remember, when you are stressed, the body releases the chemicals cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine, and if you feel stressed for days, imagine how your body is reacting and managing the additional toxins to the body. In moments of stress, your body's heart rate, blood sugar, and blood pressure rise very quickly, which may contribute to heart disease, a weakened immune system, chronic fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, gastrointestinal issues, trouble sleeping and much more.

hERE ARE SO m E h EL pfu L TI p S YO u CA n I n COR p ORAtED I nTO YO u R DAILY LI fE Th At may S upp ORT m E nTAL h EALth:

Eat a healthy diet and eliminate processed foods Meditate

Practice Yoga

Laugh a lot

Consider therapy

Focus on one task at a time and one day at a time

Practice daily gratitude by making a note each day of the things you are grateful for Get daily physical activity

This is a gentle reminder that when we meet people, we never know what they are dealing with internally. Be kind, patient, and considerate of the people you meet because you may be the reason they feel calm, appreciated, and seen. B

An Array of Clay

n Caitlin Emmett

Longtime Benicia resident Raquel Smith has always considered herself a creative person. She’s dabbled in art classes and such, but took a bit of a break to devote her attention to her daughter Xenia. When Xenia began kindergarten around 2016, Smith rediscovered her love for crafting things—in a new way.

“I think she had just turned 5,” says Smith. “When she went back to school, I thought, ‘oh I have all these hobbies that I love and had forgotten!’ So, I started making leather earrings really just to get back into art, and I wanted to try and sell them to make some extra money. I did that for maybe a year or two. My daughter and I have always done art projects with Play-Doh and clay, and I had this idea: maybe I should try making earrings out of clay. Maybe I should try it.”

And try it she did. Years later, Clay by Raquel is alive and well. Her hand painted earrings are just as intriguing but more sustainable than pieces you may find in other stores and boutiques; these can often be made of low-quality metal alloys or plastic that will end up getting discarded after being worn for a short amount of time. She’s even used components such as sea glass and abalone shells.

“It’s always nice to branch out and try something new to try and keep things fresh,” she says. “Being a creative person, things can get boring really fast. Art is all about experimenting and enjoying trying new mediums and seeing what happens.”

When I asked Smith about the process of making these earrings, her love for what she does came through. It also became clear to me that it was a bit more challenging than fooling around with the aforementioned Play-Doh. She first starts by warming it up with her hands, then it gets conditioned by taking a ride through a pasta machine (they’re not just for noodles).

“It needs to be mixed up so you can actually work with it and it doesn’t crumble or crack,” she explains. “After I’ve picked my colors, [painted], and made the actual piece, I bake it. I have a clay oven in my kitchen where everything bakes for about an hour. Then I pull everything out, let it cool, and sand the edges so nothings’ rough—this also gives it a much cleaner look. Drilling the holes comes next, so I can actually put the title jump rings and the actual post that’s going into your ear.

“Being a creative person, things can get boring really fast. Art is all about experimenting and enjoying trying new mediums and seeing what happens.”

Sometimes I like to give them a glossy finish, and I’ll add resin. If you’re adding resin, you need gloves and a mask. It takes 24 hours to actually cure, but it brings a really nice polished look and gives more durability to the piece.”

She might have the process down, but Smith is constantly coming up with new collections—and she finds inspiration in the everyday, including Benicia, where she lives with Xenia, now 14, her fiance, Jacob, and their soon-to-be son.

“I love living in Benicia for the small-town, close-knit feel, and because I'm so inspired by the beach and the water,” she says.

“The Blues,” a collection she created and debuted in early March, has a clean-meets-dreamy palette meant to transport you to carefree sunny vacation days.

“I’d been dreaming about summer being here,” she says. “We’ve had all this rain, and I’m over it. Also maybe since I’m about to have a boy, I’ve been having the color blue on my mind. I just love summer and I’m ready for some warmer weather. I wanted to bring that feeling to life and what you wear either makes you feel good or it doesn’t. I have a little bit of that with me every day.”

Up next? True to her hardworking form, Smith has gotten a collection done just before baby boy arrives, inspired by this oh-so-popular season of Love is Blind.

“The most random things can inspire a collection or design,” she says. “I binge watch a show to have some sort of noise in the background. While I was working on this last collection, everyone was talking about Love is Blind, so I chose to watch that, and they have those super colorful pillows in the pods. The collection will be inspired by those pillows!”

This one’s set to launch the first week of April, so be sure to check it out, along with her other treasures, at designs-by-raquel.myshopify.com You can also view her instagram @claybyraquel. B

Benicia Art Weekend

A vIBRAnT CELEBRAtIOn Of CREAtIvITY

n Jean Purnell

True to its reputation as an arts destination, Benicia will draw art lovers to town for a celebration of art during the first weekend in May. On May 4th and 5th between 10:00am and 5:00pm, over 50 artists in the Benicia Arsenal District will open their studios to welcome the public. At the same time, eleven downtown galleries and art studios will roll out the red carpet for visitors to see the work of their artist members, watch art demonstrations, and participate in other events planned especially for the weekend. The event represents a grand collaboration of the studio artists’ annual “Open Studios” and the downtown galleries’ summer “Art Walks,” two events that have coincided in past years, but are this year presented as a city-wide festival. By focusing efforts on a single weekend, the local artists will work together to maximize marketing efforts and attendance. Music, food vendors, restaurant specials, and outdoor events are also planned.

"We are thrilled about our collaboration with the Arsenal artists and downtown galleries to present a wonderfully diverse art weekend experience for attendees,” said Vickie Marchand, a co-owner of NY2CA Gallery and a coordinator for the event.

“This partnership will not only showcase the vibrant creativity of local and Bay Area artists but also feature a rotating schedule of talented street musicians, adding to the dynamic atmosphere of the event.”

Among various weekend events on First Street, NY2CA Gallery will be featuring artist talks by Paula Boas, a mixed media painter, and Mary Oros, concrete sculptor. Happy Life Pottery will be featuring an exhibition of sculpture by co-owner Amy Stellato. The O’Rourke Gallery at the Benicia Public Library will feature "Our Culture," an exhibition showcasing the talent of Benicia and Liberty High School students. The HQ Gallery is planning events to celebrate the grand opening of its new, expanded gallery space.

While the downtown galleries have been holding art walks for many years, Open Studios has likewise been a long-time feature of the Benicia Arsenal Artists and Arts Benicia, the non-profit visual arts organization that hosted the event for over 25 years before Covid. For the last three years, the Benicia Arsenal Artists hosted and produced the event, which has been focused on studios in the Arsenal area, in various buildings that were part of the old U.S. Army Arsenal, along Tyler Street in the 940 Building, the 991 Building, Storehouse 88, on Lincoln, Hayes, and Grant Streets and at Arts Benicia’s Printmaking Studio on Tyler Street and the Commanding Officer’s Quarters on

Commandant’s Lane. This year, maps will include both Arsenal and First Street locations.

Participating artists include abstract, figurative and landscape painters, printmakers, sculptors and ceramicists, photographers, glass and mixed media artists, and more. Visitors will meet both new downtown gallery members as well as newcomers to the changing Arsenal studio environment, including Johanna Regan, Paul Anke, Angela White, and Deirdre Shibano. Guest artists include Cecile McNulty, Loretta Boyce, and Sarah Wahl.

Susan Marcus Sachs, a coordinator for this year’s event, will be offering a collage demonstration in her studio at 940 Tyler Street. “We have 50 artists participating in the Arsenal this year, the most since COVID,” she said. “I think that coordinating with the First Street Galleries is going to create more excitement for the art loving public. I’m also pleased that we will honor Randall Sexton, who was an important member of our community and who did a lot of work to support this event in past years. His widow, Carol Neilson Sexton, will host visitors in his studio during the event.”

Benicia has long been known as an artist community. The Arsenal, especially, has been attracting artists for decades because of large, affordable studio spaces as well as proximity to art colleges and universities and major exhibition galleries stretching from San Francisco to Sacramento. The downtown galleries have been founded by local artists and include many Arsenal artists as members. Gallery membership also extends throughout the Bay Area, expanding the reputation of Benicia throughout the region and California.

For more information about Benicia Art Weekend, visit visitbenicia.org/benicia-art-weekendbeniciaarsenalartists.com, and artsbenicia.org. B

“Th

Gourmet Gracie and Movie Magic

Th REE Sh ORTS An D Th REE D RI nkS

mIX An D mAtC h Th REE DELICIOuS DRI nkS WITh Th REE DELI ghTfu L S h ORT fIL m S .

n Gourmet Gracie

Brazilian Lemonade

Brazil is a major supplier of limes with a bumper crop this year—who knew? This is a crazy but delicious recipe, a wild concoction from the wonderful world of TikTok Food, with over $50 million views! Gracie was skeptical but it works— and gets all the stars for its yumminess!

Ingredients

5 limes

4 cups water

½ can sweetened condensed milk

Ice

Preparation

Angela Pia (Pious Angel) Serves 6 - 8.

This very special throwback recipe was made famous by the San Francisco restaurant, Pietro Pinoni, in the 1960s and was featured in the SF Chronicle by the iconic columnist, Herb Caen. He called this dessert a "total pleasure." Gracie agrees.

Ingredients

3 eggs, separated

1/2 pint whipping cream

1 teaspoon pure vanilla

1/2 cup white sugar

1 ounce brandy

1 ounce rum

1 envelope or 1 Tablespoon Knox unflavored gelatin

Add 4 limes, quartered, into a blender. (Yes, you really do add all of the limes, skin and all!) Add 4 cups of water. Blend on high (ice crusher setting if you have one) for 20 seconds. Strain the mixture into a bowl. Pour the liquid back into the blender, add half a can of sweetened condensed milk. Add 2 - 4 handfuls of ice to the blender and blend. Once smooth, serve over ice with extra lime wedges for garnish.

Preparation

Beat egg yolks until light/lemon colored, add sugar gradually, continue beating until a creamy mass results. Fold in brandy and rum.

Beat egg whites until stiff, but not dry, set aside. Whip cream until stiff and standing firm with shiny peaks. Fold in vanilla.

In a heatproof dish or pan, soak gelatin in 1/4 cup cold water for 5 minutes. Place heat proof dish or pan over a pot of hot water stirring gelatin until completely dissolved. Let cool. Stir gelatin into the egg yolk mixture thoroughly and then gently fold in the beaten egg whites and whipped cream. Pour into cocktail or sherbet glasses. Chill for 2 hours before serving.

Not Your Mother's Peach Bellini

Prue Leith of the Great British Baking Show has kicked it up a notch with this gorgeous and celebratory morning cocktail. Brunch anyone? Nothing beats champagne and peaches except for when you add brandy!

Ingredients

3 ripe peaches, peeled and stoned or 1 can peaches in juice, not syrup

3 Tablespoons brandy

Dash of Angostura

bitters

1 bottle of champagne or sparkling wine

Preparation

Blend the peaches in a blender, including the juice if using canned. Add brandy and bitters. Divide between 6 champagne glasses and chill. When ready to celebrate, top off each glass with the bubbles and enjoy!

n Movie Magic

The Last Repair Shop

2023 • 39 minutes

Documentary/Short • Disney+

This Oscar-winning film is full of ohso-tender moments. The story of real life, lovely people with reverence for music, steady patience, amazing skill and the "calling" to maintain musical instruments for over 80,000 students in the Los Angeles school district. These lovingly repaired instruments potentially save and change lives one by one. A short movie that has it all...Elvis, Liberace, war, love, banjos, guitars, pianos and more, including a little Rachmaninoff. Lovely. Touching.

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse

2022 • 34 minutes

Family/Adventure/Short • Apple TV

This charming, animated, Oscar winning short is slow and gentle—and very pleasing. Four unusual friends develop an unexpected connection. They discover that home isn't necessarily a physical place and that the reason we are here is to love and be loved. "Home is wherever your loved ones are." Based on the 2019 picture book of the same name. Like a warm hug.

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar

2023 • 34 minutes

Comedy/Adventure/Short • Netflix

Henry Sugar is a wealthy man who decides to take on an extraordinary challenge by mastering a magical skill in order to cheat at gambling— clairvoyance is the goal. A lighthearted adventure with wonderful whimsy. Based on a short story by Roald Dahl. The elite cast includes Ralph Fiennes, Benedict Cumberbatch, Dev Patel and Ben Kingsley. Directed by the quirky and acclaimed movie maker, Wes Anderson who was awarded his first Oscar for this film. Eclectic. Mystical.

Magic Moon gives each of these delightful shorts an indulgent 5 Moons! B

Book and Cocktail Club

n Cooper Mickelson

“If only men could take a turn at childbirth, risk their lives for it. Let women rest, let women live on. Then what would the world become?

It would be a world made of words and not swords.

The difference of a single letter. Yes, let women rule. Give the duties and death of life-bringing to the men.”

Embark on a captivating journey through the shadows of Shakespeare's Macbeth with Joel H. Morris's spellbinding prequel, All Our Yesterdays. Before delving into this captivating retelling, I urge you to immerse yourself in the original tale, as the richness of Morris's narrative truly shines in contrast.

Set against the backdrop of the decade preceding the events of Macbeth, All Our Yesterdays unfolds through the dual perspectives of "the Lady" and "the boy." Witness the poignant struggles of a widow and her son as they grapple with loss, love, and the ominous whispers of prophecy. As the Lady succumbs to a forbidden love and marries her husband's murderer, her son grows resentful of both mother

and stepfather. He falls into a deep loneliness as he’s kept in the dark about the prophecy that burdens his mother’s mind and guides her every action.

Yes, we get to see some of the weird sisters and most of the characters featured in Macbeth, but this retelling is more about the Lady and her struggle with lack of control over her own life and the kingdom. I particularly enjoyed seeing some of the major characters from Shakespeare’s classic represented as more minor characters in Morris’s retelling. I relished in watching their influence contribute to the madness, fear, and feeling of helplessness and betrayal experienced by Lady Macbeth, resulting in her slowly devolving into the play’s unforgettable villain.

Through lush descriptions and unforgettable characters, All Our Yesterdays breathes new life into a timeless tale and offers a fresh perspective on the origins of one of literature's most iconic antagonists.

Morris's debut novel is a testament to the power of retellings done right. With a deft hand, he captures the essence of Shakespeare's dark mysticism, delivering a mesmerizing reading experience that will captivate even the most discerning historical fiction aficionados. As I eagerly await Morris's next literary endeavor, I wholeheartedly recommend All Our Yesterdays to

anyone seeking a riveting exploration of fate, ambition, religion vs. the supernatural, and the role of women in 11th-century Scotland. Pick up a copy from Bookshop Benicia to read while sipping on this month's cocktail, inspired by the weird sisters! B

Booktail's Cocktail of the Month

Witches' Whispers

Lavender Gimlet

Ingredients

Available at SIPS

2.5 oz Gin (I recommend Seedlip Garden 108 for an NA option)

0.5 oz Lime Juice

0.5 oz Lavender Juice

Preparation

1. Add gin, lime juice and lavender syrup to a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake.

2. Strain into a glass and garnish with dried lavender and a dehydrated lime slice.

3. Try not to talk your husband into committing regicide because of what a few weird sisters in the forest prophesied.

around town | Events

April Events

Thursdays

Benicia Farmer's Market

Benicia Main Street

Starting April 18th

4-8 pm

The Farmer's Market returns to Benicia starting April 18!

April 5

First Friday at the Museum MoHB

6:30-9:30

Heart & Soul is the perfect Huey Lewis and the News Tribute Band.

April 7

Holi Festival City Park

2-5 pm

In India, Holi announces the arrival of spring and the passing of winter.

April 13

Meet the Author/IllustratorJoanna Ho

Benicia Public LibraryDona Benicia Room

2-4 pm

Joanna Ho, author of "Eyes that Kiss in the Corners," is visiting Benicia! Meet the author, get signed books, and participate in fun activities. Appropriate for all ages and families.

April 14

Family Art Day Arts Benicia

1-3 pm

Activities for each session are inspired by the exhibition in the Arts Benicia gallery as well as seasonal themes.

April 20

Meet the Author/IllustratorDashka Slater

Benicia Public LibraryDona Benicia Room

2-4 pm

Dashka Slater, author of "The 57 Bus," is visiting Benicia! Meet the author and get your own signed books. Slater's book is based off a true story from Oakland.

April 20

3rd Annual Benicia Diversity Festival

Benicia City Park

12-5 pm

Join us at the Benicia Diversity Festival for a celebration of all cultures, backgrounds, and traditions in our community!

April 21

29th Annual Benicia Classic Car Show

Benicia Waterfront

9 am - 3 pm

Presented by Benicia Panther Band: all proceeds will help the BHS band afford transportation, instrument upkeep, and competition fees.

April 27

Art Scavenger Hunt

Benicia Main Street

12-4 pm

Discover amazing art found in downtown galleries while doing a scavenger hunt. Participants will receive a free “I Love Benicia” bag and be entered in drawing to win $100 in Downtown Dollars.

Classes & Workshops

Month of April

Classes in Pottery

Happy Life Pottery

Don't have time to commit to a five or six week class? Come in and play with us for just a few hours instead! It's fun, easy, and you will love what you'll create. https://happylifepottery.com/

April 6 , 13 , 20 , 27

Watercolor Wonderful: Foundations Made Fun Arts Benicia

1-4 pm

You will learn the important basics of painting in transparent watercolor, and working with the unique nature of the watercolor medium.

Music & Entertainment

Tuesdays

Trivia with King Trivia Mare Island Brewing Co.

First Street Taphouse

6:30 pm

Grab your friends for craft brews, food, and a few brain ticklers from the quizmasters at King Trivia every Tuesday upstairs, in the Benicia Room.

April 19-May12

Blithe Spirit : A Supernatural Comedy Historic BDES Hall

Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm

Sundays at 2 pm

$26 for General Admission, $24 for Seniors and Students

April 20 & 21

Vallejo Symphony Presents Porgy and Bess

Vallejo Symphony Association: 714 Marin Street, Vallejo 20th at 8pm, 21st at 3 pm

Vallejo Symphony presents Porgy and Bess Arranged by RUSSELL GARCIA Porgy and Bess - George Gershwin. B

Celebration OF LIFE

OCTOBER 10, 1944 - MARCH 18, 2024

SATURDAY APRIL 20, 2024

5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

NY2CA GALLERY

617 & 619 Fir s t S t. Benicia, Califor nia

Refreshments & Music

Te rr y Twigg ...

In lieu of flower s , Twigg’s ar twor k will be showcased and available for purchase at an affordable pr ice. All proceeds will go to the youth ar t education programs at Ar ts Benicia.

If you are unable to join us , direct your gi to Ar ts Benicia, P O Box 545, Benicia, CA 94510, or via the website at: ar tsbenicia.org/donate

Please add a note that your gi is in memor y of Ter r y Twigg.

With love and gratitude,

Vickie

“This is our second time working with Trevor, and our first time working with Taylor. Both times we have received the best customer service and the cabinets are top of the line quality. The input we received when making decisions really helped make our bathroom not only beautiful but also super functional. We love it!”

— Kim and Branon