We have exciting news! Benicia Magazine was voted as Benicia’s Small Business of the Year at the Chamber of Commerce Installation dinner on Friday, January 24th. We were taken by surprise, to say the least. We were presented the award by Randy Young, Executive Director of the Benicia Chamber of Commerce, after a speech by Senator Christoper Cabaldon which celebrated our achievements. We thank the Benicia Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for this honor.
Benicia Magazine (Benicia Publishing, LLC) has extended our business platform to include Benicia Magazine Presents, the first presentation being Porchfest Benicia 2024. We are already working on Porchfest Benicia 2025 and it promises to be even better than last year! We are also presenting a business seminar called AI Integration Masterclass. Many feel a certain amount of fear around what AI is and what it can do. Believe me, I’m alternately terrified and amazed by the many applications. The seminar will include 7 panelists, all experts on AI. We are also helping BAGA (Benicia Art Gallery Association) to reimagine the Benicia Art Walk, which has drawn fewer and fewer visitors over the years. We are expanding the art walk to include performing arts, which will interact with gallery artists to create “Mashups.” For example, a musician plays music to reflect a particular painting, or a slam poet recites around a sculpture, adding another layer of perception to the
works that they may not evoke apart. The performing artists will include music, dance, poetry, improv and acting. The name of this re-energized art event is Experience Benicia Arts and will happen on June 7th.
The purpose that drives Benicia Magazine is three-fold: reflect the beauty, history and unique story of Benicia to our own residents, uplift Benicia’s small businesses, and create top shelf events that are designed to bring more tourism to Benicia. We have a fabulous community that is rich in diverse talent and know-how, and a City that supports it.
Here's to a great 2025!
- Genevieve & Mary
Photo courtesy of The Benicia Chamber of Commerce
Benicia
Wat e r Taxis Wat e r Taxis in Ben icia's Future?
n Kevin Nelson
It is amazing what you can discover about Benicia when you least expect it. You can take a journey from the past into the future.
Let me explain. The other day, I rode the Amtrak from Martinez to Sacramento and spent a pleasant couple of hours in the California State Railroad Museum.
A museum docent dressed in an old-time conductor’s cap and suit led a group of us on a tour of the exhibits and train cars and after that, I wandered around on my own.
This is where I stumbled onto a glass-enclosed display about Benicia’s past: the steamship known as the Solano Ferry. The Solano was a beast; the largest ferry in the world in the late 1800s and early 1900s, when it made its runs back and forth between Benicia and Port Costa.
Get this: the 400-foot-long Solano was big enough and wide enough and strong enough to carry two full trains consisting of 48 freight cars on its mile-long trip across the Carquinez. It could make these runs, if needed, multiple times in a day. It also carried automobiles and passengers wishing to travel to Oakland and San Francisco, or if they were headed east, to Sacramento and beyond.
A man named Arthur Brown designed the ferry. He also engineered huge slips at the foot of First Street that allowed the train cars to be loaded on and off safely. Dozens of men who lived in Benicia and Port Costa worked the ferry service.
I learned all this from the display whose centerpiece was a beautiful and super-detailed HO scale model of the Solano that was built by Bill Rubarth, Thomas Rubarth, and Jim Turner.
They devoted 15 years to the project. HO scale means that it was constructed to the exact specifications of the original ship, at 1/87th its size.
Two years ago the threesome donated their masterpiece to the railroad museum, where others could enjoy it. Fascinated by this, I visited the Museum of History, Benicia to see what they might have on the old Solano. Zoe Urban, an administrative coordinator, welcomed me in and pointed out the second floor display panels that told how the ferry went out of business in 1930 after they built the railroad bridge across the strait.
During this time I had a chat with David Batchelor, the chair of the Benicia Community Foundation, who is an active volunteer in community affairs. He is the one who is lifting this whole ferry business out of the distant past and attempting to place it into a possible future for the City.
He and others, including City staff, envision a “water taxi” that would potentially operate between Benicia and the Vallejo ferry terminal. The Vallejo ferry currently makes daily cross-bay runs back and forth between San Francisco.
“A water taxi service between Benicia Marina and Vallejo Ferry would provide a scenic, efficient transportation option, connecting residents to Vallejo's ferry service and beyond,” Batchelor wrote me in an email after our talk. “Given our current secure docking facilities with added suitable parking, this service could boost tourism, reduce road congestion, and help support the marina's sustainability.”
For a time, he explained, the biotech company Genentech operated a private water taxi service that transported its employees from Benicia to its South San Francisco offices. So there is precedent for such a service here.
This is very early days, and much would need to happen before such a water taxi could actually be up and running. But Batchelor believes that the idea is “feasible” with good planning, marketing, and strong community support. Some day it could even form part of “a regional water transit network” used by both commuters and pleasure travelers. Every grand enterprise starts with a vision. After all, that’s how the great Solano Ferry got started, too.
Benicia author Kevin Nelson writes the Substack column “Tilting West.” B
Baxters Restaurant
A Culinary Cornerstone in the Heart of Benicia
n Dr. Gethsemane Moss, Ed.D.
In the heart of downtown Benicia, Baxters Restaurant offers a dining experience that combines fine cuisine, expertly crafted specialty cocktails, curated bourbons, and an exceptional wine list. Whether you choose rich gnocchi, perfectly roasted salmon, a tender filet mignon, or a savory Baxters truffle burger, each meal reflects the dedication of owners Kenneth Coker and Kevin Shaw. "Our goal is to make people feel like they are being entertained in our home," Kenneth shared. Guests leave Baxters with a warm, inviting personal experience.
Since its grand opening in July 2023, Baxters has quickly become a beloved part of the Benicia community. The name was chosen after exploring a list of names inspired by physical structures and historical landmarks in the city, as well as the names of their family pets. After polling friends about their options, "Baxters" – named after their 12-yearold Fox Terrier – rose to the top. "We wanted it to be mystique, curious, and memorable," Kenneth explained.
Kenneth and Kevin bring years of passion for culinary excellence to every aspect of the restaurant, creating an atmosphere where guests feel like
family. They have traveled and enjoyed fine dining all over the world. Kenneth emphasized that they could not achieve their vision without their fantastic restaurant team, which includes Chef Babirye Kaddu, their line cooks, and servers. "Our employees are a huge part of what we do," he stated. Their commitment to quality, attention to detail, and warm hospitality are evident in every dish and interaction, ensuring guests leave with a memorable experience.
Opening a restaurant was not part of their original plans. One afternoon, after a trip to Benicia farmers market, they stopped for a glass of champagne at what was once the Wine Loft. During this visit, they discovered the restaurant was for sale, and they decided to purchase it. "If all the doors open, let's walk through them," Kenneth said, explaining their approach to this venture.
Among the many great food items on the menu, Kenneth's favorite is the salmon and gnocchi in vodka sauce, while Kevin enjoys the steak. They've also noted that the Baxters burgers have become a huge hit.
Through a handson approach, Kenneth and Kevin have created a welcoming space where locals can gather to enjoy outstanding food, celebrate special moments, or unwind after a busy day. Their personal touch and genuine connections with guests have built a loyal following, establishing Baxters as a
cherished gathering spot in the heart of Benicia. In addition to their dedication to exceptional food and service, Kenneth and Kevin are committed to supporting the local community. Baxters embodies their kindness, generosity, and community values. Their entrepreneurial spirit has transformed Baxters into a cornerstone of Benicia's vibrant culture, making it a must-visit destination for residents and visitors alike. "We appreciate how the community continues to embrace and support our restaurant and how much people enjoy their dining experience," Kenneth commented. "We receive such great accolades. There was a need for a casual, intimate fine dining experience in Benicia, and the intimacy of Baxters is part of its attraction."
For a more intimate setting, guests can enjoy a private dining experience in the Speakeasy, adding a charming touch to their visit. Keep an eye out for an even more exciting menu, featuring Soul Food Sundays and other surprise dining experiences.
Baxters Restaurant & Bar - Benicia, CA
280 1st Street, Benicia, CA B
n Jean Purnell
An exhibition of the works of Lowell Dalton, the late artist and co-owner of Benicia Frame, is on display in the upstairs Showcase Gallery at Arts Benicia this month through March 2. The exhibition includes figure drawings, watercolors, and oil paintings selected by curator and wife, Carol Dalton. A resident of Benicia since 1980, Lowell passed away on March 13, 2024, after a three-year battle with cancer.
Lowell Dalton
Fine Artist and Craftsman
collected on their walks and travels made up his subjects. He enjoyed ordering new colors and was meticulous about his brushes and other materials.
Dalton rarely showed his art. “He just didn’t get into the marketing of artwork,” said Carol. “He was busy and just wanted to do the artwork for himself.”
In Hedi Desuyo’s Why Make Art (2015), Dalton wrote, “I make art on the pleasure principle. I like the idea of a lifelong commitment to an enterprise. I like doing something I think is really hard. Errors in portraying the figure are pretty glaring. I like the direct connection between eye, brain, and hand. I like spillover. When I am painting well, I seem to be more perceptive, more appreciative, more attentive. I like interdisciplinary art relationships.”
Lowell graduated in 1975 from the Santa Barbara Art Institute where he pursued a traditional art school curriculum with an emphasis on figurative work. He continued to draw throughout his life, and figurative pieces dominate his artwork, much of which has never been shown. “His work really holds together, from what he did long ago to more current work,” observed Carol. He was very consistent, especially in his use of line work, from the more academic figurative work to some of the last works, which were abstract.”
Dalton used charcoal and water-soluble pastels in his figure drawings, capturing expressive faces and gestures with line work and minimal shading. He joined a drawing group that met weekly in Bill Harsh’s studio in the Benicia Arsenal; the group eventually moved to Arts Benicia. He drew with the group for 25 years, creating a body of large drawings from life, generally from 20-minute poses.
While his early paintings were oil, he later adopted a technique with watercolors, using fine line archival ink pens to draw his subjects before delicately applying the paint. Botanical forms and various odd objects that the couple
" When I am painting well, be more perceptive, appreciative,
Dalton was born in Teaneck, New Jersey, in 1944 and moved to Southern California, where both he and Carol (née Blakeslee) grew up. They met as students at the Santa Barbara Art Institute and married in 1975. They moved to Emeryville where they made a living selling ceramic jewelry on the street in San Francisco. Upon selling that business, they moved to Benicia and acquired Benicia Frame in 1984, which they operated until 2020.
Lowell loved the creativity and craftsmanship of the framing business as well as working with customers. He became known as a master framer, meticulous in detail, and careful not to let the frame outweigh the artwork or subject. He was sought after by regional artists, including Manuel Neri, Robert Arneson, and Roy DeForest. While providing expert framing service for the community, Lowell also donated framing time to local non-profits and other causes.
Other interests included fishing and gardening. He tied his own flies and tended to his extensive vegetable garden and other plants with the same precision that he brought to his art and his framing. “He was an artist complete,” said Carol about Lowell’s various pursuits. He did everything through an artist’s lens.”
Lowell was an avid reader and his tastes in art were diverse. He admired the Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock prints from the 1800s. Among contemporary
well, I seem to perceptive, more more attentive."
artists, he followed the work of Masami Teraoka, David Hockney, Graham Sutherland, Patrick Graham, and John Altoon, whose work involved a hybrid style combining abstraction with figuration.
“Lowell was an extremely good draughtsman at the beginning,” said Lars Lucker, a fellow framer, who drew with Lowell for many years. “Yet near the end of the Benicia sessions he had reached a level that transcended the art of drawing. And, like a master, all his visual art creativity and more started to flow into his later studio art sessions in plasticine figures and forms, watercolors, gouache, pen and ink, and charcoal, all on various papers. The incredibly rendered lines were transparent, thick, milky, thin, and wide. Layers of transparent colors creating more depth of colors. Artists like Lowell make it appear simple and easy. That is why he is greater than just good. ‘Don't draw what you see, draw what you feel you see, it will open a new space.’”
Arts Benicia, located at 1 Commandant’s Lane, is open Thursday through Sunday, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Also on view is Forma Natura: Nature as Source, a group exhibition. For more information, visit artsbenicia.org. B
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n Linda Hastings
What's your pleasure? Do you love salted caramels covered in chocolate? Or chocolate covered peanut brittle? Or just an old-fashioned bonbon or truffle? The big question is...Dark or Milk Chocolate? For me, I go dark and nod politely to White Chocolate although I'm not sure it counts as in the family. The cocoa bean and the making of chocolate has quite a history. The Maya are the first civilization to record
emperor Montezuma II, who was said to drink 50 cups of cocoa a day! North America became aware of chocolate in 1641. The earliest record is in St. Augustine, Florida, where a Spanish ship was forced to make port while carrying beans, chocolate and chocolate-making equipment. In 1682 Boston merchants began importing cocoa beans, marking the advent of chocolate production in the colonies. And, in 1741 Carl Linnaeus, a Swedish scientist, gave cacao the botanical name theobroma cacao,
prepared as a drink and said to have healing properties. It wasn't until 1847 that J.S. Fry & Sons developed the first solid chocolate bar by blending together cocoa solids, cocoa butter and sugar, resulting in the world's oldest chocolate bar— Fry's Chocolate Cream Bar. The Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar was created in 1900. The Milky Way wasn't born until 1923.
Chocolate hangs out with all the important people and shows up in historic events. In 1912, chocolate
chocolate per person per week for rations on a Brazilian jungle expedition. In 1925, the New York Cocoa Exchange was established to enable commercial transactions. Charles Lindbergh enjoyed cocoa in 1927 aboard the Spirit of St. Louis. In 1925, Amelia Earhart indulged in a chocolate drink on her solo voyage from Hawaii to Oakland. In 1939, European countries included 4 ounces of chocolate per week in war rations. Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay reached the summit of Mt. Everest in 1953, where they buried chocolate to appease the mountain gods. In 1981, M&Ms were included in the first space shuttle mission and in every subsequent flight.
In 2015, the Flaviola Consortium, a European research project, declared that cocoa flavanols can keep hearts healthy. We now know that dark chocolate containing at least 70% cacao has flavanols—a type of antioxidant that may improve heart health by reducing inflammation and blood pressure. It may also enhance cognitive function. Milk chocolate, however, has less flavanols and more sugar. White chocolate has sugar, but no flavonoids. Chocolate may, indeed, have health benefits but that doesn't change the fact that chocolate of all kinds is high in calories. Moderation is recommended. No matter. Most of us love different kinds of chocolate and will partake for our tasting pleasure and the simple joy of indulgence. Some may think of it only as a guilty pleasure while for others it's a daily necessity.
Most of us have memories of chocolate bars that have been around since childhood. Chocolate is often used as a reward or offered in celebration. But now there are many very special chocolate concoctions that are not found in the candy aisle of the supermarket. Small batch producers of designer chocolates are thriving. Chocolate now might come with surprises and a bit of adventure.
Here are some of the best specialty chocolates that we've discovered:
Raaka of New York offers limited batch chocolate bars with unroasted dark chocolate from scratch with high quality, transparently traded single-origin cacao—uncommonly delicious. Ginger snap, green tea crunch and pink sea salt are just a few of their chocolate flavors.
Askinosie chocolate lauds from Missouri and was developed by a father/daughter team who travel to remote areas of the world to source cocoa beans directly from smallholder farmers. Profits are shared. Named by Food & Wine as one of 25 companies changing the world for the better, their chocolate is undeniably sublime. Dairy-free milk chocolate and Amazonia dark chocolate are two chocolate bars that you won't forget.
Deux Cranes is an artisanal chocolate company showcasing handcrafted creations made in California by French trained Chocolatier Michiko who draws on her Japanese heritage. Flavors include Matcha Chocolate with Yuzu and Milk
Chocolate with Ginger, Sesame and Buckwheat.
All of these are available at Anchor Pantry in Vallejo along with many more chocolate varieties.
There is also Liled's Candy Kitchen in Vallejo that opened in 1936. A very special sweet shop, they make their own assorted chocolates and truffles which can be purchased in gift boxes by the pound. Chocolate fudge is also featured along with their famous ice cream which comes in many flavors, including Swiss Milk Chocolate, Chocolate and Chocolate Caramel.
Benicia's own One House Bakery offers a plethora of specialty chocolate items during holiday periods. All are handmade in-house, organic, with only natural food dyes and are stunningly beautiful. In the meantime, you can't go wrong with a chocolate croissant, chocolate cream tart or a chocolate pull-apart, available most days.
Yes, See's Candies are award winning and never disappoint. But with so much to explore, maybe this is the year to expand your chocolate tasting repertoire. B
Note from the Art Director
Tempted by the cupcakes on our cover? Chelsea Got Cakes is a phenominal local comedian, actress, mom and baker who bakes and decorates the most spectacular cakes. Find her info in the Table of Contents for the next time you need a custom cake!
"It wasn't until 1847 that J.S. Fry & Sons developed the first solid chocolate bar by blending together cocoa solids, cocoa butter and sugar, resulting in the world's oldest chocolate bar—Fry's Chocolate Cream Bar."
n Genevieve Hand and Cooper Mickelson
February: frequently one of the coldest months here in the northern hemisphere, yet also the most colorful. Though still in the depths of winter, there is a suite of colorful festivals in February that seem to beckon spring. The larger-than-life celebrations of Mardi Gras, Carnival, and Holi.
Mardi Gras & Carnival
It is thought that Mardi Gras grew out of pagan roots and became part of the Christian celebration it is today. Thousands of years ago, pagan cultures in ancient Rome would celebrate agricultural and fertility-related festivals like Saturnalia and Lupercalia in midwinter. As Christianity began to spread,
the incorporation of these pagan festivals into the Christian observance of Lent became easier than attempting to abolish the practices altogether. The feasting and debaucherous nature of these festivals became seen as a way to prepare for the fasting period of Lent, between Ash Wednesday and Easter –a way to use up all the remaining meats, eggs, fats, and other easily spoiled supplies, as well as prepare the body for the fast.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, Mardi Gras became very popular in Italy, Portugal, and the French court. Eventually, colonists would bring the tradition of Mardi Gras to their colonies all over the world, including the Americas. The first American Mardi Gras was held in what is now Mobile, Alabama, in 1703, with societies dedicated to organizing the Mardi Gras procession shortly thereafter.
Mardi Gras, itself, occurs on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday each year and its direct translation is “Fat Tuesday.” However, in many parts of the world, the celebration has expanded to a weeklong festival, similar to its pagan roots. In these cultures, the festivities are a larger celebration called Carnival or Carnaval, which concludes on the day of Mardi Gras. Over the centuries, the
processions marking the end of the feasting period developed into massive parades dedicated to extravagance. In short, these celebrations are joyous, flamboyant, and colorful. The traditional colors of purple, green, and gold are said to have been chosen in 1892, with symbolism given to each color: purple for justice, faith for green, and power for gold.
Around the world, the traditions of Carnival and Mardi Gras blended with other cultural traditions, such as those in the Caribbean and South America. The blended traditions created festivities unique to each culture. Today, Rio Carnival, celebrated in Rio de Janeiro, is one of the largest and most famous, having evolved from Portuguese Mardi Gras traditions and combining the regional tradition of Entrudo and celebrations of Latin American cultural dances and music.
Holi
India’s vibrant cultural tapestry includes Holi, a colorful celebration marking the end of winter and the arrival of spring. Known as the “festival of colors,” Holi is a Hindu tradition deeply rooted in ancient mythology, with origins tracing back to at least the 4th century. Much like Mardi Gras, Holi’s timing varies annually, falling in February or March according to the Hindu calendar month of Phalguna. Although primarily observed in South Asia, Holi’s joyful spirit has spread worldwide, with
Festivals in February and March
communities everywhere embracing its exuberant traditions.
Holi is steeped in tales of mythology, embodying the universal theme of the triumph of good over evil. Central to the festival is the legend of Hiranyakashipu, a powerful demon king, and his son, Prahlada. Hiranyakshipu’s ego led him to forbid the worship of deities other than himself, so when Prahlada defies him by remaining steadfast in his devotion to Vishnu, Hiranyakshipu becomes enraged and enlists the help of his sister, Holika, to execute a plan to burn Prahlada alive. Through divine intervention, Prahlada escapes unharmed, while Holika perishes in the flames. This myth is commemorated during Holika Dahan, a ritual held on the eve of Holi. Bonfires are lit to symbolize the destruction of evil and negativity, as people sing, dance, and offer wood, leaves, grains, and chickpeas to the fire, signifying renewal and the welcoming of positivity.
The festival’s most iconic tradition, the tossing of colored powders and water, originates from the playful love story of Radha and Krishna. According to legend, Krishna, the mischievous and divine incarnation of Vishnu, worried that his blue skin might make him unappealing to Radha, his beloved. Seeking advice from his mother, Krishna was encouraged to smear colored powder on Radha’s face to bridge their differences. This playful act blossomed into a symbol of love and unity, reflecting the joyous and carefree essence of Holi.
Colors carry deep symbolism in the festival, with each hue representing an element of nature or an emotion. Red signifies love and fertility; yellow represents prosperity and new beginnings; blue embodies the divine Krishna; and green symbolizes life and rejuvenation. Together, these colors paint a vivid picture of the festival’s themes of renewal, love, and harmony.
Today, Holi is a bright and playful celebration that transcends religious and cultural boundaries. Public spaces burst with energy as people smear each other with brightly colored powders, drench friends and strangers with water balloons, and share festive foods like gujiya (sweet dumplings) and thandai (a spiced milk drink). Music and dancing add to the electrifying atmosphere, fostering a sense of community and unity.
In addition to revelry, Holi carries deeper meanings. It encourages people to forgive past grievances, renew relationships, and embrace positivity. The festival’s inclusive nature breaks
down barriers of age, caste, and status, fostering a spirit of equality and joy. These celebrations, though rooted in vastly different cultures, both embrace the universal human spirit that yearns for connection and expression. From the dazzling parades and beads of Mardi Gras to the exuberant throwing of colors during Holi, each festival offers a chance to momentarily transcend the mundane and revel in the extraordinary. Ultimately, both Mardi Gras and Holi illustrate how traditions can bring people together, fostering understanding and appreciation for the diverse tapestry of human experience. They remind us that, no matter our differences, celebration and unity are common threads that weave us together. B
My Furry Valentine
Bring New Love Into Your Home this Month By
Adopting a Pet
n Peter Crooks
It’s no secret that Valentine’s Day is meant for love, and you’ll never find a love as pure as the kind you’ll find when you adopt a pet. Adopted pets often know when you’re giving them a home, and reward their owners with compassion and comfort. This year, more pets need homes than ever, due to the horrific fires in the Los Angeles area. There are a number of local shelters and facilities that provide adoptions, as well as various classes and programs for animal lovers.
Berkeley Humane
This busy facility has adopted more than 5,500 animals and provided more than 43,000 medical procedures since 2017. In addition to its acclaimed shelter, Berkeley Humane has been recognized for its fundraising thrift shop which has received recognition as the best women’s clothing store and best vintage clothing store in the area. berkeleyhumane.org.
The Cat Chillin’ Zone
This space in a Martinez shopping center provides shelter for adult cats in need of a home. Supporters are welcome to stop by and snuggle with the cats (also welcome to adopt one) on the numerous couches and easy chairs, read Harry Potter books and watch Harry Potter movies (the whole place has a Hogwarts vibe), and chat with other cat lovers. catchillinzone.com.
East Bay Animal Rescue and Refuge
This shelter in Clayton offers foster programs and adoption services for animals, including those with special needs. This is also a safe place for ferals and strays to get medical attention and enter the adoption process. ebarr.org.
Humane Society of the North Bay
One of the largest rescue centers in the region, this Vallejo-based shelter opened in 1986 as the Benicia-Vallejo
Humane Society. Volunteers can help take the dog ambassadors of the facility’s “Cuddle Club” to our local library, senior centers, and assisted care facilities so people without pets can have some quality snuggle time. hsnb.org.
Humane Society of the United States
You can support the many animals displaced by the recent fires in Los Angeles by donating to the national Humane Society, which is providing multiple avenues of assistance to animals affected by the disaster. humanesociety.org
Jelly’s Place
This small rescue shelter in San Pablo has a space along Highway 80, just off the San Pablo Dam Road exit. Jelly’s Place rents its space from CalTrans, and was recently informed that it needs to relocate by June 2025 due to CalTrans expansions, meaning this loving facility for animals rescued from the urban neighborhoods of the East Bay needs as much community support as possible. There are always dogs and cats available for adoption, and the shelter’s founder Julie Bainbridge has been rescuing and fostering all kinds of animals—birds, chickens, ducks, geese, rabbits, snakes, and others since childhood, which helped develop her no-kill approach to her non-profit work. jellysplace.org.
Joybound
Formerly known as Animal Rescue Foundation, Walnut Creek-based Joybound provides countless adoption and fostering options, as well as a multitude of worthwhile programs that help animals and their owners. You can foster a future service animal, get your dog groomed, support programs that assist veterans, and take classes to make sure your furry friend is well-behaved and happy. The no kill shelter always has cats and dogs available and has recently been taking in animals displaced by the Palisades fire in Southern California. joybound.org.
Simba’s Paw Dog Rescue
This small North Bay shelter specializes in finding homes for bulldogs, bully breeds and pitbull-style dogs. It’s an entirely volunteer-run organization dedicated to rescuing and rehoming discarded dogs, and there are plenty of darling pooches posing for pictures on the program’s website. simbaspawdogrescue.org.
Solano County Friends of Animals
Based in Benicia, this non-profit hosts adoption events all over Solano County, with weekend adoptions at the Benicia Pet Food Express on Southampton Road on Saturdays from 10am-2pm and Sundays from 11am-3pm. scfoarescue.org
SPCA of Solano County
Based in Vacaville, this facility adopts animals of all ages—including those senior pets who still need a forever home. The center hosts a number of creative programs, including Reading Buddies, in which children ages 6-17 can come read with animals to relieve anxiety and increase reading ability. The Rescue Writers program invites children to write stories in the voice of a pet, to help encourage adoptions. solanospca.com.
Underdog Animal Rescue
This Lafayette-based rescue center celebrated its 10th anniversary last year. Underdog is a foster based facility that places dogs in temporary foster homes as well as forever homes, so the animals have a place to get love and affection and relax after the stress of being unhoused. The facility also provides necessary medical treatment as well as spaying and neutering for the animals in care. The rescue shelter’s extensive fostering program is a way to give pets love and a safe home on a temporary basis. underdogca.com. B
n Eric Hoglund
There were massive changes to the Real Estate Market in 2024; many books will undoubtedly be written on the subject. With continued low inventory, the uncertainty of the economy, unfavorable interest rates, and a huge Presidential Election Year, there were only 252 homes and condos sold in Benicia, and only 4.1 million real estate transactions closed nationally. If you bought or sold a home after August of 2024 you will have done so in a very different way than those that bought or sold in July of the same year. Here is a breakdown of the way business will be conducted moving forward in 2025 and beyond.
The biggest change is a result of a class action lawsuit against the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and the largest national Real Estate Brands. The lawsuit resulted in a fundamental change in the way Real Estate is practiced and how Realtors are compensated. Compensation can no longer be listed on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) but can be (as has always been the case) negotiated in other ways, including sales concessions. Sellers will still contract with their Broker using the Listing Agreement as the instrument to delineate the Listing Agents compensation and any other duties and responsibilities each party is to perform. Buyers will now need to sign a Buyer Broker Agreement (this is not a new contract, though before the settlement it was not a required agreement between Buyer and Buyer’s Broker) that will delineate the compensation the Buyer will be responsible for paying their Agent, along with all other duties and responsibilities each party is to perform.
What has not changed is the general costs associated with buying or selling a home.
Sellers will still need to pay their Listing Broker for their services in the
sale of the home, they also may end up paying for some of the Buyer’s expenses, either through concessions, or via price reduction. These concessions might include, but are not limited to, inspection reports, repair items (identified by Inspectors or Buyers), Buyer’s Closing Costs (these may include title/escrow fees, fees for lending expenses, City and County Transfer Taxes, and Buyer’s Broker compensation too).
Buyers, on the other hand, may need to bring more money to the table to purchase a home. They will now have to pay their real estate Broker, and their Lender, in addition to coming up with down payment and closing costs.
Both Buyers and Sellers should discuss these changes at length with a real estate professional prior to beginning the process of searching for a new home or preparing their existing home to sell. A willing Buyer and a willing Seller, (likely with the help from real estate professionals) should be able to come to a mutually beneficial negotiated agreement.
What should you expect in 2025? Well, I think we are in for a good year, all things considered. Yes, we will be doing business in a slightly different way, as stated above, but we are also already seeing more consumer confidence as we finish up 2024 and just begin 2025.
NAR’s Chief Economist Dr. Lawrence Yun said that, nationally, he predicts “Existing Home Sales will increase by 9%, New Home Sales will increase by 11%, and the Median Home Price will increase by 2%.” He also anticipates that interest rates will decrease and flatten out to near 6% (I expect it will bounce around a bit, maybe dip to 5.9% and then go back up to 6.2%, but this will take a few months as the rates slowly continue to drop down from the current range of 6.7% - 7.4%). Benicia will continue to have an inventory problem, as we are not building new homes, and
& Change Brings Opportunity
we rely on the sale of existing homes almost exclusively. That being said, there are some new housing projects in surrounding cities that may provide opportunities for residents looking to buy a new home (large housing tracts are currently in production in Vallejo, Fairfield and Vacaville). The largest demographic of first-time Buyers that the country has ever seen is waiting to enter the market, a combination of Millennials and Gen Z (these two generations of Americans total 166 million people). Less than 10 years ago, the average first-time Buyer was 32 years old, now they are 38. Additionally, less than 10 years ago the average Seller was 49 years old and only stayed in their home for 6 years on average; now, the average Seller has been in their home for about 10 years and is 56 years old. These statistics tell me that home Buyers and Sellers are older and have more money than they were a decade ago, and this is a direct result of a lack of available inventory. It is encouraging that more new homes are being built near Benicia, but the massive fires have eliminated so many homes in California in recent years that we are still at a huge net loss when it comes to home availability.
In conclusion, Buyers, get with your lender and get qualified, so you are ready when the right home comes along (don’t worry too much about the interest rate…it will come down and you will have an opportunity to refinance later). Sellers, I know you love your low interest rate on your current mortgage, but is the house too small or too big for you? You likely have quite a bit of equity built up; 2025 might be the year you upgrade your quality of life and buy that “right-sized” home to better fit your needs.
Eric P. Hoglund
Real Estate Broker License # 01420325 B
Goosebumps
2015
Comedy/Family/Horror
Rated PG - Recommended for Age 9 and up 103 minutes
Streaming on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, YouTube
n Movie Magic
Goosebumps is a fun, friendly, family movie based on the outrageously popular children's horror books of R.L. Stine. The story goes that the monsters within his books are real. They are only contained when the manuscripts are bound and sealed.
This movie begins with Gale (Amy Ryan) driving her discontented son Zach (Dylan Minette) to their new home in what Zach thinks is the most boring place in the whole world. He meets Hannah from next door, whose dad turns out to secretly be R.L. Stine (Jack Black)—a curmudgeonly character that has shut himself off from the world while overly-controlling his daughter. Zach's snooping around, while trying to protect Hannah, results in many cleverly designed monsters being released from their bindings.
Jack Black is a delight and in his element. Directed by Rob Letterman. Also featuring Odeya Rush, Ryan Lee and Jillian Bell. Music by Danny Elfman
Breezy and playful with a goal of goosebumps, not nightmares, and lots of creepy fun. Probably the safest monster movie for children ever made. Lots of action, special effects, and goofy humor.
A great movie for some late winter distraction. There are two sequels to this film, should you want more.
Movie Magic gives Goosebumps 4 out of 5 Moons . B
Aroma Indian Cuisine
818 First Street Benicia, CA 94510
707.745.1870
Aromabenicia.com
n Gourmet Gracie
The wait is over—Aroma Indian Cuisine has reopened after a kitchen fire a few years ago. The inside has been beautifully remodeled. The evening Gracie was there, the walls were practically glowing. It feels comfy and the smells are delicious. The large outdoor covered space in the back has a starlit ceiling and lovely accent lights. The staff is welcoming and eager to please.
Aroma prides itself on showing the rich tapestry of Indian culinary traditions with a contemporary twist. Each day brings fresh baked naan, sizzling tandoori specialties, long simmering curries and aromatic biryanis. Every dish is crafted with the finest ingredients and inspired by Ayurvedic principles of balance. You are destined to enjoy the welcoming warmth of Indian flavors.
Gracie sampled the Samosa Chaat, Shrimp Curry and Chicken Tikka Masala—all so delicious, especially with a side order of Chutney and Raita (yogurt with seasonings). Butter Chicken and Vindaloo are local favorites. And for those adventurous palates out there, Aroma also serves a couple of goat dishes along with a selection of lamb specialties. Try the delicious Lassi, the world's first smoothie, a creamy, frothy, blended yogurt-based drink that originated in the Punjab region of India around 1000 BC. Masala Chai and Indian Iced Coffee are also offered.
Many vegan and vegetarian dishes. Wine and beer. Orders are prepared according to your spice preference. Takeout, delivery, inside or patio dining. Open everyday from 11 am to 10 pm. Street parking.
Balle balle! Hooray! B
Book and Cock tail Club
n Cooper Mickelson
Elizabeth O’Connor’s reflective debut novel, Whale Fall, may be brief in length, but it delivers a singularly resonant and wondrous experience. Set on an isolated Welsh island on the brink of World War II, this quietly poignant coming-of-age story intertwines nature, folklore, and selfdiscovery in ways that feel both timeless and deeply intimate.
Her desire for something beyond the island is as palpable as the salt spray in the air.
becomes a poignant metaphor for the island’s own transformation. As the tides of war loom and younger generations leave for the mainland, the community faces an uncertain future, teetering between preservation and inevitable change.
Beautifully written and rich in natural imagery that recalls the evocative landscapes of Thomas Hardy, Whale Fall is a luminous meditation on loss, resilience, and the shifting sands of identity. It’s a quiet yet impactful novel, unpretentious in its execution but profound in its themes.
The story opens with a hauntingly symbolic event: the gray body of a whale washes ashore on an island inhabited by just 12 small families. While the villagers view the whale as an omen, they are divided on whether it signifies fortune or calamity. This moment is seen through the eyes of Manod Llan, a restless and perceptive 18-yearold whose narration imbues the novel with both intensity and tenderness, elevating its understated plot.
Manod lives in a modest seaside cottage with her father, a lobsterman, and her precocious 12-year-old sister, Llinos. Since the death of their mother, Manod has shouldered the burdens of caregiving and housework, all while yearning for the broader horizons glimpsed in the glossy magazines left behind by visitors.
The arrival of the whale disrupts the island’s rhythm and brings with it unexpected visitors: Edward and Joan, a pair of English ethnographers from Oxford University. They come to document the whale and the island’s unique customs, hoping to immortalize its oldworld charm in a book. Struck by Manod’s proficiency in English, they offer her a position as their assistant, dangling the possibility of a life beyond the confines of her insular world.
However, as Manod works alongside the pair, she grows uneasy with their romanticized and reductive portrayal of her community. She finds herself caught between the validation she feels from their attention and her fierce loyalty to the island and its people.
Meanwhile, the whale, slowly decomposing on the shore,
You can find Whale Fall at Bookshop Benicia on First Street or reserve a copy at the Benicia Public Library—just be quick before the waitlist grows too long!
To complement the book’s atmospheric setting, I recommend pairing it with a Welsh Negroni. Simply swap the London Dry Gin in your favorite Negroni recipe for a Welsh variety (such as Welsh Witch Gin), serve it in your finest old-fashioned glass, and let the misty, windswept charm of this remarkable debut transport you while the weather is still chilly.
Looking for an NA option? SIPs Bottle Emporium has your back. You can find my favorite premade NA negroni, Phony Negroni, on their non-alcoholic shelf.
Booktails' Cocktail
of the Month
Recipe available in the online article. B
mOm-niFiCent Family spOtlight!
CeleBRating Family and Fun in BeniCia CRaFt ideas
n Benicia Moms Group
Out with the Old: Family Renewal Challenge
This month, try a fresh start for the family—mind, body, and home. Each day of February, focus on one small action that helps you reset and refresh together.
daily RO utine i deas
Day 1: Reflect Together
Write down or share as a family what you’re grateful for from the past year and what you’d like to leave behind.
Day 2: Clean Out Toys
Have kids choose toys they no longer play with to donate, teaching them generosity and simplicity.
Day 3: Refresh a Space
Work together to rearrange or spruce up a shared space, like the living room or family table.
Day 4: Let Go of Bad Habits
As a family, identify one habit (like too much screen time) to work on reducing together.
Day 5: Create a Vision Board
Use magazines or draw pictures of family goals for the year ahead.
w eekly F OC us s uggesti O ns
Week 1: Refresh Your Space
Choose one small area to declutter or reorganize each day (coat rack, junk drawer, etc.), making it fun with music or games.
Week 2: Reset Daily Habits
Introduce a small, positive habit like morning stretches, evening gratitude, or a screen-free dinner hour.
Week 3: Revive Your Spirit
Plan family bonding activities like a game night, a gratitude walk, or a kindness project.
Week 4: Celebrate Progress
Have a mini “family awards night” to celebrate what you’ve accomplished together.
BiRd FeedeR h eaRts
Decorate a jar as a family, then write love notes, compliments, or acts of kindness on slips of paper. Draw one daily or weekly throughout February.
Make heart-shaped bird feeders with bread, peanut butter, birdseed, and cookie cutters. Hang them outside and observe birds together.
Supplies:
Piece of toasted bread
Heart shaped cookie cutter
Peanut butter
Bird seed
Pencil/Pen/etc. to make a hole String
“ lOve Ja R ” Family C R a Ft
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Month of February
Love Local Downtown, Benicia
All month, send love letters to your favorite downtown Benicia businesses for a chance to win $100 Downtown Dollars.
February 1
Wine & Chocolate Walk
First Street, Benicia
1 - 5 pm
Stroll First Street with your sweetheart tasting fine wine and chocolate pairings inside downtown shops.
February 1
Benicia Community Garden Annual Meeting
Heritage Presbyterian Church 1400 E 2nd St, Benicia 10 - 11:30 am
February 8
Estate Planning For Artists - Art Talk Series
1 Commandant's Lane, Benicia 2 - 4 pm
Reservations are required, Benicia Arts members are free, non-member seats are $20.
Mayor Steve Young and City Manager Mario Giuliani will present the city’s annual address.
February 27
AI Master Class
Benicia Clock Tower 1189 Washington St., Benicia 9:30 am - 1:30 pm
Join our expert panelists for a half-day session hosted by Benicia Magazine and David Perry & Associatess, Inc. Tickets - $75.
February 19
Benicia Chamber of Commerce Mixer
Arts Benicia 5:30 - 7 pm
Light bites, drawings, and prizes with beer & wine are available for purchase.
Crab Feeds
February 1
St. Patrick St. Vincent Crab Feed
1500 Benicia Valley Rd, Vallejo 5:30 - 10 pm
Tickets are $85 per person and is a 21+ event with a no-host bar, raffles, and dancing.
February 8
Benicia Lions Crab Feed
Benicia Clock Tower
5 pm (Dinner @ 6:30 pm)
Tickets are $85 per person, and there will be music and dancing following dinner until 10 pm. Tables with 8 seats are available for $640
February 15
St. Dominic School Crab Feed
St. Dominic's Parish Hall 935 E 5th St, Benicia 6:30 - 10 pm
Regular tickets are $97.88 & VIP tickets are $119.88 and sold as tables of 8 on Eventbrite with tables available—21+ with a no-host bar, auction and raffle items, and dancing.
