When we asked Jen Roger, Executive Director of the Museum of History, Benicia to write something about the history of the July 4th holiday, she was eager to do so. A true connoisseur of history, she gave us a wonderful accounting of what happened during the tumultuous days leading to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The story is a great reminder of the dramatic facts of this time in history. At the end of the story, Jen quotes John Adams’ desire to have the day “Solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews*, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires, and Illuminations from End of This Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”
Our country has been true to John Adams'
wishes every year on the 4th. Here in Benicia we have our Torchlight Parade, our 4th of July fireworks and all across town the scent of Barbeque. Our tradition of “reserving” space on First Street days before the actual parade continues with next generation families staking their claim. It's all in fun and everyone enjoys
Our second feature, about gal pals, explores friendships between women and the way we bond with each other. It is true that women play differently than men, not better, just different. When with female friends, depending on which crew I’m with, we may go out for dinner and cocktails, or go to a play or ballet. On the other hand, we may take off for parts unknown and hike or camp. And of course, traveling with your girlfriends is somehow easier and more casual. In alignment with the exploration of women’s friendships it is important to note that July is also the month in which the first Women’s Rights convention was held. Please take a look at Dr. Gethsemane Moss’ article on the birthplace of feminism. She tells about the brave women and men that attended the Seneca Falls convention where The Declaration of Sentiments was signed, a document that became a cornerstone of the women's rights movement.
Watch for Benicia Magazine and Porchfest Benicia in the Torchlight Parade, we are looking forward to seeing you all! Happy 4th! B
Feather River Art Camp
Making Art, Making Friends
n Jean Purnell
The Feather River Art Camp for adults has been offered each summer since 1991. Held at the Oakland Feather River Camp on the Spanish River in Quincy, the week-long camp is billed by Oaklandbased director Karen LeGault as the “perfect joyful blend of fine art, creativity, nature, restoration, fun and camaraderie.” A group of my friends attended the camp this past June. All first timers, we signed up for a week of plein air painting in the beautiful environs of Quincy with Oakland and Mendocino-based artist Carol Tarzier.
Many of the over 125 campers that signed up this summer have been attending the art camp for decades. Each camper registers for a specific morning class and can attend optional demonstrations, workshops, and other art activities in the afternoon and evening. Thirteen classes were offered in June 2024, ranging from mixed media and ceramics to plein air painting, sewing and felting, to nature journaling, bookcraft, glass bead-making and glass collage. Afternoon and evening sessions included charcoal portrait drawing, t-shirt screen printing, pine needle weaving, nature walks, abstract painting, and glass mosaics. Horseback riding, archery, and swimming were also offered. Evenings included traditional camp activities such as an art supply swap, a talent show, and disco-bingo.
"...the 'perfect joyful blend of fine art, creativity, nature, restoration, fun and camaraderie.'”
Lodging is rustic, a cot and set of shelves in a platform tent with optional electricity, and three meals a day are served in the “Chow Palace.” Depending on the weather, campers endeavor to stay warm or cool, as we did in the 90+ degree weather during our time at camp, to avoid mosquitoes, ants, sunburn, and to sleep through the numerous Union Pacific trains that rumble through the campground at night.
Walking to breakfast our first morning in camp, we observed a dozen sewing machines and ironing boards already set up under the pines. Under the direction of Oakland-based designer Meaza Haile, the sewing class produced kimonos and tote bags, learning to sew and mend, reuse fabrics, and to decorate clothing with scraps and decorative stitching. Owner
"Lodging is rustic, a cot and set of shelves in a platform tent with optional electricity, and three meals a day are served in the 'Chow Palace.'"
and founder of 8AM Fashion, Meaza narrated a fashion show after our last dinner in camp. A dozen campers proudly walked the runway in their newly completed garb.
Wet felting was taught by Auburn-based textile artist Terry Shearn. Her teaching area was set back into the trees, which explained why, on our first full day, we saw about eight women filling gallon-sized buckets with hot water at the bathroom and carrying them down the hill. Terry uses wool locks, mohair, thread, and recycled sari silk to create three-dimensional sculptural objects and garments, and colors the felt with natural dyes. On the last afternoon of camp, her students set up a display of felt hats, art vessels, fingerless gloves, and slippers. One camper completed a turquoise vest.
Pine needle basketry was taught by awardwinning basket artist Carolyn Zeitler, who demonstrated the basics of forming a coil using raffia and Coulter pine needles. The foot-long needles are sewn together using a waxed polyester thread to make flat coasters and gently curved bowls decorated with various stitches. The activity also attracted many campers to an afternoon workshop where dozens of coasters were created.
In an evening workshop, campers used a white glue to affix glass tiles and beads onto a wood panel around a small, centered mirror. Berkeley-based glass and mosaic artists Jenna Kurtz-Medina & Jesse Medina taught a weeklong glass mosaic class, in which students learned to cut and break glass, design an original mosaic, and glue and grout a 12” by 16” wall artwork.
A first-time teacher at the camp, Carol Tarzier led our group to the Q Trail in Quincy, and we hiked up about a half mile with our easels, paint supplies, sunhats, and plenty of water to where we could see the whole town. Carol provided a painting demonstration in the 90-degree heat, before we set up our own easels to paint. In the afternoon we found a shady spot alongside a bridge over the Spanish River, where we painted the beautiful scenery, lunched, swam, and enjoyed an impromptu early happy hour.
Our group included five of Carol’s current students and two others from San Francisco and Portland. As the days passed, we bonded over shared art-making experiences, good instruction, morning coffee, the quirks of our lodging, bug bites, laughter, and good wine. We were just like the long-time campers sharing old friendships and making new ones.
For more information about Feather River Art Camp and its talented artist-teachers, visit https://www.featherriverartcamp. com/. The camp is offered every summer in June. B
For more information about Feather River Art Camp and its talented artist-teachers, visit https://www.featherriverartcamp.com/ The camp is offered every summer in June. B
Left to right: Loretta Boyce, Carol Tarzier, and Jean Purnell
fiRST in a SeRieS
BooSTinG BeniCia BuSineSS
n Mary Hand
There’s no question that many Benicia businesses are going through lean times. Those who survived the pandemic are now trying to survive inflation and high interest rates. Combine that with the propensity of many shoppers to spend their money online, these are tough times indeed. There are a few business advocacy organizations that have entered the fray on behalf of its members. In this issue we will focus on the Benicia Chamber of Commerce.
The first local chamber was founded in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1773. This was followed by one in New Haven, Connecticut, and then another in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1800. The trend rapidly spread across the country. By 1870 there were forty local chambers of commerce in the United States. Today, there are over 5,000 chambers of commerce.
The Benicia Chamber of Commerce with Executive Director Randy Young, assisted by Michelle O’Leary, is committed to helping businesses succeed. They advocate for business interests and community well-being. The Chamber acts as a marketing team for each of its members
ShoPPinG
Guide
n Alexa Manning
CloTheS
Shopping for clothes can be emotionally taxing. Luckily, we have some great stores right here in Benicia! You can find great women’s looks downtown at Pink Arrows Boutique, Sparkly Ragz, and Collektive. You could also venture into the Arsenal to Femmage to discover new pieces. Pocket Monkey Vintage provides a wonderful selection of men’s clothing. You can also find budget friendly items at Elisa’s Cottage, Adobe Second Chance Thrift Store, and Thriftie D’s.
BeauT y & PeRSonal CaRe
If you’re in need of some self-care, stop by one of the many massage spas or chiropractors downtown. Permanent Makeup by Lanita Nelson, Skin Medica MD, and Aura Define are also spots where you can find a little refresh. Or, if exercise is more your style, try out a yoga class at Elevate Co.
by increasing their visibility within the local community. The Chamber promotes member businesses through newsletters, the chamber website, and social media platforms, enhancing each business’ brand recognition and attracting potential customers.
The Chamber advocates on behalf of its members by promoting the interests of the business community. This includes educating members on relevant issues, providing access to gateways for self advocacy, and advocating to local government. They help by negotiating fees, assisting in permitting, and navigating city laws and restrictions. They are here to help maneuver the difficulties of opening and maintaining a business.
During our interview with Randy, our conversation turned into a brainstorming session for how to further support downtown businesses. We came up with many ideas, including leveraging the Chamber, Benicia Main Street, Benicia Magazine, the City of Benicia, and other business advocacy organizations to work together toward this shared goal. One issue felt by many of the business advocacy organizations is the reluctance of residents in the Southampton area to frequent downtown businesses. Be on the lookout for a survey aimed at addressing this issue (to be sent to the combined contact lists of the above mentioned organizations). The results of the survey will help shape the next iteration of downtown to better serve Benicia residents, thereby benefiting the businesses as well. Further ideas included working with downtown businesses to capitalize on local events that draw Benicia residents and tourists from out of town. B
Gif TS
One thing about Benicia is that you can always find the perfect gift. Ranging from second hand and inexpensive to something fine, here is a list of places to go shopping for the next time you need to purchase a gift for someone:
The Filling Station
Bookshop Benicia (also: cards!)
The Little Art Shop
Succulents and more Fabulous Finds
Angel Heart 4 You
Roberto’s Fine Jewelry
Cartel Crystals
Zeppelin Comics
Two Days Jewelry
Golden Horseshoe Antiques
GRoCeRy
Snacks, drinks, olive oil, Benicia has you covered. Between Sips and Yummi Mart, you’ll never run out of something good to eat. Sepay Groves Olive Oil carries more than just cooking oil! Check out their soup mixes for a quick and easy meal. B
deClaRaTion SenTimenTS
of The SeneCa fallS ConvenTion
n Dr. Gethesemane Moss, Ed.D
July is National Hot Dog Month and National Ice Cream Month in the United States, with millions of hot dogs consumed during the July 4th celebrations. The average American consumes about 4 gallons of ice cream per year, contributing to an ice cream industry that generates over $13 billion to the national economy, creating jobs and direct wages. President Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month and the third Sunday of the month as National Ice Cream Day.
While some people enjoyed refreshing cool treats in July of the 1840s, a significant event took place in Seneca Falls, New York. This town hosted a convention where a group of women gathered to discuss life rights that would enable them to make decisions impacting them directly. The convention on July 19th and 20th, 1843, is considered the birthplace of American feminism. The women showed tremendous courage and determination in the face of societal norms and expectations.
"The
ConvenTion on July 19Th and 20Th, 1843, iS ConSideRed The BiRThPlaCe of ameRiCan feminiSm. The women Showed TRemendouS CouRaGe and deTeRminaTion in The faCe of SoCieTal noRmS and exPeCTaTionS."
Declaration of Sentiments, a document that became a cornerstone of the women's rights movement. It was signed by 68 women and 32 men, including Frederick Douglass. The document was modeled after the Declaration of Independence, symbolizing women's fight for equality and freedom. There were over 300 attendees at the convention, organized by Stanton and Lucretia Mott. Mott was actively known to speak out against slavery and for women's rights.
As a result of the convention, 11 resolutions were passed,
Cultivating Friendships
n Alexa Manning
Feminism is often pictured as a conflict; feminists fight for equality and fight for women’s voices to be heard. But, feminism is also in the quieter moments between mother and daughter, between friends, and even between strangers. Cultivating your friendships with other women is an essential component of building strength and resilience as a person and as a community. It’s extremely feminist!
And, bonus, spending time with your friends is actually improving your health. Study after study shows that women are balms for each other’s anxieties. Stress relief is the most common side effect of a good ol’ gal pal. In recent years, however, more drastic proof of health benefits from your friendships have been published: the Journal of Clinical Oncology reported on a study done in China where breast cancer patients experienced a higher chance of survival if they had a wider social network. The relationships that women build are so rich in depth that they can defy nature.
"Cultivating your friendships with other women is an essential component of building strength and resilience as a person and as a community. It’s extremely feminist!"
Your gal pals may be your life line, and they may also be your form of feminist protest. Every generation of women has a different approach to
Baby Boomers (1946-1964)Dianna Rees
Dianna and her girlfriends like to travel together. “We’ve been friends for almost 50 years,” she told me. This group of gal pals met during freshman orientation week back in the 1970s. Now that the women’s children are raised, they have the freedom to visit historical sites in the States as well as abroad. “[We] have to get those 10,000 steps on our FitBits,” Dianna made sure to add. On these trips, they engage with each other, but also engage with their surroundings, often reflecting on world history. Together they seek discovery of themselves and their environments.
Millennial (1981-1996)Rachel Morgado
Gen X (1965-1980)Raksha MacFarland
Rachel and her gal pals like to go on walks together. This is partly because they can double up the health benefits of exercise while putting time and love into each other. “As we’ve gotten older, work-life balance has gotten harder,” not to mention marriage, babies, moving away, and all the other things that come with “adulting.” Going on walks together also serves as accountability. It makes the exercise more fun and it gives you someone to answer to on those days when the couch looks all too inviting.
A common thread through the generations is the support that women offer each other. Dianna says, “they are like my second family,” because they have held each other up through divorces, deaths, and cancers in addition to all of the good times. And as for the good times, I think Raksha put it best: “We lift each other up, we cry together and celebrate together.” Rachel says, “These friendships remind me of all the positive things I have in my life,” and Helena adds, “There is no purer happiness than sharing a moment with someone you love.”
Women take the time to know each other deeply. They put in the effort to peel back the layers and dissect the unique aspects of their friends, flaws and strengths alike. It is this level of understanding between girlfriends that lays the foundation on which we lean when needed.
Whether you’re young, mature, or somewhere between, it is never too late to cultivate your friendships with the women in your life. Take a leaf from another generation’s book and share the wealth of knowledge. Traveling with a bestie, like Dianna, may uncover quirks that you’ve never seen before. Trying new things, like Raksha, can unlock a new hobby to share together. Going on walks, like Rachel, can keep you motivated and accountable for your health. And sharing your passions and insights, like Helena, may just be the release that you need to unwind after a difficult week. B
Raksha’s answer to my question of what she does with her gal pals was this: “Oh my gosh, just about everything!” Her long list included big items like traveling, but also wine tasting, playing sports, or just sending a sweet text. Really, it boiled down to trying new things to make more memories together. New memories make these friendships fun and exciting to balance out the more serious, and perhaps tragic, moments.
Gen Z (1997-2012)Helena Hamed
As a member of Gen Z, I am keenly aware of my generation’s affinity for solitude. Coming of age while the internet was still catching its footing was full of uncertainty. Then, we were dunked in more uncertainty as adulthood felt synonymous with pandemics, wildfires, and economic failures. My close friend, Helena, and I like to use books as an escape, whether it's going on a book date, which is shopping for a book and then finding a quiet place to read in each other’s company, or loud conversations dissecting our latest unofficial book club read. Helena says, “If I love a book enough, I force my friends to read it and love it, too. This may seem shallow to someone else, but for us, it’s a way to reveal ourselves to our loved ones.”
Would d isagree
n Jen Roger, Executive Director, Museum of History, Benicia
"John adams disagreed With the July 4th date. it Was not, after all, the date Congress voted to aCC ept the d eC laration, or even sign it."
" t oday, the 4th of July is C elebrated and embraC ed in a fashion that Would have been utterly in Comprehensible to John adams, but hoW We C elebrate the day fits With his desire to see July 2nd ' solemnized With p omp and parade, With s heWs, games, s ports, g uns, b ells, bonfires, and i lluminations from e nd of this Continent to the other from this time forWard forever more.'
– John adams July 3, 1776"
They were tasked with writing the document that would become the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson was noted for his mastery of the written word and therefore selected by his committee to create the first draft of the Declaration. The 33-year-old from Virginia was the youngest member of Congress and lived alone in a three-story rented home in Philadelphia. The document he created largely changed the course of the world between June 11 and June 28, 1776. Adams and Franklin would later make 86 revisions to the document, and it would take two days of Congressional discussion to get it passed.
With the Declaration written and in hand, the Second Continental Congress officially declared independence from Great Britain on July 2, 1776, with the passage of the Lee Resolution, named for Delegate Richard Henry Lee of Virginia. Formally known as The Resolution for Independence, Lee acted on instruction from Edmund Pendleton, president of the Fifth Virginia Convention, the patriot-driven legislature that met in Williamsburg, Virginia. The resolution itself had been first proposed by Lee on June 7th but had not been acted upon. Lee’s resolution delineated the formal separation of the Colonies from Great Britain, called for a formal confederation of the Colonies, and a plan for the formation of foreign alliances. With the adoption of the resolution on July 2nd, the Colonies officially declared their independence.
Two days later on July 4th, Congress, under the leadership of John Hancock, officially accepted the Declaration of Independence as prepared by the Committee of Five. The liberty bell rang from the tower of the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia, now called Independence Hall, in recognition of the adoption of the Declaration. Recognized by vote only, the document would not be officially signed by the Delegates until August 2nd, 1776.
The Declaration had passed and the fight for liberty seemed more real than in the months that led to the auspicious occasion. Within hours, 200 copies of the Declaration of Independence, known today as the Dunlap Broadsides, were ordered from printer John Dunlap. The broadsides were printed in haste and the 26 known to exist today all carry some printing defect from type and punctuation being incorrectly set to reversed watermarks. The Pennsylvania Evening Post was the first newspaper to print the Declaration in their July 6th edition, the same day that Washington ordered the reading of the Declaration to his troops who were amassing in New York City. He hoped that Jefferson’s inspired words would bolster morale and thereby harden their resolve to continue their fight for the cause of liberty.
A full year would pass before anyone paid much attention to the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. So much so that the actual anniversary, July 2nd, was missed and supposedly only remembered on the 3rd. While there were declared celebrations on that first anniversary, the rift between the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists kept the holiday at bay. It was not until after the War of 1812 that celebrations became commonplace. Congress made July 4th a federal holiday on June 28, 1870, which coincided with a groundswell of patriotism across the nation due to the centennial of the Revolution, and would reaffirm it as a paid holiday for federal employees in 1938. Today, the 4th of July is celebrated and embraced in a fashion that would have been utterly incomprehensible to John Adams, but how we celebrate the day fits with his desire to see July 2nd “Solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires, and Illuminations from End of This Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”
– John Adams July 3, 1776 B
v isit the museum of history, beni C ia open Wed- fri 10am-4pm, sat and sun 1pm-4pm
Benicia Bambino Benicia Bambino
Our local home run hero and his dad talk all things baseball
n Caitlin Emmett
Nothing says small town Americana quite like the game of baseball. In Benicia, many kiddos start young, giving our community a sizable Little League crew. This year, the nine teams of Benica Little Lague’s Minors Section battled it out for the Spring Season; the Giants came out on top and won the Championship. Among the team’s players is Hudson Gray. At the age of nine, he can play first base, catcher, short stop, and pitcher. Moreover, his at-bat home run skills earned him the John Wood Home Run Award and a cool nickname to go with: the Benicia Bambino, a nod to the legendary “sultan of swat” Babe Ruth.
“It felt so good hitting my first home run; I felt really good about myself, like I could do anything,” Hudson shares. “I like when people call me the Benicia Bambino. It makes me feel cool! A lot of strangers have come up to me calling me by my new nickname. It makes me feel good and makes me smile.”
Hudson has been playing in his backyard essentially since he could walk and has been putting in hard work with his dad and team coach Austin Gray. I asked him if he had any advice for others wanting
to the ball and to keep my chin on the ball,” Hudson says. “It's fun to see players improve their swing.”
Austin, a former Benicia player himself who played up to and through Benicia High School, is proud of everyone involved in this season’s win.
“It was great to see our group of players come together and play so well as a team at the end of the season,” he says. “They worked very hard to prepare themselves for the playoffs and it was amazing to see how much each of the players grew throughout the season. This championship was definitely a full team effort, it took every player on our team to pull it off.”
For someone who hasn’t hit double digits in age yet, I couldn’t help but notice how Hudson, though a super talent in his own right, keeps the “there’s no I in baseball” mantra that his dad expressed going strong.
“There were a couple other players in my league who also hit a lot of home runs this year, TJ Ingram and Nash Macenski,” Hudson says. “We had fun competing to get the next home run and they deserve to be celebrated as well! It was so fun watching the other Minors teams in the playoffs and being able to cheer them on. We all really supported each other. It also feels really good to have the younger players look up
“I love playing baseball with my dad because he's great at baseball and I love being with him,” Hudson says. “He really believes in me. I love that my mom is always cheering me on. Thank you to all of the people involved with Benicia Little League and who play in Little League who have supported me.”
You can look forward to seeing the Gray family out of the field for years to come, both coaching and playing; for them, it’s a family affair.
“I grew up playing in Benicia Little League and have such fond memories of playing on our town's fields with my dad and my friends; it is so exciting to be able to create those same strong memories with my kids,” Austin says. “Hudson is the oldest of Greer and my kids. His younger sister, Nell, just finished her 3rd year of Benicia Little League and will be coming back again next Spring to complete her second year of Farms and his youngest sister, Laken will be starting her first year of Tee-Ball next Spring. We have many more fun-filled years of Benicia
As for Hudson’s next moves, he’ll play on the 10U District AllStar Team, followed by the 10U Benicia Wolfpack Team; stay tuned to see where the Benicia Bambino goes with the sport after that.
I have a feeling we’ll all be seeing his name in headlines again. B
summer fun Water safety
n Contributed by Benicia Mom's Group
u p Coming e vents
July 3
Torchlight Parade
Benicia, 6:30pm
July 9, 16, 23, 30
Music & Movies in the Park Creekside Park Walnut Creek
Reading Exhibit by R.O. Kwon, the bestselling author of The Incendiaries, is an act of art in itself. Kwon has struck gold with this sexy, exhilarating, and intimate story about art, faith, obsession, desire, and transformation.
Set in the luxurious hills of San Francisco, Exhibit unveils a transformative encounter between Jin Han, a photographer married to her college love, Philip, and Lidija Jung, a captivating world-class ballerina on hiatus due to an injury. This meeting sparks a profound and life-altering change in both women, particularly Jin, who finds herself at a crossroads between societal and cultural expectations and her true self, which she is desperately trying to dig out. The intense bond between these two women cracks open years of guilt, obsession, and desire, catapulting Jin into unexplored territory as the reader witnesses her freefall toward the unknown.
Exhibit is a dreamlike narrative painted in three mediums. At the forefront is Jin's metamorphosis, told through exquisite prose with striking and vivid imagery. Within Jin's story, Kwon traverses an impossible number of themes, including art, agency, and identity. This central plot is deliciously expanded through short vignettes depicting the history
EXHIBIT
By R.O. Kwon
“It felt as if living, all of it, had led to just this night, bending to each photo.”
Han family curse, often composed of quick and sharp segments no longer than a page, and excerpts from letters to God written by Jin after she abandons her faith. Some of Exhibit ’s most memorable quotes are found in these letters to God, often packed with guilt, uncertainty, and desperate longing. Dropped between a poetic depiction of Jin’s obsession with Lidija and a hurried scene of Jin hiding her art from Philip, Kwon hits the reader with this poignant passage:
“Dear vexing Lord, can I tell You, though, what it is to push on living while I don’t have You? Its strength, Lord, this urge, the cut-stalk lust to persist. Lopped free of afterlife, of everlasting, I dangle bare legs above oblivion. People topple in; I will, too. O farflung Lord, You won’t stop the fall. One artist, not long before his death, noticed a lilac sprig by his hospital bed. He’d marvel at the lilac, still pulling water from its slim vase. Dying, it drinks, he said. It goes on swilling.”
This not-so-subtle Kafka reference is one of many nods to past artists found throughout this lush novel. Ripe with questions to explore, Exhibit can be read and read again, with each revision dragging something new into the light. No doubt, the innovative artists of our community will find a lot to love in Exhibit. Visit Benicia’s beloved Bookshop Benicia to pick up your own copy of this electrifying book and explore similar titles on their shelves.
Booktails' Mocktail of the Month Jin's Julep
Jin's Julep
Ingredients
12 fresh mint leaves, plust a sprig for garnish
1.5 tsp superfine sugar
2 oz gin crushed ice seltzer
Preparation
1. In the bottom of a julep cup, muddle mint and sugar until mint starts to break down.
2. Add gin; stur until sugar dissolves.
3. Add ice to fill cup 3/4 of the way.
4. Top with seltzer.
5. Stir, top with more ice, and garnish. B
Who Doesn't Love a Good Burger?
n Gourmet Gracie
Funny how when life gets complicated, sometimes we just need a burger! What's your pleasure? How would you like it? With cheese, bacon, chili, mushrooms, pineapple, grilled onions? So much to choose from! The following spots offer some of the best burgers around:
Char's Hot Dogs, 131 First Street, Benicia: Delicious dogs, but, yes, they offer lots of yummy burger options, too! Your choice of fixin's, made to order and served hot and fresh. Choose from a selection of more than 10 specialty burgers. Great onion rings as well. A local treasure for more than 25 years.
Lucca Bar & Grill, 439 First Street, Benicia: The Lucca Burger, an all-time favorite, offers an American Wagyu blend 1/2-pound patty. Comes with pickled onions and your choice of cheese. Or, try the Trio of Beef Sliders. Enjoy while listening to live music in the beautiful outdoor beer garden.
Bud's Giant Burgers, 3849 Sonoma Boulevard, Vallejo: A Vallejo institution serving hearty burgers and crispy fries. Bud's just celebrated their 50th Anniversary! Known for generations as offering the best simple, classic burger around. They grind their own meat and cut their own potatoes. Everything is fresh and tasty with a large helping of hometown nostalgia.
Bella Siena, 127 First Street, Benicia: The Grilled Kobe Beef Burger is a winner. You might have missed it—it’s only offered at lunch. Try it with blue cheese, mushrooms, or bacon, or the works! The fries are hot and crispy, or you can go green with the salad. You might want to savor with a good glass of red wine on the covered patio—life is good. This is Gracie's favorite!
Happy Summer!
Sports/Comedy PG (language, tobacco use)
101 min | 1993
Streaming on Disney+, Amazon Prime, Apple TV
The Sandlot
n Gourmet Gracie and Movie Magic
Some reviewers say this a comfort movie, or...maybe just a classic movie that's become a cult favorite. Take a sentimental trip back to the 1960s; a time of innocence when the joy of being young was everywhere, while playing baseball with your buddies in your small town. Kids just being kids, enjoying the summer and having some good old-fashioned fun. Scotty Smalls moves into a new neighborhood with his mom and stepfather (Denis Leary). He desperately wants to fit in.
The screenplay is original, quirky, off-center and unconventional. No winning and losing here, just the beauty of friendship, the funny and touching adventures of growing up, and the lessons learned while facing your fears. Anything is possible after all!
Benny Rodriquez, "the Jet," is the best player on the team and lives by the words of the famous Babe Ruth, who came to him in a dream: "Heroes get remembered but legends never die. Follow your heart, kid, and you can never go wrong."
The movie seduces you with memories of what really matters when you are 12. There's even a subplot with a dog (an enormous English Mastiff, named The Beast) and a cameo by James Earl Jones. Movie trivia: some who grew up in the 60s-70s culture may remember the famous line: "You're killin' me, Smalls!" Scotty Smalls lives on. Relax and enjoy references to PF Flyers, The Great Hambino, bungee jumping and mini-malls—so many reminders of another time.
Boys, baseball and burgers! What's not to like?
Movie Magic gives this 4 Moons out of 5 B
July
https://empresstheatre.org/
september 21, 2024 | 1 - 5PM Follow @Porchfestbenicia on instagram for updates and exclusive BTS Content
