Buy less. Choose Better. Make it Last. Our shop is filled with beautiful capsule wardrobe favorites that are timeless and versatile and can take you from casual to party in comfort and style. We believe that “Cost per Wear” can dramatically change your shopping by cutting down on unintentional purchases and buying quality over quantity. Lastly, we believe that clothes are not just meant to be COMFORTABLE but that the QUALITY and the ETHICS of production are KEY to building style that is INTENTIONAL and sustainable. We are open every day and can’t wait to meet you at 372 1st St in Benicia or shop online anytime at pinkarrowsboutique.com.
Pictured Above:
Wendi Phillips (Left)
The Garden Somm, Owner Sweetness & Light Floral Design, Co-Host Transactional Love Podcast
Nicole Yarbrough (Center)
Owner Pink Arrows Boutique
372 1st St, Benicia, CA
Amy Bade Pappas (Right)
Owner Operator Buddahful Salon 814 1st St, Benicia, CA
What Are They Wearing?
On Amy
Frank & Eileen Red Plaid Flannel $248
Sundry Sweatshirt Cali Heart $ 128
Mother Denim Half Pipe Flood Jean $ 278
Dolce Vita Notice Crimson Sneakers $139
On Wendi
Velvet Heart Rasha Red Midi Dress $98
Jakett Washable Black Zip Leather Jacket$ $395
Dolce Vita Nonah Booties Black Leather $160
Creative Communal The Nomad Fedora Tan $79
Free People Embellished Bag Ivory $98
On Nicole
Frank & Eileen Crop Peacoat Crimson $328
Citizens of Humanity Ayla JeansClaremont $258
Xirena Beau Shirt White $180
Dolce Vita Silma Booties Truffle Suede $130
Photos by Michael Van Auken
n From the Editor and Publisher
After so many hot, dry days, the weather has finally turned. Time to wear sweaters, jackets and boots. We took a little dip into fashion in this issue with a reminder about Small Business Saturday on November 30th. Our small businesses are still struggling, so we really need to support them. Consider shopping at Collektive, Pink Arrows or Sparkly Ragz for your holiday shopping, for yourself or for a gift. All boutiques have great clothes and fabulous accessories, gloves, hand bags, jewelry and shoes. For non-clothing gift ideas, don’t miss NY2CA Gallery, The Little Art Shop, Le Sparkly Chateau, Mozart, Earhart & Me, The Filling Station. For the men on your list, while not technically a small business, Pedrotti Ace Hardware is the perfect go-to. Whilst shopping on Small Business Saturday,
consider stopping for lunch at one of our fine restaurants. Finished shopping and ready for a post-shopping cocktail or glass of wine or beer? The Chill, The Rellik, Baxters, Rookies, and other watering holes will welcome you with abundant holiday cheer!
Thanksgiving! Start with the Hamann Foundation’s Turkey Trot! What better way to begin this calorie-ladened holiday than with a two-mile walk/run/jog? Not only will you work up an appetite, you will also be helping a great cause. Enjoy your meal and relax with family and friends, take a walk around our lovely town and be thankful.
Along with our shops, our art galleries are planning to spread a lot of cheer, beginning with Small Business Saturday and moving right into the holidays. Most of the galleries will be participating in the Main Street Wine Walk on November 30 from 1-5pm and will be presenting various holiday related classes and gifts along with their scheduled art exhibits. See our article on pages 10-11 for details.
Fall colors have made a slow appearance this year, but they are here at last.
“8 Perfect Places To See Fabulous Fall Colors,” produced by Visitcalifornia.com is a wonderful article on where to go to see the best changing leaves displays in the Golden State. A drive through Alpine County, Mono County, or over the Sonora Pass is worthwhile in early November. Now that the leaves are falling, what is the best thing to do with them? Clean them up and dump them? Not so fast! Did you know that leaves are a natural fertilizer and make a great mulch for your yard? Look at Pete Crooks’ article on page 12 to find out all the info on leaves.
This month also marks the 20th anniversary of Benicia Magazine. We are incredibly grateful to our community for showing support for this publication for the last two decades. Be on the lookout in our upcoming quarterly issue for a celebratory look back at our history.
Happy Thanksgiving from Mary and Genevieve
Local Galleries spread
n Jean Purnell
In addition to an exhibition of contemporary art by its 16 member artists, Gallery 621 (920 First Street Suite 203) returns with its annual “Small Works-Holiday Show” which runs from November 7 through January 5. Art lovers and holiday shoppers can get a first look at these new works at a reception on Saturday, November 9, from 4 to 6 pm.
The HQ Gallery (333 First Street Suite D) is featuring a new show called "Celebration" which runs from October 31 through December 29. Visitors are invited to a reception on November 9 from 5 to7 pm. The reception kicks off a sale of handmade ornaments. Barb Duvall and Annette Laurel Batchelor are the featured artists for this show, with Iphone artist Beth Grimm as a guest artist. Grimm is teaching a class on November 12th at the gallery from 1 to 4 pm showing how to make greeting cards from iPhone photos.
NY2CA Gallery’s (617 First Street) current exhibition, “Echoes of Alchemy: Bridging Past and Present,” including works by mixed media painter Jane Yuen Corich and potter Kathy Kearns, continues through November 17. The exhibition is followed by NY2CA Gallery’s Small Works Holiday Boutique, from November 21 through December 29. Visitors will find an array of exquisite handmade items from six talented local artists: Textiles, Ceramics, Fused Glass, Handcrafted Wood Boxes, Mixed Media Mandala Paintings, Monotype Prints and Solarplate Etchings. An Artists Reception will be held on Saturday November 23, from 5 to 7 pm.
Arts Benicia’s (1 Commandant’s Lane) last exhibition of the year is Animalia, featuring artists’ diverse representations of the animal world. The exhibition was juried by Isabella Kirkland and extends through December 15. A Holiday Boutique opens at the Gallery on November 1, featuring artwork, functional and decorative ceramics, textiles, prints, and other holiday gifts.
Estey Gallery (216 First Street) will be having a Holiday Show featuring local artists including Christina Finnie, Kathy Kenny, Ebba Navas, Bruce Pareto, Mary Parkerson, and Jeffrey Tover. The show will open on November 18 and run through January 17, 2025. The exhibition will consist primarily of smaller sized, abstract works. A reception is planned for Saturday, November 23.
Benicia's art galleries invite you to visit them over the holiday season and enjoy artful holiday cheer.
The Little Art Shop (129 First Street Suite E) features artwork by its 20 resident artists, with holiday touches. Their featured artist in November is Philip Venable, an awardwinning photographer, who specializes in nature/landscape photography and experiments with abstract images. Barbara Richardson, who creates fun, unique, Steampunk art works will be the featured artist in December.
To kick off the season in creative style, beginning on December 1, The Little Art Shop will be hosting a "Winter Wreath Exhibit/Contest" with wreaths created by their resident artists. The public will be able to vote for their favorite!
• Benicia Magazine
Gallery 621 Members
Benicia Plein Air Gallery (307 First Street) invites you to celebrate the artistry and wonder of the holiday season at their "Deck the Walls" art show. In the Spirit of Giving, the BPAG artists will donate 20% of their sales to The Food Bank of Contra Costa Solano County. Beginning November 15, the gallery will display a holiday tree decked with tiny paintings.
The Benicia Public Library (150 E L Street) continues its exhibitions of works by local artists with “Living on the Edge,” an exhibition by journalist and documentary filmmaker John Beck from October 30 to December 5, and “I Like What I See,” paintings and drawings by John Tullis, from December 11 through January 16. John Beck invites the public to a reception on Sunday, November 3, at 4 pm, Tullis will have a reception on Sunday, December 15.
While continuing its vibrant schedule of fun ceramic classes and workshops, Happy Life Pottery (632 First Street) will be offering familyfriendly ceramic classes during the Thanksgiving weekend. Take the whole family or entertain out of town guests. Their year-round gift boutique offers a variety of art pieces and jewelry from artists who are local, national, and international as well as home and gift items.
Most of the galleries will be participating in the Wine Walk on November 30 from 1-5 and will be open for the tree lighting on Friday evening, December 6, from 6 to 9 pm. Please check individual websites for hours and additional events. Shop small, shop local, shop art! B
Happy Life Pottery
Benicia Plein Air Gallery
HQ Gallery
Arts Benicia Art by Domenique Pfahl
Leave Your Leaves For a Healthy Yard
n Peter Crooks
Here in California, we don’t have the same fall season as they have in the northeast, where cooler weather, longer nights, and various leaf pigments produce a range of spectacular colors of tree leaves before it all falls to the ground. In the west, fall colors tend to be more of the golden variety, though dogwoods and black oaks offer red foliage throughout the season.
As fall progresses and winter approaches, the leaves fall from the trees and gather on the ground. Cindy Gerson, the UC Master Gardener of Napa County, wrote an article about this natural process in November 2023, describing the process of abscission, in which leaves change color on the tree, and a layer is created between a twig and a leaf. In fact, the leaves are not falling from the tree, but being pushed off by the tree. This process allows the tree to put its energy into root and structure growth during the colder months. And the fallen leaves continue to impact the environment in a positive way, while laying on the ground.
Now, any tidy groundskeeper in any residence may want to rake those piles of fallen leaves and dump them into the green bin for disposal, thus keeping the ground clean for the winter as it waits for the renewal of spring. Leaf blowers are a problem, causing air and noise pollution without providing a positive service, other than shuffling leaves around. By all means do not rake up your leaves and move them to a landfill, which can produce harmful gasses like methane—at the very least, find a municipal recycling center where the leaves can be transformed into compost and used by other members of the community. Benicia’s garbage and recycling collection are provided by Republic Services (republicservices.com/beniciaCA), which launched an organics program in 2022.
This Autumn, Let Your Leaves Stay on the Ground for Natural Benefits
The keys to healthy soil in your yard are microorganisms, and leaving your leaves to decay on the ground feeds the microorganisms in the earth. These microorganisms will make the soil in the yard healthier and next year’s plants will grow stronger. Also, as the leaves decay, they provide organic matter into the soil, which lessens the need for fertilizer. The organic matter increases biodiversity and water retention, and improves water quality. The best part of this, of course, is that your leaf layer doesn’t cost a dime, and is so much healthier for the environment than foreign fertilizers.
Leaves don’t need to be left where they fall, by the way. You can chop them up with a lawnmower, and miniaturize your mulch. Leaves can also be moved between rows of crops or around fruit-producing trees, or to shaded areas that don’t produce as much vegetation. A layer of leaves should be at least a couple of inches thick to offer the ultimate impact in the soil and yard.
The leaves will provide comfort to your yard during inevitably changing temperatures, cooling the soil during unexpected hot spells—such as the record breaking temperatures the Bay Area experienced in early October. The leaf beds will also help keep some moisture in the ground during times of drought. When springtime does come, don’t remove your leaves right away—make sure to leave them on the ground until late in the season to maximize the impact they have.
A number of online articles about leaving your leaves in your yard address the social etiquette of discussing your lack of leaf cleanup with nosy neighbors who would prefer that your yard be spic and span in the fall and winter months. If this is an issue in your neighborhood, maybe refer your neighbors to the National Wildlife Federation website, which is packed with articles like “Leave the Leaves For Wildlife” (September 24, 2024), and let them know you
n Mary Hand
Prepping for the Big Day
To create a lovely table, go to Le Sparkly Chateau where you will find gorgeous decor.
Need (want!) a new outfit? Benicia has exceptional clothing stores: Collective Boutique, Pink Arrows Boutique, and Sparkly Ragz. For an extra bit of sparkle, don’t miss NY2CA Gallery’s jewelry collection, Willow Jewelry, and Roberto’s Fine Jewelry
Participate in Pink Friday: the nationwide movement encouraging shoppers to support small businesses prior to Black Friday. Pink Friday is the Friday before Thanksgiving (November 22nd) and will give you the excuse to get a head start on that holiday shopping or the nudge to shop locally for your Thanksgiving needs.
On to dinner prep! If you are going old school, where you make everything from scratch, planning starts early. There are many Thanksgiving menus and recipes online and a great way to get new ideas. Create your menu and order or purchase your turkey and other fixings. Plan to make any side dishes and desserts a day before, if possible. Thanksgiving Day, you’ll be up early getting that turkey ready for the oven. Cook your “day of” side dishes.
If you’re more of an order-in kind of host, place your pre-order at One House Bakery early! You can get everything from your turkey to your sides and pies there. Pick-up and delivery for dinners is Thanksgiving Day, only. Pies can be picked up the day before, on Wednesday, the 27th. Be sure to factor in time to warm anything meant to be served hot.
3 4 5
Philanthropy Home for thanksgiving
BENICIA HAND UP TURKEY TROT -
Benefiting The Tim & Jeannie Hamann Foundation, giving A Hand Up to patients along their journey fighting cancer. The event is on Thanksgiving day and consists of two different routes. Dress up in your favorite turkey costume, bring the kids, bring the dog. This is the 8th Annual Benicia Hand Up Turkey Trot.
St. Paul’s Episcopal will once again be providing a COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING for those in need. It is a wonderful event which needs plenty of support. Take a moment to pitch in or drop food by. They will also need help delivering meals.
GO FOR A LONG WALK
Are you hosting Thanksgiving this year? Are family and friends coming to Benicia? Here are some cool ideas for entertaining your guests.
If your guests will be here for a couple of days take them (or send them) on a Benicia sipping tour. Starting with SIP’s Bottle Emporium, where they are featuring several tastings the week of Thanksgiving, in fact they have tantalizing tastings every week!. Then, take in a beer or two at Bruehol Benicia Brewing or Mare Island Brewing Company’s First Street Tap House. If it’s wine you are wanting, head over to The Chill or Baxters
Have your guests take photos while they are enjoying downtown. From the waterfront to Neptune’s Daughter and down the streets of old town where the leaves are falling in front of lovely old homes, there are plenty of picturesque scenes to capture.
the day after
Getting moving will feel fantastic after a night of indulging in stuffing and pie. There are plenty of great walking and hiking trails all over Benicia, so pick a location and enjoy some calming recreation after the big day.
BLACK FRIDAY STRATEGIES
Set a budget
Decide how much you can afford to spend and stick to it.
Start early
Many stores start offering discounts as early as November, so sign up for newsletters and follow retailers on social media.
Shop strategically
For high-demand items, shop early to ensure availability. For apparel and home goods, you can wait until Cyber Monday when prices often drop further.
Alternatively (and even better)
Skip Black Friday and shop Small Business Saturday, instead!
LEFTOVERS!
Thanksgiving leftovers are arguably the best part of the holiday. Make the most of them with these wonderful recipes for the ideal turkey sandwich, potpie, tetrazzini, soups and more.
Turkey, farrow and chickpea soup
Filled with spices and nubby with grains and beans, this easy soup is a satisfying way to use up as much of your leftover Thanksgiving turkey as you’re willing to spare from future sandwiches.
Leftover Turkey and Stuffing Reubens
Leftover turkey and stuffing find their way into a classic Reuben along with sauerkraut, Russian dressing and Swiss cheese.
Leftover Cranberry Sauce Muffins with Oat Streusel Topping
Don't throw away leftover cranberry sauce; instead, create leftover cranberry sauce muffins with an oat streusel topping and enjoy for breakfast or dessert! B
National Diabetes Awareness Month
Understanding the Risk Factors
n Dr. Gethesemane Moss, Ed.D
November is National Diabetes Month, a crucial time dedicated to raising awareness about diabetes, its impacts, and the importance of prevention and management. With over 38 million Americans living with diabetes and millions more at risk, this month serves as an opportunity to educate, advocate, and inspire change in how we approach this growing health crisis, which affects about 11% of the population. This includes both diagnosed and undiagnosed cases. Additionally, around 96 million adults have prediabetes, putting them at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes disproportionately affects minority populations in the United States. Data shows 13.4% of African Americans have diabetes, which is higher than the national average; about 12.5% in Hispanic adults, 7.4% of the non-Hispanic white population, and 14% amongst the Indigenous population. Lower rates are reported in the Asian American population. Diabetes can lead to serious health complications, including heart disease, kidney failure, nerve damage, and vision problems. The emotional and financial burdens are also significant, affecting not only those diagnosed but also their families and communities. Diabetes is a chronic condition in which the body cannot effectively use insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. There are three main types of diabetes.
Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the body does not produce insulin. It often develops in children and young adults but can occur at any age. Type 2 Diabetes is the most common form, where the body becomes resistant to insulin or does not produce enough. Lifestyle factors such as poor diet and lack of exercise significantly contribute to its development. The third type is Gestational Diabetes. This type occurs with hormonal changes during pregnancy and typically resolves after childbirth, although it increases the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes later in life.
National Diabetes Month emphasizes the need for education and awareness. Many people are unaware of their
risk factors or the symptoms of diabetes. Common symptoms include increased thirst, frequent urination, extreme fatigue, and blurred vision. Understanding these signs can lead to early diagnosis and better management. While not all of the contributing factors are known, several factors can lead to a diagnosis, such as having a genetic predisposition and socioeconomic factors, which are closely connected to not having access to proper nutrition and health education as it relates to understanding the impact of sugar, fat, and processed foods. Participating in physical activities and having consistent access to health care are essential.
Other factors that contribute to this disease are long-term stress that can affect blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity, lack of sleep or sleeping disorders, and other health issues such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Also, during the COVID-19 pandemic, patients with diabetes were at a higher risk and suffered greatly trying to battle the disease due to a lower immune system.
Due to these factors, it is crucial for individuals with diabetes to monitor their health closely, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and work with healthcare professionals to manage their condition effectively. Understanding these risk factors can help individuals take proactive steps to reduce their risk of developing diabetes. Regular checkups, a healthy lifestyle, and awareness of personal risk factors are essential for prevention and management.
As we observe National Diabetes Month, let us commit to raising awareness and promoting healthy lifestyles. Together, we can work towards reducing the prevalence of diabetes, improving management strategies, and ultimately enhancing the quality of life of millions. By educating ourselves and our communities, we can take meaningful steps towards a healthier future for everyone. It is important to remain active, embrace a healthy diet, and work with a healthcare professional to get the proper tools and understand the risk factors. B
Diabetes patients are considered high-risk for several reasons:
1. Cardiovascular Disease: People with diabetes are at a significantly higher risk of heart disease and stroke due to factors like high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels, and inflammation.
2. Kidney Damage: Diabetes can lead to diabetic nephropathy, a condition that affects the kidneys' ability to filter waste from the blood, potentially leading to kidney failure.
3. Nerve Damage: High blood sugar levels can cause neuropathy, leading to pain, tingling, or loss of sensation, particularly in the feet, which increases the risk of injuries and infections.
4. Vision Problems: Diabetes can result in diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and glaucoma, all of which can lead to vision loss if not managed properly.
5. Infections: Elevated blood sugar levels can weaken the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight infections. Diabetes patients are particularly prone to skin infections, urinary tract infections, and foot infections.
6. Wound Healing: High blood sugar levels can impair circulation and reduce the body's ability to heal wounds, increasing the risk of severe complications.
7. Mental Health: diabetes can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and depression, which can further complicate the condition and affect overall well-being.
n Genevieve Hand
On October 18th, Benicia Middle School hosted its annual Viking Night with the help of community and sponsors. Viking Night is an annual community event bringing BMS families together for an evening of fun, food, and entertainment. This event aims to strengthen the BMS community and celebrate school spirit.
This year, Viking Night raised $12,000 in sponsorships. More than 1,000 people attended the family-friendly event which offered five food trucks and six inflatable obstacle courses. 20 unique student art pieces were sold, including a ceramic vase, acrylic paintings, and pencil drawings.
The event included community-building activities designed to draw connections between attendees. “Belonging” stickers were passed out to parents, with which they were able to indicate their “belonging” to a 6th, 7th, or 8th grader. This networking exercise was intended to help parents identify others in their student’s cohort and foster connection.
Additionally, the event featured a “We Are BMS” poster wall, where attendees were invited to share their thoughts on a large poster wall featuring three fun prompts:
1. What do you love most about Benicia?
2. What is / was your favorite subject in school?
3. Vote for your favorite (Crocs vs. Sneakers)
Attendees wrote their responses directly on the poster wall, creating a vibrant and engaging display. (Spoiler alert! Sneakers won by a small margin with an honorable write-in mention for Birks!)
The event could not have been as successful without the support and donated goods and services from our local community. CPR Education, a local safety company run by Josh Sauberman, donated 300 wands of freshly made cotton candy to the event. Over 40 BMS parents and over 25 BHS students volunteered their time to help Viking Night run smoothly. The primary sponsors of the event were Valero Benicia Refinery and Plan It Interactive.
Mark Nelson, BMS Principal, said about the event, “I love Viking Night. This event is about our entire community - the students, families, teachers, and BMS staff. Benicia is a wonderfully diverse and vibrant place, with people from all backgrounds. Viking Night is a fantastic opportunity for us to come together, enjoy food, play games, have a good time, and support our schools." B
“I love Viking Night. This event is about our entire community - the students, families, teachers, and BMS staff. Benicia is a wonderfully diverse and vibrant place, with people from all backgrounds. Viking Night is a fantastic opportunity for us to come together, enjoy food, play games, have a good time, and support our schools.“
How do you talk to kids about being thankful? Try making a “Thankful Turkey” this Thanksgiving to help explain gratitude. With just a few basic supplies, like construction paper, this easy Thanksgiving activity is a viral sensation and yearly tradition for thousands of families.
What is a Thankful Turkey?
The Thankful Turkey is the simplest, easiest, and cutest way to discuss thankfulness and gratitude throughout the Thanksgiving season.
Using this easy Thanksgiving activity helps children and families connect and engage in conversations that otherwise might not happen naturally or frequently.
Supplies
Brown paper bag or Kraft paper
Construction paper
Glue
Scissors
Black Marker B
Book and Cock tail Club
n Cooper Mickelson
November has arrived, bringing an end to the brief interlude of false fall, and the holidays are swiftly approaching. It’s the perfect time to immerse yourself in some eerie, family-centered literary fiction, and I’ve got just the book for you: The Bog Wife by Kay Chronister. This novel has been sitting on my “anticipated releases” list all year, and when it finally hit the shelves, I rushed to my local bookstore to grab a copy and dive into its atmospheric blend of gothic, ecological horror and family drama.
Bog Wife
by Kay Chronister
like a long-buried memory. Chronister masterfully weaves in themes of ecological collapse and rural poverty, mirroring the struggles many face today. Despite its dark and moody tone, the novel’s conclusion offers a surprising glimmer of hope, touching on a universal yearning that resonates deeply in our uncertain times.
Set against the mystical backdrop of Appalachia, The Bog Wife follows the Haddesley siblings, a family bound by strange and ancient beliefs tied to their ancestral land. For generations, the Haddesleys have maintained a sacred compact with the land they live on, which has sustained them in return. Their lives are governed by rituals that keep this delicate balance intact, with the most significant being the sacrifice of the patriarch to the bog, in exchange for the creation of a “bog wife” for the eldest son. This bog wife, crafted from the vegetation of the land, exists solely to continue the Haddesley bloodline.
But when the time comes for this generation of Haddesleys to perform the ritual, two crucial family members are missing. The Haddesley mother has been long gone, presumed murdered by their father, and their estranged sister, Wenna, has fled the family. After a decade away, Wenna, the only Haddesley to escape the family’s grip, is reluctantly pulled
home to ensure the ritual’s success. However, after they lower their father’s body into the peat, something goes wrong—no bog wife appears for Charlie, the eldest son.
What follows is a tense scramble to mend the broken compact and heal the ailing bog. Eda, the domineering eldest daughter, tries to step into her father’s shoes, while Charlie sulks in wounded pride, feeling abandoned by the bog. The younger son, Percy, bitter and resentful, attempts to fashion a wife of his own from the land, shirking all other responsibilities. Wenna, having tasted freedom, hatches plans to sell the land and convince her siblings to escape while they still can, while the youngest daughter, Nora, fights desperately to keep Wenna from returning to her secret life in Illinois.
As the siblings uncover dark truths about their family’s history, their belief system begins to unravel. Will they break free from the cycle of destruction, or will they sink deeper into the decaying land, dooming both themselves and future generations? Each character’s perspective is vividly distinct, drawing us into a narrative that feels hauntingly familiar, almost
Best read on a misty morning surrounded by trees, The Bog Wife is the perfect novel to ground you as the winter season approaches. Grab your copy from Bookshop Benicia or check it out from your local library before the hold list gets too long!
1. Prepare glasses by adding a sugar rim using lime juice and sugar.
2. Fill a cocktail shaker one-third of the way with ice.
3. Add the vodka, Cointreau, lime juice, and cranberry juice to the shaker. Shake vigorously to combine.
4. Add ice to the glasses, top with the cocktail mix, and then top with soda water.
5. Mix and match garnish to make it your own! B
Enjoy your Thanksgiving leftovers with this tasty recipe!
Gracie's Tasty Turkey Potato Skins
n Gourmet Gracie
Ingredients:
6-8 Russet potatoes (approx. 3-4 lbs)
1 ½ c. each Leftover mashed potatoes, cubed or shredded leftover turkey, leftover stuffing ¼ tsp. White pepper
1 c. Sharp white cheddar, shredded ½ c. Cranberry sauce
Sour cream
Kosher salt
Butter Green onions or fresh chives
Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Scrub potatoes, dry well, coat lightly with olive oil, pierce with a fork a few times on each side. Place on foil or parchment paper and roast for 50 - 60 minutes, until a knife can be inserted easily. Let cool.
2. Cut potatoes in half lengthwise. Carefully scoop out potato flesh with spoon, leaving a 1/4" border. Set aside potato flesh for another use. Reduce oven to 400 degrees. Place potato skins skin side down on a wire rack and roast for 25 to 30 minutes until crisp. Brush skins inside with melted butter and salt to taste.
3. Mix white pepper thoroughly into the mashed potatoes. Layer potatoes, turkey and stuffing into potato skins. Top generously with cheese. Place on baking sheet. Bake for another 15 minutes or so, until cheese is melted and ingredients are warmed through. Top with a spot of cranberry sauce, a dollop of sour cream and sliced green onions or chives.
4. Serve as a hearty appetizer or a small meal. Enjoy!
Instant Family
2018 Family comedy-drama
118 Minutes - PG13
Streaming on Hulu, Amazon Prime, Apple TV
n Gourmet Gracie and Movie Magic
This is a tender and happy film that will open your heart— the story of a married couple who explore the possibility of adopting a teenager out of the foster system. When they meet Lizzy at an open house for foster children, they are drawn to her strength and charm. Little do they know that she comes with a younger brother and sister. Their mother is a drug addict and in jail. Chaos is the name of game for these first-time parents in their learning curve to take care of a traumatized teenager and her two wary siblings. There are lots of laughs and a few tears as this new family comes together.
Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne are lovely as the new parents, Pete and Ellie. Lizzy's character is played by the beautiful Isabela Merced who passionately captures her scenes. The supporting cast includes Oscar winner Octavia Spencer and Tig Notaro as the foster placement counselors. They make connections happen with wily wit and a good helping of grit and realism. Margo Martindale charges in as the grandma and saves the day as only she can.
Directed and co-written by Sean Anders, this movie reminds us of the importance of listening with compassion and GRATITUDE for our fellow humans. Hugs prevail. Happy Thanksgiving!
Movie Magic gives Instant Family 4 out of 5 Moons. B
Shop downtown to be entered into a drawing for a $500 Downtown Benicia Shopping Spree. For every $10 spent at participating merchants, you receive one ticket for the drawing. Presented by Benicia Main Street.
November 2
Benicia Cars and Coffee Solano Square, Benicia 8-11am
Enjoy a casual car show featuring coffee, where car enthusiasts can display and admire unique vehicles.
November 16
The Rellik Tavern
https://www.therelliktavern.com/
https://www.luccabar.com/
Empress Theatre
https://empresstheatre.org/ Lucca's Beer Garden
Harajuku Fall Foodie Fest 1149 First Street Benicia 10 am onwards
A food and merchant festival celebrating various culinary delights with a Japanese influence.
November 22
Pink Friday Nationwide All day
Pink Friday is a nationwide movement to shop small businesses ahead of Black Friday. Get a head start on your holiday shopping in town and support our local businesses!
November 28
Benicia Hand Up Turkey Trot
Benicia Community Park, 540 Rose Dr, Benicia, CA
Registration starts at 7:30am Trot begins at 8:30am
The 8th Annual Benicia Hand Up Turkey Trot is a community-focused event benefiting the Tim & Jeannie Hamann Foundation, which supports cancer patients. Participants can choose between a 2-mile route to Lake Herman or a 1.5mile walk around Benicia Community Park. There will be costume contests for families, children, and pets.
November 30
Wine Walk & Shop Small Downtown Benicia 1-5pm
On Small Business Saturday, shop Downtown Benicia while tasting fine wines at participating businesses. Wine Walk tickets available at Benicia Main Street. B
