2160ORPOSTAGESTDECRWSSPRSRTUSPAIDPORTLANDPERMITNO. $3.50 Volume 17 Issue 11 September 2022 Please deliver 9/1/22 SUISUN VALLEY Wine Country ReunionDriveCarolina SUISUN VALLEY Wine Country
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Promotional Video/Headshots Business Headshotswillelevateyourbrand! Lic. #719381 A-1guaranteed.com707.645-0734 WHY CHOOSE A-1 GUARANTEED? • Better Business Bureau, 25 years • Voted best heating/cooling company, 17 years • Voted best of the Bay for 5 years, Kron 4 TV • Angi’s Super Service Award, 3 years • Energy Upgrade participating contractor • Factory-trained installers & techs • Drug-free environment enforced & maintained • Better Business Honor Roll, 21 years • Diamond Certified • North American Technician Excellence certified • Bay Area certified green business • All employees fully background checked NOW OFFERING Air Purification and Allergy Relief, Solar, Windows, Insulation and Tankless Water Heaters Providing honest and reliable service since 1996 Your Electrification Experts Publisher Mary Hand Editor in Chief Genevieve Hand Art Director Margaret Bowles Graphic Designer Cooper Mickelson Website Specialist Genevieve Hand Contributors Jon JeannineGenevieveBitsyFowkesHallHandMaryHandLindaHastingsNovannaE.HuntDarrellMcelvaneMendoza,Ed.DCooperMickelsonGethsemaneMoss,Ed.DJeanPurnell Photography Luke George Social Media Specialist Bitsy Hall Advertising NewAdsales@beniciamagazine.com707.980.1563SalesAdvertisingdeadlinesads: the 5th of the month prior to the issue month Ad changes: 6 weeks prior to the issue month Contact Us 707.980.1563,editor@beniciamagazine.comBeniciamagazine.com PUBLISHER Benicia Publishing, LLC Benicia Magazine is published monthly by Benicia Publishing, LLC. Copyright © 2021, all rights reserved. Contents of Benicia Magazine cannot be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of the publisher. Opinions expressed in Benicia Magazine editorial or advertisements are those of the authors and advertisers, and may not reflect the opinion of Benicia Magazine’s management or publisher. Benicia Magazine, Downtown Benicia, CA 94510. 707.980.1563, Beniciamagazine.com. Beniciamagazine.com Celebrating our 17th Year
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6 • BeniciaSeptemberMagazine 2022 Columns 8 From the editor 24 Picket Fences The next chapter 28 Booktails The Maidens by Alex Michaelides 30 Dinner and a Movie Provisions Akeelah and the Bee Cover: Charlie and Jenny Wagner Photo by Luke George 16 Carolina Drive Reunion 18 Suisun Valley Wine Country TABLE OF 10 Dr. Ekaterina Ryjkina, general manager of Kaneka Aerospace
BeniciaMagazine.com • 7 Around Town ART SCENE 10 35 by 35 Arts Benicia turns 35 BENICIA BUSINESS 12 RootsKanekain Benicia, Eyes to the Skies COMMUNITY 11 Kids Craft SeptemberCornerLeaves 13 Events Calendar 14 Civic AssistingEngagementStudents in Civic Awareness 21 Cody Roadie A dog’s tail, origin story HIDDEN BENICIA 20 Sacred Ground Remembered FOOD AND DRINK 27 OktoberfestSpeisekammerin Alameda ProfessionalProfessionalmobilepetgroomingsalonpetgroomingPremiumDog&CatFoodwww.FeathererPet.com 1202 East 5th Street, Benicia 707.745.5016 Creating a Trusted Space for Financial Growth Financial Planning & Investment Management that Puts You First wheelsupwealthinc.com Frances Harkins, CFP ® , AIF ® Bridget Harkins, CFP ® 602 West K Street | Benicia, CA 94510 info@wheelsupwealthinc.com707.400.0992 1220 18
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—Mary Photo by Luke George
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8 • Benicia Magazine
—Genevieve FROM THE PUBLISHER
This month we welcome the beginning of fall, a season of change, of color and harvest. As part of fall traditions and celebrations, we explore Oktoberfest and the wine industry crush, when the wineries and vineyards begin harvesting grapes. For this we explore the Suisun Valley wine region, an area full of robust agriculture, small and boutique wineries, as well as the new, much larger Caymus-Suisun winery. Genevieve and I reconnoitered the area, visiting a few small wineries, Caymus, as well as Mankas Corner. We found the wineries and community to be warm and very supportive of each other. We interviewed Fah Sathirapongsasuti of Sunset winery, part of the Suisun Valley Wine Co-Op and met the charming and knowledgeable Brenda, who took us through a reasonably priced tasting and gave us background on the valley. I returned with our wonderful photographer, Luke George the following week where we interviewed Caymus owners, Charlie and Jenny Wagner. What a wonderful interview it was. They greeted us at the entrance and took us all over the property while regaling us with stories of the Wagner family's long history in the wine industry. They sent us off with baskets of tomatoes, peppers and stone fruit, as well as a lovely sampling of their wines. The Suisun Valley wine region is home to 30 small and large wineries as well as thriving agriculture, for which it is well known. In fact, Agriculture Tourism is becoming a major draw to the region.Inpursuit of Bay Area Oktoberfest events and festivities, Margaret Bowles (our Art Director) and I went to Alameda to visit a well known German restaurant called Speisekammer. Here we met Peter Kahl, owner and chef. Peter entertained us with stories of how the restaurant came to be and how their Oktoberfest is extremely popular. He begins Oktoberfest on the same dates as they do in Munich; celebrating three consecutive Sundays with crowds of up to 300 people. September is a great month to take small local trips. The roads are less crowded and the weather is predictable. It's a great month to explore our town and our region.
FROM THE EDITOR If you are reading this, I expect you are a loyal reader of Benicia Magazine. You’ve looked forward to receiving it in your mailbox or picking it up as a free treat while out shopping. Perhaps you value the stories we bring to you, illuminating a little-known fact about our beloved town or highlighting a new local business. Perhaps you have a favorite Benicia Magazine writer whose stories you follow religiously. Whatever your reason for reading this, you’ve enjoyed the ability to do so for free for as long as Benicia Magazine has been in print. Now, we are offering you a way to support the publication you love and get a little something back from it. Benicia Magazine is not a city-run publication, but is actually a small business funded by other small businesses’ advertisements. While we’ve been slowly building back our advertiser roster since pandemic closures, we are experiencing increasing pressure from supply
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FROM THE EDITOR
BeniciaMagazine.com • 9 Benicia Main Street | 90 First Street, Benicia, CA 707.745.9791 Where’s Dona Benicia?Where s Dona Benicia? September 5 – 30 BENICIA MAIN STREET PRESENTS Benicia Main Street | 90 First Street, Benicia, CA 707.745.9791 Win $100 Downtown Dollars Win $100 Downtown Dollars Find the framed picture of Benicia’s namesake at participating businesses to win Downtown Dollars! For more info, visit BeniciaMainStreet.org www.instagram.com/beniciamainst/www.facebook.com/beniciamainstwww.beniciamainstreet.org www.benicia.comYourPartnerinRealEstate Experience Excellence 707.738.9671 brenda@benicia.com1015FirstStreeetBenicia,CA94510BRE01039726 Brenda Turner-Adams
Derek Weisberg Fake Flowers
Arts Benicia’s exhibition committee, comprised of community artistvolunteers, staff, and board members, selected 35 established regional artists whose work shows mastery of their particular genre to contribute a work to the exhibition. These artists were also asked to nominate an emerging artist, or an artist yet to be fully recognized, for inclusion in the exhibition. The result is an exciting, artistically and ethnically diverse display of artwork that demonstrates the theme of generational mentoring. The exhibition will open on September 24 with a public reception from 4 to 6 pm, and run through October 30.Formed by volunteers as a non-profit in 1987, Arts Benicia originally supported a broad range of arts, including visual arts, theatre, poetry, and music. A community of artists had been migrating to Benicia since the 1960s when the US Army vacated the Benicia Arsenal. The empty military and industrial warehouses on the Carquinez Strait were ideal and inexpensive spaces for artists to work. As more artists came in, the group became pro-active in support of artists, arranging exhibitions at City Hall and other local venues.Acommunity effort to raise funds in the early 1990s led to the leasing of a large warehouse space on Tyler Street. Volunteers worked to renovate the space and create a permanent gallery and classroom which was completed in 1993. The first exhibition in the gallery featured the works of Mike Kendall and Larry Morace and was curated by Kathryn Weller Renfrow (then Kathryn Gunther), who served on the nonprofit’s board and later became its longtime director.
n Jean Purnell Arts Benicia is celebrating its 35th year of supporting the visual arts in Benicia and the greater region with an exhibition called 35 by 35. The exhibition highlights the theme of artists supporting artists, central to Arts Benicia’s long history.
10 • Benicia Magazine
The nonprofit’s recent move to the Commanding Officer’s Quarters, across from the Clocktower in the Benicia Arsenal, has also contributed to an influx of visitors from the community and the elegant environment for exhibitions in the historic mansion has enhanced its standing with artists. “Arts Benicia plays such a significant role in the communication cycle that helps artists thrive,” said Dalton. “It is so important for artists to show their work and to feel the connection with other artists and the public. Arts Benicia has been key to my development and validation as an artist. I wish all artists could have the support of an organization like Arts Benicia.”Among the 70 artists featured in the 35 by 35 exhibition will be Derek Weisberg, who was nominated by Eanes.
B around town Art Scene ARTS
The new spaces provided Arts Benicia a home in which to host a remarkable number of exhibitions, classes, and programs serving the community since that time. Programs such as Open Studios helped connect the working life of artists to locals and visitors, while educational programs for youth ensured the development of the next generation of Whileartists.
some of the organization’s earliest volunteers and members are participating in the exhibition, including Morace, Carol Dalton, Mark Eanes, and Pam Dixon, the exhibition will feature many new faces, demonstrating the significant reach and reputation of Arts Benicia’s regular calls for artists, and the strength of regional talent, such as Juana Alicia Araiza, Chester Arnold, Seiko Tachibana, Michael Shemchuk, Al Farrow, and Lisa Kokin.
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Raised in Benicia, Derek’s early love for ceramic sculpture was nurtured by Eanes and other local artists. After graduating with honors from California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland (now CCA) in 2005, his studies with notable artists included Stephen De Staebler, Ursula von Rydingsvard, and Manuel Neri. Now living in NYC, Weisberg has become a prolific creator of mixed media and ceramics and has shown his work internationally.CelesteSmeland, Arts Benicia’s Executive Director, has led the organization since 2015, and follows a short list of directors including Wenfrow and Larnie Fox. “It’s exciting to see an artist like Derek, who began his artistic career in Benicia, become highly successful, and to have the opportunity to show his work here,” said Smeland. “It shows our commitment to supporting the next generation of artists, as well as the quality of our exhibition program. The community can proudly look forward to what the next 35 years will bring for Arts Benicia.” For more information, please visit https://artsbenicia.org/35by35/ ATBENICIA
BeniciaMagazine.com • 11 GardenCrafters * Horticulture Expertise * Low Maintenance Planting Design * Outdoor Lighting * Walls, Patios, Arbors * Pavers, Concrete & Stone Create Your Garden Retreat! Formal | Romantic | Modern Call for free design consultation Landscape and Design Best of the East Bay Area 9 years in a row. 925.276.9693 l gardencrafters.com 1646 N. California Blvd., Suite 101 Walnut Creek, CA 94596 License #00908045 M (707) 567-5016 O (925) LINDA627-3096LEWIS REALTOR® linda.lewis@compass.com n Bitsy Hall, M.Ed. and owner of Learning Circles September marks the start of what is arguably the best season of all: autumn. While we haven’t yet reached crisp mornings, pumpkin spice everything, and copious amounts of warming tea, we can see the start of the seasons changing in the trees around us. This month’s craft uses fall leaves as the centerpiece. Since it requires a natural element, this project can bring you and your little ones outside–whether that’s on a walk, in your backyard, or at the park. around town Kid Craft Corner To begin, you’ll need: MATERIALS At least 4 leaves, preferably of different variations Watercolor spray You can purchase these, but see notes for a DIY option White cardstock paper Newspaper or dropcloth Masking tape (optional) DIRECTIONS1. Prepare your art space by putting down a drop cloth or paper to protect your table. (Alternatively, you can do this outside on the cement or grass.) 2. Arrange your leaves face down on your cardstock paper. Set them up in any way you’d like. (If you want to secure them in place, gently attach the leaves to the cardstock with masking tape. Don’t press too firmly–this could lift up a layer of the paper upon removal.) 3. Spritz the watercolor spray as desired around the leaves. 4. Allow the paint to dry. 5. Remove leaves 6. Hang up your masterpiece! For the optional DIY watercolor spray: MATERIALS Travel size spray bottlesFor much smaller children (5 and under),you may want to opt for a small bottle witha spray handle. This is easier for tiny hands.Tempera paint Water 1.DIRECTIONS Drop about a teaspoon of tempera paint into aspray bottle. 2. Add ¼ cup of water.3. Shake to mix. 4. Repeat for the desired amount of colors/bottlesavailable. Snap a picture of your craft and tag @ beniciamagazine on Instagram. We would love to see your versions of this September inspired craft! B
12 • Benicia Magazine around town Community Farmers Market Thursdays, 4-7pm @ 1st st Benicia,CA Where’s Dona Benicia? Sept 1-30 @ 1st st Benicia,CA
Events September
Art Walk 2022 Sept 10th,1-5pm @ 1st st Benicia,CA
Second Saturdays Art Walk. Live entertainment and demonstrations at 8 galleries in downtown Benicia. History Talks Sept 17th, 11:30am-12:30 @ Benicia Historical Museum at the Camel Barns The Clocktower: A History of Benicia’sFortressMighty
Mare Island Dock Bay Festival Sept 17th, 1-9pm @ Mare Island Waterfront Live music, amazing views, local and international cuisine, Mare Island Brewing Co. beers, fine wines, vendors, arts and crafts, and MORE! Tickets available at www.dockofthebayfest.com B
Look for the framed picture of Dona Benicia at participating businesses and email the keyword found on the frame to Benicia Maine Street to enter for a chance to win $100 in Downtown Dollars. Benicia Cars and Coffee Sept 3rd, 8-10am @ 90 Solano Square, Benicia,CA Every first Saturday at the Solano Square Starbucks. 2022 Bizerkeley Food Fest Sept 4th, 11am-5pm @ 2727 Milvia St, Berkeley, CA Berkeley’s first and only vegan food festival! Enjoy delicious vegan food, wine and hard kombucha sampling, live performances,a DJ, a silentandauction,MORE!
General Manager Ekaterina Ryjkina believes in deepening the roots that Kaneka has established in Benicia while helping us reach for the stars. After visiting Kaneka and touring the facility, we met two Kaneka employees, Michael Dominguez and Jose Cruz, who started in entry level positions. They told us their story about how they moved up within the company.
M: The continuous improvement and constant development of new materials. We have a couple of scientists and chemists that are around the clock just formulating and creating mixes. Just a minute ago, the president of the company handed me this fork and spoon. It’s not plastic, it’s biodegradable, so that's kind of exciting. It was a perfect example of what excites me here. It’s a very innovative company, very forward thinking.
around town Business
J: I got a lot of hands-on experience with my manager. She taught me everything that I needed to know to be able to take on the shipping department through a lot of patience and working through errors. Eventually, everything just kind of clicked and made sense to me. The way the manager approached things was phenomenal, I've never had somebody explain something so thoroughly. I also got to work with the owner at the time; he was the one who gave me a lot of handson training for a lot of the pre-preg material that we make now.
What is your current position with Kaneka and what responsibilities does that entail?
M: Most definitely. We're very small right now, with 30 employees total and, I think, seven operators in two different departments. So, the potential for growth is huge.
With eyes to the sky
is simple: To become truly integrated into our community, Kaneka wants to help train future employees in Benicia. There are opportunities at every level, technical, operations, floor workers.
Jose: My current position is a prepreg lead, which is the other side of resins. We take the resin that is made here, and we create carbon pre-preg using carbon fiber and carbon fabric. Right now, we're a team of three but we're expanding. What was your starting position?
J: I do. There is obviously a lot of room for career growth here. It's just a matter of how much work you want to put into something. If you want to grow with the company, obviously you have to put enough effort into it, to motivate yourself. Otherwise, you’ll never really know how much you can grow. This is a company that's cutting edge and there's a lot of opportunity. B
n Mary Hand Ever wonder how commercial aircraft, helicopters and space vehicles can withstand the extreme conditions of air and space travel?
The secret is in the materials used to create these aircraft and aircraft parts. Kaneka, located in the Benicia industrial park, is a company that creates these materials and is in some ways responsible for the safe air travel that we enjoy and that astronauts rely on. They are at the forefront of creating the necessary technology for the next generation of Aerospace. While Kaneka is emersed in creating new solutions, it is also dedicated to creating and enabling the next generation of local talent to engage in this challenging technology.Thepremise
J: I started off in a warehouse position, in the resin mixing area. What kind of training or mentorship did you receive from Kaneka to make it to where you are today with the company?
M: We have hands on training and computer-based training, as well as our machine training and training with specific operators like Ernesto, who was my first trainer. He told me the way things are run and the standard expectations. Our previous manager was my mentor and I still carry what I learned from him with me today. I was also sent to an All-Star Academy leadership manager training as part of the promotion to production supervisor position.
Kaneka deepens its roots in Benicia
M: I started as a production operator in September of 2020.
J: There are a couple things in the works for the pre-preg side that are very promising. We are developing a transparent composite that mimics glass. For example, we take ordinary fiberglass fabric, we impregnate it with a resin that is being experimented on right now, and the fabric completely becomes transparent. It could be used for aircrafts, maybe cars, it might replace glass since it's much more durable and it's way lighter.
Do you see potential for further personal growth with Kaneka in the future?
What is Kaneka doing that is exciting to you?
Michael: I’m production team lead in the mixing department and my responsibilities are coordinating the planning and scheduling the day-today, week-to-week jobs for all the operators.
B around town
14 • Benicia Magazine
order
n Dr. Gethsemane Moss (Ed.D.)
"We have a complex system of government. You have to teach it to every generation."–
As early as Kindergarten, students learn about citizenship. Students are introduced to historical events and engaged in understanding chronological and spatial thinking, relationships, primary and secondary evidence, and timelines. By middle school, students are introduced to more geography and ancient civilizations, allowing them to understand the culture, religion, and natural resources used throughout various groups and the impact on climate and weather. By eighth grade, students become actively engaged in taking a closer look into the Constitution and ideas of the Declaration of Independence and diving into political philosophy and the Statute for Religious Freedom. By the time students get to high school, they are engaged more in the Industrial Revolution and how the First World War landed on American Democracy and Economics principles. For twelve years, students get exposed to information that is supposed to help build a foundation of understanding of how nations were developed and currently operate. Does this encourage students to become actively engaged in their communities, and do they understand the depth of the connection between history and civic leadership andEducatorsengagement?areaccustomed to working with extra-curricular materials to fill any necessary voids in the mandated and adopted curricula, which is sometimes an essential step in helping students bridge the desired academic outcomes for grasping the standards introduced each year. Educators are encouraged to differentiate instruction because how students learn concepts may vary from student to student. There is a program, ICivics (https://www.icivics.org/), founded by the late Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman to serve on the United States Supreme Court. Justice O'Connor's desire to create such a program was to help students not only become aware of the role of government but also to make it fun and inspiring for students. Ideally, students who participate in this program have a better idea of their role in society and, more specifically, how they can serve their communities, which is a win for everyone, themselves included. While there is a paid prescription for this program, some free resources exist for students, parents, and educators. Other resources, such as the National Constitution Center (https:// constitutioncenter.org/), offer online resources around civic engagement. There are also resources at the California State Capitol that offer virtual tools and more canleadership,aandactivity-center/).ca.gov/learn/educational-resources/(https://capitolmuseum.Inaddition,moreappsonlinetoolsaredevelopedtocreatecommunityforcivicengagement,andadvocacy.ParentsalsocontacttheSolanoCounty
Resource page communities.theeveryonetheircanlinethesupportstudent'sencouragedandcommunityrequiresandengagedensurehaveattendance.agendasschoolencouragedExperiences).offamiliesadvocateresourcesThis(https://watchmegrowinc.com/).GrowStreet,bhilman@ci.benicia.ca.usm707.746.4352,Familyspecificallyresource_center_(FRC).asp)community_resources/family_solanocounty.com/depts/fvp/(https://www.andforBenicia,BeniciaResourceCenter,Phone:Fax:707.746.8127150EastKBenicia,CA94510.WatchMeisanotherresourceforparentsorganizationprovidesongoingforfamiliesandisabiginhelpingthecommunityandunderstandthesignificanceACEs(AdverseChildhoodInhighschool,studentsareoftentoattendcitycouncilorboardmeetingsandhavethesignedasproofofbeinginSomeotherorganizationsnowincorporatedacomponenttothatstudentsbecomecivicallyatanearlyage,suchasJackJillofAmerica,Inc.,whichalsostudentstoparticipateinservice,financialliteracy,publicspeaking.Parentsandguardiansaretoconnectwiththeirdistrictofficeforadditionalorresources,andofcourse,child'sclassroomteacheristhefirstofcommunication.Ourstudentsareourfuture,andweencouragethemtounderstandsignificanceearly,whichbenefitsinthelongrun,especiallylongevityandsustainabilityofour Community“In to cultivate a set of leaders with legitimacy in the eyes it is necessary that the path to leadership be visibly open to talented and qualified individuals of every – Sandra Day O' Connor Sandra Day O' Connor
race and ethnicity.”
ASSISTING ASSISTINGCOMMUNITYCOMMUNITYSTUDENTSENGAGEMENTENGAGEMENTSTUDENTS and CIVIC AWARENESSCIVIC AWARENESSin
of the citizenry,
BeniciaMagazine.com • 15
Feature The 2022 Photo by
How did Carolina Drive become a Black community? Oral history states that the original developer fell into financial trouble and needed to sell the homes quickly, so he sold one to a Black family. After that, he could only sell to African Americans, as whites chose not to buy there. In the early ‘50s, it was difficult for a Black couple to qualify for a home loan. Though they had significant down payments, were gainfully employed at stable jobs, had stellar credit, and, often, references from a white person, they were denied home loans. Those who qualified seized the opportunity to purchase the Carolina Drive homes with magnificent views of the Carquinez Strait and achieve the American dream of homeownership.The"village"raised its children, cared for itself, and participated in community activities. Elders looked out for all the youngsters. More than one neighborhood elder reprimanded one misbehaving child. When a resident passed away, the neighbors quickly gathered around, took up a collection to help with expenses, and brought food and comfort to the family. The fathers came home from work, coached Little League, and were church deacons and community volunteers. Mothers, some of whom worked outside the home, coached softball, and volunteered at the schools and in the community. Some were the founders of King Solomon Church, Benicia's only primarily African American church. There was very little violence or criminal activity. This African American community contradicted the stereotype of the depressed, lawless, poverty-stricken, violent, black ghetto. Most original and early families produced gainfully employed, upstanding, contributing citizens and one or more college graduates. Some became civil servants, court officers, doctors, engineers, entrepreneurs, firefighters, ministers, nurses, police officers, sports coaches, or teachers. Like any community in America, a few did not do well. Concurrently, the families dealt with racist townspeople, teachers, and police officers.
On a warm, sunny July day in Benicia’s Community Park, more than 100 folks from throughout California and beyond gathered to celebrate a long-time, primarily African American Benicia community. We reconnected and celebrated our community and our families in the Black Family Reunion tradition. The inaugural Carolina Drive Hill Reunion was a rousing success.Joy, laughter, music, food, and chants of “The Hill, The Hill, The Hill” were a part of the merrymaking. Ms. Chessie Mayo, a beloved 90-year-old matriarch who has lived in the community for more than 50 years, received special recognition. A memorial wall honored the ancestors, and T-shirts commemorated the event. A hobbyist photographer, a descendant of an early Hill family, roamed the area taking photos to preserve the memories.
Over the years, the original owners passed away, and the homes changed hands. Today it is a more ethnically diverse neighborhood that lacks a sense of community. A few of the Hill families and descendants are still living there. Many of The Hill’s descendants formed friendships that remain intact today. The reunion celebrated all that is good about a community that thrived despite setbacks. The Carolina Drive Hill Reunion is on track to become an annual event that will only evolve and grow. B
The celebratedreunionallthatisgoodaboutacommunitythatthriveddespitesetbacks. Monique Hunt
” ” Dr.
Donald Ray Pruitt, a member of one original Hill family, spearheaded the reunion. All too often, we were reuniting at funerals and memorial services. Why not have a reunion to celebrate our community? He recruited a committee, and they began planning for a 2020 event that was delayed two years by the Pandemic. Donald Ray and his committee of Pam Blake, Jeanetta Calhoun, Sonja Calhoun, Angela Collins, Vivenne Cornelious, Wanette Foster, Juno Mayo, Debra Pruitt, Alfreda Smith, Carmella Smith, and Dorothy Smith planned every detail of the successful, fun-filled event.
n Novanna E. Hunt
Photo by Luke George
The Black Family Reunion has a historical legacy heavily rooted in centuries of American slavery. After emancipation, many African Americans were eager to reunite with family members – spouses, children, siblings, and parents –who had been separated or sold away during slavery. They desperately searched using word-of-mouth, memories, newspaper ads, and letters in hopes of finding lost loved ones. Reuniting with a loved one was a time to gather, rejoice, and celebrate with other loved ones. They sought to rebuild family and community in the tradition of their AfricanCarolinaroots.Drive in Benicia, California, was a historically African American Community often referred to as “The Hill.” It once was a close-knit community of 40 African American families. Very few African Americans lived elsewhere in town. The residents were employed homeowners with hopes and dreams for themselves and their children. This circle of single-family, owner-occupied homes built in 1954 was the definition of community. It was a Black neighborhood that flourished as a village. Yet, in the broader community, they enjoyed the relative safety of small-town life, and their children had the advantages of a sound school system.
Suisun Valley Wine Country
n Genevieve Hand Photos by Luke George
There are a surprising number of wineries along the 6-mile stretch of valley. Its location is favorable to smalltime and experimental winemakers whose operations may otherwise struggle or be pushed to conform in high-stakes Napa Valley. We spoke with winemakers in the area who each mentioned a sense of freedom and lack of “rules” in Suisun Valley which fosters innovation and collaboration. This sense of collaboration can be experienced first-hand by visiting Suisun Valley Wine Co-op, one of the first tasting rooms in the region. We spoke with Fah Sathirapongsasuti, co-owner of Sunset Cellars, a founding member of the Coop. He explained that each member of the Co-op is technically a “micro-
Suisun Valley Wine Country
winery,” meaning that they produce only 1000 or fewer cases of wine each year. Prospective members of the Coop undergo a rigorous application process to assess whether their wine is appreciated by current members and if the winemakers are open to collaboration. Resources like equipment are shared and the members promote one another in the tasting room. The tasting room, itself, is unpretentious and fun. It feels more like a favorite bar, with eclectic décor and tastings for only $15. When Fah and his partner Mio acquired Sunset Cellars from founders Doug and Katsuku Sparks, they began putting their own spin on the tasting offerings, including a butterfly pea flower tea, from Fah’s native Thailand, as a palate cleanser, and a Japanese foot spa on their back porch. Other current Co-op wineries are Blacksmith Cellars and King Andrews Vineyards. Some larger-scale wineries in the area are Co-op alumni,
“…there is another, lesser-known wine country closer to Benicia — a hidden gem known as Suisun Valley.”
18 • Benicia Magazine Feature
With the end of summer and the arrival of fall comes the annual wine country traditions of harvest and crush. Being so close to Napa, many of us are familiar with the wine country there and the tourism that goes with it. But there is another, lesser-known wine country closer to Benicia – a hidden gem known as Suisun Valley.
There is an excitement about what lies in store for Suisun Valley, about its potential. Yet, a common awe at its uniqueness; a sense of urgency in preserving it. How does a micro-winery like Sunset Cellars feel about big Napa wineries like Caymus moving in? “Caymus has brought more clientele and inspired us to create even better wine,” said Fah, “We derive inspiration from each other.”
dryofWagnerandmeticulouslylandscapingdryingfruitandMankaspropertyCaymus-SuisunsitsalongCornerRoadwasonceaproductionandfacility.Thewasdesignedexecutedbythefamily.Rowspalmtreesintheheatagainstclean,
There is a concerted effort to preserve the agriculture in this area, protecting livelihoods and crop biodiversity. There also seems to be a consensus that it shouldn’t simply become a dwarf carbon copy of Napa Valley. But Napa has begun noticing the appeal of Suisun Valley. The Wagner Family of Wine recently opened a Caymus tasting room there, though it has been using grapes from the region for years, and it will soon open a production facility on the same property. While the Wagner family has production facilities elsewhere in California, Caymus-Suisun is the only one outside of Napa boasting the esteemed Caymus name – a testament to the quality of grapes from theWeregion.spoke with Charlie and Jenny Wagner, whose father, Chuck, was the founder of Caymus, along with his parents, Charlie and Lorna. The family’s roots in Napa go back to the 1850s as farmers. Charlie and Jenny report that Suisun Valley reminds Chuck of what Napa used to be, before the explosion of wine tourism. They informed us that while Napa Valley is great for cabernet grapes, the unofficial grape of Suisun Valley is petite sirah. The unique position of the valley creates several microclimates which lend themselves to different varietals as well.
BeniciaMagazine.com • 19 such as Mangels Vineyards, just next door. In such cases, the Co-op has acted as an incubator for winemakers as they develop their craft and business in the region.Suisun Valley received its designation as an AVA (American Viticulture Area) just one year after Napa did, yet it has only recently begun to see an increase in tourism. The valley maintains a relatively rustic feel and does so by design. You see, Suisun Valley is not only a wine country, but is, of course, also fertile ground for other agriculture, such as stone fruits and other farm-fresh produce.
Caymus’ first Suisun Valley vintage was released in 2015 and Jenny’s latest from the region, The Walking Fool, named for the affectionate moniker of a longago relative, was just recently released.
“There is a lightheartedness here,” said Charlie about the valley. “It feels off the beaten path, yet is more accessible,” speaking of its convenient location as well as its more relaxed pace. The
If you go, be sure to stop by both the Suisun Valley Wine Co-op, open Wednesday-Sunday, and CaymusSuisun, open every day. During this season, the winemakers are onsite most days, and you might get an opportunity to chat with them. Be sure to also stop by Mankas Grill, recently under new ownership, for your lunch or dinner. Vezér Family Vineyard is right next door, and the Suisun Valley Filling Station is across the way for those who like beer and live music. Village 360 has much to offer as well, including cocktails, dining, wine tasting, coffee, wedding planning, and more. See a full list of wineries, farm stands, and everything else Suisun Valley has to offer at suisunvalley.com. B
minimalist architecture make the visitor feel as though they have just stepped into Palm Springs. Paying homage to the location’s roots, fruit and vegetable gardens fill much of the grounds. Visitors are offered a basket after their tasting to walk with and pick whatever produce they want to take home with them. The architecture harnesses the ever-present valley breeze to naturally cool the interior spaces. The tasting room is divided into three sections, one that can be reserved for private events, one for tastings, and one for wine-by-the-glass – a unique offering, as Napa places restrictions on wineries pouring by the glass. After visitors finish their tasting and collect their bounty, they can begin their exit from the property through another building that contains a shop and a serene coffee bar. Both Fah and the Wagners emphasized the feeling of community in Suisun Valley, both among fellow winemakers and their other neighbors. There is a sort of shared sense that they are all in on a great secret.
He started his job that day like he did every other day, not knowing what to expect. In this way, he resembles every other man and woman in law enforcement, then and now. As poet David L. Bell, writes,
And each day when he leaves for work, He prays to God above, Please bring me home after my shift So I can see the ones I love.
He started his job that day like he did every other day, not knowing what to expect. In this way, he resembles every other man and woman in lawthenenforcement,andnow.
Hidden Benicia
20 • Benicia Magazine
n Kevin Nelson Parks, like people, have stories. And the little park at the corner of West 7th and K Streets in Benicia has a story of tragedy and remembrance that is worth hearing. Many in town know it as “the Taco Bell park,” because it sits right next to that well-known dining establishment. It’s a grassy neighborhood park with swings and a play structure, and you can sit in the shade and hear the clerk speaking to customers at the drivethrough window picking up their orders.Others may remember it as the site of the old skate park, before it was replaced by the bigger and more deluxe X-Park up at Community Park. In those days, its official name was Willow Glen. Now it has a new name: Steve Armenta Park. And therein lies the story.It’s a safe bet that virtually no one who swings on the swings or picnics on the grass there has any idea about the life and death drama that played out in the lot across the street from it. It was December 5, 1973. Steve Armenta, a dark-haired, mustachioed 40-year-old narcotics field supervisor for the California Department of Justice, was working undercover on a drug case in Benicia. Looking to buy illegal drugs from a dealer and bust him to get him off the street. He had worked lots of drug cases in town, the cops here knew him and liked him and in the words of one, he had become “part of the community.”Suddenly, things went terribly wrong. After making the buy, Armenta and other agents moved in to arrest the dealer when shots rang out. His body fell, mortally wounded. The husband and father of two children died two days later in a Sacramento hospital. The only peace officer in Benicia’s history to be killed in the line of duty.That was close to 50 years ago. Time moved on. The heartbreak of that moment eventually passed. For most, but not all. Some never forgot. Those who did not forget sought to remember Steve Armenta in a manner befitting his sacrifice—close to the sacred ground where he fell. This is where Taco Bell park, the skate park, old Willow Glen Park come back into the story—that was the perfect spot to honor him. And so, at last, they did. The city approved the name change, and a whole bunch of law enforcement people—Benicia police, DOJ agents, many of them retired, many who knew him personally—raised money and pitched in their own money to make sure the job was done right. So many people were involved in this effort, there’s not enough space to list them all in this article. But you can see their names on the plaque embedded in stone at the base of the standing bronze monument that features Armenta’s likeness.
There’s a bench there too. Have a seat. You’re now within sight of where a man laid down his life to help his friends and this community. No greater glory, as has been said.
The dedication ceremony for Steve Armenta Park was held earlier this year. Many in law enforcement attended. One of the dignitaries present was his daughter, Peggy Lynn Armenta, who was a teenager when her dad died. “The one thing I know,” she said in remembrance, “is that he loved what he did.” B
” ”
RememberedRemembered Sacred Ground
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Stephanie Scanlan, Agent Insurance Lic#: 0H97107 739 First Street Benicia, CA 94510 Bus: 707-746-0350 Look no fur ther ChapterEverythingOne happened so quickly that I’m sure I’m going to get some of it wrong. One morning I was resting comfortably with my sister in our home outside of Phoenix, AZ, when I was taken for a ride to visit some other people. I always liked getting out of the house, but I was still really young, so everything was such a new experience for me. Though leaving the comforts of my home didn’t happen often, this time it seemed different. My handler — I called him that, not knowing any other relevant term — took me to meet a lovely couple that I immediately took a liking to. I couldn’t put my paw on it, but I think it stemmed from watching their reaction when we first met. Their look was so infectious that I found myself ferociously wagging my tail and licking their faces, and, to my surprise, they were kissing me back at the same time. Now, I was used to folks making a big deal over me, but this time seemed to be special and whatever was going to happen between me and these folks, I was all in. Later, when my handler explained that I was going away to my new home with these folks, I couldn’t have been happier. What I didn’t know at the time, was that my days of hanging loose in a comfortable house were going to become a thing of the past. Now, I know these new folks aren’t really my Mommy and Daddy, but they insisted that I refer to them as such, and they, without my input, decided that I was to be called Cody. It was explained to me later that there was a thing with Daddy’s friends and family about naming pets after places in Wyoming. His sister named a puppy after a lake in Wyoming and one of his best friends named theirs after a mountain pass, so it made perfect sense to him to name me after a town there. I’m happy that Daddy took the lead here because I found out later that Mommy had named a couple of her pets with baseball terms, Shortstop and Dugout. It’s not that I have anything against baseball — I enjoy playing fetch with a small soft ball — it just doesn’t seem right, or for that matter even safe, to go through life worrying about having a hard baseball hit at me over 100 miles anHavinghour! left a nice comfortable home, I was fully expecting transportation to a similar place with my new family. Well, that night I discovered that the transport was actually going to be my home. At first, I was confused because this seemed strange to me, but quickly, I came to realize that it wasn’t a bad thing. I always liked going for drives with my handler, so now I could go for a ride anytime with my new family without leaving my home. How cool is that? Though I didn’t gain the nickname Cody Roadie until a few months later, I became comfortable with being a roadie because Mommy and Daddy adopted me while on a trip across the country. After Phoenix, the next stop was Los Cruces, NM. Mommy explained to me while traveling there she found this really cool app for her phone called Harvest Host. I don’t quite understand all the technology, but she explained that they could find wineries, breweries, and farms across the country that let them stay for free and all they asked was for us to patronize their place of business. This seemed a perfect fit since Mommy loves wine and Daddy especially likes beer. This time Mommy won and they decided on a winery just outside of Los Cruces that had space available and when we arrived it was very festive with a band playing outside with lots of happy folks drinking wine and dancing to the music. Daddy had gotten a harness with a pouch where I could be front and center to all that was happening, like a baby kangaroo. As we entered the area, a lovely lady came running up to Daddy and me and she excitedly explained that lots of women like her were going to be coming up to us. Naturally, I thought she was referring to adorable me, but to my surprise Daddy said, “of course, I’m gorgeous.” The woman rolled her eyes, totally ignoring him and started playing with my ears and cupping my head in her hands, I knew I was right! http://codyadogstail.com/ B
BeniciaMagazine.com • 21 Call or text 707.712.1073 • Junkremoval707@yahoo.com
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22 • Benicia Magazine Committed to Benicia with the following achievements since 1985: n Started Benicia Certified Farmers Market in 1992 working with Benicia Main Street n President of Benicia Main Street 1991 n Chairperson for Benicia Economic Development Board 2008-2011 n Served on Benicia City Council for nine years n Helped save 2 State Parks in Benicia from closure by raising awareness, funding and testifying in Sacramento to keep both parks open n Staged an International Fashion Show for 10 years benefiting non profits including Benicia State Parks Assoc, Soroptimist of Benicia, the Arts and Culture Commission and brought in hundreds of visitors n Won the Ruby Award by the Soroptimist International of Benicia for my work on behalf of women n The first Chairperson of the American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Benicia raising over $100,000 for cancer research, treatments and advocacy n Raised funds for the Community Action Council Senior Meals Program for 12 years through an annual fashion show that I produced christinastrawbridgeforcitycouncil.com Paid for by Christina Strawbridge for City Council 2022 FPPC#1449710
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24 • Benicia Magazine
Picket Fences mystery Picket Fences
Previously in Picket Fences … Payton was injured while he and Zavier fled from Connie’s home. Martin Cray killed his father before fleeing the scene, leaving Connie and Angela to cover up the crime. The big fundraiser ended.
n Darrell Mcelvane
“Nothing,” Payton replies. Having heard Payton cry out, Xavier runs to his side. Angela investigates to find the source of the pain and finds the swollen bruise.
column A (Soap Opera)
At the end of every good party there is a list of tasks to do; say your thank yous, say goodbye to your guests, settle with your vendors, but most of all, clean up after yourselves. The mess waiting for Angela and Connie would prove to be a hard stain to Asremove.the guests start to leave, Angela turns to Payton and puts her arm around him. Before she can get a word in, Payton jumps in pain. “Ooooh!” he yells. “Payton! What’s wrong?” Angela questions.
“Payton, what happened,” Angela frantically asks. “I fell on the steps carrying the Vincent Fecteau sculpture,” Payton says, quickly coming up with an answer. “I’m taking you to the doctor,” Angela declares. At that moment, she feels a tap on her shoulder and hears Connie’s voice, “Are you sure that’s a good idea?” she asks. Payton flashes back to what they found in Connie’s house. He replies, “I'll be fine mom, you have a lot to do here.” Connie interjects, “Perhaps his friend can take him home until you get there.” Without missing a beat, Xavier jumps at the chance, “Yeah I'll take him, Mrs. Wingate.” Angela, feeling trapped, concedes “I’ll be home as soon as I can. Thank you, Xavier.“ Angela and Connie head toward the back room. Walking into the room the two quickly think of a plan. “The address on the registry said San Francisco… So, we’ll take his car back to San Francisco, in the Tenderloin, we’ll prop him up in the seat, and leave the car unlocked,” Angela says. “We have to leave now, the cleaners are coming soon, we can use Payton as a cover story. I'll go get rid of Olivia,” Connie responds. Angela felt alone in the room thinking, “How did I get here? What am I doing?” And a tear starts to roll down her face. Connie comes back into the room. “This is never going to end, is it? I’m always going to be attached to you,” Angela says. “I don’t think that’s the hot issue right now. Olivia is on her way home. It’s just us, we have about 30 minutes.” Angela falls in line and the two carry out the plan and hit the road. The two women arrive in the Tenderloin District. Connie parks the car and joins Angela in her Mercedes Benz parked in the alley across the street. “Well, now we wait,” Connie says. “I have a life Connie, I have a family I – I can’t do this,” Angela says trying to appeal to Connie’s humanity. Don’t make me out to be the monster. If your family only knew who you really were, they would run from you in a heartbeat,” Connie replies. Angela turns to her with tears in her eyes. “Leave me alone, I got out – ” Connie cuts her off, “What makes you think you’re the one who wanted out?” Connie says. Connie notices people by Mr. Cray’s car. “Here we go.” Just as planned, people start to ransack the car and loot Mr. Cray’s body. Angela wipes her face and composes herself “It will be stripped by morning.” Angela puts the car in gear and smoothly accelerates to head home. You see, as you try to wash the Past away you find that some stains will never come out. B To be continued..
BeniciaMagazine.com • 25 Kaneka believes we can have a major impact on our future by investing in the education of the next generation. We are committed to contributing resourc es to technical education programs and workshops, including internships and organized visits to our facility for those interested in the industry. 6166 Egret Ct, Benicia, CA 94510 (707) 747-6738 Since 1946 ESTEY 707-745-0924 216 First Street, Benicia | DRE# 00674738 Continuing1946YEARS~2021toBuildCommunityRealEstate&PropertyManagementServices707-745-0924 216 First Street, Benicia | DRE# 00674738 1946 ~ 2021 Continuing to Build Community Real Estate & Property Management Services
to
MAKING A POSITIVE IMPACT
Collaborating with nonprofit partners to foster improved quality of life and creating measurable impacts where unmet needs exist in our communities. Valero employees are honored to have participated in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life on August 6th. They dedicated their time, money, and support to bringing the community together to raise awareness in the fight against cancer.
Valero is proud to have helped the Benicia Police Department in honoring fallen California Department of Justice Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement Field Supervisor Steven L. Armenta, who was killed in the line of duty in Benicia in 1973. Valero contributed a bronze and stone monument in honor of the fallen peace officer as part of the renaming of Willow Glen Park to Steve Armenta Park. It was truly an honor to be able to memorialize Supervisor Armenta in Benicia for his ultimate sacrifice for this community.
ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, STEVEN L. ARMENTA
For more information about the above events please go www.beniciarefinery.com
Benicia Refinery COMMUNITY INVESTMENT Quarterly Review August–October 2022
CREATING A MONUMENT TO FALLEN LAW
Resources for Benicia Residents 5 ways to stay informed about Valero Benicia Refinery 1 Valero’s 24-Hour Community Relations Phone Number: 707-745-7534 email: BeniciaCommunityRelations@valero.com 2 Sign up for Refinery Notifications at Valero Benicia Refinery Community Relations website: www.beniciarefinery.com 3 Sign up for Non-Emergency Notifications with your email or telephone number at the City of Benicia’s Public Information Bank website: www.ci.benicia.ca.us/publicinfobank 4 Valero Benicia Refinery Community Advisory Panel (CAP) website: www.beniciacap.com 5 Benicia Refinery Air Monitoring Program website: www.beniciarefineryairmonitors.org Please call 707-745-7534 for additional questions.
restaurant is even more popular with those lovers of German food and culture who yearn for a taste of the old country. During the week between Sundays, many Oktoberfest parties are hosted or catered. Peter claims that Speisekammer can create the party of your dreams with everything an Oktoberfest party needs: tables, benches, food and beer on tap for up to 300 people. So if you experience the doldrums of summer winding down, visit Speisekammer and help yourself to some Teutonic culture and cuisine. You owe it to yourself to enjoy this special season with Peter and his crew. Luck and hard work has made this restaurant an institution in Alameda. Like Peter says, “The great thing about this place is that we have customers from 20 to 90 years old, so it's like a real family restaurant where anybody can come, and anybody does.” For German style beer right here in Benicia, go to our own Bruehol Benicia Brewing which specializes in German style pilsners, lagers, West Coast style Ales, and a variety of IPAs. Mark Keller and his wife Natalie Boltz have branded Bruehol Benicia Brewing by recognizing their roots. With strong connections to Deutschland, It's safe to say that the love and respect for not only their German heritage, but their hometown is shown through the historically relevant names used for each beer and the recipes Mark and Natalie use for their unique beer offerings at their Benicia taproom. B
Peter Kahl, the owner of Speisekammer, didn’t plan to have a restaurant in Alameda, but a series of chance events led to the establishment of this beloved German restaurant. For as long as he could remember, while growing up in Flensburg Germany, Peter Kahl wanted to be a chef and own a restaurant. After graduating from a hotel school for management and business, Peter worked in different restaurants and major hotels in Berlin for seven years, where he trained in every section of the restaurant business. He always knew what the name of his restaurant would be, Speisekammer, which means Peter came to the United States in 1994, traveling to the West Coast, and ending up in San Francisco. He didn’t really plan to stay here at all, but fate stepped in when Pete won a coveted green card in the Diversity Visa Lottery.Peter’s first job was in Hayes Valley, where he became part owner of a restaurant after 9 months. “It was pretty chaotic there because they didn't really have a real restaurant guy, … somebody who really knows how to work in the kitchen and run a restaurant.” During the next eight years Peter married his partner, had two kids, and moved to Alameda where he and his wife bought a former French restaurant in 2002. The couple completely renovated the place and created a favorite German restaurant that serves traditional German food. The menu includes a wide variety of dishes, cooked in the traditional manner with local produce and meats. As mentioned, the beer menu includes over 17 German beers and several other local beers, and they have a full bar and many German styleOktoberfestciders. at Speisekammer is a well-known tradition in Alameda and beyond. The custom of celebrating Oktoberfest began more than two hundred years ago, and today it is the world’s largest volksfest with more than six million visitors traveling to Munich for the beer drinking, dancing, parades and other celebrations. Peter Kahl’s Speisekammer’s Oktoberfest follows the same timetable as in Munich, commencing September 25, 2022 and ending a little over two weeks later. For three Sundays in a row, German bands will play traditional music, and German folk dancers will perform ageold dances. Restaurant patrons are invited to join in the dancing. A special Oktoberfest menu with unique items like Schweinebraten, Sauerbraten, rotisserie chicken, grilled salmon, and many different varieties of sausages grilled with sauerkraut will be available. During Oktoberfest, the well-regarded
“pantry.”Onalark,
n Mary Hand, Jeannine Mendoza Ed.D www.speisekammer.com Ah Labor Day! The traditional end of summer and the beginning of fall may kick off a malaise, or feeling of discontent that time is marching on. The perfect antidote to this seasonal uneasiness is Oktoberfest! What better way to improve your mood than to indulge in an authentic and delicious German meal at Peter Kahl’s Speisekammer, located in Alameda? How better to cheer yourself up than with one of more than 17 imported and domestic beers on tap?
BeniciaMagazine.com • 27 around town Food and Drink at Speisekammer
Book and Cocktail Club The Maidens
by Alex Michaelides
Michaelides' last novel, The Silent Patient, was an instant success back in 2019. The kind of book you stay up until three in the morning to finish while tucked away in a cozy bed with your dog or cat to help you feel safe. Opening up The Maidens, I hoped to have a similar experience. Much like Michaelides' highly praised previous novel, The Maidens' protagonist is a London-based psychotherapist. Mariana Andros is a successful but anguished group therapist whose husband tragically drowned 14 months ago. The opening of the novel focuses primarily on Mariana's grief and her work, which I found immediately captivating. I was pulled into the story even further when our troubled protagonist receives a frantic call from her niece, Zoe, explaining that there's been a murder at her Marianauniversity.rushes to Zoe's campus thoughentitledeveryone’sall,tobetheherooftheirownstory.SoImustbepermittedtobetheheroofmine.EvenI’mnot.I’mthevillain.”
column Booktails “After
28 • Benicia Magazine
n Cooper Mickelson I don't know about you, but by the time I flip my calendar to September, I consider fall to be in full swing. As I switch over to my burnt orange duvet cover, light a candle with a name like "autumn hayride," and ignore the fact that it's still 70 degrees and sunny out, I feel the pull to read books full of old mansions, cults, killers, and spooky vibes. This year, Alex Michaelides' The Maidens was the first on my frighteningly high stack of fall reads.
The dark academic setting, along with the many heartbreaking insights into grief and the effect it can have on an individual, made The Maidens well worth the read. However, I'd warn against any high expectations set by The Silent Patient. Although the protagonists appear similar, the novels themselves differ significantly.
at Cambridge University to offer emotional support but is quickly drawn into the investigation as a second murder occurs, and she is entangled in the mystery of the killer's identity.Mariana's main suspect is the handsome classics professor named Edward Fosca. Fosca leads a secret society of female students called “The Maidens.” The murder victims have all been a part of this secret society, and when Mariana discovers that each of these victims received postcards before their murder with quotes from the texts taught in Fosca's class, she becomes convinced of his guilt. Mariana's obsession quickly spirals out of control, earning her a few enemies and putting her in grave danger.
spotlesscarpetcleaning.net Residential & Commercial CARPET • UPHOLSTERY • TILE & GROUT CLEANING 840 First Street, Ste. A, Benicia • 707-746-8656 Celebrating our 30 year Anniversary! We are an independent, locally owned book store that carries a wide selection of books for all ages and will happily special order books not on the shelves. We also have unique gifts, cards, and chocolate!toys-even Open Tuesday-Saturday 10-5:30, Sunday 11-5 636 1st Street Benicia CA 94510 or visit us online at www.bookshopbenicia.com The Murdered Maiden A autumnal take on the Trinidad Sour INGREDIENTS 1 ½ ounces Cardamom Bitters ½ ounce Rye Whiskey ¾ ounce Lemon Juice 1 ounce Orgeat Lemon Twist PREPARATION1. Add the bitters, whiskey, lemon juice, and orgeat to a shaker with ice and shake for 10 seconds. 2.Strain into a chilled Nick and Nora glass (appropriate for any murder mystery). 3. Garnish with a lemon twist and enjoy! All-NighterDetective’s Mocktail INGREDIENTS 2 ounces Seedlip Spice 94(can be bought at Bevmo or online)2 ounces Cold Brew Concentrate½ ounce Simple Syrup 1.PREPARATION Add Spice 94, cold brew concentrate,and simple syrup to a shaker with ice andshake for 10 seconds. 2. Strain into a coupe glass.3. Garnish with a coffee bean and get towork solving that murder!
banter between Mariana and Fosco. What was meant to feel sexy and dangerous ended up bland and cringey.
The Maidens accomplished the most important thing I ask of any murder mystery. I was miles away from guessing the ending. Michaelides did a fantastic job with making the final reveal believable as, looking back, the clues were there. I'd be excited to hear if any of you guessed correctly! If you don't already own a copy of The Maidens, order one from Bookshop Benicia to enjoy while wrapped up in a knitted blanket, sipping your autumn cocktail/mocktail. These drinks would also pair well with an escape room or murder mystery game for your next night in with friends! B
BeniciaMagazine.com • 29
Michaelides introduces a handful of suspicious characters throughout the novel; most are a bit too cheesy or a bit too obvious. The story is missing a complex, interesting red herring that would have made this read truly spectacular for me. Much of the dialogue was also lacking regarding the
Dinner and a Movie
www.vtownprovisions.com707.641.100094590 The twenty fifth in a series of at home food and movie pairings.
& Provisions
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n Gourmet Gracie and Movie Magic Established in 2017, Provisions by League of Chefs, is a full service, gourmet catering company and café. The downtown Vallejo location provides a beautiful indoor/outdoor gathering space focusing on seasonal, sustainable menus for breakfast, lunch, Friday night dinners, specialty coffees and cocktails. Takeout available. COVID conscience catering fulfills your special event needs from lunch boxes to dinner parties. Brunch is a delectable treat serving eggs from happy chickens at Hen Pen Farms and ACME bread. Celebrate your weekend with chilaquiles and bottomless mimosas. Chicken and waffles are a local favorite and the Smothered Breakfast Burrito is AWESOME. For lunch, try the Avocado Tacos, Teriyaki Bowl or the now famous Fried Chicken Sandwich—you’ve got to see it to believe it. Kimchi Fritters? Yaaas!!! Vegan selections include the Black Bean Walnut Burger and Vegan Samosas. The food spectacular. Beer, wine and kombucha on tap. Recent specials have included an Ethiopian spread; Chicken, Sausage and Shrimp Gumbo; Cioppino; fresh Oysters and Oaxaca Pork Mole. Check Facebook for Friday dinner selections. Sometimes there’s live music, sometimes crafty vendors.Provisions also offers take/bake frozen items--Grandma’s Mac n’ Cheese, Shepherd’s Pie, Chicken Pot Pie and Hand pies. Pick up a freshly made delectable dessert! Gracie is enchanted with this lovely spot near the beautiful Empress Theatre in downtown Vallejo. Dog friendly, street by League of Chefs
and the Provisions
Virginia Street Vallejo,
AkeelahBee 300 CA
BeniciaMagazine.com • 31
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Akeelah, played by Keke Palmer, is a bright and tender 11 year old girl growing up in a rough section of South Los Angeles. Her single mother, played by the beautiful and talented Angela Bassett, is a nurse with her hands full raising a family—one son in the military and the other influenced by the local gang activity. Akeelah is bullied at school for being a “brainiac.” But she discovers that words take her away from herself and into another world. Her teacher recognizes her talent and encourages her to compete in the spelling bee, but Akeelah initially lacks the self esteem to call attention to herself. She meets a reclusive professor, played by Lawrence Fishburne, who gruffly encourages her and eventually coaches her to compete. Both learn from each other—how to deal with grief and loss, how to regain confidence after difficult life events, how to understand and offer compassion to others who struggle. This inspirational movie will make you smile as Akeelah receives unexpected coaching and overwhelming support from her community, including a few local gang members. With courage and trepidation she enters the spelling competition after lots of hard work and a growing confidence. The story draws you in with the graceful performances, positive messages and the extraordinary acting through facial expression by Keke Palmer. This is a movie with heart for the entire family. B Movie Magic gives this 4 ½ out of 5 Moons. Akeelah is bullied at school for being a “brainiac.” But she discovers that words take her away from herself and into another world.
Akeelah and the Bee 2006 Drama – Rated PG 1 hour, 52 StreamingminutesonHulu, Amazon Prime, Apple TV
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