Saturday, the day after the tree lighting ceremony, the town was buzzing. On the way to meet a friend at One House, noticed eight oak dining chairs on the sidewalk in front of the Benicia Yacht Club. They were lined in two rows — theater style. “Wow, these people really want to make sure that they get a good seat for the Parade next week,” I thought. “But they’re one street off!” The woman sitting on one of the chairs said they were waiting for the truck to transport them back to her mother’s house. Must have borrowed them for the family Thanksgiving. Further down, an old barbecue was still on the sidewalk, abandoned by its owner. Also on East 2nd, a sign warned that king tides were expected. Checked out the Marina, and things looked normal. An elegant white egret was standing in the shallows, its long skinny legs moving gingerly through the grasses. On the embankment was a healthy looking black and white cat, its eyes laser focused on the big bird. The egret continued its mission, periodically glancing at the cat while bobbing for fish. “Saw an egret in this same spot here yesterday with a fish in its mouth,” said a man walking by. Was it the same egret? Can anyone but their mothers tell them apart?
Back on First, three Dominican friars garbed in flowing white robes were inspecting a tile embedded in the sidewalk just down from St. Paul’s. It was a portrait of Sister Mary Dominica Arguello, California’s first Domenican nun. John, a local history buff and guide, introduced me to the brothers — two who were visiting from Poland — as he continued telling the nun’s story. The Emissary to the Czar of Russia, Nikolai Rezanov, was checking on coastal settlements in 1806 when he met Concepcion Arguello, the beautiful 15-year-old daughter of the Spanish Commandante of San Francisco’s Presidio. It was love at first sight and they became inseparable. Soon Nicolai traveled to Russia to seek the Czar’s permission to marry. But Nikolai fell ill and died in Siberia on his way to St. Petersburg. After eight years of waiting, Concepcion learned of his death and, broken hearted, entered the Santa Catalina Monastery in Monterey becoming Sister Mary Dominica Arguello. Later, the monastery relocated to Benicia and was renamed St. Catherine’s. It was demolished in1966 to build Solano Square.
This and that: A life-sized ceramic statue of a white cat in a window on “D” Street suddenly turned its head and stared at me … a well-dressed couple headed toward the Marina, rolling their luggage behind them. Off to an exotic adventure by sea, no doubt. Hope it wasn’t Hawaii… in the window of Edward Jones Investments, a replica of the evocative lamp from “A Christmas Story” is aglow. The base of the lamp, the shapely leg of a woman wearing fish net stockings, was shocking to Ralphie and his family at the time. These days it welcomes seniors wanting advice of their Roth IRAs … at Computer One, a World War II photo of a solider carrying a sword is the spitting image of a young Bill Clinton … decked out in a leopard coat with red spots, Bobbie of Christina S advised me on how to clean leatherette pants purchased there over three years ago. Walked out carrying two additional bags …
“Mozart Einstein and Me” between “F” and “G” Streets carries all manner of gifts, toys and instruments that stimulate the right side of the brain and encourage creativity. Lisa Smith is the friendly store manager for owner Stan Houston, an engineer and musician. Guitars of all sizes and a rainbow of colorful ukuleles line one wall. Originally, a three bedroom Victorian home, it is chock full of musical instruments, educational and sensory games, and toys arranged by age group. The dining room with its original Victorian moldings is jam-packed with hundreds of board games. “They have been very popular during Covid,” Lisa shared. A plush aardvark sits among the other animals in the toddler section. The three bedrooms are now study venues where voice, piano, drums, strings, brass and woodwind are taught. Took the baton and struck the diatonic steel drum several times on the way out. The singing bowls used by Buddhist monks came to mind.
One of the Benicia Fire Department’s freshly detailed hook and ladders was parked in the alley by Pacific Pizza where three handsome firemen offered photo ops with kids. It was the 2nd Annual “How the Grinch DJ’d Christmas Toy Giveaway” with disc jockey Jack Nas. The Grinch, a six foot-plus fuzzy, chartreuse-colored creature, was trying to burn his bad karma by cozying up to the kids and giving them candy. The Benicia Soroptimists’ sleek “Hot Cocoa Bar” was parked out front next to boxes filled with brand new toys. Passers-by were offered candy canes and “happy holidays” greetings as they hurried on to the next shop.
Returning home, noticed that the boats were higher in the water. The earth, moon and sun were in alignment, and the king tide had arrived. The rocks lining the banks were now underwater, including the one where the kitty was sitting yesterday. Soon the sailboats and cabin cruisers would be outlined in glittering, crimson, green, and periwinkle lights.
Sarah is an artist, collector, Dharma practitioner, and former lobbyist.
Letters From Benicia 