Today is Friday and it feels like an April day on the Strait, even though yesterday was downright cold and wintery. Saw a woman in shorts and another wearing sandals pass by as I was bundled up in a turtle neck sweater, jacket, flannel-lined pants, and fake fur-lined Uggs. There’s definitely a temperature change between the First Street Pier and the Gazebo. First Street is consistently clean, except for a mask here and there. Dog owners do a good job of picking up after their pets, unlike the anti-social few who take their animals off leash in the “B” Street wetlands to do their duty and terrorize the geese. Oxalis, which is often mistaken for mustard, has invaded every spare plot of earth, their acid yellow blooms creating luminous carpets. Oxalis leaves, also known as shamrocks, look just like clover, so spent some time looking for a four-leafed one until my eyes hurt. Saw hundreds of heart-shaped three-leafers but nary a four-leaf. Later learned that clover is another plant altogether, so was wasting my time. Across the Street in the gravel of the tree plot by the State Capitol, I spied a pair of men’s Hanes black underpants abandoned by their owner. Another sign of spring.
Stopped by Fabulous Finds in the Tannery to check out an antique mirror for the bedroom. It was hidden beneath the enormous train of a stunning, red satin ball gown, with intricately beaded bodice. According to Teresa who manages the shop, the dress was custom made for Fab Find’s owner to wear for her wedding at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Shunning the traditional white, she went the way of Scarlett O’Hara and must have made the javelinas sit up and take notice. How did she get the dress down there? I like to think she wore it while riding down the switchbacks on a mule and holding a matching parasol — a Felliniesque vision. Although a helicopter would make the most sense.
Waiting at One House for an order, observed a woman giving the cashier some whimsical, hand painted rocks to hold down the menus. I admired them, and she gave one to me — a real stunner with pink and white dots over a black background. Karin, the artist, is part of Benicia Rocks, a creative and fun-loving group who gather for conviviality and rock painting and then hide the decorated rocks around town for people to find. Once found, you can post a picture of your treasure to Benicia Rocks Facebook page. There are rocks that look like footballs, bugs, a “rock” band, and all manner of creatures. A rock with a happy face was found recently in the front garden at St. Paul’s Church. Keep your eyes peeled!
On Saturday, stopped by the monthly Aquarian Artisan Market on First and West D Streets. A festive and fun pop-up, the 10 or so artisan makers displayed their wares on tables outside— jewelry, plants, belts, cakes and pies, candles, and other handmade goodies. The makers were bundled up and masked as they graciously greeted shoppers. Saw two French bulldogs being pulled in a wagon looking bored when their master stopped to inspect an objet d’art.
A Dharma buddy said I should check out In Harmony Music with a studio on First at H. There I met Jessika who was just returning from teaching 0-5 year olds music and movement on the green across from Sailor Jack’s. They have quite an extensive program of dance, rhythm, yoga, piano, singing, and drumming for children up through grade five. Justine Chadly, owner and director, started the program in 2003 when she couldn’t find quality creative arts programs for her young son. Their website lists an impressive, well-credentialed, and talented, staff of instructors. According to Jessika, their courses and one-on-one classes have been quite popular, particularly during these past two years, offering parents, and their children, a fun and nourishing respite from isolation.
Turning down West J St., was looking for signs of life at the Benicia Theater Group formerly the Benicia Old Town Theater Group and wondered what the letters “BDES Society” on the front of their big, blue building stood for. Was chagrinned to learn that the Benicia Society of the Divine Holy Spirit (Espirito) has been around since 1907 and has annually, until Covid, held a festa on the last Sunday in July. The Society harkens back to the Middle Ages and honors Queen Isabella of Portugal for gifting her crown to the Holy Spirit following a devastating volcanic eruption and famine in the Azores. The Benicia procession winds its way over to St. Dominic’s Catholic Church and back presided over by a queen elected by its members. The hall used to house a roller skating rink on the first floor and was the preferred spot for senior proms back in the day.
Evidently, BTG has rescheduled the play “Laura” for April, 2022, conditions allowing.
Passing by the historic Majestic Theater, I imagined seeing “LAURA — starring Gene Tierney and Dana Andrews” in big black letters on the marquee and underneath men in fedoras and women bundled up in their moutons waiting in line for the double feature.
Sarah Beserra is an artist, collector, Dharma practitioner, and retired lobbyist.
Letters From Benicia 