Checking out St. Paul’s Parrish Hall as a venue for Benicia Insight Meditation meetings, was heartened by the amount and variety of food gathered there for their free community meals Mondays and Wednesdays nights — boxes, bags, and crates of bread, fresh produce, cereals, and gorgeous local fruit of all kinds. JoAnn, the kind and very competent office manager of many years said that this is where food banks send their donations prior to each of the “to-go” meal nights at St. Paul’s. “Every diner is given an extra bag of food to take with them in addition to the hot meal, if requested,” she said. Asked if the numbers of diners was diminishing as the pandemic slowly winds down, JoAnn indicated that the numbers hadn’t changed much. Smaller food donations are welcome at the food “hut” outside Parish Hall on J Street.
Don’t miss the Arts Benicia/Epperson Gallery show “Tap Roots: Ceramic Artist Educators of Northern California” at Arts Benicia’s stately new home at the Commanding Officers Quarters — there until April 10. Lisa Reinertson’s astonishing “Asylum Seeker,” shows alongside works by Sandra Shannonhouse, Peter VandenBerge, and others … Artichokes growing in bunches like green bouquets showing off in Avant Garden … Walking behind a fellow on First and his lanky black dog, asked if it was a Labradoodle. “It’s an old English sheep dog and poodle combination. He’s a ‘magic’ dog’ — a Labracadabradoodledor,” he said as his wife rolled her eyes. “My wife hates it when I tell that joke, but the kids love it.” … Sharp looking young guy walking out of Pure Hair Salon with a big smile on his face and a fab haircut — spiked on top and trimmed with such precision around the forehead and ears it looked painted on …
Decided to try Hawaiian BBQ near the corner of E. “K.” Selected the half order of BBQ chicken with wonderfully sticky rice and a tangy savory sauce. Tasty! Had enough left for another meal … Danny Pierpont’s extra deep garden in front of his fisherman’s cottage next to Adobe is sprouting the first poppies of the year… A streamlined capuccino bar is now parked in Sweetness and Light’s garden patio every Sunday … Kudos to wait staff Ilker (ill-kur) at Bella Sienna who goes out of his way to make each dining experience exceptional, moving your party to another table when requested, recovering lost sunglasses — the consummate professional.
Between strolls on First, caught a video on C-SPAN that was heartwarming — a refreshing break from the violence and vitriol that dominates the news cycle. While visiting the troops in Poland, the President stopped to have pizza with members of the historic 82nd Airborne, the crack Army division that specializes in parachute assault operations behind enemy lines. Was struck with how young they were – fresh faced kids delighted to get down with their Commander in Chief who was in his element cracking jokes, mangling the metaphors while minimizing the malarkey. Every soldier had a cell phone and selfies were snapping like turtles as the President flashed a glittering smile. Generation Z is the most diverse, digitally literate, progressive, financially conservative, and also the loneliest according to surveys. One soldier, a pony-tailed girl next door, might have been her high school prom queen. What courage, commitment, and confidence these Gen Z’s possess. May you be safe and free from harm.
Lent some Santa Barbara friends my condo for the weekend while I checked in at the Union Hotel. With my carry-on bag in the trunk, drove three blocks for my first vacation in over two years — sort of a starter trip to get my sea legs back. Punched the code for a late check-in and entered the vestibule where there was an envelope on which my name was elegantly scripted, holding a room key and receipt. Was given “Beach Primrose,” on the third floor, a lovely, light room with flowered burgundy carpet, a pale yellow couch sporting pink roses, an antique armoire, and, in the bathroom, a basket with all of the accoutrements for one’s toilette. The piece de la resistance was the stately four-poster bed, it’s mattress miles off the floor with a set of steps at the foot. Eschewing the step ladder, I decided upon a strategy for mounting the behemoth by hoisting my bent left leg high up in a sort of pole vaulter’s move and then catapulting my body on to the mattress while rolling over until I rested on my back. Mission accomplished, and the view was divine. Slept like a baby. Arrived back at my house with no jet lag and was greeted by my guests who welcomed me with a cup of French roast and some lemon pound cake.
Sarah Beserra is an artist, collector, Dharma practitioner, and retired lobbyist.
Letters From Benicia 