Saturday was one of those perfect fall days when you fantasize about cashmere sweaters, pastel
pashminas, and fur-lined boots. Although in my case it’s fleece lined sweats, a corduroy Goodwill jacket,
and fake Uggs. Leaves were piled by the curbs inviting some serious stomping. Nothing more satisfying
than attacking a pile of crispy brown leaves and hearing the delicious crunch beneath your Sketchers. It
was particularly satisfying as I’d just gotten a deal on my new gym shoes at Costco for only $31.00. A
gaggle of geese flew above heading west and honking to beat the band. Turns out geese are only in a
gaggle when on land, otherwise, their flight grouping is called a skein like in knitting. Don’t ask me why.
Walked over to the Burmese restaurant in the Washington House for lunch with friends. Arriving early, I
selected a shady spot away from the other tables. Classic jazz wafted from the speakers and swaying
palms transported me to another time and place. The sky that day was cornflower blue with bright white
nimbus clouds dancing across the roof of the Union Hotel. Yellow silk bowers of orchids hung from the
latticework. All of this within walking distance of home. What a town!! Ordered the chicken salad, an
ambrosia of crispy noodles, slivered red onions, cilantro, mint, and parsley dressed with a gingery soy
dressing. I took the shady way home down East D Street, under a colonnade of crepe myrtle trees, a
positively prolific persimmon tree, and a bountiful pomegranate tree hung with crimson globes begging to
be snatched. I resisted, though, as I know the homeowner and didn’t want to be caught red-handed, so to
speak.
Had a delightful day Sunday, slept in and made my way over to the Sweetness and Light garden patio for
a book reading and signing with author Debbie Weiss. “Available As Is” is her first book and reflects on
how she survived the sudden death of her husband of 35 years, grief, loneliness, and the horror of middle-
aged dating in the computer age. Members of Benicia Literary Arts, aspiring authors, writers and others
sat attentively as Debbie read passages from her memoir. Christine, owner of Bookshop Benicia, sold
copies as Debbie thoughtfully signed each one. The woman sitting next to be said that she too had a book
coming out soon and a book reading. Bookshop Benicia is playing an important role in carrying new
authors from small publishers who find it impossible to compete with the avalanche of books written by
celebrities.
Walking back from ordering “my usual” at a local boite, I spied a man pulling a red wagon carrying two
identical white fluffy dogs with their paws resting on the front and in back a big kitty splayed out on his
side dozing In the man’s other hand was a long leash around the neck of an enormous mouse gray cat
who was pulling him along. I think I saw another big orange cat sitting on his shoulders but by that time
he was far ahead of me, and it might have been a fur collar.
Hanging on the wall of the Tannery Building across from the Resale Emporium is a poster called
“Statistical and Street Map-Guide of City of Benicia CA, The City of Industrial Opportunity.” An
advertisement from 1951, the map shows many of the businesses that were thriving then. The population
was 8000 with 6500 working at the Arsenal but only a small portion of them local residents due to a
housing shortage. Sound familiar? Just for fun I checked some of the old business addresses against what
is there now. For example, Club Lido where Jack London liked to drink was still going strong across the
street from Sailor Jack’s. Mozart and Co. at 620 First St. between F and G Streets was formerly
Honeysuckle Rose one of several antique shops. Before that it was Benicia Garage and Appliance. Would
have been handy to get an oil change right in town without having to drive to Toyota in Vallejo. Although
I picture myself driving a Thunderbird, the one with the porthole.
The beloved Camellia Tea Room near I St. which closed a couple of years ago was formerly Barbario
Variety and J.B. Cab Company. How civilized to be able to hail a cab on First Street. No fear then of
being knocked off your feet by skateboarders.Up near East I St. is the cutting edge Pure Hair Salon which was formerly Messina Photography for many
years. Prior to that the space was occupied by the Public Cafe – not a particularly inspiring moniker. At
that time, just across the Bay, the coffee houses of North Beach were serving espresso to the Beat
Generation. I envision the Public Cafe employing a friendly waitress carrying a percolator and asking,
“Can I warm it up for you, Hon?” Life must have been dreary without frappuccinos, macchiatos, and
decaf low-fat lattes.
Letters From Benicia 