It’s a perfect Indian Summer Sunday —not a cloud in the sky and such good air quality that you can almost see from my deck the last of the tarantulas on Mt. Diablo looking for mates. Feeling so grateful after seeing people on the news choking on the air in Delhi. With all of the catastrophes, hate and violence in the world, we are indeed fortunate to live in the relative safety of Benicia. A walk down First Street to restore some balance of mind lifts the spirits and reminds me that people are basically kind and generous when they feel safe and their basic needs are met. “Oh, no! Here comes that kid on an electric bike. Watch owwwww ….
This morning I drove over to Benicia Old Towne Theater Group to see about changing reservations for Saturday night’s play “Deathtrap.” Had booked tickets on-line for my sis and friend Marialee but had to postpone and reschedule. Noticed a space right in front of Manuel Neri’s old church studio on W. “J.” It looked tight, but I went for it. As I was madly steering the wheel first to the left to backup up and then to the right to inch forward, I heard someone yelling at me. A young woman across the street was watching me and shouted, “I admire you so much for being able to park in that space. I tried it and failed.” Wow! This helped me relax as she motioned how much space was left between me and the cars. She stood there until my car was safely ensconced in its snugly space. Later, further up First, I ran into Hannah my hairdresser who recognized me despite my hat, mask and sunglasses. I pulled off my chapeau and she consulted with me about my hair color right there on the sidewalk. Sometimes Benicia reminds me of Mayberry minus Andy, Barney, and Aunt Bee.
Our affable man on the street, Michael, security guard at Nor Cal Credit Union, has accepted a job closer to home in Brentwood and has left the building. Spent many happy moments talking to him outside the office as did half the town. Replacing Michael is Arthur Quezada who is thrilled to work in Benicia. He had been commuting to San Fransisco from his home in Fairfield, and the commute was killing him. Stop by and say “Hi” to Arthur who will welcome the opportunity for a diversion.
Popped into Steffen Collection antiques to check out their retirement sale and was warmly greeted by Joe, who after I’d made a few purchases shared that his wife and partner of 37 years, Susan, had passed away a few days before. We will miss the lovely Susan, a successful business woman in our town who was always kind and knowledgeable with excellent taste. Loved seeing her perfectly starched and ironed aprons and linens on the rack outside the store. Susan bought many of my mother’s antiques for a very fair price when Mom passed away and it was bitter-sweet and at the same time comforting to see the shop look like our family home for a short time.
It looks like the Benicia ballot measure “Save Our Streets,” didn’t get quite enough signatures for the 2024 Primary ballot, so, it still needs to qualify for next November with a deadline early next year. As I stroll down First and adjacent streets and study the blacktop, there here are places that look like flat stones in a riverbed, carved by nature or a sculptor’s work in progress. Check out the corner of First and D, the sidewalk near E. Kuhland Alley next to Scott The Teak Man, or the big chunk of sidewalk missing in front of Mozart, Earhart and Me. After imaging the walking and falling hazards, I put on my artist hat.
How could we draw attention to the cracks and potholes in order to pass the SOS measure? We could make them beautiful like in the ancient Japanese art of “Kinsugi” —transforming something broken into something beautiful where they fill in the cracks of broken pottery with gold. I envision getting mosaic artists like Nancy Freeman or Aline Karpoyan at Artcentric and others who might be interested to fill the cracks with broken tile and pottery chards, creating a downtown art project that Gaudi would be proud of. We could patch small areas and then move on to lower East 2nd St. or if we’re really industrious — East “B” St. If, for some reason the sales tax measure didn’t pass, we’d still have the art work — temporarily. The yearly regrouting could be a pain though. Go to: saveourstreets.com for where to sign the petition.
They’re heeeere! In my last column, I mentioned the mouse infestation in Glen Cove. Well, according to Lars Ekdahl, Carquinez Village mainstay and Dharma Buddy, the mice have arrived at his casa right here in downtown Benicia. He has at least three and can hear them at night scurrying around above the bed. Now an expert on catching mice, Lars advises us to put only a little bit of pate or other tasty bate in the trap or the mouses will just nibble at the delicacy and then leave, thereby defeating the trap door. Thank you Lars. Bon appetit!
Letters From Benicia 