The Best of 2023
JANUARY: Awoke on January 1, 2023 to a radiant, sparkling day — a brief respite from yesterday’s flooding and the atmospheric rivers to come. Two weeks later Benicia is awaiting its ninth storm. Have lost count. Appearing to shoot out of the Harbormaster’s roof was a perfect rainbow. Tried to follow it to the end but it disappeared like a mirage. The pot of gold was somewhere near Valero. (Was this a sign that in December the City Council would unanimously pass the Benicia Industrial Safety and Health Ordinance to protect Valero workers and the public?)
FEBRUARY: Have been trying for at least a year to catch up with that horse you hear whinnying all over town. The Benicia Cowboy has turned a three-wheeled scooter into a motorized horse detailed out with a horse’s head, saddle and lasso, and a button that emits a healthy whinny. (Maybe he could start a food delivery service for downtown.)
MARCH: Despite the frigid temperatures, the Street is jumping. Here comes the peripatetic sweetheart John Simpson, his knit cap pulled low. He is off to Elisa’s Cottage to hang out with her new business partner, Shawn, who used to own Gypsy Rose Boutique on H St. Friends abound. There’s Sally at Christina S who always has an enthusiastic greeting. (I sure miss everything about this chic boutique.) Nicole, owner of Pink Arrows Boutique, can make any outfit look good by trying it on for you. (Her store now has doubled in size to include Cristina’s former space.)
APRIL: It’s been unseasonably chilly the past weeks but on Sunday all that changed. Every living thing with blooms in its genes was strutting its stuff. Benicia High School Classic Car Show really took me back in time to the halcyon days of the ’57 Chevys, the Mustang convertibles, and the “little” GTO’s. It didn’t hurt that James Brown’s “Get up, get in the groove” was blasting from a 1941 Burgundy 8 Coupe.
Welcome NY2CA Gallery featuring local and Bay Area artists in the former Romancing the Home space.
MAY: Isn’t it about time for the reappearance of the Art Piano in front of St. Pauls? “As soon as the City Council approves it on May 16, another art piano will make its debut —this time a baby grand,” said Helaine Bowles, Chair of the Benicia Arts and Culture Commission. (Where will the next piano pop up in 2024 — the Promenade, perhaps?) Benicia Theater Group’s “Boeing Boeing,” a 1960’s French farce about a Parisian playboy engaged to three stewardesses, was hilarious and the set and costumes spot on. (Blythe Spirit opens April 19. Auditions in February.)
JUNE: After two years of serving the Benicia cognoscenti, Amore Bistrot is no more. (It’s now Cafe at The Inn at Benicia Bay open every day and with a top chef. ) Yummi Mart — cultural snacking — will open this summer next to Pink Arrow boutique. (We also welcomed pizzeria, Cafe Drift, in the old Java Point space.)
JULY: Enjoyed three different fireworks shows from our chairs in the middle of B Street. Benicia’s was the best, even without the drones, and we oohed and aaahed as the sky filled with exploding stars. At the parade the next morning no grass was visible on the State Capitol lawn as families spread their blankets, unfolded chairs and opened coolers behind the railing where toddlers roamed freely and parents indulged in al fresco picnics. The Mexican charros were back, magnificent on their horses wearing silver-laden saddles. (Will they be back? Hope so. Pat, at Adobe, get ready for mop-up duty, or I should say supervising the job.)
AUGUST: I like to get to the St. Paul’s Annual Peddler’s Faire early — which I’ve been attending for almost 50 years! (This year bought another vintage Indian kantha quilt. Hmmm. What color do I want this year?) Walked by Judie Donaldson’s bench on the corner of 2nd and B, just steps from her last home at Pointe Benicia and imagined her sitting on the bench interviewing a new member for Carquinez Village. The brass plate says: “In memory of Judie Donaldson who in her lovingkindness was a founder of our Carquinez Village for Seniors.” (We lost Judie in January)
SEPTEMBER: Seems like every month there is a new book out by a local author — Lois Requist, Debbie Weiss, Nikki Basch Davis, Carolyn Plath, memoirs and poetry — Going the Distance: Not There Yet edited by Mary Susan Gast. Our own hometown newspaper, Benicia Literary Arts, Bookshop Benicia, and the library play an important role in this literary renaissance by publishing, selling, and encouraging columnists, poets, writers, letters to the Editor, and publicizing cultural events. (Congratulations new Benicia Poet Laureate Kathy Munro. Author Debbie Weiss will be teaching another memoir writing class in 2024, this time through Carquinez Village.)
OCTOBER: Winning entry in the annual Halloween scarecrow contest is a tableau of Benicians lined up for the July 4th parade in 2024. Four flag draped red chairs with two human skeletons are holding down the fort in front of a sign that reads, “Reserved 7-3-24.” One of them is wearing an old Torchlight Parade tee shirt and the other a tee shirt that says: “Too soon?” (San’t wait to see what One House cooks up for 2024.)
NOVEMBER: The comedy/thriller “Deathtrap” finished a successful three-week run here in Benicia. Stopped by Steffen Collection antiques to check out their retirement sale and was warmly greeted by Joe, who shared that his wife and partner of 37 years, Susan, had passed away a few days before. (We miss the lovely Susan and her perfectly starched and ironed aprons on the rack outside the store.) Noticed a new, little shop with a Barbie pink front door in the tiny space in the old 621 building. Cartel Crystal is a gem of a boutique, with sparkling amethyst purple and black geodes, citrine agates, and other minerals and crystals. (Just bought an amethyst geode from owner Enjolique who says it will bring calmness, peace, and unification. Yes!)
DECEMBER: At 10 am Benicia Police opened the parade with sirens bleeping. Benicia Veterans’ Honor Guard started things followed by the color guard. The always dependable Benicia High School Panther’s Marching Band did not disappoint and preceded the Grand Finale — Santa and Mrs. Claus looking jolly in matching red velvet. But why were they walking? (How about motorized scooters for the Claus’s this year with lighted helmets?)
May the New Year bring peace, good health, and happiness to you and all who share our fragile planet.
Letters From Benicia 