First Street is a white tunnel of lacy blooms. Pear blossoms scatter liberally over people and dogs, regardless of their race, breed, gender, or political affiliation. Huge cadmium orange poppies flutter by the breezy pathway at Benicia Main Street. Inside, the See’s candy nook tempts shoppers, a vision of Easter delights — foiled covered chocolate eggs, jewel-toned jelly beans, bunnies, brightly wrapped boxes, and more. A kite flies high above the Green. Spring has arrived on First St.
Have you noticed that the gnome with the red pointy hat that inhabited the balcony above Edward Jones Investment on First St. is gone? Was he kidnapped? Did he move to Canada? Was he a DEI hire and told to pack up. Climbed the stairs to get an answer and was foiled — all of the doors were locked with no public assess. The mystery remains.
Some might confuse gnomes with trolls. This is a mistake. According to reliable on-line sources, gnomes are protectors of gardens, holders of wisdom, and bring good luck. Their distant cousins the trolls thrive on creating discontent. “Although they share a common origin in Old Norse mythology, trolls often hoard items such as coins, gold, or jewelry—a habit that gnomes don’t engage in due to their generous nature. Trolls are often portrayed as large and grotesque humanoid figures with ugly faces, sharp teeth, and wild hair,” according to mysticbeasts.com. May all beings, including gnomes, be safe from harm.
Walked into Benicia Fitness and was serenaded by the on-duty desk clerk — Remi Moulder — who was picking a lively guitar solo as I started clogging. “What are you playing?” I asked. “Beaumont Rag by Doc Watson. Saw a video and had to learn it,” he said.
I boogied over to the treadmill. Remi is a singer/song writer and producer with a home studio here in Benicia. He gives private guitar lessons at the Bradley School of Music in Lafayette. “My friend, Ken Mateo and I host a singer songwriter showcase every first and third Wednesdays at Lucca Beer Garden on First St.” he said.
Their next show at Lucca’s is April 2, 6:30 – 9 pm, no cover charge. When I got home I watched the Doc Watson video. Remi nailed it! remimoulder.com and luccabar.com
I was still in my bathrobe, sans makeup, sporting a frizzy topknot when the doorbell rang, and I ducked behind the door. Someone had left a fragrant bunch of daffodils on my porch — a yearly gift from Carquinez Village. The Village has been gifting daffies since the beginning when Judie Donaldson and Lois Requist founded the now thriving organization that provides services to so many seniors.
As a Village member, I requested some tech help with my Netflix issues. Volunteer extraordinaire John Hurtado came over that afternoon. “Do you have a smart TV?” he inquired. “I have no idea,” I said. Clearly it wasn’t up to Mensa standards. He recommended a model from Costco, and a week or so later had it up and running. Got it at a great price, a couple of days before the 25% tariffs began on Chinese imports.
A retired IT executive, Hurtado is also a musician. A member of the Diablo Regional Concert Band, he plays trumpet and is stage manager for their performances. The band includes teachers and retired folks, a cosmetologist, a zookeeper, a pawn broker, a veterinarian, and a retired police officer, among others. Its origins trace all the way back to 1887 when it became known as the Martinez Liberty Band.
This is no ordinary band. It includes every instrument that you would find in an orchestra including a French horn and a euphonium. Their website lists a “bass clarinet” and a “string bass.” I visualized a big fish with a line in his mouth. In my book, a bass is a fish, either striped, largemouth, or spotted. Who could forget Dan Aykroyd’s food processor on SNL — the Bass-O-Matic!
The stringed musical instrument is a “base, as in “first base,” or so I thought. WRONG!
Whether any of the bass players are striped, spotted, or large-mouthed, I couldn’t say. As for the euphonium, I’m not sure what it is, but I know how to spell it.
Catch their free Spring Concert at the Benicia Library on Friday, April 4, from 7-8:30 pm. “Meet us at the fireplace for a blooming aural experience,” says their flyer. diabloregionalconcertband.org
Last Friday, as it began to rain, I unfurled my favorite umbrella and walked to the gym. This parasol is an objet d’art — a striking confection of hand-painted portraits of Freda Kahlo. Bought it at a fundraiser at the Museum of Northern Arizona some years ago. After signing in, I stuffed my purse and hat in a locker, hung the umbrella and jacket on the coat rack, and headed to the weight room to pump iron.
A couple of hours later, grabbed my belongings and went to get the umbrella. It was gone! My heart skipped a beat. How could that be? Who could have stolen it? I dashed around frantically looking inside and out. “You dirty rat! You’ll never get away with it,” I thought.
“Have you seen my big umbrella,” I asked Lily, the cheerful young woman at the desk. “No, maybe it’s in the lost and found.”
“No, I’ve looked,” I said. “Describe it to me,” she offered. I did, in some detail.
“Is that it hanging on your arm,” she asked. I looked down and gasped in embarrassment. “OMG, thank you! I think I’m losing it,” as I gave her a hug.
“Don’t worry, you’re not losing it. I’ve done the same thing. I was talking on my phone recently and asked my Mom if she knew where my phone was,” Lily said. Bless you my child.
Letters From Benicia 