The days are brighter since I’ve cut way back on watching the news.
Walked down to the car show Sunday sponsored by Benicia High School Panther Band Boosters. Vintage
beauties were displayed on the Green, lined the fishing pier and both sides of First St. A deejay spun old
favorites as car owners rested in camp chairs and traded stories.
Some faves: A metallic red 1950 Oldsmobile 88; a sleek, miles long 1963 black Cadillac convertible; a
1932 robin’s egg blue and navy Chrysler Traveler touring car with chrome blanket bar holding a cashmere
throw; a brown and camel two-toned 1946 Ford woody with visor and luggage rack designed by Cris
Craft with a canvas water bag on the front bumper.
Loved the low-rider cars, their chassis resting on the blacktop, graceful art deco fenders, yards of shiny
chrome, low running boards, the reds: viper, matador, and candy apple. A demolition derby car looked
like it had been bombed and then set on fire. What a mess! Wonder what the driver looked like?
Grabbed a tea salad and an outside table at Aung MayLika in time for the 3:30 pm mass departure, hoping
to see some dancing cars and low-rider stunts, but a police blockade prevented any overt showmanship.
Took in a performance of Benicia Theater Group’s play “Bamboozled,” a true story with themes of
racism, slavery, and hypocrisy, played with smart, sassy dialogue by the all-female cast of four: Ashley
Jaye, Amirah LaForcarde, Linda Scaparotti, and Laura Martin-Chapin.
Afterwards, BTG President Victoria Bearce offered a Q & A with the playwright, director, and cast.
Patricia Milton, award winning Resident Playwright at Central Works Theater in Berkeley, produces plays
for their 50 person theater in the Berkeley City Club. She started writing Bamboozled in 2013. “I did a
lot of research about that time period in Tennessee,” she said. She grew up there and wanted to make the
characters more nuanced than the stereotypical types often portrayed in stories about the South.
Director, writer, and filmmaker Terrence Ivory said, “My goal is service and to give each player what they
need. My biggest challenge is for everybody to love each other.” He appeared to have succeeded.
Through May 11. beniciatheatregroup.org
Earlier I interviewed Costumer Donna Telepak and her assistant Sandy Grey, who also volunteers as front
desk manager and volunteer coordinator, in their voluminous work space in the basement of Portuguese
Hall. Donna became involved with BTG 26 years ago doing alterations. She has worked on almost every
production since.
“Most people have no idea what it takes to put on a play,” said Donna.“If I added up the hours I probably
wouldn’t do it,” she said with a smile.
“BTG acquires each play with a royalty charge of about $2000. Musicals can cost as much as $25,000.”
“First thing is to read the play and get a feel for it. Soon after that Van Auk Studios takes the publicity
photos,” Donna said. She take notes, consults with the Director and starts compiling “The Bible,” a thick
work book of everything needed to get the job done — basic measurement sheets for each actor, lists of
who is in each scene and which order, quick changes, resources, internet sites for ideas, director notes,photos, etc. She takes the costumes home each week to wash and iron as spot lots and exertion take their
toll.
Asked her if she was looking for anything in particular now. “ Only speciality costumes at this point. We
need a flapper and could use some cat-eye glasses and big statement jewelry.”
The costumes are stored in two storage vaults down by the Camel Barn. But they have run out of room
and are asking for donations for another container to protect the costumes. To donate go to:
beniciatheatregroup.org
As we were finishing up an alfresco lunch in front of Sailor Jacks, a couple of ducks joined us, she in
brown tweed, he with an emerald green cravat. “They eat fish don’t they?” I asked my sister. The female
seemed hungry so tossed her a shrimp from my excellent Louie. She promptly turned up her bill. My
friend threw her a piece of bread which was quickly gobbled up. “Curious,” I thought. “Do they eat bread
in nature and if so where?” There’s breaded fish but it doesn’t swim or hasn’t for awhile. There’s bread
fruit but it tastes more like potatoes.
With the help of AI (or A1, as Department of Education Secretary McMahon calls it) I learned this.
“Ducks are omnivorous and enjoy seeds, fruits, insects, fish. Just like humans, ducks love the taste and
texture of bread. But it’s all carbs and no nutrients. So the ducks get fat and full so they’ll avoid eating
their fish and veggies. And they’ll get used to free bread and stop foraging. Over time, their health
suffers.”
Wow! It’s probably the same for birds.“If they fill up on carbs they won’t have the energy to fly.” Sacre
bleu! I know seagulls love French fries, but can they get lift-off?
Noticed a crowd in front of the Drift Cafe on Friday. They were celebrating their two year anniversary
providing a free lunch to loyal customers. Who said there’s no such thing? The place was buzzing — ran
into friends Susan Street, Susan Awalt and her sister Carole Cosimano, and Cindi Reed, owner of Sepay
Groves next door.
Co-owner Monica Dito was busy at the counter as Ryan Birch, her partner and chef, carried out fragrant
casseroles of bourbon chicken meatballs, chicken with brown sugar, salads, cranberry sauce, and focaccia
— everything from scratch.
“Our first year of business was so crazy we didn’t have a chance to do anything fun for our loyal
customers, so this year we’re throwing a huge party.”
“I’d come here more often but I’m gluten free,” I said. “We have gluten free on Friday’s,” Monica replied
as she handed me a warm, olive oil soaked slice of focaccia.
Letters From Benicia 