First Street never fails to deliver the goods. Have been going to Sally Babson for decades to have clothes altered and custom tailored. She does her magic in a tiny garret above Bookshop Benicia. At any one time she will have ball gowns, wedding dresses, and women’s slacks and jackets in various stages of completion. She has taken in pants for my mother as she aged, hemmed skirts, and taken out seams on an old patio dress my sister wore in high school, but her genius is reconfiguring the vintage pieces that I pick up at consignment stores and flea markets.
Attended the San Francisco Pickwick Vintage Clothing Fair in the Ferry Building last month and bought a black velvet gaucho jacket from the 1980s with fringe on the bottom and humungous shoulder pads. When I got home and tried it on, it looked like my head had shrunk. I usually like shoulder pads as they make the waist seem smaller, but these were made for a defensive lineman. No prob for Sally. She will remove the pads and cut the shoulders back to 1990 levels. Brought her another piece — a gorgeous soft black leather blazer from Nordstrom that I got at Elisa’s Cottage for only $10. What a deal! Elisa sold it “as is” since it had a slight tear in one shoulder.
“Can you do anything with this, Sally?” I asked. After some serious pondering Sally said, “Glue might do the trick.” “I’ve got Gorilla Glue, Elmer’s, hot glue, and the mother of all glues the formidable E6000 that can be used on small machinery,” I said. “I’ll use that,” said Sally. Delivered the tube next day in a plain brown wrapper. Hope that she doesn’t drop any on her small machinery. A sticky bobbin can ruin your day.
Hector the new owner of Benicia Fitness is gradually transforming the gym. The place is looking more streamlined, and the music is better. Under the previous management, I’d always grab a few Kleenexes when I walked in as allergies sometimes kick in causing post nasal drip. Sorry. TMI. Wouldn’t dream of leaving home without tissue in my purse. My sister Susan prefers hankies, but she’s more of a lady. I digress. Anyhow, I walked in, and the Kleenex box was gone. I was disappointed but soldiered on and blew my nose on a brown paper towel out of the dispenser. It chaffed. Two days later the same thing — an absence of tissue with the towel dispenser chock full. Another insult to my delicate proboscis.
Hector, where is the Kleenex,” I asked. “We don’t have Kleenex,” he said. I couldn’t believe it. “What does he think I am, a lumberjack?” I thought. Two days later I walked in and Hector introduced me to his wife and business partner Patty.
“Patty,” I pleaded, “do you think you could rustle up some Kleenex.?” Hector piped in, “Real men don ’t use Kleenex.” He grinned and furtively glanced at Patty. No shrinking violet, Patty snapped to attention. “Hector doesn’t do Kleenex. But I do. I’ll bring a box tomorrow.”
We both proceeded to reprimand Hector who sat on a stool looking duly chastised. Monday, I walked in and he proudly pointed to a new box. “Sarah, look! There’s your Kleenex!” he said, grinning like a proud new father. Sure enough, there sat a large size yellow box of double-ply facial tissue, not even the Kirkland brand. “Thank Patty for me,” I sniffed as I stuffed several in my pocket and headed for the weight room.
The plant store KC’s Plants and More which was formerly in a tiny space in the courtyard behind Aung MayLiKa Burmese Restaurant has replaced the barber shop in the Washington House. A large space with wall to wall greenery, it resembles a jungle teaming with rare and exotic species and common house plants. Part of the experience is Kathy, herself. She has a passion for all things green and calls her plants “my plant babies.”
Talking to the plants has obviously made them thrive. On top of that she is an expert on each one of them, and will spend as much time with you as needed giving tips for carrying for your “new addition.” I somehow killed my money tree or maybe it was the economy, but it took a turn for the worse at thebeginning of the new administration and is now dead as a doornail. I may buy another one after the midterms. kcplants.com.
During the Covid shutdown several galleries formed a nonprofit alliance of Benicia art galleries and collectives called Benicia Art Gallery Alliance (BAGA). Their mission was to: “strengthen and promote the local arts community through shared resources, increased visibility, and meaningful collaboration.”
Today there are 12 galleries, including the Benicia Public Library and Arts Benicia, under the umbrella organization. I dropped by NY2CA Gallery and spoke to owner Vicki Marchand who has supercharged BAGA with her time and energy and is acting as CEO of their first major venture— the Benicia Arts Festival, June 6, 2026, 10 am – 5 pm.
“What will it look like?” I asked Vicki. “This will look quite different from an arts fair where there are booths and tents for each artist or gallery. It will be experiential — not just looking at art or hearing a lecture but real-time dance, film, poetry, culinary, literary pop-ups, and visual arts. We want to involve the entire community. Six restaurants and bars are on board, so far. Marty Duvall is spearheading the musical venues.”
“The history of art will be demonstrated by actors dressed as stars of the arts world,” she continued. “There will be a trolley ferrying the public from First Street to Arts Benicia and the Library. City of Benicia is a partner and will list all of the events on their websites. The Festival will be free to the public and a two-fold map and brochure will be available.” Beniciaartsfestival.com.
”Some galleries will have events at certain times that will be staggered so that the public can attend as many productions as possible,” Vicki concluded. BAGA is currently in the process of reaching out to non- art groups and organizations.
For questions, inquiries, or to volunteer, contact Vicki Marchand at: vickie@beniciaartgalleryalliance.org or phone +1 (315) 945-7945.
Wouldn’t it be fun to dress up as your favorite actor, artist, or rock star while attending the festival?
Letters From Benicia 