Weddings with Solano Style

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Contributors Mary Marino Christina Strawbridge Sue Sumner-Moore

Photographer Jerry Bowles

Graphic Design Margaret Bowles

Editor Jeanne Steinmann

Publisher Polygon Publishing, LLC

Ad Sales: 707.853.5226

editor@beniciamagazine.comPrinted locally with soy ink

Please recyclePO Box 296, Benicia, CA 94510

T 707.853.5226 • F 707.745.6757

Ad changes/editorial deadlines: the 1st of the prior issue monthNew ads: the 8th of the montheditor@beniciamagazine.com

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All opinions expressed in this magazine, including articles and paid advertisements, are those of the authors alone. Benicia Magazine does not endorse any product or service in editorial content or advertisements, and can not be held liable for their use.

Cover: Avid Sailors Kaitlin and Paul DeMers at the Benicia Marina. Photo by Allyson Wiley Photography

InsideWhat’s new at beniciamagazine.com 6

Benicia's Award-winning Chef Shares his Passion 8

Weddings with Solano Style 11

Personalized Weddings in Unique Venues 12

Fashionista: Royal Wedding Fashion Predictions 15

Looking Back 21

Calendar 22

Bride & groom Katie & Steve Venner after their reception

BeniciaMagazine.com

From the Editor

Wedding Venues with Solano Style Solano County is a quiet respite from the hustle-bustle of the greater Bay Area—and for that reason I feel fortunate to live here. Bucolic rolling hills and a rural, peaceful feel also make it the perfect place to tie the knot. Of the thousand or so wedding venues in the Bay Area, Solano County is home to many, offering spaces of distinction and character that range from the historic to the nautical; from the urban to the genteel. In this special wedding issue we spotlight four such spaces that are located between the Benicia and Carquinez Bridges, each of which have something extraordinary to offer the most discerning bride. But the choices don’t stop with these four. There are many other popular venues in the area, including Benicia’s opulent Jefferson Street Mansion, American Canyon’s Kenyon Estate, the Benicia City Park Gazebo and the Marina Green.

In addition to venues, Benicia has a reputation as a salon & spa destination, making it a perfect fi t for brides. For its population, we have a large number of medical spas, hair and nail salons. These businesses; emanate creativity abounds in their spaces, which, along with their particular specialty, separates them from each other. See the resource guide in this issue; and on the website, tips and trends from local experts. Rounding out local wedding services are professional photographers and videographers, event planners, cake specialists and fl orists. Our local hotels and bed & breakfast inns are ready to accommodate bridal parties and guests in style, while local shops are a rich hunting ground for one-of-a-kind wedding gifts, including ornate cake knives and hand-blown glass champagne glasses. Also in this issue is a lively interview with Chef Maynard Oestreich, who, as the head chef at Benicia’s Sailor Jacks restaurant (celebrating just over a year in business), is receiving an explosion of media attention for his success and his appearances on television and radio shows. Sue Sumner-Moore fi nds out what drives his passion in this month’s Interview. Check out the website for one of the chef’s favorite recipes.

We're starting a letters to the editor section in next month's issue. Keep the feedback coming!

—Jeanne Steinmanneditor@beniciamagazine.com

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Enter-to-win Drawings • Photo & Poetry Contests Web exclusive features, blogs & more!

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ContestsLocal merchandise, event tickets & more, each worth over $100

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Exhibits, Classes and EventsPlanning Your Wedding:

Tips & Trendsfrom Local

Experts

Exclusiverecipes from

Chef Maynard

Sustainability Happenings Style Travel

Blogs

The best options for music, visual & performing arts, comedy & classes

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Involvement in our community is an

integral part of Valero’s culture. We

are proud to be an active member

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Benicia Magazine8

Maynard OestreichAn Interview with

When did you start

cooking? I’ve been cooking since I was 16 years old, when I was a prep cook at Chateau Shon in San Francisco. The chef was a great guy, an older guy, who taught me a lot of fundamentals and showed me that shortcuts never pay off.

How would you describe

the type of food you

prepare? I want to do accessible, citifi ed cuisine that doesn’t intimidate people. I like using exotically sourced ingredients, but I like to play them against

beautiful, locally produced stuff. I smash Asian, French and Italian into an amalgam of food that is Californian. I like to say I make International Grandma Cuisine. That’s soul food.

Soul food? Yes, soul food. It provides more than just sustenance. When my grandmother would put a bowl of bean soup in front of me, it was like a hug to my soul. That’s the real stuff. It makes a difference.

How does that translate into the dishes you

prepare now? I’m trying to reconnect people with our culinary heritage. We’re getting back to the way it was back when Grandma and Mom were under the same roof and the kids would go out to pick food from the garden. We’re utilizing the heirloom varieties instead of the hybrids, making food safer and healthier, using less pesticides and fewer chemical fertilizers.

Where do you fi nd those ingredients? We’ve searched the world for the best ingredients. We use an olive oil from Sicily because it’s got such a great, buttery taste (pouring a bit of Mastri di San Basilio to sample). But the freshest food is the best. I make sure the freshness is up to snuff. I have a good relationship with purveyors so they deliver the quality I’m looking for. I get calls at 3 o’clock in the morning from the guy at the fi sh market. “I can’t believe it, they have John Dories. Do you want good John Dories?” he’ll ask. I’m known as a straight shooter, so they know what I want.We only use fresh calamari from Monterey. It’s so much work but the taste isn’t the same otherwise. We try to use wild-caught, sustainably raised fi sh. If we don’t manage our aquaculture better, there’s not going to be anything for my kids.

How does your commitment to fresh food affect

the kitchen? I buy in small quantities so we have fresh food coming in every day. Some places get a whole shipment of carrots for a week and cut them all up at once. Here we cut up carrots every day.

I really want this to be a kitchen where we’re teaching older techniques. You won’t fi nd vacuum-packed, pre-shredded ingredients here. My job is really easy —I go get really good ingredients and let them sing the song for me. I’m a facilitator. I let the good fl avors come out.

So how many hours do you work to prepare the

menu you want? I work an incredible amount of hours—I don’t want to say how many. I work on the line day and night. I literally touch 85 percent of the plates and I’m here fi ve to six days a week. It makes a difference. But I tell people I play with food for a living. I do exactly what I want. Any job where you can get away with wearing comfy shoes is a good job.

What restaurant trends do you see developing over

the next few years? I think people are ready for good, old-fashioned, beautiful sit-down dining establishments–dinner theaters and supper clubs. But culinary trends break my heart. We blew through Spain way too fast, Caribbean foods have come and gone. Tapas are two years ago. We learn the catch words and don’t know the signifi cance of the food. How can you really know a cuisine after so short a time? One trend I do like is slow foods. Slow food is back to basics, traditional cooking. I simmer sauces for six, eight, 10 hours. You’ll eat it in a microfl ash of the time it took me to prepare it.

Do you have a favorite cooking show? I’m not a huge fan of them. There’s a cult of personality, and we’re seeing the personality people taking over (in television). Why haven’t we heard of James McDevitt, a multiple James Beard Award winner? He built Budo in Napa, a fi ve-star restaurant. The last time I cried during a meal was at his place. I had tears streaming down my face. He ended up going to New York. … But to watch a good chef work—I love that. I still love to watch Jacques Pépin—the joy, the pride as he works is a pleasure to see. I’m not in that league. I’m not an artist, I’m a craftsman. I make honest food. No one’s going to buy my memoir.

What attracted you to working in Benicia after all

those years in Napa? I’ve come to this restaurant on and off for 25 years. My aunt lived here. My grandmother came here when it was the Nantucket. She had polio as a kid and she would drag herself up the stairs to her favorite table. I keep her favorite dish on the menu—sole dore. I keep it on the menu for her. I know she’s looking down and smiling. My brother-in-law proposed to my sister here. We had my grandfather’s memorial here. My wonderful family is buried here, at Skyview. The Passalacquas have buried three generations of my family. What’s not to like? I hope I have a good, long ride here.

By Sue Sumner-Moore Maynard Oestreich pops his head over a partition, a wide smile across his face. “I’ll be right there,” he promises. “I’ve been begging for artichokes, and they got here today. I want to make sure they’re being prepared correctly.” Sailor Jack’s executive chef is exuberant about the artichokes, the mushrooms, and the frisée—oh, the frisée! And that excitement grows as he talks about fi sh—good, fresh, local fi sh–and the importance of food. “Food is so great. It fl ashes memories like nothing else—great tuna always takes me back to Hawaii, eating it fresh off the boats. I think of the simple ramen houses in Japan and really good Dungeness crab. I think of Fisherman’s Warf when it was a real fi sherman’s wharf. “Food is memory, food is culture, food is a connection to your past,” he says passionately. Chef Maynard is dedicated to creating some of those memories. A 1986 graduate of the California Culinary Academy, he honed his skills in San Francisco and Napa Valley restaurants. He was the critic’s choice for Chef of the Year at the 2006 Mustard Festival, an honor he shared with one of his mentors, Chef Peter Pahk. Chef Maynard, 48, spent a year at Havana Sol in Vallejo before he came on board at Sailor Jack’s. The seafood restaurant celebrates its fi rst anniversary this month. His off hours are spent with his family in Napa, where he grows heirloom tomatoes and Japanese eggplant in his back yard. His wife is a pastry chef and his daughters are Vintage High School students who play fast-pitch softball. Over a salad of greens (including frisée) and mushrooms, Chef Maynard talks about the waterfront restaurant and his love of cooking.

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Benicia Magazine10

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for your wedding and event guestsfor your wedding and event guests

If you haven't yet found the perfect venue for your wedding or event, you might just fi nd it in Solano County. In these pages are four very different spaces in which to get married, hold a reception or host an event. And once you’ve chosen your perfect spot, there are an abundance of experts to help guide you through your special day.

W E D D I N G S

W I T H S O L A N O S T Y L E

B E N I C I A W E D D I N G G U I D E

SALONS & SPAS PHONE ADDRESS WEBSITE FEATURES

Bliss Salon and SpaWeddings are our specialty

707.746.8983 117 East F Street bsalonandspa@yahoo.com H, N, S, W, M

Carla at Studio 932 Carla Lougee

707.745.9322 932 West Second Street W, H

Good Nails Complete Nail CareMassage chairs with disposable liners

707.745.0968 2072 Columbus Parkway N

Kathy’s Korner Haircuts with Form & Balance

707.373.7256 273 East H Street W, H

Light Touch Medical Spa Medical & esthetician services, products

707.747.5625 321 First Street lighttouchmedspa.com S, W

NarcissusAshley Laugen

707.745.2641 920 First Street, Ste. 201 W, H

Cori Sequeira Bridal & event makeup expert

707.853.7597 560 First Street, Ste. 105 belladonna7@comcast.net W, M

Bombshell Hair & Ink A modern hair salon & tatoo studio

707.748.7950 140 East G Street bombshellhairandink.com W, H

Salon/spa services: H=hair N=nail S=skin W=wedding services M=makeup

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Cantrell Portrait Design 707.745.1951 940 Tyler Street, Suite 23 cantrellportrait.com

Derith Lutz Photography 707.747.1676 or401.258.7304

fotoderith@sbcglobal.net

Malcolm Slight Photography 707.745.3741 77 Solono Square, #171 imagesbymalcolm.com

Messina Photography 707.745.3600 602 West K Street messinaphotography.com

Perceptions Photography by Giovanna 707.558.9574 photographybygiovanna.com

CAKES & CATERING

A Taste of Life Catering with European Infl uence

925.270.8985 a.tasteofl ife@yahoo.com atasteofl ifecatering.com

Rosanna's European Delights Catering specialty cakes & sweets

707.747.9733 408 Military East Moving to First Street in April

Alex's Catering 707.643.1711 300 Virginia Street, Vallejo alexscatering.com

HOTELS & INNS

Best Western Heritage Inn 707.746.0401

Holiday Inn Express 707.297.6873

Inn at Benicia Bay 707.746.1055

Union Hotel 707.746.0110

The latest trend in weddings is one everyone can relate to: today’s couples are simplifying where possible, and customizing their wedding to truly refl ect their personalities. For example, our cover newlyweds, married at St. Dominic’s Church, expressed their mutual passion for sailing by hamming it up at the Benicia Marina during their photo shoot. Many Bay Area communities have wedding venues. But outside of San Francisco, how many have eight fabulous spaces within an eight mile radius (Benicia and American Canyon), and over forty two salons & spas within a few miles? See our Wedding resource guide, below, with selected providers and on the following pages, we spotlight four special venues that offer something unique. Two are steeped in history, one is on the Marina and one, is surrounded by southern Solano County’s rolling hills. Each has its own distinctive indoor and outdoor space that will inspire couples to embrace their own style.

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Benicia Magazine12 BBBBBeeeeennnnniiccccciiiiia MMMMMaaaagggggaaaaazzzzziiiiinnnnneeeee122222

Benicia Yacht Club400 East 2nd Street, Benicia, CA

Fantastic

Wedding & Event Space in a Historical Setting2060 Camel Road, Benicia707.745.5435 • beniciahistoricalmuseum.org

Benicia Historical Museum & Garden

B E N I C I A

YA C H T C L U BAT A GLANCEAccommodates: 120 Services: All-inclusive or bring your ownSpace: Main Dining Room; adjacent lawnWhat makes it unique: Waterfront locationMinimum rental time: 5 hours, lunch or dinner

Perched on the picturesque Benicia Marina, the Yacht Club works equally well for weddings and events with a nautical theme or something entirely different. Flanked between the Marina and its meandering waterfront path and the Harbormaster building, the scenery is breathtaking. The dining room’s wall of windows offers a fantastic view of area yachts—with Mt. Diablo looming in the distance—a particularly lovely backdrop for a special wedding. The space’s deep blue walls that echo the colors of the Carquinez Strait can accommodate up to 120 people for a sit-down meal, full buffet or appetizers. The club’s caterer, A Taste of Life, “Catering with European Infl uence,” is available for private parties or corporate events outside the club. For brides wanting an outdoor ceremony, the adjacent lawn and arbor that abuts the marina is available at no extra charge. However, ceremonies on the lawn area are bring-your-own services only. The rental fee includes a bartender for the event.

B E N I C I A

H I S T O R I C A L M U S E U MAT A GLANCE

Accommodates: up to 240Services: Bring your own

Space: Stone Hall or Spenger GardenWhat makes it unique: Historic sandstone building, garden and arbor

Minimum rental time: By the hour, 5 hour minimum

This historic venue comes with a fascinating history (camel barns!) and an added bonus: it houses the museum’s collections of Benicia’s past. Benicia enjoys an important place in California history, which is on display in exhibits throughout the complex. It is a much-loved and used community asset. Stone hall is a one-of-a-kind space defi ned by huge structural arches and a view of the lovely Spenger Garden, available for rental separately or in addition to the hall. The garden is an excellent venue for wedding ceremonies, receptions and special events. It features a formal arrangement around a large fountain and a covered arbor that is perfect for musicians, dancing or extra seating. With excellent acoustics, the garden is a popular spot that plays host to musical events under the stars. Stone hall seats 240 and the garden & arbor can accommodate up to 200. A list of wedding services is available.

W E D D I N G V E N U E S W I T H S O L A N O S T Y L E

BeniciaMagazine.comBBBBBeennnnniiiiiccccciiiiiaMMMMMaaaaagggggaaaaazinnnnneeeee.....cccccooommmm

Blacksmith Gallery B L A C K S M I T H ’ S

G A L L E R YAT A GLANCEAccommodates: up to 240Services: All-inclusive or bring your ownSpace: Ceremony Site, Gallery Bar, Ballroom, Courtyard What makes it unique: Historic building circa 1876; architectural characterMinimum rental time: By the hour

Located in the historic Arsenal Park, this venue offers something for everyone. Built in 1876, the building has very impressive architecture that is often photographed and used as a backdrop for national ad campaigns: beautiful brick walls, huge arched passageways and windows, soaring ceilings, original wood fl oors. For a building of such large proportions, each space feels surprisingly warm and welcoming. There are 4 distinctive areas included in the rental fee. The Blacksmith Gallery features a large, curved bar and enormous black & white fl oor tiles in an attractive checkerboard pattern. The Ballroom, used for dining and dancing, can accommodate up to 240 people. Smaller ceremonies can be held in the Main Hall adjacent to the Ballroom. For brides preferring an outdoor ceremony, the Courtyard is secluded and full of character. The Ceremony Site includes a processional stairway for the bride, tall support columns and chandeliers descending from the high ceiling.

H I D D E N B R O O K E

G O L F C L U BAT A GLANCE

Accommodates: up to 250Services: Banquet services provided by the club

Space: Bridal room & lounge; reception, dinner & dancing areasWhat makes it unique: Award-winning facility, situated in rolling hills

Minimum rental time: 5-hour minimum

Hiddenbrooke Golf Club is an award-winning wedding and event facility that features the spectacular Clubhouse and Pavilion Room, nestled between rolling hills and the acclaimed 18-hole signature Arnold Palmer Golf Course. With such a lovely setting, this venue is an ideal location for any bride and groom. Hiddenbrooke provides a beautiful backdrop for wedding photos and offers personally designed weddings, from cocktail receptions to sit-down dinners. The onsite culinary staff will execute the fi ne details of a wedding from initial planning to last minute arrangements. The club was recently chosen to receive the WeddingWire 2011 Bride’s Choice Award, which recognizes excellence in quality and service within the wedding industry. It is located off of Interstate 80 and American Canyon Road in the Solano County Hills. The facility is offering a $500 discount for events booked by 4/30/11 when mentioning Benicia Magazine. Restrictions apply.

W E D D I N G V E N U E S W I T H S O L A N O S T Y L E

Benicia Magazine14

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Fashion Fit for a Queen

Royal Wedding Fashion Predictions By Christina Strawbridge In the summer of 1981, many of us were immersed in the frenzy surrounding Lady Diana and Prince Charles’ royal wedding. Of particular interest was the speculation as to which designer would have the opportunity to design the dress for the wedding of the century. Publications like Women's Wear Daily proclaimed they had the inside track, and even published an illustration of Diana's dress that was completely different from what became the most famous of all wedding dresses. On the day of the royal nuptials, with over 750 million people watching, Lady Diana arrived at St. Paul's Cathedral in a glass carriage right out of a fairy tale. Unfortunately, the carriage was too small for Diana, her father and the dress. It seemed as if Diana exploded out of the carriage in a dress made of silk taffeta with exaggerated puffed sleeves, an embellished V-neckline, decorated lace, hand embroidery, sequins, 10,000 pearls and a 25-foot train. The chosen designers were Elizabeth and David Emanuel, who began their relationship with Diana with a romantic, high collared blouse she wore for a Vogue magazine photo shoot. They were also responsible for the daring black strapless dress Diana wore for her fi rst public event after the couple announced their engagement. It caused an international stir with its revealing neckline. From the moment of the wedding, Princess Diana became the most photographed woman in the world, and a fashion icon. Diana's hairstyle was copied for decades, from her Shy Di layered bangs to the more sophisticated styles she wore in the 90's. Her hats rejuvenated the millinery business worldwide.

The glamorous dresses she wore for royal events were covered on a daily basis by newspapers and fashion magazines. She earned the title “The People's Princess" with her dedication to charitable causes, and her knack of getting the press to cover her appearances. We not only connected with her style, but followed her life full of joy and sorrow, and watched with tears on the day of her funeral. While visiting London and Kensington Palace in 1993, I was able to see the famous dress up-close and personal. What struck me was that with all of its volume and over-the-top detail, it suited the 20-year old nursery school teacher. Her request to the Emanuels was to design a dress for a fairy tale Princess; and as she walked the aisle of St. Paul's, all eyes were on Diana Princess of Whales. On April 29, 2011, almost 30 years after the royal wedding of the century, Diana's son William will marry Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey. There is much chatter about whom Kate will choose to design her dress. Press speculation has covered almost every major British designer, from John Galliano to Stella McCartney, and even Victoria Beckham. The odds favorite seems to be Bruce Oldfi eld, who ironically was one of Diana's favorite designers. Judging from Kate Middleton’s style, it seems that whoever does the designing, Kate will have much to say about what could become the second most famous wedding gown in the world. I'll have my alarm clock set for the 3am wakeup call so that I don't miss a single minute of history and fashion in the making. B

FASHIONISTA

Photo by Allyson Wiley Photography

Benicia Magazine16

Camellia Tea Room • 828 First StreetDowntown Benicia • 707.746.5293

Delicious Lunch, Afternoon Tea,

Desserts& Fine Teas and Tea Accessories

Camellia Tea RoomVoted #2 - Best Tea House in the SF Chronicle/SFGate.com “Best of the Baylist”

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Gallery Hours: Tuesday-Friday 11-5,

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www.lindsayartglass.com109 East F Street, Benicia, CA 94510

Wall Art Jewelry

GiftsJudaica Items

Off the WallConsignment Boutique

Real Estate Litigation and Land Use

Amber KembleOf Counsel

Venus Viloria BerdanAssociate

835 First StreetBenicia, CA 94510

Tel: 707-747-5206Fax: 707-747-5209

BeniciaMagazine.com

At the NorthBay Center for

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Benicia Magazine18

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Large variety of flowers, plants and treesDecorative pots & garden accessories

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Quality & Customer ServiceAlways Come First!

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Benicia Unified School District.Great schools, quality programs.

BENICIA UNIFIED SCHOOLS How do enrichment programs help students?

Studies show that drama, art, dance and music significantly enhance student memory, reasoning abilities

and verbal and mathematical test scores.

Student learning is our top priority. BUSD has award-winning enrichment programs, including:

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Learn to Sail this Summer!Benicia Yacht Club Youth Sailing Program 2011

fotoderith@sbcglobal.netwww.beniciayachtclub.com Benicia Yacht Club Sailing Program

Summer Sailing Camp Dates: Younger Children Learn to Sail

Session I: Session II:

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Christie Finn | Realtor DRE# 01876823Coldwell Banker Solano Pacific900 First Street | BeniciaPh: 707.853.9787 | Fax: 707.746.1337christie.finn@coldwellbanker.comwww.LiveBenicia.com

Around Town RealtyPaul Winders, Broker/Owner/Realtor

DRE# 01213198

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Benicia Magazine20

INDIVIDUALS… TIME to review your IRA and fund it for 2010. Traditional or Roth,

which one is best for you?

BUSINESS OWNERS…Save on taxes with a SEP or learn about other retirement plan options. Don’t have one?Still TIME to start one before you

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EVERYONE…Pay yourself first! TIME to learn about tax-deferred savings options.

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Over 35 Years of Excellence!Over 35 Years of Excellence!

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BeniciaMagazine.com

LOOKING BACK

Benicia Historical Museum’s Interactive Exhibits

By Mary Marino There are many elements that come into play in Museum exhibits, which we as visitors enjoy without really being aware. For example, we are motivated by the topic, we become engaged in the content, our curiosity is awakened, and we enjoy the stories that are told. Interactivity is another element; one that engages our senses, creativity and imagination. Here’s a short “virtual tour” of the interactive exhibits at the Museum. We hope your interest will be piqued enough to come to the museum in person and experience these exhibits fi rst hand. First stop on our tour is the California fl ag narrative that traces the history of the many fl ags that have represented our state over the years. The interactivity piece is our fl ag making board. Challenge yourself by making your own fl ag with the cutouts provided. Next up is the Patwin exhibit, which includes an authentic design of a Patwin hut, the materials, mannequin, and the mural of this area during the late 1700’s. You can listen to the story of these Native Americans and enter the hut and play the instruments in tune with the recorded authentic music. Shipbuilder Matthew Turner's knot-making panel continues the tour. Try your skill at re-creating the knots that are needed aboard a sailing vessel, both in full sail and at anchor. Notice the thickness of the ropes—then try your own hand at achieving those intricate knots. In our video section, view a Ruth Alexander videotape and John Molfi no photographs describing life in and around Benicia in years past. Conclude the tour with our fi re exhibit of the burning of the State Capitol. This is a touch-screen activity that keeps visitors of all ages on their toes: sometimes you save the Capitol and sometimes you don’t. Turn to the 1940 fi lm on the Fireman’s Muster Parade and burning of the Kullman Salz Tannery. After enjoying the exhibit of toys and dolls, there is a play area for children. Bring the family, learn the local history and enjoy the interactivity of the exhibits. B

Call 707-558-0330 x208to schedule your site visit

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Benicia Cleaners81 Solano Square Benicia707-745-1353 (Next to Pizza Pirate)Free delivery & pickup

Since 1977

• No waiting to drop off • All work done on premises• Best shirt laundering in town • No Perchloroethylene • Stains: If we can’t get them out, they won’t come out! • The first to use the most environmentally safe/friendly cleaning process

Every 4th pair of pants

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Full-line pet storeProfessional dog & cat grooming

Do it yourself pet wash

Anesthesia-free teeth cleaning clinic – first Sunday of each month

Photo by John Molfi no, Courtesy of Benicia Historical Museum

Benicia Magazine22

3/1-2 Annual “Dinner is Served” Fundraiser Enjoy dinner at one of fi ve Benicia restaurants Donate to the Benicia Library Foundation Reservations at 707.746.4358

3/3-3/31 Capitol & Fischer-Hanlon House Guided Tours 1-4pm Capitol tour 1-4pm, Fischer-Hanlon tour, 2pm Thursdays and Fridays 115 West G Street 707.745.3385

3/5 Benicia Plein Air Gallery Reception 5-7pm Featured artist Dixie Mohan 307 First Street, Benicia Beniciapleinair.com

3/10-4/3 “The Next Generation” Thurs-Sun 12-5pm Children’s Art Exhibit Opening reception March 13, 3-5pm Arts Benicia Gallery, 991 Tyler Street, Suite 114 Artsbenicia.org 707.747.0131

3/12 Friends of the Library Book Sale 10am-4pm Benicia Library, 150 East L Street Benicialibrary.org 707.745-4770

3/16 Evening Book Club for Adults 7-8pm Library Dona Benicia Room Benicia Library, 150 East L Street Benicialibrary.org 707.746.4343

3/17 Community Blood Drive 1-7pm Donors must be in good health, 18 yrs, over 110 lbs First Baptist Church, 1055 Southampton Road

3/20 Arts Benicia Presents Family Art Day 1-3pm Kids wanted! Come have fun and be creative Arts Benicia Gallery, 991 Tyler Street, Suite 114 Artsbenicia.org 707.747.0131

3/26 Stone Hall Comedy Series 8pm Mike Pace and Maggie Newcomb Benicia Historical Museum, 2024 Camel Road Beniciahistoricalmuseum.org 707.745.5435

3/26-27 Benicia in Bloom Sat 11am-5pm, Sun 12-4pm Annual Spring Open House Downtown shops and restaruants Beniciamainstreet.org 707.745.9791

3/31 Lecture by Bonnie Weidel 6:30-8:30pm Visual Arts & Cognitive Development Arts Benicia Gallery, 991 Tyler Street, Suite 114 Artsbenicia.org 707.747.0131

MarchCalendar of Events

David Sikes, CLTCInsurance Agent(707) 554-44773469 Tennessee St. Vallejodavidsikes@allstate.comCA Lic: 0C02869

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Benicia Magazine24

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