Inspired by the masters, artist Mernie Buchanan’s latest show covers Rellik walls By Keri Luiz Assistant Editor The Impressionist era is one of the more popular eras in art history. And Mernie Buchanan is one of Benicia’s most popular artists. Sounds like a good match. “People just love late-19th-, early-20th-century artwork,” said Buchanan, whose 69-work […]
2 quintets replace full symphony concert
By Keri Luiz Assistant Editor Vallejo Symphony Orchestra’s plans for a New Year’s concert have been slimmed down a bit — an acknowledgement that while VSO’s severe financial straits may be a thing of the past, the economy is not exactly humming along at optimum efficiency. Rather than its regular full concert, “New Year, Old […]
Library to go noir in new year
Series of events honoring ‘Maltese Falcon’ book, film slated for January, February By Keri Luiz Assistant Editor A private detective, a beautiful liar and a quest for a priceless statuette. These were the elements of a great detective story that became one of the greatest films of all time. In January and February, more than […]
A quilt for little Catherine: Area group’s raffle to help animal sanctuary inspired by Newtown victim
By Keri Luiz Assistant Editor Catherine Violet Hubbard was only 6 years old when she died in the shootings last year at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. The little girl had been known as a lover of animals, treating them all with love and kindness. Catherine told her parents one day she would […]
Shortfall for ’14 to get trustees’ focus
By Keri Luiz Assistant Editor It’s the final meeting of the year for the Benicia Unified School District Governing Board, and it’s also trustees’ annual organizational meeting — meaning they will vote on a president and a clerk. In addition, when trustees meet Thursday Chief Business Official Tim Rahill will present the first interim financial report, […]
New gallery to open on First Street
Owner of Dos Gatos praises local art community By Keri Luiz Assistant Editor Benicia has drawn artists, art lovers and gallery owners for decades. This week the trend continues. Located above the Camellia Tea Room on First Street, Dos Gatos Gallery will open its doors Saturday with an opening reception for its winter exhibit. Marcalan […]
DBA OKs 4-year tree lighting pact
Nine directors voted in; length of term to be determined in January By Keri Luiz Assistant Editor Downtown Benicia Association board members voted in the next nine directors Monday when they met for the last time in 2013. The board also agreed to a four-year contract extension with All That Glows for the tree lights […]
Benicia artists open up for the holidays
By Keri Luiz Assistant Editor Benicia is Art City USA, and it will earn the moniker this weekend with a host of holiday happenings. The slate of art events commences tonight with the Holiday Open House at downtown galleries, and continues Saturday and Sunday with the December Open Studios at the Arsenal. Meanwhile, three city […]
Club plans ‘Fun Run’ to benefit Toys for Tots
High school seniors urge community to attend, help good cause By Keri Luiz Assistant Editor In its short existence, Benicia High School’s new club, Active Kindness, has already raised funds for a pair of causes, participating in a local Walk to End Alzheimer’s in October and the Solano Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving. But they’re far […]
City seeks donations for tourism gift basket effort
■ Businesses solicited to give items to be auctioned at Skål holiday party Thursday By Keri Luiz Assistant Editor Members of Skål International, a worldwide organization of travel and tourism managers, visited Benicia on Oct. 26. The visit was so successful and the visitors so impressed, they’ve been talking up Benicia ever since, Teri Davena, […]