The time has arrived for Benicia to have a new poet laureate. On Sunday, Tom Stanton assumed the position as Benicia’s top poetry official, and he takes the reins from Johanna Ely. In his new role, Stanton promises to bring some bold new ideas to the title. Stanton is no stranger to Benicia’s artistic community. […]
Harold Bray to serve as grand marshal in Torchlight Parade
Harold Bray, a Benicia resident and World War II veteran who was one of more than 300 people to survive the sinking of a naval cruiser, will be serving as the grand marshal at this year’s 3rd of July Torchlight Parade. Bray enlisted in the Navy in 1944 at the age of 17. He was […]
HPRC approves design review guidelines for City Council consideration
The Historic Preservation Review Commission (HPRC) voted to adopt design guidelines to the Downtown Historic Conservation Plan (DHCP). The guidelines will now go to the City Council for approval. The DHCP was adopted in 1990 with amendments in 1992, 2008 and 2009. Principal Planner Suzanne Thorsen said the biggest changes were the adoption of the […]
Editorial: Lending support to the Capital Gazette staff
Our hearts at the Benicia Herald go out to the family, friends and co-workers of the five employees of the Capital Gazette in Annapolis, Md. who were shot and killed Thursday afternoon as well as the several others who were injured. It is a tragedy that has left people shook since the news broke, especially […]
Musical entertainment announced for July 4 Picnic in the Park
Benicia’s Torchlight Parade on July 3 is always one of the city’s most celebrated events of the year, but the 4th of July fun does not stop there. There is also the Picnic in the Park the following day, and if the looks of its amenities and entertainment are any indication, it is worth forgoing […]
Hendrix tribute band to light up Empress stage tomorrow
The highest benchmark an aspiring guitarist can reach is “the next Jimi Hendrix.” Given Hendrix’s status as a guitar legend, that is a tall order but Ralph Woodson has chosen to achieve this by becoming Jimi Hendrix– figuratively speaking, of course. Those wishing to become acquainted with the Vallejo-based singer and guitarist can check out […]
First Street ‘Monkey business’ celebrating anniversary
We are not monkeying around here. Pocket Money Vintage, Benicia’s premier retro men’s wear and vintage goods store, is celebrating one year in town with a party featuring discounts and free bananas Sunday. Pocket Monkey Vintage is the brainchild of Jay Brome, a collector who travels to vintage shows about five or six times […]
HPRC to vote on new modifications for Bella Siena
After more than a year of planning and renovation, the new Italian-American restaurant Bella Siena opened its doors in the Tannery Building on June 4. The fine dining establishment has been a hit, drawing a massive amount of five-star reviews on Yelp and filling a space that had been largely unoccupied for nearly a decade. […]
Benicia-based ‘Break it Down’ podcast celebrates five years
For the past five years, Pete Turner and Jon Leon Guerrero have hosted the podcast “The Break it Down Show,” where they bring on guests from all walks of life— some of them world famous— to talk about art, culture and combat. And just where do these two men hail from? Why Benicia of course. […]
Osprey Days commence Friday at Mare Island
Bird enthusiasts, rejoice! Tomorrow is the first of the San Francisco Bay Osprey Days, which will continue through this weekend at the Mare Island Shoreline Heritage Preserve in Vallejo. Ospreys— alternatively known as sea hawks or fish hawks— are raptor birds known for their fishing skills. Nesting ospreys are frequently found near waterways and […]