Blackburn Music Academy is looking for host families for musicians performing at Festival Napa Valley this summer. Blackburn Music Academy, now in its second year, is a tuition-free music education experience in which pre-professional musicians from around the world train with renowned performers from such collectives as the San Francisco Opera, Vienna Philharmonic and Russian […]
BUSD CBO: One-time surplus of $88K anticipated in 18-19 school year
Budget numbers for the Benicia Unified School District are expected to fluctuate over the next few years, but Chief Business Official Tim Rahill is optimistic about next year when the district is projected to have a one-time $88,000 surplus. The latest budget update was provided in a public hearing at Thursday’s school board meeting. Rahill […]
Teachers union votes down tentative agreement with district
The Benicia Teachers Association voted to reject the tentative agreement Wednesday that had been reached with the Benicia Unified School District, Governing Board President Diane Ferrucci announced as Thursday’s school board meeting. In January, BUSD had proposed a one-time bonus of 1 percent off the salary schedule for the 2017-18 and 2018-19 school years. BTA […]
Grand opening for Tannery boutique shop tomorrow
Even cowgirls get the boutiques…at least in Benicia. Grey Horse Boutique is the newest store in the Tannery Building. The gift shop has what owner Laura Robbins calls “a boho chic with a little cowgirl attitude.” The shop carries a wide array of gift items, including candles, jewelry, trinkets, perfumes, pillows, handbags, blazers and blouses. […]
BUSD budget among items on packed school board agenda
Thursday’s school board meeting will be the last of the 2017-18 year while school is in session— and if the agenda is any indication, it will be the busiest of the entire year by far. One of the biggest items is a public hearing on Benicia Unified School District’s proposed budget for the 2018-19 school […]
Top Liberty graduates finish ahead of schedule
Nathan Curtright moved to Benicia from Las Vegas, and although he could have attended Benicia High School, he figured it would not work with his schedule. “I probably would have had to wake up around 4 and catch the bus,” he said. “It would have been a more difficult day.” Instead, Curtright opted to go […]
HPRC OKs Accessory Dwelling Unit amendment proposals
Recommendations will next go to Planning Commission The Historic Preservation Review Commission (HPRC) adopted a resolution to approve amendments to the Benicia Municipal Code (BMC) and Downtown Mixed Use Master Plan (DMUMP) related to Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) regulations at its Thursday meeting. ADUs, also called secondary or in-law units, are additional units added on […]
Little Art Shop gearing up for anniversary celebration
The Little Art Shop is about to mark one year in Benicia, and it has been quite a ride for the gallery. On June 3, 2017, The Little Art Shop opened its doors in the historic Tannery Building having spent the previous 17 years operating out of a small space on Mankas Corner in Suisun […]
Trip to Land of Enchantment inspires Plein Air Gallery show
With its cerulean blue skies, dusty landscapes and colorful flora, New Mexico has proven to be a popular state for Benicia artists to paint in. The region has been the inspiration for and subject of a lot of Gallerie Renee Marie artist Les Overlock’s exhibitions. Additionally, Plein Air Gallery artist Susan Street had a New […]
HPRC to discuss design guidelines for awnings, balconies and more at Thursday’s meeting
If the recent slate of Historic Preservation Review Commission (HPRC) meetings are any indication, 2018 is shaping up to be the year of downtown design guideline updates in Benicia. That will not change with Thursday’s meeting where discussion topics from last month’s meeting will be carried over. Benicia is in the process of updating design […]