ROOKIES IS CONTINUING THE THURSDAY AFTERNOON TRADITION of a Benicia downtown farmers market — even after the official market has closed for the season.

The Benicia Certified Farmers Market, operated by Benicia Main Street, finished its regular season in October, but Rookies Sports Bar and Grill, 321 First St., will start having a farmers market in its parking lot from 4-6 p.m. Thursdays, starting this week, owner Rob Storelee announced.

Giggling Girls/Guys Boutique event Saturday

The 11th annual Giggling Girls/Guys Boutique will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at 1332 Bonita Bahia.

“We are a group of crafters who get together each year to sell our wares at this wonderful boutique,” said Linda Ormond, one of the participants. All items are handmade and will be sold to the public for cash or checks.

Benicia Main Street ‘Shopping Spree’ continues, holiday season starting

Benicia Main Street Holiday Shopping Spree continues through Dec. 4. It gives visitors to the city’s downtown business district a chance to enter a drawing for a $500 Downtown Dollars shopping spree.

For each $10 shoppers spend at participating stores, they will get one ticket for the drawing, which will take place during Benicia Main Street’s Holiday Open House, which takes place from 6-9 p.m. Dec. 5.

Benicia Main Street, 90 First St., is selling tickets to the Soroptimist International Holiday Grocery Raffle, which will support local projects, including the construction of a women’s resource center and safe house. Tickets are $10, and the winner will receive a $1,000 Raley’s gift card. The drawing will be Nov. 20.

Earlier than the Bird, Benicia’s kickstart to the holiday shopping season, will be from 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 22, during which First Street businesses will have in-store promotions.

Small Business Saturday is Nov. 29. It encourages people to shop at small businesses the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the day after so-called “Black Friday.”

Benicia Main Street’s own fundraiser, the Teddy Bear Tea Party, will be Nov. 30 and Dec. 8 at the Camellia Tea Room, 828 First St., with seatings at 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. It’s a traditional holiday tea, with costumed characters, storytelling and holiday carols. Reservations and advance payments are required and can be made by calling 707-746-5293.

Benicia Main Street also is accepting applications for the city’s Christmas Parade, which will take place at 10 a.m. Dec. 13 at First and D streets and end at H Street. Applications are available at the Benicia Main Street office and online at www.beniciamainstreet.org.

Hipwaders to entertain at Jelly Belly tree lighting

The Hipwaders will perform original and classic holiday music at 3:30 p.m. Nov. 29 for the Jelly Belly Tree Lighting at the Jelly Belly Candy Factory Visitor Center, 1 Jelly Belly Lane, Fairfield. And they will be joined by Santa Claus!

The band has won multiple Parents Choice and National Association of Parent Publication awards. The Hipwaders are listed on TimeOut New York Kids’ 25 best bands for children.

San Francisco’s Barbary Coast recreated at dinner theater

“The Soiled Dove,” a circus-filled dinner theater experience Dec. 4-6 and Dec. 11-13 at InnerMission, 633 Florida St., San Francisco, will recreate the notorious Barbary Coast era of the city, about 1890, in live performances featuring more than 40 musicians and actors.

Among the historical figures depicted will be Emperor Norton and Shanghai Kelly, giving those attending the experience of spending an evening among the characters of the scandalous era.

Attendees are being encouraged to dress for the times, from Victorian and Edwardian to Gold Rush ‘49er, courtesans and shanghai artists, called crimps.

The multi-course meal, resembling the dining experience from the Barbary Coast era, will be prepared by Work of Art from San Francisco. Vegetarian options are available. Musical arrangements will be performed by Jazz Mafia/Realistic Orchestra and Squid Inc., ensembles with guest cameos. The production, by Vau de Vire Society, is directed by Mike Gaines.

Tickets, for those 21 and older, are $120 and available through http://tickets.glittertix.com/events/series/THE+SOILED+DOVE.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Zaccho Dance Theater’s Youth Performing Arts Program that trains young people in performance, improvisational, personal research and contemporary and aerial dance.

Show times are 8 p.m. Dec. 4-6 and Dec. 11-13. Those interested may visit the website www.thesoileddove.com.

Holiday open house at Steffen

The Steffen Collection Antiques, 627 First St., will have an annual holiday open house Nov. 15-16, Susan Steffen said. The store will be decorated in anticipation of the holiday season, and will have vintage tree and home decorations and other theme items. The store also will discount its inventory.

Homemade refreshments also will be served. Those interested may call the store at 707-745-1170.

The Benicia Herald’s weekly Benicia Business Beat column is an opportunity for local businesses and companies to tell our readers about business-oriented news, such as moves, grand openings, awards, promotion of employees, staff changes and changes in goods and services.

Deadline is 3 p.m. Friday for news items that will appear in the next Tuesday edition’s Benicia Business Beat. Email news releases and accompanying high-resolution photographs and logos to beniciaherald@gmail.com, and put “Attn. Business Beat” in the subject line, as well as the name of the business.

The Benicia Herald also appreciates area companies’ advertising patronage. For advertising services, call 707-745-0733 or email adsbenicia@yahoo.com.