WHO MAKES THE BEST CHILI IN BENICIA? A three-member panel of judges, U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson, Benicia police Lt. Frank Hartig and Benicia Herald advertising rep Angela Marchant chose Rookies Sports Bar and Grill, saying it made both the “Greatest Bowl” and the “Greatest Vegetarian Chili,” Benicia Main Street event coordinator Deborah Meyer said.

Benicia residents also got to vote at the third annual Great Bowls of Chili Challenge on Saturday at Benicia Clock Tower. Popular vote gave the “People’s Choice” award to Benicia Yacht Club Chili Monsters.

Got Plate Lunch had the “Best Decorated Booth,” and the “Greatest Non-business Individual Cook” went to Chuck Wagon Chili. The Loft Wine Bar was awarded “Most Creative Challenger.”

The trio of judges blind-tasted 14 chili recipes and made their decisions based on taste, appearance, aroma, consistency and creativity. First-place winners received $100 in Downtown Dollars and trophies.

Chuck Wagon Chili took second place in Greatest Bowl and Fired Up! First Street Café was third in that category.

Cooky Longo was second in Greatest Non-business Individual Cook, and Rough N’ Ready was third.

Coming in second in Greatest Vegetarian was Beyond Meat.

Benicia Chili Heads were second in Most Creative Challenger, and third went to Bottom of the Fifth.

Second place in Best Decorated Booth went to Benicia Yacht Club and third in the category was Chuck Wagon Chili.

Also participating this year were The Power Brokers-Twin Oaks RE, Jaad Ajlouny and Sprankle’s Deli.

Once Upon a Canvas encourages self-expression through art

Once Upon a Canvas, 129-J First St., will be the site of a weekend class in which participants will be invited to “Communicate with Your Quantum Soul Self Through Art,” Linda Peonsin said.

Cost of the class is $150. It meets from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 5 and 7. Those interested may call 707-745-1842 or 510-847-4559.

Makerspace offers free gardening workshop

Residents who want to learn through Benicia Makerspace how to prepare for the upcoming growing season can attend a workshop April 7 at the Benicia Community Center, 370 East L St., said Nicci Nunes, organizer.

The workshop, for which there is no charge, will let participants learn about operating a community garden, how sub-irrigated planters work, and ways to have a garden in the current drought.

Benicia Makerspace encourages collaboration, invention and testing new ideas, and its sessions are open to experienced makers as well as those who are interested and want to learn.

Those who want to make a sub-irrigated planter will need to bring an empty 2-liter soda bottle. Children are welcome as long as they’re old enough to sit through the talks, or they may attend the project portion of the class.

The class starts at 6 p.m. April 7 with introductions and an update on Makerspace. A talk at 6:10 p.m. will inform attendees about running a community garden. The sub-irrigated planters will be described starting at 6:40 p.m., and at 7:10 p.m. those with 2-liter bottles will build a sub-irrigated planter. A Makerspace business meeting will start at 7:40 p.m.

Reservations are being taken so the organizers will have a tally of participants, in order to bring enough materials. Those interested may visit the website www.meetup.com/BeniciaMakerspace/events/169865562/ to indicate they will attend the class.

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

Submissions need to answer the questions who, what, when, where, why and how, preferably in the body of an email, and provide contact information.

Deadline is 3 p.m. Friday for news items that will appear in the next Tuesday edition’s Benicia Business Beat. Please 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.