SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL OF BENICIA WILL HAVE ITS ANNUAL SPRING TEA, with seatings Saturday and Sunday at Camellia Tea Room. The event coincides with Benicia Main Street’s “Benicia in Bloom.”

“Camellia Tea Room will offer a traditional tea,” said Nancy Martinez, Main Street’s executive director. In addition, those attending will get to participate in drawings for prizes and see a fashion show with lines provided by Christina S.

From 6-8 p.m. Saturday, the tea also will have champagne and light appetizers, a silent auction and drawings.

Three traditional tea seatings are available Sunday at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

“Soroptimist has been doing a Bewitching Tea in October with Camellia Tea Room for many years,” Martinez said. The group was inspired by the success of that event to have a Spring Tea as well, she said.

Net proceeds will go to Soroptimists’ local high school scholarships and its domestic violence program.

Reservations may be made by calling the Camellia Tea Room at 707-746-5293.

Donations also are accepted by check sent to Soroptimist International of Benicia, P.O. Box 282, Benicia CA 94510. Drawing tickets also are being sold at the Benicia Main Street office at 90 First St.

Merchants celebrate Benicia In Bloom Saturday, Sunday

Downtown Benicia merchants will celebrate Benicia in Bloom Saturday and Sunday with open houses and in-store spring and summer promotions.

Benicia in Bloom also will include a drawing called “Hats off to Downtown!” Main Street employees are asking members of the public to wear a hat of any type for a chance to win $100 in Downtown Dollars, Deborah Housman, event coordinator, said.

Drawing tickets can be collected and deposited at participating merchants during the two-day event, she said.

“Benicia in Bloom celebrates the downtown’s reputation for having one of the most delightful owner-operated, one-of-a-kind downtown shopping districts in the Bay Area,” Housman said.

Those with questions about Benicia in Bloom and the Hats Off to Downtown! drawing may call Benicia Main Street at 707-745-9791 or visit www.BeniciaMainStreet.org.

Pups ‘N’ Purrz marks second anniversary

Pups ‘N’ Purrz, 422 First St., will mark its second anniversary May 21 with pet adoptions in conjunction with the Humane Society of the North Bay.

“I will also be at the (Benicia Certified) Farmers Market that day from 4-8 p.m.,” owner James Long said. “The store will also be open on Thursdays until 8 p.m. during the farmers market.”

He said he also will have in-store specials that day.

Long has given organizations opportunities to use his store to find homes for pets. “Eighty animals have been adopted through the rescue groups at my store,” he said.

Among the future adoption events at Pups ‘N’ Purrz will be from 4-7 p.m. June 4, in association with the Humane Society of the North Bay; from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 7 with Tony LaRussa Animal Rescue Foundation; and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 20 with Umbrella of Hope and the Solano County Sheriff’s Animal Care Division.

Benicia Dancewear expanding to Palladio

Benicia Dancewear is expanding, opening a store at Folsom’s Palladio at Broadstone shopping center June 1, owner Nicole Ligioso said.

The store will carry such brands as Bloch, Body Wrappers, Capezio, Gaynor Minden, Grishko, Russian Pointe and Wear Moi.

“The Sacramento region is home to several outstanding dance programs, yet options for dancewear are limited,” Ligioso said.

“Specific to the foothills, there is a lot of potential with the Harris Center for the Arts, local high school programs, dance companies and competitive dance groups,” she said.

“We look forward to serving the dance community by providing top dancewear brands and accessories, and essential services such as professional pointe shoe fitting.”

Ligioso owns a dance store and Ligioso Ballet Studio, 412 Military East, and said she is an experienced dance aficionado. She danced ballet into her early 20s and continued her interest in the art as a dance instructor, teaching for the past 15 years.

Ligioso said the store primarily stocks items for ballet, jazz and tap, but customers are welcome to custom order other high-demand items.

Those interested may visit Benicia Dancewear at Palladio, Suite 1309, beginning June 1, or online at beniciadancewear.com. A grand opening celebration with special events and promotions will take place in late June.

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.

Submissions will be edited for length and content; and 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.

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