By Donna Beth Weilenman
Staff Reporter

BENICIANS WHO HAVE BEEN THRILLING their friends and neighbors with their recipes for barbecue sauces, fresh-baked cookies or jars of jams and jellies can learn today how to turn pro and start a specialty foods company.

“From Kitchen to Market,” a program offered by the Solano Small Business Development Center and the Benicia Office of Economic Development, will be from 2-5 p.m. at the Commission Room of City Hall, 250 East L St.

Anni Minuzzo, a 25-year food trade veteran and owner of her own 15-year wholesale baking company, will guide participants in managing and expanding a food business.

Those who have started a business or who love food and want to learn how to start a specialty food business may attend and learn Minuzzo’s inside perspective of the ups, downs, ins and outs of the specialty food industry.

Those planning to attend may register today before the seminar at the Northern California Small Business Development Center website. They may call Tonya Pouncey, 707-864-3382, or email her at tonya.pouncey@solano.edu.

Cost is $35. Payment may be made by check, money order or credit card.

One year since Advanced Mortgage-Sky Valley merger

The first anniversary of the merger between Advanced Mortgage Services, 615 First St., and Sky Valley Financial, 1090 Adams St., was Jan. 17, said Alan Schwartzman and Mitchell Chernock, presidents of their respective companies.

The two decided last year to merge and change their business platform from mortgage brokers to mortgage bankers.

They are now direct lenders with the capability of brokering when needed.

The new company name is Advanced Mortgage SVF, and it is a division of American Pacific Mortgage.

Since the merger Advanced Mortgage SVF has grown with the addition of two new employees with two more in process.

Schwartzman and Chernock said their company is “known as an antidote to mortgage stress,” and said Advanced Mortgage SVF also “gets you home.”

“We stand ready to assist you in all of your real estate financing needs,” they said.

McCoy takes over at Six Flags

Don McCoy is the new president of Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Vallejo.

McCoy has been with Six Flags Entertainment for many years, and has been park president of The Great Escape Theme Park and Lodge properties in Lake George, N.Y., since 2007.

He succeeds Dale Kaetzel, who has been park president of Six Flags Discovery Kingdom since 2010 and who is transferring to Atlanta as new park president of Six Flags Over Georgia and Six Flags White Water.

Thomas Iven, Six Flags senior vice president, said McCoy brings “a wealth of theme park experience to his new role.” His theme park career began with Wet ‘N’ Wild, Orlando, Fla., in 1983.

“This is an incredible time for the park,” McCoy said. “As Northern California’s best family entertainment destination, we have an exciting 2013 season ahead.”

The 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.