I WAS RECENTLY TALKING WITH MY WIFE about a termite report on an old Victorian home. The report came back with over $50,000 in needed repairs to the property. Her first reaction was to ask if the home was going to have to be tented and fumigated. This is a common misconception that many homeowners […]
Benicia Biz Beat: Tow Bully offers free New Year’s Eve tows
TOW BULLY, A BENICIA COMPANY that offers emergency roadside service around the clock, is offering free, in-town tows to Benicia residents on New Year’s Eve. Those interested may call 707-751-1830. The company, a member of the California Tow Truck Association, uses certified drivers. Its website is www.towbully.com.
Industrial Park sales tax revenue badly lagging
The Economic Development Board received the second-quarter sales tax report for 2014 on Wednesday and learned the Industrial Park is struggling mightily. Economic Development Manager Mario Giuliani reminded the board that members had requested to hear about “areas of opportunity” first a couple reports ago, so he started with the Industrial Park.
Making $ense of Real Estate: A home of one’s own
OWNING REAL ESTATE HAS BEEN AN INTEGRAL PART of the American dream since time immemorial. There is significant pride and a sense of security in owning your own home. With the recent economic realities, though, this dream turned into a nightmare for many — replacing their sense of security with a tremendous sense of fear […]
EDB to pick chair, vice chair
The Economic Development Board will perform its annual “housekeeping” Wednesday when members elect a new chairperson and vice chairperson, appoint members to the Business Retention, Expansion and Attraction committee, and approve the panel’s 2015 meeting calendar.
Benicia Biz Beat: Loft to host ‘blind’ wine tasting
OWNER JASON DIAVATIS WILL LEAD a blind wine tasting event at 7 p.m. Wednesday at The Loft Wine Bar, 280 First St., during which people can compare at least seven different cabernet sauvignons from around the world, Loft manager Morgan Hill said. Small food plates, by executive chef Nelson Afable, will be available to those […]
Making $ense of Real Estate: First homes
WHENEVER SOMEONE IN THE MORTGAGE OR REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY starts talking about making it easier for folks to buy homes, people start getting nervous, thinking, “Here we go again.” So before I even begin, let me put this qualifier out there: Steps are being taken by the industry to make homeownership more widely available and […]
Benicia Biz Beat: Pet shelter gets boost from Benicia biz
THROUGHOUT DECEMBER, Bay Area Internet Connection (BAIC) Multimedia and Information Technology Solutions will donate a portion of all sales and services to the Humane Society of the North Bay, the Vallejo-based agency that rescues and places homeless pets from Benicia and other areas. Owner C. J. Spurlock, senior IT specialist, said among the services BAIC […]
DBA fills 4 seats for new year
■ One new member for downtown biz group; Vets Day event ‘couldn’t have been better’ One new person will join the Downtown Benicia Alliance board to fill one of four vacant seats beginning in 2015. Three other seats will be filled by members who agreed to return next year.
Making $ense of Real Estate: Recent news — a mixed bag
EVERY YEAR AROUND THIS TIME there always seems to be an unending slew of announcements regarding changes coming in the New Year. In real estate it is no different. Beginning at the end of November, the announcements start streaming in, heralding all the good and not-so-good things we can expect come Jan. 1. So today’s […]