By Keri Luiz
Assistant Editor

Elizabeth d’Huart, executive director of the Benicia Historical Museum and newly selected chair of the Tourism Committee of the Economic Development Board, told that committee Thursday that a winner had been chosen in the museum’s “Name the Camel” contest involving a donated antique carousel camel.

There’s only one problem, d’Huart said: She can’t locate the winner.

“I can’t find her,” she told other members of the committee. “If you know her, her name is Anne Nunes. I’ve been trying to get in touch with her.”

Nunes suggested the name — which has yet to be announced publicly — that was deemed superior to the other 144 entries in the contest that was held during the museum’s annual Christmas tree fundraiser.

The camel is one of hundreds of camels and camel-related items donated to the museum by the estate of Saratoga Springs, N.Y. philanthropist Phyllis Edwards Dake, who once visited the museum on a trip through Benicia. A rotating exhibit of the collection is scheduled to begin in March, d’Huart said.

“It is going to be attended by the son of the woman who bequeathed her collection,” she said.

D’Huart also said the museum also will extend its exhibit, Freedom is a Hard Bought Thing, about the African-American experience in Benicia and Northern California, through the end of February. “We had scheduled that to end in December, but with Black History Month in February and the resurgence of interest in Abraham Lincoln, that show continues,” she said.

And “we have a concert coming Saturday, Men of Worth. We would love for you to come to that,” she said.

In other business, the committee heard a recap of Tuesday’s meeting of the Art Walk Committee from Pat Ryll.

Ryll, who was selected to remain the Tourism Committee’s vice chair on Thursday, said “The energy was flying!” during discussion earlier in the week of ideas for this year’s monthly Art Walk events, which occur the second Saturday of each month.

She said Arts Benicia board member Bob Nelson shared ideas gleaned from Sacramento’s Art Walk and the ArtAbout in Davis.

“He told us about all of the things that he had heard, some of the foibles in Sacramento. Bob brought stuff that was good, it was wonderful, and also things as they progressed, how they changed the hours to make it more exciting,” Ryll said.

She said the Art Walk Committee also considered more children-oriented activities, partnering with Arts Benicia’s youth, sidewalk chalk art and possible involvement with local teachers.

“We talked about moving some of the art from the businesses from the inside to the outside so there is more of a sidewalk art thing, and more demos perhaps,” she said, and proposals were made to involved school bands and members of Benicia Old Town Theater Group.

“No holds barred here, guys,” Ryll said.

In keeping with the art focus, Arts Benicia Director Larnie Fox told the committee of the upcoming Art of a Community show.

“This is our annual show where anybody who is a member can show anything. The opening is (Jan.) 19th at 7 p.m.,” he said.

Also, Leah Shelhorn gave a brief update of the newly formed Benicia Downtown Alliance.

“We’re still doing housekeeping,” she said. After their February meeting, the meetings will be open.

“We will be communicating with the business owners and public at large, it will be an open situation,” Ryll said. “We will be looking for great communication.”