Cementing Benicia’s status as a poetry friendly town, California Poet Laureate Dana Gioia will be coming to Benicia on April 18 to perform some of his poetry. Gioia was born in Hawthorne and graduated from Stanford University, where he edited Stanford’s literary journal Sequoia Magazine. After graduating from business school in 1977, he worked at […]
Benicia high schoolers gearing up for poetry competition
The method of learning by doing is certainly true of poetry. After all, one can learn a lot about becoming a great poet by immersing oneself in the great poetic works and performing them for an audience. That is the basic premise of Poetry Out Loud, a national poetry recitation contest founded by California Poet […]
Historical Society invites community to reflect on mid-20th century Benicia life
As long-time Benicians know, the Benicia of today is not like the Benicia of yesteryear. The population had 20,000 fewer residents, the Arsenal was the largest employer in the city, the Industrial Park did not exist, the area now known as Southampton was undeveloped, there was no bridge to Martinez for cars and Benicia High […]
Rep. Mike Thompson addresses citizens in library coffee talk
U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson, who represents Benicia in the House of Representatives, paid a visit to the Benicia Public Library on Tuesday for a “Coffee with the Congressman” event in the Dona Benicia Room. Attendees enjoyed coffee and pastries and got to ask questions of the Democratic congressman. Below are excerpts of some of […]
Library to provide workshop on smart financial planning for college
Nearly four weeks into the school year, one topic is on the minds of a lot of high school seniors: college. These 12th graders are likely asking themselves such questions as “Where do I want to go to school?,” “What should my major be?” and “What classes should I take when I’m there?” Another important […]
Benicia Film Festival returns for third year
Benicians have often lamented the fact that there is no place in town to see movies. For decades, this function was served by the Majestic Theatre on First Street— also known as The State at various points during its run. From its inception in 1920, it was the place in Benicia to see first-run movies, […]
Newspaper duo and children’s book authors discuss creative process at Benicia Public Library
Many in the community recognize retired columnist Gary Bogue as an inspirational force that has lead the movement in the area to have an awareness of human encroachment on the territory of wild animals, as individuals and as a collective community. The naturalist and wildlife enthusiast has left an incredible legacy of successful conservation […]
League of Women Voters to host 3 separate candidate forums
Election Day is only 88 days away. As Benicia prepares to vote for a mayor, councilmembers, school board trustees, Solano County supervisors, state senators, a congressional representative, a senator and even a new president, expect to see a lot more yard signs and social media posts in the coming months. It would be an understatement […]
Library exhibit encourages viewers to go off the grid
Whether it is sending text messages, browsing social media or catching Pokemon, it is no secret that people these days are glued to their phones and their laptops, rather than spending that same time interacting with others. What if those same users were to refrain from using technology for a period of time and […]
Library gallery exhibit features works by Nikki Basch-Davis
As you read this, the Marilyn Citron O’Rourke Gallery at the Benicia Public Library is filled with “moments,” that is to say, moments created by local plein air painter and Gallery 621 member Nikki Basch-Davis. Basch-Davis has a style that easily catches the eyes of anyone in the same room as her works. Her […]