The past 10 years have been difficult for tree farmers, especially on the West Coast. They have had to deal with droughts, fires and an overall shortage. Nonetheless, the Benicia Historical Museum has managed to soldier on, selling sustainably farmed Christmas trees at affordable prices with the proceeds benefiting two local nonprofits for the eighth […]
Museum fundraiser remains popular despite national tree shortage
Throwback Thursday: Herald headlines for the week of Dec. 3, 1942, 1967 and 1992
Compiled by Nick Sestanovich 75 years ago Mayor and City Attorney Report on Tannery (Dec. 3, 1942) Mayor Charles G. Clyne and City Attorney Harold Simon who went to Los Angeles recently in the interest of the Benicia Tannery sale, reported at the City Council Tuesday night that up to that time […]
Here comes Santa Claus
You better watch out. You better not cry. You better not pout and here’s why: Santa Claus is coming to town. That’s right, Santa comes to Benicia a little early on Saturday, Dec. 9 to visit with all the little girls and boys. First, he will be present for Benicia Main Street’s annual Christmas Parade […]
Photo: Stringing up the Capitol lights
Poetry Corner: Krandall Kraus “He Went Back Once”
He went back once – just before the end. Back to his beginnings. He wanted to stand at the precise place where his mother lay shuddering in darkness, bleeding him into the urine-drenched hay. He wished to smell the air, touch that spot where his life began, holy not for his earthly coming, but for […]
Jeff Burkhart’s “Rhyme and Reason Countdown to Christmas”: Christmas Presence
Well, Christmas Day is finally upon us, and my small gift to the world is delivered and done with the installment of today’s poem. I would like to thank each and every one of you stalwart souls for reading this assemblage of material. And as for those of you that have left a kind word, […]
A Different Drummer: Giving gifts that keep on giving
If you could only buy one gift for someone, would it be practical or fun? Would it be a work of art or a down payment on a car? What would you rather receive, a wildly creative sculpture for your living room that elicits appreciative remarks from guests, or a set of power tools for […]
Jeff Burkhart’s “Rhyme and Reason Countdown to Christmas”: Santa Claus (The Untold Story)
When Santa Claus was 21, December 24th His father bade him to the sleigh, the two of them set forth In case you didn’t know it, Santa’s pass from dad to son So this young man was destined to, become the 41 The tenure of each Santa Claus, is 50 long hard years Santa’s […]
Jeff Burkhart’s “Rhyme and Reason Countdown to Christmas”: My Greatest Christmas (A Very Short Story and an Open Letter To My Mother Dorothy 2/21/1924 – 12/24/2008)
As I sat by her bedside, my Mother lay quietly. She was breathing the last of her allotted breaths here on Earth. My mind wandered back to my childhood, trying to make sense of it all. I thought back to Christmas Eves gone by. Christmas always brings my Mother to the front and center of […]