I’ve heard more times than I can count that the trick to being confident is “fake it ’till you make it.” It’s a theory I’d never tested out, not until the day I called the Benicia Herald with the goal of securing an internship. I was riled up about some forgotten grievance, and I decided […]
Letters: Kudos to Jasmine
Kudos to Jasmine It is always a pleasure to read the contributions of Jasmine Weis to the Benicia Herald. Her pieces, whether they deal with holiday customs around the world, “10 Neat Facts About Benicia,” or the angst of applying to college, are always thoughtful, engaging and highly readable. Ms. Weis’ latest piece, in the […]
Jasmine Weis: Arts, electives need to be supported at Benicia High School
There’s a running joke my dad used to make to describe Benicia schools to non-Benicians, and it went a little something like, “At Benicia Middle/High School, the band kids make fun of the football players!” My father, the master of hyperbolic comic relief, may have been stretching the truth (I have yet to witness a […]
Easter traditions in the United States and Europe
Does the word “Easter” conjure up images of chocolate bunnies and Easter eggs? Or does it bring to mind the resurrection of Jesus Christ, or the end of Lent? Do you think of flying kites, exploding carts or mystery novels? What about witches and bonfires? Believe it or not, these are all ways the versatile […]
A history of daylight saving time
If you woke up Sunday feeling a little less rested than usual, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Every year, on the second Sunday of March, Americans scramble to set the clocks forward, adjusting the time on everything from their watches to their microwaves. Advancing the hour is in keeping with the time honored tradition of […]
Valentine’s Day traditions around the world
Every Feb. 14, Americans shell out an estimated $19 billion for their loved ones in commemoration of Valentine’s Day. This means over 150 million cards will be sent to mailboxes and doorsteps, 100 million roses will be purchased and distributed and $4.5 billion will find its way into the pockets of jewelers across the country. […]
Christmas traditions around the world
When you hear the word Christmas, do you think of banana trees, hiding brooms and trips to the sauna? If not, that’s probably because you haven’t experienced Christmas in other parts of the world. For the U.S., Christmas is synonymous with Santa Claus and gift giving, but in many other countries, this isn’t the case. […]
Jasmine Weis: A look at Halloween traditions around the world
Halloween is a cherished holiday in the USA, with 93 percent of kids and 68 percent of adults celebrating the day, and an estimated $6.9 billion being spent on costumes, candy and decorations-and that’s just for last year! With Oct. 31 just around the corner, everyone is scrambling to put together last minute costumes and […]