Compiled by Nick Sestanovich

75 years ago

“E” Pennant Awarded To A Group At Benicia Arsenal (Dec. 17, 1942)

A unique and unusual ceremony for awarding the “E” pennant was observed at the Benicia Arsenal last week in commemoration of the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

…

A similar ceremony was held by the “A” group of the Property Section in the Old Headquarters Building where Col. O’Leary, commanding officer of Benicia Arsenal, presented the “E” pennant to H.W. Nelson, head of the “A” group.

Walter Ridgeway reported the Bond and Stamp drive amounted to more than $12,000.

Besides Col. O’Leary, the ceremonies were attended by Lt. Col. Ralph Bowerman, Captain Bratton and Captain Johnson.

50 years ago

Benicia May Become Area Cultural Point (Dec. 14, 1967)

By Charlotte M. Pruitt

Benicia, now in the grip of an industrial expansion, just could be caught up in a cultural explosion in Northern California that may have its focal point here.

Planned by the College of Creative Arts of John F. Kennedy University, Martinez, this newest venture is scheduled to debut in March with the sixteenth century play “Broken Heart” by John Ford, a contemporary of Shakespeare.

The university recently acquired 188 acres of choice land on the outskirts of Benicia along Gibson Freeway. Construction of the proposed four-year residential campus hinges on federal grants which the board of regents is seeking.

Whatever the outcome, Ray Salmon of Benicia, dean of the College of Creative Arts at JFK, has gone ahead with theater planning by acquiring use of the Old Clock Tower on the Benicia Arsenal property, courtesy of Benicia Industries. The offer includes utilities and use of the historic building until a permanent theater is constructed on the proposed Benicia campus.

25 years ago

Live music will go on along First (Dec. 13, 1992)

By Sarah Rohrs

Despite some noise complaints from nearby Pointe Benicia residents, Captain Blythers will continue to book live bands for another six months until the Planning Commission reviews the First Street restaurant’s use permit again.

Planning commissioners Thursday unanimously approved a six-month use permit t allow the waterfront restaurant to offer live musical entertainment up until 2 a.m. weekends, but to ensure that upstairs doors and windows remain closed during performances.

Commissioners put Captain Blythers general manager Al Schlette on notice that if nearby residents continued to complain about excessive noise, the city could revoke the use permit either when the six-month review period is over or earlier if they so determine.

“I hope we get some compliance,” commissioner Norman Gonsalves warned.

Both city planners and nearby residents noted musical entertainment at the First Street restaurant had been quiet until recently. Bands playing sicne early November have provoked noise complaints and exceeded maximum levels on the city’s noise meter, Associate Planner Arletta Cortright said.

Schlette said bands playing in the upstairs bar have been informed that if they violate the noise ordinance, they no longer will be able to perform at the restaurant.

“We’re doing everything possible at Captain Blythers to comply with the city and the neighbors…It’s our every intention to live up to what the city expects of us, especially our neighbors,” Schlette said.

The full articles of these and other stories are available on microfilm at the Benicia Public Library.