Floods, earthquakes, and fire, tornadoes and storms conspire to bear down on humanity, possible revenge for its treatment of Mother Earth. The stench of destruction moves through air spreading its message of despair across neighborhoods and continents. Perplexed people in tears gazing to heaven asking why, eyes blinded to the deeper tragedy. Know that this […]
Poetry Corner: Carol Pearlman “The Revolution in Cuba”
I stepped out of my shoes took off my skirt and shirt and laid them next to the bent antenna on the dusty, broken TV set that faced the wall of peeling faded wallpaper. A four-pronged plug lay belly up on the floor like a dead cockroach. He sat on the bed and with his […]
Voice of the Village: Why the flu is often missed in older adults
By Judie Donaldson A couple of readers told me once that they enjoyed my writing. . .when I was humorous. I appreciate that, but darn. That doesn’t happen very often, and it certainly isn’t the case today. Today, I’m talking about illness, about older adults and the flu. I know. You’ve heard that this year’s […]
Poetry Corner: Deborah Silverman “Love and Climate Change”
Love didn’t rush through us like a drenching storm riding the jet stream. It hinted its arrival on a fresh, ordinary day – a day of no cognizance of weather or love, when a Chevy was for cruising and schmoozing and catching the latest flick at the drive-in. Love drizzled lightly into awareness sharing burgers […]
Poetry Corner: Cathy Dana “When She Comes to Me”
She comes to me in my dreams sometimes. Like last night— Jim and I traveling on foot like refugees, or pilgrims amidst so many others searching, hoping to find—what? We weren’t home, weren’t on familiar turf, there were open-air markets, tents and camps. I was standing on the path, a dirt road. Out of the […]
Fairfield police arrest suspect in killing of Benicia man
Staff Report The Fairfield Police Department announced yesterday that they had arrested Derek Dunlap in connection with the Wednesday killing of Benicia resident Alexander Lind. At 6 a.m. Wednesday, Fairfield police received a report of a man down in a parking lot on the 1200 block of Empire Street. Upon arrival, officers found Lind, 28, […]
Letter: Rejection without merit
Rejection without merit The window of opportunity is now closed for present politicians and this year’s announced or presumptive candidates to reconsider their persistent dismissive views on cannabis, even as medicine for many members of our community. Some have acknowledged the efficacy of medicinal cannabis but believe regulated access to medicine is still “not right […]
Throwback Thursday: Herald headlines for the week of Feb. 25, 1943, 1968 and 1993
Compiled by Nick Sestanovich 75 years ago Jail Sentence For Disturbing School (Feb. 25, 1943) Clarence Coats, 19, Benicia youth, was given a 30 day sentence in the county jail in Judge Springer’s court this morning, on complaint of L.H. Hamann, charging Coats with disturbing the peace at the Benicia High school. Sentence was suspended […]
Photo: All you need is love– and poetry
Letter: Benicia deserves better
Benicia deserves better Benicia is the only Bay Area refinery town that does not have the community protection of an Industrial Safety Ordinance, or ISO. In 1999, the city of Richmond and Contra Costa County adopted their interlocking ISOs. The Richmond ordinance mirrors the Contra Costa ISO, and Contra Costa County Hazardous Materials Division is […]