By Keri Luiz Assistant Editor He was a favorite son of Benicia, and, late in life, a controversial figure. “A Troublesome Subject: The Art of Robert Arneson” may be the most comprehensive book on the internationally known artist who was born, raised, and lived most of his life in Benicia. Its author, Dr. Jonathan Fineberg, […]
Guv’s proposal would bring much less money to BUSD
By Keri Luiz Assistant Editor Changes are coming to the way California funds school districts, Chief Business Official Tim Rahill told Benicia Unified School District trustees on Thursday. And if a proposal by Gov. Jerry Brown passes the Legislature, the change would mean much less money for Benicia schools, he said.
Artists open up: Annual ‘Open Studios’ gives visitors rare look at the making of art in Benicia
By Keri Luiz Assistant Editor Seventy artists will open their studio doors to the public this weekend for Arts Benicia’s annual Open Studios. That’s a whole lot of artistic insight. Because hitting 70 studios in two days would be daunting to even the most determined art enthusiast, Arts Benicia has a strategy for visitors to […]
Veteran BUSD official to retire
■ Some caught by surprise as director of special services ends 28-year district career By Keri Luiz Assistant Editor Dr. Linda Cole’s retirement announcement caught some in the Benicia Unified School District by surprise. And it saddened everyone associated with Benicia schools. The director of special services announced her intentions last week. But she insisted […]
Trustee ready to ‘dig in’
■ Newly appointed Peter Morgan’s first BUSD board meeting is this Thursday By Keri Luiz Assistant Editor Last week the Benicia Unified School District Board of Trustees voted to fill an empty seat in their midst, appointing new member Peter Morgan from among six applicants vying to replace Dana Dean. But there’s no time for a […]
Trustees choose new member
Out of six candidates, attorney Peter Morgan appointed to replace Dana Dean By Keri Luiz Assistant Editor The BUSD Board of Trustees has a new member: Peter Morgan. The board gathered Wednesday for a special meeting to select a replacement for Dana Dean, who resigned in March when she was appointed to the Solano County […]
School board to pick new member
■ Special session to fill seat left vacant by Dana Dean’s March move to county education panel By Keri Luiz Assistant Editor The resignation of Dana Dean from the Benicia Unified School District Board of Trustees on March 6 created a vacancy. At a special meeting on Wednesday, the board will seek to fill that […]
Teachers’ 5% raise approved
New contract OK’d by school board unanimously; union overwhelmingly supported new pact By Keri Luiz Assistant Editor The Benicia Unified School District Board of Trustees approved a new contract Thursday between the district and the Benicia Teachers Association. Carleen Maselli, president of the BTA, spoke briefly during public comment, saying her union’s vote in favor […]
City eyes new IP bus hub
By Keri Luiz Assistant Editor The Economic Development Board on Wednesday gave city staff feedback on a proposed $1.2 million Benicia Industrial Park transit hub. The project involves the purchase of 1 acre at the corner of Park Road and Industrial Way and the construction of a bus hub for Fairfield and Suisun Transit (FAST), […]
Thriving scene: Mosaic Project, Open Studios make for busy, artful spring
By Keri Luiz Assistant Editor The newest Arts Benicia exhibition was receiving its finishing touches Wednesday as Mary Shaw, exhibition coordinator, and her husband, Andy, applied a series of 7-square-inch art tiles to a wall of the nonprofit’s Arsenal gallery with efficiency and care. The Mosaic Project, now in its third year, is on display […]