by Keri Luiz Assistant Editor Paul Psarras is returning to Vallejo on Friday, this time to the Bay Terrace Theater, for a classical guitar performance produced by Vallejo Symphony publicist Tim Zumwalt. Psarras, speaking with The Herald earlier this month, said his repertoire will be varied, including “some things from various time periods, Renaissance, Baroque, […]
City biz group talks assessments, collections
By Keri Luiz Assistant Editor The Downtown Benicia Alliance had its second public meeting Monday since forming in the wake of the establishment of the Benicia Business Improvement District. Amid organizational matters such as Brown Act training, conducted by City Attorney Heather McLaughlin, the new nonprofit group’s board — and a few members of the […]
BUSD board OKs move to even-year elections, cuts to staff
By Keri Luiz Assistant Editor After saying goodbye to one of their own, Benicia Unified School District trustees voted last week to approve reductions in certificated (teaching) and classified (non-teaching) staff, and to change board elections from odd to even numbered years. Trustee Dana Dean gave an emotional farewell in announcing her move to fill […]
Calendar picks up for VSO
❒ Next 2 months to feature spring concert, 3 supporting shows By Keri Luiz Assistant Editor Four musical events in March and April will make for a busy spring for the Vallejo Symphony Orchestra, which its publicist expects will build on a successful 2012. The season of music gets started with a familiar face who […]
Trustee moves up to county ed board
Dana Dean’s departure leaves vacancy on district panel By Keri Luiz Assistant Editor Dana Dean resigned from the Benicia Unified School District Board of Trustees on Thursday after announcing her appointment to replace John Galvan on the Solano County Board of Education, effective March 1. “The BUSD is a better place because of your leadership,” […]
Area youth get Arts Benicia showcase
Every school represented By Keri Luiz Assistant Editor The doors to Arts Benicia’s newest exhibit, Next Generation, featuring artwork by Benicia students, had only been open for a few minutes Thursday when the first visitors wandered in. Among them were the parents of a student at Liberty High School. They had come to see their […]
Downtown alliance gets down to business
By Keri Luiz Assistant Editor The Downtown Benicia Alliance will have its second meeting Monday since forming after the establishment of a city business improvement district. “This is to see who wants to do things,” Chairperson Leah Shelhorn said.
Another round of reductions in schools?
Enrollment drop blamed for threat to staff positions By Keri Luiz Assistant Editor The passage of Proposition 30 last fall was supposed to mean teachers and other Benicia Unified School District staff didn’t need to worry about layoffs or staff reductions this year. But because of declining enrollment and what Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources […]
Soul Sista: Singer to shine at Empress
■ Sista Monica brings incomparable voice to Vallejo theater showcase By Keri Luiz Assistant Editor The “Lioness of Blues” is coming to Vallejo. Sista Monica Parker, nominated the last two years as Best Soul Blues Female Artist in the country by the Blues Foundation, will take a break from touring nationally and internationally to make […]
Arborist group returns for yearly tree ascension
Workshop, in 8th year, to teach climbing basics By Keri Luiz Assistant Editor A nonprofit specializing in rescue and safety training will descend on — and ascend in — Benicia this week. As part of its mission to promote safety in climbing, the California Arborists Association returns Friday to City Park for its annual climbing […]