DENISE AND DENNIS CULLEN, who own Cullen’s Tannery Pub, 131 First St., will celebrate the Valentine’s Day opening of Cullen’s Saloon 7-9 p.m. Saturday with a whiskey and chocolate tasting.

The saloon will specialize in handcrafted spirits tastings and private parties, and the Cullens are planning similar tastings and monthly educational sessions there as a complement to their Cullen’s Pub.

Admission to the saloon’s premiere is $10 at the door, and those attending will have an opportunity to buy tickets to upcoming tasting series.

Pamper Me Week starts Feb. 21

“Pamper Me Week,” the Benicia Main Street-organized annual week of salons, spas and shopping, will be from Feb. 21-27, when residents and visitors can treat themselves to a week of relaxation and shopping in the downtown shopping district.

The annual event is dedicated to “discovering, sampling and shopping for the latest in beauty, wellness and fashion from salons, spas and shops found in downtown Benicia,” Deborah Housman, event coordinator, said.

Participants are All About Beauty Day Spa, 519 First St.; Arlan Nail Spa, 521 First St.; Barbara Patrick Skin, 831 First St.; Christina S, 370 First St.; Chrysalis Skincare, 333-C First St.; Classic Cuts with Dave Nazionale, 602 First St.; Elisabeth’s Hair Design, 601 No. 101 First St.; Elisa’s Closet, 623 First St.; Golden Reef Face and Body Spa, 555 First St. No. 103; Lindsay Art Glass, 109 East F St.; Luxe Hair Color and Design, 360 First St. Miguelena, 555 First St.; Milinda Perry Salon and Consignment, 117 East F St.; Narcissus Salon with Joyce Muzzy and Naomi Pham, 920 First St. No. 201; PS Hair Studio, 638 1/2 First St.; Studio 42, 700 First St.; Tina Marie’s, 131-C First St.; and Wellness Wisdom, 827 First St.

Those interested may visit beniciamainstreet.org/pamper-week-feb-21-27. Maps and promotions are available at Benicia Main Street, 90 First St. Reservations may be needed, and patrons will need to mention “Pamper Me Week” to get event specials.

New affordable day care, Playing To Learn Childcare, opens

Playing To Learn Childcare, 1305 West Second St., a new licensed child care and early learning center in Benicia, is making affordable, full-time child care services available to Solano County families from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., including those in need, owner Deanna Mitchell said.

According to a 2013 Solano County Child Care Report prepared by the California Child Care Resource and Referral Network, 25 percent of Solano County families do not have a choice out of poverty, Mitchell said. “Access to quality, affordable full-time day care is simply unattainable,” she said. “When the choice is housing and food, there is little other choice for families in need. As the report further indicates, finding quality full-time day care is limited, as the resources for families who meet even the median income are dwindling.”

She said governmental studies have shown that children who live at or below poverty level are more likely to remain in poverty into their adult years. “Without access to the basics in early learning and development, we cannot expect families and the future of our children to rise above,” Mitchell said.

“The ramifications of limited access and affordability of quality childcare affect every aspect of our social structure. Affordable care for all families is essential for strengthening our economy and our future leaders of tomorrow.”

Open house and enrollment for Playing to Learn Childcare will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the center. Those interested may contact Mitchell and the center at 707-816-6725 and at playingtolearnchildcare@gmail.com.

The center’s website is www.playingtolearnchildcare.net.

Bottom of the Fifth’s second crab feed Feb. 28

The second annual crab feed at Bottom of the Fifth, 498A Military East St., will be at 7 p.m. on Feb. 28. Those attending will have all-they-can-eat crab, salad, pasta and a complimentary glass of wine. Tickets, sold only in advance, are $35 and are available through the establishment’s bartenders.

The Benicia Herald’s weekly Benicia Business Beat column is an opportunity for local businesses and companies to tell our readers about business-oriented news, such as moves, grand openings, awards, promotion of employees, staff changes and changes in goods and services.

Submissions will be edited for length and content; and need to answer the questions who, what, when, where, why and how, preferably in the body of an email; and provide contact information.

Deadline is 3 p.m. Friday for news items that will appear in the next Tuesday edition’s Benicia Business Beat. Please email news releases and accompanying high-resolution photographs and logos to beniciaherald@gmail.com, and put “Attn. Business Beat” in the subject line, as well as the name of the business.

The Benicia Herald also appreciates area companies’ advertising patronage. For advertising services, call 707-745-0733 or email adsbenicia@yahoo.com.