A WEIGHTLIFTER WHO BECAME AN INSTRUCTOR AND TRAINER at Knuckle Up Training Center in Vallejo and who is certified to teach multiple classes, from sports nutrition to Vinyasa power yoga, is opening Training Loft 714 at 714 First St. Its first day will be Saturday, April 12.

Denise Brazeal began weightlifting at 20, gaining respect from male bodybuilders at a time when women rarely were seen in a weight room. She took her fitness class at 26 at the encouragement of a friend.

That led to her work at the Vallejo training center, “where I grew and developed who I am today as an instructor and trainer,” she said. She became known for her intense cardio sculpt classes.

Brazeal entered her first figure competition three years ago. “I called on everything I had learned over the years and put my heart and soul into the 19 weeks leading up to the show,” she said. She came home with a first in her division.

She also discovered others wanted to compete, and they asked her help in the preparatory training, she said. “This is when the Knockout Competition Team was born,” she said.

Brazeal competed in five more National Physique Committee and International Natural Bodybuilding Association shows and received her professional card in the Professional Natural Bodybuilding Association.

“I now have 20 amazing women ranging in age from 20 to 53 who have proven that you can be healthy, strong and beautiful at any age,” she said.

Brazeal decided to branch out on her own and open her own gym in Benicia. She bases her training on four elements she said are key to health success: cardio exercise for fat loss, weight training for muscle building and body shaping, nutrition for health, and yoga “to connect with one’s inner self,” she said.

“This is not a place where you pay a membership, take a class and go home,” she said. “This studio was designed to give a person everything they need to succeed in weight loss and body transformation, all in one place.

“A member of Training Loft 714 has unlimited access to all cardio, sculpting, TRX, weight training and Vinyasa power yoga classes, clean eating workshops and monthly progress tracking with a certified personal trainer.”

Training Loft 714’s hours are 8 a.m. to noon and 4-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to noon Fridays through Sundays. It also has personal and group training, specialty classes and private training during off hours.

Dogs get new homes at Pups N’ Purrz Adoption Day

Eight dogs have new homes after they made appearances at Pups N’ Purrz, 422 First St., said James Long, owner.

Umbrella of Hope bought adoptable dogs to the pet store April 5, and new owners took home Dawn, Billy, Bona, Cardidi, Clorox, Eddy Cougar, Natalia and Nadaja, Long said.

It was a return trip for Umbrella of Hope, which brought animals March 15 to Pups N’ Purrz. During that visit, Romeo, Swiffer, Mina, Arrow and Venus were adopted.

Dailey Method Benicia offers cycling classes

Dailey Method Benicia, 991 Lincoln St., has added cycling classes to its schedule this month, owner Jasmine Powers said. The classes began the first week of April.

“I am thrilled to debut Dailey Cycle and give our students more opportunities to burn caolories and find balance,” she said.

She said the class “is a wonderful addition to the Dailey Method’s proprietary one-hour fitness class, combining athletic ballet barre work, core conditioning, stretching and orthopedic exercises in an encouraging environment.”

Powers trained under Dailey Method founder Jill Dailey McIntosh, who began the system in San Francisco. The cycling class joins such instruction as Gentle Dailey, Principles and mixed- and interval-level classes.

A children’s room is available Monday through Friday for several of the classes. Reservations and pricing are available by calling the studio 707-751-1530.

Those interested in memberships, including new client packages, other packages and discounts for military personnel and those 55 and older may visit www.thedaileymethod.com/benicia.html or email benicia@thedaileymethod.com.

Benicia Main Street downtown art appreciation contest announced

Shoppers have the opportunity to win $100 in Downtown Dollars in an art-related contest Benicia Main Street will have throughout the month.

“For the month of April, we celebrate all that is art in downtown Benicia,” Benicia Main Street Executive Director Nancy Martinez said.

Those who want to enter simply find a favorite piece of art in a downtown business, take a photo and email it to info@beniciamainstreet.org, she said.

“Art is purely subjective, so there’s no limit to what you deem as art. We want to see what inspires you!” Martinez said.

Those who make a purchase at the business and show Main Street employees the receipt get a double entry in the contest, she said.

The contest runs through April 30.

‘Spiritual Movie Night’ at Angel Heart 4 You

The Center for Spiritual Living Solano Bayside will have its Spiritual Movie Night at 7 p.m. Friday, featuring “People v. The State of Illusion,” by Austin Vickers, at Angel Heart 4 You, 501 First St.

Admission is free, but a donation of $5 is welcome, organizers said.

“People v. The State of Illusion” is a 53-minute feature film that explores the power and science of imagination, the patterns of thinking and their impact on life, how science looks at imagination and how changes in perception can create more success, said the Rev. Elizabeth Rowley, founder and spiritual director of the Center for Spiritual Living Solano Bayside.

A film that involves its viewers, it lets them hear from those involved in the fields of neuroscience, biochemistry, psychology, quantum physics and consciousness theory, such as Dr. Thomas Moore, Dr. Candace Pert, Debbie Ford, Dr. Joe Dispenza, Dr. Robert Jahn, Dr. Peter Senge, Brenda Dunne, and Dr. Michael Vandermark.

Those interested may email cslsb.info@gmail.com.

A preview of the film is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CU-XoWezRww&noredirect=1.

Total Home, Garden Show Friday through Sunday in Fairfield

The fifth annual Total Home and Garden Show will open Friday and run through Sunday in the Specialty Events Center, 300 Chadbourne Road, Fairfield.

Hours are noon to 6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

“In our rebounding economy, it’s time to get serious about spring home renovations: remodeling, landscaping, painting, organizing, decorating, adding a patio, or installing an outdoor kitchen,” said M.J. Maruda, director of special events.

“The best in the Solano home improvement industry will all be here,” Maruda said.

Those who attend can get advice from professionals about adding value, curb appeal and energy efficiency to their homes.

The Home and Garden Show will have 345 vendor booths and other exhibitors, showing new products.

“Going green is not only good for the planet, it is also great for the wallet as a way to dramatically reduce water and power bills,” Maruda said.

Vendors will be available to explain conservation methods and will offer show-only specials on their products.

The show’s food court, next to its Beer, Wine and Margarita Sports Lounge, has been updated. Children playing in the Kiddie Corral can see the Easter Bunny all three days and participate in other activities.

Elvis tribute artist Rick Torres will perform from 2-4 p.m. Friday and will be available for pictures with his pink Cadillac.

The BloodSource Bloodmobile will be at the admission entrance from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Participants who donate will receive a discounted admission to the show and get a free BloodSource T-shirt. Donors also can register for rewards and redeem accrued points online for such items such as $5 Togo’s gift card, Baskin-Robbins ice cream coupon, movie tickets and more, Maruda said.

Admission is $7 for adults, and those interested may register online at www.totalhomeandgardenshow.com to get a $2 discount. Admission for children ages 3 to 12 is $3. Entrance for those 60 and older and military personnel with ID is $6.

Those 60 and older can visit Friday’s show for $3. Those who donate blood Sunday will be admitted for $3.

The show is sponsored by Home Depot, Greiner Heating and Air Conditioning, Solano Town Center and Alkar Human Resources.

Comcast starts ‘Innovations 4 Entrepreneurs’ to help local business owners

Comcast Business has started a new program through Inc. Magazine to help local business owners in Benicia and elsewhere who are seeking financial, technology and consulting assistance, said Jacqueline Brown, Edelman account executive.

The program is called “Innovations 4 Entrepreneurs,” and through a competition will award more than $600,000 in cash and services to aspiring entrepreneurs, Brown said.

Individuals will compete for $25,000 in cash and additional Comcast Business services, including complimentary use of premium cloud applications from Comcast partners Cisco, Microsoft, Symantic, DocuSign, Soonr and Swiftpage Engage.

Among the consultant services will be that of Marcus Lemonis, of CNBC’s “The Profit,” and celebrity chef Robert Irvine.

“Technology can transform a small business, and we want to elevate and recognize those entrepreneurs that are using it to make a difference for their customers and employees with the Innovations 4 Entrepreneurs program,” said Terry Connell, Comcast Business senior vice president.

“Across our growing customer base, Comcast Business sees so many incredible stories about how innovative uses of technology help create exciting, profitable businesses,” Connell said.

“This program will show what can happen when these promising companies receive the funding and tools they need to take on the challenges of owning and running their own business.”

Entrants submit an essay, which will be judged. Two winners will be chosen from each of the 16 Comcast Business regions, one for best use of technology to enhance the customer experience, and one for best use of technology to enhance the employee experience, Brown said.

She said entries will be judged by John Jantsch, marketing consultant, speaker and author, and Anita Campbell, founder, chief executive officer and publisher of “Small Business Trends.”

From the 32 regional winners, six will be chosen as grand prize winners. In addition to cash and services, those six will receive an expenses-paid trip to New York for their consultations. They’ll also get to tour 30 Rockefeller Center and attend an awards dinner prepared by Irvine, Brown said.

Business owners who want to enter may visit www.business.comcast.com/i4E to submit their application and essay, and to review program details.
Entries are due April 30.

Regional winners will be notified the week of May 19. Public voting on the 32 regional winners will take place from May 20 to June 1.

The six grand prize winners will be announced the week of June 30. The New York awards event will be in August, Brown said.

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

Submissions 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.