2016 marked the centennial of the Robert Treat Hotel in Newark, N.J. Named after the city’s founder, the 14-story building had its grand opening on May 17, 1916. Among the first guests were then-President Woodrow Wilson and his wife Edith, who stayed in what would eventually be known as the President’s Suite. For the next […]
Jeff Burkhart’s “Rhyme and Reason Countdown to Christmas”: The Miracle Maker
I live in the light, of a flickering flame Long ago I had hopes, and had flesh and a name It’s been many years, since I met my reward And awakened aware, in the light of the Lord ‘Twas a cold Christmas Eve, when I breathed my last breath And I prayed to bring peace, […]
James Garrett: Veterans deserve a ‘Welcome home’
Simply sharing because things are on my mind, and I feel the need to write. Maybe it is editorializing, but here it is for whatever it is worth to anyone. A few years ago, Roberta and I went Christmas shopping. At one of our stops she needed to enter a store alone, and I needed […]
Poetry Corner: James Garrett “Rings”
The weight grew heavy on the fingers. The ghost of love, once new, still lingers. Once they were bright, shiny, and new. Made by jewelers in sets of two. To first be blessed when hearts were united. Drawn together by the vows they recited. Near to their mates throughout the day, Feeling the love their […]
Matt Talbot: Some thoughts on the 2016 election
Before I get to this week’s column, dear readers, I’d like to apologize for my absence the last few weeks. I had several urgent life events that needed my full attention (John Lennon once famously quipped that “life is what happens while you’re making your plans”), but I am now back and ready for further […]
Jeff Burkhart’s “Rhyme and Reason Countdown to Christmas”: Trêve de Noël (The Christmas Miracle)
December the 8th, 2015. Let this be our first day of Christmas. In this tumultuous world, I think a day of calm, peace and brotherhood might be in order. There is a conventional wisdom that we, (the world), are once again embroiled in a World War with terrorists that would do harm to innocents. History […]
Mrs. B’s Blather: Why do we give parties?
Over the years my husband, Marshall, and I gave large parties for significant birthdays- 40, 50, 60, 70. Some of these parties were surprise parties and some were not. They all included lots of food, music and conviviality. They all included some level of angst. However, none were as troubling as the latest fiesta hosted […]
Benicia High students take top prize at Santa Cruz Forestry Challenge
Last year, seven Benicia High School students joined science teacher Emily Hudson to participate in the Santa Cruz Forestry Challenge, a competitive event held at Redwood Christian Park in Boulder Creek. After three nights of learning how to identify and measure trees, becoming familiar with forestry tools and creating a script for an application to […]
Jeff Burkhart’s “Rhyme and Reason”: A Friday Drive
I went for a drive, it was the day after Thanksgiving The merchants all were busy, hey; they have to make a living Friday was its blackest, and the malls were overflowing With the fervor of the shoppers, and their comings and their goings Radio commercials, were a jingle, jingle, jingle As they warned the […]
Letters: The Electoral College and Dennis Lund
Electoral College debate I am not a Trump supporter, but I do believe in reason. According to most news accounts, Clinton won the popular vote by about 2 million votes, and many believe we should change the system so she wins. However, she won California by about 3.4 million votes (source: www.cnn.com/election). That means Trump […]