Galen Kusic, Editor The Benicia art scene continues to grow with the opening of Arata Fine Art Gallery at 637 First St. which is owned and operated by Geraldine “Geri” Arata Pruett and John Pruett. The gallery relocated from San Francisco and officially opened its doors on Nov. 24 of last year, but held its […]
Benicians celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
BENICIA – As we enter Black History Month, and reflect on the African American story and contribution to our country’s larger story, here are some pictures from, and a summary of, our fourth annual Benicia MLK Day celebration, held on Martin Luther King Day, January 21, 2019. The event was organized by the Benicia MLK […]
Violin soloist to perform with Vallejo Symphony at Empress Theatre
Galen Kusic, Editor Classical music lovers are in for a treat. On Feb. 10, renowned violinist Alina Kobialka will join the Vallejo Symphony to perform Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 3 at the Empress Theatre. Kobialka, 19, currently attends the Cleveland Institute of Music where she studies under Ilya Kaler. The soloist phenom is a San […]
9 BMS students accepted to North Bay Honor Band
Galen Kusic, Editor Nine Benicia Middle School students were accepted to the 2019 North Bay Honor Band. Following a two-day rehearsal, the concert took place at Pioneer High School in Woodland, Calif. On Jan. 20. “It’ll be nice to let the town know what a great music program we have. There are many talented students in […]
NorCal Rapist charged with 28 new counts of sexual assault
Staff Report Roy Charles Waller, 59, of Benicia, known as the “NorCal Rapist,” was charged with 28 new counts last week in addition to the dozen felony sexual assault charges he was arrested for in September. The charges stem from a long list of heinous crimes he allegedly committed dating back to 1991. Waller, a […]
U.S. Congresswoman Jackie Speier to speak at Benicia Public Library
Benicia – The Benicia Public Library is pleased to present a book talk by U.S. Congresswoman Jackie Speier on Thursday, January 31, 2019 at 7 p.m. at the library, 150 East L Street in Benicia. Forty years after the Jonestown massacre changed her life, Congresswoman Speier tells her extraordinary story in “Undaunted: Surviving Jonestown, Summoning […]
New Bay-Delta magazine, ‘SOUNDINGS’ launches
Galen Kusic Editor Photojournalist Rich Turner recently announced the launch of the regional publication Soundings, where he serves as publisher/editor and features a multitude of journalism platforms focused on Bay-Delta art, culture and the environment. Featuring artists, photographers, first-person narratives, historical and scientific essays, long-form journalism and fiction, the magazine revolves around the fascinating […]
Mrs. B’s Blather: What may a columnist have to offer?
Nick Sestanovich is leaving the Benicia Herald as editor. He has done an admirable job in a career that is fading from view: print news. Why buy a newspaper when you can have CNN on all day or Fox News and get your “fake news” quota for the day? I feel for Nick’s plight along […]
Jeff Burkhart’s “Rhyme and Reason”: Blue
My heart bleeds for blue It’s the color of pain That the writers of song Use to write sad refrains But to me blue can be Such a comforting sight That I’ve seen in the ocean And in the sky’s light And so here is my message To all that will listen; “Look up to […]
A Different Drummer: I got turned around in high school
I made it through high school without a clue. I didn’t know why I was there or where I was going. I don’t recall having too many trips to the guidance counselor. I didn’t have a complex life plan. Go to school, then work. School was not a means, but an end, something I had […]