A law’s designed to stop someone, from doing something wrong As time goes on the list of laws, continues to grow long Politicians meet and pass, new edicts every year To keep us from committing, the behaviors that they fear Each one has their own platform, made laws they hope to pass 10 or twenty […]
Dennis Lund: The ‘death’ of Stax Records and the Lorraine Hotel
At a recent concert featuring Booker T. Jones, of Booker T. and the M.G.’s fame, the 74-year-old Jones reminisced a bit regarding his long career, specifically his work at Stax Records in Memphis, Tenn. The music produced at the makeshift studio– it was a converted movie theater– was special for a variety of reasons. The […]
A Different Drummer: The Montreal underground (Part 2)
Susan, Patricia, Gino and I were driving to Montreal in his Tundra on holiday. We had rented a downtown flat on AirBnB. From the pictures, it was a beautiful place, tidy, clean, nestled on a quiet residential tree-lined street, a few blocks from interesting nightlife destinations. Wrong. The homeowner did not update her web photos […]
Editorial: Lending support to the Capital Gazette staff
Our hearts at the Benicia Herald go out to the family, friends and co-workers of the five employees of the Capital Gazette in Annapolis, Md. who were shot and killed Thursday afternoon as well as the several others who were injured. It is a tragedy that has left people shook since the news broke, especially […]
Voice of the Village: She acts like she’s 25, not 85!
By Judie Donaldson She’s 85 and looks like she couldn’t weigh more than 90 pounds. She works out every day with a personal trainer, and can do more pushups that most men in their 40s and 50s. It’s not unusual for her to be working at her desk until four in the morning. “Saturday Night […]
The Truth About Cruising (Part 8): All those memorable people
The Benicia Fullosopher MEMORABLE PEOPLE As either dance instructors or speakers, our contracts required extensive socializing with the guests. One luxury line said that fifty percent of our rating was based on how much and how well we socialized. It was our job to make guests feel comfortable at all times; thus, we were forbidden […]
The A Cappella Handyman: Songwriting in Benicia
Seriously? Who writes songs in Benicia? I know this old eccentric guy in Benicia, lives up in the hills, comes down from time to time to water his dogs and attends open mics and occasionally sings a song he’s written at a BenLit event at the Rellik Tavern on First Street or maybe at an […]
Benicia Letters Once More: The Strong Silent Type
The following “letter” is part of the continuing series from the unpublished novel by James Garrett, “Benicia Letters Once More”. He does not plan to publish the book but instead is choosing to share the letters with the readers of the Benicia Herald. The letters continue the storyline of Garrett’s first novel “Benicia and Letters […]
Mrs. B’s Blather: What endears us to people growing up in the Deep South? (Guest column by Larry Fullington)
Larry Fullington has a spring in his step at 87 and a witty retort that brings a smile to your face. I had an inkling that he could write. This piece gives us a chance to see what this funny guy is really about. Enjoy! Recollections of J. Sweetpants Goodbody By Larry Fullington I’ve been […]
A Different Drummer: Long day’s journey into night (Part 1)
Hope you’re ready for this four-part misadventure. We weren’t. But as they say, that which does not destroy us… First, thank you all for tolerating my two-week rant on woodworking blunders. During that time, I was on the road, away from a keyboard. I’m back now in one piece and somewhat ready to relive our […]