I used to imagine a sell-out crowd at the Majestic Theater on First Street and then in later years it moved to the stage at the Rellik Tavern also on First. It’s good to have an Ace in the Hole card to fuel you through your working day. Just about an hour’s worth of my […]
Benicia Letters Once More: Karma
The following “letter” is part of the continuing series from the unpublished novel by James Garrett, “Benicia Letters Once More”.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 […]
A Different Drummer: In search of ramen
I just returned from two trips to Berkeley. The first trip Susan and I went to the Shattuck Cinema and saw the new Japanese documentary, “Ramen Heads.” Then we walked to a nearby ramen restaurant called Ippuku on Center Street, which is an izakaya, meaning they serve brief meals, appetizers, and drinks in a casual […]
Voice of the Village: Five women, two dogs and a houseboat
By Judie Donaldson Before it closed, Studio 41, the classy Benicia gift shop that was an institution on First Street for years, sold an item that I often purchased as a gift. It was a cocktail napkin, yes, a cocktail napkin. Its appeal was in the message that was printed on it, which read, […]
The A Cappella Handyman: Notes on Design
Notes on Design/The Magic of the Moon I always felt there could be a wedding of the arts and sciences as much as there could be a union of our reason and our passion. So having been schooled in the heat and sweat of a summer-like science, I longed for the fall and the magic […]
A Vibrant Faith for the 21st Century: John Piper, Rachel Held Evans, and #MeToo
By Rev. Henry Sun Special to the Herald “I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner.” (1 Timothy 2:12-14 […]
Benicia Letters Once More: We Called That Love
The following “letter” is part of the continuing series from the unpublished novel by James Garrett, “Benicia Letters Once More”.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 might we learn from reality shows?
It isn’t often that I have had huge blocks of time to allow multiple reality shows of one venue to wash over me. However, my recent recuperation from hip surgery allowed me to indulge in the home renovation shows, home search and the baking competitions. Who knew that I would gain some awareness I didn’t […]
Jeff Burkhart’s “Rhyme and Reason”: 5 O’clock True Blues
A writer’s life’s not easy It is swathed in perspiration, Rejection and correction, and erasures and frustration So every day at five o’clock To fortify my mind I hit the bar and let it go; just leave it all behind Here I sit; my bar man Pours me up a good stiff drink I’m sipping […]
A Different Drummer: Yes, Susan went, too
We saw the Trailer Park Boys at the Paramount Theater in Oakland last Saturday night. That first sentence will surely divide my reading audience in two. Those who never heard of the TPB may think it’s a rock band or other singing troupe, and they would be wrong. Those who are familiar with the TPB […]