Our two family cats are “pieces of work,” Otto, the all-white, indoor Senior Statesman, who enjoys backyard walks with Jan on a leash, and Joey, the Tuxedo Cat, severely bright and “tough guy,” who adopted us and sleeps in the garage rafters in a box marked “Christmas,” and prefers the adventures of trees and outdoor […]
A Vibrant Faith for the 21st Century: Between Scylla and Charybdis
By Rev. Henry Sun Special to the Herald I wonder how many of you know who Bart Ehrman is. He and I share three things in common. First, we’re both men. Second, we both read Greek. And third, we both attended Wheaton College and eventually pursued a doctorate in Biblical studies, me in Old Testament […]
Everyday Feng Shui: Invite spring into your home through a welcoming entrance
Spring is right around the corner! My flowers are blooming and I’ve just had my front door and walkway repainted. I’m ready for the positive energy to flow my way. Why was this such an important step? I went out of my way to spruce up the front because in Feng Shui the Entrance Foyer […]
Bob Livesay: Finally, the city takes up budget
By now, you must know that I will not give up on the city budget. The mayor takes a cavalier approach to the budget. This is not new, but this time it is very serious. Mayor Patterson’s sidekick, Vice Mayor Young, seems to side– no pun intended– with he approach. Meanwhile, the three other members […]
Benicia Letters Once More: An “oops”
The following “letter” is part of the continuing series from the unpublished novel by James Garrett, “Benicia Letters Once More”.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: Homemade in the shade
I’m not cheap. But I don’t shop much. I don’t bargain hunt much either. It’s hard to find things I need besides necessities. What I love are do-it-yourself lifehacks, Foxfire tips and tricks, how-tos, home remedies, unique solutions, and utility gadgets. If I can make something myself or fix it cheap, I’m in. I’m a […]
Voice of the Village: Planning on a rocking chair in retirement? Think again
By Lois Requist Just when you thought it was your turn to sit down and rest, the studies pour in saying it isn’t good to sit! Someone said, “Sitting is the new smoking!” (Something we shouldn’t do—at least not too much.) A study by the University of California San Diego School of Medicine and published […]
Hiking Back in Time: Sogorea Te
Welcome to my first monthly column focused on local day hiking destinations, that with a little imagination, will take you back in time to when our local Native Americans lived in a garden of Eden we now call home. My friends and I grew up hiking the hills around Orinda, Moraga and Mt Diablo. Dad […]
The Benicia Fullosopher: The truth about cruising
By Joyce Middlebrook The Benicia Fullosopher I recently retired from working part time on cruise ships and–with 30 years of cruising experience–I now feel free to reveal all the things they don’t tell you in the slick brochures, magazine ads, and thrilling videos that promise luxury, exotic ports, fabulous food and maybe even romance. There […]
The A Cappella Handyman: Stealing from a Handyman
What kind of dirtbag steals handtools from a 75-year-old Handyman? Tools of the trade for earning a living? A living to supplement Social Security income? Last Sunday, Feb. 25, late afternoon I finished repairs on our downstairs toilet, put the tools away in the back of my Toyota truck’s camper shell, and as it was […]