The following “letter” is part of the continuing series from the unpublished novel by James Garrett, “Benicia Letters Once More”.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: One recent random Tuesday
Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny were playing poker one evening, not for money of course; that would not be a wholesome story. Santa played with candy canes and the Easter Bunny rolled with nougats. Currently, the Easter Bunny’s stack of canes was twice the size of Santa’s nougats. The Thanksgiving Turkey was in the […]
Voice of the Village: A piece of peace on Earth
By Lois Requist Noting when this column would be published, I thought, write something connected to Christmas, the holidays, but what could I say that hasn’t been said? We pass around good wishes, listen to the sentiments of those whose opinions are broadcast, however, if we also listen to the news, none of it has […]
Carrie Rehak: Responsible freedom and spending, and the question of a local Industrial Safety Ordinance in the city of Benicia
By Carrie Rehak Special to the Herald I have been following the discussions about whether it would be of value for the city of Benicia to have a local Industrial Safety Ordinance (ISO). To my mind, two main arguments for and against having a local ordinance—freedom and spending — mirror one another, though from different […]
The A Cappella Handyman: At the Edge of Creation
At the Edge of Creation I once worked with a man at the age of creation and he was good to work with, for he spoke in short bursts of excitement as though what he had said before the conjunction was aged by the sentence’s end. ©Peter Bray 1976 All rights reserved A Short Serenade […]
Jeff Burkhart’s “Rhyme and Reason Countdown to Christmas”
Mistletoe oh Mistletoe, don’t let me down tonight My head is full of wine, and my heart wants to get this right Make my true love love me so, I’m not misunderstood A kiss can be a freight train, if the kiss is really good Mistletoe you bloom, when Christmastime and love collide Let this […]
Jeff Burkhart’s “Rhyme and Reason Countdown to Christmas”: Penelope Persimmon
Penelope Persimmon, had to summon all her strength To fetch the cardboard box out from the shed She set it by the Christmas tree, still unadorned and bare As memories began to fill her head Voices from the box called out, and whispered in her ear They said, “We are the story of your […]
Benicia Letters Once More: His First Kiss
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 is real?
I was chatting with my sister Nina about an article I read in The Atlantic magazine titled “How to Hire Fake Friends and Family.” Ishii Youchi has created his 8-year-old company, Family Romance, to provide actors for clients to fill roles in their personal lives. Examples include a father for a child who has never […]
Craig Snider: Ready or not, here cannabis comes
Thursday was a milestone in California’s regulation of cannabis with 20 recreational/medical retail permits being issued by the state Bureau of Cannabis Control. Retail sales of recreational cannabis can begin in San Diego, Santa Cruz, and tiny Shasta Lake as early as 9 a.m. on Jan. 1 with first-quarter adult use cannabis taxes due April […]