The Benicia Fullosopher Once you have decided the type of cruise you would like, if you wish to get the best price, here are some things to know. Fares vary on the same ship for the exact same itinerary and length of time. Fares are highest when children are out of school. For the rest […]
Greg Gartrell: Understanding the water rate increases (Part 2)
(Part 1 of this article, published in Friday’s paper, focused on the reasons for Benicia’s water and sewer rate increases. Today’s article aims to explore solutions.) So what can be done about the cost of water and wastewater? I have heard many suggestions as to the causes of the rate increases and how to fix […]
Dennis Lund: Potential Trump trip to Korea drives Maddow crazy
Last week it was announced that President Trump had accepted an invitation from North Korea’s Kim Jong-un to meet in the near future. When one considers the threat posed by the North Korean despot, the opportunity to diffuse that threat has to be taken. That is one attribute of a leader: Charting previously uncharted courses […]
Bruce Robinson: How to stop school shooters
Ever since the Parkland school shooting on Valentine’s Day, media pundits and politicians of all stripes have spewed forth an avalanche of disparate explanations for and radical solutions to this most recent manifestation of what CNN has listed as the 34 “deadliest mass shootings in United States history since 1949.” The explanations have ranged from […]
Cannabis: ‘The Smell’
Seasoned Benicia residents may remember “Creature Features” with Bob Wilkins as a Saturday night TV staple for those interested in classic horror films. These days, I am following the antics of “Svengoolie” on Saturday nights, featuring the usual platter of sometimes really bad early horror genre. A lot of works were simple two word titles […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Christina Strawbridge: Water and sewer rates need to be delayed
The winter months have provided California with little rain, making weather forecasters wonder and worry if this is the start of another drought. In November of 2016, as a Benicia Councilmember, I voted along with two of my colleagues to increase the water and sewer rates over a five-year period. Based upon information given […]
Bruce Robinson: Identity politics and the end of meaning
It has been more than a year since Madonna proclaimed at the first Women’s March in Washington, D.C. that “Yes, I have thought an awful lot about blowing up the White House. But I know that won’t change anything.” Her rant that day may not have changed anything, but it certainly spread like wildfire on […]