The changing of the seasons heralds a time for cleansing and decluttering in our household. As spring was ending, and the heat of summer started rolling in, my mother did not waste a single minute, scrubbing every nook and cranny.…
Gallery 621’s featured artist for the month of October is Nikki Basch Davis, who presents her “Celebration” series of paintings and sculpture. “In times of extreme loss and challenges,” she said, “these works attempt to give a glimpse to a…
Like an act of kindness, art can pierce through the white noise of bustling life and stir the heart. That is the hope of Benicia sculptor Lisa Reinertson with her new series of artwork on display at Epperson Gallery throughout…
Lasagna or Soup? Both!! Enjoy this recipe for a fall day. As the weather starts to chill, I always find myself looking for warming recipes. Fall inclines me to make soups and casseroles and wonderful artisan bread to sop up…
“The mute button. Yeah, the mute button. Hit the button next to ‘end call.’” “It’s okay, we’re all learning.” “Yes, I do see your dog!” These words are uttered repeatedly in virtual classrooms. You have probably heard the word “mute”…
Previously in Picket Fences … Successful and popular realtor Angela Wingate discovers that someone is interested in purchasing a house in Benicia that has a dark and mysterious reputation. Angela has a past connection to this house and she is…
Char's Hotdogs Char’s Hotdogs has been a staple in downtown Benicia for almost 25 years. The service is super friendly and the food is fresh, well-prepared and comes out hot just the way we like it. Char’s has a huge…
“Will interest rates remain low for the foreseeable future?” In the 31 years of my real estate career I have been asked this question countless times. Though it may seem that predicting interest rates requires a crystal ball, there are…
Every town has their own haunted house. Rumors swirl about what might be occurring behind the overgrown shrubbery and fenced-in grounds of these creepy estates. The House of Blue Lights was well known in my hometown of Indianapolis, Indiana. Legend…
An idea was born in the fall of 2009 to promote fashion and beauty in Benicia. This came after the Great Recession and cities around the globe were acknowledging that the fashion industry needed a boost. Anna Wintour, editor of…
Continued from August Angela arrives at the office where her friend and colleague is waiting for his daily coffee fix. As soon as she walks through the door of the Wingate Real Estate agency, she is met by Mark Chambers,…
