Benicia Magazine’s Mission

Benicia Magazine will help instill a pride of place in residents and increase our exposure around the Bay by trumpeting our wonderful mix of eclectic elements: history, culture, scenic beauty, abundant charm, artistic spirit, education, commerce and lifestyle. Our high level of readership and influence will help advertisers grow their businesses.

By the Numbers

Number of format changes:
3 (Original size, 14” X 10;” first format change, 12” X 10;” final format change, 8.5” X 11”)

Number of name changes :
2 (Inside Benicia, Benicia Magazine)

Ten most popular covers based on reader feedback & purchase requests
1. May 2006, Robert Arneson’s Benicia Bench
2. January 2012, 75th issue with all 75 covers on the cover
3. April 2009, wooden boat in waterfront cove
4. March 2011, Kaitlin and Paul DeMers in wedding attire at the Marina
5. April 2013, red and green garage facing downtown alley
6. July 2010, meat and vegetable skewers on the grill
7. January 2014, Dungeness crab on a platter
8. June 2013, chocolate ice cream cone
9. October 2006, Jack ‘o lantern on picket fence
10. May 2011, Ed Brennan’s “Farnsworth” custom bike

38 story themes we’ve covered
Art
Activities
Beauty
Boating
Bridges
Buildings & landmarks
Business
Civic issues
Community service
Culture
Dance
Demographics
Education
Environment
Events
Exercise
Fashion
Finance
Food & drink
Gardening
Homes
Legal
Literature
Marina
Music
Parks
People
Poetry
Politics
Public works
Real estate
Restaurants
Safety
Sports
Theater
Travel
Weddings
Wellness

Number of Interviews (by Sue Sumner-Moore)
92

Number of covers by theme
Benicia Iconic buildings or landmarks 15
People 15
Food 13
Benicia Waterfront/boats 11
Benicia Parks 8
Events 7
Gardens 5
Art 5
Other 21

Great Quotes from our pages by Benicia notables

“Family is so important—people who understand your imperfections and have seen you through your struggles and are still there for you.” –Jill Graham, September 2006

“I have always been interested in living life fully, and to me that means working for balance in all areas of my life: intellectual, physical, emotional and spiritual.” –Emily Thomas, January 2007

“I started backpacking at four. At age ten, I backpacked the length of Oregon, 366 miles, on what is now part of the Pacific Crest Trail. –Sue Fisher Jones, Valero Public Affairs Manager, March 2009

“I was raised thinking that art was the fine art I saw as a kid in museums.  Once I experienced art in a new way and saw how open-minded and accepting it could be, I saw that art is an expression and I said, ‘I can do that.’” –LorriMarie Jenkins, Artist, February 2008

“Teaching is a joy. There are miracles time and time again. There is an ‘aha’ moment and I’ve learned from reading about brain research that during these moments, a dendrite forms in the brain; there’s something physiological going on.  –Annie Lloyd, Teacher, Mary Farmer Elementary, January 2008

“Relay For Life has made me aware of the progress against cancer as well as how fundraising is so important to finding the cure. It’s amazing to see all the individuals who are willing to give their time and energy to this exciting event.” –Leeann Cawley, Benicia Cancer Walk Chair, May 2009

“The question is no longer whether global warming is real or not. This isn’t a political discussion any longer because we have to follow AB 32, which has reduction targets for greenhouse gases.” –Mike Marcus, Benicia Climate Action Plan, June 2009

“Until four or five years ago, I’d not talked about my Army experience much with anybody. But I decided I wanted to share with students, to let kids know that going to war is not a decision to be arrived at with any ease or comfort.” –Jerry Page, Educator and WWII Veteran, July, 2009

“In teaching students about slopes, if all you talk about is rise over run, it may never sink in. But if you talk about a staircase or the pitch of a roof, they can connect. We measure a ramp outside a classroom, and all of a sudden, a light bulb goes on.” –Bud Donaldson, Teacher, Liberty High, December 2009

“I am accountable to my staff, my community, my students, to the district board—but the staff is, too. That means you have to be very aware of things going on at your school site. Every classroom, every course needs to be rigorous and relevant. Every student should have a relationship with an adult, someone they can talk to.” –Damon Wright, Principal, BHS

“In order to balance budgets, most departments cut training. I would rather have a reduced, well-trained, educated, sophisticated force. A little money spent in the short term saves big dollars in the long run.” —Andrew Bidou, Benicia Chief of Police, July 2012