Hidden Benicia: How Benicia Saved Jack London’s Life
When Jack London was a teenager, a free-spirited but troubled boy of sixteen, he stumbled out of a Benicia saloon, staggered onto his fishing sloop moored to the wharf, and fell overboard. The water was ice-cold. The tides were running out. It was one in the morning,...
Nuts & Bolts: The Bottom Line
Made in the USA. Buy American. You see these terms often in reference to where things are manufactured because purchasing domestic products strengthens the US economy. In this second guest column, I would like to posit how the same can be said when we “Shop Local” and...
Earth Day 2021
Before the pandemic struck, many of us were championing low-waste lifestyles and eco-friendly living. Things took a turn with the closure of refill bulk bins and sanitation requirements that relied on lots of single-use plastic. Understandably, care for community...
From the Trumpet to the Football Field: Women Breaking Barriers in Football
“Tremendous amounts of talent are lost to our society just because that talent wears a skirt.” –Shirley Chisolm August 31, 2019, was the draft day at the Las Vegas, Nevada MGM Grand Hotel. Women from across the country were seeking an opportunity to become a part of...
Preparing for Spring
The Bradford pears have bloomed, smacking us in the nose with their (not so wonderful, to many) pungent aroma, and reminding us that spring is on its way. The days are getting steadily longer, and it won’t be long before it’s time to plant that garden you’ve been...
National Women’s History Month
"Valiant Women of the Vote: Refusing to be Silenced." Observed in the United States in the month of March since 1987, National Women's History Month grew out of a 1978 weeklong celebration of women's contributions to history, culture, and society. It happened in...
Live Your Dream
No doubt, we are living in unparalleled times, and statistics show that women have been disproportionately hit by the pandemic, especially those with children. According to the National Women's Health Network (NWHN), "COVID kills more men, but the social and economic...
Stayin’ Alive: Benicia Business Bounces back
Many times during the last several months, I have stood on First Street, our beautiful little city perched on the waterfront, and could almost feel the collective breath being held. As co-owner of one of the businesses that lines this street, I too have felt the...
Nuts & Bolts – March 2021
Growing up across the Straits in Crockett (pop. 3300), I marveled at the strong sense of civic pride in Sugar City. Residents — Crocket-tiles, we called ourselves — could belong to three, four, five or more organizations, making the town rich with activity and...
