City of Benicia This Week
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In this edition: Holiday Open House & Tree Lighting, Give the Shop Benicia eGift Card, Give the Earth a Present for the Holidays, COVID Assistance
Message from the City Manager
November 29, 2021

Hello Everyone,
I sincerely hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. While we need to continue to be thoughtful about our health and safety, City sponsored special events are beginning to return. Please consider attending our Holiday Open House & Tree Lighting on Friday, December 3, highlighted below. Look for Benicia’s holiday events and events into the New Year at visitbenicia.org/events. Please continue to support our Benicia businesses by dining and shopping locally!

As the City continues to return to ‘normal’ or perhaps I should say, our new normal, we understand that things may truly never be quite the same. That said, I would ask you all to help us support a very important institution that has struggled through the pandemic. While volunteers and new leadership have been positive in looking at opportunities to get a lot of work done while missing their visitors, the Benicia Historical Museum needs our support. Please consider taking part in their special holiday event, the Candlelit Christmas Evening on Friday, December 10 or otherwise supporting the museum by visiting individually, as a family, or organizing a group visit. It is an important community resource for a town with a truly amazing place in California’s history.

Also, please consider donating a toy at the Fire Department. The Benicia Fire Department is collecting new, unwrapped toys to be distributed to children and families who need them. All new toys, including stuffed animals with tags, are being accepted. Hours are Monday - Friday (except Alternate Fridays), 8 a.m. - noon and 1 - 4 p.m. The deadline for donation is Friday, December 17. Distribution boxes are currently located at:
Fire Station 11 - 150 Military West
Fire Station 12 - 601 Hastings Drive

Finally, I’d like to thank the Northgate Church for stepping up for the good of the community. On November 21, the Church conducted a volunteer day in the Benicia community. Over 100 volunteers spent their day cleaning up the City Cemetery (photo shared below). Thank you for your commitment to this community!

Thank you for your interest in the City of Benicia This Week!

Erik Upson
City Manager
City News
Holiday Open House & Tree Lighting
The annual Holiday Open House & Tree Lighting returns on Friday, December 3, 6 - 9 p.m. on First Street. The ever-popular family fun event kicks-off the Christmas season.

Sponsored by the City of Benicia and Benicia Main Street, the length of First Street will be closed to traffic allowing downtown visitors to stroll the street, while merchants offer beverages & treats and show off their holiday goods.

What else is in store? Costumed carolers will stroll the street singing traditional Christmas tunes and costumed characters will interact with kids, Kris Kringle and the Mistletones will provide live entertainment for the lighting of the Christmas tree, and wine by the glass will be available at Benicia Main Street.

Remember to support Benicia businesses Friday night and throughout this holiday season.
Give the Shop Benicia eGift Card
Get the Shop Benicia eGift card for yourself or give it as a gift for the holidays and support Benicia's unique, small, independent businesses that are waiting for you!

The Shop Benicia eGift Card is a safe and convenient way to show your love and support for all the incredible local businesses that make Benicia such a special place to live, work and play!

Select the value of your Shop Benicia eGift card, choose who is going to receive it, and send the electronic Mastercard off via email or text message. Or print it out and wrap it up. The lucky recipient can use the card to make purchases at any of the 60 participating Shop Benicia businesses.

In the last year, more than $120,000 in gifts have been sent with more than $95,000 already redeemed! Benicia businesses interested in participating can scroll to the bottom of the page at https://app.yiftee.com/gift-card/benicia--ca to apply.

Looking to support Benicia businesses and shop online? Visit Benicia Marketplace to shop a collection of products, gift cards, classes and take out + delivery from Benicia's independent businesses.

Benicia businesses interested in participating can apply at https://marketplace.visitbenicia.org/register/.
Give the Earth a Present for the Holidays
Republic Services encourages these earth saving tips for the holidays:

To help the environment, skip ribbon or metallic wrapping paper. Both can not be recycled.

Shop local to support your community and use reusable shopping bag. If you do shop online, try to send packages together in one box, to reduce number of boxes and fuel used for deliveries. Recycle any boxes received. Unfortunately, polystyrene (Styrofoam) is not recyclable.

Recycle plastics (especially those with #1and #2 in chasing arrow on bottom). Items should be EMPTY, CLEAN and DRY.

Keep food waste to a minimum. Don’t over buy, shop your fridge first, and be creative with leftovers.

Recyclable hazardous waste can be disposed of at the A.B.O.P. station at the Benicia Corporation Yard, 2400 East Second Street (open Saturdays, 9 a.m. - noon). They collect Antifreeze, Batteries (including car batteries), auto Oil and oil filters, latex Paint, light tubes/CFLs, and aerosols. State regulations limit the transportation of household hazardous waste to 15 gallons or 125 pounds per vehicle per visit. Individual containers are limited to a 5-gallon capacity. For your safety, always transport items in your trunk. Place any leaking items in sealable plastic bags to avoid fumes and mixing of toxins.

Other chemicals, including cooking oil, can be disposed of through the Household Hazardous Waste pick up program by calling 707.747.0608 to schedule an appointment.
COVID Assistance
Find vaccine locations, resources and information for seniors, local food access, basic needs and rental assistance, mental health, stress and coping, and more courtesy of Solano County Public Health. Benicia residents in need of help during these difficult times may find assistance through these local resources:
Press Releases

Recent City of Benicia Press Releases are available on the City of Benicia website under Main/Announcements.
Save the Date
  • Dec 3 - Holiday Open House and Tree Lighting
Modified service due to COVID-19
City Hall is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you require entrance to City Hall offices outside of these hours, please make arrangements with staff from the department that you will be visiting.

All visitors shall be required to enter City Hall from East L street through the door located on the left (East) side of the building closest to the Post Office. Please check in with the staff person at the designated Welcome Window.

You will be required to wear a face covering over both your nose and mouth for the duration of your visit to City Hall. Please maintain 6 feet of social distancing between other visitors and staff. Do not visit City Hall if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. Appointments can always be rescheduled.
City of Benicia This Week is published each Monday morning. Previous editions are available here. We also communicate on Nextdoor.com and AlertSolano.com. Sign up now!