City of Benicia This Week
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In this edition: Message from the City Manager, Water Education Program, Friends of the Library Book Sale, National Night Out Success,, Water Awareness Video Contest, August Author Talks, Hazardous Materials Training, Movies Under the Stars - Sing 2, Library Offers State Parks Pass for Check out and much more!
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Message from the City Manager |
August 8, 2022
Dear Benicia Residents,
This week I had the honor, and it truly was an honor, to recognize two very special individuals, and to become a small part in a truly amazing story…A story all Benicians should be very proud of. I was invited to a ceremony at the library to recognize a young woman who had just passed her U.S. Citizenship test with the help of our Library’s Literacy tutors. More specifically, I discovered that Yulia, an immigrant from the Ukraine, had just passed her test with a 100% score! Her tutor, Lorraine Reemer, had worked with her over only three weeks to help her prepare for the test. At the celebration there were other students from Mexico, Cuba and Thailand on hand to celebrate this achievement. It was so nice to discover Yulia’s mother was there to celebrate as well. Yulia had begged her mother to come to the U.S. from Ukraine, and she finally did, leaving just as the war broke out…she was just able to get out in time!
It was a beautiful moment to share and I was happy to be able to present a small token to both Yulia and her amazing tutor Lorraine on behalf of the City. Not only am I incredibly happy and proud of Yulia, I am also so pleased to see the dedication of our volunteers like Lorraine. I know I have said it before, but I really believe volunteers like Lorraine represent the best in us and the amazing community that is Benicia! Thank you, Lorraine, and all of our literacy volunteers.
The Benicia Public Library was one of the first literacy programs to be funded by the State of California Library Literacy Services and has been running consistently since 1987. The program goes beyond just helping adults develop reading and writing skills, and also helps individuals achieve personal goals and aspirations. In addition to these literacy services, the program offers resume writing assistance and career counseling, citizenship preparation, GED preparation and English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction.
One of the things that really struck me was the shirt that Yulia proudly wore…on the front was a big, bold American flag. I grew up working with many immigrants (as I worked in restaurants through high school and college). I also served with many striving to achieve their citizenship while I was in the Army. Additionally, my wife is an immigrant, a naturalized U.S. citizen. Her grandfather earned his (and ultimately my wife’s and her sibling’s citizenship) fighting for the U.S. Army as a member of the U.S. Army’s elite Philippine Scouts in World War II, where he was captured fighting a rear-guard action defending U.S. soldiers in the Philippines. I’ve always found immigrants here to be amongst the most thankful, respectful and appreciative of their American Citizenship. They honor their new country, work hard and sacrifice much, asking for little in return.
If you are interested in joining our library’s literacy program, or otherwise finding a way to help, please start here, at benicialibrary.org/literacy or simply contact the library and find a way you can support our library and become a part of making our community, and our nation, a better place.
Erik Upson
City Manager
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City of Benicia’s Water Education Program 2021-2022 Completed! |
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The Solano Recourse Conservation District (Solano RCD) completed its 3rd year of partnership with the City of Benicia’s Water Education Program. For the first time since 2020, the Solano RCD was able to offer teachers the option of in-person programming in addition to virtual program options.
473 total students in 4th & 5th grade from all 4 Elementary schools in Benicia participated in the Educational Program. The Benicia Water Education Program engages fourth and fifth grade students in exploring their local water resources. Students learn and understand where their tap water comes from, where their storm and wastewater go, and how to be good stewards of their watershed.
The Benicia Water Education Program builds on and contributes to existing hands-on environmental science and stewardship learning opportunities for Benicia students, augmenting the Watershed Explorers Program in 3rd grade and the Suisun Marsh Program in 6th grade. Benicia Unified School District (BUSD) students receive four consecutive years of place-based, locally relevant water protection and conservation education.
162 fourth grade students in seven classes across three schools in Benicia Unified School District participated in the program’s live, virtual lesson and in-person field trip to the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
311 fifth grade students in thirteen classes across four schools in Benicia Unified School District participated in the program’s in-person field trips to Lake Herman and the Water Treatment Plant. 100% of all 5th grade BUSD students participated in the program.
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Friends of the Benicia Library Book Sale |
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Join the Friends of the Benicia Library for the monthly book sale. Sale includes books, CDs, DVDs, audio books, puzzles, vinyl LPs.
Membership Sale
Thursday, August 11 | 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Join Friends or renew your membership at the door. Annual membership $15/person. Lower courtyard doors of Benicia Library.
Public Book Sale
Saturday, August 13 | 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
In the basement. Doors are found behind the library near Military East and First Street.
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The Benicia Police Department was excited to sponsor another National Night Out on August 2. This year, 10 neighborhoods participated by putting together their own events ranging from a small potluck, to BBQs, to ice cream socials, to whatever else brings neighbors together. City staff from the Police and Fire Departments, City Department Heads, City Councilmembers and other staff members visited each of the registered neighborhood block parties. Benicia Police Department’s mascot, Copper the Fox, also joined in the fun! This year marks the 39th national anniversary of the Neighborhood Watch National Night Out event, which brings neighbors together for the purpose of heightening crime prevention and police community partnerships. |
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2022 Water Awareness Video Contest |
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Congratulations the winners of the 2022 Water Awareness Video Contest! The Solano County Water Agency holds an annual water awareness video contest. The theme for this year was "Saving Water is Saving Our Future." There were 125 participants from five different schools in Solano County.
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The Benicia Library is hosting a series of Author Talks in August. Join one of three Author Talks with bestselling authors and thought leaders.
August 9 at 6pm
August 22 at 6pm
August 25 at 9am
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Solano County Inter-Agency Hazardous Materials Training |
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This week, the Benicia Fire Department and the Solano County Inter-Agency Hazardous Materials Team participated in a simulated Hazardous Materials incident at Linde Gas & Equipment, a local facility in the Benicia Industrial Park.
The simulated incident allowed the Solano County Inter-Agency Hazardous Materials Team to maintain proficiency in these potential dynamic situations. The simulated incident allowed the team to use a wide variety of specialized equipment, including a new certified drone program enabling the team to perform surveillance of an incident from a safe vantage point before making entry into the scene.
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Movies Under the Stars - Sing 2 |
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Bring pillows, blankets, or low back-low profile chairs, then sit back and enjoy an evening of family entertainment with Sing 2 at City Park! Food and beverages are welcome. Sing 2 will show on August 12th at around 8pm.
This is part of a series of summer movies hosted by Parks and Recreation. Upcoming movies include Monsters, Inc. on September 9th and Hocus Pocus in October (date TBD).
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Benicia Public Library Offers State Parks Pass for check out |
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You can check out a California State Parks Pass at the Library! California State Library, State Parks is providing free vehicle day-use entry to over 200 participating state park units operated by State Parks for check out to library-card holders. The California State Library Parks Pass is valid for entry of one passenger vehicle with capacity of nine people or less or one highway licensed motorcycle. View an interactive map with California’s public libraries and nearby participating state parks. 1 Pass per card - pass good for 1 vehicle with up to 9 passengers. Look for it on the New Books book case.
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Save the Date
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Aug 9 - Library Board of Trustees Meeting, 6:30 p.m. at the Benicia Public Library. See the Full Agenda for more information.
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Aug 11 - Planning Commission Meeting, 7:00 p.m. at the Benicia City Hall Council Chambers. See the Full Agenda for more information.
- Aug 11 - Arts and Culture Commission Meeting CANCELED
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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!
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