City of Benicia This Week
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In this edition: Holiday Closure, 9/11 Memorial at City Park, Art Walk Returns Saturday, Friends of the Library Book Sale, Coastal Cleanup Day, City Employee Spotlight, Recall Election Information, COVID Assistance
Message from the City Manager
September 6, 2021

Hello Everyone,
As the sad anniversary of 9/11 approaches, I know for many of us it brings up some very difficult memories. I recently watched a powerful documentary on the over 100 children who were born after the tragedy whose fathers died in the twin towers. 
 
Every year, but especially on this 20th anniversary, I am reminded of the importance of being prepared for disaster. It goes without saying that when disaster strikes, your time to train, prepare and equip is over. There were myriad of lessons learned from the response to 9/11, but one of the most striking lessons was the breakdown in communications. One of the first improvements we made when I came to Benicia as police chief and discovered what a terrible state our communications system was in, was to transition us to the EBRCSA (East Bay Regional Communications System Authority). Just recently Vallejo has joined this system as well. This system is a modern digital system that allows us communication capabilities from Sacramento to San Jose. With Vallejo joining the system recently, our Fire Chief indicates communications with Vallejo has taken a giant leap forward. We continue to work with the county to one day have a regional system in place in Solano County.
 
I would encourage everyone to take a look at our emergency preparedness webpage at https://www.ci.benicia.ca.us/emergencyprep. There are many helpful tools to ensure you are prepared when disaster strikes. One of the important new tools is our evacuation plan. Please click here to view.
 
Other ways you can help include coming up with a written plan and communicating that to your family (Where will you go if you can’t get home?, Who will be a central point of contact for all for your family out of state?, etc.) as well as ensuring you have emergency supplies (including food, water, medicine, etc.). The more prepared you are, the more emergency responders can devote critical services to those most in need.
 
Finally, you can get involved through your Neighborhood Watch (most Neighborhood Watch groups also help ensure the neighborhood is better prepared for disaster, and create networks to assist in time of need). To find out how to join an existing Neighborhood Watch group, please reach out to our coordinator for Neighborhood Watch, Patti Baron, at pbaron@ci.benicia.ca.us or at 707.746.4268.

Another program helping our community become better prepared for disaster is our CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) program. To find out more information about CERT, click here.
 
We can never be certain of when disaster will strike, but it most certainly will. Your City staff is working hard to be prepared to provide the highest level of service to you in the event it strikes us here. Please do your part to help us by ensuring you are ready.

Thank you for your interest in the City of Benicia This Week! If you enjoy reading this weekly message, please share and encourage your friends, family, and coworkers to subscribe or text jointhisweek to 22828 (messaging and data rates may apply).

Erik Upson
City Manager
City News
Holiday Closure
Benicia City Offices, Benicia Community Center and Benicia Public Library are closed on Monday, September 6, in observance of Labor Day.
Requests for emergency water and sewer service may be made at the Benicia Police Department, 200 East L Street, or by calling 707.745.3411.
9/11 Memorial at City Park
September 11, 2021 marks the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the crash of Flight 93. That day has had a profound effect on each and every one of us.
 
The loss of life from this tragedy was nearly 3,000 people from 93 nations, making September 11, 2001 one of the most tragic days in United States history. Among those lost were firefighters from Fire Department New York, law enforcement officers, and far too many civilians.
 
Members of Benicia Fire Department invite you to join them on Saturday, September 11, as they honor the 343 firefighters and all those who perished that day. A flag memorial will be set up on the lawn adjacent to the gazebo in City Park at First Street at Military West. Please stop by, honor, reflect, and share this day. Fire Department personnel will be there from 7 a.m. until sunset. Local bagpiper, Lloyd Christiansen, will offer a tribute at 6 p.m.
 
They ask all Benicia community members to remember, reflect and pray for the mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters and loved ones whose lives were lost that day, and for the families of those left behind. As you hear the sirens of public service vehicles, please remember and keep in your hearts, the heroes and victims of September 11, 2001.
Art Walk Returns Saturday
Benicia Art Walk continues Saturday, September 11, 1 - 5 p.m., on First Street in downtown Benicia. The 10th season of the annual art event occurs on the second Saturday of June, July, September and October. Benicia Art Walk is sponsored by the City of Benicia through the city’s tourism program, Visit Benicia.
 
During Saturday’s Benicia Art Walk, the Galleries of First Street, an organization of the eight First Street galleries, hosts the Benicia Art Passport competition. Stop by any of the galleries, pick up an Art Passport, then get it stamped at each of the participating galleries for a chance to be drawn to win the prize of $200 to be spent an any of the eight galleries.
 
Benicia Art Walk is always free and so is the parking. Look for the bright blue banners hanging in front of each gallery or pick up the 2021 Benicia Art Walk brochure and map to find great art.
 
Here’s a list of participating galleries and what’s in store during the September 11 Benicia Art Walk:
 
The Little Art Shop at 129 First Street in the Tannery. In honor of 9/11, the gallery will celebrate the gift of life with music and joy, while honoring and remembering those who lost their lives tragically so many years ago. Featured artist Jessica Robinson will be in the gallery from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. sharing her clay creations. Entertainer, singer and rock violinist Gary Krohn will perform from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
 
Once Upon a Canvas at 129 First Street in the Tannery. The gallery will have a painting demo by Connie Millholand from 1 – 3:30 p.m. and will be streaming photos from the 9/11 tragedy.
 
Benicia Plein Air Gallery at 307 First Street. Mary Lou Correia is the gallery’s featured artist in September. Her exhibition “September, Colors of Joy,” will be on display September 7 – 30. The show features a collection of works painted during the pandemic.
 
Gallery 621 at 309 First Street. The gallery will not participate in the September Art Walk while they move to their new location. Join them for the October Benicia Art Walk at 920 First Street, Suite 203.
 
HQ Gallery at 333 First Street, Suite D. The gallery offers a packed schedule of activities in September. Visitors will find original watercolor artworks by featured artist Samantha McNally. Participants in the gallery’s Scavenger Hunt will have an opportunity to win a prize painting donated by McNally.
 
A new art exhibit entitled, ‘Autumn Days’ is on display showcasing original paintings, drawings, photography, ceramics and more, created by 20 local member-artists.
 
Live music will be performed by Marcy Orendorff on acoustic guitar and vocals, playing a mix of classic and contemporary folk. A fun specialty of Marcy’s is creating an original ‘song-on-the-spot’, upon request.
 
Happy Life Pottery at 632 First Street. Stop by to view the watercolor realism by Berkeley-based artist, Susan Cady McAllister, for this one day only. In addition, they’ll have a new, never-before-seen, special collection of gorgeous mermaid mugs by artist Amy Stellato and her husband David. These mugs are a collaboration of hand-made artistry and wheel-thrown functionality and are a rare offering from this very busy husband-wife team!
 
The gallery’s owners are collaborating with Arts Benicia to present the contemporary paper collage work by Virginia George, inspired by Mid-Century Modern artists including Henri Matisse, Slender Calder, and Jean Arp. Stop by for refreshments and art appreciation.
 
Arata Art Gallery at 637 First Street. The gallery is participating in a unique charity auction of original art. Ten local artists have modified a dozen different mannequins to be auctioned off with the proceeds going to various charities. Arata Art Gallery (along with HQ Gallery and Estey Gallery at 216 First Street) will display the mannequins until the September 14 auction at the historic Jefferson Street mansion. The auction will be a vaccinated-only event from 5 – 7 p.m., offering free parking and free admission. Stop by the galleries for a preview.
 
Artcentric, 733 First Street. The paint-you-own ceramic studio and gallery offers quality handmade art for sale and local Benicia souvenirs.
 
Benicia Art Walk is an ideal opportunity to come for lunch, then stay for dinner and make a day of it. There are plenty of great shopping and dining options along the tree-lit blocks of historic First Street in downtown Benicia.
 
More information on the art scene in Benicia is available online at VisitBenicia.org/arts.
Friends of the Library Book Sale
Friends of the Library invite you to their books sale on Saturday, September 11, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. in the lower level behind the library at 150 East L Street. Shoppers will find books for all ages; plus magazines, DVDs, CDs, vinyls, and more! Teachers receive a 20% discount. Proceeds benefit the library. The book sale happens every second Saturday of the month.

Benicia Public Library has launched a newly updated website with new colors, that's easier to search and more mobile, where you can find more library events. Check it out at www.BeniciaLibrary.org.
Coastal Cleanup Day
Help keep Benicia beautiful. Volunteer for Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday, September 18, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Volunteers must preregister by contacting Sharon Denney at sdenney@ci.benicia.ca.us or Nicole Perez at nperez@ci.benicia.ca.us.
City Employee Spotlight
Donna Piona began her second career with City's Building Division, within the Community Development Department, in the fall of 2019. Donna is an active member of the Napa / Solano ICC chapter of building professionals. She is a certified permit technician through the International Code Council (ICC).

Donna’s role is highly technical, and she applies her knowledge in many ways to benefit the community. This includes reading and understanding construction plans, customer service, and helping the community to better understand the Benicia Municipal Code and California Building Codes. She has received many kind emails thanking her for her role in their successful project.

Donna and her husband, along with their Chihuahua Lainey, are long time Benicia residents. In her free time, she enjoys the Bay Area’s vast golfing, spa, and wine tasting opportunities. Fun fact: Donna was a Pom Pom Girl at Ignacio Valley High School.
Recall Election Information
The California Gubernatorial Recall Election will occur on Tuesday, September 14, 2021. Ballot boxes are available to drop off your ballot in the City Hall lobby, 250 East L Street, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on Alternating Fridays when City Hall is closed. A second ballot box is available at Raley's, 890 Southampton Road, from 6 a.m. - 11 p.m. each day (earlier on election day).

In addition, voter's may vote by mail, drop ballots off curbside at polling locations on Election Day or vote in-person at polling locations.

To find if you're registered to vote, visit the Solano County Registrar of Voters website. Click here for information on the election, and to find out where and when to vote, etc.
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:
Save the Date
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!