City of Benicia This Week
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In this edition: New Masking Requirements; Bee-Wise, Immunize!; Library Re-opens to Pre-pandemic Hours; Benicia-Valero Cooperation Agreement Report; GED Graduation Ceremony; Volunteers Improve Ninth St Park; City Employee Spotlight; Recall Election Information; COVID Assistance
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Message from the City Manager |
August 2, 2021
Hello Everyone,
Today’s City of Benicia This Week left me feeling inspired about the future of our city, despite the continued challenges we face regionally, statewide, and nationally. The sense of community, teamwork, and care for our fellow human beings that can be found here is remarkable. Take a moment to reflect and take pride in this. I see neighbors and Benicia non-profit community organizations coming together to make our city beautiful. I see, in the GED graduation ceremony highlighted below our amazing School District working with our City library and some wonderful teachers to help lift up some very special people. In those graduates, I see real grit and perseverance…and courage! (For more information about getting your GED, click here.) In our hiring of Shantea Amos, I see our City staff ranks filling with those who care deeply about service to the community and are inspiring others with their sense of purpose and commitment to excellence.
There is a role for everyone to play in creating community. Find a local non-profit to join and volunteer (there are so many wonderful organizations in Benicia). Join the ranks of our on-call volunteers through the Helper Helper App. Or simply join with your neighbors and find a neighbor in need that you can help.
On that last point, Tuesday, August 3rd is National Night Out. This annual event has been an important day in helping celebrate neighborhoods coming together to look out for one another. Neighborhood Watch groups host block parties and public safety, City staff and elected officials travel between these groups to visit, answer questions and celebrate community. These groups are mostly focused on crime prevention and emergency / disaster preparedness. This year there are ten neighborhood watch groups hosting events. If you are interested in joining one of the groups or forming your own neighborhood watch group, I would encourage you to reach out to Patti Baron in the Police Department at pbaron@ci.benicia.ca.us or by phone at 707.746.4268 for more information.
If there was ever a time to step up and put in the work that creates community, this is that time. Let’s lift those up around us who need a hand, fight against divisiveness, and instead find common ground to strengthen our community.
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
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In accordance with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), as of July 28 masks are required in the following indoor settings, regardless of vaccination status.
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Library Re-opens to Pre-pandemic Hours |
As of August 1, Benicia Public Library has returned to its full schedule of open hours. While still requiring masks for entry, the Library is happy to welcome everyone back to its full complement of 62 open hours per week: Monday - Thursday, 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. and Friday - Sunday, 12 - 6 p.m.
Restrictions on the numbers of patrons allowed in will be lifted entirely (up to the Fire Marshal’s capacity limits, of course). Gradually, the Library will return all furniture to its previous location. Currently, tables and chairs are available with some social distancing built in. Soft seating will return as soon as better numbers begin to show for COVID - the recent mini-surge has meant that staff are exercising some caution, and they are still asking that patrons limit time in the building to no more than two hours in a day.
Another thing that won’t be back to normal just yet is the Library’s programming schedule, as indoor gatherings are still risky to public health. However, you can look forward to the Friends of the Library’s in-library bookstore alcove re-opening, along with regular book sales.
If you don’t have a library card yet, the Library is offering a selection of five different designs, including four brand-new ones! Stop by 150 East L Street and get yours soon.
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Last Wednesday, a special graduation ceremony was held to honor the GED and high school diploma graduates from the Adult Education Programs at the Benicia Unified School District and the Benicia Public Library.
With graduates, their families, instructors, and other honored guests in attendance, it was a joyous time of celebration and congratulations for the eight graduates – Rachel Abreu, Christopher Holgun, Ryan Netcott, Mariessa Vasquez, Steven Cowley, Donald Estrada, Michael Harris and Joani Singh. Host June Regis, Director of the Benicia Unified School District Adult Education Program, introduced program coordinator Erica Dudley; David Dodd, Benicia Library Director; Dr. Charles Young, School District Superintendent; and other distinguished members of the School District.
“This is one of the most important and inspiring aspects of our Adult Literacy Program – making real change in peoples’ lives through preparation for the GED,” said Library Director Dodd.
With an arch of yellow, white and blue balloons and Pomp and Circumstance playing in the background, Dr. Young gave a thoughtful and inspiring speech. Then, the graduates, in full cap and gown, came one by one to the stage to receive their diplomas. Families and instructors in the audience were recognized. Instructors and staff included Bette Bogart (Literacy Program Coordinator), Fran Martinez-Coyne (Library Services Manager), and current and former Library GED Program instructors Paula Landers, Dena Westerman, Karen Tedford, and Kim Jones.
June Regis told the inspiring story of Mr. Jones’s journey from GED student, to High School Counselor, to Adult Education teacher, to Assistant Principal, then Principal and now Director of the Oakland Adult Education School!
Click here for additional information on the Library's Adult Literacy Program.
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Photo courtesy Ok Kyong Hanrahan
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Volunteers Improve Ninth St Park |
Recycled mulch from City tree pruning and removal work was spread by approximately 30 volunteers from throughout the community. While the mulch improves the overall appearance of the park, it also helps inhibit weed growth without the use of herbicides. The mulch helps retain soil moisture and improves the soil profile as it breaks down, creating a better environment for beneficial organisms and nutrients for the surrounding plants.
The City would like to thank all the volunteers and all who participated in coordinating this event.
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You might recognize Shantae Amos as the friendly, helpful face greeting you at the front desk at City Hall.
Joining the City of Benicia in October 2019, Shantae originally contracted through a staffing agency as an Account Clerk in the Utility Billing department. Since then, she was hired as a limited-duration employee in February 2021 in the same role, then was recently promoted to a full-time permanent employee with the City of Benicia. In her time with the City, Shantae has come to know and love her colleagues and the residents that she serves.
Shantae’s past experience includes 8 years in the United States Navy (Hooyah!), as well as 4 years in a non-profit organization coordinating human tissue distribution for time-sensitive surgical procedures. After her time in the military, Shantae attended The Art Institutions of California to pursue a career in Product Development and Design for two years before re-entering the workforce.
When it comes to family, Shantae says she spends the majority of her time exchanging brain teasers and watching action-packed movies with her amazing parents - whom she is very close to as an only child - and joining her boyfriend at the skating rink or an amusement park when they want to feel like being the big kids at heart that they are.
In her free time, she loves to draw and work with different crafting techniques, as well as DIY projects around the house. Anything that sparks the creative side of her brain is a true passion, which lead her into a deep love of cooking and creating plant-based dishes that 'veganizes' the comfort food she grew up eating. As an amateur chef, she loves to cook vegan meals, while the artist in her must find the perfect photo of her work and the foodie in her gets to eat them.
Shantae is excited for this new chapter with the City and is so grateful to the kind, patient, and supportive staff who have welcomed her with open arms from the very beginning. In turn, City staff are grateful to work with someone whose positive outlook brightens everyone's day.
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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.
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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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