Large public art piece on the building owned by Vickie Marchand of NY2CA Gallery
A new mural called “Together We Rise” was nearly complete on Thursday, June 4. NY2CA Gallery commissioned the piece through the Global Art Project with artists Kemit Amenophis and Mike D’Amelio, and contributions from 13 local artists. Photo by Kirk Barron.
A Phoenix has risen on Benicia’s First Street in a new mural with the intention of inspiring hope and lifting each other together through change in uncertain times.
Bay Area artists Kemit Amenophis and Mike D’Amelio began painting the large public art piece in May on the north-facing side of a building owned by Vickie Marchand, who owns NY2CA Gallery inside. NY2CA commissioned the mural through the Global Art Project, an international collective of artists founded by Benicia-based artist Carl Heyward.
Titled “Together We Rise,” the new mural is years in the making and rich with meaning.
Reposted with permission, The Benicia Bridge Excellent reporting from Benicia’s newest award-winning journalism duo, Monica Vaughan and Laura López González. – Roger Straw Learn more and subscribe to the newsletter here.
City officials want to revamp Benicia’s business license tax program – the fee that businesses are supposed to pay to operate in Benicia. The City Council will discuss proposed changes and increases at its meeting tonight with the goal of directing staff to write a ballot measure for voters to consider in the November election.
The current fee structure is based on gross receipts and business type, with an exemption for those who bring in less than $10,000 a year. The fee ranges between $75 to $450.
Reposted with permission, The Benicia Bridge Excellent reporting from Benicia’s newest award-winning journalism duo, Monica Vaughan and Laura López González. – Roger Straw Learn more and subscribe to the newsletter here.
Our Benicia Protest is Alive and Well! Rally For Democracy – Citizen opposition to Trump’s authoritarian takeover continues…
By Susan Street, May 30, 2026
Susan Street at a Thursday Rally
No doubt you have been overwhelmed with political information and hounded by organizations and individuals for money. Here’s a way to support your beliefs and show your disgust at the current political situation for free!
Join us every Thursday evening from 5-6 – Rally for Democracy at the Benicia Gazebo, First St. and Military Ave. Bring your friends and a poster if you have one. We have lots to lend if you don’t. And bring noisemakers, whistles or horns. It feels great to support democracy, meet some new friends, and leave your computers and phones at home! See you there!
Susan Street
Benicia
VIGIL FOR DEMOCRACY Every Thursday, 5 p.m. On the sidewalk by the Gazebo
[map / directions]Come whenever you can, stay as long or as briefly as you can. Bring your signs, bells, kazoos, noisemakers. Invite ten people to join us.
Stay on the sidewalk. Don’t block anyone attempting to walk through. Ignore any harassment.
I REPEAT: THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT – It’s FINALLY time to vote – do it today!
Toay’s the day! … or tomorrow! Don’t put it off anymore – dop off your ballot! (And yes, those are MY fingers! My ballot went to Benicia City Hall for dropoff.) – R.S.
By Roger Straw, June 1, 2026 (The following is a repeat of Saturday’s message – see dropoff and curbside locations below….)
Like many of you, I’ve held off casting my ballot. Democrats, Independents and fed up Republicans were concerned for awhile that our primary election next Tuesday, June 2, could result in a runoff between 2 Republicans. So we waited and watched the polls in order to strengthen numbers for the Democratic front runner. Wow, no longer a threat!
Take a look at the numbers in the latest polls above, and you can see there’s a real possibility of having 2 Dems on the ticket in November! I’m voting for Tom Steyer with that in mind (and in appreciation for his long history of environmental advocacy and strong opposition to corporate giants including the oil industry).
But some of my most respected friends are voting for Becerra. Some of you are holding out for Katie Porter and some even favoring Matt Mahan. WHAT MATTERS IS THAT WE ALL VOTE! Don’t let the long wait result in a missed opportunity to participate in our democracy.
Do it today. >> On your ballot, fill in your choice for Governor even if you don’t have the faintest idea about a Controller or Insurance Commissioner. Stuff your ballot into the yellow envelope, SIGN YOUR NAME under the flap, and seal the envelope.
BEST NOT TO MAIL YOUR BALLOT at this late date!(They CAN be mailed in as long as the P.O. postmarks them by June 2, but you can’t rely on the P.O. these days….) You can drop your ballot off locally anytime up until election day June 2, and curbside dropoff is even available! See below (and click on the image to enlarge).
INDOORS DROP OFF – BALLOT RETURN & VOTING ADDRESSES
Through next Tuesday, you can drop off your ballot at the following locations. (Drop Boxes are inside office buildings.)
Click image for larger view.
CURBSIDE DROP-OFF LOCATIONS NOW AVAILABLE
You can drop off your ballot “Curbside” at the following locations. (Stay in your car, hand ballot to poll workers)
Click image to enlarge.
ON ELECTION DAY, JUNE 2, ballots can be dropped off at any location listed above.
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