Category Archives: Benicia CA

Benicia CA, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

VIDEO – The 2025 Benicia Martin Luther King Day Celebration

MLK Day in Benicia 2025

(See below for timing of detailed video highlights.)

Benicia’s 2025 MLK Day Celebration was held at
Community Congregational UCC on January 20.

[sta_anchor id=”below” /]Highlights of the celebration with links…

  • An MLK Poetry Collage voiced by 8 local and nearby poets (at minute 5:11);
  • The gathered community in song led by the Rev. Kim Kendrick (12:40 and 46:40);
  • Benicia’s engaging storyteller Linda Wright, portraying Coretta Scott King (15:41);
  • Brandon Green reading his stunningly poignant poem “Sometimes I Dream” (43:55);
  • Honored speakers
    • Benicia Unified School District Superintendent Damon Wright (51:42)
    • Benicia Mayor Steve Young (59:06).
  • We also heard from Patricia Schmidt Hunter, president of the Vallejo chapter of the NAACP (1:12:27),
  • And enjoyed a pickup choir singing Deborah Shanks’ new arrangement of Charles Albert Tinley’s song of courage and hope, “The Storm Is Passing Over” (1:21:50).
  • Benicia High School seniors Jaden Bleasdale and Vaughn McDevitt gave a generational voice to Dr. King’s words of challenge (1:25:49).

And in closing: Courage in Challenging Times, “We Shall Overcome”

  • It was notable that the 2025 national holiday honoring the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. fell on the same day as the U.S.’ 47th Presidential Inauguration. See introductory comments by the Rev. Dr. Mary Susan Gast at minute 48:31.
  • Many in attendance reported coming with strong emotions of fear and anxiety over the coming 4 years – and leaving with a renewed sense of community, solidarity and hope. The celebration closed with a forceful statement led by our host and event coordinator, Rev. Mary Susan Gast (1:28:47): “A simple but powerful phrase came into use in Brasil by those acting for the social good and opposing the Bolsonaro regime. En portugues: ninguém solta a mão de ninguém. ‘No one let go of anyone’s hand.’ An idea of solidarity, that we are committed to stick together, that, together, we shall overcome.”
  • On this note and to end our time together, we all joined hands and sang “We Shall Overcome” (1:30:16).

>> Announcement for the event, posted here on 16 Jan 2025:

BENICIA COMMUNITY
MLK DAY CELEBRATION

Monday, January 20, 2025
7 pm • 1305 West 2nd St.

Honoring Dr. King in story, recollection, song, and commitment. All are welcome.

“In these turbulent days, when fear and doubt are mounting high, give us broad visions, penetrating eyes and power of endurance.”

On Monday, January 20, 2025 Benicia’s 6th public observance of Martin Luther King Day will be held at 7 p.m. at Community Congregational UCC, 1305 West 2nd St. All who attend will be encouraged to reflect, sing together, and share their particular reasons for honoring Dr. King “in these turbulent days.” In this way we will sustain one another with the “power of endurance.”

Acclaimed storyteller Linda Youngblood Wright will portray Coretta Scott King, lifting up Dr. King’s insights into turbulent days and the ongoing struggle for justice. Local civic leaders, including Mayor Steve Young and Superintendent of Benicia Unified Schools, Dr. Damon Wright, will offer context and vision for the days ahead, along with Vallejo NAACP President Patricia Schmidt Hunter, Civil Rights attorney Brandon Greene, and others.

A pick-up choir will get together at 6 p.m. to rehearse “The Storm Is Passing Over” before singing it at the program. Email msgast45@gmail.com to request an advance copy of the music.

Flyer for the event (click to download):

Benicia CA, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Benicia Martin Luther King Day – Monday, January 20, 2025

BENICIA COMMUNITY
MLK DAY CELEBRATION

Monday, January 20, 2025
7 pm • 1305 West 2nd St.

Honoring Dr. King in story, recollection, song, and commitment. All are welcome.

“In these turbulent days, when fear and doubt are mounting high, give us broad visions, penetrating eyes and power of endurance.”

On Monday, January 20, 2025 Benicia’s 6th public observance of Martin Luther King Day will be held at 7 p.m. at Community Congregational UCC, 1305 West 2nd St. All who attend will be encouraged to reflect, sing together, and share their particular reasons for honoring Dr. King “in these turbulent days.” In this way we will sustain one another with the “power of endurance.”

Acclaimed storyteller Linda Youngblood Wright will portray Coretta Scott King, lifting up Dr. King’s insights into turbulent days and the ongoing struggle for justice. Local civic leaders, including Mayor Steve Young and Superintendent of Benicia Unified Schools, Dr. Damon Wright, will offer context and vision for the days ahead, along with Vallejo NAACP President Patricia Schmidt Hunter, Civil Rights attorney Brandon Greene, and others.

A pick-up choir will get together at 6 p.m. to rehearse “The Storm Is Passing Over” before singing it at the program. Email msgast45@gmail.com to request an advance copy of the music.

Flyer for the event (click to download):

Benicia CA, Benicia City Council, Benicia City Council Member Kari Birdseye, Benicia City Council Member Trevor Macenski, Benicia elections, Benicia Mayor, Benicia Mayor Steve Young, Benicia Measure F, Benicia Measure G, Benicia Measure H, Benicia Vice-Mayor Terry Scott, Benicia's Budget Crisis, Local elections, Tom Campbell

Your Vote, Our Future: Benicia City Council, Community Groups Urge YES Votes on Measures F, G and H

Benicia Mayor Steve Young, Vice Mayor Terry Scott, and City Council Members Tom Campbell, Trevor Macenski, and Kari Birdseye have endorsed YES votes on Measures F, G and H for Benicia’s future. They are joined by the Napa-Solano Central Labor Council, Solano County Democratic Party, Benicia Police Officers’ Association, Benicia Dispatchers’ Association, the Fire people, and the Solano Association of Relators. | Images from City of Benicia and organizations’ sites.

November 3, 2024

Dear Benicia Voters,

As your City Council, we are unified in supporting Measures F, G, and H, which represent a lasting investment in Benicia’s future—strengthening our roads, enhancing infrastructure, and preserving essential services that safeguard our quality of life.

These measures weren’t proposed lightly. They reflect thoughtful planning and a vision to secure a stable, vibrant Benicia for generations to come.

While new taxes can be challenging, they’re a pathway to achieving a resilient city that thrives.

The strength of this vision is reflected in the broad support we’ve received from the Benicia Police Officers Association, Benicia Dispatchers Association, Benicia Fire Association, Solano County Association of Realtors, Napa-Solano Labor Council, California Democratic Party, and many other organizations. With these measures, we’re building a legacy of excellence and reliability that our city deserves.

Let’s come together and Believe in Benicia’s bright future.

Here’s what each measure will accomplish:

Measure F –  Street Repair Sales Tax

  • A citizen-initiative 0.5% (half-cent) sales tax
  • Dedicated exclusively to street repair
  • Includes oversight by an independent citizens committee
  • Revenue cannot be used for any other purpose

Measure G – Limited Charter City Status

  • Establishes Benicia as a Limited Charter City
  • Limited and Sole purpose is to enable implementation of the Real Property Transfer Tax (Measure H).

Measure H – Real Property Transfer Tax (RPTT)

  • Applies to residential and commercial property sales
  •  Includes important exemptions:
    • Family transfers (spouse, children, parents, grandparents)
    • Property transfers into trusts
    • Mortgage refinancing
    • Creates a sustainable revenue source as Benicia grows with new housing development.
  • RPTT is a one-time tax (closing cost) only affecting sale of residential and commercial property and can be paid by either party or negotiated.

We strongly believe these Measures will significantly improve Benicia’s future.

While we encourage your support, we most appreciate your thoughtful consideration of both supporting and opposing arguments. Your engagement in this process ensures that the outcome truly reflects our community’s will.

Thank you for your participation in this crucial decision-making process.

Sincerely,

The Benicia City Council

Mayor Steve Young
Vice Mayor Terry Scott
Council Member Trevor Macenski
Council Member Kari Birdseye
Council Member Tom Campbell

Benicia, Benicia CA, Benicia High School, La Migra, Sheri Leigh

Fiestas Primavera also Celebrates Diversity

By Sheri Leigh, October 14, 2024

For those of you who attended the premier Fiestas Primavera late March last year, you know what a tremendous success it was.  The opening ceremonial blessing of the land, followed by incredible and unique music and dance performances all day long, along with beautiful artwork contributed by local professional and student artists, poetry and essay readings, interactive exploration of one’s own heritage and what brought families or ancestors to the Bay Area, excellent authentic food and crafts, along with the spirit of inclusivity were key elements to the day.  Over 2000 people attended, despite the rain.  

The goal of honoring all of the people who contributed culturally, economically, and socially to making the Bay area what it is today was achieved.  People of all ages, ethnicities, genders and orientations, and socio-economic levels came together to celebrate the coming of spring, and everyone was welcomed.  It was truly a meaningful and spectacular event.  

The spirit of this event inspired the young people of our town, resulting in their annual self-led La Migra game taking a different form – one that is not based on trauma or racists practices.  One that does not involve hazing or any threats to public and personal safety.  Our students were involved in the creation and participation of Fiestas Primavera and took the message to heart – the emulation of a brutal and terrifying practice which targets and belittles a group of marginalized people is never an appropriate teen activity.  

Fiestas Primavera has marked an historic beginning in Benicia.  And for next year’s event, the host of Fiestas Primavera, Solano Aids Coalition, is in partnership with the Benicia Performing Arts Foundation, host of the Diversity Festival, to bring an even richer and more culturally diverse event to our community.  Fiestas Primavera and the Diversity Festival is now one big event!  Other collaborators include the Benicia School District, the Kyle Hyland Teen Center, the Benicia Public Library, Benicia Black Lives Matter, and many others. 

Benicia Fiestas Primavera Celebrates Diversity is to take place on Saturday, April 5th in the City (Gazebo) Park.  Like this year, there will be engaging performances and displays of all culturally artistic types, on two stages – not just one.  The art and educational tent will continue to be a prominent feature, and there will be children’s activities to keep the young engaged.  Culturally appropriate food and arts and craft vendors also make their appearance again.  And to add to the celebration of diversity, the Benicia LBTGQIA is hoping to unveil their new public mural which will face the park behind the downtown fire station that morning.  It will truly be an event not to miss.  

In order to raise the capital needed for this spectacular plan, there will be a series of fun public fundraisers.  The first one will be on Sunday, October 27 at Drift, 366 1st Street.  To bring the spirit of Fiestas Primavera to life, the owners of Drift are offering a Pasta “Primavera” dinner, including pasta, Caesar salad, a glass of wine, and dessert, all for $60 per plate.  Andy and Ruben Brunt (Uncommonwealth) and Sobrecuerdas will provide live dinner music.  There will be two seatings, 5:00 and 6:30pm.  Since this is a small venue, reservations are required.  To reserve a table, please contact Monica at Monica@DriftBenicia.com or leave a message at 707-750-6516.  Monica needs your name, number in your party, and preferred seating time.  If you’re able to join us, you must make your reservation no later than Tuesday, October 22nd, or you won’t have a table.  

And watch for more fun activities leading up to April 5, 2025!

Benicia Fiestas Primavera Celebrates Diversity is for all of us.  It is a way to honor the depth and breadth of our complete history and culture.  Please join us in making Benicia a fully inclusive and welcoming community through our educational and cultural celebration.