beniciamagazine.com

The Political Past and Promising Future

of the Benicia Marina

19th Season of Farmer's Market

Superfoods

Doting Dads Refl ect on Fatherhood

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Editor Jeanne Steinmann

Graphic Design Margaret Bowles

Contributors Joey Baker Mary Marino Beth Steinmann Christina Strawbridge Sue Sumner-Moore

Photography Jerry Bowles

Advertising 707.853.5226

Published by Polygon Publishing, LLC

editor@beniciamagazine.comPrinted locally with soy ink & no trim waste

Please recyclePO Box 296, Benicia, CA 94510

T 707.853.5226 • F 707.745.6757

Ad changes/editorial deadlines: the 1st of the prior issue monthNew ads: the 8th of the month

Benicia Magazine4

All opinions expressed in this magazine, including articles and paid advertisements, are those of the authors alone. Benicia Magazine does not endorse any product or service in editorial content or advertisements, and can not be held liable for their use.Photos top and bottom right: Jerry Bowles

Features The Politics and Promise of the Benicia Marina 6

Local Dads Refl ect on Fatherhood 8

Summer Solstice—a Single Moment in Time 10

DepartmentsLooking Back: Vietnam Veterans Exhibit 8

Currents 10

Fashionista 12

What’s New at Beniciamagazine.com 15

Interview with Graduating BHS Senior Kenya Wright 16

Listening 20

Calendar 22

6

8

10

8

BeniciaMagazine.com

From the Editor If you are a human, you are most likely overworked,

overscheduled or both. I fi nd that marshalling the energy to go out and have fun can be a real challenge, especially after work. We’ve got the antidote to the all-work, no-play routine. With busy readers in mind, we’ve created new departments to help you keep track of the fun things happening locally, especially live music, that don’t require dressing up, crossing a bridge, fi nding parking or spending your entire entertainment budget. June ushers in many opportunities to make the most of long summer days, so

we’re taking the guesswork out of the equation with “Listening”, an events calendar with a simplifi ed format dedicated to music, poetry readings and lectures, and a monthly mini-bio of a talented local performer. In this issue the featured performer is David Sikes, a Benicia guitarist who played for eleven years with the band Boston.

“Currents” is another new column, highlighting noteworthy news and interesting tidbits on a wide range of topics. This month, we were stunned to see how much money is being awarded to our local high school graduates, through college scholarships and awards from local businesses (hint: it’s well over $1,000,000. See the detailed lists by student, from BHS and St. Patrick-St. Vincent’s online). Next month, we’ll resume coverage of local art and artists in a fun new format. With such an overwhelming saturation of media choices competing for your attention, we’ve designed the print and online mags to be your best local resource to keep informed and have a little fun. Join the conversation! You can comment on our online features and blogs, win fun and useful products and services in our monthly drawings and fi nd Tahoe or Wine Country events in the Calendar and coordinate them with the perfect Bed and Breakfast Inns for a weekend escape. This summer we’ll launch the online store—stay tuned as we continue to roll-out new ways to make life a little easier for readers on the go.

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FeedbackBike Racks Revisited I enjoy your articles and looking at the one about the ability to bike around town was really enjoyable. With all of the press about the stainless bike racks, I found myself in Folsom Tuesday and took a picture of theirs in historic Folsom. I wish I could send you a picture, because they would fi t perfect with Benicia's architecture, they have a simple but historic look to them. Keep up the good work.

—Dennis L.Not Hampered by Hills Loved the story about the bikes. I used to be hampered by the hills in our wonderful town.But I’m now I’m also a proud owner of a Pedego electric bike. I welcome the downhill cruise and the uphill climb!

—K. HertiaSend Feedback to editor@beniciamagazine.com, facebook.com/Benicia Magazine or Twitter, @BeniciaMagazine

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Benicia Magazine6

By Jeanne Steinmann Here’s a little known fact: of the four Cities on the Carquinez Strait, Benicia has the only stretch of ‘walkable waterfront,’ along the path at the Benicia Marina. The phrase, offered up by Mayor Elizabeth Patterson, means that you have only to cross a city street to access the shoreline. This is just one of the reasons the marina, to sailors and landlubbers alike, is such a valuable community asset. The Carquinez Strait, a narrow tidal estuary connecting the Suisun and San Pablo Bays, is home to four cities: Benicia, Vallejo, Crockett and Martinez. Port Costa, also on the Strait, is not a city but a “Census-Designated Place.” In the other three, there are additional obstacles to getting to the waterfront beyond just crossing a street. “The marina is a huge asset that could be a powerful economic anchor,” says Patterson. So just why isn’t it? First, a bit of history: The 340-slip marina is operated by the Benicia Harbor Corporation. Vessels therein range from kayaks and dinghies to a 76-foot yacht. It’s a stopover point for Delta boaters heading to the Bay and vice-versa, and cruise-in events where boaters from Yacht Clubs around the Bay and beyond come to visit our town. It’s also home to “liveaboards,” who comprise ten percent of the total occupied slips. The marina was dedicated in 1983, the year my husband and I got married, took up residence here and had our fi rst child. And as with starting family, there are many layers of complexity in birthing a marina. In the mid 1970’s there was a land swap between the City and Benicia Industries, whereby the City exchanged land it owned in the port area for several parcels between First and East 5th Street. Four city managers and many governmental agencies were involved in determining the ecological and commercial viability of building and maintaining the marina, including the Departments of Public Health, Fish and Game and Navigation and Transportation, the Regional Water Quality Control Board, the Association of Bay Area Governments, the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, the California Department of Boating and Waterways (Cal Boating) and the Bay Conservation and Development Commission. In 1976 the City entered into a loan agreement with Cal Boating for $500,000 for the

initial phase of the marina development, with seven subsequent amendments over time for additional funding to complete the various phases of the build-out. That brought the loan total to $5,200,000. The terms of the loan required commercial activity to generate enough sales tax to offset the cost of marina operations, including dredging. Over the years, the murky waters of our local politics seeped into the process and controversy has surrounded the project’s commercial/residential/public use mix. There are deep disagreements along philosophical lines and differing perspectives amongst politicians and stakeholders about why the commercial aspect has not come to fruition. Ultimately the decision was made by Benicia voters in 2004 with the passage of Measure C, which preserved the area south of B Street as a waterfront park, in lieu of development. Berthing fees, liveaboard fees, gas sales and condo lease fees all generate revenue, but not quite enough. According to Vice Mayor Alan Schwartzman, that left the City with “only a small space available for any commercial operation, in the ‘Historic Triangle’ adjacent to the Depot. The passage of Measure C made it virtually impossible to have a commercial anchor at the end of First Street.” Without a commercial anchor to fi ll the revenue gap, how do we move forward to complete the marina project, especially in light of recent budget problems? Acting Economic Development Manager Mario Giuliani is helping to pursue grants for the creation of a master plan to complete the waterfront park, which could include raised walkways, benches and public art; and an entrance that “makes a statement” and bridges a gap in the Bay Area Ridge Trail. “Regardless of how we got here, if we are going to have a waterfront park, let’s make it the best park we possibly can. There are funding opportunities for construction on these types of projects,” says Giuliani. “It may take time, but we’ll get it done eventually.” Beyond any small commercial possibilities, the hope is that completion of the waterfront park will draw more people downtown, increasing sales tax revenue, so that we can move beyond previous differences and fully realize the potential and promise of another community asset—an economically viable downtown. B

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Benicia Magazine8

By Joey Baker

How many children do you have and how old are they?John: My fi rst and only is Zoe Elizabeth Beck—she's almost 4 months now.Marcel: Three: 16, 13, and 10.Alan: I have a small litter! Ages 22, 20, 18 and 12.Pat: Four children and four grandchildren. The grandkids are 16, 14, 7 and 4.

What is the most important lesson you've learned from being a dad?John: To treasure every moment. Nothing is more important than family.Marcel: Think about what you are going to say BEFORE you say it. Listening. Patience.Alan: To always try to be a good role model and be myself.Pat: Patience. I wish I could have changed the order around. By the time I got around to the fourth child, I had it all fi gured out.

What is the best parenting advice you have been given? By whom?John: I waiver between “The best advice is there is no advice” from my friend Steve Leone, and “Make sure you savor every moment” from my mother.Marcel: My mom told me to enjoy the moment because pretty soon it’ll be gone.Alan: My dad told me to instill values in my children that I’d want them to instill in theirs.Pat: Pick your battles. My dad told me that.

What advice do you have for your children, about being a parent?John: Well, since she’s only four months old, how about—“Don't rush into it!”Marcel: Remember to always tell them you love them —no matter what—you always love them.Alan: Make family your priority. Spend a lot of time doing things with your kids.Pat: Don’t rush into things. Don’t lose your sense of humor. And don’t react fast—take your time and think things through.

What do you like to do for fun when you're not being a dad?John: I love kayaking…crossing the Carquinez Strait with my fi rst mate Scout, our Australian shepherd, and getting a beer at The Warehouse Bar in Port Costa.Marcel: Any time on the water. Sailing and sailboat racing is my salvation. It’s my sanity.Alan: Sleep, and run! But I like to do things with my kids—ski, water ski and share experiences.Pat: I go fi shing.

More Q & A from our dads—read the full interview beniciamagazine.com. B

of Fatherhood

Remembered in new Museum

Exhibit

By Mary Marino I was a kindergartener when the startling news of Pearl Harbor blasted through the radio in my grandparent’s living room. I didn’t know what the word “war” meant. I remember food and tire rationing, air raid drills and the shock at the death of President Roosevelt. My class later visited his home at Hyde Park, New York. The Korean War happened while I was in high school and college. I don’t remember much of it, as I was very busy with my education. Because of television, however, the Vietnam War came into our living room. I had cousins and friends who were there, and the country was divided. We were asking questions like “Why were we there?” and “Should we be there?” The pictures were shocking. Our country was not supporting our military, and the returning veterans were looked down upon, despite the extraordinary sacrifi ces they had made. The Benicia Historical Museum houses artifacts from the Civil War to the present. It has produced exhibitions to remind us of the First and Second World Wars. Now, a

new exhibit is scheduled to recall the Vietnam War and to remember the three Benicia men who lost their lives in Vietnam. “Vietnam War Veterans Remembered” is open from May 29 until the end of July. Photographs, weapons, uniforms, fl ags, maps, medals, and models of aircraft and ground vehicles have been assembled by a committee of veterans, under the leadership of Beverly Phelan, Museum Curator. The veterans have arranged a large map where fellow veterans can place a pin where they served and display their unit patches. The exhibit is intended to honor the Vietnam veterans who did their job when called. All the American uniformed services involved in the confl ict will be represented, and there will be items liberated from the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army as well. The Vietnam exhibit gives the museum and the community a chance to honor those men and women who served and died in the war. The event opening will be on Sunday May 29, at 2pm and will be free to the public. Call 707-745-5435 or visit beniciahistoricalmuseum.org for more information. B

John Beck Documentary fi lm maker, new baby

Marcel Sloane Regional Manager at REM, school-aged kids

Alan Wolken City of Richmond Redevelopment Director, college-aged kids

Pat Kelly Retired airline pilot, grandkids

Four phases

Vietnam War VeteransLOOKING BACK

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Benicia Magazine10

The Sun Stands Still

Ice cream trucks, the smell of chlorine, long evenings spent on the front porch, bare feet on the still-warm cement—such are the hallmarks of summer. The sweet-blooming scent of May wafts its way towards the still air of June and ever-increasing daylight hours. School’s out and the livin’s easy. Then there’s that one day… the day that doesn’t seem to end. That glorious day when you check the clock at 10pm and there’s still a glimmer of light on the horizon: the solstice. In modern circles, this is known as the fi rst day of summer, but a more accurate description would be midsummer—after June 21, the daylight begins to wane. Let’s get down to brass tacks here. The word solstice is derived from the Latin sol, meaning sun, and the verb sistere, which means to stand still. Yes, this is the day that the sun seems to linger so long at the top of the sky that it appears to stand still. But what does this really mean? Summer solstice is actually a single moment in time, when the axial tilt of the earth is physically closest to the sun. Bear in mind, this occurs in June in the Northern Hemisphere, and December in the Southern Hemisphere. This year, solstice in the north half takes place at precisely 5:16pm. Don’t blink—you might miss it. This reaching of our Earth towards the sun is worth celebrating—and celebrate we have. Perhaps the most famous for celebrating seasonal markers were European Pagans. More important to Pagans of yore, however, were the quarter-marker seasonal holidays—the days that fell directly between equinox and solstice. Perhaps the most bawdy of these four mid-season celebrations was Beltane, on May 1. Beltane was centered around, well, shall we say—fertility. The return of crops and the fullness of nature were paid homage by the dance around the maypole—which still carries over today—then the infamous Beltane fi res were lit and burned all night as each found a companion to celebrate the evening with. Summer Solstice bonfi res also burned through the night in a gesture of sympathetic magic with the sun itself—to boost its light-giving power and insure a plentiful crop and harvest. Modern-day Pagans and Solstice revelers still celebrate with an all-night party at Stonehenge, culminating with the sunrise at the direct center of the mysterious, ancient formation. Around the globe, throughout time immeasurable, we humans have erected great temples in honor of the sun. Many of these stone formations, like the ones in England and those built in Central America by the Mayans, may have been aligned with the sun for calendric purposes. Goddess worship was a popular theme in Summer Solstice antiquity, probably in keeping with the hope for fertility, which extended to the natural world and the necessity for a successful harvest. In Gaul, the Horse Goddess Epona was honored with a feast in her name; and Romans partied for a week in the name of Vestia, goddess of hearth and home. In Christian Europe, many of the previous Pagan festivals were incorporated into celebrations in honor of St. John the Baptist; who, incidentally, is the namesake for the popular mood-enhancing medicinal herb, St. John’s Wort,

which blooms on Summer Solstice. Ancient China honored the earth and the feminine, or yin energies, on Summer Solstice, while masculine or yang energies were paid homage on Winter Solstice. Summer Solstice, according to William Shakespeare, is a comedy of errors wrapped in a web of enchantments and other world encounters. In A Midsummer Night’s Dream, two pairs of star-crossed young lovers fall prey to the mischief of the faerie realm. Magic potions lead to cases of mistaken identity and false love. Summer stars twinkle above as the mortal madness unfolds below. In the morning, each participant is so at odds with the strangeness of the prior evening’s events that they collectively agree it must have been a dream. Shakespeare's themes are emblematic of solstice lore in various times and places: the boundaries between realms thin and blur together as the Earth reaches up to kiss the heavens. Dreams reign supreme; faeries dance and play in plain sight, and lovers consummate the marriage of Heaven and Earth in the fl esh. The splendor of the light causes drunken ecstasy, even as the shadow of shortening days lingers just beyond. North American native tribes, especially in the Great Plains, but other places as well, honor the sun and Great Spirit in ceremonies called Sun Dances. These ceremonies vary in length and protocol depending on the tribe, but each person who dances must have a great question in their heart, and seek guidance from Great Spirit as they dance. The city of Manhattan continues the spiritual theme this year with “Mind Over Madness Yoga,” www.timessquarenyc.org/about_us/events_solstice.html, an all day yoga session—smack in the middle of Times Square—to help folks cultivate a meditative mindset in the midst of one of the world’s most chaotic and frenetic places. Can’t afford to justify that cross-country plane ticket for a yoga class? There’s plenty of proper celebrating to be had right here at home. The city of Alameda hosts its 3rd annual “Long Day Short Film Festival,” at 7pm on June 21, at The Forbidden Island Tiki Lounge. Details can be found at www.ldsf.tumblr.com. Or, take your party out to sea with the San Francisco Summer SAILstice Celebration, taking place on Treasure Island Sunday, June 18th. This event is free and there will be food, drink and vendors. Boat in, or drive and hop on a free boat ride. Check out www.summersailstice.com for details. For a good, old-fashioned Pagan ritual, there’s a bonfi re at Ocean Beach starting at 7pm on the 21st. For details and directions, visit www.reclaiming.org/rituals. Whether you desire reverent ritual, all out bacchanalia, or just a nice barbeque and bonfi re; friends and loved ones, good food, and a warm jacket are all key ingredients for your Bay Area Solstice celebration. And—special thanks to the sun—we wouldn't be here without you! B

My Friend

Blueberry Beth Steinmann As I endeavor in print to pay homage to this most scrumptiously plump delicious superfruit, my hand moves repeatedly from a small basket on the table into my mouth—popping in small, tart-sweet berries several at a time. It’s important to understand your subject, you know. I have always loved blueberries. I remember being fi ve or six and proudly discovering, upon biting one in half and examining a cross-section, that the inner-fruit was actually milky-green. All grown up now, each spring I anxiously troll the grocery store isles waiting to pounce once the price of a basket comes down to less than fi ve bucks. And in June my stomach grins when these and other treasures (peaches! strawberries!) grace local stands at the farmer’s market. Nature’s splendor is truly at its pinnacle when a gift of healthful benefi ts comes wrapped in such a yummy package. We hear that blueberries are rich in antioxidants, but I’d just like to get the word out that the buck doesn’t stop there. Our friend the blueberry, several species of which are native to North America, is cousin to the cranberry, the grape and the bilberry. The blue-red pigment of her skin is home to a host of biofl avonoids, including quercetin, lutein, vitamin C, and an extra-special group called anthocynosides. These biofl avanoids prevent free radical cell damage that leads to glaucoma, cataracts, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, heart disease and cancer. They are responsible for increasing blood fl ow to capillaries and vessels all around the body, but especially to the eyes. Bilberry extract can be found in the vision section of any health food store, but why take a pill when the same benefi t can be gained by feeding on these little bursts of bliss? By the way, munching on blueberries also enhances circulation, reduces blood sugar levels, tones the heart and improves memory. Not bad for a little berry, huh?

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at www.ldsf.tumblr.com. San Francisco Summer Treasure Island Sunday, will be food, drink and ee boat ride. Check out

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reduces blood sugar levels, tones the heartand improves memory. Not bad for a little berry, huh?

Photo by Jerry Bowles

BeniciaMagazine.com

BENICIA UNIFIED SCHOOLSRegistration for Continuing Students

Registration for all BUSD students (your student must be enrolled to attend these dates*):

Liberty High & Benicia High: August 11 & 12

Benicia Middle: August 12 & 15

All Elementary Sites: August 9, 2pm-6pm

Kindergarten Orientation: August 16

Great schools, quality programs.Benicia Unified School District

350 East K Street

beniciaunified.org

All students entering

7th – 12th grades must show proof of a Tdap booster before registering

Enrollment forNew Students

All sites are currently doing Enrollment for the 2011-12 school year. Enrollment is by appointment only. Information can be found on the BUSD website, under quicklinks -

enrollment and registration, or call your local

school site.

*Call school site or visit beniciaunified.org for specific times

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all students entering 6th or 9th grade must show residency proof

before registering

Market Fresh Get Your Superfoods Here This year’s Farmers Market is off to a rollicking start. Now in its 19th year, cooked meals at homes all over town have been supplanted with al fresco dining at the Market. In addition to the returning Mexican food vendors, Fox and Fawn Bakehouse, new this year, is offering all-vegan baked goods and is already garnering a reputation for their vegan cupcakes. Organic produce is available, and the popular Great Valley Poultry is back with their brown and white free-range eggs. On the music front, Saxophonist Kevin Frazier returns, along with local musician Rich Flynn, and Michel Saga with his barrel organ and French café music trio Thursdays, 4-8pm, First & B Streets.

Ever wonder where our children, the promise of our future, end up after they graduate high school? You might be happily surprised to learn that our local grads are representing us well in colleges across the country. In the Benicia High School graduating class of 371 students, an astonishing $1,022,326 in scholarship money was awarded to college-bound students. Top awards include $400,000 to Taylor Lovelace from the U.S. Naval Academy, $184,520 to Kenya Wright from Brown University and $101,440 to Patrick Hollister from the University of Pennsylvania. Simon Sorensen, Parvati Dhurvas and Emmalyn Tringale have each earned scholarships ranging from $30,000 to $42,000. While most of the big money comes from the colleges, there are many local scholarships awarded from businesses and nonprofi t organizations. BHS grads are off to a mix of public and private colleges and universities including local community colleges, UC’s and CSU’s, out-of-state public colleges and universities, and Ivy League schools. St. Patrick-St. Vincent (SPSV) has a graduating class of 144 students, many of whom received scholarships. Students are off to all nine campuses of the University of California and almost all of the California State Universities. Some are attending out-of-state public and private colleges and universities including Boston University, Mills College and Occidental College. Specifi c award amounts were not yet available at print time. For a complete list of colleges and scholarship awards for BHS and SPSV graduates, visit the website at beniciamagazine.com. B

Local Grads Make Good

CURRENTS

Benicia Magazine12

Saturday, June 11, 11am-4pm At Downtown Benicia’s Shoreline PromenadeSaturday, June 11, 11am-4pm At Downtown Benicia’s Shoreline PromenadeMarché

Benicia!Marché Benicia!An outdoor marketplace

with a French flair!An outdoor marketplace

with a French flair!

French musicWine gardenFood vendorsArts & craftsEntertainmentFree admission!

French musicWine gardenFood vendorsArts & craftsEntertainmentFree admission!

Around the world, 1,999,999,999 fellow commoners and I watched as Kate Middleton became Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, by marrying Prince William, her college sweetheart. From 1:00am to 5:30am Pacifi c Coast Time, I sat transfi xed in front of the high defi nition television wearing my black fl annel pajamas with white hearts, sipping from a bottle of champagne and waiting for “The Dress” to make its debut. There was so much speculation and mystery about who the designer was going to be and how it would compare to Princess Diana’s “The Dress,” that when the moment came at 3am, Operation Meringue (the code name given to keep the secret) was somewhat anticlimactic. Alexander McQueen's creative director Sarah Burton was the chosen designer. The dress was immediately compared to what Grace Kelly wore when she married her Prince in 1956. McQueen, the late British designer, was known for using high contrast in his work, combining dark and light and soft and hard in exaggerated silhouettes. It is a skill Ms. Burton is said to have inherited, and has continued in the label’s designs since McQueen’s death last year. However, Catherine’s dress had little resemblance to McQueen’s use of exaggeration, whose work is currently being shown at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The exhibit includes signature designs such as the Bumster Trouser, the Kimono Jacket and the Origami Frock Coat, as well as pieces inspired by the 1860s, 1880s, 1890s, and 1950s that he crafted into contemporary designs, transmitting romance with an edge. McQueen used feathers, fringed seams and even crocodile shoulder treatments in his expressions of art. “The Dress” was beautiful, with its deep V neckline, lace bodice and full skirt, and was fl attering to Catherine’s classic look. One could say that Burton kept true to her client’s style without making a big fashion statement. The new Duchess is movie star gorgeous and extremely photogenic, so it would be hard for her to look bad in anything. Aside from the lace treatment, I am afraid that there will be very little fashion infl uence from “the Dress” of this century. What I was completely blown away with were the hats. A Royal

requirement, everyone attending the wedding had something spectacular, and in a few cases comical, on their heads except the Prime Minister’s wife, Samantha Cameron. British millinery designers must have been working overtime to create, and not duplicate, for this worldwide event. The overwhelming choice was Philip Treacy, who designed hats for Victoria and David Beckham (he never put his on), Sara Phillips, Princess Mathilde of Belgium, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece and my favorite, Tara Palmer-Tomlinson, who wore vibrant blue head to toe. The two daughters of Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew had one of those “what were they thinking?” moments with their ensembles. Princess Eugenia wore a two-piece blue ensemble from edgy British designer Vivienne Westwood, and Princess Beatrice chose a blush-colored Valentino coat. Even though their fascinators were designed by Philip Treacy, they both had the appearance of a fairy tale gone bad. Sorry girls!! It seemed as if the fascinator was the choice of women under thirty who fi led into Westminster Abbey. These whimsical head coverings have made a comeback in the early 21st century, thanks to Kate Middleton being photographed at Royal functions in a range of distinctive styles. A fascinator is a decorative headband or headpiece that attaches to the hair by a comb, headband or clip. Modern fascinators are commonly made with feathers, tulle, fl owers or beads. A fascinator may be worn instead of a hat to occasions where hats are traditionally worn—such as weddings—or as an evening accessory, when it may be called a cocktail hat. I think they have become popular with younger women because there isn't the all-day or all-night commitment of wearing a hat, thus eliminating the danger of hat hair. Since the wedding, everyone is trying to fi nd their English roots. I predict that the British Invasion is returning with all eyes on William and Catherine, and the innovative designers from across the pond. Long live England and Fashion! B

Royal Wedding

Perspective

FASHIONISTABy Christina Strawbridge

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An Interview with

You were accepted at eight colleges,

including three Ivy League schools.

How did you decide on Brown? I chose Brown because of the academic freedom. Even before I visited the campus, I knew that Brown didn’t have a required core curriculum, and I liked that. I value my independence and freedom. I like having choices. Then I got on campus, and the architecture and everything was perfect. I had such a positive feeling about it. Not just about the campus, I like Providence as well. I also like that the focus is on undergraduates; that the focus is on making sure you’re nurtured through your fi rst years of college. The other schools (fi nalists Cornell and Columbia) have large grad programs, but not Brown.

What motivates you? Besides just being self-motivated from the jump, I feel I have a responsibility to meet my potential. I feel it’s a waste if I don’t take the hardest classes, if I don’t challenge myself. I also feel like it’s my responsibility to consider my ancestors, particularly my grandmother who’s passed. I’m a lot like her. She was really into fashion, she was intelligent since birth. She was my chaperone when I went to Italy with Voena—we were always roommates if the family went somewhere together. I always felt a connection with her because we shared a love of fashion, and apparently we look alike.

Why did you add a job to your schedule? I wanted my own computer! In a house with fi ve people, including my mom who writes children’s books and my dad who does genealogy research, there’s never enough computer time. I got a work permit when I was 14 so I could earn money, and I bought my own computer. Now I work six hours a week after school at Canvasback Missions.

What’s your passion? I love singing. That’s my passion. I love singing, learning songs in new languages. … I’ve been to South Africa, China, Italy, Mexico and Washington, D.C. with Voena. Annabelle (Voena’s director) is a genius. She teaches us choreography, she arranges songs, she appeals to kids of all ages. … She teaches you the Voena “Big Three”: hard work ethic, accept the challenge, and self-motivation. That’s part of what I value. I work to meet those. Having those values instilled in me every week has defi nitely shaped my life.

When you travel with Voena, do you have time

to see the sights in addition to performing? We do it all! It’s a very tight schedule. We do the tourist attractions and we do a lot of performances, and we get to see a lot of native performers. That opens a whole new world. … The entire experience is enriched when you sing with others.

How does singing with local performers

enhance the experience? If you’re just a tourist, you go back to your hotel and you only see whoever you’re traveling with. But if you’re singing with others, performing with people who live there, you become more of a local, there’s more interaction and you learn more history. You get a whole feel you wouldn’t get in a class or from a textbook. It’s an uplifting experience.

How will you incorporate music in your life

after graduation? I’ll defi nitely take music classes at Brown and, after grad school, I want to create a social enterprise that will have an international reach and have a music component.

What is a “social enterprise” business? Social enterprises operate more like nonprofi ts than traditional businesses. There are two basic models. In the fi rst, you take any type of business—coffee or shoes or anything—and you use all the profi ts for another benefi t, a cause that appeals to you and needs support. In the second model, you have a business that provides a social good and you use the profi ts to fund nonprofi ts. I’m leaning toward that second model.

What do you do to have fun? I like going to the movies – that’s one of my favorite things to do. I also like hanging out with my best friends because one lives in Vallejo and the other goes to Berkeley High, so I don’t always get to see them. I like researching new songs, just looking up songs from my favorite artists to listen to, and going on day trips to places that are warm. And I love puzzles and painting my nails for fun.

What would you change about high school? In the past two years, I’ve become a little disenchanted with the AP system. I love that we have the courses and learn so much, but I feel the focus is on stuffi ng us with information for the tests, not on experiencing the joy of really learning a subject, not on taking the time to stop and think about what we’re learning. The purpose of this system isn’t my purpose. Also, what I see my friends doing to get into college: all the late nights, all the extra-curriculars they take just to get into college. Then deserving students don’t get in, even if they worked harder than others.

What advice would you give other students

who want to go to a top-ranked university? Doing your research is key. These days, Columbia costs $60,000 a year. If you’re going to be spending that amount, taking all these extra courses just to get in, you need to be sure that’s what you want. B

By Sue Sumner-Moore Benicia High senior Kenya Wright has a plan: Graduate this month near the top of her class, head to Brown University in the fall to major in entrepreneurship, move on to Columbia University for graduate school in business, then establish a social enterprise company, most likely in Southern California. But if she changes course along the way, she’ll adjust and move forward. “I’ve changed my plan hundreds of times,” the 17-year-old says with an easy laugh. “But I always have a plan and a means to reach my goal.” Kenya started thinking about college years ago. By the time she was in seventh grade, she’d set her sights on Columbia University in New York City. “I defi nitely wanted to be at a high-level school, but not because I wanted a big-name college. I wanted to be challenged,” she says. To meet that goal, Kenya took honors and AP classes in addition to singing and traveling with Voena for 12 years, volunteering as a California Scholastic Federation tutor, doing gymnastics plus track and fi eld, attending a mission trip on a Navajo reservation with her church, taking leadership roles on campus, and working part-time. “She’s bright, she’s poised, she’s capable and she’s confi dent,” Kathleen Wallace, co-chair of the BHS counseling department, says of Kenya. Kenya considered becoming a dentist or fashion designer or lawyer, but her career path changed when she joined Benicia High’s Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship (SAGE) program in her junior year. That year, the club won the state title and placed third at nationals. Its water audit program and water bottle sales funded micro-loans, a water tank for a village in Haiti and fi rst-aid supplies for Mali. Kenya, the daughter of Linda and Randy Wright, has lived in Benicia since she was 9 months old. Her younger sister is a freshman at BHS, while her older brother attends San Francisco State University.

“ ”Kenya Wright

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The Rellik Tavern www.therelliktavern.com 707.746.1137Live music Friday & Saturday nights: June 4, 9pm; June 10, 7pm; June 11, 9pm; June 24, 7pm; June 25, 9pmFeatured Bands/Singers: The Voltones, Sin Silver, Blisses B, Angie & the Car Wrecks, Ali Handal, Low-fi

Upstairs at the Café www.fi rststreetcafe.com/upstairs 707.745.1400Live music Thursday, Friday & Saturday nights: June 2, 7pm; June 4, 8pm; June 9, 8pm; June 10, 8pm; June 24, 8pm Featured Bands/Singers: Jim Nunally & Nell Robinson, Rick Flynn, Ken Cooper, Highway 61

Historical Museum www.beniciahistoricalmuseum.org 707.745.5435Live music: Saturday, June 18, 8pm; Sunday, June 26, 1:30pmFeatured Bands/Singers: The Johnny Smith Group, The Kennedy Music Studio Student Concert

Kinder’s BBQ www.kindersbbq.com/Benicia 707.745.4453Live Music on the Patio every Thursday, 6-9pm

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Spa at Benicia Bay www.theinnatbeniciabay.com 707.746-1055Live Music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday 6:30-8:30pmFeaturing: Tony Robins, Bizzy Lewis

Union Hotel 707-746-0110Live Music every Thursday at 6pm

Havana Sol Restaurant, Vallejo www.havanasolrestaurant.com 707.554.3777Live Music: Saturday, June 4 & Sunday, June 12, 4pm Featured Bands/Singers: Danilo, Vallejo Jazz Society

ListeningFeatured Musician: David Sikes, singer, songwriter and base guitarBorn: Cambridge England, 4/25/55Resides In: BeniciaFavorite Food: Barbequed salmon Favorite Book: Winston Churchill’s The Second World War six volume setFavorite Song: Too many to list in too many different genresRelationship Status: Married, two sons

How do you feel about being a musician at this stage of your life?I love it; it’s just such a natural part of me, even when I was a little kid. I’ve always been aware of music; I’ve always loved the creative side of it. I’ll play until I physically can’t anymore.

What’s your music background? I’ve played with a lot of different musicians—Steve Perry from Journey, Robby Krieger from The Doors, Bob Weir from Grateful Dead, Jim Belushi, Al Jardine from The Beach Boys, a number of guys from Night Ranger, Stef Burns, Jeff Campitelli, and with the bands Aldo Nova and Boston. I was 29 when I started with Boston. I played with them for 11 years and left the band in 1998. I was missing out on my kids’ growing up. We were very spoiled—private jet, stayed at the Ritz and Four Seasons, you couldn’t ask for a more comfortable way to tour but I started to get tired of being on the road. I didn’t want to keep up that lifestyle. I was ready to do something different so I ended up buying an insurance agency—Allstate Insurance in Vallejo. I play a lot at the Bohemian Club in San Francisco where I’m a member, and I do local charity concerts. I’m doing a concert with the Pacifi c Union Club in a few weeks.

When did you know you wanted to be a musician?The fi rst time I consciously thought about it was when I saw the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show.

Who was your biggest infl uence?Probably Paul McCartney—he’s such an incredible all-around musician.

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6/2-6/30 Benicia Farmers Market 4-8pm Fresh fruits & vegetables, baked goods, gourmet food First Street between B and D Streets, every Thursday Beniciamainstreet.org 707.745.9791

6/4-6/26 Capitol & Fischer-Hanlon House Guided Tours 1, 2 & 3pm Fischer-Hanlon tours available June 5, 18, 19 Capitol open weekends only 115 West G Street 707.745.3385

6/5 31 Annual Festival of Arts in the Park 12pm Children's activities—hands-on art, arts/crafts, food & more! City Park, First Street at Military Beniciacommunityarts.org 707.745.2787

6/10 Benicia Plein Air Gallery Reception 5-7pm Featured artist is Catherine Fasciato 307 First Street, Benicia Beniciapleinair.com

6/11 Friends of the Library Book Sale 10am-4pm Benicia Library, 150 East L Street Benicialibrary.org 707.746.4343

6/11 Marche Benicia 11am - 4pm Food, wine & entertainment, arts/crafts, pony rides/face painting Marketplace at the foot of First Street Beniciamainstreet.org 707.745.9791.

6/12 Taleo Criterium Bike Race, fi rst race at 7:45am A full day of fun & racing in downtown Benicia Carol Day 707.749.6373 or Judie Donaldson 707.652.4622. Taleoracing.com

6/15 Evening Book Club for Adults 7-8pm Library Dona Benicia Room Benicia Library, 150 East L Street Benicialibrary.org 707.746.4343

6/18 Spenger Garden Music Series 8pm Johnny Smith Group, sophisticated blues, jazz & rock fusion Benicia Historical Museum, 2060 Camel Road Beniciahistoricalmuseum.org 707.745.5435

6/24 Outdoor Concert & Movie 6pm Free outdoor concert, 6pm, movie Despicable Me, 8pm First Street at Military West, City Park Gazebo 707.746.4285

6/26 Free Student Concert, Benicia Historical Museum 1:30pm Kennedy Music Studio students: classical/rock/folk/blues/pop/jazz Stone Hall, Benicia Historical Museum, 2060 Camel Road Beniciahistoricalmuseum.org 707.745.5435

JuneCalendar of Events

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