Benicia, CA

When our kids were growing up, they never wanted to leave town for the 4th of July. It wasn't because they were homebodies or didn't like to have fun.

Rather it was because nobody does the 4th like Benicia. Just ask anyone who's visited Benicia over the 4th of July. And actually, when I say the 4th of July, I REALLY mean the 3rd and 4th -- for Benicia's Independence Day activities begin on the 3rd and run straight through fireworks on the 4th.

MORE THAN JUST ONE DAY OF FUN

The party actually begins early on the 3rd, when the townspeople start lining First Street with lawn chairs and placing their blankets out on the lawn on at the City Park in anticipation of the annual Torchlight Parade.

This year's parade begins at 6:30 pm on the Third of July. It's a bit hokey, a bit folksy, and every bit Benicia. And something that most Benicians wouldn't miss. The entire town shows up -- food and drink in hand to celebrate a kickoff to our country's birthday.

The parade always has a little something for everyone. Horses, dogs and a spitting camel. Firetrucks, policecars and perhaps even a cement mixer or shiny new garbage truck. Marching bands, dancing school children, clowns, belly-dancers, even a gorilla on a bicycle.

JUST THE APPETIZER...

But that's just the appetizer, for the real fun takes place the following day -- on the 4th of July.

It all starts with the Picnic in The Park -- which runs from 12 noon to 7 pm at, you guessed it, City Park. The locals show up to eat, drink and enjoy a variety of local entertainment, which takes place in front of Benicia's hometown gazebo. There are food and beverage booths, things to do for the kids, even an arts and crafts fair. Many Benicians show up early and spend the entire afternoon at the park.

FIREWORKS OVER THE WATER

But the highlight of the day -- and the part that no 4th of July celebration can be without -- takes place at dusk. Of course, I'm talking about Benicia's always spectacular fireworks display. This year's show begins right after dusk.

The Benicia Main Street Program, which puts on the 3rd & 4th of July festivities, says the pyrotechnic display is scheduled to begin around 9 pm. But the entire town migrates down to the waterfront several hours before that. Most people set up camp either at the Marina or the First Street Green in preparation for the colorful fireworks show, which takes place over the water.

Some people prefer to watch the display from a favorite spot on one of the hills in Southampton that looks out towards the water. From some of these hillside vista points, you can see not only Benicia's fireworks show, but also those from several Contra Costa cities.

Anyone who visits Benicia over the Independence Day festivities really gets to see Benicia at its best. Back in the late 1980s or early 1990s, the Disney Channel filmed our 3rd of July Torchlight Parade as part of a network promo showing that Small Town America was alive and well.

If you long for a traditional 4th in a setting that feels like you just stepped into a Norman Rockwell portrait, don't miss this year's Independence Day festivities in Benicia. It's a slice of Americana that always keeps the townsfolk from leaving town.

For more information, contact Benicia's Main Street Program at 707-745-9791.

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Today's weather is predicted to be beautiful. Why not bring your blanket, low beach chairs, and picnic baskets for delightful evening watching the popular movie "Kung Fu Panda" outside in our wonderful downtown City park.

The Blues Defenders, a Sonoma County music group will start the festivities by playing their brand of "gritty roadhouse style West Coast Blues" from 6:30-8PM.

This event is sponsored by Benicia Parks and Community Services Department along with Benicia Performing Arts. Movie night downtown has been going on for quite some years. I can remember taking a blanket and sitting on the lawn watching movies played against the side of the historic Capitol Building at least 7 years ago with my twin daughters.

It is an opportunity to connect with friends and neighbors and meet new friends!! The location in the downtown City park provides ample space for adults to mingle and children to run free playing on the famous playground which my daughters loving called the "wood park".

If you forget to bring a snack, popcorn will provided by local volunteer groups. Or just walk across the street to Safeway. Just remember this is an alcohol free event! For more information you can call 707-746-4285.

Another reason to consider living in Benicia, CA. Free Movie Night in the summers!

With summer starting full tilt and people deciding what can we do this summer for a "staycation", think of visiting Benicia, CA June 13th. Experience a French Theme Event along our famous promenade next to the Carquinez Straits. Sponsored by our wonderful Benicia Street Program this will start at 10AM and run til 4PM. Come browse the vendor booths filled with delicious treats, arts and crafts, jewelry....plenty to keep your interest piqued! Listen to the sounds of Paris by several local musicians.

"Marche Benicia" is a new event for our lovely city. Sip wines imported from France staffed by our local Soroptimist International of Benicia in the wine garden. Add some Champagne and mimosas and OH LA LA!! C'est Bon!!

The last steam locomotive built for Union Pacific railroad was welcomed by several hundred history buffs, train buffs and curious Benicians as it rolled through Benicia earlier today as part of a 32-day tour celebrating the 140th anniversary of the driving of the Golden Spike.

Benicia planning commissioner Rick Ernst organized the event and said he didn’t expect more than 50 people to attend. To his surprise, four or five times that number showed up, including Mayor Elizabeth Patterson, Vice-Mayor Tom Campbell and Councilmen Alan Schwartzman and Mike Ioakimedes.

Ernst set up an impromptu Benicia train station (a tent) in hopes that the train would make a temporary stop along its way from Roseville to Oakland — the Western-most destination on its 32-day round-trip journey from Cheyenne, WY.

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It’s been a few months since President Obama announced his Making Home Affordable housing plan. Unfortunately, in many parts of the country, including right here in Benicia, Vallejo and much of the rest of the Golden State, the plan likely won’t have much of an impact.

And, judging by what many of my colleagues in other parts of the state or country are saying, the program may be one of those that sounds good but has little impact in some of those areas as well.

In case you missed it, the Making Home Affordable Plan is supposed to help up to 9 million U.S. homeowners refinance or modify their loans in an effort to prevent responsible owner-occupants from instead becoming foreclosure casualties.

The program targets two different types of borrowers:

1. Those who have been unable to refinance and take advantage of today’s low interest rates due to their home’s drop in value; and,

2. Those who are either behind on their payments or struggling to stay current.

Part I — Refinance Assistance

The first program allows those who owe up to 105% more than their home’s current market value the opportunity to refinance into a lower-cost loan. Unfortunately, here in Solano and Contra Costa Counties as well as pretty much the rest of the Bay Area, most of the homes that are under-water have lost so much equity that they’re worth far less the 105% maximum that the Making Home Affordable plan allows.

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