Benicia Peddler’s Fair

“Benicia Peddler’s Fair thanks the community for voting us the Solano County Event of the Year for 2015!”

This outdoor event began in 1963 with a few collectible and antique stores displaying their items on tables outside St Paul’s Church. It has grown into over 325 select antique and collectible dealers from all over the country and 25,000+ loyal fans and many friendly volunteers. They now transform the entire 11 blocks of First Street in the historic town of Benicia with beautiful views of the Carquinez Strait. The show offers visitors an opportunity to examine and purchase items that include period furniture, decorative antiques, vintage textiles, pottery, porcelain, Depression glass, art, jewelry, clocks, and much more. Special activities have included appraisals by Steve Yvaska, noted Bay Area journalist and the Kids Korner.

Each year, thousands of dollars are raised to preserve the historic St. Paul’s Church, a California historic landmark.  In addition, ten percent of the proceeds are donated to community organizations.  Come enjoy the 2016 Peddler’s Fair, Saturday, August 13.

120 East J St, Benicia, CA 94510

707-745-8680

www.beniciapeddlersfair.org

Animal Clinic of Benicia

Dr. Laurie Aleixo took over the Animal Clinic of Benicia in April of 2002. Over the last 14 years, she has worked hard to build a practice that provides our community with loving, professional and friendly service. They know how much a pet can be loved and that they are part of the family. Animal Clinic of Benicia wants to help provide your family with the information and care to keep your pets happy and healthy for a long time. They not only offer excellent medical care, but an array of products such as preventatives, supplements and treats. They offer surgical services such as spaying and neutering, dental prophylaxis (cleaning) for dogs and cats, growth removals and many others.

‘We are so grateful to our wonderful clients and community for voting and making us the winner of the Local Choice Awards three years in a row! We will continue to work hard to maintain your trust, and take the best possible care of your furry family members. We look forward to strengthening the bond between our established patients, and meeting any new patients who may be looking for a loving and friendly veterinarian and staff. On behalf of Dr. Laurie, AJ, Ashley, Dani, Chelsea, Nicole, Kristin, Sam, Zoe, and Diana, thank you for trusting us with the care of your pets, and for your continued support in the future and throughout all of our years here.”

402 Military East, Benicia, CA 94510

707-745-5993

www.demandforce.com/b/acob

Animal Clinic of Benicia 2016

Meritage Resort and Spa

The Meritage Resort and Spa is an extraordinary four-diamond Napa Valley luxury resort set against a hillside vineyard. A destination unto itself, it features 322 Tuscan-inspired guest rooms and luxury suites, seasonal farm-to-table cuisine at the Siena Restaurant and wine tasting in the Estate Cave featuring Trinitas Cellars. Regain a healthful balance with curative treatments at Spa Terra—a lavish underground spa with steam grottos, soaking pools, treatment alcoves and tranquil walls of water. The resort boasts the most comprehensive event and meeting space in the wine country, including the two largest ballrooms in the Napa Valley, the Estate Cave and three covered terraces. Crush Ultra Lounge offers guests a chance to relax with a full bar, sports entertainment and six bowling lanes. Far more than a place for relaxation, our unique property is an Old World escape from the ordinary. The Meritage Resort and Spa experience is the perfect blend of gracious hospitality, unrivaled amenities and peerless personal care. The Meritage Resort and Spa, We are Napa.

875 Bordeaux Way, Napa, CA 94558

707-251-1942

www.meritageresort.com

From the Core Pilates

From the Core Pilates Studio opened its doors in Benicia in May 2003. This devoted Pilates studio offers personalized training and works with people of all ages, genders and abilities.

From the Core’s Motto is, “mindful movement changes lives.”

Their goal is to bring mobility to those who have not been in the fitness scene or don’t fit the gym mold, also they may have health issues/injuries/recovering from surgery or limitations that require more attention.

The Pilates equipment that they use is a great tool to enable students of all fitness levels, from the deconditioned to the athletes, to perform exercises that otherwise would be unattainable.

The studio offers one-on-one sessions (personal training) and also offers small group classes. They also offer classes that use specialized Pilates equipment that can only be found in Pilates studios.

When asked what sets them apart, Owner Nancy Camilli-Hevener had this to say, “We offer mindful, current and progressive techniques to our students, and our instructors are highly trained and knowledgeable.”

Another great reason to join From the Core Pilates is that there are NO startup fees for initiation!

Nancy Camilli-Hevener is also a Certified Instructor and has been teaching a wide range of fitness programs since 1983. E-mail them today at fromthecorestudio@comcast.net

560 First St, Benicia, CA 94510

707-373-9245

www.pilatesfromthecore.com

Napa Humane Society

Napa Humane leads the way in decreasing cat, dog and rabbit overpopulation and in strengthening the human/animal bond.

Napa Humane’s professional veterinary staff performs up to 5,000 low-cost spay/neuter surgeries per year, offers affordable vaccinations to keep a healthy pet and people population, and provides affordable microchipping so lost pets can swiftly find their way home.

One of the proven ways to protect animals and create a more humane world is through humane education. Napa Humane’s education program reaches thousands of children each year and is offered free of charge to local schools, teaching children and adults alike how to be safe, responsible, and respectful with the pets in their care and in their community.

Napa Humane operates a behavior helpline designed to develop and maintain humane homes and to help keep animals from being abandoned or surrendered. Pet owners receive practical counseling and advice so that they can ensure the relationship they have with their pets is a positive and functional one.

These services, specifically low cost spay/neuter, have the greatest impact on reducing the number of homeless pets in the Napa Valley and make certain that every animal is a wanted animal.

Post Office Box 695, Napa, CA, 94559/3265 California Blvd, Napa, CA 94558

707-255-8118

www.napahumane.org

Rodie’s Feed & Pet Supply

Nestled in the foothills of Mount Diablo in Clayton, Rodie’s Feed & Pet Supply is a family owned retail pet store featuring feed and supplies for pets and farm animals. The store also has supplies for domestic and wild birds, and is home to a host of exotic birds from finches to Macaws. Every team member is a Certified Avian Specialist and trained in the care and handling of exotic birds.

Rodie’s continually partners with organizations like the Contra Costa Avian Society, the Clayton Dog Park, Contra Costa Animal Services, CBCA and other local groups in the Clayton Valley Community. These partnerships include outreach projects, educational presentations and field trips, kitten adoptions, and community events.

They invite you to bring your pets to check out all they have to offer. Check their website for more information and to view their upcoming events!

8863 Marsh Creek Rd, Clayton, CA 94517

925-672-4600

www.rodiesfeedandpetsupplyclaytonca.com

Sandra Martin Skincare and Makeup Studio

Born and raised in Switzerland, renowned for its health and beauty, Sandra has always paid close attention to skin care. Starting in the beauty industry 15 years ago, she worked closely with dermatologists and plastic surgeons using state of the art treatments. Her curious nature caused her to research many skin-care lines to better serve her clientele. Her focus now is to apply her knowledge to benefit each client’s needs and customize treatment to maximize their results.

Sandra Martin also is known for her make-up artistry skills. Having a creative mind she always wanted to be a makeup artist. Sandra trained at the prestigious Make-Up Designory in Los Angeles, which produces the most talented make-up artists in motion pictures, television and print. Her expertise includes: beauty, fashion, print, bridal, corporate and special events.

1043 Stuart St, Lafayette, CA 94549

925-330-7304

www.sandramartinmua.com

From a Friend

We’re hoping that 2016 is starting off well for you. It has been splendid so far for us and we hope that El Niño continues to bring us plenty of wet weather so that we can get out of this drought. We have to say, though, that we’re still a little bit confused why they call it the “little boy” or, “little baby boy” in Spanish.

On that note, our own “little one” is out in this edition again—the 2015 Local’s Choice Awards! This year marks the 5th Annual Awards! We can hardly believe that it has been 5 years already!! Thank you to the thousands of locals who cast their votes. To those of you who did not see your favorites among our winners, remember the winners typically have a wide fan base. So, make sure to not only vote early and often BUT to also get your friends and family involved as well.

We enjoy this time of the year as the days slowly get longer, allowing us more hours in our days. It also means that there is a lot more happenings to do! You’ll find our calendar of events to be full of fun and exciting adventures for you and your family. Just recently a friend of ours was asking why their event was not listed in the pages of our magazine, which reminds us to remind our readers that we have limited space in the pages of our print edition and we would encourage you to always check out our website for the most complete and current listings. If you are still unable to find your favorite event, please let us know and we can make sure to get it in there for you. Remember, you and the rest of the public can post events on our website as well—and the best part is that it’s FREE. This is why we started the magazine: so that we could do our part to help spread the word about all the wonderful events that happen right in our very own backyard.

On that same note, if you have a story idea for our editorial pages please share that with us as well. While we may not run it in our next issue we are always on the lookout for new ideas for upcoming events and happenings to share with our readers. In the meantime, enjoy the stories in this issue while you are staying snug and dry from all the rain we should be getting before spring arrives in March 2016. Once the skies do clear up, venture out to one of the many upcoming events that will be happening around you and be sure to visit our website before you do so you can get the latest information about those great happenings!

We would like to start off our birthday wishes for the new year by saying to our oldest brother Larry, “May you have a very Happy Birthday!” We would also wish some birthday cheer to Stephen, Megan, JoAnn, Mars, Marco, Tracey, Johnny, Myrna, Judy, Askari, John, Gary, Marc, Socorro, John Troupe, Louise, Betsey, Tim, Erin, Shane, Rafaela, Christina, Patti, Dennis, Elizabeth, Judi, Dalia, Uncle Gabe, Frank, Francis, Raymond, Judi, Betsey, Dennis, Louise, Reyna, Judy, Liz, Eric, Juanita and all those others.

We hope all of you enjoy our upcoming spring season, Cheers!

Robert Briseno and his two boys

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert Briseño

Deanna, John and the Dogs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

& Deanna Baillie