until suburbia!

Sign for di Rosa with red sculpture in the back

Picnic and Art, di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art, Napa

March 24, 2023Silvia

Once the rain is gone I’m looking forward to a picnic. A classic spot for a picnic is Napa. You can combine it with wine tastings surrounded by vineyards. If you want to step up your game, impress someone special, or just not into wine, I recommend visiting di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art.

Di Rosa hosts two galleries with a focus on contemporary artists from the Bay Area. However, there is much more to discover. Located in a nature preserve within wine stocks, you walk by sculptures, an immersion of nature and art.

When we visited last weekend we saw Willian Allan’s Negotiations with Eden in gallery 1. Allan was a leading figure in the Bay Area’s Funk scene in the 1960s and 70s. His fish paintings show off a whimsical trait reflected again with the painted beans in a few display cases. This playful view on art, e.g., lucky number beans or birds eyes painted on beans, continues in his photographs where he reveals an eye for nature’s curiosities. Negotiations with Eden is open until May 14th, 2023.

Gallery 2 is labeled The Incorrect Museum – di Rosa’s permanent collection with a focus on ‘beat,’ ‘funk’ and other key movements in Bay Area art history. My favorite was the house of bottles in an outside area: Mildred Howard’s Memory Garden Phase 1. You can actually go inside the bottle house!

Due to the heavy rain the sculpture meadow, as well as another installation, were closed to the public. A bit unfortunate since I was looking forward to seeing the sculptures. However, while there were some sculptures on the way to the gallery 2, I can see myself returning on a sunny day with some friends, a picnic basket, and enjoying the sculpture garden and installation we missed.

On the second Sunday of the month they also offer nature hikes through the Sculpture Meadow and up the northern side of the property. Hikes start at 10 am, advanced tickets are required.

di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art is located on 5200 Carneros Highway in Napa, CA. General Admission is $20, senior, military and students are $17, under 17 free. Opening hours are Friday to Sunday, 11 am – 4 pm.

Do you know of great picnic spots?

Entrance to the exhibit Fearless by Ana Lazaro

Celebrate Women’s History Month

March 17, 2023March 17, 2023Silvia

March is Women’s history month. A great way to celebrate is to check out your local library to see if they have anything special planned. I went to the Yolo Library in Davis and they currently have three (3!) exhibits to celebrate women.

The first exhibit is Fearless by Davis based artist, Ana Lazaro, in the Blanchard Room. The Blanchard Room is the left entrance of the library and is open during opening hours. Lazaro’s works are mostly acrylic on wood and depict famous women, like Maya Angelou, Dorothea Lange, and Dolores Huerta. The portrait of Ruth Bader Ginsburg is especially striking. I enjoyed the short biography of the subjects and the notes about the books and other library materials available to borrow. Some of the pieces are auctioned off as giclées (high resolution prints) to benefit the Friends of the Yolo Library.

For the second exhibit you have to go to the other end of the library. Herstory 1 & 2: The Legal History of Chinese American Women is shown until the end of May in all Yolo County libraries. This collection of legal milestones was curated by Dr. Chang C. Chen. An amazing reference to brave Chinese American women from women’s suffrage, to the first Chinese American female to hold the office of Secretary of State, and other less known stories.

I was delighted to see a collage of Riot Grrrls at the teen center. Pictures of women in all shapes and colors ready to riot.

Mary L. Stephens Davis Library

is located at 315 E 14th St in Davis. Opening hours are Monday 12 to 8 p.m, Tuesday to Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Sunday 1 to 5:30 p.m.

Does your library have an exhibit celebrating women?

Hanna & Herbert Bauer Community Garden in Woodland

Plant a Community, Hanna & Herbert Bauer Community Garden

March 10, 2023Silvia

After all these extreme weather events it is finally time to plant your garden. If you don’t have a garden of your own you can ask for a community garden plot. The Hanna & Herbert Bauer Community Garden in Woodland is managed by the Health and Human Services department. The 32 plots are tended by residents, but they also offer classes that are open to the public. The garden was established in 2013 with the goal to increase access to fresh produce for the community.

It was great to see the different plots, some still with the winter vegetables, like chard and cabbage. The many benches promise an interaction on warmer days. Next to the garden area is a small orchard with about 10 different trees. Also the solar farm adjacent to it is harvesting hopes.

To apply for a 10 x 10 plot you can contact the Garden Coordinator: David Linebarger at david.linebarger@yolocounty.org. There is no fee for plot rental, just a commitment for giving 12 hours/year of maintenance service to the garden. With this amazing offer it is no surprise that the plots are usually taken. But turnover does happen.

The Hanna & Herbert Bauer Community Garden is located in the back of the Yolo County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) Bauer building in Woodland, 137 N Cottonwood St. If you are interested in classes check their facebook page for upcoming events: https://www.facebook.com/YoloCountyHHSA

Are you a member of a community garden?

Experience Yolo Snow

March 3, 2023Silvia

Last weekend was the Almond Festival in Capay Valley. A 108 year old tradition celebrating the beautiful sight of almond trees in bloom. I heard that the bloom is usually best experienced a week before the festival, around mid February. But maybe because of the unusual weather patterns we had, blossoms held off for a while. They are in full bloom now and it is a spectacular sight!

Going up Rd 16 you will go by small towns that offer various activities, local delicacies, arts and music. We went all the way to Rumsey and enjoyed getting to know the local farmers, were impressed with the art show, and will be back next year for their famous oven fired pizza. We had already decided to stop on our way back in Guinda for BBQ oysters offered by the volunteer fire department. At the Grange Hall, crafts were available and we savored our almond vanilla ice cream.

After we enjoyed the festivities I wanted to stop at an almond orchard and take a few pictures of the Yolo snow and the trees. This turned out to be more involved than we bargained for. Our car got stuck in the mud and it took us a long time to push it out on the road.

The Almond Festival of Capay Valley is always the last weekend in February.

Have you ever experienced Yolo snow?

Shop for Vintage Clothes in Davis

February 24, 2023Silvia

It makes sense that Davis as a college town has lots of ways to shop second hand. There are a few vintage clothing stores downtown. If you are looking for a more social experience check out Davis Craft and Vintage Fair. Besides vintage clothes this fair also features local crafts and jewelry. I saw some cute Amigurumi (Japanese art of knitting or crocheting small stuffed animals and dolls), interesting artwork, and homemade jewelry.

The Craft and Vintage Fair was started more than 10 years ago as the Square Tomatoes Craft Fair by some instructors for the UC Davis Craft Center. The best news is it is usually twice a month from 10 am to 4 pm (only once a month in July and August). Stroll down the covered area at Central Park Pavillion, where you can find the farmers market on Saturdays. There is live music and food trucks, too. But wait there’s more. On the second Friday they move to E Street Plaza from 5 pm to 9 pm, as part of the 2nd Friday ArtAbout.

On my way back home I found a pop-up vintage market in the University Mall parking lot on Russell Blvd. They also had vintage clothing, art, and toys. I really enjoyed my sample of dill pickle flavored popcorn.

Davis is definitely the place to be if you are looking to buy vintage clothes and local art. It is also great for the environment to re-use.

The Davis Craft and Vintage Fair is located at Central Park 301 C St. for their Sunday markets. Find them at E Street Plaza near Baskin Robbins for the 2nd Friday ArtAbout.

The Vintage pop-up market is on Sundays in the parking lot of the University Mall on Russell Blvd.

Where do you go vintage cloth shopping?

A small pink tractor is parked next to some antique tractors

Count the Tractors at California AG Museum, Woodland

February 17, 2023Silvia

It is no surprise that Woodland has a museum for agriculture. Surrounded by fields and orchards, agriculture is ever present. But I did not expect to learn about the many different kinds of tractors.

The California AG Museum has over 100 tractors. All shapes and forms, from horse drawn, to steam, to fuel powered. The machines stem from a collection from Fred Heidrick Sr. and his brother Joe. Previously the Heidrick Ag History Center, it expanded in 2015 to the California Agriculture Museum.

The tractor’s history is fascinating. Beginning in the late nineteenth century tractors had metal wheels. It evolved with spikes then large rubber tires, and even tank-like tracks. One tractor built to tow artillery, the Hold “120” HP, was almost to France when World War I ended. Today, this is thought of as the only one of its kind. But with more than 100 antique tractors everyone can find their unique fascinating piece of farm equipment. Maybe it’s the white and red painted caterpillar? Clown-like made up for the county fair it stands out from its yellow family members in the rows ahead.

On our visit there was a huge party going on. The kids all got their own little tractors to zip around the museum. It definitely added to the fun!

Admission to the California AG Museum is $10 for adults, students, seniors and veterans $8, kids 6-12 $5, kids under 6 free. It is located in 1958 Hays Lane, in Woodland, CA. Opening hours are Wednesday – Sunday 10 am to 4 pm.

Do you have a favorite piece of farm equipment?

Enjoy the Avant Garden, Benicia

February 10, 2023Silvia

You might know by now that I love gardens. When I was wandering and discovering Benicia I really enjoyed finding the Avant Garden on First Street in downtown Benicia. What a great name for a community garden!

It turns out, and not surprisingly for Benicia, it also has a cool history. The first community garden in Benicia was established in 1999 on East 2nd Street on a lot owned by the Heritage Presbyterian Church. Named after its founder the late Dr. Ed Swenson, the Swenson Community Garden teaches organic farming practices. In 2003 Swenson founded the Benicia Community Garden (BCG) which is now a county wide organization and known today as Sustainable Solano. Swenson believed that community gardens can produce a “second harvest” of social, economic and ecological benefits. Way beyond gardening, Sustainable Solano hosts free classes on local foods, has a community share plot to share produce for people in need, and teaches sustainable urban agriculture methods.

This Avant Garden is open to the public to enjoy, take classes, and hang out. To apply for one of the 43 plots you have to sign up on the BCG waiting list. A plot is $85 annually and covers maintenance and the water bills.

What is your favorite community garden?

Visit the Former Capitol of California

February 3, 2023Silvia

Last week I told you many fun facts about Benicia. Did you know that in 1853 Benicia was the state capital for 13 months?

California’s state capitol moved from San Jose to Vallejo, to Benicia and then to Sacramento. In 1849 the Constitutional Convention assembled in Monterey and one of the items on the agenda was to establish the state capital. From 1849 to 1851 San Jose was chosen. Many despised the accommodations in San Jose. General Vallejo came up with the winning bid to move the capital to Vallejo. It turned out to be a similar situation, the building was not finished and the city itself was not ready for the entourage that the legislatures traveled with. After back and forth discussion, Sacramento hosted the Senate and Assembly as backup. When Sacramento was recovering from a flood in 1853 Benicia offered their newly built City Hall. The assembly quickly outgrew the temporary home and Sacramento’s generous proposal won the bid.

Benicia Capitol State Historic Park in downtown Benicia is the oldest original California State house that remains.

The furnishing shows the upper and lower chambers and some of the tables are original. On each of the tables is a hat showing off the fashion of that time. I really liked the coonskin cap that is mixed in with the top hats. Additionally, I really liked the old printing press and the Mythological Theme Screw Press for the State Seal.

Admission to see the Benicia Capitol State Historic Park is $3 for adults, children 6 to 17 pay $2 and under 5 admission is free. Opening hours are Thursday Noon – 4pm, Friday, Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 5pm. The State Park is located at 115 West G Street in downtown Benicia, CA.

Resources:

California’s State Capitol’s

https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=475

https://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/684/files/statecaps.pdf

Entrance to the Benicia Historical Museum

Learn Fun Facts About Benicia

January 27, 2023February 9, 2023Silvia

There is always something to learn if you visit a local history museum. Benicia’s Historical Museum held a few more surprises and the city has an amazing list of ‘firsts’.

The first thing that you will notice when entering the beautiful sandstone building is the abundance of camel figurines. In fact the museum is housed in the camel barn. As we learned from the museum’s education director, who led us into the building, this building itself was never used for the camels. Nonetheless, the first and only camel corps, from 1856 to 1866, when the US army ran a camel experiment, were housed nearby. These animals were perfectly suited for the rough climate of the West, but due to political quarrels were auctioned off in Benicia.

And that is just the beginning of fun facts. Benicia’s firsts include the first town to disclose the discovery of gold (1848), first hotel in Solano County (1849), the first public school and the first public hospital in California (1849), the first Masonic hall in CA (1849) and the first girls’ school in California (1852). Notable Benician’s include the first American heavyweight boxing champion, John Heenan (1860) and Jack London, who lived in the town from 1892 to 1895.

The museum exhibits also acknowledge the Patwin, Solano county indigenous people’s history, the shipyards, and the military arsenal which was used to supply several US wars, e.g. the Civil War. A new Gold Rush exhibit is the latest addition to the educational experience.

The Benicia Historical Museum is located at 2060 Camel Rd, in Benicia. Opening hours for a self-guided tour are Wednesday to Fridays 10 am to 4 pm and Saturday to Sundays 1 to 4 pm. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors, $2 children, and free for active military.

Events at the museum

On March 24th, 2023 you can join the museum for the first annual trivia night. A $30 per person fun 1920s theme party. Or enjoy a band and bar at First Fridays At The Museum, every first Friday of the month, admission varies.

What is your favorite Benician fun fact?

Browse Some Art, Kaleid Gallery in San Jose

January 20, 2023Silvia

The Kaleid Gallery in San Jose’s SoFA district houses over 60 fine artists and designers in their 4,000 square foot retail space. Every First Friday, except in January and July, they feature a solo exhibit by a resident artist. The artist’s reception is from 5 pm – 9 pm.

If you want some unique gift you should check them out. All art is for sale and you can take it with you at the time of purchase. There are not only paintings, but sculptures, ceramics, and jewelry, to name a few. I also enjoyed meeting some of the artists while I visited.

The most curious piece, and a fun thing to play with, is the Space Palette Pro. A visual music instrument that looks like a mix between an old jukebox and a homemade arcade video game console. Pick a theme from the psychedelic sounding menu and start playing sounds with your fingers on the touchscreen. Sample menu themes are: Blue Purple Cartoon Clouds, Kaleidoscopes Forever, and Swimming in Salmon Blue. I don’t think this is for sale, but instructions on how to build your own are given.

KALEID Gallery is located at 320 S. 1st Street, in downtown San Jose.

Opening hours are Thursdays to Fridays 12 pm – 7 pm, Saturdays 12 pm – 5 pm

And for First Fridays ArtWalk SJ 5 pm – 9 pm.

What’s your favorite art gallery in San Jose?