Living with White walls

In many apartments, you are not allowed to paint the walls. It is also hard to put many decorations on the walls without damaging them.  Here are some great tips on how to live with white walls, and how to bring some life to them.  Plants are great because they can be moved around and bring some color into your room.


Plants — they not only bring bring life and clean air into your home, but they're also an easy way to naturally add color to an otherwise white space. You can still get pops of color and texture in your home without using paint or wall covering — just add plants.

Plus, they're not permanent, you can move them around, plant them in a new pot, they'll grow flowers for even more color — and it's nearly impossible to make a decorating mistake with plants. Here are some great examples of plants in white rooms.

For more information see Apartment Therapy.

What You Don't Know About Benicia?

How long have you lived in Benicia?  There are probably many things you don't know about our loved town.  Benicia Main Street and many other organizations are prevalent in our area.  Giving us enriching programs for all ages throughout the year.  Keep reading to learn more about Benicia, and you can also visit Discover Downtown to learn more.

Discover Downtown

Discover Historic Benicia

The city of Benicia, the “jewel” of the Bay Area, invites you to visit our historic community, offering small, hometown charm. You’ll enjoy our beautiful waterfront location enhanced by a variety of specialty shops, antique stores, fine restaurants, and a thriving marina. There is something for everyone in Benicia. Please join us for a day, a weekend, or perhaps a lifetime.

 

A California Main Street

Benicia is one of 40 cities selected to participate in the California Main Street Program.
Each year, Main Street sponsors many community events and retail promotions which bring thousands of visitors to Benicia’s downtown. Main Street is a state and national network of grassroots downtown revitalization projects that focus on historic preservation and the enhancement of the downtown area. For more information on this non-profit, volunteer organization, call or visit the Benicia Main Street Office at 90 First Street, (707) 745-9791.

Historic Downtown

Downtown Benicia is rich in California’s history with over 30 historical points of interest in the downtown area. Among its landmarks, the restored State Capitol is the most notable, dating from 1853. The historic downtown provides over a mile of unique specialty shops, antique stores, and fine restaurants. As you explore the many facets of Benicia, you’ll notice the Victorian inspired homes and “false-front western” architectural examples that date back to the 1850′s and up to the turn of the century. Many of these buildings have been beautifully restored while new commercial developments compliment the old town charm.

St. Patty's Day Events near San Francisco

Happy St. Patty's Day in less than a week.  Do you know what events you are attending to celebrate yet?  San Francisco has their annual St. Patrick's Day Festival, which includes the 162nd St. Patrick's Day Parade. The theme of this year's festivities is "Honoring the Celtic Women".  Both of these events will be held the Saturday before St. Patrick's Day on March 16th.  Keep reading or go to funcheap for more information.

The all day festival before, during and after the 162nd Annual St. Patrick’s Day parade provides a great opportunity for attendees to learn more about Irish history and culture while having fun. The 

2013 theme is Honoring The Celtic Woman.


A full day of activities are planned for the 2013 St. Patrick’s Day Festival at Civic Center Plaza and on Grove Street, Polk to Larkin Street with live music from The Gas Men and The Hooks.

The colorful festivities surrounding the parade will showcase Irish Culture through live performance and entertainment, arts and crafts exhibitors, and food and beverage concessions, children’s rides and inflatables, cultural displays, a petting zoo and pony ride and a number of non-profits booths representing the Irish community.

• St. Patrick’s Day Festival: Saturday March 16, 2013 from 11am to 5pm - Civic Center Plaza, SF
• St. Patrick’s Day Parade: Saturday, March 16th at 11:30am – Down Market Street

The 10th Annual Barkitecture Fundraiser

Are you an animal lover?  Make sure to check out the Barkitecture fundraising event on April 5th.  This event raises money for the Humane Society of North Bay. For more information about the fundraiser, make sure to go to Benicia Magazine.

“There’s no place like a home” is the theme of the 10th annual Barkitecture fundraising event on April 5, and nothing could come closer to the cause. There really is no place like a home for the hundreds of animals each year that receive refuge, medical care, nourishment and an opportunity for a second chance for life by the Humane Society of the North Bay (HSNB).

Barkitecture has become a household name in the North Bay, an event that began in 2003 with 145 guests has now grown to a sold-out audience of more than 500 passionate supporters each year. The goal for the event is to raise approximately $70,000 to support the mission of HSNB. “It’s all about the animals,” says Peter Wilson, Development Coordinator for the organization. Some 10 to 15 local restaurants and celebrated chefs donate the food and desserts. “The event is incredibly well organized and seamless, and there are great baskets of goodies to bid on,” says long-time supporter Molly Boggs. “It’s a ton of fun and the food is delicious. I highly recommend it.”

Examples of auction items include a two-night stay at Sea Ranch and desert for a month provided by 12 different bakers. The featured live auction items will be the winners of the annual Barkitecture Pet Domicile Competition. Entries are made in the categories of Dog Domicile, Cat Furniture, Bird Roost and Multi-Pet Domicile. “Individuals or groups of people, and sometimes businesses or scout troops come together to create an ideal home for our ultimate clients, which are our pets,” says Wilson. The competition can get serious, and past creations have included a rolling doghouse made from a green garbage can and a domicile made from a wine barrel. “There is lots of re-purposing,” says Wilson,” and a focus on what would be the safest for the pet.”

The voting and first viewing of the domiciles will take place at the People’s Choice Voting & Preview Party on Friday, March 22 from 5:30-8pm at Team Superstores in Vallejo. The entire automobile showroom is cleared out, so guests can view in awe, enjoy refreshments, and vote for their favorite masterpieces. All of this building up to the main event: the Barkitecture Gala & Auction with the theme “There’s No Place Like a Home” to be held Friday, April 5, starting at 6pm in McCormack Hall at the Solano County Fairgrounds in Vallejo. Tickets sell out fast, so purchase your tickets now at www.barkitecture.net.

All proceeds will support general operating funds needed to care for shelter animals, and as stated as part of the organization’s mission: to help foster a public sentiment of humanity and gentleness toward all animals through education and encouragement, and to promote a lifelong commitment to responsible pet ownership.