Boomsters Lifestyles

"Two Trains Running" Playbill @ the Benicia Old Town Theatre On October 30, 2015, my friend Carmen and I had the privilege to attend a play at the Benicia Old Town Theatre. The Benicia Old Town Theatre Group is a non-profit community theatre group which been in existence since 1964 .   Two Trains Running" directed by Terrence Tyrie Ivory starring seven very talented actors in the August Wilson play. Two Trains Running is a play written by Pulitzer Prize Winning Author August Wilson.  The story centers the year 1968 in the  Pittsburgh's Hill District. Memphis, the owner of a restaurant building faces seizure by the redevelopment and urban renewal by the city, but he doesn't want to sell unless the city meets his price.   In the 1940s and 1950s, the Hill District was one of the most prosperous, culturally active black neighborhoods in the United States. Memphis reflects how his now dying business was once thriving.  In 1960s, however, the neighbor

Run, bike, hike, stroll along this peaceful trail.  The Benicia State Recreation Park is the gem that is probably why Benicia is called the "Jewel of the Bay".  The actual trail extends from downtown Benicia to the waterfront ending in Glen Cove.   To access the recreation area, you can either enter from the I- 780 West off Columbus Parkway or from the 780 through the Military Exit.  Plenty of parking is always available a nominal fee is required and payed at the entry gate through an honors system.  Two parts of the trail leads through a paved pathway or more to the waterfront a scenic walk through an ever changing meadow.  Beautiful views of the Carquinez Straight abound the trail.  Families, fisherman often find serene pockets to spend their day along the banks.   The side trails are abundant with the varietals indigenous to California. Blackberries grow throughout Benicia, during summer bring a basket to gather  fresh fruit.

Quite honestly I'm not all that sure we are always going to be in a drought.  When my family first moved to the Bay Area in 1998, I was amazed at how much rain the area got. The flora was always wild, the trees have always been green.   Based on the government supplementing the change from lawns to drought resistent gardens, whenever I see a garden I like I whip out the camera for inspiration.   It's hard to accept that we have considered the green turf.  In comparison to what is already available for drought resistant gardens,  a beautiful setting of California native plants sounded much more enticing and inviting.  There are so many varieties to borrow ideas from. Some plants more greener than others.  Our neighbors have started placing the rocks between the turf to give the fake grass personality. Nothing replaces live plants that crawl around and on  the rocks.    Succulents for the most part don't require water.   I

Gone are the days when we could buy a life membership at a gym and call it a day.  Last October, I was torn between leaving my neighborhood gym and finding a new place. I had been a member for several years at the gym, and was paying top dollar.  My personal experience, had been that the teachers were overall great, but the turnover was high.  The exercise machines were 75-80% operational,   and the atmosphere was mature.  My quest at the end of  my membership was to save money but still be able to exercise. The journey led me to the Salvation Army Kroc Center.  The center was a generous gift from the late Joan Kroc.  Joan Kroc was the wife of  the late Ray Kroc the creator of the McDonald's chain.  She recognized the need of a safe gathering place, a place with facilities and trained professionals to nurture children’s social skills, arts appreciation and athletic potential. Mrs. Kroc The Salvation Army with $90 million to build the first Kroc Center in the Rolando

Moschetti's  Artisan Coffee During the regular work week, no one would notice the little blue building on the way to the Vallejo Ferry. It just happened one day, as I looking for a cute little coffee shop to meet a business owner that I was searching through Yelp and read it's reviews.  I picked up my son from school that day, and told him I wanted to check out a coffee shop. The first time around, it is easy to miss.   The signs don't grab a person's attention.  The building sits next to a railroad track.  If I had not driven around a couple of times, I would have assumed that I got the wrong address, it looks like an apartment. Upon entering the building however, it is easy to distinguish that this were an artisan roaster dwells.  Like many artists, it's all about the outcome. Who really cares the driveway is not paved, on a weekday pretty much no one is there.  Except for a small kitchen with pot of coffee tasting,  the deception is that the guys m