Benicia Voice

In this episode we discuss the proposed bay area bridge toll increases, plus a lot more. This week's guests are Benicia Residents Rick Watson and Lacey.

In this episode of The Benicia Voice podcast, host Ruben Brunt discusses Senator Scott Weiner introduced SB 532, the Safe, Clean, and Reliable Public Transportation Emergency Act, which would temporarily raise tolls on seven state-owned bridges in the Bay Area to $8.50 for five years. That is a $1.50 increase. Ruben also discusses the decision by State Farm and Allstate Insurance to stop accepting...

In this episode of The Benicia Voice host Ruben Brunt chats about lots of things...! Accessibility, the Benicia Pedestrian Crossings, Shakespeare, Walkers Shortbread, Lucca's etc.

In this episode stand-in host Andy Brunt talks with Executive Producer Bart Sullivan about Walkers Shortbread, the Benicia North Study Area, and where we get our news in the age of social media.

In this episode of the The Benicia Voice we discuss the Benicia City budget deficit, and what measures and ideas should be taken to help deal with it. We also discuss manufacturing in the Benicia, and in the USA, and why many US companies have decided to move their manufacturing to Mexico or offshore.

In this episode of the Benicia Voice, stand-in host Andy Brunt and Bart Sullivan discuss a proposal to develop and improve the E Street Parking Lot in downtown Benicia. We welcome your comments and feedback!

In this podcast, host Ruben Brunt discusses the current situation with Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART). It has been recently reported in the news that BART will soon be facing a $150M annual shortfall due to much lower ridership as a result of the pandemic. More people are working remotely and therefore not using BART during the week to commute. However, ridership has increased at the weekends, so B...

In this episode of The Benicia Voice host Ruben tickles the ivories on the newly tuned and installed Benicia Community Piano on First Street.

After a brief break The Benicia Voice is back and host Ruben Brunt is talking about the Benicia Diversity Festival and the Coronation including some good impressions!

In this episode of The Benicia Diversity Festival, Ruben talks to Dr. Genea Brice, who will be the MC at the upcoming Benicia Diversity Festival, taking place Saturday April 22nd, 2023, 11am-5pm, at the Benicia Marina Green, next to the Benicia Yacht Club. Poet, author, public speaker, child advocate, community activist, and teacher, Genea S. Brice, was raised and reared in Vallejo, CA.

In this episode of the of the Benicia Voice, host Ruben Brunt chats with Chris Robinson, guitarist with the band 'Bunyip'. 'Bunyip' will be playing at the upcoming Benicia Diversity Festival, Saturday April 22nd 11am-5pm, at the Benicia Marina Pavilion. We highly recommend you check them out and the other musicians and performers at the festival. Follow the YouTube link below to ch...

In this episode of The Benicia Voice host Ruben Brunt talks to Irish keyboardist, singer and songwriter Eamonn Flynn. Eamonn Flynn was born into a musical family in Dublin, Ireland. He first came to prominence playing Hammond organ and piano on the 14 million selling movie soundtrack The Commitments. Eamonn Flynn will be performing at the upcoming Benicia Diversity Festival, Saturday April 22nd at...

In this episode of The Benicia Voice host Ruben Brunt talks to Jeremy Carlock, President of Got Watts? about the current NEM tariff, NEM 2.0, which is available for new customers until April 14, 2023. On April 15, 2023, new solar customers will be enrolled in the new Net Billing Tariff (NBT). This is an important Podcast for anyone considering installing solar now or in the future. www.gotwatts.co...

In this episode of The Benicia Voice host Ruben Brunt talks to Ramana Vieira who will be performing at The Benicia Diversity Festival, Saturday April 22nd 11am-5pm, at the Benicia Marina Pavilion next to the Benicia Yacht club. Ramana is a wonderful singer and a great guest so we hope you enjoy it. Please follow this link for Ramana Vieira's website: www.ramanavieira.net For more information o...

In this episode host Ruben Brunt is in the 16c Crown Inn in Groombridge, East Sussex, England and comparing an old fashioned English pub with a bar in Benicia amongst other things! Ruben also talks about the importance of supporting local businesses - use them or lose them! Finally, Ruben talks about travelling and visiting England and East Sussex, sharing some useful information for potential tra...

In this episode of The Benicia Voice host Ruben Brunt discusses the challenges faced by Benicia which Erik Upson wrote about in his last weekly message.  Please participate in the The City of Benicia 2023 Community Survey - Open to all residents Follow this link: https://polco.us/n/res/vote/benicia-ca/the-city-of-benicia-2023-2?pn-method=open

In this episode host Ruben Brunt discusses the recent 'All Benicia Can Save Sustainability Challenge' presentation at the Benicia Public Library. This presentation is part of a six month series that will continue through June 2023. Check with the Benicia Public Library for future dates. Ruben's guests this week are Bart Sullivan, Andy Brunt and Aaron Hartley. 

In this episode of the Benicia Voice, host Ruben Brunt chats with the legendary Bay Area musicians Greg Rahn and Carlos Reyes about their upcoming Mardi Gras Party on Friday February 17th at The Empress Theatre, Vallejo, California. Doors at 7pm, show starts at 8pm. This episode was recorded at The Workshop in Benicia, serving wonderful authentic and delicious Louisiana Cajun/Creole, Southern food...

In this episode of The Benicia Voice, host Ruben Brunt and Executive Producer Bart Sullivan talk to the extremely talented piano and keyboardist Greg Rahn about his upcoming Mardi Gras concert at The Empress Theatre on February 17th 2023. The concert will feature his band for this special event, including Carlos Reyes (Violin), Jeff Campitelli (Drums), Fat Tuesday Horns Erik Jekabson (Trumpet), Mi...

In this episode of The Benicia Voice host Ruben Brunt discusses the currently available public transportation options leaving to and from from Benicia. Also featuring an interview with Neema Hekmat, the organizer of the 2023 The Benicia Diversity Festival, which will take place in Benicia on Saturday April 22nd 2023. Useful links: https://www.facebook.com/beniciadiversityfestival/  https://tr...

In this podcast we discuss the recent city council meeting. Mayor Steve Young explained in the meeting why it is necessary for the city council to explore potential housing developments within the city limits, and we include an audio clip of Steve discussing that.   

In this episode of the Benicia Voice, host Ruben Brunt continues to discuss ideas for the development of the East E Street lot in Benicia. Executive Producer Bart Sullivan presents some ideas for the lot which are based on a development in Hawaii, and to see that follow the links below: https://nokafairkauai.com  https://www.facebook.com/nokafair/videos/145295806149797/

In this first podcast of this new year, The Benicia Voice podcast host Ruben Brunt discusses the East E Street parking lot, and some ideas for development of this lot to provide accessible housing, more retail units and parking. This week's guests are long term Benicia resident with real estate experience Mark McDonald, Executive Producer Bart Sullivan and Producer Andy Brunt. The Benicia City Cou...

In this episode of the Benicia Voice, Ruben and his guest Rick Watson talk about Benicia, what Benicia was like to grow up in back in the 1960's and 1970's, The North Study Area and the city infrastructure. 

In this episode of the Benicia Voice, the host Ruben listens in to the public Community Advisory Panel (CAP) meeting held at the Valero Oil Refinery. The meeting was held to update residents on Valero's air monitoring equipment and their response to incidents.