Welcome to the Benicia Voice Podcast — where local stories, voices, and issues come to life.

In today’s episode, Hosts Ruben and Rick joins producers Andy and Bart to unpack the news of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District’s (BAAQMD) discussion about the distribution of the Valero fine settlement.

The team breaks down what this settlement means for Benicia — how the funds could be allocated, what projects may benefit, and how this moment fits into the city’s ongoing dialogue about accountability, the environment, and community impact.

It’s a timely and important discussion on transparency, restitution, and Benicia’s path forward.

Let’s get into it.

PS: For more information go to:

https://www.baaqmd.gov/en/news-and-events/page-resources/2024-news/103124-penalty-valero?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Comments to BAAQMD about this subject can be made to the agency at: [email protected]

🎙️ Benicia Voice Podcast – A Conversation with Councilmembers Kari Birdseye and Terry Scott

Welcome to Benicia Voice — the podcast that amplifies the stories, people, and pulse of our community.

In this episode, Host Ruben, along with producers Andy and Bart , sit down with Benicia City Council members Kari Birdseye and Terry Scott for an engaging and wide-ranging conversation about the future of Benicia.

From city priorities and economic development to sustainability and community connection, Kari and Terry share their insights on how Benicia can continue to grow while preserving the values that make our town unique.

📍 Tune in wherever you get your podcasts — Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite platform.

🎧 Benicia Voice — where community conversations come alive.

Meet Benicia Council Member Kari Birdseye: https://www.ci.benicia.ca.us/citycouncil#B513F40F-81C3-40EF-92A4-E5F28C27FCE4

Meet Benicia Council Member Terry Scott

https://www.ci.benicia.ca.us/citycouncil#BF3AB5EB-ADFD-47BC-973C-EE1F7B5EA803

Welcome to Benicia Voice — the podcast that amplifies the stories, people, and pulse of our community.

In this episode, Host Ruben, Co-Host Rick, and producers Andy and Bart are joined by a very special guest — Benicia City Manager, Mario Giuliani.

Mario shares an in-depth look at the state of the City of Benicia, discussing how our community is responding and planning for the future in the face of the impending closure of the Valero refinery — a change with major implications for local jobs, city revenues, and long-term economic stability.

From strategies for economic resilience and infrastructure investment to the city’s vision for a sustainable future, this conversation offers vital insight into how Benicia is preparing to navigate a historic transition.

📍 Tune in wherever you get your podcasts — Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite platform.

🎧 Benicia Voice — where community conversations come alive.

Meet Benicia City Manager - Mario Giuliani

https://www.ci.benicia.ca.us/citymanager

Welcome to Benicia Voice — the podcast that amplifies the stories, people, and pulse of our community.

In this episode, Host Ruben, Co-Host Rick, and producers Andy and Bart are joined by a very special guest — Benicia City Manager, Mario Giuliani.

Mario shares an in-depth look at the state of the City of Benicia, discussing how our community is responding and planning for the future in the face of the impending closure of the Valero refinery — a change with major implications for local jobs, city revenues, and long-term economic stability.

From strategies for economic resilience and infrastructure investment to the city’s vision for a sustainable future, this conversation offers vital insight into how Benicia is preparing to navigate a historic transition.

📍 Tune in wherever you get your podcasts — Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite platform.

🎧 Benicia Voice — where community conversations come alive.

🎙️ Welcome back to Benicia Voice – the podcast where local stories meet everyday life in our community and beyond.

In today’s episode, Host Ruben and Co-Host Rick, along with producers Andy and Bart, dive into the ever-evolving world of streaming services — from cutting the cord to the latest bundles, platform wars, and which services actually give you the best bang for your buck.

Whether you use streaming to access services such as Netflix, Hulu, Max, YouTube TV, or just trying to figure out where to watch your favorite shows without losing your mind — this episode breaks down the pros, cons, and some costs to consider for today’s top streaming platforms.

Stick around for tips, comparisons, and a few laughs as the Benicia Voice team tries to make sense of the new TV landscape.

Benicia Voice – bringing clarity to the chaos, one stream at a time.

Welcome back to Benicia Voice, the podcast that celebrates the people, stories, and spirit that make our town shine.

In this episode, hosts Ruben and Rick—along with producer Bart—sit down once again with Deb and Chris from Lucca Beer Garden for the latest on Benicia’s live music scene. 🎶🍻

Chris and Deb share the exciting November lineup, and talk about how Lucca continues to bring our community together with great music, great food, and great company. From fresh local acts to beloved returning bands, you’ll hear why Lucca Beer Garden remains the heart of Benicia’s music nights.

📍 Tune in now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen.

Benicia Voice – Amplifying community, connection, and creativity.

Welcome to the Benicia Voice Podcast, where local stories, voices, and culture come to life.

In today’s episode, host Rick, joined by co-host Ruben and producer Bart, welcome Dr. Robert Franklin, Station Manager of KCSM 91.1 FM — Jazz 91, one of the nation’s premier non-commercial jazz radio stations, broadcasting 24 hours a day from right here in the Bay Area.

KCSM, in partnership with the California Historical Radio Society, is proudly presenting the new documentary “KCSM – The History of Bay Area Jazz Radio.”

The film traces the incredible story of how KCSM became a cultural institution — from its early days to its influence on generations of jazz lovers and musicians.

The special screening takes place Saturday, November 1st, 2025, at the Alameda Theatre, followed by a guided tour of the CHRS Museum, where visitors can explore the rich legacy of Bay Area jazz broadcasting and celebrate the many KCSM legends honored in the Radio Museum Hall of Fame, including Mal Sharpe, Al “Jazzbeaux” Collins, Pat Henry, Dan Odum, Stan Dunn, Sonny Buxton, and Miranda Wilson.

Dr. Franklin joins us to share what inspired the film, the stories behind the voices, and why jazz radio remains such an essential part of Bay Area culture.

Don’t miss this celebration of sound, history, and community.

Get your tickets now at: https://app.formovietickets.com/shows/pickSeats

Let’s get started — this is the Benicia Voice Podcast.

Welcome to Benicia Voice — the podcast where we dive into the stories, people, and issues that shape our community.

In today’s episode, host Ruben and co-host Rick, along with producer Bart, sit down with Jeremy Carlock, owner of Got Watts, and Frank Gallagher, an experienced Got Watts solar and energy consultant, for an in-depth look at the future of solar energy in Benicia and beyond.

Together, Jeremy and Frank share insights on the current state of solar power, what homeowners and businesses need to know right now, and how the upcoming expiration of the Solar Tax Credit could impact local projects and long-term energy costs, and what steps residents can take before key incentives disappear.

For those who aren't ready and may miss the tax credit deadline, Jeremy and Frank discuss how Got Watts finds creative ways to help their customers save even more than the Tax Credit!

It’s a timely, informative conversation about energy independence, innovation, and the choices customers have to get involved in solar.

🔗 Learn more about Got Watts at gotwatts.com.

You can also reach Jeremy at [email protected] and/or reach Got Watts via phone at (925) 421-0411.

Benicia Voice — amplifying community, connection, and innovation.

Welcome to the Benicia Voice Podcast, where local stories, voices, and issues come to life.

In today’s episode, host Ruben and co-host Rick, and producers Andy and Bart are joined by a very special guest — Benicia Mayor, the Honorable Steve Young — to discuss the latest developments in Valero’s plan to wind down operations in Benicia.

For decades, Valero has been one of the city’s biggest employers, taxpayers, and community partners. But with new details emerging about the timeline and scope of the company’s exit, Benicia now faces some tough but important questions — about jobs, city revenue, environmental impacts, and what comes next for the refinery site.

Mayor Young shares the most recent updates, what the city is doing to prepare, and how this transition could reshape Benicia’s future.

Steve also discusses his personal take on prop 50.

Whether you’ve called Benicia home for years or are just tuning in to learn what’s happening locally, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Let’s get started — this is the Benicia Voice Podcast.

Here is the info discussed in the podcast about how the funds from the Valero settlement:

Local Community Investment Fund Grant Program for Benicia and Richmond

Wednesday, October 29

5:30 PM - 7:00 PM PT

Event Description:

The Bay Area Air District is hosting a public webinar to discuss draft Guidelines for a new Local Community Investment Fund grant program. This program uses penalty funds collected from Air District violations to benefit communities that are most impacted by air pollution. Initial Calls for Projects will be solicited from Benicia and Richmond and surrounding communities. Air District staff will go over broad program guidelines, as well as timelines and stipulations for applying.

Registration/information Link: https://www.baaqmd.gov/en/community-health/community-investments-office?event=51777f0e-9b48-4dc4-ac5f-373461c3b17d

Welcome to the Benicia Voice Podcast, where local stories, voices, and ideas come together.

In this episode, hosts Ruben and Rick are joined by producers Andy and Bart for an engaging part 2 conversation about the latest trends in Benicia’s real estate market.

Their special guest, Andrew Urban of ⁠My Urban Home Team⁠, returns to the continue the discussion about October real estate.

Andrew shares his insights on what’s driving local housing prices, how recent economic shifts — including the planned Valero refinery closure — may impact the market, and what buyers and sellers can expect in the months ahead.

Listeners are welcomed into an informative and forward-looking discussion about Benicia’s evolving real estate landscape, community growth, and the opportunities ahead.

📍 Tune in now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen — it’s the Benicia Voice Podcast, connecting you to the stories that shape our town.