We did the xmas tree lighting in downtown Benicia for the first time, but before we hit the streets, we went to a chili dinner at the Episcopalian church on First Street which was led by the woman from whom Shando and I bought our house from. She retired and moved back to Canada. Many of the congregants, including our friends David and Yann, had been to her (now our) house for church events. She also happened to be a board member of the Glen Cove Community Association, which I’m currently president of.

It was a very busy evening and a lot of fun walking down the street with thousands of others, and running into some people we knew. It was festive, musical, and full of good smells from the restaurants and vendors.