Dante Marioni, pictured is a world renowned glass artist. Here he works in the amphitheatre of the Tacoma Glass Museum.
Tacoma was where America's premier glass artist, Dale Chihuly grew up. The Tacoma Glass Museum is his baby and has grown since it's inauguration in the late 19990's.
Kids can come to the hot shop at the Tacoma Glass Museum and try their hands at making glass art. One young man, Blake Toney, did a drawing of an "Octopussy 2008" that looked like a pirate. The work was chosen to be created in glass by Mr. Dante Marioni.
This week's Gig Harbor and the Key Peninsula Gateway (Gateline.com) article by Hugh Mc Millian covers this unique collaboration of kid and maestro.
Young Blake relates: “The most exciting part was when I got to see my design being made,” Blake said. “They were all really nice to me, especially Mr. Marioni. He was generous to make my glass design.
This is not suprising to Nourots as this same artist came to Benicia once and was just as generous with his time and talent. Often Mr. Dante Marioni teaches and travels in the name of the glass arts.
This creation for the Tacoma Glass Museum was created twice: so that the family of the young artist and the museum could both have a copy.
Sounds like a good idea. Kids, send in your drawings.

Jewelry Trunk Show October 25th

Jill Bugni's Jewelry will be featured at a Trunk Show in the Nourot Glass Gallery Saturday October 25th from 10AM to 5PM at 675 East H Streetin Benicia, California. Jewlery designer Jill Bugni is actually big sis to Benicia's own cat doctor Dr. Brisbin on East Second Street.

Jill will attend and be showing her whole line of wonderful works. This is planned as a fun ladies event.

Mike Marcus, glass bead artist, and also a member of Benicia City Planning's Office, will also be showing jewelry of his own design.

Come try on fabulous glass bead and semi-precious stone jewelry in a relaxed atmosphere in the Nourot Glass Gallery. Many Christmas items are already in, too! Refreshments will be served. Everyone is welcome. Call 745-1463 for more information.

Benicia by the Bay

Hosting a guest in the Bay Area near San Francisco? No worries, Benicia is close by. Some people do come just to see the glass studios, of course, but there are many more fun attractions in this small town just north of the metropolitan areas of Berkeley, Oakland and Walnut Creek, California.

If boating or the waterfront activities are your thing, you will be pleasantly suprised to find that Benicia has a marina with many tall masted ships and many attractive parks along the Carquinez Straight. The end of First Street ( so convenient for those in your party that want to shop) has a new fishing pier and restrooms. The locals like to hang out there. The fishing season for Steelhead and Salmon is fast approaching. Mid-September is crunch time there for lucrative spots that yield trophy fish just a short throw away. Locate your bait at the Benicia Bait Shop on the "Y" at 6th and "J" St.

Spas, restaurants, and kid's parks (Playground of Dreams at First and Military) abound. For more information call the Benicia Chamber at 707-745-2120. Benicia is a Main Street city. The offices of the Main Street program are in the old Depot at the old terminius of the Southern Pacific Railroad, across from the pier.

Nourot Glass recomends the food at either Captain Blyther's at the foot of First, or Matsuri Sushi in the Olson Building--look for the St. Paul's garden at the corner of J and First.