Owner Debo Fashokun, her mother Dayo Atuwo and employee Lat Pompei, are surrounded by the art, clothing and gifts from Africa, available at their store on Second Street in Antioch’s historic downtown, Rivertown.

One of the paintings by Dr. Fashokun available through Rema at M&D.

Rema at M & D Specialty Collections located at 418 West 2nd street Antioch, specializes in African themed fashion, accessories, graphic art, jewelry, skin care, and much more. This unique fashion outlet is owned by Debo Fashokun and her husband, who is also the resident artist Dr. Adeyinka Fashokun. Debo is also a nursing instructor in Concord.

The couple greatly appreciates art, music, fashion and beauty, and love to share these with others from an African perspective. That’s why they opened the store, in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown, last year.

Dr. Fashokun attended the renowned California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland, where he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in General Design, majoring in Graphic Design and Illustration. Dr. Fashokun went on to earn a Master’s degree in Art Education, with distinction, and then a Doctoral degree in education, Curriculum and Instruction, with major focus on Visual Arts Education, from the University of San Francisco.

Resident artist Dr. Adeyinka Fashokun.

Customers and visitors at the shop have many commendable reports about their unique gifts and fashionable items, incense, etc.  They are one of a kind in the Bay Area. M & D Specialty Collection serves everyone who appreciates beauty and uniqueness.

You can choose from original artwork with authenticity certificates, prints, greeting cards, classy African clothing and accessories, and much more. Please visit the art gallery on their website at  http://graphosedifix.org and their clothing and accessories collection at  https://remacollections.com/   You can also follow them on Facebook at mdspecialtycollections.

Stop by the store and see all they have to offer, Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Pelicano by AnnMarie McGill and other works of Delta area artists will be on display at the Lynn House Gallery in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown beginning Saturday, Sept. 23

The Arts & Cultural Foundation of Antioch is proud to present the works of artists living in and around the Delta at the Lynn House Gallery. With the many hills and valleys, along with East Bay Regional Park properties, artists have an abundance of opportunities to capture nature and all its wonders in many art forms. The Nature’s Canvas Exhibit will have many works of art in clay, watercolor, oils, acrylic, mixed media and photography.

Greenery by Paulette Lagan

The Lynn House Gallery is located at 809 West 1st Street in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown in a quaint 1907 Victorian. The exhibit will showcase approximately 60 artworks and opens on Saturday, September 23rd, with a free artist reception from 2-4 PM. The exhibit continues through October 14th on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 1-4 PM. The artist reception and exhibit are free to the public.

Registered artists are: Mahnaz Azarafrooz, Lori Azzolino, Gloria Cannon, Prudence Capelle, Anna Chunn, Eloine Chapman, Chelsea Colbert, Nina Collosi, Trudy Couch, Clyde Cox, Dianne Curtain, Becky Decierto, Paul Duggan, Michele Eakin, Betty Espindola, Chelsea Sarah Evans, Mary Evans, Linda Fead, Art Garcia, Yoshiko Gobbell, Easy Gonzalez, Catherine Hanson, Jennifer Johnson, Beverly Knight, Roswitha Kress, Paulette Lagana, Ellen LaVaccare, Ryan Lutes, Colleen Madge-Stevens, AnnMarie McGill, Sarah Moore, Beverly Prather-Martinez,  Mike Nelson, Barbara Rausch, Paul Schorr, Joel Summerhill and Beverly C. Turner.

For more information visit www.Art4Antioch.org, call (925) 779-7018 or email Diane@Art4Antioch.org

The Arts & Culture Commission of Contra Costa County (AC5) is seeking nominations for the 2017 Arts Recognition Awards. AC5 is celebrating its 20th Anniversary of honoring those who have made a significant artistic or philanthropic contribution to the communities in the County. The Commissioners ask that you nominate someone you feel is deserving of this award.

The nominees must be, or have been, an active supporter of arts and culture, with sustained contributions and work, that has had a far-reaching impact.  

Consider those you feel have made a difference in visual arts, music, performing arts, dance digital arts or arts education for this award. Other worthy candidates might be those who have shown exceptional leadership, vision and commitment to the growth and support of arts and culture, or organizations that have kept the arts alive through continuous or significant financial support.

Please visit www.AC5.org  for more details and to submit nominations online.

The nomination period closes at midnight on Thursday, September 28, 2017.

Where were you in ’62?

Watch the classic film American Graffiti at Antioch’s historic, El Campanil Theatre and after enjoy the “Downtown Rivertown Antioch Classic Car Cruise.” So, put on your poodle skirt and sweater, or black leather jacket, slick back your hair and come on down to Rivertown this Sunday, September 10.

Movie Time: 2:00 pm

Price: Adults: $8 Seniors and Students: $7 Tickets Are Selling Fast

Bring your car. Meet the Pharoahs Car Club.

Parking lot security provided by Strategic Threat Management.

Walk around, visit the shops and watch…or join in the Downtown Rivertown Antioch Classic Car Cruise.

Cruise: 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm Please respect traffic rules. Downtown Rivertown shops will be open. (The route will be determined by the car in front of you).

Get your tickets at the Box Office next door to El Campanil Theatre, 602 W Second Street, Antioch or call (925) 757-9500 or purchase them online at www.ElCampaniltheatre.com.

Have lunch or can end your ride and have dinner at Original Mels Diner on Lone Tree Way, like the one featured in the movie.

James Garner’s Tribute to Johnny Cash with the Tennessee Three

Saturday September 9, 2017  8:00 pm

For the past 10 years, Garner and his band have faithfully recreated Cash’s biggest hits with stunning accuracy in this not-to-be-missed musical event. From a special concert airing on PBS to shows at Folsom and San Quentin Prisons, it’s easy to see why this is the premier tribute to the “Man in Black.” The show is a fun, toe-tapping trip down memory lane honoring Johnny Cash’s life and music, and the boom-chicka-boom sound of his longtime backing band, the Tennessee Three.

All Ages

Tickets: ​Adults: $27    Seniors: (62 & Over):  $25   Youth: (under 18): $10

For tickets or more information visit https://www.elcampaniltheatre.com/cash-tribute-show.html or call the box office at (925) 757-9500.

El Campanil Theatre is located at 602 W. 2nd Street in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown.

The new Second Chance Family store offers clothes, housewares, décor, art and more.

Features rare war images available for purchase; benefits local non-profit

Some of the photos from the Warrior Images art show available for purchase at the store.

By Allen Payton

The East County Veterans have opened a new store, today, Monday, August 14, 2017 in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown. It’s named the Second Chance Family Store and their first customer was Mike Gilmore, a Vietnam veteran who served in the Army.

Located at 520 W. 2nd Street, the store offers clothes, shoes, military hats, housewares, home décor, artwork for sale to support the organization’s efforts serving veterans in Antioch and East County.

Josie Monaghan, the director of the organization and manager of both the new store and their Thrift Store next door, was excited to have the store open.

Before the store opened it hosted the first annual Iraq and Afghanistan Photo Art Gallery Sale, entitled “Warrior Images”, presented by Joey Garcia, a local combat veteran Marine and Monaghan’s son, on Sunday August 6.

Josie Monaghan thanks the store’s first customer Mike Gilmore, a Vietnam War Army Veteran.

The rare photos and images, taken by Garcia and many other veterans from operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, were and are for sale. All proceeds benefit East County Veterans Support Services, which is a local non-profit organization run by Josie Monaghan, who has been helping veterans for years.

The idea behind the art show was not only to raise money with veterans in need, but to inspire people with images captured overseas. Images like yours and mine that have been hidden away for years in my garage collecting dust.

“The photos serve many purposes, including to remind us of loved ones living or gone, who also served in previous conflicts of war, to enjoy as art in your home or to remind us of the voices of those veterans who sacrificed all, and are no longer with us,” said Garcia.

The event was catered by Big Don’s BBQ and featured a live performance by Antioch’s own Ben Benkert, plus music by DJ Christina Amato of CC entertainment.

Stop in the store today to see the photos and the many other items available for purchase. East County Veterans Support Services is a tax exempt non-profit 501c3 organization. For more information call (925) 206-4976 or email warmemories@yahoo.com. You can also “Like” them on Facebook.