By Nicole Holmes

Introducing the Bloom Project – for entrepreneurs who don’t want to build alone.

You go into business for yourself…

but you’re not meant to do it by yourself.

That’s why Bloom was created.

Bloom is a community-centered project for entrepreneurs, creatives, and visionaries who have passion and purpose—but may not always have the bandwidth, support, or systems to fully thrive on their own.

Our goal by June is simple and intentional:

• Connection
• Build skills and confidence
• End with visibility and opportunity

We’re kicking things off with a Bloom Network Mixer on the 11th—a space to meet other entrepreneurs, share what you’re building, and feel less alone in the process.

From there, Bloom will continue with:

• Skill-set based workshops

• Learning together (not competing)

• Real community and collaboration

• And we’ll close the project with a market, giving entrepreneurs a chance to showcase what they’ve been working on

I see so many people who are great at what they do—but don’t always have the support, structure, or encouragement to fully step into entrepreneurship. Bloom exists to help bridge that gap.

If you’re:

• Building something
• Thinking about starting
• Or craving community, accountability, and support

We would love to have you.

Let’s bloom together.

The mixer will be held at The Lemon Tree, 514 W. 2nd Street in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown.

For more information about the Downtown Antioch Association visit www.downtownantioch.com or www.facebook.com/downtownantioch.

^{Paid advertisement.}

By Allen D. Payton

Join Studio B Dance Company for an unforgettable afternoon of celebrating artistry, passion and performance as they present their 4th Annual Grand Recital entitled, “Raising The Barre”, on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. This special showcase celebrates their dancers’ dedication and growth through high-energy routines, beautiful choreography and inspiring moments on stage. From the youngest performers to the studio’s advanced dancers, each piece reflects a commitment to excellence, creativity and the joy of dance.

The show at El Campanil Theatre in historic, downtown Rivertown begins at 10:00 AM.

According to Wikipedia, a barre is a stationary handrail that provides support for people during various types of exercise. Barres are used extensively in ballet training and warm up exercises, where such exercises are commonly referred to as barre work. In a ballet class, barre may also refer to the part of the class that involves barre work. Barres are also used for warm up exercises in other types of dance, as well as in general fitness programs.

In ballet, barre work includes both slow and fast exercises, which both serve to strengthen muscles. Slow exercises are typically performed first, to stretch and warm up muscles, and to focus on proper body form, whereas fast exercises condition dancers to maintain precise ballet technique while moving. Each exercise has a specific purpose, such as to strengthen feet and legs, increase extension, improve flexibility and develop ballon, the appearance of being lightweight and light-footed while jumping. Proper form (posture, positions of feet and arms) is strived for in all exercises.

Tickets for the Grand Recital are $35 for Adults and $25 for Children ages 3-12, and are available at Raising the Barre – El Campanil Theatre. The theater is located at 602 W. 2nd Street.

Studio B Dance Company is located at 314 G Street in Antioch. For more information about classes visit www.studiobdancers.com or call (925) 434-6659.

Rivertown Treasure Chest is located at 306 G Street in Antioch’s historic downtown. For more information visit www.rivertowntreasurechest.com.

^{Paid advertisement}

For more information about the Downtown Antioch Association visit downtownantioch.com.

^{Paid advertisement}

Join Willow Park Mercantile for our Annual High Tea Party! In The Spirit of Bridgerton we will have lots of fun Bridgerton-themed merchandise! We’ll be serving treats and tea and lots of fun! Dress up if you like and visit the Hen and Drake Tea Room, just across W. 2nd street. Don’t miss this fun event!

“Bridgerton” is a popular Netflix series that follows the romantic escapades of the Bridgerton family in Regency-era London, blending historical drama with modern themes.

Spend an afternoon searching for your next treasure in 4,000 sq. ft. of space featuring an eclectic array or merchandise from a variety of vendors.

The store is located at 205 G Street in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown. For more information visit willowparkmercantile.com.

Paid advertisement

Participants enjoy decorations, a taste of hors d’oeuvres, desserts and local history

By Allen D. Payton

This year’s Christmas House Tour fundraiser by the GFWC Woman’s Club of Antioch with the theme “Victorian Christmas” was a success. The tour, held on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, included six homes and three businesses, plus the clubhouse, all decorated for the season and offered participants a taste of hors d’oeuvres, desserts and local history.

The Clubhouse

Participants on the tour began at the Woman’s Club of Antioch Clubhouse, located at 509 G Street across from the Antioch Unified School District Offices. Members and tour participants enjoyed cookies and photos with Santa.

Homes on the Tour

The homes included Antioch’s, now, nationally famous Disney House, owned by Gary and Kristen Vistalli, which was recently featured on ABC’s “The Great Christmas Light Fight” last week. It’s located at 3732 Colonial Court and the display of 40,000 lights and 80 home-made cutouts can be seen through January 1st.

For 25 years now, the Vistalli family has decorated their home for the holidays with a special Disney theme.  Gary stated, “It just sort of evolved and every year I add something to it.  Every year a few more lights go up, or a new character shows up.” Why Disney?  The family says it’s their passion.  Gary shared, “I fell in love with it as a kid,” and “I knew that when I got my own house that someday I would start sharing my love for Disney.”

The “tourists” also enjoyed the home of Duane and Nancy Savioni at 3335 Fraser Road. Built in 1977, this lovely home is nestled in a homey Contra Loma neighborhood.  The spirit of Christmas is enjoyed by this family each year. “It’s the most wonderful time of year.”  They take pleasure in their fairly large Santa collection.  Even their dog Gus gets in on the action as you can see in the photo.

The home owned by Mark and Terri Hamilton at 2872 Dandelion Circle was third on the tour. Built in 1982, this cozy home has been filled with love, laughter and Christmas spirit since the beginning, they are proud to be the original owners.  Each room is decorated with treasured holiday pieces, many of which carry special memories of adventure, family, and travel!

They offered a festive Santa scavenger hunt, supporting the local Antioch Animal Shelter, while adding a little extra fun to each participant’s visit.

The fourth home on the tour, owned by David and Mary Jean Brink at 922 Orchard Lane, was built in 1952 by Clarence Brink, David’s dad. It was built with redwood he bought from the Antioch Lumber Company in downtown Antioch, now known as Rivertown. Clarence built five houses around town. The first house he built was in 1940.  He worked on the houses on weekends as he held a full-time job at Dow Chemical.  This house was the fifth and last house he built.  The home was built mostly by hand using only one electrical tool.  David and Mary Jean have lived in the home for the last 25 years. 

David took up after his dad being handy building things. In 1975, fifty years ago, he designed and made four wooden Peanuts characters.  Mary Jean and her girls painted them.  They will be decorating the lawn Christmas.

The home of Lisa Perry at 1001 A Street, on the corner of Beede Way, was the fifth on the tour. It was built in 1938 and custom designed for John and Lucille Sutton. John was the brother of Marion Sutton Beede and Antioch’s City Attorney at the time.  Sadly, John served in WWII as an Army Sergeant and was killed in action.

Lisa has tried to keep the vintage charm of the home, while adding her own style and love of cottage chic.  She has lived in the home since 1998, was a single parent for 22+ years raising her two daughters, who are now grown and live on their own. The home has been truly lived in, hosting many children’s birthdays, holiday parties, and family gatherings over the years. Lisa loves entertaining and decorating for all the holidays, especially Christmas, crafting many of her own decorations. She hopes that the love she has put into her home will be felt when visiting her residence.

The sixth and final home on the tour, owned by Susan Welch, is located at 309 West 4th Street in Antioch’s historic Rivertown District. The Craftsman bungalow, built in 1919, is a 1,650 square-foot home with three bedrooms, one bath and a very large basement that extends under the front porch. The basement has cement walls and floors with nine-foot ceilings.  The first homeowners 106 years ago were Lawrence Kinnear and Edith Lutz.  Lawrence was the owner of the Kinnear Drug Co., opened in 1920 and located at 618 2nd Street.  Lawrence, born in Ohio, met Edith from Antioch while working in San Francisco as a pharmacist.

In 1960, forty years later, they sold the house to Charles and Ruth Rodrigues.  Lawrence Kinnear used a room in the basement to develop film, probably for his drug store.  The Rodrigues family used the basement as bedrooms for their four sons.  The kitchen and bathroom were remodeled in a 1950’s style, the remainder of the house was original but buried under shag carpet.  In addition, all the natural wood trim was painted.  Susan removed almost everything in the kitchen and bath and rebuilt them using the craftsman style minus the clawfoot tub, which is original.  The two doorways in the back of the dining room were widened, and I kept the original craftsman style.  An interesting feature of the detached garage is a 2’x8’ foot rectangular hole in the center of the cement floor, possibly used for working on cars.  The whole is now covered with planks.

Rivertown Businesses on the Tour

The first business on the tour was the former Antioch Lumber Company building, now occupied by Prime Vintage Realty owned by brokers Rodney and Ursula Lal, who improved the building after purchasing it several years ago. Located at 340 West 2nd Street on the corner of E Street, the Lals maintain their business in a piece of local history in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown.

In 2015 the Antioch Chamber of Commerce honored Rodney and Ursula with the Community Champion Award.  Rodney stated then, “The reason I got into real estate was to buy buildings and improve them.”

“It’s unique.  It’s built with tender loving care.  It’s just so beautiful.  You haven’t seen the best, yet,” he shared. “Our city will prosper. You will see this building prosper. You will see people drive by here. The river has so much to offer. My goal is to beautify this city. I just love it.” 

Willow Park Mercantile, owned by Michael Gabrielson and Brandon Deshawn, was the second business on the tour. Located at 205 G Street on the corner of West 2nd Street in Rivertown, the store was created in 2015, and they recently celebrated the store’s 10-year anniversary. It’s an enchanting shopping destination where the store is beautifully arranged.  Their eclectic and ever-changing inventory boasts a wide variety of treasures new and old. They feature over 20 vendors who showcase their eye-catching and wide array of furniture, home decor, gifts, handmade, vintage and antique items.

The store is a real treat during the holiday season as they have an amazing selection of holiday ornaments and décor.  This is also a wonderful place to purchase gifts for your loved ones.  Stop by and immerse yourself in their beautiful displays and get into the Christmas Spirit.

The final business and stop on the tour was Rivertown Treasure Chest at 306 G Street. Owners Debbie Blaisure and Toni Lincks received the 2022 Small Business of the Year Award from the Antioch Chamber of Commerce.  They were recognized for operating a successful business, but also contributing to local organizations serving students, stray animals, special needs children and the elderly.  The Chamber noted, “Debbie and Toni… are true ambassadors of the city of Antioch.” Recently they helped found the Downtown Antioch Association (DAA), hosted the meeting and Christmas mixer on Tuesday, December 16th.

Rivertown Treasure Chest has something for all ages. Amazing vendors, offer collectible comic books, pop culture items, vinyl records, CDS, vintage/new clothing, accessories, jewelry, housewares, CBD items, furniture, retro/new toys and much more.  They are also an exclusive Dixie Belle Paint dealer. 

If you’re looking for that “special” item, you can find it at their store.  The eclectic inventory is ever changing.  A large variety of one-of-a-kind pieces are offered, including some hand-made by Toni. They have a “Wish Book” you may write your wished-for item(s) down and they will do their best to find what you are searching for.

About the GFWC Woman’s Club of Antioch

PLEDGE (Mission)

“To improve and beautify the town, to do any business which shall promote the educational, industrial, benevolent, social or political welfare of its members or the community at large.”

The GFWC Woman’s Club of Antioch has been an active participant in both shaping and improving our community for over 120 years.  The founding members set an example for us to use our strengths and influence as women to promote the welfare of our community and its citizens.  We are called to do no less.  Collaborating with our fellow members throughout the world, we are enhancing our lives not only in Antioch, but statewide, nationally, and even internationally.  We promote good work, altruism, and friendship.  The projects we undertake help build a better future for us all.  We are resilient and determined.  Working together we can and will make a difference.

Our emphasis has been on making a difference in our public schools with both students and educators.  We founded an emergency food closet for an Antioch elementary school and donated over 2,500+ items in 2025.  With the support of the community, we donated $5,000 to Antioch High School’s students for scholarships for 2025.  We will continue our many and current projects and begin others to support our local schools.  There will be something for everyone to participate in!  Small or large, our individual contributions of time and talents, added together, is what makes a difference.  I am excited to see what we will accomplish, to continue the strong tradition of service that has been the pledge of the GFWC Woman’s Club of Antioch down through the years.

Together with you in service,

Carolyn Dinelli, President 2024-2026

For more information visit www.gfwcwomansclubofantioch.org.

Home descriptions primarily provided by Woman’s Club of Antioch.

For rental information contact Royal Banquet and Event Halls at (925) 732-3333 or visit www.royalbanquetbayarea.com.