Meat Harvest – Sean Boatright and Raman Mahal of Concord, were the Grand Champions and Ribs winners during the 1st Annual Rivertown Brews & BBQ Contest on Sat., Sept. 22.

Big Buddy Que – Chris Coffey of Antioch and buddy celebrate his 1st Place in the chicken category.

By Allen Payton

Fourteen teams competed during the 1st Annual Brews & BBQ Cook-Off competition on Saturday, Sept. 22 in Antioch’s historic downtown. The judges’ panel, made up of Mayor Sean Wright, other officials and community leaders chose the following winners in two categories of chicken and ribs, and the overall Grand Champion winners.

Grand Champion: Winners’ trophy and $250, Meat Harvest – Raman Mahal and Sean Boatright of Concord; 2nd Place trophy, Big Buddy Que – Chris Coffey of Antioch; 3rd Place trophy, Pork Dynasty – Jon Davis of Antioch.

Chicken: Winner’s trophy and $100, Big Buddy Que; 2nd Place trophy and $75, Brothers BBQ Team; 3rd Place trophy Meat Harvest.

Ribs: Winner’s trophy and $100, Meat Harvest; 2nd Place trophy and $75, Big Buddy Que; 3rd Place trophy, Pork Dynasty.

Jon, Jamison and Jessica Davis of Pork Dynasty took third place in ribs and third overall.

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.

Antioch Community Centers are ready to greet you if you need to escape the heat during the next few days. The Antioch Senior Center is a recognized cooling station and is open to all residents from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm.  There is plenty of room and residents can visit and keep cool at the Nick Rodriguez Community Center during senior center hours. 

The Antioch Community Center at 4703 Lone Tree Way is open for all residents from 8:30 am to 8:00 pm; the lobby is a great place to rest and visit.  The community center will be open on Saturday and Sunday until 5:00 pm if anyone needs a place to get out of the heat.

The Antioch Water Park is open Friday, September 1st from 4:00 – 7:00 pm. Admission is only $4.00 per person.  On Saturday, Sunday and Monday the operating hours are 11:00 am – 6:00 pm; regular admission applies.  Monday, Labor Day, is half-price admission day for all visitors.  You can keep cool in the water for only $8.00 per person all day.  Come splash with us while you keep cool. There are five different pools and spray parks for all ages at the water park.

For additional help please call the Recreation Department at (925) 776-3050, ext. 0.