One wouldn’t usually think of a restaurant when considering Rivertown Treasure Chest, but that’s just one of several stops Oct. 24 on the Pride of the Delta Restaurant Tour by the Kiwanis Club of the Delta-Antioch. The eclectic antique, vintage store in downtown Antioch will be doing something a little different this year.
“I’ve done this for several years now,” said Debbie Blaisure. “When the (Kiwanis) club came to ask me to be part of the event, I couldn’t say no.”
Blaisure is known for giving back to the downtown community and doing whatever she can to help promote local businesses. While in the past, she has used her cooking skills to whip up some fun delights, this year, she has decided to help some of her neighboring downtown businesses. When she realized that some of the downtown restaurants were interested in getting involved but couldn’t for various reasons, Blaisure contacted them and asked if they would like to set up a food display at Rivertown Treasure Chest. It seems that her neighbors were delighted with the prospect.
After just a few quick calls, she received definite positive responses from La Plazuela, Tease, Canton City, Rivertown Sweets and Tony’s Beer Garden. Blaisure plans to set up tables throughout her store with chalkboard signs indicating which restaurant provided food for the tour.
“It is so important to me that we get community support for downtown,” she said. “What better way than to feature downtown restaurants in my store for this event.”
Blaisure will also have the chance to introduce a new tea line that Rivertown Treasure Chest just recently started selling by offering ice and hot tea during the tour.
Other establishments featured in the Restaurant Tour will be Celia’s Mexican Restaurant, Freddy’s BBQ, Little Manuel’s Mexican Food, Q’s Kitchen, Hillcrest Taphouse, Smith’s Landing and Lone Tree Golf and Event Center. If all goes well, the new restaurant Monica’s at Riverview will offer some samples. Unfortunately, Monica’s, formally the Riverview Lodge before developer Sean McCauley Investments did a complete redesign of the waterfront location, has experienced some supply issues and has yet to open. The restaurant’s management is working diligently to participate in the tour.
All proceeds from the event will go toward Kiwanis Club of the Delta-Antioch sponsorships, including high school scholarships; leadership clubs for students and special-needs individuals; the Relay for Life free pancake breakfast; senior sponsorships; and more. The tour will take place from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 24. Tour tickets are $20 each and can be purchased at eventbrite.com/e/167313999677. For more information or to buy tickets by phone, contact Kay Power at 925-202-3519 or Martha Parsons at 925-890-2665.
Day of the Dead: Dia de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, is a day to celebrate loved ones who have passed away. It’s mainly celebrated in Mexico, but organizers of You, Me, We Oakley are bringing the tradition to East County.
The community is invited to display ofrendas, altars dedicated to those who have passed on that include certain meaningful items representing the loved one, to the Dia de los Muertos celebration Oct. 30 at the Civic Center Plaza. The free event, which begins at 4 p.m., will also boast live performances and a movie under the stars. This year’s film will be the 2017 Disney kids’ film “Coco,” which begins around 6:30 p.m. Bring a lawn chairs, blankets and snacks to enjoy the entire event.
Those interested may also want to walk across the street and check out a community ofrenda that will also be on display at La Costa Restaurant, 3100 Main St. in Oakley. The restaurant invited the community to bring in items to display on their altar, which will be open for view from Oct. 29 to Nov. 5. To display an ofrenda at the city event, contact Andres at 925-625-7118 or email andres@youmeweoakley.org.
Roni Gehlke can be reached at oakleynow@comcast.net.
