Community Briefs provides a listing of events and activities going on in and around the Oakdale, Riverbank and Escalon areas. To have an event featured, e-mail the information to mjackson@oakdaleleader.com.
Golden Agers
Members of the Golden Agers dance group meet at the Riverbank Community Center on Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with dancing, socializing, live music and fun for all. All adults 55-plus are welcome. Just drop in to check it out or become a member. Fees are $5 for members and $6 for non-members. Membership is $15. The Community Center is at 3600 Santa Fe St., Riverbank.
Garden Club
Members of the Escalon-Farmington Community Garden Club will meet for their November session on Thursday, Nov. 7. The meeting will be at the Escalon United Methodist Church, 2000 Jackson Ave., Escalon, corner of Highway 120 and Brayton. The meeting is scheduled from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., with the session including guest speaker Cheryl Gartner of Gartner Art Glass in Escalon, who will talk about garden art. The guest speaker is first on the agenda, along with snacks, followed by the business meeting. There are also drawings for door prizes and all gardening enthusiasts from throughout the area are invited to attend.
Birthday Observance
The Modesto Marine Corps League is hosting a dinner and traditional cake cutting ceremony to commemorate the 249th Birthday of the United States Marine Corps on Friday, Nov. 8 at the Stanislaus Veterans Center, 3500 Coffee Road in Modesto. Retired Marine Major William Dehart Jr. will be the guest speaker at the event, which is open to the public. Cost is $30 per person or $50 a couple, but free to Gold Star family members. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. with a no host bar with the traditional ceremony commencing at 5:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the Veterans Center or by contacting Jim Laurenti at (209) 526-9068 or (209) 681-1376.
Classic Show, Sale
The Fall Classic Art Show and Sale is on the calendar for Saturday, Nov. 9 and Sunday, Nov. 10 at the Social Hall of the Community United Methodist Church, 1480 Poplar St., Oakdale. Saturday hours are noon to 5 p.m.; Sunday hours are noon to 3 p.m., with the Awards Ceremony at 2 p.m. Sunday. The show is sponsored by students of Carol Earle and Community United Methodist Church; contact chairman Carol Earle at 209-380-6288 for more information. Live music will be provided by Doug Kolsters, there will also be opportunity bags and food available for sale on site. Cash and checks only; they are unable to accept credit cards.
Artisan Showcase
A special Artisan Market is scheduled at Gartner Art Glass in Escalon for Saturday, Nov. 9, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The shop is at 1744 California St., Escalon. Vendors are scheduled to include pottery, jewelry, handmade cards, mosaics, wood working, paintings, photography, crochet, and shop owner Cheryl Gartner’s glass work. Local musician, ‘world renown’ Ukulele Dan will be providing entertainment throughout the day.
Join The Jam
The ‘Jammers’ are a loosely knit group of local musicians who gather regularly to play and share music. Members of The Jammers set up and play at Medlen’s House of Beef in Oakdale, on the patio, the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. The fun begins around 3 p.m. and typically continue until about 6 p.m., a full afternoon of music. Acoustic musicians are welcome to come and play. Featured instruments usually include guitar, fiddle, banjo, ukulele, etc. The public is welcome to stop by, listen to the music and even sing along. No cost to attend.
Market Night
Make plans to attend The Fall Market, being hosted at Lumberyard Cellars, 1455 First St., Suite 4 in Escalon on Saturday, Nov. 9 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The event will highlight a number of local businesses and artisans, including Stuyt Dairy Cheese, Oliva Dawn Candle Co, Pencie and Ginger, Austin’s Meats, Poor Example, Zinc House Farm. Also, Sweets and Dough Artisan Bakery, California Gold Olive Oil, Jewelry by Mamta, Stella and Gray, Mazzeltov Farms Soap and Lads Home Ranch. Live music for the event will be by Jamie Byous and food truck The Mac Box will also be available.
Weight Loss Group
Members of the local TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly) weight loss support group meet in Oakdale every Monday morning from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.; the meeting is at 7450 River Road, Suite 4, Oakdale. This group is open to the public and anyone interested in improving their life by losing weight. Visit the website: www.tops.org for more information and to see a list of other meeting locations.
Walk For Fun
The Escalon Senior Fun Bunch Walkers invite everyone in the area to join them for their weekly walks. The group meets every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at a park in Escalon. They meet at the corner of Justin Drive and Mission Street at 10 a.m. Fun Bunch walkers are a lighthearted group whose members love to get together and walk with others, enjoy some conversation and exercise. You do not have to be a Fun Bunch member to attend; all are welcome to join the walking group during any or all of their scheduled walks during the week.
Irish Music
The ‘lads and lasses’ of Brennan’s Parlor host a monthly Irish music jam (aka “Ceilidh”) in the back room of the H Bar B Saloon, 401 E. F St., Oakdale. Gatherings are on the third Monday of the month, and run from 6 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. They welcome anyone – players, singers, or listeners – with an appreciation for Celtic music to join the fun.
Widowed Persons
Oakdale Widowed Persons Group invites you to join them the first Saturday of each month for breakfast at 9 a.m. and on the third Tuesday of each month for lunch at 1 p.m.; call for locations. All are welcome to join the group no matter how long ago you lost your spouse. For more information, contact Barbara at 209-322-2184.
