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.
Holiday And Harps
Enjoy some holiday music, as the Central Valley Youth Harp Ensemble performs for the American Association of University Women (AAUW), Oakdale, Riverbank, Escalon Branch on Thursday, Dec. 12. Members, guests and prospective members are invited to attend. The December Holiday Meeting, entitled “Harps for the Holiday”, will begin at 6:30 p.m., with the Harp Ensemble performing at 7 p.m. The young harpists will offer a magical evening of holiday music celebrating the Winter Solstice, Yuletide and Hanukkah. The meeting will be held in the Multi-Purpose Room at Mesa Verde Elementary School, 4850 Mesa Drive in Riverbank. Prospective members in the Oakdale, Riverbank, or Escalon area can email Gail Marganelli at gmarganelli@att.net for more information and directions to the event.
Christmas Dance
Join in to listen – or dance to – the sounds of the Oakdale Community Dance Band on Thursday, Dec. 19 as they put on their Christmas Dance. All ages are welcome to attend; this talented group of local musicians performs for fun on a regular basis and invite everyone to come enjoy the music. The dance program on Dec. 19 will begin at 6:30 p.m., hosted at the Gladys Lemmons Senior Community Center at 450 E. A St., Oakdale.
Weekly Exercise
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.
Jam Sessions
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.
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.
Celtic 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.
TOPS Meeting
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.
