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.
Calendar Distribution
Now available, get your 2025 calendars courtesy of the Valley Air District, as it celebrates the artistic achievements of 14 talented student artists from across the San Joaquin Valley. Their work is featured in the newly released Healthy Air Living Kids’ Calendar. This is a bilingual, full-color wall calendar, featuring clean-air messages and drawings, and designed to educate and inspire the public to live a Healthy Air Life and reduce air pollution in the Valley. The calendars are free, and distributed to schools, community groups, healthcare facilities, churches, civic organizations, non-profits, and individuals upon request, while supplies last. To request calendars, email public.education@valleyair.org or call (559) 230-6000. Calendars can also be picked up at the District office in Modesto at 4800 Enterprise Way.
Scholarship Program
Soroptimist International of Oakdale is seeking junior class girls to participate in the Distinguished Young Women of Oakdale Class of 2026 program. College scholarships and the Distinguished Young Woman of Oakdale title will be awarded during the program on March 1, 2025. Participants must live within the 95361 zip code or attend an Oakdale high school. Apply online at www.DistingiushedYW.org. The application deadline is Jan. 10, 2025. To learn more about the program, e-mail Oakdale@DistinguishedYW.org or call Nancy Lilly, (209) 607-7605.
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.
Birdwalk Events
The third Sunday of the month, January and February, all ages are welcome to join in a program, Birding for Boomers and everyone else, offered at Shumway Oak Grove Regional Park, 4520 W. Eight Mile Road, Stockton. The Nature Center at the park is the gathering place for the ‘not your typical birdwalk’ event, which gets underway at 1 p.m. on Sundays, Jan. 19 and Feb. 16. Come experience the birds and other wildlife that are out and about on birdwalk day. Learn tips for birdwatching; bring binoculars if you have them. This is a free event and no reservations are required. There is a $6 cash parking fee. Severe weather cancels the birdwalk; check the Oak Grove Nature Center Facebook page for updates. Oak Grove is part of the San Joaquin County Parks system; call 209-953-8814 for more information.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
