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.
TOPS Group Moves
All interested are welcome to join TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly) a weight loss support group that meets in Oakdale every Monday morning from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.; they have a new location for 2023, meeting at 7450 River Road, Suite 4, Oakdale. This group is open to the public and anyone interested in improving their life by losing weight can contact Audrey for more information, call 209-765-7838.
Garden Club Session
The first meeting of 2023 has been scheduled for the Escalon-Farmington Community Garden Club. Members of the club and anyone interested can join the session on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023 at 1 p.m., at the United Methodist Church, 25626 Elm St., Farmington. The program will be ‘The Benefits of Local Flowers’ and guest speaker will be Amanda Taylor from HomeSown Flowers. Also featured will be a drawing for a door prize, raffle opportunities and snacks. For more information, call 209-613-8708.
Enjoy Accordion Music
Due to New Year’s Day falling on the first Sunday of the month – January 1 – with the first Sunday being the normal meeting day for the local Good Time Accordion Club, members instead will gather for their January meeting on Sunday, Jan. 8 at 2:30 p.m., hosted at the Escalon United Methodist Church, 2000 Jackson Ave., Escalon. Admission is $5; there are free refreshments provided. The club presents musicians of all levels and many musical styles. Anyone can bring an accordion and play or just come to enjoy listening to the musical performances. Additional 2023 gatherings are scheduled for Feb. 5, March 5, April 2, May 7, June 4, July 2, Aug. 6, Sept. 3, Oct. 1, Nov. 5 and Dec. 3.
Oakdale Quilters Meet
Oakdale Quilter’s Guild is a non-profit group organized for charitable and educational purposes. Members make quilts and other handmade items for the Care Center, Guardian House, Quilts of Honor, Cancer Center, and Community Hospice. The quilters meet on the second Thursday of each month at Blossom Quilting, 7450 River Road, Oakdale. Guests are welcome to join them for a visit to learn more about the organization. The January meeting will be on Thursday, Jan. 12 at 6:30 p.m. A special January class will also be offered; it will be a good one for beginners and is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 28 at Blossom Quilting. Spots are limited and filling up quickly; if interested in attending, call 209-345-3357 or email oakdalequiltersguild@gmail.com. More information about the group is also available on their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/oakdalequiltersguild.
West Side Entertainment
Get ready to enjoy some musical entertainment, coming up in January at the West Side Theatre, 1331 Main St., Newman. On Saturday, Jan. 14 at 8 p.m., West Side will present Rob Ely - Elvis Through the Years. Tickets are available at: https://westsidetheatre.ticketleap.com/rob-ely/ or call 209-862-4490. Always a great show from this talented, versatile entertainer and award-winning Elvis tribute artist, energizing the crowd with his classic Elvis performance. Saturday, Jan. 21 at 8 p.m., it’s the classic Journey Revisited. For tickets, go to: https://westsidetheatre.ticketleap.com/journey-revisited/ or call 209-862-4490. Journey Revisited dedicates themselves to replicating the sound of classic Journey through their spectacular live performances. These exceptional musicians cover all of the Journey fan favorites and without pre-recorded backing tracks or digital vocal enhancements.
Dance In Riverbank
Check out the Golden Agers dance group 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.
Widowed Persons Support
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.
