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, call 209-847-3021 or e-mail the information to mjackson@oakdaleleader.com.
Quilt Show In Modesto
Learn more about the art of quilting with a visit to The Heart of the Valley Quilt & Textile Arts Show, coming up Saturday, Jan. 31 and Sunday, Feb. 1 in downtown Modesto. The show will be hosted at the Graffiti Classic Car Museum, 610 N. Ninth St., Modesto. Saturday hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and admission is $10 per person, with those 12 and under admitted free. All in the area are encouraged to come enjoy viewing traditional, modern and art quilts, along with visiting the vendors set up for the show. There will be a drawing for a quilt, raffle baskets and handmade boutique items available. Country Crossroads Quilters of Modesto is the local organization that puts on the event. The 2026 Opportunity Quilt that will be awarded in a drawing on Sunday, Feb. 1 is an 80-by-80 quilt titled “Celebrate America.”
Lions Club Run
Sign-ups are being taken from runners and walkers from throughout the region, with the date set for the 34th annual Don Osborne Memorial Run, hosted by the Oakdale Lions Club. This year’s event is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 7. The races begin at William Meyer Park, G Street and South Second Avenue, Oakdale, behind the Oakdale Library. The course is on flat, paved city streets with traffic control provided. This is a rain or shine event. There is a one-mile walk/run that takes off at 9 a.m., with the 5k run following at 9:45 a.m. The awards ceremony begins at 10:45 a.m. Register online at runsignup.com; race day registration begins at 8 a.m.; that is also the start time for shirt and bib pick-up. For more information, contact coordinator Alan Graham at 209-602-8821 or email him at alangraham2093@gmail.com
Rotary Breakfast
With the Super Bowl coming up on Sunday, Feb. 8, the Escalon Sunrise Rotary Club is once again hosting its annual Super Bowl Breakfast that day in the Escalon High School cafeteria, 1528 Yosemite Ave., Escalon. Hours for the breakfast are 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.; cost is $15 for teens and adults, ticket price for those 12 and under is $10. Breakfast features made-to-order omelets, with diners able to select their items to be cooked up inside the omelet. The menu also includes a variety of pastries, biscuits and gravy, and beverages. Tickets will be available at the door or in advance by contacting John at 209-470-2660; Duane at 209-996-7120; or Dave at 209-404-6681.
Valentine’s Day Marriages
Marriage ceremonies will be performed on Valentine’s Day at the historic McHenry Mansion at 906 15th St., in Modesto. “Marriage at the Mansion” offers each couple a romantic experience that will take them back in time. All ceremonies are individualized. Couples must sign up in advance. Ceremonies will start at 10 a.m. and run through 4 p.m., on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. Marriage licenses must be purchased and appointments made in advance at the Clerk Recorder’s Office at 1021 I St., in downtown Modesto. The cost of the license and ceremony is $121 or $126 for confidential marriage licenses. Guests are limited to 15 for each wedding. For more information or to set an appointment contact the Clerk Recorder’s Office at 209-525-5269 or 209-525-5205 and for assistance in Spanish call 209-525-5230.
Walking Fun
Area senior citizens are welcome to join the Escalon Senior Fun Bunch walkers, known as the Senior Steppers, as they gather for their regular walks. The group meets every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the Bob and Dena Lease Park in Escalon, at the corner of Justin Drive and Mission Street at 9 a.m. This is a lighthearted group whose members love to get together and walk with others, enjoy some conversation and exercise. All are welcome to join the walking group during any or all of their scheduled walks during the week.
Weekly Dance
The local Golden Agers dance group is looking to expand for the new year. They 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.
Jammers Gather
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 continues 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.
Weight Loss
The area’s TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly) weight loss support group members 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.
Widowed Persons
Open to those throughout the area, the 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.
Brennan’s Parlor
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.
