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.
Weekly Dances
Enjoy local dancing and get some exercise each week. 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.
Gardeners Gather
All are welcome to attend the Escalon Farmington Community Garden Club’s October meeting, set for Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. Hours for the gathering are 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., and the meeting will be hosted at the Escalon United Methodist Church, 2000 Jackson Ave., Escalon. Topic for this month will be the work of the San Joaquin County Mosquito and Vector Control District. All gardening enthusiasts are encouraged to attend the meeting.
Oktoberfest Fun
Plans are in place for the inaugural Lions Eye Foundation Oktoberfest Concert. The Oakdale Lions Club has partnered with Waterford Lions Club for this first-time event. The dinner and concert will be held Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; tickets are $50 per person which includes a dinner featuring tri-tip, mashed potatoes, green beans, salad, dinner roll and dessert. Popular Stockton-based Valley Groove Band will also perform. The fundraising event will be hosted at 13800 Yosemite Blvd., Waterford. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Family Vision Care office at 209-847-3051 or calling/texting 209-417-1980. Proceeds will benefit the Lions Eye Foundation.
Gentle Yoga
A new offering on Friday mornings at the Escalon Community Center, adults ages 55 and up are invited to try out Hawaiian Gentle Yoga. The class is hosted by instructor Kaleka, who leads the class in stretches and gentle movements as they are introduced to yoga. Scheduled on Friday mornings at 9:30 a.m., the cost is just $5 per class. For more information, email kalekayoga@yahoo.com or just stop by on a Friday morning to check out the class.
Music Jam
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.
Health Walk
The Escalon Senior Fun Bunch walkers, known as the Senior Steppers, 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 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.
Astronomy Night
The next Astronomy in the Park night is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 25 and begins at 6:15 p.m., featuring Jupiter, Star Cluster in Hercules, and Saturn. Stargazing is hosted at Shumway Oak Grove Regional Park, I-5 at Eight Mile Road in Stockton. Come early to enjoy astronomy activities in the Nature Center, then view planets through the giant telescopes after sunset. There is a $6 cash parking fee at the park, though the program is open to all ages, free of charge. For more information, call 209-953-8800.
Weight Loss
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.
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.
Saturday 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 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.
