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.
Local Art Shows
Oak Valley Art Society is hosting its Fall Art Show this month, with the Second Annual Fall Classic Art Show following in November, sponsored by Students of Carol Earle and Community United Methodist Church. The Oak Valley Art Society, OVAS, show will be staged on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 18 and 19, at the Escalon Library, 1540 Second St., Escalon. Saturday hours are noon to 5 p.m., Sunday hours are noon to 3 p.m., with a reception Sunday afternoon from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Then, in November, the Community United Methodist Church at 1480 Poplar St., Oakdale, will be the site for the Fall Classic Art Show and Sale. Hours are Saturday, Nov. 8 from noon to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 9 from noon to 3 p.m., with the awards ceremony on Sunday at 2 p.m.
Holiday Bazaar
Escalon United Methodist Church, 2000 Jackson Ave., will host its annual Holiday Bazaar on Saturday, Oct. 25. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and there will be a soup and pie luncheon available for $12, along with plenty of merchandise for shopping. The bazaar includes not only handcrafted items but also woodworking pieces, a quilt drawing, ready-to-bake frozen pies, jams and jellies, baked goods and plenty of holiday gift giving ideas. For more information, call the church office at 209-838-2792.
Dancing Fun
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.
Band Concerts
Plan to enjoy some live music this month, as the Oakdale Community Concert Band will present its first fall 2025 Concert on Tuesday, Oct. 21. The program is planned to feature several pieces of seasonally appropriate concert band music. Just two days later, on Thursday, Oct. 23, the Community Dance Band will perform for your listening and/or dancing pleasure. All performances start at 6:30 p.m. at the Gladys Lemmons Senior Community Center at 450 E. A St., Oakdale, and are free. All ages are invited and welcome to attend these performances by a talented group of local musicians.
Kris Kringle Market
Saron Lutheran Church is getting ready for its annual Kris Kringle Market, which will be offered from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1 at the church, 1742 North St, Escalon. This has traditionally been a stop for those looking to do some holiday shopping, with homemade items, baked goods, candy, jams and jellies, puzzles, ornaments and more all part of the offerings. There will also be a quilt raffle with tickets available on site; a chili and cornbread luncheon served at a cost of $6 and Santa will stop by for photos and visits. For more information, call the church office at 209-838-7695. All donations will support the ministries of Saron Lutheran.
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.
Senior Steppers
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.
Join In The Jam
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.
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.
Morning 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.
Parlor 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.
Support Sessions
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.
