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.
Tails And Tunes
The Oakdale Shelter Pet Alliance (OSPA) is a local non-profit organization whose mission is to save and improve the lives of the homeless pets of the communities of Riverbank, Oakdale and Escalon. This mission includes the animals that come into the local shelter. A fundraiser to fill OSPA’s coffers is planned so the organization is well funded and poised to help in the coming years. Money raised goes directly to the animals to pay for vet bills, sponsor adoptions, spay and neuter surgeries, and more. The fundraiser, Tails and Tunes, is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 20 at Dying Breed Brewing, 963 Shepard Court, in Oakdale. From 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., the public will be able to enjoy an afternoon of brews and live country-rock music offered by Barbie and the Deplorables, featuring local musicians. A pizza truck will be serving pizza to go with the brews and other beverages. There will be games and opportunities to win prizes along with the live music. All donations gratefully accepted.
Fall Festival
Final arrangements are being made for an upcoming Fall Festival, being put on through the Farmington United Methodist Church. The fest is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 26 and will run from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; it will be hosted at Jacob Strojan Park, at 25626 Elm St., adjacent to the church. The event will feature a wide variety of vendors, food, a costume contest for kids, face painting, a ‘trunk or treat’ type candy giveaway and more.
Strides Sunday
For more than 30 years, the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer has united communities in the nation’s largest movement to end breast cancer as we know it, for everyone. This year, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of San Joaquin Valley will take place on Sunday, Oct. 20 at Modesto Junior College’s West Campus, providing a supportive community for breast cancer survivors and metastatic breast cancer thrivers, caregivers, supporters and families alike. Sutter Health is the Presenting Sponsor for the Oct. 20 event and check-in is at 8 a.m. The opening ceremony starts at 9 a.m.; there will be a DJ providing music, there will be food trucks on site and a fun kids camp, along with participants walking the track at MJC West. Register for the event at makingstrideswalk.org/sanjoaquinvalley
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.
Holiday Bazaar
Members of the Escalon United Methodist Church will once again put on their popular Holiday Bazaar, with the date set for Saturday, Oct. 26. The event will be hosted at the church, 2000 Jackson Ave., Escalon and run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Featured will be handmade crafts, gifts and holiday items, needlework, a drawing for an opportunity quilt – with tickets for the drawing available on site – wood crafts, homemade jams/jellies and frozen ready-to-bake homemade pies. Those attending can also enjoy a soup and pie lunch, with bread and beverage included, for $12.
Weight Loss Support
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.
Halloween Fun
Members of the Escalon High School First Responders class will be hosting a special Trunk or Treat event, set for Wednesday Oct. 30. Being staged in the back, ag department parking lot on the high school campus on Yosemite Avenue, hours for the event are 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. There will be face painting, candy and treats, music and games and a costume contest. Free entry; all kids in the community are invited to attend.
Irish 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.
Weekly Dances
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.
Walking Bunch
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 9 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.
