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.
Jam Sessions
The ‘Jammers’ are a loosely knit group of local musicians who gather regularly to play and share music. The origins were with Fred “Fiddlin’ Fred” Stepp who was a well know figure in the local bluegrass, country, folk music community. Weekly jams still happen at the Stepp family ranch. Members of The Jammers also set up and play at Medlen’s House of Beef, on the patio, the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. Things get rolling 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, ukelele, etc. The public is welcome to stop by, listen to the music and even sing along. No cost to attend.
Weight Loss Support
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.; 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. Visit the website: www.tops.org for more information and to see a list of other meeting locations.
Golden Agers
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.
Church Bazaar
The last Saturday in October will feature the 26th annual Holiday Bazaar, put on at the Escalon United Methodist Church, 2000 Jackson Ave., Escalon. Scheduled for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 28, shoppers will find a variety of items for holiday gift giving. Among them will be handmade crafts, needlework, wood crafts, homemade jams and jellies, lots of holiday-themed items and more. Tickets for an opportunity drawing for a homemade quilt will be sold on site. There will also be frozen ready-to-bake homemade pies offered in a number of flavors. The church puts on a $10 per person soup and pie luncheon that day as well, so those attending will have the opportunity to both shop and eat. Soup, bread, a piece of pie and beverage are all included.
Market Place Dates
Put the date on your calendar, with the next Market Place on Poplar scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 4 and just one more after that to close out the year. All are invited to come to eat, shop and/or sell your wares at the Market Place, offered the first Saturday of each month at Community United Methodist Church, 1480 Poplar in Oakdale. The event runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., providing an opportunity to shop for unique finds or enjoy a selection from Chef Lee’s popular lunch menu. Interested vendors can contact craftfairinfo@yahoo.com for more information on reserving a $20 booth space. The last two dates for 2023 are Nov. 4 and Dec. 2.
Widowed Persons Meet
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.
Star Gazing Nights
The next star gazing event hosted cooperatively by the Stockton Astronomical Society, Oak Grove Docent Council and San Joaquin County Parks is set for Oct. 21. The organizations have planned monthly Astronomy in the Park nights through the end of 2023. View planets through giant telescopes after sunset at these events, hosted at Oak Grove Regional Park, I-5 at Eight Mile Road, Stockton. There is a $6 cash parking fee but no cost to attend the viewing events; all are held, weather permitting. Future dates and times are all scheduled for Saturday evenings and include: Oct. 21, 6:20 p.m., Star Cluster in Hercules, Dumbbell Nebula; Nov. 18, 4:50 p.m., Jupiter, Saturn, Star Cluster and Dec. 16, 4:45 p.m., Saturn, M33 (Triangulum Galaxy). For more information, call 209-953-8800.
Edible Expo
The Escalon Educational Foundation will be hosting a festive Edible Expo on Saturday, Oct. 28. It will offer an opportunity to ‘Eat, Drink and Have a Ball’ and will be hosted at the Escalon Community Center starting at 6 p.m., continuing through 11 p.m., open to those 21 and over only. Tickets are $50 per individual and a reserved seating table for eight is $450. The food and beverage tasting event has seen a wide variety of offerings in the past, everything from pizza and ravioli to steak bites, as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage options. Attendees are able to walk around and socialize while sampling the foods, desserts and beverages; the event also includes music and dancing, raffle drawings and live and silent auctions. For more information or tickets, contact Adams at 209-606-6487.
Pumpkin Decorating
Join in for some fall fun at Lorina’s Edible Garden, 17397 Enterprise Road, with the Pumpkin Decoration Station open during October. Regular hours are Wednesdays, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.; no reservations needed during open hours. Groups are welcome to make reservations throughout the month and can ask about lunch opportunities. For more information about scheduling a group visit, contact 209-402-7567; texts or calls are welcome.
Accordion Music
The Good Time Accordion Club members meet on a regular basis, the first Sunday of the month 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. The remaining 2023 gatherings are scheduled for Sundays, Nov. 5 and Dec. 3.
