Community Briefs provides a listing of events and activities going on around the Oakdale, Riverbank and Escalon areas. We welcome submissions of one-time or ongoing gatherings in the region. To have an event featured, call 209-847-3021 or e-mail the information to mjackson@oakdaleleader.com.
Golden Agers Meet
The Riverbank-based Golden Agers dance group invites those 55 and up to come and join the fun; they are always looking to expand their membership. 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. 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.
Salmon Festival
Scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 14, visitors to the Stanislaus River Salmon Festival in Knights Ferry can experience the river from the water and see salmon making their way toward the spawning gravels through free guided raft trips offered by conservation organizations Restoring the Stanislaus River and Friends of the River. The approximately 20- to 30-minute float is open to all ages, and children are especially welcome. Volunteer guides will provide boats, life jackets and their time, while interpreters from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will help participants learn about salmon, river habitat and restoration. The Stanislaus River Salmon Festival is free and open to the public, running from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Knights Ferry on Nov. 14. Along with the raft trips, the festival will feature organizations, vendors and opportunities to learn about the river and salmon restoration.
Museum Open
The Escalon Historical Society Museum is open two days a week for all area residents to stop by and tour the museum, at 1630 Main St., Escalon, to learn about local history and browse the gift shop items. The regular museum hours are Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon to 4 p.m. Also, a reminder that the first Wednesday of each month is designated as Reminisce Day with attendees encouraged to share stories from the community’s past, with refreshments served. The next reminisce program is set for Wednesday, Nov. 4.
Join the Jammers
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.
Senior Steppers
All 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.
Soroptimist Awards
Women who serve as the primary wage earners for their families and seek financial assistance to continue their education or receive training can now apply for the Soroptimist Live Your Dream: Education and Training Awards for Women. Information about the application is available at the Soroptimist International of Oakdale website (www.sioakdale.org) or Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/sioakdale), or by contacting Ruth Bright via email at nitis1975@yahoo.com. The deadline to apply is Nov. 15. The Soroptimist International of Oakdale club will provide a $1,000 cash award to its award recipient, who will then advance to the Soroptimist Sierra Pacific Region level.
Widowed Persons Group
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 209-318-5100.
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.
