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.
Fall Classic
Make plans to attend the upcoming Second Annual Fall Classic Art Show, sponsored by Students of Carol Earle and Community United Methodist Church. The church at 1480 Poplar St., Oakdale, will be the site for the art show and sale, scheduled for 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.
Birthday Dinner
The Modesto Marine Corps League is hosting a dinner on Saturday, Nov. 8 to celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States Marine Corps. The event is planned at the Stanislaus Veterans Center, 3500 Coffee Road, Modesto. The celebration will include the traditional cake cutting ceremony and the posting of colors by the Turlock Navy Junior ROTC honor guard. Dinner includes choice of chicken or beef, salad, mixed vegetables, au grautin potatoes and dinner rolls. Cost is $30 per person or $50 a couple and can purchased at the Veterans Center or by contacting Jim Laurenti at 209-526-9068 or 209-681-1376.
Golden Agers
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.
Annual Craft Fair
This weekend features the annual Craft Fair, being hosted at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oakdale. The fair runs both Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 8 and 9, at the Parish Center, 55 Oak Ave., Oakdale. There will be plenty of options for holiday shopping with more than five dozen booths set up inside and outside the center. There will also be a bake sale, food booth and vendor raffles. Saturday hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday hours are 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Music 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.
Holiday Market
The Stanislaus County Fairgrounds, 900 N. Broadway in Turlock, will be the host site for a Holiday Market on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and all are welcome to attend. There will be free kids crafts, over 80 local vendors with plenty of items for holiday gift giving, free pictures with Santa, food vendors, vintage items and more.
Walk For Health
All seniors in the area 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 a 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.
Weight Loss
The area’s TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly) weight loss support group members 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.
Yoga For Seniors
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.
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.
Support 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 209-322-2184.
