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.
Catfish Dinner Set
All are encouraged to visit La Grange for the 14th Annual Odd Fellows Catfish Dinner, scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 17, served from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets at the door are $25. This fundraiser event is held at the IOOF Hall, 30018 Yosemite Blvd., in downtown La Grange, sponsored by Lafayette Lodge #65, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Sit down with your family in the comfortable banquet room to a hearty serving of deep-fried catfish fillet, corn on the cob, slaw salad and cornbread, with complimentary coffee, iced tea or lemonade. The dinner also features ice cream sundaes for dessert. For more information, call Chris at 209-853-2128, Sandy 209-769-3766 or Patty 209-604-4444. You can also email: iooflodge65 @ yahoo.com
Hospice Fundraiser
Those 21 and over are invited to join Community Hospice and Health Services Foundation for Hops & Vines, a fundraising event to benefit the patients, families and programs of Community Hospice and Health Services. Enjoy locally brewed ales and fine wines from Contentment Brewing Co., Dust Bowl Brewing Co., Dying Breed Brewing, E & J Gallo Winery, Last Call Brewing, Persuasion Brewing Co., The Wine Group, and Track 424 Brewery. Also sample savory bites from Chuck’s Butcher Shop, Conchitas, Crumbl Cookies, Fiscalini Cheese Co., Save Mart, Sciabica Olive Oil and have fun with axe throwing, cornhole and more. This special event is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 17 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Community Hospice and Health Services, 4368 Spyres Way, Modesto. Tickets are $65 and include food, beverages, games and more. To register visit give.hospiceheart.org or Text HOPS24 to 41444.
Orchestra Outdoors
The Modesto Symphony Orchestra proudly presents Picnic at the Pops! Dancing in the Street: Music of Motown on Sept. 7, 2024 on the Gallo Winery grounds in Modesto. Picnic at the Pops! is a family-friendly outdoor concert that attracts thousands of music lovers from throughout the region for an evening of music, dancing, and fun beneath the stars. Tickets for Picnic at the Pops! are on sale now, online, in-person, and over the phone. This community event promises a full-evening symphonic tribute to the magic of Motown. General Lawn tickets are $45 for adults and $12 for youth under the age of 17. Reserved Lawn tickets are $75 for adults and $20 for youth. Tickets can be now be purchased by visiting the Gallo Center Ticket Office or calling 209-338-2100. Tickets are also on sale in-person at the Carnegie Arts Center in Turlock, and the MSO Office in Modesto. For more information and to buy tickets online visit ModestoSymphony.org/picnic. The Picnic at the Pops! event will be Saturday, Sept. 7 with the Gallo grounds at 600 Yosemite Blvd., Modesto, open at 5 p.m.; the concert begins at 7 p.m.
See The Stars
The Stockton Astronomical Society, in cooperation with Oak Grove Docent Council and San Joaquin County Parks, offers the Astronomy in the Park series. Dates are the second Saturday of each month, October and November; the first Saturday in September and December. All events are offered at Shumway Oak Grove Regional Park, at I-5 and Eight Mile Road, Stockton. The event itself is free, but there is a $6 cash parking fee at the park. View planets through giant telescopes after sunset; all ages welcome. On Sept. 7, the viewing begins at 7:25 p.m. and features Saturn, M13 (Star Cluster), and M57 (Ring Nebula).
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.
Walking Fun
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.
Discover Herbology
Families throughout the region can take advantage of a fun and educational program being offered through the San Joaquin County Parks department. Join in on Sunday, Aug. 18 for Professor Sprout’s Muggle World Herbology Walk at Oak Grove Regional Park, 4520 W. Eight Mile Road, Stockton, in the Nature Center. Explore the ‘Dark Forest’ – the Native Plant Garden and Trail – with Professor Sprout, learn about magical properties of native plants and how some are related to the Muggle World. No reservations are required for this free event. The family-friendly program runs 45 minutes. There is a $6 cash parking fee at county parks. No pets, please. For more information, call 209-953-8814.
Golden Agers
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.
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.
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.
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.
