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.
Saturday Star Gazing
The next star gazing event hosted cooperatively by the Stockton Astronomical Society, Oak Grove Docent Council and San Joaquin County Parks is set for this weekend. 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, running through mid-December. Monthly dates include this coming Saturday, Sept. 23, 7 p.m., Saturn, M57 (Ring Nebula); 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.
September Stroll
This year’s edition of the Escalon Chamber of Commerce Wine and Brew Stroll is on the calendar for Saturday, Sept. 30. Tickets are available now for the 21-and-over only event, which will be staged along Escalon’s Main Street, between First and Third. The $45 ticket price gets attendees the opportunity to enjoy a number of wines and specialty craft brews, plenty of hors d’oeuvres, live music and prize drawing opportunities. Stroll hours are 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 30. For more information or to get tickets, visit the website at escalonchamberofcommerce.org or call the Chamber at 209-838-2793.
Two Market Dates
The final two weeks of the Oakdale Morning Market will be Saturdays, Sept. 23 and 30. The market, hosted along North Third Avenue in Oakdale, is a project of the non-profit foundation Love Oakdale and runs from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., with just two more dates remaining. Produce, crafts, art, music, food trucks and more are featured.
Widowed Persons Group
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.
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.
Calendar Art Sought
The 2024 Healthy Air Living Kids’ Calendar Contest is seeking entries from students in grades K through 12. Deadline for calendar entries is Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. Selected entries will be a part of the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District’s bilingual calendar, showing how individuals can help improve air quality and quality of life for all Valley residents. Artists need to include their name, address, phone number, e-mail, age, grade and school, on the back of the entry. Mail entries flat, not folded or stapled, to: 2024 Kids’ Calendar Contest, Valley Air District, 1990 E. Gettysburg Ave., Fresno, CA 93726, or drop off your entry at the local District office in Modesto, 4800 Enterprise Way. For questions about the contest, email public.education@valleyair.org or call the Modesto office at 209-557-6400.
October Market Place
Put the date on your calendar, with the next Market Place on Poplar scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 7. 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 three dates through the end of 2023 are scheduled for Oct. 7, Nov. 4 and Dec. 2.
Musicians Gather Monthly
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 Oct. 1, Nov. 5 and Dec. 3.
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.
Artwork In Sonora
A collection of more than 40 watercolors and sculptures by Sonora artist and retired educator and engineer Charles W. Clyde is on display through Dec. 11, 2023 in the Columbia College Manzanita Building Rotunda at 11600 Columbia College Drive, Sonora. The upper level of the Manzanita Building is open to the public, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. After retiring from teaching in 1998, he picked up a watercolor set from his daughters’ old school supplies, and began the process of teaching himself to paint. Since then, he has produced over 200 works and continues to paint into his 90s. He does not sell his art, but gives away many to friends who express an interest.
