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.
Kickoff Meeting
Members of the Escalon Farmington Community Garden Club will gather for their first meeting of the 2025-2026 club year on Thursday, Sept. 4. The session is planned from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., at the Escalon United Methodist Church, 2000 Jackson Ave., Escalon. Guest speaker for the meeting will be Lori Johnson with the topic “McHenry Mansion Gardens.” The guest speaker is first on the agenda; also featured are door prizes, snacks and then the business meeting for the group. You do not need to be a member of the local club to attend; all gardening enthusiasts throughout the area are welcome.
Clean Up Effort
Volunteers of all ages are being sought as the California Coastal Commission is organizing a statewide coastal clean-up for Saturday, Sept. 20 from 9 a.m. to noon. The event is being coordinated with help from hundreds of governments and nonprofit agencies throughout the state. About 1.8 million volunteers have helped remove more than 13,500 tons of trash since the event’s launch in 1985. The most common items include cigarette filters, food wrappers, plastic straws, and other utensils. To find the closest cleanup event near you, visit coastalcleanupday.org. Follow statewide efforts on social media at facebook.com/CaliforniaCoast and instagram.com/thecaliforniacoast/. You can also share your cleanup experience on social media using the hashtag #coastalcleanupday.
Food Collection
Continuing throughout September, local business Lumberyard Cellars at 1455 First St., Escalon, will be accepting donations of non-perishable food items to benefit area families. Food donated will go to the Escalon CARE (Community Action Resources of Escalon) food bank, with both canned and boxed food items needed. The items can be dropped off at the Lumberyard Cellars wine tasting venue during their open hours: Thursday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, noon to 9 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.
Dance And Socialize
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.
Edible Extravaganza
The Center for Human Services will host its 39th annual Edible Extravaganza on Thursday, Sept. 25, at the Modesto Centre Plaza, featuring more than 50 food and beverage vendors, live music, and a new theme inspired by the neon-lit glamour of Miami Vice. The event, titled “CHS Nights: Bright Nights, Brighter Futures,” is scheduled from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., with VIP admission beginning at 5 p.m. and general admission opening at 6 p.m. Tickets are available at www.edibleextravaganza.com. General admission is $65 in advance or $75 at the door. VIP tickets are $120 and include early entry, access to exclusive lounges, and a private rooftop concert. Live entertainment will be provided throughout the evening.
Gentle Yoga
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.
Save The Dates
A couple of annual events are fast approaching, to be hosted at the Escalon United Methodist Church at 2000 Jackson Ave., Escalon, celebrating the arrival of fall. The Omelet Dinner will be served up on Saturday, Sept. 27 from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.; and the annual Church Bazaar – the perfect place to get some holiday shopping started – is on the schedule for Saturday, Oct. 25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Benefit Brunch
Community members are being invited to gather for the 12th Annual Empty Bowls “Impact” Community Brunch, a local event where every donation helps fill empty bowls and bring hope to families across San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties. Hosted by Second Harvest of the Greater Valley, this year’s brunch is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 13 beginning at 10 a.m. at the MRPS Hall, 133 N. Grant Ave., Manteca. Second Harvest of the Greater Valley Food Bank now distributes more than 20 million pounds of food to 350,000 people annually in San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties through its network of over 85 partners and food distribution programs, including those in Oakdale, Escalon and Riverbank. For tickets, sponsorship opportunities, or more information, visit localfoodbank.org/empty-bowls/ or contact Jennifer Mora at jemora@secondharvest.org.
Senior Steppers
The Escalon Senior Fun Bunch walkers, known as the Senior Steppers, 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. 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.
Irish 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.
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.
Star Gazing
The next Astronomy in the Park night is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 27 at Shumway Oak Grove Regional Park, I-5 at Eight Mile Road in Stockton. Come early to enjoy astronomy activities in the Nature Center, then view planets through the giant telescopes after sunset. There is a $6 cash parking fee at the park, though the program is open to all ages, free of charge. The Sept. 27 program features Saturn, Star Cluster in Hercules, Moon and starts at 7 p.m.; the Oct. 25 event begins at 6:15 p.m., featuring Jupiter, Star Cluster in Hercules, Saturn. For more information, call 209-953-8800.
Widowed Persons
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.
Jammers Gather
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.
