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.
Garden Club Resumes
Members of the Escalon Farmington Community Garden Club will have their next meeting on Thursday, Sept. 7 at 1 p.m., gathering at the Escalon United Methodist Church, 2000 Jackson Ave., Escalon. All interested in learning more about gardening are welcome and encouraged to attend. Topics for this session will include Escalon Strong community garden, Escalon C.A.R.E. food bank and making plans for a club bake sale to be staged in conjunction with the Escalon citywide yard sale in early October. Plant of the month will be Dahlias and the meeting, the first of the new club year, will also include time to catch up with new and old friends while enjoying refreshments. For more information, text or call 209-613-8708.
9-11 Remembrance
The Escalon Fire Department will be hosting its annual 9-11 Community Moment of Silence and Prayer beginning at 9:11 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 11 at the Escalon Fire District, 1749 Coley Ave., Escalon. All are welcome to attend; Fire Chief Rick Mello implemented the memorial service several years ago. The program includes a timeline of the events of Sept. 11, 2001 when terrorists hijacked four planes; with two striking the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, one striking the Pentagon and the fourth crashing in rural Pennsylvania as passengers fought back against the hijackers and brought the plane down short of its intended target. Special music, a flag ceremony and the ringing of the bell in recognition of those who lost their lives on that day are included as well.
Calling Young Artists
The 2024 Healthy Air Living Kids’ Calendar Contest is now underway in the San Joaquin Valley. Ignite the artistic spirit in students, grades K through 12, and let their vision of healthy air living shine. 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.
Reach For The Stars
The Stockton Astronomical Society, Oak Grove Docent Council and San Joaquin County Parks 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 Sept. 23, 7 p.m., Saturn, M57 (Ring Nebula); Oct. 21, 6:20 p.m., Star Cluster in Hercules, Dumbbell Nebula. Closing out the calendar year will be 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.
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.
Enjoy Wine, Brew
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.
Stroll And Shop
Just a few more Saturday dates remain for the Oakdale Morning Market, hosted along North Third Avenue in Oakdale. The weekly event is a project of the non-profit foundation Love Oakdale and runs from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. through Saturday, Sept. 30. 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.
Market Place Saturday
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 remaining dates through the end of 2023 are scheduled for Oct. 7, Nov. 4 and Dec. 2.
Accordion Players Gather
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.
