Datebook lists upcoming events and items of interest for residents of Escalon, Farmington, Collegeville and the surrounding area.
It’s Holiday Bazaar time at the Farmington United Methodist Church on East Elm Street in Farmington. This Saturday, Oct. 20 features the annual Crafters’ Boutique/Bazaar, which also offers a soup and pie luncheon. The boutique will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with lunch served from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The craft boutique will feature unique hand sewn, crocheted, knitted and embroidered items, holiday wreaths and decorations, and more. Food items from the soup and pie luncheon can be purchased individually or the full lunch special, including drinks, soup, Genova bread and pie, can be purchased for only $8. Homemade soups offered include: Dutch meatball, split pea, chicken tortilla, minestrone, cream of potato, cream of broccoli, clam chowder or Zuppa Tuscana.
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Make time to stop by and visit the Oak Valley Art Society, which will be hosting its Annual Fall Art Show on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 20 and 21 at the Escalon Library, 1540 Second St., Escalon. Show hours are Saturday noon to 5 p.m.; Sunday show hours are from noon to 2 p.m., followed by a reception with the artists from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
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The AAUW Oakdale-Riverbank-Escalon Fall Fundraiser is set for Sunday, Oct. 21, at 4 p.m. at the Gene Bianchi Center, 110 S. Second Ave., Oakdale. It will raise funds for the local Branch’s Tech Trek, Speech Trek, Scholarship and Fund programs that tie into AAUW’s goals of helping women and girls reach their full potential. There will be appetizers and the opportunity to bid on several live auction items. A recent British film about a scandalous friendship that develops between Queen Victoria and a young Indian clerk near the end of Victoria’s reign will conclude the afternoon’s activities. Donations for the fundraiser are $25 per person. Tickets are available from any Oakdale-Riverbank-Escalon (ORE) member of AAUW or by emailing the branch at AAUW.ORE@gmail.com. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door.
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Escalon Christian Reformed Church is planning a Harvest Party for Saturday, Oct. 27 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Escalon Christian Reformed Church, 2203 California. Come enjoy free carnival games, a petting zoo, pizza and more. All ages welcome, come and have fun at this free event.
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Get your tickets now and enjoy the fun and games at the Fall Bunco Bash, being hosted by the Escalon High School Sober Grad committee. The bash is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 15 at the EHS Performing Arts Center, 1528 Yosemite Ave. The evening begins with hors d’oeuvres at 6:30 p.m. and Bunco play begins at 7 p.m. Cost is $25 per person and proceeds benefit the Sober Grad party hosted for graduating seniors with the Class of 2019. For tickets, contact April Adams at 209-606-6487 or go online: https://squareup.com/store/ehs-sober-grad.
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The American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk will be held Sunday, Oct. 21 at Gallo Center for the Arts, 1000 I St., Modesto to unite communities, honor those touched by the disease and raise awareness and funds for a world without breast cancer. Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is the largest network of breast cancer awareness events in the nation, with more than one million passionate participants supporting the noncompetitive three- to five-mile walks each year. Registration for this event begins at 7:30 a.m. and the walk is set to start at 9 a.m. To learn more about the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event and how you can become involved, visit MakingStridesWalk.org/modestoca or contact Stephenie Gates at 209-524-7241 or stephenie.gates@cancer.org.
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It’s almost time for the 23rd Annual Holiday Bazaar at the Escalon United Methodist Church. Festivities are scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 27 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Handmade crafts, gifts and holiday items, needlework, a drawing for an opportunity quilt, wood crafts, homemade jams/jellies and frozen ready-to-bake homemade pies will all be available to help you start your holiday shopping. Enjoy a soup/pie lunch for $8. Escalon United Methodist Church is at 2000 Jackson Ave., Escalon.
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The local REO Speechtrain Toastmasters Club gathers for regular meetings every Wednesday morning, 6:30 a.m. to 7:45 a.m., at Perko’s Cafe, Patterson and Oakdale roads, Riverbank. This is a fun way to learn the self-confidence and skills needed for public speaking. All are invited to come and check out the group. The next meeting will be Wednesday, Oct. 24. For more information, call (209) 869-8200.
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Golden Agers weekly dances are open to those 50 and older from throughout the Central Valley at the Riverbank Community Center. Doors open Wednesdays at 9 a.m.; the center is at 3600 Santa Fe St., and first time guests are admitted free. The annual membership fee is $12 and each Wednesday members pay $5 and non-members can enjoy a few hours of music and dancing for $6.
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All are invited to the weekly meetings of TOPS, Take Off Pounds Sensibly, 1034 that gathers each Monday from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the United Methodist Church, 1480 Poplar Ave., Oakdale. The group features help with weight loss in a supportive setting. Residents of Oakdale, Riverbank, Escalon and beyond are welcome to attend. Call Audrey Oliver at 209-765-7838 for information. You can also visit www.tops.org.
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The San Joaquin County Office of Education is seeking retirees, high school math whizzes, college students, and other community members to volunteer and share their love of mathematics. Volunteers are needed for the office of education’s Math Easy Tutoring program, which provides free tutoring to any sixth- through 12th grade student who drops in during sessions held at the Margaret K. Troke Library in Stockton. Tutors share their love of mathematics while offering individual attention and encouragement to students struggling in math. Volunteer positions are open to high school students, college students, teachers, engineers, retirees, and other members of the community willing to put in the time to make a difference. For more information about becoming a tutor, call (209) 468-9177 or send an email to dortega@sjcoe.net.
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The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is conducting an art contest to select the design for the state’s 2018-2019 upland game bird stamp. The California Upland Game Bird Stamp Art Contest is open to all U.S. residents ages 18 and over. Entries will be accepted from Nov. 20 through Dec.7. For contest information and entry forms, visit www.wildlife.ca.gov/upland-game-bird-stamp.
