Datebook lists upcoming events and items of interest for residents of Escalon, Farmington, Collegeville and the surrounding area.
Escalon Ministerial Association is currently hosting the Escalon Christmas Fund, with money raised helping to provide food baskets for local families in need for the holidays. Donation deadline for this year’s drive is Monday, Dec. 3 and checks can be sent to Escalon Ministerial Association, P.O. Box 1, Escalon, CA 95320. Also, all in the community are invited to join in as the holiday season kicks off with a Lessons and Carols service, scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. at Escalon United Methodist Church.
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Collection boxes and barrels are available in a number of locations around the community for residents to drop off donations in the Escalon Fire Department-American Legion holiday toy drive. Sites accepting donations include Escalon City Hall, El Portal Middle School, Dent Elementary, MarVal Main Street Market, Family Dollar, Vineyard Pharmacy, Pizza Plus, Ace Hardware and Escalon Premier Brands. Also, Oak Valley Bank, Bank of the West, BBVA Compass Bank, Eckert Cold Storage, D’Boni’s Pizza, Trinity Church, The Learning Tree (at Saron Lutheran Church), Mountain Mike’s and the Escalon American Legion Hall. Donations can also be dropped off directly at the firehouse on Coley Avenue. The distribution of holiday gifts for those who signed up in advance is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 19 beginning at 10 a.m. at the firehouse.
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The McHenry Mansion in Modesto will host the Dickens Faire on Saturday, Dec. 1, featuring a Farmer’s Market and Craft Boutique, running from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Booths will be on 15th Street and McClatchy Square and the Mansion Gift Store will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tours of the Mansion will be offered from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with free admission. On Tuesday, Dec. 4 join in for a Christmas Tea, with spaces available at a 1:30 p.m. seating at the mansion, corner of 15th and I streets. Reservations are required and the cost is $30 per person. Call Janie at 209-522-1739 for information and to make reservations.
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Get in the holiday spirit at El Concilio’s annual Navidad en el Valle Tamale Dinner in Stockton. El Concilio invites the community to join in on Friday, Dec. 7 for the 2018 Annual Navidad en el Valle Tamale Dinner and Drive Thru Lunch at the Stockton Civic Auditorium. The annual tamale dinner doubles as a holiday fundraiser for families in need. Tickets are $10 per plate and will include two steamed-to-perfection tamales (chicken, pork or cheese) served with Mexican rice and beans. Additional attractions include live musical performances, local entertainment, photos with Santa, and Mexican desserts. There is no entry fee to enjoy the entertainment.
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The Escalon Unified School District is looking for a new logo and is inviting the community to be a part of the process. Submissions will be accepted through Friday, Dec. 14, 2018 and winners will be announced via the district website, district Facebook page and by direct contact to the winners’ email accounts if provided. In order for your entry to be submitted and reviewed by the judges, all entries must be submitted directly to eusdlogo@escalonusd.org and submitted in their original source file if possible; or delivered by hand to a site or district administrator.
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Golden Agers weekly dances are open to those 50 and older from throughout the Central Valley and are now hosted at St. Frances of Rome church, 2827 Topeka St., Riverbank. 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. The Golden Agers meet from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
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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 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, Dec. 5. For more information, call (209) 869-8200.
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There’s still time to enter the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) art contest, with a panel ready 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 through Dec.7. For contest information and entry forms, visit www.wildlife.ca.gov/upland-game-bird-stamp.
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The Grand Foundation is now accepting short film submissions for its 2019 Student Film Festival to be held March 16, 2019, at the Grand Theatre Center for the Arts in Tracy. The final deadline for film submissions is Jan. 1, 2019. Submission forms, deadline information, submission rules and guidelines, and legal releases are available on the Grand Foundation website at grandfoundation.org/events/film. All film entries can be submitted through FilmFreeway at https://filmfreeway.com/festival/GrandFoundationStudentFilmFestival.
