Datebook lists upcoming events and items of interest for residents of Escalon, Farmington, Collegeville and the surrounding area.
Members of the Escalon-Farmington Garden Club are inviting all those interested in any kind or form of gardening to attend their next meeting. The club strives to have motivational speakers on topics that will enhance our gardening enjoyment. The meeting is set for Thursday, Feb. 7 at 1 p.m. at the Escalon Library, 1540 Second St., Escalon. For more information, text or call 209-613-8708 or email lorainenicholson@att.net.
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The third annual Fun Color Run presented by the Escalon Educational Foundation will hit the streets of Escalon on Saturday, Feb. 9. Cost to register is $30 for adults ages 18-plus now through Friday, Feb. 8; $40 on race day. Cost for youth, ages 17 and under is $20 through Feb. 8; $30 on race day. There will be both a 5k and a one mile walk/run offered and the races start and end at El Portal Middle School, 805 First St., Escalon. All race proceeds will benefit the Escalon Educational Foundation, EEF, which supports programs at all Escalon schools. Check-in on race day will run from 7 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. and the color run takes off at 8 a.m. There will be early T-shirt and bib pick up on Thursday, Feb. 7 at D’Boni’s Pizza from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
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Local Girl Scouts are currently taking in-person and online cookie orders for their annual sales of the traditional springtime treat. On Friday, Feb. 22, the National Cookie Weekend and the first day of booth sales begin. The last day for sales will be Sunday, March 17. Girl Scouts Heart of Central California covers 18 counties including San Joaquin and Stanislaus. To find a cookie booth, enter your zip code in the Cookie Finder website, www.girlscoutshcc.org/findcookies or by downloading the Girl Scout Cookie Finder app for your IOS or Android mobile device.
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Planning is underway for the annual Escalon High School Sports Boosters Dinner, Dance and Auction, set for Saturday, March 9 at the Escalon Community Center. Cocktails begin at 5:30 p.m. with dinner served at 6:30 p.m. and dancing until midnight. This annual event includes a hosted bar, dinner, raffle drawings, live and silent auctions and dancing. Individual tickets are $50 or reserve a table for eight at $400. Premier table for eight can be reserved for $480 and that includes 40 raffle tickets, wine and dinner service. In addition, $250 will be donated directly to one of 15 sports; there is one premier table available per sport. Tickets will be available for purchase at Escalon High School, Room 27 at 6:30 p.m., or by contacting Melanie McPherrin at 209-603-0172. Proceeds from this event support all sports at Escalon High School.
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Upcoming blood donation opportunities through the American Red Cross in the local area include Tuesday, Feb. 12, Escalon Christian Reformed Church, 2203 California St., Escalon, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.; and Wednesday, Feb. 13, Gene Bianchi Community Center, 110 S. Second Ave., Oakdale, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. All eligible donors, especially platelet donors and blood donors with type O blood, are urged to make an appointment to give to help restock the shelves for hospital patients. Eligible donors can find a blood or platelet donation opportunity and schedule an appointment to donate by using the free Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
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Howard Training Center’s (HTC) 25th Annual Crab Fest Fundraiser will be held at1424 Stonum Road in Modesto on Friday, Feb. 1 and Saturday, Feb. 2 with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. and dinner served at 6:30 p.m. each evening. All the money raised supports the HTC programs and adults with disabilities. Dinner will include crab and tri-tip along with sides and a live band to provide entertainment as well as a bar, gift bag raffle, booze barrel raffle, and live auction. All seats are reserved and are available for $50 per person with sponsorships still available. For more information call 209-593-5618 or email HTC.Events@howardtrainingcenter.com or visit the website at www.howardtrainingcenter.com.
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On display now at Modesto Junior College is an exhibit of art works by Mariam Pakbaz, with the show continuing through Thursday, Feb. 7 in the Art Gallery on the East Campus, 435 College Ave., Modesto. This first art gallery show of the spring semester features Pakbaz’s paintings and drawings that reflect the inner workings of her mind. The gallery is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday and admission is free.
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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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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, Feb. 6. For more information, call (209) 869-8200.
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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.
