Datebook lists upcoming events and items of interest for residents of Escalon, Farmington, Collegeville and the surrounding area.
The next team meeting for the Oakdale-Riverbank-Escalon-Waterford Relay For Life is scheduled for Wednesday, March 13 at 6:30 p.m. in the Royal Oak Conference Room, 1425 W. H St., Oakdale, adjacent to Oak Valley Hospital. All are welcome to attend to learn more about the event, which is set for Saturday, April 27, 9 a.m. to midnight at Oakdale High School.
*****
A new NAMI Peer-To-Peer Class begins Monday March 18, running from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., offered at the Escalon Covenant Church, 1155 Escalon Ave., Escalon. This is a free educational program for adults with mental health conditions who are looking to better understand themselves and their recovery. This 10-week class at ECC will provide information on mental illness research, the possibilities of living in recovery, skills and training in problem solving and communication, local support and services available and so much more. For more information, call the church at 209-838-7600.
*****
The annual St. Patrick’s Day Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner, served up by the Escalon Lions Club, is set for Thursday, March 14 and the dinner will be hosted at the Escalon Community Center. Festivities start with a no host bar at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. Menu includes the traditional corned beef and cabbage along with potatoes, carrots and bread. There will be take-out available as well as a sit down dinner option. Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased at Escalon Body & Frame, at the door or contact any Lions Club member. There will also be a number of items for raffle drawings and door prizes will be presented as well.
*****
The Associated Students of Modesto Junior College is hosting a Latino Comix Expo on Friday and Saturday, March 15 and 16 in the Mary Stuart Rogers Student Center on West Campus, 2201 Blue Gum Ave., Modesto. The family-friendly, free Expo is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. Parking on campus is also free for the two-day event. The Expo, featuring vendors, workshops, panels, speakers and more, spotlights Latino cartoonists, animators, artists and writers. For more information contact the Student Development and Campus Life office at (209) 575-6700.
*****
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, March 20. For more information, call (209) 869-8200.
*****
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.
*****
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.
