Datebook lists upcoming events and items of interest for residents of Escalon, Farmington, Collegeville and the surrounding area.
Coming up on Wednesday evening, Oct. 26, Escalon Covenant Church on Escalon Avenue will host its annual ‘Trunk or Treat’ event to provide some Halloween trick or treating in a safe environment. Kids are encouraged to come in costume and enjoy the ‘trunk or treating which will include games, prizes, candy, food, music and fun.
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Head Start San Joaquin, a program of the San Joaquin County Office of Education, is now accepting applications in Escalon. The program provides quality early education services for children from birth to age 5, features a highly qualified teaching staff, serves healthy meals for students, offers services for pregnant women and their families and provides support services to families as they prepare for their child for school. Applications will be accepted at the Dent Elementary School campus, 1998 Yosemite Ave., Escalon, from noon to 3:30 p.m. on Fridays, Oct. 21 and 28. For more information, call 209-636-0005.
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The Stockton-San Joaquin Public Library’s annual community reading event – One Book, One San Joaquin – is hosting an Author Visit on Sunday, Oct. 23, at 2 p.m. at the Janet Leigh Theater on the University of the Pacific Campus. The public is invited to this free event welcoming Cristina Henriquez, the author of the novel The Book of Unknown Americans. Each year Stockton-San Joaquin County Public Library’s One Book, One San Joaquin committee selects a book for all San Joaquin residents to read together and discuss. The selected title is available for any county resident with a library card to check out in hard copy or download to most any smart device. The community is invited to attend the special Author Visit and meet Cristina Henriquez. The event is free and open to the public. Families are encouraged to attend and show their support of literacy, reading, and the art of writing.
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Escalon’s annual Veterans’ Day activities are in the planning stages and Escalon American Legion Post 263 Adjutant Vince Giovaniello is looking for entries for the parade. The events of Friday, Nov. 11 will start with the parade on Main Street in Escalon, kicking off at 10:30 a.m. There will be a brief Memorial Service at the Community Center Memorial Wall following the parade and a chicken barbecue at the city’s Community Center served from noon to 3 p.m. Giovaniello is the parade coordinator and more information about participating in the parade is available by contacting him at 209-869-6978 or 209-604-9100. Parade entries are due by Nov. 7.
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Riverbank welcomes the REO Speechtrain Toastmasters Club for regular meetings every Wednesday morning from 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. 26. For more information, call (209) 614-8462.
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Make plans now to attend the 21st annual holiday bazaar at the Escalon United Methodist Church, 2000 Jackson Ave., on Saturday, Oct. 29 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be handmade crafts, holiday items, gifts, needlework, wood crafts and more. Also, homemade jams and jellies will be available, along with frozen ready-to-bake homemade pies. Along with the bazaar, the church will offer its traditional soup and pie luncheon for $7, which includes soup, bread, dessert and beverage. Tickets for an opportunity drawing for a quilt will be sold as well; need not be present to win.