Datebook lists upcoming events and items of interest for residents of Escalon, Farmington, Collegeville and the surrounding area.
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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The Friday night ‘pre-cruise’ event will be hosted this week, June 30, at the city’s Main Street Park. It is relocating there because of the fireworks booth set up in the parking lot adjacent to Hula’s, where the shows are typically hosted. Every Friday night from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., stop by and enjoy the summertime car shows, featuring music, food, plenty of classics, drawings and fun. The Friday night events run through Sept. 1, leading up to the Escalon Lions Club Autumn Cruise on Sept. 9. For more information, contact Bud Andrew at 209-815-5789 or John Salvin at 209-838-7077.
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Upcoming special programs at the Escalon library include: Slushy Saturday, part of the Science Saturday series, July 1 at noon; summertime art class with Sonya featuring Van Gogh Sunflowers on Saturday, July 8 at noon; Magic Dan on Wednesday, July 12 at 1:30 p.m.; Musical Robot on Saturday, July 22 at 1:30 p.m. and Circus of Smiles, a gravity defying juggling show on Tuesday, July 25, with shows at 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. Weekly, the fun children’s storytime runs each Thursday, 10:30 a.m. and then older kids can join in for Makerspace on Thursday afternoons from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Also, the Friends of the Escalon Library will be hosting their annual Park Fete Gently Used Book Sale at the library on July 15 from noon until 3 p.m. Books will be $1 a bundle and a bundle is approximately six books. Funds raised from the used book sales go directly to library programs.
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The Double Barrel Boys with Special Guests will be performing at the West Side Theater in Newman on Saturday, July 1. Doors open at 6 p.m., showtime is at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 for all seats. Double Barrel Boys are a music group hailing from the Central Valley, with the group started in 2012 making Rap/Country/Rock infused music. West Side Theater is at 1331 Main St., Newman. For more information, call 209-862-4490.
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The Escalon United Methodist Church will be changing its worship time to 11 a.m. on Sunday, July 2. Pastor Peggy Bosch recently received her licensing at the Annual Conference and will now be serving two congregations, the Farmington United Methodist Church and the Escalon United Methodist Church. Communion is served the first Sunday of the month. The church is at 2000 Jackson Ave.; all are welcome.
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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, July 5. For more information, call (209) 869-8200.
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The Holistic Life Institute, 730 E. F St., Oakdale, is hosting a Back to School Open House on Saturday, July 8, from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. Guests will receive informational packets on fall classes, a discount voucher of 25 percent toward fall classes, a scholarship toward text books and class materials, refreshments, and free mini neck and shoulder massages and/or a therapeutic foot reflexology session. Those interested in attending are asked to call the campus to reserve seating at 209-848-8382.
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Make plans to join in the Senior Stride Fun Walk event put on by the Modesto Rotary Club. The Friday, Sept. 8 event provides seniors, families and friends the opportunity to enjoy fellowship, a fun walk, entertainment and more while learning about services and resources available to them in the community. This year’s festivities will run from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., staged at East La Loma Park. The park is at 2001 Edgebrook Drive, Modesto. Registration fee to participate is $2 and includes a Senior Stride T-shirt, light breakfast, community vendor fair and more. Pre-registration is encouraged but not required; to register call (209) 578-9999.
