Datebook lists upcoming events and items of interest for residents of Escalon, Farmington, Collegeville and the surrounding area.
Magic Dan will headline a program today, July 12 at the Escalon Public Library, with a performance scheduled for 1:30 p.m. and open to all ages. Additional special programs this summer will include 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 Saturday, 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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Escalon High School Class of 1972 will gather for a 45th Class Reunion later this month. Class members are invited to attend the event at Escalon Community Center Park, Sunday, July 23 at noon. For more information, contact Paula Dismukes Rocha at 208-765-2980 or email rochashappytrail@aol.com.
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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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Escalon Lions Club continues to host its weekly Friday night ‘pre-cruise’ events at Hula’s restaurant on Jackson Avenue through the summer, leading up to the annual Autumn Cruise on Saturday, Sept. 9. Each Friday night gathering features music by DJ Gene Adams, prizes and a 50-50 drawing. This year will be the 24th for the Autumn Cruise, with proceeds benefitting Escalon High School scholarships. The pre-cruise Friday nights run from 5 pm. to 7:30 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, July 19. For more information, call (209) 869-8200.
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YES (Youth Entertainment Stage) Company is producing the time-honored ‘80s musical “Footloose,” to be performed at the Gallo Center for the Arts. Tickets are now on sale at the Gallo Center for the Arts box office and www.galloarts.org. Show dates are: Fridays, July 21 and 28; Saturdays, July 22 and 29; and Thursday, July 27 at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays, July 23 and 30 at 3 p.m. Beginning its 26th season, YES Company is a special project of the Stanislaus County Office of Education and the Education Foundation of Stanislaus County. For additional information, visit www.yescompany.org or call (209)238-6850.
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Visionary Home Builders is offering a Homebuyer Education Class at their Homeownership Center on Saturday, July 22. This one-day class reviews all aspects of home purchase, including understanding credit scores and good faith estimates, budget analysis, housing payment affordability, and how to develop your home buying team. A Class Registration Form is available at Visionary Home Builders’ Homeownership Center in downtown Stockton at 315 N. San Joaquin St., or can be downloaded at www.visionaryhomebuilders.org. Pre-registration is mandatory. Classes are held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For further information about classes, visit the website at www.visionaryhomebuilders.org.
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Park staff and costumed volunteers present a live reenactment and solve a historical case during the interactive History’s Mysteries event at Columbia State Historic Park four Saturdays this summer. History’s Mysteries will occur on July 22, Aug. 5, Aug. 19 and Sept. 2, offered each time at 10 a.m. Reservations are highly recommended. Cost is $5/adults and $1/children. Due to the nature of this event, parents may find it is not appropriate for children under age 12. However, child tickets are available for $1 each. Each child under 12 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. To purchase tickets, visit the park museum or www.friendsofcolumbiashp.com to buy online. For more information about this event or other events at Columbia State Historic Park, contact the park office at 209-588-9128.
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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.
