Datebook lists upcoming events and items of interest for residents of Escalon, Farmington, Collegeville and the surrounding area.
Get ready to join in the fun as the El Portal Parents Club hosts its third annual Casino Night on Friday, Sept. 29. This will be the club’s one and only fundraiser of the year and proceeds fund enrichment opportunities and educational needs for the middle school. Tickets are now sale, online, at www.eventbrite.com – type in El Portal Casino Night (Escalon) to purchase. Donations are also being sought for the silent auction during the event. For more information, contact Tracey Miller at 209-595-6735.
*****
Music, food, beverages, auction items … all for a good cause. The annual Dinner/Dance/Auction in honor of Grant and Jason Arnold, both of whom were tremendous local athletes, will be hosted at the Escalon Sportsman’s Club on River Road. Grant Arnold passed away in 2005; Jason Arnold in 2008 and the dinner/dance event is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 30. Tickets are now available for this year’s annual fundraiser, marking its 11th year. Cocktails will be served from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., dinner from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., followed by dancing to the sounds of Soul Heart until midnight. Tickets are $50 per person; open bar. For ticket information, call Bryan Arnold, 603-0205; Sheila Arnold, 604-1400; or Tom Cosentino, 595-3207.
*****
A five-session Bible “walk-through” covering both the entire old and new Testaments, from Genesis through Revelation, will be offered at Escalon First Baptist Church from 6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. on the five Sundays of October, beginning Oct. 1. Escalon First Baptist Church is at 1511 Catherine Way. This informative, fun, interactive style Bible study will allow each participant to have a clear understanding of the flow of the entire Bible, how it is arranged, what happens where, its central message, and how to read, study, and understand the scriptures for the rest of one’s life – all in five short sessions. For further information, contact Pastor Dale Pederson at 209-718-6130. The church’s website address is fbcescalon.org.
*****
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, Oct. 4. For more information, call (209) 869-8200.
*****
Modesto Junior College’s weekly Science Colloquium continues on Wednesdays at 3:15 p.m. in the Science Community Center, Room 115, on West Campus, 2201 Blue Gum Ave., Modesto. The Colloquium series offers one hour discussions on timely science-related topics, and is free and open to the public. There is a $2 charge for on campus parking without a permit. October events will include: Oct. 4 – “Genetics Information Explosion and You” by Karin Wagner, MS, LCGC, genetic counselor, Kaiser Permanente; Oct. 11 – “Keeping Local Water Safe” by Ryan Sellman, P.E., Sr. engineer, Carollo Engineers, Inc.; Oct. 18 – “Physics for All” by Don Williams, C.S.U. Fresno Physics Outreach; and Oct. 25 – “How Original California People Used Native Plants Everyday” by Lillian Vallee, Ph.D., MJC professor emeritus of English. For more information on the Science Colloquium contact Richard Anderson, MJC biology professor emeritus, at andersonr@mjc.edu or (209) 529-5182.
*****
The Escalon Historical Society is hosting a bus trip to Black Oak Casino in October. Date for the trip is Saturday, Oct. 14 and the cost is $26 per person, which also includes $10 free play, $5 match play and a food discount. The bus leaves the Escalon Shopping Center at 9 a.m. and returns at 3:30 p.m. For more information, go to www.escalonhistoricalmusem.org or Escalon.historical@att.net.
*****
New worship times are now in effect at Saron Lutheran Church, 1742 North St., Escalon. Sunday worship services with Pastor Ron Zielske include: Praise and Thanksgiving at 8 a.m.; Traditional Communion Liturgy at 10:30 a.m. For more information, call 838-7695.
*****
The annual Boutique and Luncheon hosted by the Farmington United Methodist Women is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 4 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church, 25626 E. Elm St., Farmington. There will be handcrafted and homemade items, baked goods, a drawing for a handmade quilt and the homemade soup and pie luncheon will be served from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Crafter space is available for those who want to display and sell their handcrafted items. Cost is $25 per space; call Susie at 209-603-3668 to reserve a space or for more information; deadline to register is Monday, Oct. 23.
*****
ASSE International Student Exchange Programs is seeking individuals to serve as Area Representatives in the local community. ASSE provides academic year and semester exchange programs in the United States for high school students from around the world. Students are 15 to 18 years of age, have passed a series of academic and character requirements and are awaiting an opportunity to embark on their ‘American Adventure.’ Area Representatives recruit and screen prospective host families, interview students to study abroad and supervise the exchange students in their community. For more information about ASSE or becoming an Area Representative, call the Western Regional Office at 1-800-733-2773 or email the office at asseusawest@asse.com.
