Datebook lists upcoming events and items of interest for residents of Escalon, Farmington, Collegeville and the surrounding area.
Tickets are now available for the upcoming Sober Grad Bunco Night. This annual Fall Bunco Bash is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 16 in the Escalon High School Performing Arts Center, 1528 Yosemite Ave., Escalon. Tickets are $25 per person. The evening begins with hors d’oeuvres at 6:30 p.m. and the Bunco playing starts at 7 p.m. For tickets, contact April Adams at 209-606-6487 or buy online at https://squareup.com/store/ehs-sober-grad. All proceeds benefit the Sober Grad event at Escalon High School.
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Puerto Rican Organization United for Development, PROUD, is sponsoring a fundraiser for victims affected by the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria. The event is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 4 and dinner-dance tickets are sold in advance only. Cost is $20 and include a chicken or pulled pork dinner, served from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Eagles Hall, 126 Camilla, Modesto. For the dance only, admission is $15 at the door, from 8 pm. to midnight; advance sale tickets are also available for the dance only at the same $15 price. Call for information, 209-324-9665 or 209-524-2024.
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Regional Transit District has announced the new free Artie D.’s Shopper Shuttle – the easy, convenient way to move from mall to mall. You can catch the Shopper Shuttle in the east parking lot between JC Penney and Sears at Weberstown Mall; by The Patio and Dick’s Sporting Goods at Sherwood Mall; and between HomeTown Buffet and Five Guys at Stone Creek Village Shopping Center. The shuttle will run about every 20 minutes, so you don’t have to wait around for too long. The Shopper Shuttle will operate from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
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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, Nov. 8. For more information, call (209) 869-8200.
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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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A local non-profit organization is looking for volunteers who want to help with taxes this year. The Central Valley Community Resources in Riverbank is organizing the program locally, with Darlene Barber-Martinez as the contact person. Reach her at CVCR at 896-3055, ext. 700. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs are looking for volunteers who are interested in sharing their skills, talent and knowledge. Volunteers prepare tax returns with thousands of other Americans giving back to their communities, according to Barber-Martinez. She said they need volunteers to serve as Site Coordinators and Tax Preparers. They also need Greeters/Screeners and Interpreters.
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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.
