Datebook lists upcoming events and items of interest for residents of Escalon, Farmington, Collegeville and the surrounding area.
A Community Blood Drive is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 12 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Escalon Covenant Church, 1155 Escalon Ave. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Also, Blood Donation Centers in Modesto and Stockton are open on a regular basis for donations that are needed as we enter the holiday season. Modesto Blood Donation Center is at 1900 W. Orangeburg Ave., Modesto; while the North Stockton Blood Donation Center is at 2888 West March Lane, Stockton.
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Dig out your ugly Christmas sweater and head to Modesto Junior College for a ridiculously funny night of improvisational theatre. MJC Theatre Department presents A Very Merry Christmas Improv directed by Lynette Borrelli-Glidewell, with performances Wednesday through Saturday, Dec. 6 through 9 at 7 p.m. and a matinee at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 10 in the Little Theatre of the Performing and Media Arts Center on East Campus. Tickets are $9 for students and seniors and $11 general admission, and $5 on the Preview Night of Wednesday, Dec. 6. Tickets are available in advance at the MJC Box Office, Tuesday through Friday, noon to5 p.m., or by calling (209) 575-6776 during these hours, or online at http://mjc.tix.com. Tickets will also be available at the door 90 minutes prior to showtime.
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Sierra Repertory Theatre’s ‘Another Night Before Christmas’ is playing at the East Sonora Theatre through Saturday, Dec. 23. Shows are on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 2 p.m.; Fridays at 7 p.m. and Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Admission ranges from $20 for children 17 and under to $37 for general admission, with adult and senior prices varying depending on day and time of performance. For more information, call SRT’s Box Office at (209) 532-3120, or visit www.sierrarep.org.
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The Escalon Sunrise Rotary Club, in cooperation with the Escalon United Methodist Church and Seventh Day Adventist Church, are planning a special event for local senior citizens at Escalon United Methodist, 2000 Jackson Ave., Escalon, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 7. Food, entertainment and gifts will be provided by the Escalon Sunrise Rotary and donations from within the community.
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Escalon Fire Department, working in cooperation with the Escalon Police Department and a number of community service clubs and volunteers, are hoping to help meet the demand for holiday gifts for residents in need. The gifts are being sought for those from birth up to early teens, with all types of games, toys, puzzles, books, stuffed animals and more being sought. Donation boxes are available at 16 locations around the community. Toys can be dropped off at Big Boy Market, D’Boni’s Pizza, Mt. Mike’s, The Learning Tree Preschool, Escalon City Hall, Bank of the West and Escalon Fire Station 1 on Coley Avenue. Also, El Portal Middle School, Vineyard Pharmacy, Main Street Market, Oak Valley Bank, BBVA Bank, Escalon Premier Brands, Pizza Plus, Eckert Cold Storage and Dent Elementary School. The distribution of the toys is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 23 at the firehouse at 10 a.m. for those families that signed up for the program.
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Oak Park Ice Arena’s Try Skating For Free program is the perfect place to start for young aspiring skaters or hockey players at the beginner’s level. The free program is for kids 10 and under and teaches the most basic of skills – from getting up after a fall to skating in different directions. Rink staff will get skaters started with lessons to improve their skills. The program includes two sets of four sessions: Session 1 – Dec. 7, 14, 21 and 28; Session 2 – Jan.27, Feb. 3, 10, 17. Reserve your spot today. Oak Park Ice Arena is at 3545 Alvarado Ave., Stockton.
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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, Dec. 13. For more information, call (209) 869-8200.
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There’s still plenty of time to pick up a pie, jam or hostess/Christmas gift for the upcoming holidays. Escalon United Methodist Church, which previously hosted its annual holiday bazaar and luncheon, will open their Fellowship Hall at 2000 Jackson Ave., Escalon, every Sunday from noon to 1 p.m. for shoppers to come in and peruse and purchase the items. Shopping hours will be offered each Sunday through Dec. 17.
