Datebook lists upcoming events and items of interest for residents of Escalon, Farmington, Collegeville and the surrounding area.
Escalon Unified School District is hosting a teacher credential information session, scheduled for Thursday, March 22 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the school district board room, 1520 Yosemite Ave.
Presenters will include Dr. Elmano Costa, chair of the Department of Teacher Education and Katie Olivant, chair, Department of Liberal Studies at California State University, Stanislaus.
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Love Escalon 2018 is being planned for Saturday, April 21, beginning at 8 a.m., with a kickoff rally at the Escalon Youth Center. Project sign-ups will be available soon at www.loveescalon.com. For more information, email Brittany Doornenbal at loveescalon@att.net.
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Soroptimist International of Oakdale will host its annual Motor Madness fundraiser on Saturday, March 24 at 6:30 p.m., at the Gene Bianchi Community Center, 110 S. Second Ave., Oakdale. The event includes hearty appetizers, wine, beer, soft drinks, and dessert. Tickets are $100 each and admits two adults (must be 21 years or older) to the event and constitutes one entry for the door prize drawings. The highlight of the evening will be the drawing for the Grand Door Prize of a new motorcycle from Mitchell’s Modesto Harley Davidson (up to $14,000) or $10,000 cash as well as opportunities for other great prizes. For tickets, contact Debbie Carreira, 847-2980, or Suzette Titus, 602-6562.
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St. Patrick’s Altar Society has scheduled a fundraising pancake breakfast for Palm Sunday, March 25 at St. Patrick’s Church Hall, 19399 E. Highway 120, at the corner of the highway and Carrolton Road. Breakfast will be served from 7 a.m. to noon and prices are $7 for adults, $4 for children ages two to 12. Proceeds go directly to purchasing Altar Flowers and Communion Bread. The fundraiser also helps the Altar Society pay for Christmas and Easter decorations.
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The annual Escalon Kiwanis Club-sponsored Easter Egg Hunt is scheduled for Saturday, March 31 at El Portal Middle School, 805 First St., Escalon. The hunt starts at 10 a.m. and there are specific ‘hunting’ areas for four different age groups. Birth to 2; 3 to 4; 5 to 7; and 8 to 11 are the age categories and children will be able to gather eggs filled with candy and small prizes and also look for the ‘golden eggs’ that can be redeemed for a special Easter basket. Those planning to attend are asked to bring their own basket for gathering the eggs and the hunt is hosted at the fields behind the school.
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Escalon High School Drama Club is preparing for its spring production, ‘The Brothers Grimm,’ which is scheduled to take the stage in April. This ‘Spectaculathon’ has three performances scheduled, Friday, April 20 and Saturday, April 21 at 7 p.m. along with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, April 22. Admission is just $5 per person; the play will be staged in the high school Performing Arts Center.
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The second annual Escalon High School Football Trap Shoot Fundraiser is on the schedule for Saturday, April 14. Featuring a 2 p.m. shotgun start, the fundraiser is being hosted at the Escalon Sportsman’s Club. The money raised in this event will enhance the Football Program by supplying new helmets, pads, uniforms, and equipment. Cost is $75 per person; you can sign up in teams of five or individually. Competition is done in two rounds of 25 shots for 50 total shots. Each shooter must provide their own gun, ammunition, and safety wear. The fundraiser also includes a catered dinner, prizes to the top shot and winning team, with raffle prizes, horseshoes, cornhole and a live auction featuring a guided wild boar hunt. For more information, contact Andrew Beam at 209-614-9695 or Joe Cowan at 209-918-6013.
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TOPS, Take Off Pounds Sensibly, meets every week on Mondays at 9 a.m. at Community United Methodist Church in Oakdale, 1480 Poplar. Visitors are always welcome and the first meeting is free. TOPS is an affordable, nonprofit, weight-loss support and wellness education organization where members learn about nutrition, portion control, food planning, exercise, motivation and more.
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In recognition of Women’s History Month, activities planned at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton include the showing of a special film. “Liberated” will be shown at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 27 at the college’s West Forum. The film tells the story of a young man who fled Oaxaca, Mexico for the United States 20 years ago, returning later as a transgender woman and healthcare advocate. The Delta Pride Center will welcome Alejandra, who is portrayed in the film, and film director Brenda Avila-Hanna for a question and answer session as part of the presentation.
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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, March 28. 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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The Thursday morning preschool storytime at the Escalon Library will next be hosted on March 29, with a Books and Bunnies Easter Egg Hunt scheduled. Makerspace, designed for older kids, runs Thursdays at 4 p.m. and also will be offered March 29 with a special activity, Bean Bamboozled and an egg hunt, for teens and tweens, slated for that day.
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Oak Valley Art Society is getting ready for its annual Members Spring Art Show, to be held at the Escalon Library on Second Street. Dates for the show are Saturday, April 21 and Sunday, April 22. Show hours are Saturday, noon to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 2 p.m., followed by a reception where awards will be given. The artists will also be on hand for the reception, scheduled from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. There also will be a special youth competition and all forms of artwork are welcome, open to ages 7-17. For more information, call Evelyn Cooper at 209 838-3095.
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Registration is now open for the Welcome Home Veterans Bike and Car Show, scheduled for April 14. All makes, models and years are welcome. The show will be held at the Tuolumne County Sheriff Posse Grounds, Rawhide Road, Jamestown. Entry is $30 in advance, $35 after April 6, includes commemorative pin (first 300) and People’s Choice judging. Advance registration is encouraged, at www.vietnamveterans391.org or contact Patrick at 209-740-5304 or Rodger at 209-480-8423.
