Community Briefs provides a listing of events and activities going on in and around the Oakdale, Riverbank and Escalon areas. To have an event featured, e-mail the information to mjackson@oakdaleleader.com.
Artwork on Display
Coming up in February, the Delicato Family Wines will stage its 34th annual Fine Art Show, running from Sunday, Feb. 4 through Sunday, Feb. 25 at the Delicato Tasting Room near Manteca. The Tasting Room is four miles north of Manteca, off Highway 99 at Exit 246. All are encouraged to come visit the Tasting Room and see the work of local artists in a number of categories.
Lace Up to Run
Rain or shine, runners from throughout the region will toe the line in early February for the Oakdale Lions Club 32nd annual Don Osborne Memorial Run. The event is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 3 and will leave from behind the Oakdale Library, at the William Meyer Park, G Street and South Second Avenue. Two races are offered, with a one-mile walk/run at 9 a.m. and the 5k leaving the starting line at 9:40 a.m. The course for each race is on flat, paved city streets with traffic control provided. Race day and online registration fee is $25; you can sign up online at: RunSignUp.com or contact coordinator Alan Graham by phone, 209-602-8821, or by emailing alangraham2093@gmail.com. Runners can pick up their registration packets on Saturday, Feb. 3 from 8 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. at the park. The awards ceremony is scheduled for 10:30 a.m., at the conclusion of the races.
Fundraising Breakfast
Members of the Escalon Sunrise Rotary Club are planning for their annual Super Bowl breakfast, with this year’s fundraiser scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 11, the morning of Super Bowl Sunday. Served up at the Escalon High School cafeteria, the menu features an omelet with a variety of fillings available, along with biscuits and gravy, muffins, fruit, orange juice and coffee. Diners choose the fillings for their omelet, which is then prepared by Rotary Club members. Tickets are priced at $15 for adults, $10 for students in grades kindergarten through 12. Proceeds help the Rotary Club support a number of community projects and scholarship programs. Breakfast hours on Feb. 11 will be 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. For tickets, contact John at 209-470-2660 or Dave at 209-404-6681.
Star Gazing
The next Astronomy in the Park event will be offered Saturday, Feb. 17 at Oak Grove Regional Park, I-5 and Eight-Mile Road, Stockton. The Stockton Astronomical Society, Oak Grove Docent Council and San Joaquin County Parks host the events, which are free and staged weather permitting. There is a $6 cash parking fee at Oak Grove. Shows are scheduled throughout the year on Saturday evenings The viewing is done through giant telescopes after sunset. On Feb. 17, the 5:45 p.m. start time will feature the Orion Nebula and Perseus Double Cluster. In March, The Pleiades, Mercury and Perseus Double Cluster will be viewed at 7:15 p.m., March 16. Then, on April 13, the 7:40 p.m. start time will feature Jupiter, M81 and M82 (Bodes Galaxies). For additional information, call 209-953-8814 or 209-953-8800. Viewing is cancelled in the case of inclement weather.
Weight Loss Support
All interested are welcome to join TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly) a weight loss support group that meets in Oakdale every Monday morning from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.; meeting at 7450 River Road, Suite 4, Oakdale. This group is open to the public and anyone interested in improving their life by losing weight. Visit the website: www.tops.org for more information and to see a list of other meeting locations.
Celtic Music
The ‘lads and lasses’ of Brennan’s Parlor host a monthly Irish music jam (aka “Ceilidh”) in the back room of the H Bar B Saloon, located at 401 E. F St., Oakdale. Gatherings are on the third Monday of the month, and run from 6 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. They welcome anyone – players, singers, or listeners – with an appreciation for Celtic music to join the fun. As the song says, “Come into the parlor, there’s a welcome there for you.”
Widowed Persons Meet
Oakdale Widowed Persons Group invites you to join them the first Saturday of each month for breakfast at 9 a.m. and on the third Tuesday of each month for lunch at 1 p.m.; call for locations. All are welcome to join the group no matter how long ago you lost your spouse. For more information, contact Barbara at 209-322-2184.
Dances Hosted
Members of the Golden Agers dance group meet at the Riverbank Community Center on Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with dancing, socializing, live music and fun for all. All adults 55-plus are welcome. Just drop in to check it out or become a member. Fees are $5 for members and $6 for non-members. Membership is $15. The Community Center is at 3600 Santa Fe St., Riverbank.
Local Jam Sessions
The ‘Jammers’ are a loosely knit group of local musicians who gather regularly to play and share music. Members of The Jammers set up and play at Medlen’s House of Beef in Oakdale, on the patio, the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. The fun begins around 3 p.m. and typically continue until about 6 p.m., a full afternoon of music. Acoustic musicians are welcome to come and play. Featured instruments usually include guitar, fiddle, banjo, ukulele, etc. The public is welcome to stop by, listen to the music and even sing along. No cost to attend.
