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.
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.
Dance Group Meets
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.
Benefit Dinner
The Escalon Wrestling Club has scheduled its 17th annual Rib and Oyster Dinner and Dance, to be presented at the Escalon Community Center on Saturday, March 30. Happy hour runs from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., dinner from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. An auction is set to run from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m., followed by dancing from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. Dinner includes baby back ribs, BBQ oysters, bread, salad, and a baked potato. There will be a full bar, silent auction and more. Tickets are $55 in advance, $60 at the door. To go orders will be available from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. To purchase tickets or for more information, contact Derek Scott at 209-499-3941 or Brianne Cerasi, 209-404-6217. You can also email Scott at descott@escalonusd.org
Garden Club Gathers
Members of the Escalon-Farmington Community Garden Club will meet for a regular session on Thursday, April 4 at 1 p.m.; the meeting will be at the Escalon United Methodist Church at 2000 Jackson Ave., Escalon. Guest speaker will be April Heard from Grow Up Plants and she will discuss potted plants, focusing on indoor plants and their care. The general meeting follows the guest speaker; there will also be snacks available and raffle drawings along with a time for socializing. All are welcome to attend.
Blood Donors Sought
Red Cross Month is observed in March, and the Red Cross is encouraging everyone eligible to give blood or platelets. The Red Cross is teaming up with Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures to celebrate the epic new film, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, and to invite donors to rise together and give blood. When donors share their strength by giving now through April 7, they’ll get an exclusive Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire and Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last. Download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information.
Meet Up In April
Community United Methodist Church in Oakdale is continuing with the first Saturday of the month special events at the church site, 1480 Poplar, Oakdale. The next ‘Community Meet-Up’ is scheduled for Saturday, April 6 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; come see what is for sale or come meet up with others sharing a talent or learn a new craft. Chef Lee offers a breakfast and lunch menu. The goal is creating a place where people come to meet-up, whether it’s for food, fun, socializing or a little bit of each. For more information, email: MeetUpOakdale@gmail.com
Youth Art Contest
Students in grades two through 12 throughout the state are invited to participate in the California Department of Fish and Wildlife art contest. The Invasive Species Youth Art Contest is seeking entries from students in any medium (drawing, painting, collage, comic strip, etc.) on the theme “Species Reporters Wanted - What’s the Scoop on Invasives?” Pick an invasive species and show at least one of the following: where they live, what impact they have on the environment, who is affected by their presence, why they are bad for native species; or how to stop their spread. For submission instructions, visit wildlife.ca.gov/conservation/invasives/action-week/poster-contest or contact invasives@wildlife.ca.gov. The deadline to enter is May 3, 2024.
Monday 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.
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.
Jam Session Saturdays
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.
