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
Knights Ferry Art Studio is currently featuring works by Ashley Brunetti, a local artist from Escalon. The exhibit is titled Bad+Lemon and this is Brunetti’s first ever solo show. The show runs through the end of the month of August. The Knights Ferry Art Studio is located at 17631 Main Street in Knights Ferry, California. Updates for the artist and the gallery can be found on Instagram: @ashleybrunettiart @knightsferryartstudio.
Church Fundraiser
Saron Lutheran Church is planning a Spaghetti Fundraiser in August, offering it as either a sit-down dinner or you can drive through to pick it up. The date for the event is Friday, Aug. 11 and the meal begins at 5 p.m.; the church is at 1742 North St., Escalon. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children 10 and under. The menu includes spaghetti and meatballs, salad, garlic bread and dessert. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Saron Lutheran Facilities Fund. To purchase tickets, call the Saron Lutheran Church office at 209-838-7695.
Musical Meetings
Coming up on Saturday, Aug. 12 “The Jammers” will be hosting an open acoustic jam session on the Medlen’s House of Beef patio in Oakdale. The music will begin at 3 p.m.; there is no formal end time for the gathering. The Jammers, originally put together by the late Fred Stepp (“Fiddlin’ Fred) continues with several members still gathering on occasion to perform and jam. Stepp was a well-known area musician, both in the bluegrass and acoustic community. They invite anyone who plays folk, bluegrass, country, and similar music genres to bring a guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, or other acoustic instrument to come and join the jam session; also welcome are those that just want to listen to the music.
Also, the next Brennan’s Parlor Celtic Jam/Ceilidh at Bachi’s in Oakdale is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 21 at 6 p.m.
Ice Cream Social
The Escalon United Methodist Church is hosting its annual ice cream social on Saturday, Aug. 19. Hours for the event are 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.; attendees will be able to enjoy a variety of homemade ice creams, with a number of different flavors, along with a wide selection of desserts. Cake, pie, brownies, cookies and more will be featured. There is no cost to attend but donations are gladly accepted. The church is at 2000 Jackson Ave., Escalon.
Weekly Dances
Check out the Golden Agers dance group 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.
TOPS Meetings
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.
Saturday Shopping
The Oakdale Morning Market is open every Saturday on North Third Avenue in Oakdale. The weekly event is a project of the non-profit foundation Love Oakdale and will be hosted each Saturday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. through Saturday, Sept. 30. Each week will include a few food truck vendors, as well as a number of vendors offering everything from produce, meat, eggs, bread and a variety of other food as well as fun items to give the market diversity.
Widowed Persons Group
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.
Catfish And Breakfast
La Grange Odd Fellows of Lafayette Lodge #65 are reviving old traditions, cut short during the pandemic. The monthly breakfasts, always on the second Sunday, have resumed on a regular basis this year, and officials said they’re also happy to bring back the popular Catfish Dinner. The annual Catfish Dinner and Raffle returns Saturday, Aug. 19, served from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets at the door are $20 for adults. This fundraiser event is held at the IOOF Hall, 30018 Yosemite Blvd., in downtown La Grange, sponsored by Lafayette Lodge #65, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The Lodge has also continued the monthly breakfasts on the second Sunday of the month, running from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., hosted at the Odd Fellows Hall. Join in for the Aug. 13 breakfast, with a menu of ham and cheese omelet, biscuits and gravy, sausage, and all you can eat pancakes. Complimentary coffee and OJ are included for a price of $8 for adults, $3 for kids 6-12, those ages 5 and under eat free. Take out breakfasts are $8.50.
Astronomy Nights
The Stockton Astronomical Society, Oak Grove Docent Council and San Joaquin County Parks have planned monthly Astronomy in the Park nights through the end of 2023. View planets through giant telescopes after sunset at these events, hosted at Oak Grove Regional Park, I-5 at Eight Mile Road, Stockton. There is a $6 cash parking fee but no cost to attend the viewing events; all are held, weather permitting. Future dates and times are all scheduled for Saturday evenings, running through mid-December. Monthly dates include Aug. 19, 7:50 p.m., Lagoon Nebula, Trifid Nebula; Sept. 23, 7 p.m., Saturn, M57 (Ring Nebula); Oct. 21, 6:20 p.m., Star Cluster in Hercules, Dumbbell Nebula. Closing out the calendar year will be Nov. 18, 4:50 p.m., Jupiter, Saturn, Star Cluster and Dec. 16, 4:45 p.m., Saturn, M33 (Triangulum Galaxy). For more information, call 209-953-8800.
