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.
Dance Band Performs
The first Oakdale Community Dance Band program of 2025 is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 23. The performance is free, and all ages are welcome and invited to dance or listen to this talented group of musicians. The performance starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Gladys Lemmons Senior Community Center at 450 East A St., Oakdale. Make attending the regular performances by members of the Oakdale Community Bands with family and friends a tradition. Spread the word about the Jan. 23 dance with a plan to attend and enjoy the fun.
Golden Agers
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.
Join ACS Relay
All are welcome to attend the official January kickoff for the 2025 Relay For Life of the Greater Central Valley, scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 23 at Wellspring Anglican Church, 1548 Cummins Drive, Modesto, beginning at 6:30 p.m. This year’s Relay For Life has changed its name and focus, to the Greater Central Valley, encompassing more counties beyond Stanislaus and San Joaquin, and looking to bring in more teams. The 2025 theme is Carnival For A Cure. There will also be a dinner available at the kickoff meeting for $10, put on by the Two Hearts of Gold team, featuring two tostadas (bean and ground beef) with a side of rice. The 24-hour Relay For Life, the signature fundraising event for the American Cancer Society, is scheduled from 9 a.m. Saturday, May 17 through 9 a.m. Sunday, May 18 on the campus of Johansen High School in Modesto. For more information or to register for the event, visit www.relayforlifeorg/stanislausca
Walk For Health
The Escalon Senior Fun Bunch Walkers invite everyone in the area to join them for their weekly walks. The group meets every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at a park in Escalon. They meet at the corner of Justin Drive and Mission Street at 10 a.m. Fun Bunch walkers are a lighthearted group whose members love to get together and walk with others, enjoy some conversation and exercise. You do not have to be a Fun Bunch member to attend; all are welcome to join the walking group during any or all of their scheduled walks during the week.
Bunco Fundraiser
Coming up on Saturday, Jan. 25 the Relay For Life ‘Lighting the Way to a Cure’ team will be hosting a Bunco Fundraiser at Marcella’s Mexican Restaurant in Modesto. The $35 fee includes the Bunco games, lunch, door prizes and fun, and there will also be opportunity drawings throughout the day. Start time for the event is 1 p.m., lunch includes two tacos or two cheese enchiladas along with rice and beans. For more information, contact Janet Adams at 209-303-1361.
Patio Music
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.
Sunday Birdwalk
Coming up on the third Sunday of the month, Feb. 16, all ages are welcome to join in a program, Birding for Boomers and everyone else, offered at Shumway Oak Grove Regional Park, 4520 W. Eight Mile Road, Stockton. The Nature Center at the park is the gathering place for the ‘not your typical birdwalk’ event, which gets underway at 1 p.m. Come experience the birds and other wildlife that are out and about on birdwalk day. Learn tips for birdwatching; bring binoculars if you have them. This is a free event and no reservations are required. There is a $6 cash parking fee. Severe weather cancels the birdwalk; check the Oak Grove Nature Center Facebook page for updates. Oak Grove is part of the San Joaquin County Parks system; call 209-953-8814 for more information.
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.
Weight Loss Support
Members of the local TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly) weight loss support group meet in Oakdale every Monday morning from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.; the meeting is 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, 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.
