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.
Soroptimist Luncheon
Local service organization Soroptimist International of Oakdale’s annual Holiday Luncheon will serve up a festive meal, along with both live and silent auctions and music by the Oakdale Silver Strummers. The event is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 6, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Gene Bianchi Community Center, 110 S. Second Ave., in Oakdale. Tickets are $40. Reserved tables for eight are available for $350. Contact Susan at 209-845-1056 or a Soroptimist member for further information and tickets.
Final Star Dates
The next star gazing event hosted cooperatively by the Stockton Astronomical Society, Oak Grove Docent Council and San Joaquin County Parks is set for Saturday, Nov. 18. The organizations have just two more 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. The program on Saturday, Nov. 18 begins at 4:50 p.m., featuring Jupiter, Saturn, Star Cluster. Finally on Saturday, Dec. 16 at 4:45 p.m., view Saturn, M33 (Triangulum Galaxy). For more information, call 209-953-8800.
Drive-Thru Book Sale
A new book called “Images of America OAKDALE” is serving as a fall fundraiser for the Friends of Oakdale Heritage organization, which oversees the Oakdale Museum and History Center at 212 W. F St., Oakdale. The Friends will host a special ‘Happy Book Giving’ drive-thru book sale, hosted at the museum on Saturday, Nov. 18. Officials said they will ‘drop the chain’ on the driveway and those wishing to can purchase a book and drive through and out the back side of the museum driveway, exiting on to Lottie Street. That drive-thru will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; sales will benefit the Oakdale Museum and History Center. The book is described as a ‘pictorial history’ of early Oakdale and sells for $27, tax included.
Drawing For Painting
Tickets are on sale for a fundraising Holiday Drawing to benefit the Escalon Historical Society and Museum, with an oil on canvas painting of the Jones Mansion being the featured piece for this year’s fundraiser. Local artist Annie Wyrick did the painting and the drawing will be held on Saturday, Dec. 2 following the Christmas on Main parade in Escalon. Tickets are available at $5 each and may be purchased at the museum during open hours, Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon to 4 p.m.
Celtic Music Nights
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.”
Golden Agers
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 Meeting
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.
Market Place Finale
The Market Place on Poplar in Oakdale will have its final event of 2023 next month, with many vendors bringing their crafts for gift giving and holiday decorations for sale. Come see what Market Place has to offer; hosted the first Saturday of the month at Community United Methodist Church, 1480 Poplar. The event runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., the final date for 2023 is Dec. 2.
Accordion Session
The Good Time Accordion Club members meet on a regular basis, the first Sunday of the month at 2:30 p.m., hosted at the Escalon United Methodist Church, 2000 Jackson Ave., Escalon. Admission is $5; there are free refreshments provided. The club presents musicians of all levels and many musical styles. Anyone can bring an accordion and play or just come to enjoy listening to the musical performances. The last 2023 gathering is scheduled for Dec. 3.
Widowed Persons Support
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
The ‘Jammers’ are a loosely knit group of local musicians who gather regularly to play and share music. The origins were with Fred “Fiddlin’ Fred” Stepp who was a well know figure in the local bluegrass, country, folk music community. Weekly jams still happen at the Stepp family ranch. Members of The Jammers also set up and play at Medlen’s House of Beef, on the patio, the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. Things get rolling 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, ukelele, etc. The public is welcome to stop by, listen to the music and even sing along. No cost to attend.
