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 Motor Madness
Get your tickets now for the Soroptimist International of Oakdale’s Motor Madness event. Join in for an unforgettable evening of 50s-themed fun, all while supporting programs that empower women and girls in the community. Motor Madness: Rolling Thru the 50s will take place on Saturday, March 29, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Gene Bianchi Community Center, 110 S. Second Ave., Oakdale. This 21 and over event promises a fantastic night out, while proceeds support Soroptimist’s mission to provide women and girls with education and training opportunities for economic empowerment. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased online at www.sioakdale.org or by calling 209-655-8305. You do not need to be present to win the grand prize.
Golden Agers
Enjoy local dancing and get some exercise each week. 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.
Community Dance Band
Coming up on Thursday, March 27, the Oakdale Community Dance Band will present its first Spring Dance of 2025 with a lively program of swing band dance music. The performance is free, and all are invited to dance or listen. The performance starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Gladys Lemmons Senior Community Center at 450 E. A St. Oakdale. Make attending the regular performances by members of the Oakdale Community Bands with family and friends a tradition. Spread the word with a plan to attend and enjoy the fun.
Rodeo Parade
The annual Oakdale Saddle Club Rodeo Parade is on the schedule for Saturday, April 12. This ‘rain or shine’ event is seeking entries, with the downtown parade a key component of Rodeo Weekend in the Cowboy Capital. Deadline to sign up for the parade is Monday, March 31 and there is a $35 entry fee, payable to the Oakdale Saddle Club Parade, P.O. Box 1436, Oakdale, CA 95361. For more information about the parade and getting involved, contact Sutton Price at oakdaleparade@gmail.com
Genealogy Seminar
Residents from throughout the area are encouraged to attend a special program being hosted by the Genealogical Society of Stanislaus County, scheduled for Saturday, March 29. This Seminar on Mexican Genealogy will be a full day seminar, offered at Telle Center, Trinity United Presbyterian Church at 1600 Carver Road, Modesto. The program runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at a cost of $50 per person. In addition to the registration fee, food will be available for an additional cost or you have the option of finding food offsite. A list of restaurants will be available at the seminar. Call 209-529-9430 for more information or visit stanislausgenealogy.org
Soup Saturday
Join in for good food, as members of the Farmington United Methodist Church are planning a ‘Soup Saturday’ gathering for Saturday, April 5 at the church, 25626 Elm St., Farmington. Hours for the event will be 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; the luncheon will include soup, a dessert, Genova French bread and a beverage for $10. For a slightly higher fee, enjoy your soup in a bread bowl. Those attending can get $1 off the cost of the Soup Saturday meal when bringing a non-perishable food item to donate. There will also be soup to go.
Stargazing Sessions
Enjoy upcoming Astronomy in the Park programs, being offered at Shumway Oak Grove Regional Park, at I-5 and Eight Mile Road, Stockton. Though admission to the events is free, there is a $6 cash parking fee. All programs are hosted, weather permitting. Those planning to attend are encouraged to get there early and enjoy astronomy activities in the Nature Center, then view planets through giant telescopes after sunset. On Saturday, April 5, the program is set for 6:45 p.m., featuring Jupiter, Mars and the Orion Nebula. Two events are scheduled in May, on Saturday, May 3 at 8:20 p.m., view the Hercules Globular Cluster, Mars and Jupiter; on Saturday, May 31 at 8:20 p.m., view Mars and the Hercules Globular Cluster. Astronomy in the Park is presented by The Stockton Astronomical Society, Oak Grove Docent Council and San Joaquin County Parks.
Pancake Breakfast
St Patrick’s Altar Society is hosting its 42nd annual Palm Sunday Breakfast on Sunday, April 13, 7 a.m. to noon at the St Patrick’s Church hall, 19399 E. Highway 120, Ripon. Breakfast includes pancakes, linguica, ham, eggs, juice and coffee. All this for $10 per person, ages 11 and older; and $5 per child, three- to 10-years-old. This fundraiser raises funds for the Altar Society to provide fresh flowers weekly for the church altar, purchases communion bread and decorates the altar for special times of the year. Tickets will be sold at the door.
Modesto Garden Tour
Scheduled for Saturday, April 12, the Modesto Garden Club, Inc. will host its annual Spring Garden Tour with five self-touring gardens, open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $25 for those 12 and older, while children 11 years and under are admitted free. They can be purchased at the Modesto Garden Club (MGC) office, 622 14th St., Modesto, each Wednesday from 9 a.m. to noon until the tour. Tickets are also available at Morris Nursery, Marcy’s Hallmark, The Paper Habit, Suite 52 Living, Fresh Idea Flower Co., Thompson’s Building Supply & Nursery, Westurf Nursery, the Greenery Nursery, and online through VENMO or modestogardenclub.org. Tickets are available for purchase on the day of the tour at each garden location. The five gardens being showcased this spring embrace a range of ideas, plants and focus.
Charity Golf Tournament
Cycle Team 209 is hosting a charity golf tournament at the Oakdale Golf and Country Club for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Date for the event is Monday, April 28 and the cost is $200 per player. Tee off time is 11 a.m.; fee includes cart, breakfast and dinner. The event will feature a helicopter ball drop and all participants are encouraged to come play golf to help cure cancer. Adult beverages will be available as well. Co-chairs Dave Hedrick, 209-840-7842; and Jennifer Brennan, 209-573-1342, can be contacted for additional information. Register at www.birdease.com/llsgolf.
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 continues 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.
Fun Bunch Walkers
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.
Weight Loss Group
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.
Irish 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.
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.
