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.
Gardeners Gather
The date for the next Escalon-Farmington Community Garden Club meeting is Thursday, March 7. The meeting will begin at 1 p.m. at the Escalon United Methodist Church, 2000 Jackson Ave., Escalon. Guest speaker Riley Probst will offer information on the topic “Growing iris” and will take questions after the presentation. He is an Iris Master Garden Judge and well known throughout the country. Following the guest speaker, there will be a short break for snacks, followed by the business meeting, a door prize drawing and more. For additional information, text or call Lorraine Nicholson at 209-613-8708.
Artwork On Display
Make plans to stop by the Valley Art Association annual show and fundraiser, with artwork on display Saturday and Sunday, March 9 and 10. This family friendly event is admission free. Saturday show hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a reception from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The annual Oakdale Spring Art Show and Scholarship Fundraiser Silent Auction is sponsored by the City of Oakdale and will be hosted at the Gene Bianchi Community Center, 110 S. Second Ave., Oakdale. Bidding in the silent auction begins Saturday, March 9 at 10 a.m. and ends Sunday, March 10 at 3:30 p.m.; cash, checks and credit cards accepted. There will be goods and services, original works of art, gift baskets and more featured in the auction.
St Patrick’s Celebration
A dinner party in observance of St. Patrick’s Day is scheduled for Friday, March 15 at the McHenry Mansion, 906 15th St., Modesto. Doors and bar open at 5:30 p.m., with dinner served at 6:30 p.m., featuring a menu of typical Irish fare including Corned Beef and Cabbage with all the trimmings. Cost is $50 per person and reservations are required. For tickets or more information, contact Janie at 209-522-1739.
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.
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.
Astronomy In The Park
The weather forecast looks good for the Saturday, March 16 Astronomy in the Park event, scheduled at Oak Grove Regional Park, I-5 and Eight-Mile Road, Stockton. The Pleiades, Mercury and Perseus Double Cluster will be viewed at 7:15 p.m. during the March event. The Stockton Astronomical Society, Oak Grove Docent Council and San Joaquin County Parks host the free events, which are staged weather permitting. There is a $6 cash parking fee at Oak Grove. Shows are scheduled throughout the year on Saturday evenings The viewing is done through giant telescopes after sunset. On April 13, the 7:40 p.m. start time will feature Jupiter, M81 and M82 (Bodes Galaxies). For additional information, call 209-953-8814 or 209-953-8800.
Job Fair
Job seekers from throughout the region are encouraged to bring their resumé and dress for success on Friday, March 22 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The event will be held at Columbia College in the Oak Pavilion, 11600 Columbia College Drive, Sonora. In partnership with Mother Lode Job Training, Columbia College will welcome employers from varying fields including healthcare, law enforcement, education, forestry, and administrative support. Seasonal, part-time, and full-time positions are available. Parking will be available at no cost to attendees. Columbia College and Mother Lode Job Training are equal opportunity employers. For more information, contact Career Services at Columbia College 209-588-5273 or visit https://www.gocolumbia.edu/employment/career_events.php.
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.
Jammers Perform
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.
Egg Hunt Slated
The annual Micke Grove Easter Egg Hunt is scheduled for Saturday, March 23. Open to kids 12 and under, the hunt begins at 11 a.m. and this will be a pre-registration only event, as capacity is limited. The gates open on March 23 at 9:30 a.m. and the hunt starts at 11 a.m., with festivities running from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be kids crafts and games, face painting, bounce houses, food trucks and a visit from the Easter Bunny. The park will be closed to the general public that day from 8 a.m. to noon. Event registration is now open; the links are available on sjparks.com, Facebook and Instagram. There will be over 25,000 candy and toy-filled eggs available at the event; participants should bring their own Easter basket.
Lifeline Screening
Residents living in and around the Oakdale area can learn about their risk for cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, and other chronic, serious conditions with affordable screenings by Life Line Screening. The Oakdale Event Center will host this community event on Friday, March 8. The screening site is at 335 N. Eighth Ave., Oakdale. Consultants will work with you to create an affordable package that is right for you based on your age and risk factors. Call 1-877-237-1287 or visit the website at www.lifelinescreening.com. Pre-registration is required.
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, 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.”
