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.
Dancing Fun
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.
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.
Program Of Poetry
Poetry in Bloom, a special spring program, is scheduled for 4 p.m. at the Escalon library, 1540 Second St., Escalon, on Tuesday, April 29. Celebrate Poetry and Community at this ‘bloom’ event, which will give attendees the chance to meet Escalon’s first Poet Laureate, Jonathon Cabello, and Modesto’s Poet Laureate, Angela Drew. Listen to original poetry and enjoy a special reading of ‘Elderberry Wine,’ Drew’s picture book. All are encouraged to stay after the readings for a hands-on art activity and to create their own ‘Blooming Poetry Collage’ to take home or add to the community display at the library. The April 29 program is free and open to all ages.
Brennan’s Parlor
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.
Fun Bunch
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.
Plants And Vendors
Coming up on Saturday, May 3 members of the Modesto Garden Club will be hosting a plant sale and vendor faire. The event will feature member grown flowers, annuals, perennials, vegetables and succulents available for sale to the public. In addition to plants, plenty of vendors with handcrafted unique gifts and food items will sell their wares. The event is open to the public and there is no charge for admission. Date and time for the sale and faire is Saturday, May 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., being hosted at the Modesto Covenant Church, 913 Floyd Ave., Modesto.
Astronomy Nights
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. 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.
Gem Faire Set
America’s Premier Jewelry & Bead Show, Gem Faire, is set for May 2 through 4, 2025 at Scottish Rite Center, 6151 H St., in Sacramento. Show hours are Friday, noon to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (no admittance after 4 p.m. Sunday). Admission is $7, valid for the entire weekend. Free admission for children under 12 years old. Free parking. From loose gemstones, raw minerals and millions of bead strands, to finished jewelry, fashion accessories, jewelry supplies and tools, find them all under one roof. Jewelry repair, cleaning and ring sizing service is available while you shop. Enjoy displays and demonstrations by Sacramento Mineral Society all weekend long. For more information, visit www.gemfaire.com or contact Gem Faire, Inc. at (503) 252-8300 or info@gemfaire.com.
TOPS Meeting
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.
Widowed Persons
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 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.
