Datebook lists upcoming events and items of interest for residents of Escalon, Farmington, Collegeville and the surrounding area.
Make sure to stop by the Escalon Library for Preschool Storytime at 10:30 a.m. each Thursday, with stories, songs and activities offered for youngsters and their adult chaperones. Later on Thursdays, older kids can attend Makerspace, with supervised activities beginning at 4 p.m. The library is at 1540 Second St.
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Sober Grad will be hosting its main fundraiser, a Drive-thru Tri Tip Dinner, on Saturday, Jan. 20. Tickets are $50 per dinner for four and include a barbecued tri-tip, four baked potatoes, bag of salad, loaf of bread and a 2 liter soda. For tickets, contact Tammy Alcantor at 209-480-3728 or Debbie Leal at 209-639-2513. Those with tickets can drive up curbside at El Portal Middle School on First Street and the dinner will be delivered; hours are 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
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Mississippi rock band 3 Doors Down will perform at the Gallo Center for the Arts in Modesto on Sunday, Jan. 21 at 7 p.m., bringing the Central Valley a very intimate Acoustic Back Porch Jam. This tour is an acoustic translation of the band’s hits. They will play fan favorites like “Kryptonite,” “It’s Not My Time,” and “I Don’t Want to Know.” The tour began this month and will continue through February.
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TOPS, Take Off Pounds Sensibly, meets every week on Mondays at 9 a.m. at Community United Methodist Church in Oakdale, 1480 Poplar. Visitors are always welcome and the first meeting is free. For more information, contact Audrey Oliver at 209-765-7838. TOPS is an affordable, nonprofit, weight-loss support and wellness education organization where members learn about nutrition, portion control, food planning, exercise, motivation and more.
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The local REO Speechtrain Toastmasters Club gathers for regular meetings every Wednesday morning, 6:30 a.m. to 7:45 a.m., at Perko’s Cafe, Patterson and Oakdale roads, Riverbank. This is a fun way to learn the self-confidence and skills needed for public speaking. All are invited to come and check out the group. The next meeting will be Wednesday, Jan. 24. For more information, call (209) 869-8200.
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Golden Agers weekly dances are open to those 50 and older from throughout the Central Valley at the Riverbank Community Center. Doors open Wednesdays at 9 a.m.; the center is at 3600 Santa Fe St., and first time guests are admitted free. The annual membership fee is $12 and each Wednesday members pay $5 and non-members can enjoy a few hours of music and dancing for $6.
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Howard Training Center’s 24th Annual Crab Fest 2018 will be held on Friday, Feb. 2 and Saturday, Feb. 3. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and dinner is served at 6:30 p.m. and reservations are required. There is a no host bar and there will be live music performed by Livin’ starting at 9 p.m. Door and raffle prizes as well as an auction and silent auction will take place at the event as well. All the proceeds will support HTC programs and participants. For those that do not delight in crab, there will be tri-tip on the menu this year as a dining option. For tickets and more information call 209-593-5618 or email HTC.Events@howardtrainingcenter.com.
