Datebook lists upcoming events and items of interest for residents of Escalon, Farmington, Collegeville and the surrounding area.
Riverbank welcomes the REO Speechtrain Toastmasters Club 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. 4. For more information, call (209) 869-8200.
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Community members are encouraged to get involved with the Relay For Life of Escalon, which is being planned for next May at Escalon High School. Kick off for the 2017 Escalon Relay For Life is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 11 at 6 p.m. at the Escalon Community Ambulance office at 1480 Ullrey Ave. To sign up for a team, visit www.RelayForLife.org/EscalonCA. You can also contact Dena Pimentel at 209-524-7241 or email Dena.Pimentel@cancer.org.
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The Escalon Kiwanis Club will host its 13th annual Crab Feed on Saturday, Jan. 21 at the Escalon Community Center, 1055 Escalon Ave. Tickets are now on sale; those wanting to attend should get their tickets early, as this event always sells out. No host cocktails at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m., with tickets priced at $50 per person. For reserved seating, $550 gets you a reserved round table for eight guests, a business advertisement, business card on the placemat, 16 drink tickets and eight wine glasses. There will also be a 50/50 raffle, door prizes, live and silent auctions, a pie auction and more. Proceeds from this event will benefit Escalon High school scholarships and other local youth programs. For tickets, contact Pam Dyer at 209-401-8496.
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Organizers have tickets available for the annual “Curbside To Go” tri-tip dinner to benefit the EHS Sober Grad event. Tickets are $40 and include a whole barbecued tri-tip, four baked potatoes, a loaf of French bread, a bag of salad and a two-liter bottle of soda. The meal for four is delivered to your car, curbside, at El Portal Middle School the day of the event. The drive-thru dinner is set for Saturday, Jan. 21 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.; proceeds help pay for the annual graduation night Sober Grad party put on for members of the senior class at Escalon High School. Tickets can be purchased online at https://squareup.com/market/ehs-sober-grad or by contacting co-organizers Debbie Leal at 209-639-2513 or Tammy Alcantor at 209-480-3728.
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The artwork of 15 talented Central Valley students is featured in the 2017 Healthy Air Living Kids’ Calendar, a bilingual, full-color wall calendar just released by the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District. The annual educational calendar showcases original works of art chosen from hundreds of entries by children in each of the eight counties that make up the Valley Air District. The 2017 calendars can be reserved, while supplies last, by emailing public.education@valleyair.org, and can be picked up in the District office in Modesto, at 4800 Enterprise Way; call 209-557-6400.
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Modesto on Ice has returned for its second season to Downtown Modesto, running now until Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017. Modesto on Ice will be open every day through the holiday season, with extended holiday hours on Christmas and New Year’s Eve. This family-friendly ice rink offers public sessions, as well as figure skating and hockey lessons. Modesto on Ice also hosts private events. The ice rink is located at 1131 11th St., in downtown Modesto (corner of 11th and K streets). For operating hours, visit www.modestoonice.com. Every Tuesday, Modesto on Ice skate sessions will be discounted to $8 until 5:30 p.m.
