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.
AAUW Conversation
Join in with the local AAUW, American Association of University Women, on Thursday, Jan. 18, as two members of the Braver Angels organization will appear via Zoom. Braver Angels was formed with the aim of building respect and kinship across the divide. Its goal is to unite Red and Blue Americans in a working alliance to depolarize America. Paul Norris and Maxim Schrogin will demonstrate how this can happen in a Zoom presentation to the AAUW, Oakdale-Riverbank-Escalon Branch. Members, guests and other community members in the Oakdale, Riverbank, or Escalon area are invited to attend this 7 p.m., Jan. 18, Zoom meeting. To obtain the Zoom link for the meeting, contact Teri via email at tcjake15@gmail.com.
On Stage At Gallo
Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the iconic musical phenomenon Jesus Christ Superstar returns to the stage at the Gallo Center for the Arts in Modesto this month. Shows are scheduled at 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 17 and 18 in the Mary Stuart Rogers Theater at the Gallo, 1000 I St., Modesto. Ticket prices range from $59 to $129. With lyrics and music by Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony winners Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, Jesus Christ Superstar is set against the backdrop of an extraordinary series of events during the final weeks in the life of Jesus Christ as seen through the eyes of Judas. Ticket office hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday noon to 6 p.m.; and two hours before each performance.
Art Show Slated
Coming up in February, the Delicato Family Wines will stage its 34th annual Fine Art Show and entries are being accepted now from local artists. The show itself runs from Feb. 4 through Feb. 25 at the Delicato Tasting Room in Manteca. Artists who would like to participate in the art show can submit entries to the Delicato Tasting Room through Friday, Jan. 19. An application may be obtained by calling 209-824-3678 or 209-824-3501; e-mailing Laurie.bacigalupi@delicato.com; or visiting the Tasting Room four miles north of Manteca, off Highway 99 at Exit 246. Up to five pieces per artist may be entered, with a cost of $9 per entry, into the competition. The Fine Art Show is open to entries by the creators of original art produced within the last three years. Entries will be accepted from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. throughout the entry submission period.
Star Gazing
Astronomy in the Park events return this month to Oak Grove Regional Park at I-5 and Eight-Mile Road, Stockton. The Stockton Astronomical Society, Oak Grove Docent Council and San Joaquin County Parks host the events, which are free and staged weather permitting. There is a $6 cash parking fee at Oak Grove. The first event is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 20 at 5:15 p.m.; view The Pleiades, Saturn and The Hyades. The viewing is done through giant telescopes after sunset. All shows are scheduled on Saturday evenings, with more to come throughout the year. For additional information, call 209-953-8814 or 209-953-8800. Viewing is cancelled in the case of inclement weather.
Weight Loss Support
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.
Local 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 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.
Dances Hosted
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.
Celtic 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.”
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.
Final Calendar Call
The artwork of 14 talented student artists from across the San Joaquin Valley has been included in in the newly released 2024 Healthy Air Living Kids’ Calendar, offered through the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District. The calendar is a bilingual, full-color wall calendar, featuring clean-air messages and drawings, and is designed to educate and inspire the public to live a Healthy Air Life and reduce air pollution in the Valley. Students from several communities have artwork included in the 2024 calendar. To request a calendar, email public.education@valleyair.org or call 559-230-6000. Calendars can also be picked up at the District office in Modesto, 4800 Enterprise Way.
