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Community Briefs 1-23-19
community-briefs

Blood Donors Sought

Upcoming blood donation opportunities through the American Red Cross in the local area include Tuesday, Feb. 12, Escalon Christian Reformed Church, 2203 California St., Escalon, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.; and Wednesday, Feb. 13, Gene Bianchi Community Center, 110 S. Second Ave., Oakdale, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. All eligible donors, especially platelet donors and blood donors with type O blood, are urged to make an appointment to give to help restock the shelves for hospital patients. Eligible donors can find a blood or platelet donation opportunity and schedule an appointment to donate by using the free Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

 

Join Library Run

The 27th annual Don Osborne Memorial Run, sponsored by the Oakdale Lions Club, is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 2 and starts at the Oakdale Library, corner of G Street and South First Avenue. Both a 5k run and a one mile run/walk are offered with registration and packet pick up from 8 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. on race day. The one mile starts at 9 a.m. with the 5k at 9:30 a.m. and the awards ceremony at 10:15 a.m. Race day registration fee for adults, 19 and up, is $28. Youth cost for those 9 to 18 is $10; children under 9 are free. The course is on flat, paved city streets with traffic control provided along the route. Checks can be made payable to Oakdale Lions Club, P.O. Box 550, Oakdale, CA 95361. Online registration closes at 11 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 28. Register online at signmeup.com/domr. For more information, contact Alan Graham at 209-602-8821 or email alangraham@sbcglobal.net.

 

Spaghetti Fundraiser

The annual Spaghetti Dinner hosted by the Escalon United Methodist Church is coming up this weekend. Scheduled from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 26, tickets are $8 for adults, $4 for children 5 to 12 and under 5 eat for free. Take-out orders are available, as well as eat-in dining at the church, corner of Highway 120 and Brayton. The proceeds help pay for a variety of church expenses. Call for more information, 209-838-2792.

 

Crab Feed

Howard Training Center’s (HTC) 25th Annual Crab Fest Fundraiser will be held at1424 Stonum Road in Modesto on Friday, Feb. 1 and Saturday, Feb. 2 with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. and dinner served at 6:30 p.m. each evening. All the money raised supports the HTC programs and adults with disabilities. Dinner will include crab and tri-tip along with sides and a live band to provide entertainment as well as a bar, gift bag raffle, booze barrel raffle, and live auction. All seats are reserved and are available for $50 per person with sponsorships still available. For more information call 209-593-5618 or email HTC.Events@howardtrainingcenter.com or visit the website at www.howardtrainingcenter.com.

 

Art Display

On display now at Modesto Junior College is an exhibit of art works by Mariam Pakbaz, with the show continuing through Thursday, Feb. 7 in the Art Gallery on the East Campus, 435 College Ave., Modesto. This first art gallery show of the spring semester features Pakbaz’s paintings and drawings that reflect the inner workings of her mind. The gallery is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday and admission is free.

 

Order Your Cookies

Local Girl Scouts are currently taking in-person and online cookie orders for their annual sales of the traditional springtime treat. On Friday, Feb. 22, the National Cookie Weekend and the first day of booth sales begin. The last day for sales will be Sunday, March 17. Girl Scouts Heart of Central California covers 18 counties including San Joaquin and Stanislaus. To find a cookie booth, enter your zip code in the Cookie Finder website, www.girlscoutshcc.org/findcookies or by downloading the Girl Scout Cookie Finder app for your IOS or Android mobile device.

 

TOPS Meeting

All are invited to the weekly meetings of TOPS, Take Off Pounds Sensibly, 1034 that gathers each Monday from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the United Methodist Church, 1480 Poplar Ave., Oakdale. The group features help with weight loss in a supportive setting. Residents of Oakdale, Riverbank, Escalon and beyond are welcome to attend. Call Audrey Oliver at 209-765-7838 for information. You can also visit www.tops.org.

 

Weekly Dances

Golden Agers weekly dances are open to those 50 and older from throughout the Central Valley and are now hosted at St. Frances of Rome Church, 2827 Topeka St., Riverbank. 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. The Golden Agers meet from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

 

Join Toastmasters

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. 30. For more information, call (209) 869-8200.

 

Mansion Marriages

“Marriage at the Mansion” will be offered on Valentine’s Day at the historic McHenry Mansion, 906 15 St., Modesto. All ceremonies are individualized. Couples must sign up in advance. Ceremonies will start at 9 a.m. and run through 4 p.m., on Thursday, Feb. 14 – Valentine’s Day. Marriage licenses must be purchased and appointments made in advance at the Stanislaus County Clerk Recorder’s Office at 1021 I St., Modesto. For more information or to set an appointment contact the Clerk Recorder’s Office at 209-525-5250 or 209-525-5205 and for assistance in Spanish, call 209-525-5230.