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.
Gardeners Gather
The first of the year Escalon-Farmington Community Garden Club meeting is set for Thursday, Jan. 4. Club members and interested guests from throughout the region will gather at 1 p.m. for the session, being hosted at the Escalon United Methodist Church, 2000 Jackson Ave, Escalon. Guest speaker will be Monique Black and her topic will be ‘Tomatoes, Heirloom and Others’. The speaker portion of the gathering is first on the agenda, followed by a brief business meeting.
Calendar Art
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.
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.
Celtic Music Jam
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.”
Time To Dance
Check out the Golden Agers dance group 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.
Festival Of Light
Stockton Ballpark has been transformed into a magic forest with whimsical creatures and plants that are larger-than-life and glow at night. It’s all part of the first of its kind Stockton Lantern Festival, which runs through Sunday, Jan. 14. All the larger-than-life art installations are handcrafted by lantern artisans employing the technique of traditional Chinese lantern making which enjoys a history of over 2000 years. Tens of thousands of LED lights, metal and fabric in vibrant colors are used to create unforgettable winter night lights experience. The magic begins when the sun sets, and the forest starts to glow at night. Stockton Ballpark is at 404 W. Fremont St., Stockton, and doors open nightly at 5 p.m., though weather may impact the festival. For tickets and more information, visit StocktonLanternFestival.com
Widowed Persons Group
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.
Musicians Meet
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. Things get rolling 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.
