Dream It, Be It
Local service organization Soroptimist International of Oakdale is sponsoring its annual “Dream It, Be It Career Support for Girls” conference for high school girls who reside in Oakdale. The conference will be held on Saturday, Oct. 26 in the Oakdale High School library from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The conference will focus on career education and support for high school girls with presentations from a panel of professional women in various careers. There will also be sessions on discovering your dreams, values and goal setting, turning failures into successes, and balancing stress with yoga. This year’s keynote speaker is Oakdale’s Distinguished Young Woman Jaden Chau. The conference is free to attend and breakfast and lunch will be provided. To receive a conference registration packet, visit the Oakdale High School office, contact Chris Di Cristina (209) 606-5517, or e-mail sioakdale@soroptimist.net. The deadline to register is Monday, Oct. 21.
Art Show Upcoming
The Oak Valley Art Society will be hosting its Annual Fall Art Show at the Escalon Library on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 19 and 20. Hours are Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. with a Reception Sunday with the artists from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. All are encouraged to stop by the library and have a look at the artwork on display.
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, Oct. 16. For more information, call (209) 869-8200.
TOPS Meets Weekly
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.
Halloween Tours
The McHenry Mansion Foundation is offering a one of a kind tour of Victorian Funeral Customs just in time for Halloween. Open to the public, the event is scheduled at the McHenry Mansion at 906 15th St., Modesto on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 28 through 30. Tickets are $7 online, at the Visitors Center or at the door. Self-guided walk-through tours of the beautiful historic Victorian McHenry Mansion will start at 5:30 p.m. with last entrance at 7:30 p.m. The Mansion will be draped in black crepe ribbon rosettes and display historic curiosities from the Victorian period and their fascination with death. Ticketed members of the public are welcome to visit the house and experience 19th Century embalming practices, death masks, séances, spiritualism and phrenology. For tickets or additional information contact the McHenry Mansion Visitors Center at 209-549-0428 or go online to McHenryMansion.org.
Dancing Fun
Golden Agers weekly dances are open to those 50 and older from throughout the Central Valley and are hosted at the Riverbank Community Center, 3600 Santa Fe 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.
Live Your Dream
Soroptimist International of Oakdale is accepting applications for its Soroptimist Live Your Dream: Education and Training Awards for Women program. This program provides cash grants to women who are working to better their lives through additional schooling and skills training. Women are eligible to apply if they have the primary financial responsibility for themselves and their dependents including children, spouse, siblings, and/or parents, are attending an undergraduate degree program or a vocational skills training program, and have financial need. Women throughout the Oakdale, Riverbank and Escalon areas are encouraged to apply for an award. Apply online at http://bit.ly/LYDApply or contact Jackie Hair, Chairperson, sioakdale@soroptimist.net, (209) 840-2134. The deadline to apply is Nov. 15.
