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.
Golden Agers
Enjoy local dancing and get some exercise each week. 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.
Trace Your History
The Genealogical Society of Stanislaus County will present its 2025 Fall Workshop on Saturday, Oct. 11 at Trinity United Presbyterian Church, 1600 Carver Road, Modesto. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and the registration fee is $40.
The workshop is an introduction to genealogy for anyone who wants to start a family tree and begin their research. There will also be presentations for anyone who would like a refresher or pick up more resources. Check the Genealogical Society of Stanislaus County, GSSC, website for a registration form and a list of presentations. The website is stanislausgenealogy.org
Museum Dinner Fundraiser
The 27th annual Oakdale Cowboy Museum Dinner Auction is set for Saturday, Oct. 11 and will honor the rodeo this year by showcasing three of its biggest stars: Ted Nuce, Bull Riding Champion; Bushwacker, a fierce bucking bull and competitor; and Wild Bill Lane, a popular rodeo clown that spent many years on the circuit. Nuce will be recognized at the dinner, with posthumous memorial recognition due for both Lane and Bushwacker. Tickets to the dinner are available for purchase at the Oakdale Cowboy Museum, 355 E. F St. Ticket prices range from $100 per person for museum members to $125 for non-members or tables can be purchased for $800 to $1,000. The dinner and program will be hosted at the Gene Bianchi Community Center, on South Second Avenue in Oakdale, from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Walk For Health
The Escalon Senior Fun Bunch walkers, known as the Senior Steppers, invite everyone in the area to join them for their weekly walks. The group meets every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at a park in Escalon. They meet at the corner of Justin Drive and Mission Street at 9 a.m. This is a lighthearted group whose members love to get together and walk with others, enjoy some conversation and exercise. All are welcome to join the walking group during any or all of their scheduled walks during the week.
October Concerts
Plan to enjoy some live music this month, as the Oakdale Community Concert Band will present its first fall 2025 Concert on Tuesday, Oct. 21. The program is planned to feature several pieces of seasonally appropriate concert band music. Just two days later, on Thursday, Oct. 23, the Community Dance Band will perform for your listening and/or dancing pleasure. All performances start at 6:30 p.m. at the Gladys Lemmons Senior Community Center at 450 E. A St., Oakdale, and are free. All ages are invited and welcome to attend these performances by a talented group of local musicians.
Gentle Yoga
A new offering on Friday mornings at the Escalon Community Center, adults ages 55 and up are invited to try out Hawaiian Gentle Yoga. The class is hosted by instructor Kaleka, who leads the class in stretches and gentle movements as they are introduced to yoga. Scheduled on Friday mornings at 9:30 a.m., the cost is just $5 per class. For more information, email kalekayoga@yahoo.com or just stop by on a Friday morning to check out the class.
See The Stars
The next Astronomy in the Park night is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 25 and begins at 6:15 p.m., featuring Jupiter, Star Cluster in Hercules, and Saturn. Stargazing is hosted at Shumway Oak Grove Regional Park, I-5 at Eight Mile Road in Stockton. Come early to enjoy astronomy activities in the Nature Center, then view planets through the giant telescopes after sunset. There is a $6 cash parking fee at the park, though the program is open to all ages, free of charge. For more information, call 209-953-8800.
Parlor 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, 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.
TOPS Meeting
Members of the local TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly) weight loss support group meet in Oakdale every Monday morning from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.; the meeting is 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.
Widowed Persons Support
Open to those throughout the area, the 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.
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 continues 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.
