Community Briefs provides a listing of events and activities going on in and around the Oakdale and Riverbank areas. To have an event featured, e-mail the information to mjackson@oakdaleleader.com.
AAUW Meeting Slated
Dr. Phyllis Gerstenfeld is a national expert on the psychology of prejudice and hate crimes who teaches here in the Central Valley at Stanislaus State. On Thursday, Nov. 18 at 7 p.m., she will address the American Association of University Women (AAUW), Oakdale, Riverbank, Escalon Branch on “Hate Crimes: Problems and Responses”. Dr. Gerstenfeld earned a PhD in Psychology and a JD from the University of Nebraska and joined CSU, Stanislaus in 1993. She is currently a professor and chair of the Criminal Justice Department. She is an internationally recognized expert in the field of hate crimes and is author of a leading text on the subject, now in its 4th edition. Attendees at the Nov. 18 gathering must be fully vaccinated, wear masks indoors, and social distance. Prospective members interested in attending this meeting can get further information by calling (209) 847-0271.
Weekly Dances
Check out the Golden Agers 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. Drop in, or become a member. Fees are $5 for members and $6 for non-members. Membership is $15; contact Ellie DeJesus at 209-277-5584 or Lupe Padron at 209-573-5014. The Community Center is at 3600 Santa Fe St., Riverbank.
Weight Loss Group
All interested are welcome to join TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly) a weight support group that meets in Oakdale every Monday morning from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Community United Methodist Church on Poplar. This group is open to the public and anyone interested in improving their life by losing weight can contact Audrey for more information, call 209-765-7838.
Testing Site Open
Escalon Unified School District, in cooperation with the San Joaquin County Health Department and Fulgent Genetics, is hosting a COVID-19 testing site at the Escalon High School Performing Arts Center. This is free, rapid COVID testing and the site is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; enter on the Yosemite Avenue side. They will take drop-ins or you can make an appointment at https://sjc.fulgentgenetics.com/appointment. The site is open to all area residents; it is not limited to the school district, as anyone in the region is eligible to come in for the free rapid COVID-19 testing.
