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, call 209-847-3021 or e-mail the information to mjackson@oakdaleleader.com.
Saturday Market
Waffle Bros will host a vendor market on Saturday, Feb. 14, featuring local businesses and artisans. The market is offered every second Saturday of the month from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Waffle Bros, 1080 W. F St., Suite C, in Oakdale. Shoppers can find handcrafted goods, specialty items and food offerings from local vendors. Waffle Bros will also offer its regular menu, including waffles, coffee and boba drinks. The event is open to the public and is designed to support small businesses and encourage community engagement.
Golden Agers
The Riverbank-based Golden Agers dance group is looking to expand for the new year. They 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.
Crab Feed
The seventh annual I.M.D.E.S. crab feed is on the schedule for Saturday, Feb. 21. Dinner will be served at the I.M.D.E.S. Portuguese Hall, 5748 Albers Road, Oakdale. No host social hour at 5 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m., music from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Individual tickets are available for $70 each or a reserved table of eight can be purchased for $600. For more information, contact Mike and Elizabeth Taylor at 209-568-2871 or Cherilyn Bairos at 209-496-1134. This is a dine in only event and the menu features marinated cold crab, pasta, salad and dinner roll.
Senior Steppers
Conversation and exercise – all area senior citizens are welcome to join the Escalon Senior Fun Bunch walkers, known as the Senior Steppers, as they gather for their regular walks. The group meets every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the Bob and Dena Lease Park in Escalon, 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.
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.
Widowed Persons
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 209-318-5100.
Weight Loss Support
The area’s TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly) weight loss support group members 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.
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.
