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.
Final Market Night
The last of the regularly scheduled Escalon Farmers Market events this summer is set for Wednesday, Aug. 16. Offered in and around the city’s Main Street Park, hours are 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and there are vendor booths, food and beverages, fresh produce vendors, toys, handcrafted items and more. This will be the final market for Escalon this summer.
Weekly Dances
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.
Astronomy Nights
The Stockton Astronomical Society, Oak Grove Docent Council and San Joaquin County Parks have planned monthly Astronomy in the Park nights through the end of 2023. View planets through giant telescopes after sunset at these events, hosted at Oak Grove Regional Park, I-5 at Eight Mile Road, Stockton. There is a $6 cash parking fee but no cost to attend the viewing events; all are held, weather permitting. Future dates and times are all scheduled for Saturday evenings, running through mid-December. Monthly dates include Aug. 19, 7:50 p.m., Lagoon Nebula, Trifid Nebula; Sept. 23, 7 p.m., Saturn, M57 (Ring Nebula); Oct. 21, 6:20 p.m., Star Cluster in Hercules, Dumbbell Nebula. Closing out the calendar year will be Nov. 18, 4:50 p.m., Jupiter, Saturn, Star Cluster and Dec. 16, 4:45 p.m., Saturn, M33 (Triangulum Galaxy). For more information, call 209-953-8800.
Catfish Dinner
La Grange Odd Fellows of Lafayette Lodge #65 are reviving old traditions, cut short during the pandemic. The monthly breakfasts, always on the second Sunday, have resumed on a regular basis this year, and officials said they’re also happy to bring back the popular Catfish Dinner. The annual Catfish Dinner and Raffle returns Saturday, Aug. 19, served from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets at the door are $20 for adults. This fundraiser event is held at the IOOF Hall, 30018 Yosemite Blvd., in downtown La Grange, sponsored by Lafayette Lodge #65, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Artwork On Display
Knights Ferry Art Studio is currently featuring works by Ashley Brunetti, a local artist from Escalon. The exhibit is titled Bad+Lemon and this is Brunetti’s first ever solo show. The show runs through the end of the month of August. The Knights Ferry Art Studio is located at 17631 Main Street in Knights Ferry, California. Updates for the artist and the gallery can be found on Instagram: @ashleybrunettiart @knightsferryartstudio.
Market Place Upcoming
All are invited to come to eat, shop and/or sell your wares at Market Place on Poplar, with the next event coming up on Sept. 2. Offered the first Saturday of each month, Community United Methodist Church at 1480 Poplar in Oakdale, hosts this event from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Market Place offers an opportunity to shop for unique finds or enjoy a selection from Chef Lee’s popular lunch menu. Eat in, or take away. Interested vendors can contact craftfairinfo@yahoo.com for more information on reserving a $20 booth space. Additional dates through the end of 2023 are scheduled for Oct. 7, Nov. 4 and Dec. 2.
Accordion Club
The Good Time Accordion Club members meet on a regular basis, the first Sunday of the month at 2:30 p.m., hosted at the Escalon United Methodist Church, 2000 Jackson Ave., Escalon. Admission is $5; there are free refreshments provided. The club presents musicians of all levels and many musical styles. Anyone can bring an accordion and play or just come to enjoy listening to the musical performances. The remaining 2023 gatherings are scheduled for Sept. 3, Oct. 1, Nov. 5 and Dec. 3.
TOPS Meetings
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.
Downtown Shopping
The Oakdale Morning Market is open every Saturday on North Third Avenue in Oakdale. The weekly event is a project of the non-profit foundation Love Oakdale and will be hosted each Saturday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. through Saturday, Sept. 30. Each week will include a few food truck vendors, as well as a number of vendors offering everything from produce, meat, eggs, bread and a variety of other food as well as fun items to give the market diversity.
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.
