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.
International Dance Day
Celebrate International Dance Day 2024 on Friday, April 26 with The Village Dancers and Stephanie at the Carnegie Arts Center, 250 N. Broadway, Turlock. Local dancer Stephanie will perform belly dancing for the public to celebrate International Dance Day. Learn about this ancient form of dance and participate in easy to learn international dances. The program starts at 7:30 p.m. with International Folk Dancing, followed by Belly Dancing at 8 p.m.
Enjoy light refreshments beginning at 9 p.m. with the event concluding at 9:30 p.m.
Cost is $10 at the door for adults; children ages 10 to 17 are also welcome and will be admitted for free. For more information, contact Judy at 209-480-0387.
Peace Ceremony
The eighth annual Inspirational Messages of Peace, Celebration of Student Voices will take place on Thursday, April 25 at 11:30 a.m. at the University Park World Peace Rose Garden (UPWPRG) in Stockton. The garden is at 559 E. Magnolia St., Stockton. This year’s theme is “Fearlessness”, and the event is free and open to the public with the goal of connecting youth and community leaders. The public is invited to listen as the top 12 winners deliver their Inspirational Messages of Peace to the community.
Relay Meeting
The next meeting for all interested in participating in the upcoming Relay For Life of Greater Stanislaus County is scheduled for Thursday, April 25, 6:30 p.m. at the DoubleTree Hotel in Modesto. The American Cancer Society signature fundraising event will be hosted at Johansen High School this year, bringing together teams from Stanislaus, San Joaquin and surrounding counties. Event date and time for the 24-hour Relay is 9 a.m. Saturday, May 18 to 9 a.m. Sunday, May 19. This year’s event is once again being presented by ConAgra Brands as its primary sponsor. Along with raising money for the fight against cancer, the event also includes entertainment, theme laps, friendly competitions, a midnight movie and a wide variety of food and merchandise sold by the teams as fundraisers. A Classic Car show is scheduled on site as well. Luminaria bags will be available for purchase, in honor of someone fighting the disease or in memory of someone who lost the battle. The bags are placed along the track and light the way for walkers throughout the night. All are welcome to attend the April 25 meeting.
Soroptimist Fundraiser
It’s time for the annual Motor Madness fundraiser for Soroptimist International of Oakdale. This year, the event is titled “Heels ‘n Wheels” and is planned on Saturday, April 27 beginning at 6 p.m., at the Gene Bianchi Community Center, 110 S. Second Ave., Oakdale. Featuring hearty appetizers, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and desserts, tickets are $75 per person, must be 21 years or older. The ticket also constitutes one entry for the Grand Prize drawing, which this year features a number of options. The winner – who does not need to be present to win – may choose a prize of $10,000 cash or up to $10,000 towards a motorcycle from Mitchell’s Harley-Davidson or a Golf Cart from Copper Mountain Cart Company or a pair of E-bikes from Oakdale Bicycle Shop. For tickets, contact Event Chair Tammy Bengtson, 209-655-8305, or any Oakdale Soroptimist member.
Garage Sale Day
Just around the corner, the annual Burchell Hill garage sale day in Oakdale is set for Saturday, May 4, with dozens of residents in the neighborhood joining the sale. About 80 homes throughout the area are expected to have sales that day. Official start time for the neighborhood yard/garage sale day at Burchell Hill is 8 a.m.; this will be the 22nd year for the neighborhood sale. For more information, contact Michael Hancock at 209-324-0917.
Astronomy Night
The Stockton Astronomical Society, Oak Grove Docent Council and San Joaquin County Parks will host Astronomy in the Park on Saturday, May 18 at 8:15 p.m.; M13 and M92 (Star Cluster in Hercules) will be the focus. View the planets through giant telescopes after sunset at Oak Grove Regional Park, I-5 at Eight Mile Road, Stockton. This is a free event, though there is a $6 cash parking fee. Stargazing events are held, weather permitting. On June 15 at 8:30 p.m., join in to view Star Cluster, Whirlpool Galaxy. For more information, call 209-953-8814 or 209-953-8800.
Weight Loss Support
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.
Monthly 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, located at 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.
Weekly Dances
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.
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.
Join The Jam Session
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 continue 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.
