The Community Calendar includes listing of events in and around the region that might be of interest to local residents. To have information included in this weekly calendar of events, email mjackson@oakdaleleader.com.
The Escalon United Methodist Church will host its annual spaghetti dinner on Saturday, Jan. 25. This year will mark the 31st annual event, with serving from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the church, 2000 Jackson Ave., Escalon. This ‘all-you-can-eat’ Spaghetti Dinner includes spaghetti with meat sauce, salad with Italian dressing, Genova garlic French bread, ice cream cup dessert and punch or coffee to drink. Ticket prices this year are $9 for adults, $5 for children from five to 12-years-old and children under 5 eat for free. Eat-in and take out will both be available. For more information, call the church at 209-838-2792.
*****
Marriage ceremonies are being hosted on Valentine’s Day at the historic McHenry Mansion at 906 15th St., in Modesto. “Marriage at the Mansion” offers each couple a romantic experience that will take them back in time. All ceremonies are individualized. Couples must sign up in advance. Ceremonies will start at 10 a.m. and run through 4 p.m., on Friday, Feb. 14, 2020. Marriage licenses must be purchased, and appointments made in advance at the Stanislaus County Clerk Recorder’s Office at 1021 “I” St., in downtown Modesto. Cost of the license and ceremony is $121 or $126 for confidential marriage licenses. Certified marriage certificates are an additional $15 and must be paid by check. No blood test is required. For more information or to set an appointment contact the Clerk Recorder’s Office at 209-525-5269 or 209-525-5205 and for assistance in Spanish call 209-525-5230.
*****
The Fourth Annual Crab Feed, being put on by Central Valley Community Resources, is set from 5 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 15, to be held at the Escalon Sportsman’s Club on River Road. Pre-sale tickets are available for $55 for singles, or $100 for a couple, and a whole table is set for $440. They’re being sold through Eventbrite, an online site for accepting payments. The CVCR dinner will feature Caribbean style crab, shrimp and tri-tip for the evening, along with jambalaya rice, cornbread and much more. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling CVCR at 209-869-3055.
*****
Donors are urged to make an appointment to give blood now using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device. Blood remains in short supply and donors of whole blood and platelets are needed. Locally, donors can schedule visits at Red Cross Donation Centers in Modesto, 1900 W. Orangeburg Ave.; in Stockton, 2888 W. March Lane; and in Sonora, 850 Sanguinetti Lane. In Oakdale, there will be a community drive hosted at Ball Metalpack, 300 W. Greger St., on Tuesday, Jan. 28 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
*****
On Leap Year Day, Saturday, Feb. 29, the Bruins Boosters group of Riverbank High parents, alumni and coaches are planning a Crab Feed, the fifth annual event. They are offering all you can eat tri-tip and shrimp in addition to the crab. The Boosters have set a price of $65 per person for the dinner. The doors will open at 4 p.m. and dinner begins at 6 p.m. After dinner they’ll hold some raffles then, there’s a dance following. The Boosters Crab Feed will be held at the FES Hal, 140 N. Lee Ave., Oakdale. Boosters members can be contacted at athleticboosters2016@gmail.com or on Facebook for more details; or call Kimi Jennings, at 209-278-6721.
*****
Golden Agers weekly dances are open to those 50 and older from throughout the Central Valley and are hosted at the Riverbank Community Center, 3600 Santa Fe St., Riverbank. First time guests are admitted free. The annual membership fee is $12 and each Wednesday members pay $5 and non-members can enjoy a few hours of music and dancing for $6. The Golden Agers meet from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
*****
The local REO Speechtrain Toastmasters Club gathers for regular meetings every Wednesday morning, 6:30 a.m. to 7:45 a.m., at Perko’s Cafe, Patterson and Oakdale roads, Riverbank. This is a fun way to learn the self-confidence and skills needed for public speaking. All are invited to come and check out the group. The next meeting will be Jan. 29. For more information, call (209) 869-8200.
*****
All are invited to the weekly meetings of TOPS, Take Off Pounds Sensibly, 1034 that gathers each Monday from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the United Methodist Church, 1480 Poplar Ave., Oakdale. The group features help with weight loss in a supportive setting. Residents of Oakdale, Riverbank, Escalon and beyond are welcome to attend. Call Audrey Oliver at 209-765-7838 for information. You can also visit www.tops.org.
