Out and About is your guide to upcoming events in and around the Riverbank area.

Hula’s restaurant in neighboring Escalon will be hosting its fourth annual Free Meals for Veterans program on Monday, Nov. 11. Veterans are invited to come in during open hours on Monday to enjoy a meal. Tony Victorino of Hula’s reported last year they provided over 100 free meals to veterans from throughout the area and look forward to honoring those who have served by offering the meals one again this year on Veterans Day.

*****

American Red Cross officials and the Riverbank High School Leadership Council have set a blood drive for this month. The blood drive on the RHS campus is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 13. Those that are interested in donating – whether they are school students, staff or member of the general public, can stop by a special table set up in the quad on the RHS campus during lunch for more information or to sign up to donate.

*****

Sending out a call for vendors and customers, it’s the La Grange Odd Fellows’ Christmas Craft Fair on Saturday, Dec. 7, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free to the public in the cozy atmosphere of the historic IOOF Hall, 30018 Yosemite Blvd., La Grange. The fair is hosted by the Odd Fellows of Lafayette Lodge #65. The event will showcase an array of crafts items, including Western art, jewelry, sewn creations, plant arrangements and organic edible goodies. Refreshments and drawings for raffle prizes will be featured as well. Crafters can call now; vendor spaces are currently available, $25 for 6’ by 8’, first come first served. For more information call Patty (209) 604-4444.

*****

The Stanislaus Senior Foundation has awarded a grant to, and partnered with, the Stanislaus County Aging and Veteran Services. This partnership allowed Stanislaus County Aging and Veteran Services to obtain a used van, and with Foundation support, have it repaired to transport low income senior citizens from senior living facilities to participate in a senior lunch program. The program offers seniors free or low-cost meals three times a week. The Stanislaus Senior Foundation will continue to support the program by providing ongoing funding for maintenance of the van. Volunteer drivers operate the van. Currently there is a need for a Wednesday driver. No special license is required. The van operates between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. To volunteer, contact Arthur Ramirez at 209-525-4613.

*****

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 Wednesday, Nov. 13. 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.

*****

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 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

*****

Soroptimist International of Oakdale is accepting applications for its Soroptimist Live Your Dream: Education and Training Awards for Women program. This program provides cash grants to women who are working to better their lives through additional schooling and skills training. Women are eligible to apply if they have the primary financial responsibility for themselves and their dependents including children, spouse, siblings, and/or parents, are attending an undergraduate degree program or a vocational skills training program, and have financial need. Women throughout the Oakdale, Riverbank and Escalon areas are encouraged to apply for an award. Apply online at http://bit.ly/LYDApply or contact Jackie Hair, Chairperson, sioakdale@soroptimist.net, (209) 840-2134. The deadline to apply is Nov. 15.