Out and About is your guide to upcoming events in and around the Riverbank area.
The San Joaquin Valley Swiss Echoes, a singing and yodeling club in Ripon since 1947, is having its annual spring concert and dance on Saturday, April 22 at 7:30 p.m. at the Swiss Hall in Ripon. The hall is on the corner of Manley and East Main streets. Featured will be a variety of folk songs and yodels. There will also be a raffle with fun prizes, followed by dancing to the tunes of the Mitchell Gander Ron Scheiber Orchestra. Admission to the concert and dance is $10 in advance and $12 at the door.
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Riverbank offers T’ai Chi classes on Monday nights at the Teen Center and Wednesday nights at the Community Center, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., for $5 per person each night. Stop by either evening and check out this fun, relaxing way to get fit.
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U.S. Representative Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) on Monday announced the opening of California’s 10th District Congressional Art Competition. The annual art competition will feature an official winner, selected by a panel of local judges, and a “Valley Vote” winner, chosen by an online voting competition open to the public. Submissions for artwork are now being accepted for this year’s competition. All artwork and release forms must be delivered to Rep. Denham’s Modesto office at 4701 Sisk Road, Ste. 202 no later than 5 p.m. PST Tuesday, April 25, 2017. Artwork that does not meet all of the requirements will not be eligible for consideration by the panel of judges and will not be included in the online gallery for public voting.
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Join in each week with the local REO Speechtrain Toastmasters Club 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, April 26. For more information, call (209) 869-8200.
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On Saturday, April 29 at 1 p.m. the Riverbank Library will celebrate Día de los niños/Día de los libros, or Day of the Child/Day of the Book. Children can enjoy a special bilingual Story Time, crafts, and activities. Riverbank’s own Viva México ballet folklorico will start the celebration with colorful costumes and dances.
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It’s almost time for the annual ‘Build Your Own’ omelet dinner, put on by the Escalon United Methodist Church. Scheduled for Saturday, April 29, the dinner includes omelet, potatoes, biscuits, fruit and beverage with tickets prices $8 for adults, $4 for children under 10, children under five free. Dinner hours are 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Escalon United Methodist Church, 2000 Jackson Ave. (Highway 120 east), Escalon. For more information, call (209) 838-1212.
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A special Mother’s Day Tea will be presented at the McHenry Mansion in Modesto on Saturday, May 13. The Tea Luncheons have been a tradition for many local families and, as always, benefit the Mansion Foundation in maintaining this historical location. McHenry Mansion is at 906 15th St., Modesto and two seatings are planned for the May 13 event. The first will be at 11 a.m.; the second at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 per person; call for reservations at (209) 522-1739 by May 5.