As part of Youth Arts Month, the public is invited to visit the Educationally Interpretive Exhibition, “Making Arts Learning Visible!” Feb. 29 through April 1, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Stanislaus County Office of Education at 1100 H St., Modesto, second floor. The Art Show features student work, photos and evidence of the process of art-making from preschool to advanced high school students across Region 6, which includes Amador, Calaveras, San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Tuolumne counties. In addition to the month long display, students, parents, educators and the Region 6 arts community are invited to attend an evening reception to celebrate Learning in the Arts on Monday, March 7 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 1100 H St., Modesto.
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The Riverbank Library hosts Story Time each Monday morning at 10:30 a.m., continuing until March 28. Coming up on Saturday, Feb. 27 at 2 p.m. the library will offer an Introduction to Heirloom Gardening. Terry Harper and Heidi Aufdermaur from the Riverbank Heirloom Gardening Group will discuss heirloom gardening and how to save seeds. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) volunteers, meanwhile, will be on hand at the library every Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. to assist the public with free tax preparation. VITA volunteers are trained by the IRS. Call the library at (209) 869-7008 to reserve a spot, as space is limited. The last day for tax preparation assistance at the Riverbank Library will be April 6. The Riverbank Library is located at 3442 Santa Fe St. in Riverbank.
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Orange Blossom 4-H Club’s Annual Spring Portrait Fundraiser is this weekend. This is the perfect time to get cute, professionally taken spring portraits of your children taken with bunnies, chicks, and ducklings. The event will be staged at Oakdale Cheese and Specialties, 10040 State Highway 120, Oakdale on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 27 and 28. Hours for the portrait event are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a $5 sitting fee and an additional cost of $5 per sheet of photos. For more information or to make appointments, call or text Janet at (209) 345-4948.
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The House Modesto will host Unity Matters on Monday, Feb. 29 to thank and honor the Central Valley Law Enforcement Community. The event will be hosted at ‘The House’ church location at 1601 Coffee Road, Modesto, beginning at 7 p.m. For additional information contact Toby Bowker at Tbowker@thehouse.ws.
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The next meeting of the Oakdale Women’s Club – with women from around the region invited – is planned for Tuesday, March 1. Call Elaine Hogg at 209-322-3338 for a reservation. The cost is $16 for members and the monthly luncheon is a fun way to get together with other women in the area. The presentation for the March luncheon is Jaydeen Vicente with the ASTRO (Animal Shelter To Riverbank and Oakdale) Foundation.
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Riverbank welcomes the 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, March 2. For more information, call (209) 614-8462.
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The Holistic Life Institute, School of Massage and Natural Health, in Oakdale is hosting an Open House on Sunday, March 6 with an introduction to its spring classes. Free samples of herbal teas, natural skin care, mini neck and shoulder massages, etc., plus refreshments, will be provided for all participants. Class literature and campus tours will be available as well. Scholarships will be offered toward tuition in the amount of $1000 for the spring semester. Call for directions or go to www.holisticlifeinstitute.com for a map.
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The Modesto Garden Club is now accepting applications for six $1500 scholarships from eligible high school seniors and college students. Completed applications packets are due by April 6. Interested students may email gardenscholarship@gmail.com for application information and forms.
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This spring the Columbia College Foundation will host the 40th Annual Columbia Wine Tasting – a benefit event from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 9 to support the Columbia College Hospitality Management Program. This is the first year the Columbia Wine Tasting will be featured on a Saturday. Reservations can be purchased online for $55 per person in advance or $60 per person at the event as available. Attendees receive a complimentary souvenir wine glass and wine tastings from participating wineries and food vendors. For more information or to make a reservation, visit www.columbiawinetasting.com or call (209) 588-5089.
