Out and About is your guide to upcoming events in and around the Riverbank area.
It’s the final week for the free summer meals for kids and teens, 18 years and younger, being served at two locations in Riverbank. At California Avenue School, breakfast is available from 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. and lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Monday through Friday, running through July 14. At Riverbank High School, breakfast runs from 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m., and lunch from noon to 1:15 p.m., Monday through Thursday through July 13. The free summer meals are open to all 18-years-old and younger, with no income eligibility requirements.
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Golden Agers weekly dances are open to those 50 and older at the Riverbank Community Center. Doors open Wednesdays at 9 a.m.; the center is at 3600 Santa Fe St., and 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.
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Families can enjoy a free performance by Magician Brian Scott on Thursday, July 13 at 1 p.m. at the Riverbank Library, 3442 Santa Fe. This interactive program combines magic, comedy and fun with a love of reading. STEAM Works: Blackout! will take place on Tuesday, July 18 at 3:30 p.m. Following a Story Time about electricity, children will learn about what happens during a blackout. Children will have an opportunity to make flashlights and create sculptures with glow sticks. This program is designed for children in kindergarten and older. Also, the Riverbank Library Book Club will meet on Tuesday, July 25 at 4 p.m. to discuss Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter. Library book clubs provide an opportunity for community members to expand their knowledge of books through meaningful discussion with others.
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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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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, July 19. For more information, call (209) 869-8200.
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Park staff and costumed volunteers present a live reenactment and solve a historical case during the interactive History’s Mysteries event at Columbia State Historic Park four Saturdays this summer. History’s Mysteries will occur on July 22, Aug. 5, Aug. 19 and Sept. 2, offered each time at 10 a.m. Reservations are highly recommended. Cost is $5/adults and $1/children. Due to the nature of this event, parents may find it is not appropriate for children under age 12. However, child tickets are available for $1 each. Each child under 12 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. To purchase tickets, visit the park museum or www.friendsofcolumbiashp.com to buy online. For more information about this event or other events at Columbia State Historic Park, contact the park office at 209-588-9128.
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YES (Youth Entertainment Stage) Company is producing the time-honored ‘80s musical “Footloose,” to be performed at the Gallo Center for the Arts. Tickets are now on sale at the Gallo Center for the Arts box office and www.galloarts.org. Show dates are: Fridays, July 21 and 28; Saturdays, July 22 and 29; and Thursday, July 27 at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays, July 23 and 30 at 3 p.m. Beginning its 26th season, YES Company is a special project of the Stanislaus County Office of Education and the Education Foundation of Stanislaus County. For additional information, visit www.yescompany.org or call (209)238-6850.
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Make plans to join in the Senior Stride Fun Walk event put on by the Modesto Rotary Club. The Friday, Sept. 8 event provides seniors, families and friends the opportunity to enjoy fellowship, a fun walk, entertainment and more while learning about services and resources available to them in the community. This year’s festivities will run from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., staged at East La Loma Park. The park is at 2001 Edgebrook Drive, Modesto. Registration fee to participate is $2 and includes a Senior Stride T-shirt, light breakfast, community vendor fair and more. Pre-registration is encouraged but not required; to register call (209) 578-9999.
