Out and About is your guide to upcoming events in and around the Riverbank area.
All are welcome to attend the upcoming accordion music and social on Wednesday, Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. The gathering will be hosted at the Escalon Community Center, 1055 Escalon Ave., and will be the regular monthly meeting of the Good Time Accordion Club. Accordion fans and performers of all skill levels are welcome. Admission is $5 at the door. For more information, call Karl Wucherer, 209-556-3105.
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Golden Agers weekly dances are open to those 50 and older from throughout the Central Valley 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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The Riverbank Historical Society’s Memories Day get together will return to the Museum on Thursday, Nov. 9. The 11 a.m. event will follow the group’s annual meeting, which begins at 10 a.m. on Thursday. Both will be held at the museum, 3237 Santa Fe St., in downtown Riverbank. Both events are open to the public. For the Memories Day program, presenter James McAndrews, Jr. will be speaking on the Riverbank Clubhouse, a popular country music concert hall that was on Sierra Street.
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Come get some holiday shopping started at the Craft Fair hosted at St. Mary’s Catholic Church Parish Center, 55 Oak Ave., Oakdale. The event is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 12 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Many booths will feature handmade items, along with an assortment of toys, quilts, jewelry and commercial vendors, baked goods, and food. There will also be holiday photos by Hudson Photography, including pictures with Santa; photos are offered at $5 each and are ready in an hour. The craft fair is sponsored by the YLI, Young Ladies Institute, Mater Christi #140.
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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. 15. For more information, call (209) 869-8200.
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St. Patrick’s Catholic Church is hosting its Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday, Nov. 18 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 19 from 9 a.m. to noon. The fair will be hosted at the Church Hall, 19399 E. Highway 120, Ripon, on Highway 120 between Escalon and Ripon. Goal of the craft fair is to raise funds for St. Vincent de Paul and needy residents in the area. Come see the variety of craft and holiday-themed items, make some purchases and support the mission of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.
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A local non-profit organization is looking for volunteers who want to help with taxes this year. The Central Valley Community Resources in Riverbank is organizing the program locally, with Darlene Barber-Martinez as the contact person. Reach her at CVCR at 896-3055, ext. 700. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs are looking for volunteers who are interested in sharing their skills, talent and knowledge. Volunteers prepare tax returns with thousands of other Americans giving back to their communities, according to Barber-Martinez. She said they need volunteers to serve as Site Coordinators and Tax Preparers. They also need Greeters/Screeners and Interpreters.
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ASSE International Student Exchange Programs is seeking individuals to serve as Area Representatives in the local community. ASSE provides academic year and semester exchange programs in the United States for high school students from around the world. Students are 15 to 18 years of age, have passed a series of academic and character requirements and are awaiting an opportunity to embark on their ‘American Adventure. For more information about ASSE or becoming an Area Representative, call the Western Regional Office at 1-800-733-2773 or email the office at asseusawest@asse.com.
