Out and About is your guide to upcoming events in and around the Riverbank area.
Auditions are going on now through Thursday, Feb. 8 for Riverbank’s Got Talent, with all ages eligible to try out for the competition. Interested parties can schedule a short audition at the city’s recreation office by calling 209-863-7150. The performance will be held on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. at the Riverbank Community Center. If you dance, sing, juggle, play an instrument, tell jokes or have any talent at all, you are encouraged to try out. Age categories are: Under 6, 7 to 10, 11 to 13, 14 to 18 and 18 and older.
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Come enjoy the 29th Annual Spaghetti Dinner served up by the Escalon United Methodist Church, with the meal set for Saturday, Jan. 27, served from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. All you can eat Spaghetti Dinner includes spaghetti with meat sauce, salad with Italian dressing, garlic French bread, ice cream cup dessert and punch or coffee to drink. Take-out dinners available as well. Tickets are $8 for adults; children 5-12 $4; under 5 eat for free. Escalon United Methodist Church is at Highway 120 at Brayton Avenue, Escalon.
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Children can visit the Riverbank Library and enjoy a straw rockets craft on Tuesday, Jan. 30 at 3:30 p.m. Crafters will make straw rockets and test them out to see how far the rockets can fly. Craft programs are sponsored by the Friends of the Riverbank Library. For more information, contact the Riverbank Library branch supervisor, Victoria Holt, at (209) 869-7008.
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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, Jan. 31. For more information, call (209) 869-8200.
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Howard Training Center’s 24th Annual Crab Fest 2018 will be held on Friday, Feb. 2 and Saturday, Feb. 3. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and dinner is served at 6:30 p.m. and reservations are required. There is a no host bar and there will be live music performed by Livin’ starting at 9 p.m. Door and raffle prizes as well as an auction and silent auction will take place at the event as well. All the proceeds will support HTC programs and participants. For those that do not delight in crab, there will be tri-tip on the menu this year as a dining option. For tickets and more information call 209-593-5618 or email HTC.Events@howardtrainingcenter.com.
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TOPS, Take Off Pounds Sensibly, meets every week on Mondays at 9 a.m. at Community United Methodist Church in Oakdale, 1480 Poplar. Visitors are always welcome and the first meeting is free. For more information, contact Audrey Oliver at 209-765-7838. TOPS is an affordable, nonprofit, weight-loss support and wellness education organization where members learn about nutrition, portion control, food planning, exercise, motivation and more.
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The First Tee of Central Valley has announced its 2018 Program Schedule. Clinics offering Life Skill and golf instruction for youth ages 6-17 are set to begin on Monday, March 19 at eight golf facilities in four counties. Lessons will focus on the fundamentals of golf as well as The First Tee Healthy Habits and Nine Core Values. The community is invited to an Open House at Modesto Muni golf course on Saturday, Feb. 3 from 10 am to noon. For more information, go to www.thefirstteecentralvalley.org or call Cathy Mendoza, Executive Director, at 209-485-3915.
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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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Registration is now open for the Welcome Home Veterans Bike and Car Show, scheduled for April 14, 2018. All makes, models and years are welcome. The show will be held at the Tuolumne County Sheriff Posse Grounds, Rawhide Road, Jamestown. Entry is $30 in advance, $35 after April 6, includes commemorative pin (first 300) and People’s Choice judging. Custom trophies will be awarded for Best of Show Bike and Car. Open to the public, $5 parking. There will be food, music and prize drawings as part of the event. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Advance registration is encouraged, at www.vietnamveterans391.org or contact Patrick at 209-740-5304 or Rodger at 209-480-8423.
