Out and About is your guide to upcoming events in and around the Riverbank area.
Concert on the Hill, an evening of dining and music, is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 5, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Living Hope Christian Fellowship, northwest corner of River Road and Highway 120, Oakdale. Open to all, suggested donation is $15 for a meal of barbecue chicken, ribs, sides, drinks and dessert, with music including local singer songwriter Ava Grace as well as The Grubtoe Splunge Band. The evening is a fundraiser for wells and water projects in Third World countries, support for a girls home and feeding program in the Dominican Republic and economic development funding for women in West Africa to promote the elimination of sex trafficking in the region. Call for tickets or info, 209-845-1056.
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Come and meet the OutKast Jeepers at Escalon’s Small Town Roots Farmers Market on Saturday, Oct. 6 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 2996 McHenry Ave., Escalon. See the vehicles, visit with club members and purchase pre-sale raffle tickets to benefit the Elite Family Systems of Ceres, with the formal event to benefit the organization set for Saturday, Oct. 20 at 5 p.m. at the Oakdale Sportsmen’s Club. For information, call Robert at 209-481-0923.
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An American Heroes benefit dinner, sponsored by the Mid-Cal Blue Star Moms, is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 6 at the Stanislaus Veterans Center, 3500 Coffee Road, Modesto. Featuring a tri-tip and chicken dinner, the cost is $25 per person and the evening will also include drawings for raffle prizes, a silent auction and a gun raffle. There will be a meet and greet to start the event at 5:30 p.m. with a no host bar and dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. For tickets and more information, contact Stacy Fournet at 209-404-3170 or Roberta Elliott, 209-406-8034.
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The Oak Valley Art Society will be holding its Annual Fall Art Show on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 20 and 21 at the Escalon Library, 1540 Second St., Escalon. Show hours are Saturday noon to 5 p.m.; Sunday show hours are from noon to 2 p.m., followed by a reception with the artists from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
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The City of Riverbank Parks and Recreation Department is seeking volunteers for this year’s Haunted Hayride and newly added Pumpkin Patch scheduled for Friday, Oct. 26 and Saturday, Oct. 27. They are looking for volunteers interested in running a scare site, assisting with activities for kids, as well as those to help set up and tear down. The pumpkin patch will open at 5:30 p.m. each day and the Hayride will begin at 7 p.m. and run until 9:30 p.m. on Friday and until 10 p.m. on Saturday. To volunteer or for more information, call 209-863-7149.
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The International Heritage Festival will be held on Saturday, Oct. 6 from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. at Modesto Junior College on the East Campus, 435 College Ave., Modesto. The opening ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. and there will be free performances, crafts, music, dance, and International foods. They will also have a parade of International Flags as well as Heritage displays, passport learning activities and much more. Local non-profit Central Valley Community Resources (CVCR) will have a food booth at the event representing Puerto Rico. For more information call 209-521-3852 or visit InternationalFestivalModesto.org.
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McHenry Mansion Foundation is hosting its 32nd Annual Fundraising Table Setting Luncheon in October. Two options are offered for this fundraising event. There is a Table Viewing and light refreshments on Monday, Oct. 8 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets for viewing may be purchased at the door. Cost is $10. A Luncheon is offered on Tuesday, Oct. 9. Doors open at 10:30 a.m., the luncheon is served at noon. Reservations are required for the luncheon and the cost is $40. Call Penny Binney at 209-576-1059 to make reservations. The fundraiser will be hosted at the Seasons Event Center, 945 McHenry Ave., Modesto.
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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, Oct. 10. For more information, call (209) 869-8200.
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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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All are invited to the weekly meetings of TOPS, Take Off Pounds Sensibly, 1034 that gathers each Monday from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the United Methodist Church, 1480 Poplar Ave., Oakdale. The group features help with weight loss in a supportive setting. Residents of Oakdale, Riverbank, Escalon and beyond are welcome to attend. Call Audrey Oliver at 209-765-7838 for information. You can also visit www.tops.org.
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The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is conducting an art contest to select the design for the state’s 2018-2019 upland game bird stamp. The California Upland Game Bird Stamp Art Contest is open to all U.S. residents ages 18 and over. Entries will be accepted from Nov. 20 through Dec.7. For contest information and entry forms, visit www.wildlife.ca.gov/upland-game-bird-stamp.
