Out and About is your guide to upcoming events in and around the Riverbank area.
Sign-ups are being taken now for the upcoming Riverbank’s Got Talent show, set for Saturday, Feb. 16 at the Community Gymnasium on the Cardozo Middle School campus. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. with the show beginning at 7 p.m. The competition will be divided into three groups, with entry fees adjusted accordingly. Adults and children 12 years of age and over can enter for $5. Seniors 65 and up can enter for $3 while children under 12 can enter for free. Those interested in participating are asked to register and arrange an audition at the Parks and Recreation office by Thursday, Feb. 7. Call 209-863-7150 or go by the office, at 6707 Third St., Suite C, for more information.
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The Modesto Junior College Department of Art presents “Passerine”– an exhibit of art works by Mariam Pakbaz, on display now through Thursday, Feb. 7 in the Art Gallery on the East Campus, 435 College Ave., Modesto. The first art gallery show of the spring semester features Pakbaz’s paintings and drawings that reflect the inner workings of her mind. The gallery is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday and admission is free. A public reception for the artist is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 24, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., with Pakbaz speaking around 6 p.m. in the Art Gallery. The reception is free of charge and light refreshments will be served.
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Mark the calendar for the annual Spaghetti Dinner, hosted by the Escalon United Methodist Church. Scheduled from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 26, tickets are $8 for adults, $4 for children 5 to 12 and under 5 eat for free. Take-out orders are available, as well as eat-in dining at the church, corner of Highway 120 and Brayton. The all-you-can-eat event features spaghetti with meat sauce, salad with Italian dressing, garlic French bread, punch or coffee and an ice cream cup for dessert. Organizers said the event has enjoyed many years of success, and they anticipate another good crowd for the 30th year. The proceeds help pay for a variety of church expenses. Call for more information, 209-838-2792.
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Local Girl Scouts are currently taking in-person and online cookie orders for their annual sales of the traditional springtime treat. On Friday, Feb. 22, the National Cookie Weekend and the first day of booth sales begin. The last day for sales will be Sunday, March 17. Girl Scouts Heart of Central California covers 18 counties including San Joaquin and Stanislaus. To find a cookie booth, enter your zip code in the Cookie Finder website, www.girlscoutshcc.org/findcookies or by downloading the Girl Scout Cookie Finder app for your IOS or Android mobile device.
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Golden Agers weekly dances are open to those 50 and older from throughout the Central Valley and are now hosted at St. Frances of Rome Church, 2827 Topeka St., Riverbank. 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. The Golden Agers meet from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
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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. 23. For more information, call (209) 869-8200.
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Stanislaus County Clerk/Recorder/Commissioner of Civil Marriages, Donna Linder, and her staff invite engaged couples to join them as they perform marriage ceremonies on Valentine’s Day at the historic McHenry Mansion at 906 15th St., Modesto. “Marriage at the Mansion” offers each couple a romantic experience that will take them back in time. All ceremonies are individualized. Couples must sign up in advance. Ceremonies will start at 9 a.m. and run through 4 p.m., on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019 – Valentine’s Day. Marriage licenses must be purchased and appointments made in advance at the Clerk Recorder’s Office located at 1021 I St., downtown Modesto. For more information or to set an appointment contact the Clerk Recorder’s Office at 209-525-5250 or 209-525-5205 and for assistance in Spanish, call 209-525-5230.
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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.
