This weekend features the annual Stanislaus River Salmon Festival. The 10th annual event will be held at the Knights Ferry Recreation Area on Saturday, Nov. 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event is focused on providing interactive, hands-on activities for children via exhibitors from local agriculture, state and federal fisheries agencies, and both for-profit and non-profit groups. This is a great opportunity to learn more about salmon and steelhead, river restoration, agriculture, and water. The festival will also host several fun activities for adults and children including live music, face painting, fish print T-shirt designs, fly fishing demos, and native animals. For those who enjoy great food, two local 4-H chapters along with the Oakdale Lions Club, will again be serving deliciously prepared barbeque lunches.
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Hula’s in Escalon will be hosting its third annual ‘Free Meals for Veterans’ event on Monday, Nov. 12. All veterans from throughout the area are invited to come in anytime during the restaurant’s regular hours, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and receive a free meal. Hula’s owner Tony Victorino said last year they served 76 free meals to veterans and are hoping for a good turnout this year as well. Veterans can choose any meal from the Hula’s menu and it also comes with a non-alcoholic beverage. No specific proof of service is required; just identify yourself as a veteran to receive the meal.
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St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oakdale will host its 13th annual Craft Fair at the Parish Center, 55 N. Oak Avenue on Nov. 10 and 11 with Saturday hours 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Get an early start on Christmas shopping. There will be 55+ booths with handmade items, jewelry, books, toys quilts, yard art, commercial vendors, baked goods, food booth. Photos with Santa $5 each. The event is sponsored by St. Mary’s Young Ladies Institute - proceeds will be used for High School scholarships and our Grand President’s program of the year.
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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. 14. 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.
