Out and About is your guide to upcoming events in and around the Riverbank area.
The first meeting of the New Year for the Escalon Farmington Community Garden Club will highlight one of the most popular flowers in the world – delightfully diverse dahlias. UC Master Gardener Lee Miller will share the ins and outs of these reliable and showy bloomers. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 2 at the Escalon Library, 1540 Second St., Escalon with a start time of 1 p.m., and is open to all interested.
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Mark the calendar for Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020 from noon to 4 p.m. and come to the McHenry Visitor Center and Gift Store to enjoy a complimentary Cinnamon Spice tea tasting. The Gift Store is at 924 15th St., in downtown Modesto. The public is welcome.
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Golden Agers weekly dances are open to those 50 and older from throughout the Central Valley and are hosted at the Riverbank Community Center, 3600 Santa Fe 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 Jan. 8, 2020. For more information, call (209) 869-8200.
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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 Stanislaus Senior Foundation has awarded a grant to, and partnered with, the Stanislaus County Aging and Veteran Services. This partnership allowed Stanislaus County Aging and Veteran Services to obtain a used van, and with Foundation support, have it repaired to transport low income senior citizens from senior living facilities to participate in a senior lunch program. The program offers seniors free or low-cost meals three times a week. The Stanislaus Senior Foundation will continue to support the program by providing ongoing funding for maintenance of the van. Volunteer drivers operate the van. Currently there is a need for a Wednesday driver. No special license is required. The van operates between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. To volunteer, contact Arthur Ramirez at 209-525-4613.
