Out and About is your guide to upcoming events in and around the Riverbank area.
All are welcome to join with the Escalon Farmington Community Garden Club for one of their most entertaining meetings of the year. Snacks, games and prizes galore will kick off the holiday season. Come to Farmington on Thursday, Dec. 5, at 1 p.m., to taste and enjoy holiday jams and jellies, made by an expert. Cheree Hill will bring her “Jars of Delicious” to sample, as well as teach about the ins and outs of holiday canning. Hill’s tasty presentation will include jams, jellies, fruit butters and pie fillings to savor as well as colorful holiday jam jars and gift baskets to purchase. The meeting will be held at the Farmington Methodist Church meeting hall, located at 25626 Elm St, Farmington.
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The City of Riverbank Parks and Recreation Department invites the community to celebrate the opening of the new Dog Park at Jacob Myers Park on Friday, Dec. 6 at 11 a.m. The park will open after the ribbon cutting and all dogs are welcomed. For more information, call 209-863-7150.
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The Odd Fellows monthly breakfast in La Grange is always on the second Sunday at the IOOF Hall. Join in on Dec. 8 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. for a menu of biscuits and gravy, sausage, ham and cheese omelets and all you can eat pancakes. Complimentary coffee and orange juice round out the meal. The breakfast price is now $8 for ages 13 and up. Child rates have remained unchanged, 6 to 12 are $3, those 5 and under eat for free. Add 50 cents for each takeout order. There’s also a special offer of free breakfast to active military personnel with an ID.
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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 Wednesday, Dec. 11. For more information, call (209) 869-8200.
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Stampin’ Up! Card Classes are on the schedule in neighboring Escalon, with opportunities to learn about the craft and create some special cards at unique classes offered by Debbie Megenney and Gerri Andrade. December classes are set for 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 17 and 19, 9 a.m. on Dec. 18 and 20, just in time for the holidays. Call 209-324-6947 for more information or to sign up for classes.
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Due to lack of interest and scheduling conflicts the La Grange Odd Fellows’ Christmas Craft Fair originally scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 7 has been cancelled. For information on future IOOF Craft Events, call Patty at (209) 604-4444.
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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.
