DINNERS & BENEFITS

DENAIR
Saturday, Sept. 14
 FARM & FAMILY FESTIVAL: The fourth annual Denair Farm & Family Festival will be held Saturday, Sept. 14 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 14 in downtown Denair. Event visitors will be greeted with over 100 vendors, everything from tri-tip and kettle corn to fresh fruits and vegetables, and local companies of all types sharing their services with the community. Live entertainment will also be on tap with a classic car, antique farm equipment, and motorcycle show. Kids will love this year’s entertainment, featuring the crazy antics of Captain Jack Spareribs. This year’s festival kicks off with Zack’s Attack – Fighting Childhood  Diabetes 5K fun run at 8 a.m. Proceeds benefit the Central California Children’s Hospital Diabetic Clinic. For directions to the festival, booth information, sponsorship opportunities, or would like to sign up for the 5K fun run, visit www.denairfestival.com.

LATHROP
Sept. 28-29
 OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE HARVEST FESTIVAL: The annual Our Lady of Guadalupe Harvest Festival takes place on the church grounds at 16200 Cambridge Drive in Lathrop on Saturday, Sept. 28, and Sunday, Sept. 29, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. It features entertainment, live music, food, raffles, games kid rides, plus more. The Mike Torres Band will close the festival on Sunday.

MANTECA
Thursday, Sept. 12
 MRPS MEMBERSHIP:  The Manteca-Ripon Pentecost Society membership dinner is set for Thursday, Sept. 12, from 5 to 8 p.m. in the MRPS dining room. You are welcome to pay your dues at this time. If you are unable to attend mail your dues to: P.O. Box 25, Manteca, CA 95336. Dues are $15 for each adult (18 years and older) and paid membership is one criteria for scholarship applications. For information please call Mike or Cheryl at 401-4253.

Saturday, Sept. 14
 WINE TASTING:  The League of Women Voters of San Joaquin County invites members and the public to attend a fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Delicato Winery, Manteca. The speaker will be Pamm Larry, the founder of Prop 37 “Label GMOs” which failed at the ballot box in 2012. Larry is a farmer, businesswoman and gutsy grandmother. She educated herself about the possible long-term human and environmental effects of genetically modified organisms. Her talk will be “GMOs and Our Grocery Basket.” Light refreshments and wine-tasting will be provided. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are $35 or $15 for students with student ID. Reservations must be made by check or cash to: The League of Women Voters of San Joaquin County (LWVSJC) and mailed to P.O. Box 4548, Stockton, CA 95204. Deadline for reservations is Sept. 6. No tickets will be sold at the door. For more information contact (209) 239-3881.

Wednesday, Sept. 18
WINE, CHOCOLATE & ART EVENT: The United Way Manteca/Lathrop/Escalon/Ripon Community Council will host the fourth annual Wine, Chocolate and Art Event on Wednesday, Sept. 18, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. near the lake in front of the theater at The Promenade Shops at Orchard Valley, Union Road and the 120 Bypass. It will also feature the Sierra High jazz band. For tickets contact Donna at 209-320-6206 or Oak Valley Community
Bank at 209-396-1581.

Saturday, Sept. 21
MANTECA POLICE CHIEF’S FOUNDATION POLCIE BALL: A black tie evening of dinner, dancing, and fundraising is being staged Saturday, Sept. 21, at the Manteca Senior Center, 295 Cherry Lane by the Manteca Police Chief’s Foundation to benefit programs offered by the organization with drinks at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m., and dancing at 8 p.m. Tickets for the catered steak and prawn dinner by Ernie’s Food and Spirits are $50. For tickets call 456-8139.



Sunday, Sept. 22
 HISTORICAL SOCIETY BBQ SOCIAL: The Manteca Historical Society’s 21st annual summer social takes place again at the Mick and Kristin Founts’ home on North Union Road on Sunday, Sept. 22, starting at 2 p.m. with dinner at 4 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults and $9 for children. Contact the museum at 825-3021 for more information.

MODESTO
Wednesday, Oct. 9
 POWER OF THE PURSE: United Way of Stanislaus County will welcome Actress “Dot” Marie Jones of the hit show, “GLEE,” as keynote speaker for the upcoming Women’s Leadership Council event, the 16th Annual Power of the Purse Luncheon on Wednesday, Oct. 9.  Dorothy-Marie Jones was born in Turlock and raised in Hilmar. She is a retired athlete and two-time Emmy nominated actress, who just received her third Emmy nomination for her role on the FOX series, “GLEE.” As keynote speaker of the event, Jones will share her humorous, uplifting and insightful story, “From Hilmar to Hollywood.” The Power of the Purse is a fund raising event put on by the Women’s Leadership Council of United Way Stanislaus County. The event includes a lunch, designer purse raffle and special guest speaker. The Power of the Purse will be held on Oct. 9 at the Gallo Center for the Arts. Reservations and sponsorships are being accepted online at www.uwaystan.org. The Women’s Leadership Council holds this event annually with proceeds benefiting local nonprofit efforts to assist women and children in need. Since its inception, the Women’s Leadership Council has raised over $300,000 for safety net programs in the community.

EVENTS
ATWATER
Sunday, Sept. 1
 OPEN COCKPIT DAY: Castle Air Museum in Atwater will be hosting its annual fall Open Cockpit Day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 1 at 5050 Santa Fe Dr. The museum has nearly 60 vintage restored military aircraft on display with over 30 open for viewing. In addition to viewing these historic aircraft there will also be a children’s airplane model building booth, law enforcement exhibits, helicopter rides and great food on the museum’s expansive grounds. Admission for the day is $12 adults, $8 seniors (60+), youth 6-17 $5,children 5 and under free as well as active duty military personnel with ID. For more information, contact the museum at 723-2178 or visit www.castleairmuseum.org.

LIBRARY
STANISLAUS COUNTY
Saturday, Sept. 21
LOCAL AUTHOR FAIR: The Stanislaus County Library is seeking local published authors to participate in its 4th Annual Local Author Fair. The event will take place at the Modesto Library outside on the portico 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday,  Sept. 21.  During the event, authors will have the opportunity to sell and sign their books and speak with the public. The Local Author Fair allows members of the community to be introduced to the local writing scene and is a wonderful way to enjoy a Saturday morning with friends and family. Registration for this event is required as space is limited. Interested authors should contact Lauren Hall at 558-7817 by Sept. 5.

GARDEN CLUBS
Monday, Sept. 16
MANTECA GARDEN CLUB: Sharie Rourke from P&L Nursery will be speaking on English gardens during the Monday, Sept. 16, meeting of the Manteca Garden Club at the Manteca Library, 320 W. Center St. Refreshments are served at 12:30 p.m. followed by the program at 1 p.m.











SUPPORT GROUPS

MANTECA

Tuesdays

TOPS: The Take Off Pounds Sensibly club meets every Tuesday at the Almond Blossom Mobile Home Park, 1901 E. Yosemite Ave., Manteca. Weigh-in is from 6  to 6:45 p.m. and the meeting starts at 7 p.m. To join this nonprofit organization, the fees are $28 and then $5 a month. For more information, call Bev Casby at 239-7604.





Monday, Aug. 19





*MS SUPPORT GROUP: Are you living with Multiple Sclerosis?  Maybe you love or care for someone with MS?  You can join an on-going National MS Society Support Group in the Manteca/Ripon/Lathrop area that meets the third Monday of each month, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Round Table Pizza, 253 Spreckels Ave, Manteca.  For more information contact Sue at (209) 482-7034.

 

Week days

TRESS RELIEF CLASSES: Connections Family Center is offering stress relief classes beginning Aug. 6 to Aug. 30. Early morning and evening classes are available. Monthly sessions will help persons with disabilities and older adults learn stress management techniques. These will include exercises, controlled breathing and mind imagery. Each class will include lecture and discussion on stress intervention. Facilities are wheelchair accessible. The fee is less than $5 per class. Caregiver/Support Personnel are welcome. For more information or to register, call 593-5837 or email Erlinda Bourcier at lbourcier@connectionsfc.org.

TOASTMASTERS

Friday mornings

LATHROP MANTECA SMOOTH TALKERS: Interested in improving your public speaking and leadership skills? At Toastmasters you will find a mutually supportive and positive learning environment.  Toastmasters International helps its members learn the arts of speaking, listening and thinking.  The Lathrop Manteca Smooth Talkers Toastmasters group meets every Friday from 7 to 8:30 a.m. in the conference room located at 1215 W. Center St., Suite 102, Manteca.  If interested, drop by one of the meetings.  Guests are welcome.  For more information, contact Sue at (209) 482-7034.









TURLOCK

2nd & 4th WEDNESDAYS

CSUS TOASTMASTERS: CSUS Toastmasters invite prospective members to improve their public speaking and leadership skills by attending a Toastmaster’s meeting. The group meets at noon on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at CSU Stanislaus. Meetings take place in the Warrior Room on the second floor of the Student Union. For more information, call 667-3878.







Wednesdays

TOPS: The Take Off Pounds Sensibly club meets every Wednesday at the First Baptist Church, 290 W. Olive Ave., Turlock. Weigh-in is from 8:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. and the meeting starts at 10 a.m. To join this nonprofit organization, the fees are $26 and then $5 a month. For more information, call Jen at 667-0129.

Thursdays

FOOD ADDICTS: Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous is a 12-step program for individuals suffering from food obsession, overeating, under-eating and bulimia. There will be a free community information meeting at 7 p.m. on Thursdays at Monte Vista Chapel, 1619 E. Monte Vista Ave., Room 106. There are no dues, fees or weigh-ins. Everyone is welcome, including those who think they may have a food problem or are concerned about someone who may. For more information, call (800) 600-6028, or visit www.foodaddicts.org.

Second Wednesdays

PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP:

Covenant Village of Turlock will hold a Parkinson’s support group meeting for all people with Parkinson’s, family members of people with Parkinson’s, or interested community members. Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month at 1 p.m. in the Berg Hall Conference Room. Just walk in the main lobby at the Redwood building and someone will take you to the conference room. The Village wants to support those in the community of Turlock who are dealing with the impact of Parkinson’s and would like to be involved in a support group. If you have questions please call Ken Patterson at 656-6903.

Mondays

SUNSHINE CLUB: The Sunshine Club, a support group for those who have lost a loved one, will meet at 2:30 p.m. Mondays in the month of January at Hometown Buffet, 1665 Countryside Dr., Turlock. For more information, call 632-3273.







DENAIR

CALIFORNIA SONS IN RETIREMENT: SIRs is a social organization for men who are not devoting full time to their careers. They participate in activities such as golf, bowling, fishing and travel.  Chapters throughout the state hold monthly luncheon meetings. To learn more, visit Branch #143 in Denair on the third Wednesday of each month for a lunch meeting. Meetings start at 11 a.m. at the Denair Community Center, 3850 N. Gratton Rd.



RIVERBANK

2nd THURSDAYS

COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS:  The Compassionate Friends Modesto/Riverbank Area Chapter meets the second Thursday of each month.  The meetings begin at 7 p.m. and take place at the Community Casa, 2201 Morrill Rd. (NE Corner of Oakdale and Morrill roads), Riverbank.  All area (including Turlock) bereaved parents, grandparents and siblings (18 and over) are welcome to participate. No pre-registration is necessary.

For additional information about the meeting and/or TCF Modesto/Riverbank Area Chapter, contact Chapter Leader Joanna Rose-Murray at  484-8276, jrmcompassionate@gmail.com or www.tcfmodesto-riverbankarea.org   Additionally, information about The Compassionate Friends, a  non-profit, non-sectarian, self-help organization providing support to bereaved parents, grandparents and siblings can be obtained at www.compassionatefriends.org.

MODESTO

Fourth Mondays

CANCER SUPPORT GROUP: Us Too, a prostate cancer support group, meets from 7 to 9 p.m. on the fourth Monday of each month at Memorial Conference Center Suite, 60 B McHenry Village, in Modesto. For more information contact Don Vaughn at 634-4489.