Pocket Life

By Corky Mau
September 2024

Food Fest

St. Anthony Parish celebrates 50th birthday

Imagine a global menu that includes Filipino lumpia, Spanish paella, Polish kielbasa, Nigerian jollof rice, Greek moussaka, tacos, hot dogs, snow cones and more. For three decades, there has been nothing like it in Pocket.

St. Anthony Parish Community and Cultural Food Festival returns for its 31st edition Saturday, Sept. 7, along with a yearlong celebration of the parish’s 50th anniversary. The festival runs noon to 8 p.m. Admission is free.

More than 300 volunteers make the beloved event run. Attendance should top 2,000 this year.

Live entertainment includes School of Rock Elk Grove, Tyler Miles Jazz, Velez Martial Arts, J Street Strummers and Hui O Na Kai, and Sharp family band.

Carnival games and children’s contests run all day. Adults play bingo and other games. A car show includes electric and hydrogen vehicles. Walgreens offers free flu shots. The Country Store sells used books, plants and secondhand items.

St. Anthony was established in September 1974 and dedicated by Bishop Alden Bell in December 1979. Monsignor Timothy Brendan O’Sullivan led the parish for more than 30 years until his retirement in 2005. Since then, four other priests guided the church: Father John Boll (2005–2010), Father Manuel Soria (2010–2012), Father Loreto Rojas (2012–2015) and Father Mieczyslaw “Mitch” Maleszyk (2015 to present).

St. Anthony Parish is among the larger churches in the community with several outreach programs. The church provides food, financial help and housing to families with programs such as St. Vincent DePaul, Family Promise and Sisters Following the Way.

Funds raised through Lenten soup dinners support food banks. More than 250 children participate in the basketball program. Senior fitness classes are open to the public. The parish is at 660 Florin Road.

OHANA WALK

The Asian Community Center holds its annual Ohana Walk on Saturday, Sept. 7, at 8:30 a.m. Last year, about 1,000 people participated.

Registration fees are $40 for ages 18–84 and $20 for ages 2–17. Anyone older than 85 walks free. The event supports wellness programs for older adults and caregivers.

Three routes are offered along the Pocket Canal walkway. The 1-mile and 2-mile routes are flat and wheelchair accessible. The 3-mile route features an overpass climb. All routes start and finish at the ACC campus at 7334 Park City Drive.

For questions or information on the Give Back program for nonprofits, contact development@accsv.org or call (916) 394-6399.

AUTHOR TALK

Meet Mark Oshiro, a New York Times bestselling author, at Pocket-Greenhaven Library, Saturday, Sept. 28. His books for young adult and middle school readers include “Anger Is a Gift,” “Each of Us a Desert” and “You Only Live Once.”
The library’s Teen Advisory Board hosts the program. For information, contact the library at (916) 264-2920.

OKTOBERFEST

Enjoy German food and beer at Elks Lodge No. 6’s Oktoberfest on Saturday, Sept 14, from 5–9:30 p.m.
Grand Isle Fire Brigade Street Band provides entertainment. Food and beverages are available for purchase.
Advance tickets are $15 per person, $20 at the door. Call the lodge at (916) 422-6666 or drop by for tickets.

CLASSIC CARS

Say hello to classic car owners on Fridays, Sept. 6 and 20, at Device Brewing Company. See hot rods and vintage beauties from 4–8 p.m. in the parking lot along Windbridge Drive. Contact Ben Valencia at (916) 698-7507 for information.

JAZZ IN THE PARK

Food and music are a popular combo at Garcia Bend Park on Friday, Sept 20. Food trucks open at 5 p.m. Recording artist Vivian Lee and her jazz quartet perform blues and jazz at 6 p.m. City Councilmember Rick Jennings sponsors the show.

Corky Mau can be reached at corky.sue50@gmail.com. Submissions are due six weeks prior to the publication month. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: @insidesacramento.