The BigView
By Chris Murphy
Did everyone have a fun Halloween? Yes? Great.
NOW it is time to start thinking about the Holidays. Our mornings are beautiful right now. The flavors are intense and it’s finally sweater weather. The nights come earlier, and the café evenings are magic. I know I will be thankful for a hard freeze that will wipe out the mosquitos!
As we cheer on football, and the snacking that goes along with it, the real payoff comes at the end of the month. Thanksgiving is a time for gathering, conversing, playing and sharing family and friends day. It is NOT a shopping day. Take time, unplug, do a 1-day digital detox and really connect with people have fun cooking together, get the kids and grandkids involved. That is what I am truly thankful for.
Thanksgiving can start with some family running fun. This a great family event. What’s better than a 5K run to get out there and rev up your body and get a good work out before diving in to the turkey, mashed potatoes/cauliflour or cranberry whatever, and of course the pumpkin pie. You support MJC Athletics by running the Turkey Trot.
Park football is also Thanksgiving. Heck, Dolly Parton will be performing for half time so you can’t miss that! Many families and friends have long standing traditions, and this month we look back on the legendary Modesto Mud Bowl by Ken White.
Take time to share your time. Teach your kids to bake cookies or make hand turkeys for the table. Play Jenga, turkey bingo, and find things that are free and fun. Encourage interactions that pass on family traditions and if you are new family, start your own new traditions. It will be fun and you will learn a lot about each other.
Twilight Time
This is not just a great Moody Blues song, but it is that transition to Christmas and Hannukah after Thanksgiving. These are three days that mean different things to different people.
For those of you that are off on Black Friday, if you are into Black Friday deals, let’s keep our dollars local. Many of our locally owned stores offer their own special. Many downtown boutiques like Intrinsic Elements will be offering amazing deals and packages. Also make sure to check out McHenry Village as the stores transform for the holidays and take a break with our friends at Steward and Jasper for tasty holiday treats.
Black Friday Tips
In our family network, Friday is a downtown pub crawl day. For some reason, it is more fun to hang out with friends, and enjoy the fall flavors and tastes. From Churchkey, to Fuzio, Tresettis, Harvest Moon and The Goat, there are some great places in downtown to stroll, hang out, enjoy some tunes and get into the season.
Shop Local
Drink Local
Eat Local
Small Business Saturday.
This is a really important day for our local stores. Please remember that dollars spent local, stay local.
Don’t miss a new downtown market on Saturday. November 25. The traditional ModShop has concluded and there will be a new market on Saturday in teamwork with the Downtown DOMO Partership.
On December 3, the Century on 10th will be hosting the Posh Market, with 45 different local vendors and craft and some fun photo booths from 12-4 pm.
The holiday season is very hard for many. Those that can share can step up and really make a difference in the lives of many. There are so many ways that you can lend a hand and hope that you can find a way to do more for others.
Kettle Kick Off – November 16 – 11:30 am
Giving Tuesday – November 28 – Please pick a local charity
Gospel Mission Coat Drive
Love Stanislaus Comfort Kits
Community Christmas Tree – Vintage Faire Mall
The Kettle Kick Off is a way to make a huge difference in a single day. Please join over 1000 of your friends at the Modesto Center Plaza for a nice turkey lunch and then donate as many volunteers will be ringing their bell with their kettle to raise funds going table to table. I am sure that you have friends that are one of the fundraisers, but the ViewCrew will be there, ringing for dollars so if you would like to donate, look for us or email me at chrism@modestoview.com<mailto:chrism@modestoview.com> to arrange a donation. Or, just donate directly to Salvation Army.
We like the Salvation Army because over 85% of all funds received go directly to those in need and all are served without discrimination. The best way to help those in need is NOT to give to people in the streets, but to give to organizations that do the most good in the right places. The Salvation Army serves this way and you can be assured that your dollars actually go to food and shelter.
This is a very important issue that we can help solve. You can also help support Salvation Army in other ways. Sign up to be a volunteer bell ringer for Salvation Army by calling 209-522-3209. You can do this as an individual, a family, or with a group. You can also give personal items that are needed in the shelters. Donations can be taken to 320 9th Street. Items needed are: toiletries, bedding, new towels, underwear & socks.
Also, you can help anytime by going to the website and they will tell you a current need you can fulfill. Truly, anyone can lend a hand. www.salvationarmymodesto.org/
Modesto Gospel Mission
Join our community in helping provide warm Thanksgiving meals and coats for the hungry and homeless this holiday season on November 22, 3-5pm. We ask that you consider making a donation, of any amount, to support a great cause. Here’s how you can make a difference. You can donate directly to the Modesto Gospel Mission and there are ways to volunteer as well. Donate here: www.mymission.org/donate<www.mymission.org/donate> or sign up to volunteer here: www.mymission.org/volunteer<www.mymission.org/volunteer>
Clothing items for the “bundle up” are: New or gently used coats for men, women, or children. All sizes, Hats, Gloves, Scarves, Socks. These can be delivered to the Modesto Gospel Mission at 1400 Yosemite Blvd. Modesto
Comfort Kits
Join the Love Stanislaus team and help. Hundreds of children in our area enter foster care every year with nothing or with just a few belongings in a garbage bag. The Kids Program believes in the power of showing love to these kids during this scary time by offering a comfort kit filled with items to meet both physical and emotional needs during this life changing transition
Become a sponsor or give a donation of any amount. Love to shop? Sign up to give individual items or make a full kit on
your own! Volunteer to help assemble comfort kits at the event! Engage your congregation, book club, or classroom and help us gather the items we need. December 2, Centenary Church 1911 Toyon Ave., Modesto
