Greetings Friends,
There are good things happening, and in fact, this last month was one of the greatest ever. Becky and I joined the grandparent club, thanks to the amazing effort by our daughter Madison and her super supportive husband Ryan with the arrival of James Michael Leupp. It was truly the most magical day in our lives since the birth of our daughters. Through her delivery, they were safe, and we were safe and it made that first meeting and first touch even more miraculous. So many others out there have been going through the same thing, and we are there with you celebrating. Cheers to the other new grandparents and I am so happy to be a new member of this club. Let the spoiling begin!
In our other parallel universe, much has changed, especially this month. We were all sheltered in place, then we started to open, then we blew it and now we are stuck in shelter purgatory. So many places are closed again, and we try to find as much safe haven as we do things to do and go to work and we try to find our balance, a balance that may not come for a while. But one thing we do know is if you keep a safe distance from each other, wear masks in public crowded places, we can change the outcome. It’s seriously THAT SIMPLE to get our infection rates down. This is the only way to change the curve and make it safe for schools and the workplace. It’s hard, and inconvenient, but we need to do it. Now that’s off my chest.
This month, we continue our year-long series celebrating Modesto’s 150 Years. In this issue, we are featuring the 1970s. This was my decade and it is so crazy that I started the 70s in grade school and ended as a college student. So much happened in those ten years and Modesto really changed and as we look back, it is hard to thing that people said there was nothing to do and I hope you enjoy this look back. I know there is so much more to cover, but I tried to hit the super fun stuff.
There are a few things in town that are bringing happiness and a sense of normalcy. Music brings us all together. We will continue our Virtual Live series this month and the ModStock festival will be all live cast on ModestoView so as many people can enjoy our local bands. Live music has returned to 10th St Plaza thanks to our friends at Ralston’s Goat, doing this in a safe distanced way. The outside dining is a huge help to our local restaurants and while the weather is good, we need to really support these local businesses that are doing it right. As other sectors open, we support those that are doing it right and keeping us and their workers safe. Our FoodView this month highlights many that are embracing Al Fresco dining as a way to get our community going and to stay in business.
Now what? Well we need to be smart when we go out, we need to be smart at work to keep ourselves and our coworkers and friends safe, we need to care about each other. This is not the time to be an “It’s all about me” person, it is “all about us”. We are ALL in this together, no matter how cliché and trite that saying has become. Truly what we do, affects someone else and we need to support our local business now more than ever, and truly think what it means to live local. That is what ModestoView is here to do, celebrate the good and educate the things we can do so that we all have a better community. I thank you for that.
Be good to each other, your friends and family and treat all with respect and as equals. That is how we a great community. Let’s be that different community that is successful and let’s make this place we want our kids and grandkids to want to live.
And I wish a special Happy Birthday to my dearest Becky, the new Grandma and look forward to even more exciting family times in the future.
Thank you for reading. You all are the best.
Chris Murphy
Founder and Publisher, ModestoView
chrism@modestoview.com<mailto:chrism@modestoview.com>
