Greetings Modesto Friends,
Oh the weather outside is frightful…
Don’t you love it when it gets cold and grey, maybe sunny and cold or just plain chilly. There is something magical about the Thanksgiving weekend, where something is in the air makes it seem to start feeling like the holidays. Maybe it is the family, or the friendships, or seeing everyone at ModShop and tasting your first Irish Coffee in a downtown café, or the giving spirit but there truly something special that happens as we start December that wraps us up in a warm blanket as the leaves fall.
Usually, we take a look back in December, but this month we stay focused on what’s happening now. Man it is exciting. So many changes a foot. As you know, I like downtown a lot. ModestoView has been a champion for downtown for nearly 20 years. Why? Because a truly good city has an awesome downtown and we won’t rest until we get there. There are things happening. Rockin’ Holiday is here. We have a Downtown Modesto Partnership that was created solely to make downtown better. We have a new Visit Modesto effort that needs guidance and focus from those of us that can lead the way to what makes Modesto tick and showcase what Modesto really can be. There are new efforts to light up the streets and sidewalks, there are more classic art murals, and the downtown restaurants have been busting it hard to create an experience for both new residents and our regulars. The 3rd Annual ModShop was bigger than ever and our streets and stores were bustling with action, music, sights and sounds. What do we want for the holiday season? Let’s keep it going, let’s spread the word, let’s all go to the shows, and try a new place to eat and take part in Rockin’ Holiday and go ice skating at Modesto on Ice and stay around afterwards for an Apres Skate experience, and yeah we hit a high note this month when Brian Setzer brings his Rockin’ Christmas Orchestra to Modesto USA, the birthplace of Rockabilly. Oh yeah, we have a Star Wars Premier on December 15, and yes, we are the #homeofstarwars and #homeofgeorgelucas. So in summary, the gift we all need to give ourselves is the “Gift of Civic Pride”. It is free, and is available everywhere, give it to yourselves and everybody else you know. You don’t even need gift wrap.
The Murphy family is finally getting close to actually occupying most of our new house this month and that will make our holiday season a little more functional and fun. For many, this is not the case and the holidays are a tough time. My new route to work takes me by the Interfaith Ministry buildings and the Modesto Gospel Mission and it is a stark reminder that there is a little something that everyone can do. Our short time of transition is nothing compared to those who are truly in need. In this issue Maryann Spikes highlights the ways we can lend a hand. Whether it is socks for Rotary, or coats for IMF, or donating for the Christmas meals at Salvation Army, we can all do something. And there are good ways we can all make a difference. This is all part of the gift of civic pride, everyone needs some pride in their lives.
This is how it all works Modesto. We celebrate the things that we are doing or have done that make our community better and we work hard to do the things that we can do to make our community better for the future. We are truly living local. ModestoView friends, you are the best, as just as you are holding this magazine in your hands, you have already chosen to make this a better place. So that is part of the gift we need to give each other.
Thank you, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of you, your friends and families. May you enjoy the season, whatever you celebrate. We are all one people and we all need each other.
Chris Murphy
Founder and Publisher of ModestoView
chrism@modestoview.com<mailto:chrism@modestoview.com>
