The leaved are fallin’, the air is chillin’ and the turkey is cookin’ and we are getting ready for the fall transformation. Family and friend traditions are so important. Especially now in our family as we have a new grandchild and another on the way. These are treasured moments. I am so excited for Modesto on Ice, the Turkey Trot, the first viewing Christmas Vacation, and the opening weekend of Rockin’ Holiday. The excitement is building.
Something is in the air here in Modesto. Besides the annual fall flavors, traditions and the fresh crisp breezes that roll in, there is some thing magic starting to happen. There are more families and kids in downtown, empty storefronts are featuring new restaurants and corners are lighting up with neon. The sound of live music is in the air once again and there seems to be a new freshness. Is that we are wishing for a new era in Modesto, is it really happening?
Thanks all who voted and supported the MAMA Awards! Over 6,000 people voted this year and our local music scene shined brightly. It is one of Modesto’s true special resources and a secret sauce and the MAMAs turn the corner into fall and shine a light on what is special. We have an opportunity to make sure that we are all going in the right direction. The business community has stepped up and people are investing. The non-profits are stepping in to make sure that those in need are getting the assistance they need. We need to make sure that our government is moving in the right direction too. The City of Modesto just received a grant for downtown beautification. Let’s make sure we are creating well-lit and safe places. It takes groups working together to make it happen. Let’s make sure that our leaders know what we want and expect. We have a community where we can all speak up and engage, so let’s all be a part of the solution. We need to make sure that the government resources are supporting safe places for the homeless and transient so that we can have a safe business and visitor experience.
It all starts with why? People will team up if they know why. My grandson always asks “Why?” “Just because” doesn’t work. He wants to know how, when and why, and I need to explain it. Why we need a Children’s or a Graffiti Museum and what are the results, why we need safe places for camping, why we need well-lit streets and why each one of us benefits when we all succeed. When we support Haven, Salvation Army, Community Christmas Tree, or the Modesto Gospel Mission, the priorities will be quite obvious and they know we want solutions.
This is the season to show our gratitude and thankfulness for what we have and how we can share. It’s a pretty simple concept. I am thankful for all that have given of themselves, to make our community better, invest in where we live and step up to create magic places bring more people along. That’s why ModestoView is here to help learn about who and what is making a difference and celebrating our local businesses and non-profits. We can do this and I am grateful for everyone who reads and supports ModestoView and acts local. We have some great contributors that make a difference.
Let’s make the end of 2023 the best we can and we have to start now to finish strong. Let’s make it happen. If you have great ideas on how we can do this, please let me know and let’s be a strong voice.
With gratitude and thanksgiving,
Chris Murphy,
Founder and Publisher, ModestoView.
chrism@modestoview.com<mailto:chrism@modestoview.com>
