Greetings Modesto Friends,
Welcome to March, one of my favorite times of the year. It is still green, the air is fresh and the Irish feeling permeates the air. As the global holiday of St. Patrick’s Day approaches (on a Saturday no less!), we are all Irish kin but then your realize how much is going on. Seriously, this is an action packed March. We have the Modesto Marathon, we have St. Patrick’s Day at P Wex, Luckyfest, we have Bunny Con and even spring break is happening this month and Easter is April Fools Day. Wow.
But this month, we are wrapping this all up in delicious freshness and fitness. We are very excited that the Modesto Certified Farmer’s Market is opening on March 15. This is one of the earliest openings and the smell and taste of fresh market fruits, vegetables and treats awakes our senses. The farmer’s market is one of my weekly activities all year long and my bicycle and basket are ready. Check out the PoetryView in elsewhere in this issue that was written by one of Sam Pierstorff’s students about Opening Day at the Farmer’s Market.
This month is all about trying something new and getting a fresh start in other ways. Some of our neighborhood associations like College Area Neighborhood and LaLoma Neighborhood are working on some exciting park renovations, rebuilding playgrounds and creating new fitness spaces for kids and adults alike. Besides the traditional playgrounds, there are innovative new ideas to repurpose tennis courts for a game called Futsal, a mini soccer game. Check out this great idea with our Interview on page 14 with Darrel Wilkins who wants to bring Futsal to town and engage a whole new group of people in our parks. Please make sure that you get involved with your local neighborhood association and be part of the group of people that fix and solve things in our community. It will make you feel awesome.
Speaking of AWESOME, I want to recognize two people that are Modesto Champions. Local teacher Chris Guptill and firefighter Darin Jesberg are superstars. They have taken up the cause of making sure the trails and areas along our streams and rivers are litter, garbage and homeless free and are engaging the community to get in and make it happen. We celebrate them and please read about them on page 6.
Many of you may hear from me soon as I am on the leadership committee for the American Heart Association. With my heart issues from last year and my RF Ablation procedure that I will have this month, I am focused on heart safety and will reaching out to you and encourage you to help out. Fun and fresh fitness is the way to go for a healthy heart.
But most of all, thanks to all of you that are out there creating events, hosting neighborhood meetings, starting new businesses and being the change that Modesto needs. That is why ModestoView is here, to celebrate all of you and help point the way for positive Modesto area living. It truly takes teamwork so that we can stay focused on our mission to “Serve Civic Pride Daily”.
I celebrate my amazing Irish Murphy Girls, Rebecca, Madison and Abigail. You are the greatest and without my family, there is really nothing else. I love you all and learn from you daily and my life is richer because of my friends and family, as that is really what it is all about.
Thanks to you all and I will see you out and about in this fun city.
Chris Murphy
Publisher and Founder, ModestoView
chrism@modestoview.com<mailto:chrism@modestoview.com>
Photo: Harrison, Madison, Abigail, Ryan, Becky and Chris enjoy one of their favorite places, Minnie’s! Chris and Becky at P Wexford’s
