Greetings Friends
This is going to be a fabulous July here in Modesto.
We have just come off of a great Graffiti Summers last month. There were cars and people visiting Modesto from all over the world, enjoying our community, checking out our cars and feeing right at home. I love sitting on my deck playing my guitar and hearing the sounds of hot rods all over town It is a very cool Modesto soundtrack. I got to cruise this year for the first time. Last year I was lucky enough to be the Grand Marshal, but this year, I got to cruise in a big ole long Catalina with Jeremiah Williams and Harrison Power. The Graffiti USA Museum was hosting visitors and Graffiti Con 2022. It was so fun. Now, we need to support the efforts of our local Lowrider and customs community to make cruising legal again! This community is so very important to our Graffiti USA future and making sure that we include all of our communities and cultures in our classic story. We will keep you posted on the next steps.
We are a richer community when we all work together for good, and lift each other up. It is a tough time right now nationally, when people are working hard to take rights away from people, 50.52% of our people actually. 75% of my family unit are women and it really makes you wonder. This is really simple. Equality for all. That’s it really. I respect the beliefs of others, and at the very least expect the same back. We need to be a people with empathy, integrity, understanding and respect. That’s what true independence is as we celebrate the 4th of July.
I look forward to announcing this year’s 149th Annual Fourth of July Parade. It is such an honor to celebrate our community, our people and showcase those have made a difference and want to have a lot of fun on floats, cars, boats and even some airplanes, oh yeah some marching bands and some good ole rock and roll from the Clampers. I, along with my friend Ian Riley of KHOP, and “Radio” Rick Myers of KFIV fame will be there talking it all up as they go by. Come out and celebrate with us and thanks to the Modesto Kiwanis Clubs for keeping the parade alive and thriving and for celebrating our friend, Terry McGrath.
Later this month, the Stanislaus County Fair is back and bigger than ever. Bigger Monster trucks, more music, more food, more midway rides and more animals and more great times. This is one of the true great family events. Opening night is July 8 and come out and see my band Third Party rock the community stage as you head to get a funnel cake. You can read more about the fair in our center spread.
This summer, let’s make sure that we all say “Thank You” to our local businesses. As we see some long time local companies sell to big investment firms, we have to make sure that we are working hard to support our local businesses that keep all of their revenue right here at home, sponsor our soccer teams, donate to our local fundraisers and keep Modesto thriving. This is really important and we need to keep every dollar as local as possible. We need to work hard to help people start new businesses or bring their businesses and be successful here in Modesto. Thank you to the local businesses that support ModestoView so we can bring you nothing but good news each month and every day on-line. I am grateful to live in a place like this where we all work hard to lift each other up and make things better.
Have a wonderful 4th and a great July.
With gratitude,
Chris Murphy
Founder & Publisher, ModestoView
Captions, Becky and Chris enjoy Jamie with a little Cal / Stanford rivalry
It is so great that Harrison is speaking to the local service clubs about Modesto’s history and architecture as he serves on the Modesto Landmark Commission. We need to preserve our past to have a great future. Great job Harrison! Proud of you. Chris, Madison, Abbey and Harrison at Modesto Sunrise Rotary.
