Greetings Friends!
We took a leap of faith and went ahead with the June issue as if we were going to open up our community. And we did.
The light switch flipped on June 15 and it seems like we are all finding a way to a new normal. My gratitude goes out to those who did it right, stayed safe and distanced, got vaccinated and have now earned the right to be back to “normal” in our new local normal civilization. Our future is now in the hands of the unvaccinated. Are they going to fake it and put us all at risk, or will they be safe, get vaccinated and help us keep COVID out of our community? Remember, this isn’t over, it is just dormant for now, IF and only if, we do this right. Let’s earn our American freedom and look out for each other, not ourselves. This is an important July 4th message as our country and our democracy was built by people who planned for the future and how it would work for others and what is, as Rotary would guide in the 4-way test, 1. Is it the truth? 2. Is it fair to all concerned? 3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships? 4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned? Let’s get back to our civics and manners and remember how democracy and our constitution really works. These are the things that make a great community.
Last month, our big leap was to get MoBand back in Graceada Park. It was amazing. Most important for me personally, it was my grandson Jamie’s first MoBand. I am so very proud of Madison and Ryan as new parents celebrating their first Mother’s and Father’s Days. I am so very grateful for my family. For the opening MoBand night in Modesto’s central park, people were having fun, being respectful and the band played some favorites to make our community celebrate again and whistle along to On the Mall. I have been proud to be the President of MoBand these last two years and will hand this title over to my friend Tony Pineiro, our next in line to guide us as MoBand starts it’s 2nd century.
As we celebrate the 4th of July, I am honored to be carrying on the tradition of Al Menshew as the Modesto 4th Parade announcer. For the last 10 years, Al has been guiding me, correcting my Shriner title pronunciations and my history lessons. Sadly, Al passed away this last year and this 2021 Parade will be celebrating Al’s life, memory and contributions. Please join us on Saturday July 3rd in downtown Modesto at 9:30 am to celebrate Al, Modesto and the USA.
The music is back in our local restaurants, bars and venues and we celebrate the Gallo Center for the Arts as they reopen this month with a special 30-Year Anniversary show celebrating YES Company. You can read our interview with the YES team in this issue on page 12. We welcome our friends at the Fruit Yard back with some great new shows and you see what is coming up on our back cover and it looks like Modesto USA’s Graffiti Summer will be back in August this year with the American Graffiti Car Show and Cruise Parade happening August 20, 21 & 22 with a very special Walk of Fame induction on August 19.
You may wonder what the 100 is on the cover of ModestoView is all about. It seems crazy, but my friend Michael J Mangano has created over 100 magical covers that have become snapshots of our community and our crazy ideas and projects. See our special 100 covers review on page 14. Equally crazy, our art director Pete Grimaldi has now completed 126 Modesto issues. We have such a great team and I don’t have enough fingers and toes to count all of our issues since 2006. I hope you like these as much as I do.
Exciting things are happening all over the place and next month we will be expanding our magazine back to 32 pages to cover the events and activities happening in our community. ModestoView has been here through the pandemic, helping our community make it through and showcasing the local companies that helped us get here today. I hope you will consider advertising with us as we need the support of our local businesses so we can continue to celebrate our community with good and positive news. We have to keep the good news flowing.
Thank you all for doing your part, creating cool things to do, attending events and being part of the energy that makes Modesto USA and our surrounding area a great place to live. It is and always will be all about the people in our community that strive to make a positive difference.
You are very appreciated and I hope to see you out and around.
With gratitude,
Chris Murphy
Founder & Publisher, ModestoView
chrism@modestoview.com<mailto:chrism@modestoview.com>
