Greetings Modesto Friends:
This is my favorite time of the year. I love Graffiti Summer.
It brings back the memories of those weekends in high school and the summer fun for me and many of the cruisers and the classic car owners here in Modesto USA each year. From the class of ’45 through today, so many memories and so much to celebrate. As you will read from Eli Lester in our interview this month, this is not just about cars and history, it is about art and this is an important part of Modesto’s identity. Graffiti lives today as it is a true work of art to create a classic car and the art and music that surround it will never die. Classic music, classic cars and our classic ModestoCana way of life are what we are made of and this is a huge part of our future. It is up to us to engage the next generation and make this a big part of who we are.
I made a quick trip to Disneyland in May with by daughter Abigail. It is mind blowing that it has been absolutely taken over by StarWars. Yes, the very Star Wars that was created by Modesto native George Lucas. We are in fact the #homeofstarwars and we should be very proud. We celebrated the May the 4th “Star Wars Day” and we now look to how we can celebrate this year round, just like we want to do with Lucas’ other milestone film American Graffiti. Two of the most popular films of all time, have direct ties and influences from Modesto USA.
Seriously, how cool is this? Now we need to work together to make sure we make the most out of this.
Oh yeah, while we are on the Disney subject, CarsLand is essentially a model for how we should work with 10th and 11th Streets downtown. Imagine if you will, a district dedicated to the themes of classic cars, Modesto of the ’40 & 50’s, celebrating the music and the classic cars that inspired American Graffiti and surround it with classic local homegrown cuisine and cocktails. There is even a new 10th St Night Market starting June 2. You can stroll the Historic Cruise Route and the Walk of Fame while you are there. This makes so much sense.
But wait, there’s more! Don’t forget that Rockabilly Music was born here in Modesto USA back in ’38 and it is alive and rockin’ today and we will be bringing cars, pin-ups, music, art and fun to the Greasers Social Ball on June 18. This is free for the whole family in downtown Modesto’s 10th St Plaza. We hope to see all of you there and meet up with you. Ride your bike, drive your car and cruise on down. The Graffiti Cruise Parade is on June 10th and stay down after the cruise because there will be an All-Star Elvis Tribute extravaganza in 10th St Place that is Free.
Living here is fun, let’s make the most of it and invite the rest of the world to share it with us. When you read through our magazine, please tell a friend about us, like us on Facebook and most importantly, eat, drink and shop local and support the wonderful businesses that advertise here. Because of them, we can print this and put it in your hands.
Please tell me what you like, what you don’t like and we are always working to make ModestoView better and more valuable for your Modesto lifestyle.
Have a fantastic Graffiti Summer Modesto.
Chris Murphy
chrism@modestoview.com<mailto:chrism@modestoview.com>
Founder and Publisher – ModestoView
