Greetings Modesto Fans!
There is an energy when you go downtown in Modesto USA on a Thursday or Friday night. You hear the music you can smell the amazing food in our local restaurants and you see so many people you know. The Classic cars that drive the street as we get closer to the 50th anniversary of the Class of ’62 have their own special song. This friendliness is really what makes Modesto special and is the key reason we will be an even greater city.
A few people can make a difference here. Whether you want to organize a city wide clean up program, or create a Historic Cruise Route, begin to build downtown residences or start a mural program or even create a new record label, it cam be done here in Modesto. We have just the right blend of big thingsto make life exciting, but we have a small enough community where ANYONE, even you can make an impact. We the people have the power to make this city what we want it to be.
It is bike month here in Modesto! What? No Amgen? Yes it is still bike month since we have the amazing Ride For Mom and the 12th, the Family Cycling Festival on the 19th and Bike to Work Day is Thursday the 17th and there is a cool Kid and His Bike movie at the State. So take your one speed, fixie, road bike, cross bike or mtn bike and become a regular rider. Ride to the Farmers Market, to breakfast, to work and to the store or gym. It is easy and fun and we will be a bike city 365 days a year and become fit and strong and active.
Last month, downtown Modesto was finally taken seriously as a project to make sure that it is a true cultural and economic hub. I often get asked, “Why do we talk about downtown so much?” The answer is simple. A strong and vibrant downtown creates a healthy community city-wide. A strong core creates excitement andpride. This reaches everywhere in town. Downtown is a place we can all share, and now we know that there is true economic power in building our downtown strength. Housing? 100% necessary. Nightlife? Yes, it needs to be guided and focused in downtown and most importantly “welcomed and encouraged”. Dining? Make it easy to open, staff and promote a restaurant and create outside seating so we have a café feeling all over downtown. Offices? Yes as many as possible all connected with public transportation. Retail? Shop local, so very simple. Our Cruising American Graffiti history? Whomp bom a lu bop a wop bam boom! This is something that makes the whole world smile when they think of Modesto. All of us benefit when this city is pedaling and revving together.
Getting involved is the key. ModestoView helps you get involved and keep a positive outlook. There are hundreds of positive things to do in every ModestoView magazine and our Facebook is loaded daily with positive and fun things to do in town and our Twitter feed reminds you all day long of good things to do. ModestoView serves civic pride 24/7 and has been doing it since 1997 when we first turned on our PlazaCam.
Be part of our team. Send in your events, ideas, thoughts and plans so we can help make our city better. Advertise with us so we can help make the positive Modesto message even louder and reach farther. You will reach the best people that live in our region and your business will benefit.
I thank you all for reading ModestoView and taking the time to comment on what we can do. Have a great Modesto May and see what you can do to make a difference.
Chris Murphy. chrism@modestoview.com
